The sun was just rising above the touring Sierra Hills, poking out between broad bands of silvery clouds, casting persimmon rays down over the land, coloring the hills in bands of bright crimson, and shadowed bistre. As had become routine for him, Drestig was already up and patrolling along the borders, starting down along the foot of the red cliffs, where the pack's main water source trickled along  in its lazy autumn saunter. Being alpha was a stressful job, the responsibility of everyone's safety and well being resting squarely on his shoulders; And Spieden's... No longer could he pick and choose what tasks to do, coming and going as he pleased, no quick hunts or casual scouting trips. Usually he was too busy to even think of such things, always there was something to do, someone to talk to or something to check up on. Only in the mornings, while he made his first rounds, did his mind have some time to wander.

With Triell's return it had become easier, some of the pressure taken off him with the younger man back to act support. And yet he was even more anxious than before, every glimpse of the dark Tainn making his older counterpart's heart race, mind reeling as he feared that this would be the day, that the he would approach him. So far it had yet to happen, but he felt constantly on edge; It least I'm more free to trek out now... It didn't really cheer him up, he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so uncertain and it wore him out.

But these mornings were nice, when the warmth was just starting to burn away the cold that had started to bite at night. Recently he had been sleeping a lot better than he had all summer; Probably because I'm so tired out, I sleep like a rock as soon as I lie down! That at least, was something to be happy about, the horrid nightmares seemed to have left. And he woke up fresh and energized, ready to tackle a new day; So what will this one bring? Only time would tell.

Word count: 358

Thoughts ”Speech”

To be disturbed in this precious time of peace was the last thing the dark alpha wanted, and so, when he heard paws approaching, he had to fight to suppress a frown. The day had barely begun and already there was need of him; But that is what leadership is, I guess... Plastering on a neutral face of his own, the man halted, waiting for the approacher to announce themselves. Though when a voice rang from behind, he was pleasantly surprised. He hadn't expected her, they had seen so little of each other lately, and she certainly hadn't been seeking him out, yet now she was there, and it made him oddly happy.

Spinning around to face the grey scout, Drestig raised his ears and tail, waving the later gently in the air. Ember orbs took in her grey form as it emerged from the trees, lingering there for a moment before moving to meet her emerald gaze. She was looking healthier and healthier every time he saw her, certainly a far cry from the emaciated wolf he had had to pick up off the ground those months earlier. A lazy smile curved his lips, eyes winkling. "Certainly, Jessie." He rumbled warmly, head tilting a little. As always, her mood was hard to gauge, carefully indifferent expression hiding any underlying emotion. He'd learned long ago though, that this didn't mean she wasn't feeling things, time had simply taught her to hide it. So now he waited silently, to see what her mask was covering up today; Though I might have some idea...

Word count: 262

Thoughts ”Speech”

He noticed her hesitation, confusion flickering through his gaze. Uncertainly, he lowered his tail, flicking one ear sideways, questioningly. In the end she continued, a few more steps, but he couldn't catch her eyes, and she kept her distance, speaking without looking directly at him. He flinched a little at her tone, though he was used to her blunt manner, this seemed meaner than her usual indifference. As ever, it was impossible to tell what lay behind, but he felt certain there was a deeper reason for her seeking him out; Only time could tell when, and if, she was gonna let him in on it.

Sitting himself down, Drestig took his time in responding, weighing just how honest he should be. His first impulse was, as always, to make a snarky remark, but something held his tongue. Normally he wasn't afraid of hurting her with his teasing, she was thick skinned; And yet… There was something about her today. Tuning his head, the dark man followed her gaze out over the water, blinking at the slowly increasing light. Finally he spoke, tone thoughtful: "It's hard work, but I like it. I think… A part of me always wanted it." He smiled crookedly, looking back at the grey lady; "Though I do miss the peace and quiet sometimes, always someone's needing to talk to me." Seemed in the end, he couldn't resist the urge, just to give a little prick.

But he quickly grew serious again, watching her from under wrinkled brows. Her body might look healthy again, but there was still something, something about her that wasn't quite in its place, that wasn't quite like it used to be; Like a shadow… It was hardly unreasonable, that she would change, she had lost something she could never get back, something irreplaceable. But she had lost before, that much he knew. Hotei had once told him that she used to be different, not so closed off, but continued losses were bound to take their toll. He couldn't even imagine this Jessie, this character that supposedly approached others with friendliness, speaking openly about her feelings; But perhaps… She's not ALL different. And he realized that he didn't want her to lose that part of herself, that last part who might just allow others in. "How are you?" He asked in a low, inscrutable voice, watching her closely; "You look… Better." There was a tiny sting in the word, as if to imply: Not all better.

Word count: 414

Thoughts ”Speech”

There was a clear difference from his usual interactions with the grey woman. Her reactions were slow and she seemed much more self-aware than usual, fidgeting under his gaze. The oaken leader furrow his brow. Of course he could hardly expect her to just go back to what she used to be, but there was something unsettling about this Jessie. Her harsh tone made him flinch slightly, eyes widening at the statement, she sounded so definitive; Like she's lost hope… The raven man felt suddenly bad about his jab – it was so easy to taunt her, the quips simply rolling off his tongue – but her defenses were down now, she couldn't deflect his words as easily as she used to. For a moment they were both staring at their paws, as Drestig tried to find a proper facial expression. He wasn't gonna pity her, he'd decided from the get go, but he had to remember that she was still healing.

In the end it was her voice that brought his head back up, the change in tone making his lips purse, head tilting lightly. He looked at her with puzzled eyes, brows once more wrinkled at the peculiar words. "Serach?" The leader felt a chill of worry along his spine; What's happened to him? The last thing they needed was more bad news. Though, Jessie hadn't seemed like she brought urgent news. Straightening his back, Drestig settled in, folding his face in the most serious expression he mastered. "I supposed there have been a lot of… changes recently." He agreed carefully, raising one brow pointedly as a request for her to elaborate. Something about the way she said it made him uneasy; What exactly are her feelings about… THIS? He wondered. Their positions had somewhat switched when he stepped up in Triell's place, and while he didn't exactly strut around, demonstrating his dominance, nor had any intention of asserting himself over his former mentor; Well, the dynamic has changed… And knowing Jessie, she might not be too pleased about it.

Word count: 340

Thoughts ”Speech”

She definitely seemed tense, and her tone was carefully business-like; Though that was nothing new from Jessie. Still, it was clear to the ebony man that she was not comfortable in the situation, and that in turn made him feel on edge. Her words too, contributed to his unease, the reminder of Serach and the unfortunate incident at the meeting calling out embarrassment in the newly crowned leader. "Yes, I meant to speak to him. But then there was Darrah and… Before I could ask, he was gone." It was a bad excuse and he knew it too. He'd resolved to seek out the boy later, but had somehow forgotten, and every time since, when he had once again remembered, something else had gotten in the way. More excuses! And none of them good, none of them truly defending how ignored Serach must have felt.

Drestig's gaze had turned away, the embarrassment making him unable to look Jessie in the eye, but he forced himself to return his full focus to her; "Thank you for reminding me, I agree we should go. I'll talk with Serach, I owe him an apology." Then a thin smile graced his lips, face still flush with shame, but a lightness to his shoulders, now that he thought the tension between them was cleared. But Jessie seemed, if possible, even more anxious than before. Now it was her turn to avert her eyes, and when she spoke again, she completely lagged the composure from before. The dark man didn't know whether to be amused or frightened by this radical change to her, usually so professional, demeanor; But he was leaning towards the later.

Then she finally got her question out, and his smile grew wider, surprise making his eyes big and round. Of all the things she could have said, he would have never imagined this, and a surprised chuckle left him in response. "Jessie," He shook his head slowly, taking a few steps closer and lowering his head, to make her look at him. That she could even think to ask such a thing was completely ridiculous to him, but he could tell how much it bothered her, and so his voice was gentle, though not patronizing, as he said: "I am Drestig and I will always be Drestig, there's no need to address me as anything else. And don't you dare stop talking to me the way you always have!" He waited, for her to look him in the eye and show she understood. The very last thing he wanted was for others to start tip-toeing around him, bowing their head and mumbling sir or some such other thing. He liked being in charge, but he could sorely do without the formalities.

Word count: 459

Thoughts ”Speech”