Meeting of Six

Prompts: Crow & Cabin

A man knocks on a cabin door and glances around himself as he waits for it to open. The trees beyond the house are dark and menacing, twisted branches stretching out like fingers pointing accusations at him, their shadows so different from the forest where he lives.
He sighs in relief when the door opens. The woman inside greets him with a nod and steps aside to let him in, her eyes sharp as they scan the forest for others.
“No one else is here?” The man asks. The woman shakes her head, moving to a stand against the far wall. A crow perches on the stand, its beady gaze boring into the visitor.
“You are the first,” the woman says as she strokes her pet’s feathers. “I expect Corah next.”
“Flora will be last,” the man says, seating himself on the floor. “She was visiting Natasha.”
The woman frowns and her crow caws as it senses her emotions. “Our meeting is more important. I did not realize our sister would be so callous as to make other plans.”
“Calm down,” the man says. “She was closest to Mother, she must need time to prepare before seeing us after so long.”
“Yet she spoke to you.”
“Says the woman who barely speaks to her when you do see her.”
The siblings stare at each other for a moment before the woman turns away. “I do not care. She will be late, we will end late. I have no plans.”
A knock causes the man’s shoulders to tense, but his sister only tilts her head and strides to the door. “Corah,” she says when she opens it. “Welcome.”
“Oh, so she gets a welcome and I get a nod? That’s not fair,” the man complains as another woman enters the cabin. “Good evening. How was your journey?”
“We both know Turina’s never liked you,” the newcomer laughs. She throws her cloak over a hook on the wall and hugs her brother. “Why is it so dreadfully cold here?”
“You live in a desert,” the first woman says. “Flora‘s coming late.”
With the arrival of a cheerier soul, the conversation loses its formal airs. Corah, the newcomer, keeps the peace between Turina and their brother. When another brother and sister arrive, the mood quickly rises and soon stories are told and voices are raised as the siblings relive memories.
“Get the door, Conri,” Turina calls when another knock is heard. “I’ll pour some cider.”
Conri, the first to arrive, sighs yet again and goes to the door. He smiles at the young woman who stands there. “Flora. You’re here.”
“I am.” Flora steps inside and nods to Corah and their other siblings. “I came as soon as I was done.”
“You don’t have to be so formal, sis!” The other man calls back. “Even Mother relaxed sometimes.”
Flora smiles back. “Sorry, Everett. Old habit.”
Everett waves an arm. “Nah, it’s good. Come and sit! I haven’t seen you in ages!”
Turina joins them moments later, steaming mugs of cider in her hands, and the night passes with laughter and tales of years past, each sibling speaking of their lives and what they have been doing. Corah takes pride in the villages she protects, Everett tells them about his newest friends, Riharra laughs about her journeys, and Turina shows off the baby crows her favorites hatched. Only Conri and Flora hold back, Conri for the secrecy of his pack and Flora for fear of what her siblings will say.
Dawn draws near and Corah convinces Conri to share how his newest wolves are doing. He obliges her but refuses to answer Riharra’s teasing about finding a partner. Flora tentatively shares a new flower she found but then the sun is up and the siblings must leave.
Corah departs first, pulling her hood up and kissing everyone on the cheek before leaving. She is followed shortly by Everett, who insists he’ll give everyone a new puppy at their next meeting. Conri and Flora leave next, fading into the forest together, and then only Turina and Riharra are left at the cabin, watching the others disappear and murmuring softly.
When Riharra is gone, Turina sweeps the floor and falls into her chair. She loves to see her siblings, but once every few years is enough for her. Especially when they meet at her home. Perhaps Corah will host next time since she hates the cold so much.