9812/Still Besties

Still Besties
Date of Scene:	28 October 2019
Location:	Cabin In The Woods
Synopsis:	Time finally allows Rahne and Dani to catch up a little bit. An old bond is renewed and strengthened.
Cast of Characters:	Wolfsbane, Moonstar

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Wolfsbane has posed:
Morning, and the wolfen woman in the cabin is still half-asleep in her new bed. It's a nice one, Wolfsbane would have to give Kurt that. He isn't here, so it's just her out at the cabin in Breakstone, fairly close to the Xavier's property itself. Close, but not quite part of it. Trees surround the place, and the lake is not far off. Everything about it is just...quiet. Peaceful, even. The wolfen woman begins to sit up for a stretch, yawning wide.

Moonstar has posed:
Heading out from the stables where she had been making sure Brightwind was okay, and fed for the day, Dani Moonstar walks towards Breakstone with a visit in mind. Spotting the cabin in the distance, Dani heads that way, moving up the path to the front door. Using her right hand, she raps on the door, firmly but not too loud, and waits to see if anyone was home.

Wolfsbane has posed:
As Rahne gets out of the bed, dressed in just a long nightshirt, there is..something that registers. Something familiar, yet not often felt these days. With it, a sense of anticipation. She is in her midform, so it kicks in by a certain point. Her eyes snap toward the main door.

Moonstar has posed:
Waiting patiently, Dani Moonstar looks at the door...almost through the door. Her eyes squint slightly, as though sensing something. Closing them, she let her senses push outwards, as though they were picking up a presence. Taking a moment to concentrate, Dani can tell where Rahne was right now. "Hi Rahne." Dani says, almost too quiet to penetrate the wooden door. "Can I come in?"

Wolfsbane has posed:
The door might as well not even exist. Through that bond, that link Dani shares with all animals, it includes Wolfsbane whenever she's in a form that includes the wolf, and she is almost always that way these days. It's what she's felt most comfortable with. It might as well be her.

Anticipation and excitement is there in the connection, and the sense of her rapidly approaching grows stronger before the door opens and, at the same time, there is both a mental and verbal response: "Dani!" There is also practically a leap at her.

Moonstar has posed:
Dani can feel the link as well, almost surprised that it was still there after all this time. Dani's powers come with it an emotional empathic attachment to animals, and especially the wolf, so that must be why the link has remained there. Dani can also sense the excitment, as the door opens, and Rahne nearly leaps at her! Dani laughs as she hugs her dearest friend in her arms, and says, "It's so good to see you! Welcome back! I missed you!" Dani laughs again, and looks into the cabin as they embrace.

Wolfsbane has posed:
Wolfsbane is a few inches shorter, a couple years younger, but there is a difference in the two that seems greater in this moment, almost as if she's in sort of a pup mindset. It shows in generally warm feelings that burst forth, but also in an impulsive attempt to rub cheeks, as if a nuzzle. She really /has/ embraced that side of herself, hasn't she? It could be concerning given how reluctant she was in the past to even let this side of her out, but she seems comfortable with it.

"Och, I've missed ye so as well!" she exclaims, and the laugh is shared, latched onto via that link before she gathers herself enough to clear her throat, going as far as adding the visual of coughing into a fist. "Ahh, ye should come inside, an' give me a minute tae change. I was just waking up." It's about midday. Lazy wolf, or maybe she was up quite a while.

Moonstar has posed:
Dani Moonstar lets the nuzzling and the cheek rubbing with a warm laugh, and a scratch behind ther ears here and there. It was just like old times, and Rahne's enthusiasm was infectious! "It has been so long...too long!" Dani says, as she walks inside the cabin. "Nice and cozy place. Very you I see." Her eyes adjust to the light easily inside.

"Please, take your time! I should have let you know I was coming." Her smile was still wide and warm. "I just heard that you were back, so I wanted to come and see if you were okay."

Wolfsbane has posed:
Various warmfuzzy feelings transfer through the bond from the focus on the ears and such. It could almost be eerie how similar it still is to doing that with actual animals, but that isn't a thought that crosses Wolfsbane's mind right now. There's a moment where she catches herself slipping into those feelings and focuses to regain a little composure. Talking wouldn't work so well if she was stuck thinking about ear-scritches.

"Have a seat. Look around. There's water in th' fridge. I'll be right back," she says quickly, retreating to the bedroom after shutting the front door. She's distracted, excited, maybe a little apprehensive, but mostly excited. It's been a long time. "Kurt did all o' this!" she calls out, reappearing after another minute in a hastily-thrown-on shirt and pair of shorts. No costume. She's also calmed herself, mostly. "Dani..I tried tae be more independent an' it didna work."

Moonstar has posed:
Dani can feel all the warmth and affection through the emotional bond that they have. It was really quite a calming feeling. Comfortable. Like warm, fuzzy pajamas right out of the dryer. With another warm laugh at the effect her scritches were having, Dani stops and grabs a seat. "Thank you I will!" After sitting down, and Rahne leaving the room, Dani does take a moment to take everything in.

A modest cabin. It was obvious to Dani that Rahne had a big part in decorating the place, even if she says that Kurt did it all. Especially the paintings. Dani calls out, "Really? It seems to be your tastes and likes. Maybe he knows you then! That's good!" As Rahne appears, Dani says, "It is okay. We all need some time to find ourselves. You did! It is hard to be independent sometimes."

Wolfsbane has posed:
Wolfsbane remains in the doorway to the bedroom, keeping some semblance of distance now, if only so she can watch Dani with interest while allowing her the chance to focus on her thoughts more clearly. It's hard not to smile with her best friend around, even if they've hardly seen or spoken to each other in months. Even with Rahne's occasional visits to Xavier's, they just haven't crossed paths.

"He set it all up himself," she claims. "We..well, I wasna in a verra good place over there. I thought I could help others better, but I just.." A hand waves, like she's trying to find the right words. It was easier to talk about it when Logan stopped by. "I was sad, an' Kurt couldna make me feel better, an' he came by because he was gaunae call things off an' I was ready tae let him go, but then we talked an' he said I needed tae come home an' everyone else needed me home but I'm still no' sure exactly where I belong an' then he surprised me wi' this place."

Moonstar has posed:
Dani takes a few seconds to look around again, not quite looking directly at her old friend's gaze. Taking it all in. "All by himself?" Dani shakes her head with a smile, and nods towards some of the paintings. "He certainly has fine taste in art. Very nice." Dani looks at the art again for a few seconds, before his gaze comes back to Rahne.

"I understand." Dani says, as though she truly did. At least that was the emotions she was conveying in her voice. "Every now and then there was a flash. But I was so far away for a long time too, so I am sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me."

Dani shrugs, not in a negative way, just in an accepting responsibility way. "I am glad that Kurt was though." Dani's eyes twinkle a bit, an emotional meeting. "He's a good man. You are lucky to have him."

Wolfsbane has posed:
"I think he started on this th' moment he left th' apartment," Wolfsbane realizes. "I should ask him if he had Piotr do any o' th' paintings." But there are more things that give the cabin a very personal touch for the Scottish mutant.

She admits, "Maybe I should ha' sought ye oot earlier, but I thought I could do things on muh own. But th' problems wi' th' club an' th' gangs, wi' Doug getting shot..I almost killed someone because o' it, an' I know how close I got. Then wi' th' Sentinels, there was nothing I could really do, so I just hid more an' more." Not hard to see how she got caught in her own thoughts, spiraling into a state Dani's no doubt seen her get to before.

"But Kurt an' I..I think we understand each other more than we did before. I remember whit I thought o' him th' first time I saw him, but he was always kind an' helpful, an' noo I see him in a different way. We both believe as well, ye know." A subtle glance upward.

Moonstar has posed:
"Oh! You may be right. I think I can see Piotr's touch there maybe?" Dani waves towards one of the paintings, although it wasn't quite obvious which one it was. Perhaps the one with the pack of wolves? "That would be so like Kurt. I must say..." Dani pauses, looks back at Rahne, and grins. "...he's more astute than I thought. It is very nice. Cozy. A perfect home for you."

Dani waves off Rahne's comments, "No, it's okay. I didn't come to find you either. So it is not your fault. I know the Sentinels and everything has everyone all riled up about. With that, you coming home, Asgard and the whole situation with Loki and Thor, and Odin may be alive..." Dani takes a breath.

"Sorry. So much to deal with!" Then, a smile again. "Of course! I am glad you see him differently! As long as you are moving at a speed perfect for you, then all is good! Do what is good for you!" Dani winks at her.

Wolfsbane has posed:
Or perhaps the painting of the other cabin on the wall, for Dani would not know it is no ordinary, random cabin. Wolfsbane would know its significance. "It..gives me th' chance tae be much closer, but still able tae have muh space when I need it. I've told others..I'm no' sure I'm cut oot tae be an X-Man, an' I dinna see muhself teaching. Maybe it'll be like it is for Mister Logan, where he has a few people he works wi' on his own time."

The two could blame each other for not talking and go back and forth on it until the end of days at this rate, but it's Rahne who breaks that possible cycle. "Loki..was th' other reason. Th' attack, whitever it was, an' th' pendant he gave me for Shannon before I knew it was him..I think he was messing wi' me again. I'll never forget Asgard." For one reason or another, for good or bad. "An' noo I hear it's back. How is tha' affecting ye?"

Her mouth twitches in a threat of a smile at whatever she seems to read from Dani as far as proceeding with Kurt - maybe it's the wink - but she leaves that unanswered. Of course she does.

Moonstar has posed:
Dani watches her friend and smiles as she talks about Logan and her thoughts about the team and teaching. "I understand. Not all of us are here to do those things, but you are vital to the team though. You were always the heart and passion of the team, Rahne. So you can find your way, the best way for you, and we are all good with that. As it is, it is just good to have you around. We have need of good listeners too. There are people who need your advice and guidance. You have a unique perspective that is vital to many."

"Yes, Loki. He was conniving and sniveling his way into our world again. Hopefully he is gone...for now." Dani pauses, and considers that question carefully. "How is it affecting me? Well, I am happy. I guess. I haven't really gone back yet. I'm not sure if I am welcome. Hela has called for me, but so far, I have not answered. Time will tell I guess." Dani shrugs. "It is good to talk about it though. I don't know of anyone else I can talk to like when we talk."

Wolfsbane has posed:
And Rahne /has/ given some individual advice to a person or two from time to time. Megan, for one. Something like that could be more her speed, something where it isn't really on demand on a daily basis. "We were all important tae each other, but wi' us getting older noo, I feel like some o' us are sort o' going our own ways. I never thought we'd all be doing th' same thing our whole lives, but maybe for a wee bit longer than this." She's stopped having anything to do with Club Evolution as well. No more security for her.

"But Loki..an' Hela, they're both nothing but trouble. Any good memories I have o' Asgard..they're beyond, looming in th' distance." They don't need to specifically cite who Wolfsbane is thinking of as far as good Asgardian memories are concerned, but that particular one is not around now. "Ye dinna serve tha' witch, though. Ye may be a Valkyrie, but ye're still Dani."

Moonstar has posed:
Dani laughs. "Older! You make it sound like we are as ancient as Logan is!" Dani's eyes share the amusement in her laugh. "That's a sobering thought." Shaking her head, she shrugs. "Yeah, you are right. A lot of us have gone our seperate ways. Or are going our seperate ways...either or I guess." Dani sits back deeper in the chair. "For me, I thought we'd being doing this whole "save the world" thing," Dani accentuates those words with "air quotes" from both hands, "forever. Or until...well."

Dani frowns. After all, death was a huge part of her life now as a Valkyrie. "Yeah, Loki and Hela are a lot of trouble. Which is why I hope that the All Father will be back. Soon. Thor needs his voice to help him become a better potential King." Dani's smile returns. "And you are right! I am still Dani, no matter what!" Dani peeks at Rahne. What was that flash of emotion? Ah. "I haven't seen him Rahne. I know who you are thinking of. When Asgard...Ragnarok...I'm sorry. I haven't seen him."

Wolfsbane has posed:
"I'll be twenty next year!" Wolfsbane exclaims, her clawed hands out to the sides before she leaves the doorway to take up a spot on the sofa, legs tucked beneath. "But it feels like it's getting harder tae save th' world, or even a city block, when some o' us are just trying tae hold it all together wi' ourselves first."

She grows quiet for a spell as Dani expresses her hopes and concerns regarding the Asgard situation. She's still quiet when /he/ is brought up, and she merely nods. She doesn't have to say anything, because a range of emotions through the link handles it for her: hope, concern, fear, desire, and then something verbal. "I'm wi' Kurt noo, anyway." She doesn't even know if /he/ still lives or not. She'll assume that one is alive, but with no sightings it takes away some of the potential conflict that could arise if he were to suddenly show up. "An' Kurt does care about me, an' I care about him. We're planning a trip, maybe as soon as next week."

Moonstar has posed:
"Oh no! 20! Wow! You are so old!" Dani laughs again. She hasn't laughed this much in...forever! "Oh, my sides! SO much laughing." Dani catches her breath, and then notices the sombre turn that Rahne was in now. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I know how hard it is for you to talk about him." Dani nods as Rahne continues.

"There you go! You are right. Kurt should be first and foremost on your mind." A pause, as Dani considers. "I will let you know if I hear anything." Then, the change of subject. "A trip! Where abouts? Anywhere interesting?"

Wolfsbane has posed:
Wolfsbane waves it off again, for the laughter feels a lot better than the sadness. It's better to smile than it is to frown, and she's had more reason to smile in the last week or so than she has in the prior few months.

"It's all right, Dani. But ye remember how young we were when we got here. We've been doing this around a quarter o' our lives, ye know."

The brief sense of melancholy out of her over /him/ is allowed to come and go along with a nod. "I'm sure we'll see each other again one day, whether here or..." Wherever somewhere else may happen to be. Asgard, or beyond. "But thanks. I'd still like tae know for sure if ye ever find oot."

She switches back to more of the here and now. "I think we're gaunae see some places around Germany an' where he's from, an' we might go back tae muh home in Scotland, or a' least see Muir again." There is a hint of uncertainty that comes through the link as she mentions her home. Unsolved issues back there. Well, one major one. "Maybe after we're done wi' tha', I can give ye a hand wi' Brightwind if ye like."

Moonstar has posed:
Dani watches her friend chat and talk, and she goes quiet for a moment, as Rahne speaks of her trip. Reminscing on all the times past, and the present. The now. It was just like they had never been apart, at least to her. Her smile remains, as she considers where they would be this time next year, five years, 50 years.

"Germany. Scotland! Now that would be quite a trip." Brightwind. "Of course! You are always welcome to help with him. He likes you. Usually." Dani nods. "Well, I hate to say it Rahne, but I need to go. Make sure Brightwind is battened down for the night, and all that. He's a demanding soul." Dani grins and offers her arms for another hug. "It is good to see you my dearest friend. We will need to make this a regular thing now! Maybe next time Kurt can be around? We can all chat!"

After the goodbyes, Dani moves to the door, and with a wave back towards her friend, exits and heads back towards the Mansion with a spring in her step.