Luna Hill i'll let you go this one time, tod

@Danica jump starting this cause I'm running out of time haha.back dated to 4/6 if you don't mind. Gent had left his home briefly to travel to Ghastly Woods. Small clusters of Solomon's Seal were beginning to spring up, and while it was not the optimal time of year to harvest, Lugh's injuries required that Gent do everything he could and utilize everything he could find. Thus now, as he passed through the easily navigable lanes of the Wild Cherry Orchard, he carried a nest of thin, wispy roots between his jaws. He'd been sure to dig up plenty, to make up for the lack of maturity of their growth. His paws were thick with mud and his tongue recoiled at the bitter taste of soil. When he could no longer stand it, he took a moment's pause under the shade of a stubby cherry tree, depositing the medicinal roots on the ground and then hurriedly licking his shoulder, using his rough fur to clean the dirt from his mouth. It was a less than princely display, but he didn't quite care. He was oblivious to the world around him for that moment, until one particular scent crossed through his nostrils and set off alarm bells in his head. Immediately, Gent's head snapped up, blue eyes straining to take in more and more of his surroundings to find and track her visually. The one wolf he wished not to harm from the pack Minka had decided for him was his enemy, happened to be the first he would run across. A part of him considered grabbing his harvest and splitting before she could run into him, but he couldn't. There was a question he needed to ask, first, and... Minka would understand, wouldn't she? Allowing a friend one chance? If not, he would have to make her see. Gent refused to break his friendship with the yearling now. "Danica?" he called out, stepping out from under the tree and into the naturally-formed aisle way. "Danica, come here." Gent tried not to sound too gruff, but he needed her to know, this was serious. As quickly as he could ask his question and shoo her away, the better; it could be disastrous for both of them to get caught.

(This post was last modified: May 07, 2015, 09:23 PM by Gent.)

(That's fine, I'm so so so sorry for forgetting about this again. X( )

15 Days Left The swollen figure rested peacefully beneath the budding blackberry bushes, pale creamy silver fur pressed into dark brown branches. She was much too drowsy to care about any discomfort caused by the pricking. A quiet snore rumbled forth from her maw, a sleepy paw coming up to bat at her moist nose. She dreamed of a strange black butterfly with gold and red markings and attempted to play with the fast moving creature. In result she twitched and moved about in her slumber, releasing muffled playful growls into the air. A fluffy tail flopped happily on the ground as she barked loud enough for @Gent to hear from the nearby distance. "Danica?" The familiar voice entered her dream landscape, calling out to her, and created confusion. She looked about the fields of green, but saw no one. "Danica, come here." It demanded, furthermore catching her interest. Was that Gent calling for her? Why? Rushing forward she tried to find him in the tall blades that seemed to be growing taller, or maybe she was shrinking? Before she knew it they loomed over head like trees that hid the sky above. Frightened she froze to glance every which direction hopelessly, "Gent?" She called out in panic, and her voice left that of her mind and drifted to the realm in which the man might have heard her. "Gent?" She asked again, "Where are you?" She wondered about the thick, dense, forest of sorts...eyes peering at her. Shadows illuminated by whatever sunlight shinned through darted here and there. They rustled the grass and had heavy foot falls that lacked to legs, and as one jumped out with it's ugly flat face that lacked fur, she awoke. Jumping to her paws she panted, staring below her. *What the what?!* She thought, sides heaving. ”Speech”

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Gent heard the unintended bark slice through the air, and swiftly directed his paws en route to where the sound originated. As he moved through the gnarled limbs of the blackberry bushes, he began to hear her call out his name, strangled with panic but oddly distant. The volume contradicted with where the rest of his senses told him she was located, and while he rushed his gait he also became far more alert, wondering if something was around that was frightening her and causing her to attempt to hush her frantic beckoning. A mirroring fear rose up inside him as, while he couldn't pick up sign of anything remotely threatening around him, he worried for her safety. It felt like an eternity between when he had called out to her and when he finally came to find her. She was standing on all fours, breathing heavily and looking as though something had thoroughly scared the wits out of her. Still extraordinarily concerned, Gent swiftly closed the distance between them, nudging her shoulder. The bulge of her stomach had not gone unnoticed, something that slightly unsettled the man for several reasons all having to do with Danica's age, but given her other state he pushed it back instead of giving the thought priority. "Danica, what is wrong? Are you okay?"

(Blah, I tried, sorry.)

4 Days Left Throughly shaken up the 'teen' mother stood there wide eyed, barely registering the man's approach until he touched her. Without a thought she bumped her head lightly into his soft furry neck. A shaky breath rattled through her throat, "I'm fine...just a nightmare." Danica whispered with a fragile feel to her words, so delicate it seemed one could shatter her sentence. The sound she emitted was hardly audible as it drifted to her own ears, possibly making him have to press his forward to hear her. Pulling back from the older wolf the little lady stole a quick glance over him, taking in his physical shape, and forced the smile."You look fine too, how have you been emotionally, though?" She asked hinting towards her knowledge on the war between their packs. She didn't know what @Minka had demanded of her members, nor even considered her dark furred friend a potential threat to the growing whelp inside of her. Or whelps. Instead she simply trusted him enough to almost completely disregard the fact that they were supposed to be enemies. Slowly her tail wagged behind a swollen body as big pretty emerald eyes stared up at the BTD man, innocent naivety twinkling. As the freshly two years old wolf settled her smile became more natural and real. Her pearly whites flashing every so lightly in a toothy grin, leathery lips pealed back just enough. Black pads pressed to the ground shifted as her tense body relaxed, muscles becoming loose and hackles smoothing. Dani was safe with @Gent, always....”Speech”

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A nightmare? Gent's taut muscles slackened as relief swept over his body, a sigh rolling off of his tongue. He buried his maw within her buttercream fur as she pressed against him, and touched his cheek momentarily to her's as she pulled away to reassure her of her safety with him. The little scare had only serve to solidify his determination in his self-undertaken mission. He wasn't sure he'd ever be able to explain why he had such a strong need to protect his friendship with Danica and to shield her from harm, but the desire was there nonetheless and he wasn't fighting it. Her question caught him off guard. It was an odd inquiry, and he had to wonder, was she aware of the impending war between their packs? She would clearly be able to smell his new allegiance on his pelt, and while he knew Minka was keeping her plans as secret as possible, of course Danica and her mother Nina should know of bloodshed committed on their own soil. It didn't bode well. Perhaps the Secret Woodlands matriarch had condoned the attacked, perhaps more violence was inevitable. But then why was the princess so close to their self-proclaimed enemies, then? It was a faint hope, but he wished for it to be true nonetheless, that the attack had somehow been rogue, that the perpetrators had already been sentenced by their own community and that Nina's only crime lay in not approaching Minka to apologize for what had transpired. That was the only way he could be guaranteed that Danica would be safe. While he could never bring himself to harm the young lady, what if his pack targeted her? What if she herself chose to fight, what if it came down to saving Danica or saving Minka? Gent wasn't at all confident that he could predict what his choice would be. "Fine," he answered, not willing to talk directly of what was happening between their packs. In the end, Minka would not be able to call him a traitor. "Danica, remember when we first met? The woman who approached us to make sure you were alright, and who hunted with me along with Hollow? Iopah was her name, right? How has she been?"

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<p>
Danica cherished the moment of a muzzle gently pressed into her thick fur, eyes shutting to enjoy the peace the brief contact brought her. It reminded her of long cozy nights with @Titan within Whisper Caverns, sleepy conversations, and the warm embraces they had once shared. It settled her to think that when given the chance to comfort, someone could do another great good. It didn't seem to dawn on the busy girl that her baby daddy was mostly absent. She was too caught up with all that was happening around her, practically consumed, to the point it seemed he had only left a few days ago. Dani didn't put much thought into his lack of presence. When @Gent pressed his cheek to hers she smiled, coming back from the temporary nostalgia.

<p>Dani looked to him suspiciously at the short answer, <font color=c38a00>"Are you sure? I worry about you..."</font>She whispered the last part sheepishly. However, he was one of her only friends, after all, and she meant it full heartedly. If something were to happen to him she would seek vengeance if necessary and most defiantly mourn. Despite their little knowledge on one another she felt a strong attachment and bond forming, and could only assume it was because of past events.

<p>She found herself nodding almost immediately as he had begun to talk, but stilled with a hatred burning in her normally soft eyes.<font color=c38a00>"Iopah is a traitor to my mother, and I hope indeed she regrets it. My father...-she begun to mumble under her breath- Koda has hopefully broke his back -then rose her voice once more- has also committed crimes with her. They have broken pack law."</font> Once finished she allowed her hurt to show, trusting Gent, but looked away some.<font color=c38a00>"I feel as if he has left me again..."</font>

<font color=c38a00>"speech"</font>

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Gent pressed a smile onto his maw as she expressed her concern for him, tail swaying for a brief moment. It truly made him happy that his investment in her had been well reciprocated, that he had gotten the impact he'd aimed for when he first approached her as a yearling and she a young pup. However, it certainly wasn't turning out all the way he wanted; after all, she was supposed to only be a pawn to him, but now her touch and care and meant a lot more to him than trusting she'd do him a favor or two in the future. It was the bond itself, not its utility, that was bringing him happiness. He felt that edge of protectiveness rise up once more, and grew further determined that even amongst the haze of this war, he would keep her safe. If he'd ever cared for his mix of half-siblings, he would've recognized that he was developing a brotherly sense of duty to the young girl.

"Yes, there's nothing to worry about," he confirmed for her, as while it touched him he didn't want her to feel any anxiety over him.

When she began to answer his question, his ears lifted and pressed forward, eager for whatever information she might have. The more words spilled out of her mouth, even those she tried to keep under breath, the more intrigue shone in Gent's eyes. This was wonderful news, this was a huge hint toward what Gent had been hoping for but thought impossible. Now, it was actually within reach. But Iopah hadn't been the only one to attack Lugh, and Gent knew the other to have some tie with Hollow Heart Keep. He hadn't known a Koda by name, but when she clarified for him that the man was her father, he remembered a desperate wolf asking Gent if he'd any information on Danica's whereabouts after the conclusion of the elk hunt between the two packs. No, there was no way that was the other attacker. He needed to know more, but with the confession that was Danica's final statement on the matter, the blue black monster didn't have the heart nor the time to press her further.

"I'm sorry," he fumbled, unsure what exactly to say. His own father hadn't been made of gold, but he had never abandoned any of his children, even when all of them but Gent had gravely failed his expectations. The man knew that any words he might be able to say would not ease Danica's feelings of betrayal, especially when he didn't know her father from Adam. For all he knew, Renier had indeed abandoned his daughter without a second thought. That left him only with actions, and thus Gent stepped forward to pull Danica into an embrace with his chin hooked over her shoulders. Before returning to the Lore, he'd been completely unfamiliar with physical interaction. But thanks to this girl and a select few of his packmates, that specific layer of ice was melting, and compassion was becoming more and more a genuine part of him rather than something he merely faked.

Danica practically studied him for any slight changes, hints to subtle lies. Something that would note to her he was hiding anything at all. The twitch of an eyebrow or split second glance away. Perhaps a change in the pitch of his voice? A smile spread across his features and she returned it, finding nothing false in the man's words. She nodded at him as if to say okay, I trust you.

The apology captured her attention with mild confusion. What was he sorry for? He had no control or part in all that had happened. When he pulled her in for a warm embrace she leaned into him, burying her face in black fur. A muffled, "Thank you." Came from the young mom as she stood there. Danica could feel her worries ebb away  just a touch. Her eyes slowly shut as she took the time to relax and enjoy Gent's company. It wasn't everyday that she was delighted with seeing him, nor Titan, and she had no friends within the thickets. Only blood relatives.

Reluctantly she backed up from his affection, checking their surroundings. "I-I think it's time we split for now....for the best. I hope we'll be freinds after this war is finished. I do miss you though, so when it's over at least try to come see us." Her nose traced over her swollon figure, then she turned to face Leiris again.  She dipped her head saying, "Farewell, and may we meet again soilder."

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Shallow water has trapped several fish in a small pond. Hunt Opportunity

OOC: One more from you & we can archive!

Gent closed his eyes as she thanked him, her voice soft as it more-so vibrated through his skin than through the air, her muzzle tangled with his fur and pressed against his shoulder. While he normally would not prolong such an intimate embrace, there was a gravity to this final touch. He could not know when the next time he saw her would be, nor under what conditions it occurred. If everything worked out, if the information he'd just obtained led down the path he so desperately hoped for it to, the time between wouldn't be terribly long and the atmosphere would be not tense but mirthful as their previous meeting had been. However, it was far more likely that the war would continue. Even if he had the luck to not come upon Danica on a battlefield, the victor would gloat and the loser would be bitter, whoever filled the roles. It was very likely that visitations and chance meetings would both be banned by either party, if not both. And what would he do then?

She pulled away from him, interrupting his thoughts. Her eyes shifted to take in the whole of their surroundings, uncertain and fearful of intrusion. A memory overtook the eye of his mind then, transposing upon the current, adult, pregnant Danica the image of her as a child, shy and fearful of the outside world yet enraptured by it all the same, looking up to him with careful trust.

"Of course I will," he murmured, glacial gaze drifting to her rounded side as she gestured. His thoughts continued their track, asking even more questions that he could not answer. Would he ever be able to see Danica and Titan's children? Would they even survive the pressures of war? Would Minka order the pregnant and the young to be harmed? Would he be able to follow through if she did?

Goodbye left her lips, and he lifted his eyes, a new wealth of determination stealing over them. The doubt left, taking with it the softness that had muddied them.

"We'll see each other again, no matter what happens. I'll see you and Titan, and your children, no matter what the war brings. I promise, Danica."