Hearthwood River in that bleak december, you're just too cold

@Lachesis and @Lilya

Heartbroken was a good word to define what Risaela was feeling at the moment. That she had been feeling for the last several days, since her talk with Inna at the border. She had hardly had time to think about it that day, as almost immediately afterward, there had been the elk problem, but as soon as that was through... well, the child's chest hurt. She had been hoping to reaffirm her relationship with her sister as soon as she saw her, but Inna had apparently been set out and determined to hurt the pup's feelings and keep whatever ties they had cut.

Ris had hardly slept since then, too anxious and worried to do much more than pace around and occasionally cry. In all, the child was a nervous, anxious, shaky mess, and she knew she had to talk to someone about this. Her entire body was screaming at her to run off and go find Aunt Jessie and Lexi, but she didn't want to do that. Not after Inna had told her that she wouldn't come back.

What did that even mean, anyway? Would Uncle Cloud and Lil be mad at Ris? Would they say the same?

The thought had tears welling in silver eyes and cutting through the puffy fur on her cheeks as she slunk up toward where she knew Lach's den to be, her tail tucking between her legs and her posture low and trembling.

"U-Uncle Cloud?" she stuttered, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to calm herself.

Lilya was slowly coming back to being her own self. She’d kicked her sickness, the occasional wheeze here or there left to combat, and she’d once again reclaimed the mantle of Queen of the River alongside her husband. Still, she fretted over those she’d long since started calling family.

Lilya had just returned to the den shortly before the child’s voice breached the entrance, her eyes instantly rising up to the mouth of the den with concern hinting at her features. “Ris?” She asked softly, her earthy voice as soft and comforting as possible as she rose, approaching the child carefully. To say she looked upset was, perhaps, an understatement and the veteran felt a flair of protectiveness in her chest. Who dared make the girl so upset? The poor thing had already been through too much for her lifetime, seen too many things happen in front of her own eyes.

She softly nosed the girl on the cheek. “Lach?” She called out to him, as she sat down to sit with her. “Ris ‘oney… what’s wrong..?” She had no doubt her mate would be out shortly to help with the situation.

The blue-eyed sparrow was almost back to normal, much to Lachesis’ relief. He worried too much about her, and it only intensified when she fell ill. Winter was the worst time for the sparrow to develop a cold, as it only prolonged the sickness and made it difficult for her to recover. She had resumed her position at his side, after assuring Lachesis that she was well enough to resume her leadership duties. He complied, unwillingly, as he wanted her to rest some more, but he knew he couldn’t fight Lilya. Not if he wanted to keep both his ears firmly attached to his scalp.

After spending most of his night patrolling Lachesis had curled up inside the den for some solitude, and to catch a few winks of sleep. He'd managed to squeeze in a few hours before a small voice called for him, luring him away from his slumber. His mate’s voice followed soon after, causing his brows to pinch together in concern as he clambered out of the den. Ris? It was obvious the girl had been weeping, as the fur beneath her eyes was damp and clumped together. His chartreuse landed on his wife, wide and frantic, as he waited for the girl to answer Lilya’s question. He pressed his nose to the little Tainn’s cheek as a sign of encouragement.

stick with those who stick with you

The two leaders were quick to respond to her, and both were kind with their greetings. She couldn't help but to lean into their comforting contact - it wasn't hard to tell how touch-starved the young wolf was. It wasn't the fault of anyone else but herself, because of her wandering paws and psychological issues. Ris wouldn't know it yet, or for quite a while as a matter of fact, but the death of her mother had left a lasting impact in her ability to connect with others. Perhaps it was a fear of the loss that might occur - it was easier to generally just be distant.

But god, she loved these wolves.

A wave of anxiety locked her jaws for a few moments, and she lowered herself further. Would Inna get in trouble for this? Would Ris? All that she knew was that she couldn't keep it to herself any longer - the anxiety was eating at her.

"I-if I go 'sploring, a-am I not gonna c-come home?" she chattered, a whine slipping from between her lips. "'Cause I-Inna said... Inna said th-that I... I'd l-leave and not come b-ack and... and... she was so mean to m-me!" the pup whimpered, her face crumpling in the hurt that her sister had inflicted. She had trusted Inna.

Her husband was not far behind her, also questioning what had happened. The young girl started to stutter out her question and a frown hinted on Lilya’s maw. “Of course not, Ris… ‘splorin’ isn’t gonna keep ya away from us… nothin’ ever could.” She assured the girl with another soft nudge to the girl’s cheek. What would cause her to ask questions like this..? And then she got her answer. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Inna. What the fuck did that woman say to her sister? Her façade slipped for just a second, glancing at Lachesis with a fire in her eyes she thought she’d dulled when she’d run from the war.

What could she say? Children were, and would always be, her soft spot.

“Inna ‘ad no right ta say that to ya, Ris… m’so sorry she did.” She assured the girl. She was going to take care of this, because the Baranski woman who claimed she had lost everything had just pushed another thing she did have away from her. She could have had a relationship with her sister but she’d become so cynical and woe-is-me that Lilya was at a loss for what to do. Bullying a child was not acceptable, she didn’t care who she was.

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

The girl’s question had taken him off guard, his brows pinching together in concern as his chartreuse gaze hardened. His blue-eyed sparrow beat him to the punch, quickly explaining that her exploring wouldn’t take her away from them. Why wou—cause I-Inna said… It took everything in the tall ghost not to roll his eyes at the distraught girl’s words, his lips falling into a tight, thin line. Lachesis met his wife’s gaze with the same fire in his own eyes, his tail twitching in obvious frustration. He had expected better of the raven, who claimed that she was doing better to turn herself around. For not only herself but the pack as a whole—which included little Risaela. Not filling her head with stupid lies, which she would no doubt deny when confronted by the leading pair.

You’re not going anywhere, Ris, not if you don’t want to, he cooed in response as he pressed his nose to her forehead. We won’t let Inna be mean to you again, he added as he pulled away, but not before he applied a quick lick to the space between her ears. He would make sure of that. Risaela didn’t deserve to be talked down to just because Inna was going through some shit. Both the ghost and his mate had tried to be there for her—listen to her and aid her the best they could—but every time she went a step in the right direction she stumbled five steps back. He did not know what else he could do. She was becoming toxic, not only to herself but to those around her. 

stick with those who stick with you

Ris sniffled and nodded her head when the two of them comforted her. It was much needed after the whole debacle with Inna, and it acted as a balm to the young wolf's broken heart. She moved forward and buried her face into Lachesis' shoulder with a soft whine, slowly beginning to calm down with their help. "Th-thank you," she croaked, her tail giving a couple of soft, hesitant swishes behind her before she turned and licked Lilya's muzzle as well, wanting to show both of them that she appreciated the comfort they were offering. "Please d-don't be mean to Inna. I want... I don't know wh-what to do," she admitted, her tail falling limp between her hind legs and a despondent expression on her maw. "She hates m-me, I th-think...."

Maybe Lach and Lilya would be able to fix Inna, though. Maybe Ris was just too little. Maybe she had actually done something wrong and needed to fix it. She had absolutely no clue, but she wanted things to go back to at least a livable condition as soon as possible.

'cause darling you're nothing but brave

The poor child had been through so much. She knew Inna had been through a bit, but couldn’t she see what she’d just done to her own sister? She loved the woman, who was like family just like the rest of the pack, she just didn’t know what else to do. Lilya’s frown deepened when she Ris asked them to not be mean to her sister. We won’t be mean, hon… She promised softly, but we do ‘ave ta talk ta ‘er ‘bout it… ‘cause bein’ mean to you also isn’t somethan we can allow. They were a pack, a family, and above that, Inna and Risaela were blood. Then Ris’s last words struck the chord. M’sure she doesn’t hate ya… s’impossible ta hate a girl like you. She said with a smile and a soft nudge, trying to lift the girl’s spirits before glancing again at Lachesis. What were they going to do?

(This post was last modified: Jan 11, 2018, 03:27 AM by Lilya.)

Please don’t be mean to Inna. His frown deepened. Even in her dishevelled state the little Tainn did not want her older sister to be punished for her actions. But Lachesis (and his mate) knew that they couldn’t make exceptions for the raven anymore. Ever since she had been pardoned by her mother for breeding out of turn Inna had gotten away with most of her wrongdoings, but Lachesis couldn’t continue to let them slip. Not if he wanted to be respected by the rest of his subordinates.

He nodded in response to his mate’s words, his chartreuse gaze soft as they studied the pale cub. She doesn’t hate you, Ris, he offered in a soft tone, his ears sweeping to the side. But he wasn’t sure if he believed his own words. Inna was doing a good job in pushing everyone away from her and Lachesis was beginning to wonder if that’s what she wanted. He couldn’t allow her to speak so cruelly to Risaela—she was a child. How would Inna feel if someone had spoken to her daughter the way she had spoken to her younger sister? She’s just hurting and doesn’t know how to handle it. He sighed as the words tumbled off his tongue, a frown gracing his pale maw. But we have to talk to her. She can’t speak to you like that.

(This post was last modified: Jan 16, 2018, 03:42 AM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you