Secret Woodlands the darkest past

@Nina Surprise thread! I kind of just mouth vomited this but I wanted to get it up before I forgot.

It was still early. He did not expect that the children would be up yet or their parents, though the hunters in the pack might think to get a quick start on the day for food. At the moment, the sun had not yet lifted up over the horizon, though Bane sat patiently along the edges of one of the few clearings in his home as he waited for it. His eyes remained closed, a still silence over the lands savor the trickling of rain drops in the forest. The storms had been heavy, though this day it was only a sprinkle, sure to offer a day of sunshine for the pups of the pack to play under. Bane had been keeping a good watch over them ever since they had been introduced to the pack. Today however, he had planned to seek out someone else within the ranks, someone of most importance. It had seemed like forever since he had a one on one with Nina.  For the time being, Bane had otherwise been keeping away, allowing her some time to herself after for so long catering to the needs of others. This morning however he craved her attention and waited ever patiently for the hours to pass and the sun to rise so that he may seek her out at a more appropriate time. With a deep sigh, he opened his orange eyes just as the first peaks of orange and pink streaked over the horizon.

Her decision to step down had been for the best. Both in the interests of the pack and for her health. It had been peaceful since her demotion and Nina knew she couldn't complain about it. Aideen had gracefully taken the throne and had given the pack three new lives to take care of. They were strong little things and Nina was quite proud of her protegee. The small woman had come quite a long way since her timid days when she had first joined Secret Woodlands and she had certainly earned her way into Nina's heart and her trust was well earned. It seemed as though The Woodlands finally reached its time of peace and the Hervok woman rested easy knowing that even when she passed on, her legacy would not die along with her.

Even though her children, except one, were no longer with her, she hoped they were living happy lives. Danica, surely, had fallen off the wrong path more than once but Nina hoped that she would eventually find her way and would find the love in someone that she deserved. Even though the others were gone, she had faith him them and she loved them with every part of their being and trusted that they were making the good decisions in their lives. Nina contemplated all of this while laying down in a rare patch of sunlight that shot through the dense thickets. Earlier in the day, when it was still cool, she collected herbs to start stocking up for the winter months. The winters in the lore were unpredictable and Nina knew that they needed to be prepared for anything that could be coming for them.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

The sunset was beautiful, leaving the trees and brush of Secret Woodlands aglow with lighting of that pink and orange. He sat for some time longer, looking over the skies above his home as the sprinkle of rainfall over the night had finally stopped, leaving only trickles of rain falling off the leaves throughout the forest. Finally he lifts up from his sitting position, offering his body a long stretch and a wide-mouthed yawn before walking off to move along the edges of the open clearings. His burnt orange eyes were wide, his nose high as he sought out the scent of Nina. Surely soon enough she would be on her way to hunt for herbs, just as Inali would scout out beyond the edges of the territory and the hunters would move over to the meadows to hunt and he, Bane, would remain here and keep guard.

After a few minutes of strolling, he would seek out the particular scent he was searching for, finding Nina only moments later laying within the sunlight. The ginger highlights of her coat brilliant in the rising sun, a certain peace about her he had not seen in quite some time. He huffs, a low grunting kind of noise to allow her to know (if she had not caught him already) that he was near. He shakes out his deep chocolate coat and strides towards her in a certain bounding manner, his happiness to see her unable to be not noticed. He would greet her with a nuzzle if she had him, dipping his nose to touch it lightly on her cheek and then her closed up eye as usual form.

She had been hesitant about moving to the Thickets when Copper Rock Creek originally disbanded but once they all became accustomed to the dense area, it was hard to not fall in love with it. Nina knew that it was going to be a gamble. Not everyone could handle the claustrophobia the thickets provided, nor the thorny undergrowth. However, those who remained grew aware of their surroundings and could avoid the snags and pricks of the terrain. The graying matriarch was more than proud of what her pack had become and Nina knew she had put the pack into capable paws.

The sound of another approaching broke her thought and she turned, a bright smile tugging at her lips. Bane was a constant light in her life that she could never deny and the Hervok was ecstatic that he had chosen to return to the thickets. Gazing over him with a single fond eye, she allowed him the usual greeting he granted her. Sighing contently, Nina spoke softly, "It's always a pleasure to see my son." She pulled away from him then, the happy smile still planted pleasantly on her lips. She looked him over briefly, amazed that it had already been three years since he was a child. She laughed, confessing her own thoughts aloud, "I can't believe you're so old now." The woman's green eye glimmered in amusement. They both knew she was the old one, after all, it was why she had retired.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

He smiles deeply to her words, looking her over with a quick up and down as she laid there to make sure everything was alright. He was going to ask her if she needed anything until she had spoke up. He smile turns into the slightest smirk, a small chuckle from his parted lips. "I know..." He huffs. "I third of my life has already passed me and I can't say I've done much of anything.... haven't seen much of anything."  Still as he spoke this, his tone was not upset or bitter, just 'matter of factually'. He had been rather devoted to the idea of guarding the pack's border and paying close mind to the children that were born each year even if he did not interact with them exactly. His life was both rather simple and rather uneventful. It had it's ups and downs and he lived each one day by day. Of course, as he stared out beyond the borders of his home, he had his curiosities, his questions, his interests, though none enough to up and abandon him home and what little friends and family he held in order to fulfill them.

Despite her teasing tone, when he responded he was, unsurprisingly, serious. She smiled pleasantly at him, however, his response tugging at her heart. Ever since conception Bane led a trailed life and Nina wished that she could take all of his cares away like a true mother. His words rang true with her and it upset her to know such a thing. Her own had fled far from the nest as soon as they were old enough to leave and even though she missed them, she respected their decisions to go and travel the expanse of the world. As long as they remained safe, even if she wouldn't know or not, that was what mattered most to her. As long as they were happy, she would be able to live with herself but she honestly could never tell with her dark boy.

Her single emerald eye examined him casually, not too eager to bring this up to the boy, but needing to. With a hesitant sigh, she spoke, "You still could if you wanted to. If...if it makes you happy." They would be able to speak with Miccah and Nina would make sure he gave Bane the freedom to do as he chose. The child deserved to have some form of happiness within his life, even if it wasn't within the Woodlands. The graying golden woman studied the dark man carefully, curious  as if she were correct or not.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

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

When she responds, it seems her words are hesitant, a stutter on her breath. The cover of his lips turned up just slightly and he shakes his head, sighing in the same manner which she had. "I'd love to travel, to see the world..." He would like to meet other wolves too, learn where they came from, how they acted and what their traditions were. Although he could not say he would do too much of that, granted how awkward he could become with strangers. Still it never hurt to observe. "I always wanted to see beyond the mountains. See the dark forests, the red sands, and a waterfall..." He goes off a bit in thought, those pauses and brings his attention back down towards Nina. "Although I could never imagine waking up every morning knowing you were not around... and @Inali ." Sure he wanted to see more of the world before he became too old and did not have the option any more to venture. Though that did not mean he wanted to leave behind those that he cared about. Sure both the women in his life were fully capable of going on without him. They did not need him. They had plenty of friends, plenty of family. Bane, however... Well, those two were really the only wolves he had been able to connect with.

He confirmed her thoughts but just as she thought that he might be chasing his dreams, he shot down such thoughts. Of course, there would always be the opportunity for him to do such trips, perhaps following in the footsteps of Inali after her retirement. The way he described such adventures made it sound like he would enjoy it. Her lips pursed but she remained silent for a good amount of time, golden ear perking when he spoke again. Nina flushed, a small smile spreading across her lips at his words. He was too kind but she took pleasure in knowing that it was part of his upbringing that brought out this kindness in him. When she spoke again, her voice was soft, "You can still have that y'know, while still being part of the pack?"

Her voice was soft but suggestive, trying to get the point across. She smiled a bit before continuing, "Have you considered, maybe, talking to Aideen and Miccah about becoming a Scout?" The Hervok had always imagined that her son would become a Guardian but if it made him happier to become something else then she would do nothing to stop him. There was nothing she wanted more than for him to be happy in this life and if that was what it took, then she would do everything in her power to encourage and support him.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

His ears perked, swirling atop hid head as he listened to her words. He had not thought to come directly to Aideen and Miccah... which was kind of silly to think of it. Although scouting missions were usually only a few days travel and happened very rarely while there was little information to go around. Often or not, the scout would just leave for the day and return at night, hopefully for some word of anyone they might have passed by. Bane was not a man of many words and although could speak quite pleasantly and polite, was nervous around strangers. Talking to an ally was one thing (although he was still quite shocked @Miccah had chose him to do the mission) but coming up to complete stranger just for a chat to see what he could learn was something completely different. Yet again, perhaps, he could bring @Inali with him? She could do the talking and he could be the back up.....

He had been a Guardian for most of his life thus far, tending to watching over the pups as well as guarding the borders of the pack. However, it was not as though he had not played the role of scout before as well or even hunter for that matter. After all, when he was a pup often did Hollow take him out on his patrols and when he had gotten a little curious on exploring, Iopah had taken him off on her hunting missions for a taste. Of course more recently, Miccah had him go off to Willow Ridge for any updates and of course share what information they had to offer. The transaction had gone smoothly, the allied wolves giving him food and a place to rest for the night before turning back home. Bane had always kept to the border as he watched @Inali time and time again go off and explore beyond, maybe now he would go off with her? "Yes, I think I might do that." He speaks with a small smile towards Nina. After a moment longer, he decides to pull the conversation off of him and onto the one who was more important here - her. "Have you been doing okay? .....Without leading. I imagine without the business of it, its a bit more... relaxing." Of course, he would also understand if she thought that it was boring. Of course, without being the leader you did not have the burden of everything of your shoulders, but could still be a very supportive member of the community. However, being used to working so hard all the time and then not was certainly quite an adjustment.