Oak Tree Bend Lovers Be Damned

She stalked away from the borders, absolutely furious. She didn't need anything new in her life right then and Drestig was certainly trying to change that with simply bringing others to their borders. Jessie was still trying to wrap her mind around the change in leadership and still she hadn't met the new woman who was "worthy" enough to lead beside Triell. The alpha had only truly mentioned the woman once and that was when Drestig and Jessie had made their valiant return from their journey. She had been trying to teach him and help him learn the ways that Oak Tree Bend lived, and now he was threatening her with another female. The girl would only serve to distract him and any desire that the Tainn had to educate Jessie in there was dissipated. She had made no comment to him as she left and had no want to speak to him for quite some time. Jessie didn't help those who got distracted and Drestig had easily crossed himself off of the list of her pupils.

After what seemed like a safe distance, Jessie stopped next to a familiar stream, a sad smile painted on her lips as she starred down at her frozen reflection. Her pepper-and-salt flecked way reached out to lightly skim the surface, a desolate mirage of her white guardian staring over her right shoulder. The Tainn turned away from the reflection, only wishing that Ice had returned and was here now. She released and shaky breath, which showed in front of her before continuing on in her own thoughts. Of course, those who she actually took her time for disappointed her or left. Happiness was the worst of all when it came to distractions. It was what drove her away from Hotei constantly, because it was so easy to let her guard down and she hated it. In the end, either in death or disappearance, Hotei would end up leaving again, leaving an empty shell of Jessie in place, unless she didn't let herself feel the undeniable happiness that came with love. So with a sigh, she released her thoughts, no longer wanting to think about her lost pupil.

Days passed, life went on, mostly like it used to be; and yet completely different. The dark Avalon felt elated, waking up every morning full of life and setting out to do his duties; patrolling the borders of Oak Tree Bend and taking trips into the surrounding lands to track the retreating herds. These expeditions were never lengthy though, as he constantly longed to be back with his beloved. @Silver did take up a lot of his time; morning rabbit hunts, afternoon strolls around the woods, familiarizing her with the territory, and cold, clear evenings rolled up tightly together, talking about everything between heaven and earth. The ebony lady had completed his life, helping him face his past and now forming a foundation for a future with him.

So since he'd gotten back, he hadn't really spend much time with the other Bend wolves, besides Darrah and Oliver at least. The pack had grown considerably while he and Jessie were away, and continued to grow stronger, meaning that many new faces had appeared around the territory. Drestig felt a little guilty that he hadn't made time to meet these new wolves, but every time he returned home, all he could think of what seeing her again; How long has it been now?

He was counting the seconds, his attempts at tracking a group of elk constantly interrupted by his thoughts circling back to his dark angel. Finally he gave up, the trail is cold anyway, and turned home, steps so swift that his trot almost turned into a lope, the excitement as intense as if he'd been gone for days. When he passed into Oak Tree Bend territory, he was panting slightly, but he didn't slow much, making his way through the trees with a wide smile on his face; It is good to be home! A constantly recurring thought in his life.

As he neared one of the streams running through the territory, his panting breaths suddenly brought a familiar scent into his nostrils, and his smile stiffened. He considered turning around, in no way interested in facing his teacher, and going to another creek, but it occurred to him, that she would be able to smell him too at this short distance. With a little sigh, he stepped clear of the trees, walking resolutely to the brink of the water. He saw her grey form clearly through the corner of his eye, and offered a court nod in acknowledgement, without turning to face her directly; "Jessie." He muttered formally, and bowed down to drink.

Word count: 425

Thoughts ”Speech”

AustriaAngloAlliance @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Of course, throughout the years, Jessie had found that Fate had no way in favoring her. Just as her mind began to release her, the echo of her name caused her to visibly jump, her emerald green eyes turning to the familiar form of her former pupil. As she gazed upon him, his words at their last encountered entered into her mind. Ignore her. She just wants everyone to be as miserable as she is. The memory forced a frown on her beautiful features, stress lines evident on her face. Since her bitter reunion with Hotei, the Scout had been on edge, just sure where the pair were and no wanting to think about her lover. Either way, it was going to end up with Jessie alone. Her sister had left her and Hotei had left her a countless number of times. She could understand why Drestig could view her as such. It had made her so angry that he had disobeyed her wishes but now she didn't have any fight left.

With a dark sigh, she reclaimed her place that she was sitting at by the stream, her mind reflecting on Ice once again, sending a sharp pang of sadness into her heart once more. That was right...he was gone too. In her mind, the Scout finally seemed to realize that Drestig had spoken her name. It was obvious that her reaction time was slow, quite slow when considering who it was that was responding. With a dejected sigh, she spoke, "Drestig...what do you want?" Her words held no passion and certainly none of Jessie usual spark, whether it be business-like or like she was talking to a friend. Neither were evident in her tone. She almost sounded like a lifeless...nothing. She sounded like nothing, just as if she were merely existing in that exact moment. Not even Hotei had seen her at her lowest as she was right then, that had been reserved for Ice because he had always seemed to understand her, but now he was gone to and she was stuck in her misery on her own.

He noticed her jump and furrowed his brow, but did not turn his muzzle from its position over the water. Lapping at the icy liquid, he kept watch of her out the corner of his eye, the wrinkles between his eyes deepening as he noticed her uncharacteristic, defeatist manner. He still didn't turn to her though, still rather cross with her after the day of Silver's joining. Instead he finished his drink, licking the droplets of water from his muzzle while gazing into the woods on the other side of the creek. When she suddenly spoke, he almost jumped too; he hadn't really expected a response, and by now the pause had been so long that it was pretty much out of the question. And yet she addressed him, and with a query too.

Finally he turned to face her, head still lowered as he gazed up at her, brows wrinkled and one of them raised in confusion. "Nothing." He said, voice more gentle this time. It had been a simple acknowledgement of her existence, a greeting if you will, though he wasn't particularly delighted to see her. Now though, his curiosity was alight, and the former aversion pushed to the back burner as he studied the salt and pepper pelted lady. Her voice had been so bland, her sigh so... Vulnerable. Despite the bumpy state of their relationship, there was care for his teacher in the dark scouts heart; through her rough mannerisms she had taught him several important lessons about scouting, and been a reliable pillar in the ever changing ranks of Oak Tree Bend. She was, if not a friend, a comrade, and seeing her so uncharacteristically depressed made Drestig feel uneasy.

"What's wrong with you?" He asked, taking a page from her own book and being direct, straightening up to look at her directly. His voice was neutral, not as hostile as earlier, but neither lined with any sign of concern or compassion. But his eyes, directed straight at her now and not wavering, were wide and showing a slight glint of the true care he felt for her; What could possibly have shaken YOU?!

Word count: 359

Thoughts ”Speech”

AustriaAngloAlliance @DA & Dawnthieves.de

She had been so confident that he would be the pupil, the only pupil and then he had gone a ruined it. To add onto it, their teaching experience had put a strain on Hotei and Jessie's already unstable relationship. For the first time since she had met Hotei, she had actually felt an unhealthy bout of fear within her. Never would she have ever thought that Hotei would actually physically hurt her but since she had returned, she was starting to even doubt that evaluation. It scared her because in the same instance, she still, somehow, loved him. She knew if she lost him she would become completely unhinged and unable to cope and Jessie would never do that to Triell. She would never allow anyone to take care of her, she had learned what a mistake that had been ever since her parents had died and Brenton had eventually left her, along with her sister. The reminder left a heavy ache in her heart.

Her thoughts were broken off when Drestig spoke to her. She briefly glanced up at him in confusion. Was he mocking her? She couldn't tell, but she didn't care either. However, instead of snapping at him as she truly desired to do, the comment died on her lips as she glanced into his fiery eyes. She could not tell him what was bothering her...or at least, what was really bothering her. But she had come to be an extremely good liar when it came time for her to do so, and it was time for her to pull them back out. Drestig was Hotei's friend, and Jessie couldn't go and tell him what the burnt man had done to her, how he had hurt her. She feared for herself when she went next to the one she loved and she hated it.

So clearing her throat, she looked straight into his eyes, her tone unwavering and holding the same lifelessness it had before, "Nothing is wrong. I just don't have much to do right now. My pupil got distracted and dropped out of his lessons." The lie slipped easily off her lips. In reality, Ice, who was no longer there with her, and Hotei, the lover she was currently avoiding, were the only ones that had ever been able to see through her lies. Not even her own sister had been capable. And so she waited, her breath held, hoping that her comment would spike his anger and he wouldn't see through the lie that she had just made, which was perfectly decent and true, but not the reason as to why she was in such a foul mood.

The meekness in her voice was what kept him from exploding. His patience with the grey woman had been thin ever since that day at the border, her obvious antagonism towards his beloved an insult to the black man, and her subsequent avoidance speaking clearly of her thoughts about him as well. Frankly, he would have gladly left her alone to sulk, if that was what she'd been doing. But she wasn't! Jessie, of anyone, knew how to brood, but this blank apathy told Drestig that something was off; Something more than petty spite!

"Dropped out? So that's what you chose to call it?" He said levelly, meeting her piercing green eyes with an affected, cold air, secretly searching for clues in her inscrutable gaze. Though he thought of her as a comrade, he knew very little about her outside of a professional setting, and he had no idea as to what could have affected her this way. He wanted to find out though. Despite the coolness between them he was not so vindictive as to wish her harm; Nothing serious anyway... But since she'd answered his directness with bold faced denial, it was clear that she would not offer the truth freely.

So he decided to play along, hoping that he could get her to let down her guard if she thought she'd gotten to him. "I guess I should be flattered that I was worth so much of your time!" He said, the smallest edge to his voice, sitting back on the snowy ground and watching her with raised eyebrows over cold eyes. Black ears were turned back, a scornful expression on his face; Let's play then..!

Word count: 279

Thoughts ”Speech”

AustriaAngloAlliance @DA & Dawnthieves.de

It worked. She saw the small spark of insult and inside she felt victory, knowing that her childish games had worked once again. She didn't bother hiding the small smirk that graced her features. It was almost purely instinct that spawned this. She nodded on her account, to answer his question. He had, in all actuality, dropped out. He had done exactly what Jessie had asked him not to do and it had easily set her off. The Tainn wasn't one to take risks on others and she truly had put herself out on a limb with Drestig. Nayeli had practically had to beg her to take the man along with her. Eventually, Jessie had relented, not wanting to cause any unneeded stress with the mother-to-be. The worst part was, Jessie found that she actually liked Drestig, and the fact that he had gone against her wounded her deeply.

His response, which much sounded like he was pleased with himself, was met with repudiation. Jessie was quick to snap back, "It seems that the time did nothing for you, my dear. You obviously didn't learn anything from me." The graying woman truly did see it in that manner. Jessie had, after all, tried to tell Drestig in the best way she could that his focus should be solely on his art. Though, now that she had done that, the woman had to remind herself how horrible her relationship was then. Hotei had been so pissed at her and she had no way of comprehending why. She had been doing her job, had been doing what she loved to do, and what the Tainn had known was important to her. It was not like she had abandoned the pack, sooner or later he would have found out that she had left on a mission. "I thought he understood how important my job was to me." The words slipped out of her mouth before she could process them through her brain. Her emerald green eyes were once again distant as they looked into nothing. Her eyebrows were creased in confusion, still not comprehending what she had done wrong.

She smirked, the tiniest sign of pleasure, and Drestig felt a wave of satisfaction; his move had worked! She responded quickly to his jab, voice sharp as cat's claws and eyes shimmering self-righteously; Ohoho..! Obviously he'd it his mark. The words made a low growl start up in his chest, and he narrowed his eyes, scowling at her; "Hard to learn from someone with nothing new to teach." He said pointedly, voice low, and though he was still keeping a clear head and playing his game, there was real indignation lining his voice, he couldn't deny that the comment burned. The truth was that Jessie had taught him much, both about scouting and about life as a pack-wolf, and he liked to think he'd become better at both; I know I have! In fact, the grey woman had praised him for his abilities at the end of their mission in the fall.

Gaze locked on the shewolf, Drestig saw her eyes drift, the distance in them cooling what anger she'd managed to spur. Instantly, she seemed far away from the argument at hand, and the ebony man knew he was closing in on the true issue. She spoke, as if in a daze, a confused expression on her face, and Drestig's ears flicked, his own brows furrowing; He? Who was this he? His first thought was Triell, but he pushed it aside quickly, if anyone, the packs leader knew what Jessie's role meant to her; Doesn't everyone? In fact, as far as Drestig was concerned, her whole life was being a scout, he'd never seen or heard of her doing anything else. So what was she talking about? For a long time he simply stared at her in confusion, mind churning as he tried to put the pieces together; in the end, he knew too little about Jessie, and suddenly he felt bad for never getting to know her better.

In the end he just sighed heavily and turned his head, gazing emptily into the water. The taupe scout was as much at fault as her student in earnest, she'd never invited any questions about her past, nor asked any about his. She'd been professional all way through. A low groan escaped Drestig and he shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. When he opened them again, he kept them turned at the icy stream, brows furrowed as he said, lowly; "A job isn't everything, Jessie." There was a gruffness to his tone, but mostly it sounded pondering, as if he wasn't entirely sure himself. To him though, scouting could never stand alone, as much as it excited him and sated his thirst for movement and discovery, he would be hollow if it was all he had; Luckily it isn't.

Word count: 463

Thoughts ”Speech”

AustriaAngloAlliance @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Her mind barely registered his biting words and she felt no anger towards him. Even though his words were filled with spite, the scout was smart enough to know that they were a lie. While, in the fall, Drestig had certainly impressed her, he had also failed many times during their trip and the Tainn had made sure that he had known what he had done wrong so that he could improve. Instead, he had allowed that precise imp to get into his mind and corrupt his way of thinking. While the pepper-and-salt colored woman had never truly known Drestig, he had not appeared to be the kind of man that had a woman to court…but then, neither did Hotei. Still, Hotei had never truly been the kind to be vocal about their love and neither had Jessie. Truly, the Scout was not even sure if Triell knew about their love affair. In aspect, it was none of their business unless the pair broke the laws, which would never happen. Jessie had no desire to raise children of her own, she despised the things.

Drestig’s voice broke her out of her thoughts. His tone was hard to determine but nevertheless, Jessie tensed, her eyebrows creasing in confusion towards his words. Of course her job was everything. That was basically the reason she existed. And so she spoke, her voice eerie, as if in another place, ”But it is everything. It is why I exist. I held no significance for Swift River until Rissa went missing. Then I had to go find her with others….and I found her, by myself.” She inhaled sharply, her mind reminding her off the gut wrenching visage of Rissa’s body. She flinched, as if physically attacked, a sharp pain running down her spine. Clearing her throat, her voice was steady once more, ”The point is that our duties are what we live and breathe for. If we don’t have any worth to our alphas than what are we?” Her voice took on a rough tone as she finally tore her gaze away from the water to look at Drestig.