Larkcall Lowlands black valley, peace beneath the city

forwarded to the 29th if that's coolio. @Askan || Not very far from WRF, Night, Cloudy  59°F, 15°C

LAIKE ARTEMIEVA

He had promised to @Lachesis that he'd be right back and that he just needed to stretch his legs. They'd finish their final stretch of the trip tomorrow and Laike would finally have to face his feelings. Feelings. Still a strange thing to think that the tawny Rye wolf had stirred emotions from him but he didn't have any regrets about it. Nor did he have regrets about taking this trip in order to make sure things were okay with Adelayde. Of course, he was also here as a sort of bonding trip and being a helpful paw at the Wild Rye Field's borders for Lachesis. He didn't doubt the man but he was still worried after what Lorcan and Inna had said.

He shuffled about the Lowlands unsure of what exactly he was doing. He was putting far too much thought into what he might say tomorrow. A heavy sigh left his mouth as he slumped down to the earth. Sitting on his rear, hunched over and looking as physically exhausted as he emotionally felt. He really was hoping this was all some useless blow-up and that he hadn't just lost a fairly important wolf in his life. The stocky Artemieva was coming to care deeply for his tall counterpart. What would happen if things didn't work out between the packs?

"Stop thinkin' like that."

Laike mentally hissed at himself. He was gonna give himself a heart attack over all this useless shit. Tomorrow would be fine now that Lachesis was here to smooth things out.

art by kydnt

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Guardian dem 1/3

Askan wasn't tired. No really, he wasn't. The fact that he was yawning-seemingly every few seconds- was just a mere coincidence, trivial and unimportant. Bah, who was he kidding? Certainly not himself. It had been a long day and with each foot fall it felt as though it was getting longer and longer.  Like a never ending night.

Just one last patrol, then he could go back to his mate's side and get some well needed rest. But thinking of it like that, in such a straight forward manner made it seemed a lot easier than it was. Askan loved his home, loved the expanse of rye and the rolling hills that sheltered the valley, but damn it, did they have to be so steep? He wasn't a mountain goat for crying out loud!

He yawned again-for what felt like the hundredth time- and stared out at the land below. It all seemed in order, nothing amiss and nothing out of the ordinary. He was tempted to call it quits there and then, but ever since they'd been raided he was disinclined to cut any corner. There was no use in doing it at all if he wasn't thorough.

So he strode along the ridge, pausing at intervals to check his surroundings then leave a marking behind. He'd scalled down the other side of The Lookout when he saw a figure in the not so far distance. At first he didn't think much of them, he assumed it was @Adelayde out on one of her late night strolls. She liked the stars after all, so it wasn't out of character.

Still, he wanted to know just what she was up to and why she was loitering out of the pack lands so. Seemed a little odd, really.

As he drew closer, it dawned on him that something was amiss. He knew Adelayde well enough, knew what she looked like, what her built was like, so on so forth. But he was pretty sure she wasn't so short and as chunky as this wolf seemed to be. Askan frowned and slowed to a walk, his footsteps thudding on the dry earth. This wasn't Ade, this was someone else entirely.

Damn, he really had to be tired. Or at least that's the excuse he told himself.

"Oi,"Askan called out, his voice terse. "A friendly word of warning, you're near the Rye borders, so you better watch your foot-" He paused, his nose wrinkling as his scent reached his nose. Another River wolf huh, they were like rabbits these days. Seemingly bred like them as well."Are you one of Lach's?"

He hadn't really been expecting company at this time but a dark figured called out. An unfamiliar voice giving a friendly warning with a less than friendly tone. Orange eyes sought out the male against the backdrop of the field and starry skies. "I am. Traveling with him on a business trip to the Rye." Laike wasn't sure how much to spill and besides, if this guy was apart of the Rye perhaps he'd also be poking his nose in on the small business meeting tomorrow.

Perhaps the Artemieva would have shrugged off this wolf he was here on his own accord - or even had no clue who the Rye was - but things were different. The shadowy male had been right. Laike was close to their home and he would play the respectful role. He stood up, offered a polite nod. "Thank for the warning earlier." Too respectful? Maybe but at least Laike meant it. The male could have easily used force to warn him but instead, he had picked words. "I'm Laike Artiemeva." The large River wolf introduced himself with ease (oh if only he knew what his brother had done in these lands) and held hope that perhaps it would rouse an introduction from the night shift guardian.

Laike had been wishing for Adelayde to find him out here but he supposed he ought to know more of the Rye wolves anyway. Might do him good one day.

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guard dem 2/3

If he was a River wolf and he was indeed here on business, then Askan had no quarrel with him. It was true the Selwyn wasn't at all fond of wolves lurking around his borders-especially at such a late hour- but if he had a decent reason to be here then that was okay, he supposed. At the very least he wouldn't send the guy packing. He'd give him a chance and hear what he had to say, and if push came to shove and he was weird...Then surely Lach would understand, considering he had a pack of his own to look out for.

"Mmm, no problem. If anyone even sneezes near the River borders they're pounced on, so I figured I'd show you the same sort of courtesy. Sort of."He shot him a wry smile.

Askan couldn't help but squint at his last name. Now didn't that sound familiar? Like it left a bad taste in his mouth, reminded him of bad times. Artimeva. Huh. He could have sworn...Wait a second. Askan tilted his head as he looked the guy up and down, then once again for good measure. Those eyes of his were unfamiliar, as was his pale coat, but that damn name he'd offered up just rubbed him the wrong way. And then, after an extra long moment of frowning it clicked.

And Askan couldn't help but roll his eyes so hard they hurt.

He knew he should have tried to play it cool but he'd probably already blown it, with the weird looks and pointed stares. If Laike didn't think something was up then he would have been stupider than a bunch of rocks.

"Yeah...Askan Selwyn, Second and Guardian of the Field. You happen to know a Lorcan by any chance?