The Crow didn't mind finding him in the state that he was. She remembered the happy man she'd met twice before coming to the cove and she hoped that he'd be there one day again but until that day she'd be there. She felt lean into her, she embraced him, "Don't worry Aleister you'll get through this," she whispered. She wouldn't be able to tell him how long it would take but she knew that time and someone to listen would help him. When he pulled away and turned his gaze on her she met his and smiled at his words. "Hmm, maybe one day then," she teased, but it wouldn't be that day. Just didn't feel right. Then in a more serious tone, "I feel the same. I would tell you anything you want to know. I do have one question for you."
The Crow didn't mind finding him in the state that he was. She remembered the happy man she'd met twice before coming to the cove and she hoped that he'd be there one day again but until that day she'd be there. She felt lean into her, she embraced him, "Don't worry Aleister you'll get through this," she whispered. She wouldn't be able to tell him how long it would take but she knew that time and someone to listen would help him. When he pulled away and turned his gaze on her she met his and smiled at his words. "Hmm, maybe one day then," she teased, but it wouldn't be that day. Just didn't feel right. Then in a more serious tone, "I feel the same. I would tell you anything you want to know. I do have one question for you."
Her growing smile was contagious, banishing his somber thoughts to the dark depths of his conscience. Sana was a bright light to his darkness; the shore while he is lost at sea, guiding him back to happiness and where he needed to be to be the right man for his children and the Cove. Whether she knew this or not, she was another tether for him to hold now. Oksana had shown time and time again that he was not alone, no matter how often he liked to fool himself, she would not let those demons distract him. Aleister couldn't think of how to express his gratefulness for her friendship either.
As he leaned closer into her inky coat, she embraced him and comforted him even more. He couldn't remember the last time he had been comforted like this, but Al couldn't think of the past much longer anymore. The future was what he needed to look to and lean on instead of being crippled by the past. After he pulled away and admitted a small truth to her, she gave him a smile and teased about maybe one day. Then her tone grew serious as she told him she would do the same, but she did have one question for him.
What is it, Sana? He asked softly as his ocean gold eyes looked to her bright gaze.
Oksana hoped that she was helping him to overcome some of what was causing him to be upset. She knew that one conversation wouldn't solve all of his problems but maybe it could be a start. The way he leaned into her and accepted her words helped her to think that maybe she was helping after all. Of course she had plenty of questions for him but it just didn't feel like the right time for them. She felt like they had shared a special moment and she didn't want to ruin that. Oksana as felt that it would be better to learn the answers over time but she still had a question for him.
The Baranski woman smiled brightly when he used her nickname. "It been awhile since anyone has called me that." She was starting to think she might never hear it again. "I was wondering if you might walk with me. We can talk more if you like or not. I'll leave it up to you but it's occurred to me that we haven't spent a lot of time together and I was hoping that maybe we could change that? That is if you want to." She knew what she hoped his answer would but had already decided she'd accept any answer he gave. She didn't want to pressure him either.
Despite her bright smile, he felt a tinge of guilt run through him after she told him it had been a while since anyone has called her by the nickname. Is it alright that I call you that? He asked genuinely as the last thing he wanted to do was bring up somber memories or offend her further by calling her something she only let certain wolves say. Though he didn't have any special nicknames, Aleister could see how special and intimate a nickname could be, especially when only those closest to you say it.
Her question was to see if he would like to walk with her as she wished to spend more time with him where they could talk more or not, whatever he wanted. Either way, she just wanted to change their limited time spent together. A smile crept along his lips as he nodded. Of course, it would be my pleasure to share a walk with you and perhaps we should make it a daily habit to share more walks together, he answered honestly as he realized how much brighter his mood and clearer his head was while he was around her. She parted his storms and led him back home to the shores with just her presence. Aleister needed a solid rock to tether to and count on during the times his storms grew too harsh for him to bare alone.
Inside she'd been a little nervous to ask her question. There were a few reasons she could think of that he might not want to go. She would have understood but when he said yes well that just made her day. Then he accepted her offer to spend more time together by having daily walks. That was much more than she was expecting. "I think making it a daily habit is perfect," she stated, "and there is no better time than the present," she added rising to her feet and nudging his cheek gently.
Relief replaced the guilt that riddled his blood after she told him she actually liked that he called her Sana and didn't mind it at all. A small smile crept along his lips again at the notion, happy that he did not upset her in anyway. Aleister smirked when she asked if he at any secret nicknames that she should know about. There were many names he has been called past while he was a thieving wanderer, but none that he wished to stick, especially as they could be considered profanities in most languages. Shaking his masked face, None that I wish to be called again, unless you find one befitting. He answered with a chuckle.
Sana liked his suggestion of sharing daily walks together and lifted herself to her full height to lead them on their first one. Gently, she nudged his cheek, making him follow in suit as he rose off his haunches letting the somber weight of the past fall away from him. So easily she kept his head above the rapids with a simple gesture, making him like a moth to her flame. Aleister wasn't sure if he could trust the fates to keep this peace around him and in reach, so he was going to soak up as much of it as he could. In case, he had to savor it when she eventually left him. No better time, he agreed softly as he gave her cheek a gentle nudge in return as the cloudy storms retreated to Aleister's shadow as they moved away from the shoreside.
Making it a habit to take a walk with each other was perfect in her opinion. It would give them the chance to check in with each other and talk about what might be bothering them. It might be that all they did was just walk which she was fine with but most importantly she thought that maybe their walks could help him to heal from all or most of the things that he'd spoken of before. She smiled when he agreed and a moment later she was ready to get started. So it was with a nudge to his cheek and one returned to her she moved to start their walk waiting for him to walk beside her. "Do you have a particular place you'd like to visit or do you want to see where our paws take us?"
He laughed at her reassurances of the nickname she is going to think of for him. Wow, when was the last time he actually laughed? Smiling broadly, I'm interested to see what you come up with, Sana. Aleister was sure the midnight cloaked woman would think of something fitting for the Vuesain. So, he was excited to see what she would think of.
Moving effortlessly to walk alongside her as she led him away from the lakeshore and away from his place of reflection, his ocean and gold gaze looked to her once again when she placed a question between them. Let's see where our paws take us today, he answered softly. One of these days, Al would love to take her to visit his mother and son if she was up for it, but today he only wanted to think of the present and future. Some days were good to reflect on the past, but today he only wanted to continue to be in the present with Sana.
Oksana smiled as he came to walk beside her. Mayne it was best they journeyed away from this olace for the time being. "I like the idea of that besides there are plenty more chances to visit specific places." They had every day now to visit old places or new ones. For today she was looking forward to where they might go.
The agouti man smirked at her words of finding the perfect nickname for him and promising he will be the first to know when she discovered it. He was sure she would think of a good one. Oksana was happy with his choice of letting their paws wander, so his smile stayed upon his lips as they began their first walk of many, he was sure.