Dead Empress Backwater pay my toll to just move on

Random Event: Snowmaggedon! A foot of snow has fallen overnight! All welcome to anyone in DEB!

The communal densite was covered in fresh snow, still and glistening and unmarred. Asmund had not heard anyone in quite so time, and after hours of hiding beneath the laden boughs of an evergreen, he finally poked his nose out into the open air. Sampling, testing, ensuring that it was safe to come out. There was something he wanted to try, and he didn't need an audience for it.

Slowly, inch by inch, the boy emerged. The tree shuddered with each movement, flakes falling lazily all around. They dusted his back and crown, and began to melt gradually. Az walked out into the open, stood a moment surveying the familiar surroundings, and then cautiously settled down onto the covered ground. At first he just sat, every muscle tensed and prepared to send him flying back into cover. His heart beat rapidly, and each little sound made him jump.

Time passed, though, and with it he began to feel his pulse slow, little by little. This was supposed to be his home. He was meant to belong here. Now that he was the only child left, he thought maybe... maybe now he could finally feel like it. It would take baby steps, but it was doable, wasn't it?

Az took a breath, and dared to slide down onto his stomach. A new wave of adrenaline washed over him, the vulnerability almost too much, but he grit his fangs and forced himself to stay. The forest around him did not move, nothing came for his throat or hissed cruelties, and the sun didn't fall from the sky. The racing within him began to, creepingly, decline once more.

He was safe. Everything was okay.

(This post was last modified: Mar 13, 2023, 09:45 PM by Asmund.)

Reade had been trying this best to contribute and give the rest of his new pack their space, with what had happened recently. Hunting was a habitual way of spending his says even before coming here, and though he'd have preferred to hunt with a partner at least, and to introduce himself more properly to the faces around him he only thought it right to take some time, given the circumstances. At least he was learning the territory of the Backwater.

The quiet moment found him returning to the communal area with another small contribution, a grouse in its winter plumage, when he spotted the kid sitting out in the snow. Reade shortened his stride to a slower, easier walk and was careful to give him a wide berth. He couldn't be sure, but the kid definitely looked like he might need the space. Reade wondered if he had been a sibling to the girl recently brought back for burial. The fates have been cruel here of late, he could not help but think to himself wondering at the purpose of such things. Life was beyond the sensible at times, but no one could change what had already come to pass.

Giving a soft chuff sound, Reade hoped not to startle the other, swaying his tail as walked on toward the cache. He paused before reaching it, sitting the prey down and looking back in the youth's direction. "Hi there, I'll leave this here if you're hungry," he said in an amicable tone.

The stillness couldn't last forever. Something was moving through the forest, coming toward him, and even after having painstakingly anticipating the arrival, Reade's appearance still made him jump. His fur began to rise, not from aggression but the gooseflesh of fear, and his heart hammered so loudly within his own ears it sounded as though the other were speaking to him through water. This wolf's scent was familiar by now, but that was a far cry from him being recognizable as much more than a stranger. He heard the carcass depress the snow, and it set him into motion like a hare after a gunshot.

In the next moment Asmund was gone, a spray of flurries in his wake and tracks leading beneath a pine. It's branches were so heavy with snow that the lowest touched the ground, creating an umbrella effect under which he hid. Pressed against the sturdy trunk, he tried to settle his breathing and pulse to listen for Reade's response. He wished he knew where @Viorel was...

Whatever he'd done, it was too late to correct. The kid took off and bolted for the under brush, leaving the Quinlan man in the dust. An exhalation was released in surprise as he waited a moment, watching, and then turned to go too.

His brows knitted in perplexity as he went. The kid had looked skinny, which was worrisome. Were the pack not otherwise providing enough? The rest of his behavior Reade did not fully understand, but it was clear his presence was enough to set the kid off.

"You're okay. I'll be going." he said toward empty space as he walked. "I'll bring some more when I can and leave it over here," He said as he passed a round, mossy rock near the edge of the more common area. He didn't know if he'd been heard, but figured it wouldn't hurt to start caching a little something extra for the boy. He was the only kid Reade had seen around at all.

Asmund flinched when he heard pawsteps, but they were clearly headed away from him and he was able to focus on his breathing again. The man's words did indeed reach him, faintly but discernible given how intently the boy was listening.

You're okay, the older wolf said, and Asmund's brows knit. Was he, though?

When Reade's presence faded altogether, he would sigh deeply and cover the bridge of his muzzle with his paws, hiding his eyes as well. He hated being like this so much.