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It was late, later than he usually stayed up; yet again, these days nothing was usual. Often he stayed out late, making sure to come home after everyone else had gone to rest, so he could slip in and go to sleep in peace; Without talking to anyone. That would have to stop, soon the puppies would be born and he needed to get over himself; but it was hard to fight your own nature. |
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The Tainn was not getting much sleep. That was nothing new. He had not before he had gained leadership, so why would more responsibility change that? If anything he was lucky he didn't suffer from complete insomnia with all his scattered, anxious thoughts. Time was trying to smooth Corinna's departure, but nothing would be the same. Often that was all Triell was sure about. He couldn't quite remember a time he had awoke feeling rested. Which was funny considering he did not actually have newborns to care for, at least not directly. Nayeli, yes. The dark man spent great effort in making sure she had more than enough to eat, and he wasn't far from her. He was also trying to remain watchful of his pack members. It did matter to him how they felt about the idea of coming cubs. He fiercely wanted to assure everyone of their importance despite how the pack would have to shift its focus on the new generation. Triell needed everyone, and he hoped these pups would unify them. Make Oak Tree Bend feel like a solid family once more.
The day faded into darkness, and it appeared that there would be no alarms he perched outside the den simply trying not to over think. The sky began to light up in a different way. Triell, the explorer at heart that he was, easily lost himself in the dancing colors of the sky and their possible stories. He wasn't sure how long orange eyes remained on their changing colors. It didn't matter. A low howl rose in the distance, beckoning him, and he was back to reality. Triangle ears listened, but there was no doubting who it was. Drestig. What was he up to? He had become a great part of the pack, and Triell never did hold any doubt in accepting him. The equally dark wolf had proven himself, and the Tainn actually wasn't bothered by any of his jesting. Usually, it seemed someone like that would rub him the wrong way. There was something about the long legged fellow. Yet, it did seem like the coming of spring had made him quiet. While the thick bodied wolf let his nose find his friend, he offered a hushed bark to let him know he was on his way. It did not take long for the wolf's night vision to soon spot the outline of the fellow. A friendly tail wag he took up a seat beside the sub-ordinate, seeing he too was taking this chance to view the sky. "Never quite seen something like this," he murmured, briefly looking to Drestig, and then back to their light show. He wasn't sure what this was about, but figured it couldn't hurt to try to keep it light until silent thoughts were spoken.
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Coal black ears swiveled at the low bark, his leader had heard his call. Another heavy sigh fell from the lad's dark lips, but it would be his last; Man up! He demanded of himself. There was no more time for sore feelings. |
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Briefly, there was a look of query, as the leader wondered where the Avalon had lived. It didn't seem the time to ask, not when it appeared that Drestig had something on the tip of his tongue that wouldn't quite release. Sight holding the illuminated sky, he gave a listening ear to his pack member, his friend. Wondering if should he be worried that Drestig seemed to struggle speaking his mind. It wasn't characteristic of the similar fire eyed black wolf to hold in his thoughts.
Quelling any thought of worry when there was no such thing at the time, the Tainn did not necessarily smile at this strange timid behavior in turn. He kept a thoughtful expression, giving a nod at the appropriate time to encourage him to speak his mind. Triell wanted to be someone his pack could come to, and speak with easily. When Drestig brought up the role within the pack, he first did not see why that was an issue. He had wanted everyone to think about it, and feel of use. Seeing the black wolf's familiar smile, he figured he was done. Then came his confession of wanderlust, of heading over the mountain, and the Tainn couldn't hold back his feeling of suspicion. He hated the bitter touch of it. Drestig wasn't disloyal, but how many didn't stay even when they promised to do so?
He made no comment right away. He did not look his way. When he had accepted Drestig he wasn't going to punish him for something he hadn't done. Still should he let him leave, even if it was suppose to be temporary? It was spring now, and they weren't as hard up for food. There was the matter of children coming and Triell knew not how many, nor preciously how much work they would be. He liked to know there were others to help keep them safe, well fed. Finally, a sigh fell from the leader's mouth, and a light smile on the side of his face. "It would be nice to have another scout. If you really want to venture over the mountain, it would do good to know what is going on over there. Our pack use to live there, and Fenru left to see if his sister Kisla was somewhere on the other side. I just ask you might wait...till after the puppies are born. Triell attempted to meet his gaze, to see if Drestig might understand his hesitance.
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However marvelous, the heavenly sight couldn't hold the dark man's attention for long - maybe under other circumstances he could have been stuck, watching the flowing lights for hours on end - as it was, he kept glancing over at his leader, trying to judge the look on his face and guess the thoughts going through his mind. Triell was quiet for a while, his face oddly stiff. Drestig felt a cold trickle of worry down his spine; if this query troubled the alpha so much, how wouldn't he react when he learned of the true reason why Drestig had called for him..? The older wolf tried to shake of the feeling, after all Triell had to be having a lot on his mind right now. His thoughts went to the words the younger male had spoken upon accepting him into The Bend; ... Too many have said the same, too many have gone instead... Does he think I won't come back? But Triell had also said that he wouldn't judge Drestig based on the mistakes of others... |
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Drestig was the first wolf Triell had accepted who had remained, and he had become a significant part of Oak Tree Bend. Yes, he would hate to never see him again. He liked him, and believed he would continue to be a strong member. Sadly, Ruiko, Jessie, and Triell, himself were the only remaining members of the old Swift River. Since Corinna's passing, Triell had been struggling how to keep what was left of them together, to give the pack a future, a reason to be. Aeylen had vanished, and he often feared Sceral and Serach would strike out on their own much ...like Aiyana. Hell he wasn't even a father yet and all the list of souls who plagued his heart, and mind seemed never to end. No, Drestig shouldn't be one more.
Since he was looking upon the ink toned wolf he noticed how that one word changed the man's face. The leader's dark brows stitched in bewilderment across his forehead. Did Drestig not care for children? He wasn't sure he could place a reason for the sudden change so now, he was a little worried. Drestig's added words did not help the matter, even if he was being truthful. The Tainn made no reply, he only suppressed the huff that was more characteristic of his brother Ruiko to die in his throat. What good would it be to get annoyed? He wanted to understand.
The silence may have weighed on the subordinate, Triell thought he saw remorse. He was beginning to think he couldn't read wolves any more or doubt that he could to begin with. Especially, when the older wolf admitted that it would be better if he left. Suddenly the muscles tightened in Triell's jaw. It became a bit harder to put a lid on the anger that had started to boil in his heart. He needed out of here? Because it was spring and he wasn't starving?
Breathe. He told himself, temporarily shutting his eyes from that look of his friend, Drestig did seem to be struggling with this, and Triell did not want to snap. And yet...
"Go then," he mumbled,reverting his fiery gaze to the heaven's show over head. "If you can't stand it here, no sense in staying." While he did his best to keep any bitterness from dripping, it hung on the edge, and likely in the damn air."Just tell me now if you don't plan on coming back, I hate to bother thinking you will."
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Triell clearly did not take his words well; Of course he wouldn't..! The young leader tried his best to keep calm, but it was obvious to Drestig how his mood had changed. Feeling even worse than before at seeing his comrade scowl like that, the lither man shifted on the spot attempting to meet the other's eyes, only to find them closed. He closed his own then, ears flattening back. Had he not been sitting down, his tail would have slipped between his legs, instead it curled around him, pressing close to his tensed up hunches. |
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Forcefully, keeping his breathing even, his teeth concealed, his muscles were clenched trying to stop from bubbling over. It wasn't in him to hurt Drestig, but there were times he was afraid he might just snap from it all. Drestig's honesty would be his undoing, and the target in reach. Even though Drestig seemed confused by his statement Triell didn't bother painting a picture. In fact he was about to stand up, be the first to walk away when the older man blurted out a single word in protest. No!
It was the Tainn's turn to be confused. Wasn't he just contradicting himself? He felt like he had to go. Triell's dark brows set further over his amber eyes, but that probably made him look more unsettled than uncertain. Intently he focused on his friend, mentally freezing his paws to the ground when the subordinate did not lower his voice. The leader didn't need to demand an explanation. Truly he wanted to understand what Drestig meant, and soon enough was trying to make sense of his confession. There was more telling, and the leader wasn't dense. It swiftly dawned on Triell, and he understood exactly what the similar dark wolf had been trying to tell him all along. It was the season, and he remembered how this time he had often wandered away from the pack. Hating what he felt like. There was a bit of a guilt he had pushed his friend that far, because it seemed a bit out of his comfort zone to have plainly stated his reasons.
Furry brows lifted high. "Oh," he managed to mutter, giving a jerk of his head, trying to avert his stare from gawking so closely upon his pack mate. Then he too breathed a sigh of relief, a sheepish chuckle soon slipping from his throat. "I understand, do what you need to. I've never cared for this time of year in the past for the same reason." Standing up, he took a steady step closer, and then attempted to bump his shoulder to Drestig's. "I hope you understand you have been the first loyal pack member, the first friend to me in a long time."
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Each second was agony. Drestig stood on slightly shaky lags, gasping lightly after his outburst, watching his superior intensely, waiting impatiently for a response; Any response! Time felt almost frozen as he waited, his rapid breathing and the blood rushing behind his ears the only sounds to be heard, bright orange gaze fixated on Triell. His expression was impossible to read - though maybe that was just because Drestig himself was too upset to decipher it clearly - the hard lines of irritation still permeating his features, though the gleam in his fiery eyes seemed different from before. |
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Sex: Male
