Turtleback Lake Some Prefer Nettles

It only made sense that what she had tried to convey to him originally had been led into the wrong topic. It wasn't that she was purposefully seeking someone to be around but that she didn't have a lot of experience being surrounded by anyone while in heat. Ana knew all there was about it yet had never come face to face with how to deal with it while in a pack setting. Though, that certainly didn't give her any excuse to roam away from the safety of the Surge. She knew the danger of moving beyond the borders yet she had done so anyway. It was a shameful action but she admitted she had been wrong, and stupid, for doing so.

In light of that, he seemed to understand that Anastasia was quite afraid of becoming that woman who ran from the change she saw. That she couldn't go back to being that way anymore because it meant that she would shy away from ever standing a chance at having the normal life that she wanted. A subtle mhm buzzed her lips as he understood her reasons for not wishing to go back to that lifestyle but it was the clandestine offer that forced her head to tilt. What's that? she asked, not sure if it was something she would agree to even if she knew it or not. She wasn't exactly the type to openly take offers, especially when she had a brief idea about what it might entail.

His questions had led them into territory that they might not have otherwise ventured into had she not left the surge. Especially since they didn't know anything about each other. He'd had to ask though because he wanted to understand what had caused her to do something so dangerous for her. So he'd listened to her reason and he could sympathize with it which was what led to him making a decision to give her an offer.

She could choose to accept it or not but he felt it was the safest thing for her. He smiled when she seemed interested, “I don't want to see you become something you don't want to be so from now on at least for the duration of your heat if you want to venture outside the border I can go with you. Make sure nothing happens and keep you safe.” That was his offer, she would he safe with him since he had Jynx and he had no desire to father any pups that season. It was an innocent offer to a pack mate, “Though I wouldn't mind getting to know you better. It doesn't hurt to have more friends,” he added. Since he and Jynx were staying he didn't see why he couldn't make more friends within the pack.

There was a subtle click in her mind, gears churning, as he offered to be her bodyguard should she wish to venture outside of the Surge again. In truth, she doubted she would go further than the borders after this but it didn't hurt to have a plan just in case she did need to go somewhere. Anastasia wished that she had the opportunity to have a family to call her own but she also had no intent on pushing her best friend's orders. Especially not after what happened last time. The very situation that the dove had tried to mend.

That is very generous of you, she complimented him all while knowing that she didn't really know him aside from being a part of her pack. Didn't even know that Jynx was his mate. I don't think I will leave the Surge again anytime soon but I don't even know your name? She laughed, offering hers if he didn't know already. I'm Ana, or Anastasia. Whichever you prefer to call me. She had never minded being called either and wouldn't make a fuss. If I do find myself itching to go, I can let you know. Though, she was quite certain that she would give every reason not to be stupid like that again.

He didn't know if she would take him up on his offer to go with her should she decide to leave the surge again. She'd recognized that leaving this time had not been her smartest idea but a lot could happen in the time it would take for her heat to go away. He didn't want to see anything bad happen to her so whether she took it or not she knew that she could ask him to go with her.

He shrugged, “Just trying to help a packmate but thank you.” Though yes did hope they would become friends. He liked her and found her pleasant to talk to. She spoke of not leaving the surge again but brought up a good point. “My apologies, I should have told you sooner. My name is Emrys.” She then gave her name which he thought fitting for her, “I think I prefer Anastasia,” he said with a smile and sweeping if his tail. He then nodded at what she said next, “Please do, you have nothing to worry about from me.” He hoped that would be a reassurance for her.

The truth was that she wasn't the type of girl to get into trouble nor was she one to seek it out. Whatever she had been doing out beyond the borders of the Surge, it had almost been like she had slept walk out there. Looking back on it now it almost seemed like it had never happened yet here she was, getting a stern talking to. Her companion - now with a name to a face - deemed that he was just trying to help out a pack mate. Emrys was, so far, a decent piece of the Surge family that she felt she could trust. Even without him explaining that he was a trustworthy fellow.

A laughing breath echoed through her nose as he expressed his interest in her full name, feeling that it was much better suited to him as it was her. Though, as she ran through things that she could say in response to him that wasn't continuing to thank him for his guidance, guardianship and offer she realized that a frown had begun to form upon her face. She worried, if only that this wouldn't be the only stern talking to that she received.

If possible, can we avoid telling Lachesis or Lilya about my stupid mistake? She adored the both of them, looked to them and they gave their trust to her. She didn't want to lose that simply because she was dying to get some fresh air. If it becomes too morally important to keep it from them, then I won't stop you. I-I've been friends with Lach for so long and I don't know how I'd manage if something stupid became a dividing factor. Running away was one thing but if by some practice of fate she was removed from the pack, she was sure that it would all go downhill from there.

He knew that it was hard staying inside the territory for long lengths of time. There had been a time when he didn't leave the notch at all just went about his duties. For a man like him who'd been a loner most of his life it wasn't easy to keep his wandering paws under control but he had for the pack. So he could certainly understand Anastasia's desire to get away for a bit. Then wasn't the time and he hoped that he'd made it clear to her but he had also given her another option in case she needed to get away.

The way she presented herself he found that Anastasia was more fitting for her and he also wasn't one for nicknames much. He smiled when she didn't seem to mind that was what he'd chosen to call her. He also thought it was a pretty name too which suited her well since he did think she was rather pretty. That he would keep to himself since he did have a mate after all. His features grew concerned when a frown appeared on her face.

“Yes of course,” he agreed to keep this incident between them, “You don't have to worry, your secret is safe with me.” Who was he to go tell her business to anyone. Nothing had happened so he didn't see any reason why he should run to Lachesis and Lilya to tell them about it. He didn't want to see her get kicked out if the pack for one lapse of judgement during a season when most females weren't thinking clearly.

The more the dove thought about having Emrys as company if she left the Surge, the more unwilling she seemed to be at taking the offer up. It was quite generous of him to wish to extend his spare time to keeping her safe but it was that sort of thing that led Anastasia to a steady, withheld no. As kind as it was, she could get through the next while without needing an escort. She could stay put. It was better than any alternative scenario.

So the white lady nodded her head and closed her eyes, thinking on a subtle good that he didn't plan to tell either of their leaders about her mistake. The last thing she wanted was to bother them but not only that. She didn't want to know what it felt like to be forced out of a pack and judging by what had happened to Inna, she didn't want to go down that path. How long have you been in the Surge, Emrys? she asked somewhat out of the blue, making the stark realization that she was quite positive that he hadn't been one of the party during the move and founding of the Surge. She didn't remember his face in their travels nor the claim, so when had he come along?

She hadn't accept his offer which didn't bother the healer, the main thing was she knew he will go if she needed him to. That didn't mean he wouldn't keep an eye in her when he wasn't watching Jynx. He also had his duties to attend to but that didn't mean he wouldn't put things in hold just as he would do for his wife if she ever asked. He knew she probably wouldn't, she was rather independent and it seemed Anastasia might have a little bit of that too. Emrys wouldn't take that away from her just as he hadn't Jynx though there were times. The make shook his head, no point thinking about that now.

He also promised he that he wouldn't tell but he hoped she understood he wouldn't lie either if asked. He didn't think it would be a problem since nothing had happened. She then asked a question that caught him off guard. “Uh, maybe a few days to a week after the pack moved,” he said trying to think back. “Lachesis and I have been friends since I can to the lore.” He stopped there and would only continue if she asked. “Did you make the move from Hearthwood or did you join after?”

Anastasia had neither agreed nor disagreed to take him up on the offer, instead having mentioned that if she was itching to go, she'd ask him. She was not in the business of taking favors from anyone, especially when they're so freshly acquainted, but it was nice to know that he was willing to go out of his way to help her. Lachesis couldn't exactly be her watch dog right now for obvious reasons so Emrys' chivalry would not go unnoticed.

Of course, his explanation that he had joined just after the move made some sense. Vaguely Anastasia remembered seeing him around though hadn't really noticed him enough to warrant curiosity. Now, though, she was sure that would change. I moved with Hearthwood, she explained but not without a hint that that wasn't the end of the story, I didn't participate much with Hearthwood. I've been in and out of the Lore for several years and joined Hearthwood just a few months before the move here. It was hard to believe that almost five years ago she had come into the Lore with XIX by her side and now, things were definitely not the same as they were. So much had changed, both good and bad, that she hardly recognized either of them anymore. Certainly not the tag-team they used to be but darn close.

Emrys had been exactly sure if the timeline of events when he and Jynx had joined Driftwood. He knew that Lachesis had mentioned moving the pack and saying that the place was a lot like Heartwood. He did know that the move had been recent but he and Jynx were in pretty bad shape when they had arrived. It had taken them a little while after to recover so the first week or so in the pack had been somewhat of a blur to him. He'd slept a lot and tried to keep an eye in his wife, he'd been worried she wouldn't stay but instead go looking for their children on her own.

So he'd given the best answers that he could to her question and even a little information as to his past regarding Lachesis. He still found it funny how things worked, how Lachesis had offered him a place in his pack and now he had that place. She as it turned out moved with the pack and gave some of her history too. “I guess it's new pack fresh start for both of us then,” he said, “Now you want to be more involved in the pack? What changed that you have decided to not only settle but change what you do?” He asked more out of curiosity than anything else.