[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/lV28mlY.png[/img]
[h3][color=EE82EE]Location:[/color][color=D8BFD8] Outskirts of the Gathering
[color=EE82EE]Mentions:[/color] Rimguage, briefly [@Mae]
[color=EE82EE]Mood:[/color] Undone[/color][/h3][hr][hr][/center]
A dark cloud had seemed to pass over the young woman's usually fiery nature. Anything she said was empty and half-hearted, and her features seemed to be a carving of bleakness - delicate, yet lacking life. The only thing at the moment that was vaguely alive in her was the way in which she was hacking at some poor tree with her axe. Her forehead glistened with sweat and her hair had come undone long ago; it tumbled down in a tangled mess of blonde waves that she couldn't care less about. The look of concentration that graced her features is what kept most people away - most likely in fear of having a limb chopped off by the brutish weapon. 

Her fellow scouts had long since abandoned their hopes of getting her to stop and were conversing a few hundred yards away, shooting her an occasional amused glance every once in a while. They had learned a long time ago that being worried about Valerie was useless in their part; whatever it was she was going through, this was how she dealt with it quickly and efficiently and without hesitation - like killing an elk. What they did not know, however, was how much she was hurting inside. 

It was like a hole being burnt straight through her chest; agonising enough for her to wish for death, but not quite close enough to her heart to grant that wish. Heartbreak, she supposed, was meant to feel this way. But was this heartbreak? Were her feelings even important enough to cause this much pain? Maybe she had been poisoned. The thought caused the girl to snort to herself. [i]Denial.[/i]

Only when she sensed the scouts behind her begin to shift did she stop swinging her weapon. Without even taking a second to admire the damage she had done, Valerie rejoined her brethren. The scouts had arrived at the Gathering a few hours earlier than the rest of the Wolfrahg clan, to ensure that there would be no danger in their way - much to the relief of Valerie. However, it was customary to regroup with the rest of their tribe as they arrived at the Gathering. 

So, as a large group of familiar faces emerged over the crest of a hill, the couriers shouted in greeting and responded with wolf howls of their own. The sight caused Valerie to visibly lighten, her lips shaping an uncontrollable grin. "That's our girl." A rough clap on the back was replied with a shove to the shoulder and the faerie-like girl was surrounded by faces she had grown to cherish. Of course, her gaze automatically rested on [b]his[/b], but was soon forced away as she was lead away by a flock of chattering women. 

"This'll be it - the year you'll find a suitable husband, Valerie." A raven-haired girl took her by the arm as they delved deeper into the growing crowd of clans. "Your bloodline may not be the most appropriate, but your looks make up for it." Valerie suppressed a shudder as the girl whose name she'd forgotten patted her arm reassuringly. She had no clue as to where they were going, and apparently neither did her companion. [i]Oh well, now would be an ample time to socialise.[/i]

[center]"Don't worry, hen. You'll find love soon. "[/center]

That was her cue to slip away. Murmuring excuses about needing to relieve herself, Valerie slipped from her grasp and began weaving her way through the crowds of strangers. She ensured that her axe was well out of the way as countless folk barged into her, most not even noticing her due to her lacking in height. Her shortness also made it next to impossible to see what direction she was going. She may as well have been walking in circles for all that she knew. It was safe to say that now she was well and truly lost.