Whitestone Monadnock Pack Thread

The sun was only just starting to rise, the pitch-black sky rich with deep morning colours, but Craw was already wide awake. He had, in fact, only just returned from a most engaging encounter and the events which transpired still played over in his mind, again and again, on repeat. He had given too many warnings; he should've just ended it there and then, and given himself one less interloper to deal with. Who knows, perhaps the others would be more agreeable?

"@Lorcan," he grunted, coming to stop just outside the pack dens, aware that there were many inside - but he only wanted one. "Lorcan, come here."

Sleep had evaded her, the usually cozy nook between @Craw and @Wraith usurped by the second's desire to chase ghosts and the former's need to go for a late night stroll, so when Craw returned and summoned @Lorcan her eyes cracked open, her displeasure clear as a leg stretched out to nudge the subordinate awake if her mates words weren't enough to wake him. Her displeased chuff, little more than a too tired grumble warning Craw he'd best come in and drag him out if her efforts weren't enough. She was merely waiting for the sun to rise to relocate to a warmer position.


Today was not a day for extra effort on her part.

@Craw

It was the middle of the night and Lorcan was sound asleep after his eventful day spent talking with that strange woman he'd found in hidden away in some caves near kingsfall. Tucked up against the wall in the main den chamber, the sound of Lorcan's soft snoring muffled his alpha's first summoning call. The same could not be said for the second however. Lorcan jumped awake just as Morganna stretched a leg out to shove him, letting out a tiny whimper in confusion. He sensed the tension in Craw's voice as it echoed against their chamber walls and it sent a shiver down the subordinates spine. He hadn't done anything wrong recently, had he?

Swiftly twisting over and gathering his paws up underneath his lean body, the tired subordinate quickly shuffled his way out through the main tunnel, trying his best not to accidentally step on any of his pack mates that had somehow managed to stay asleep. Poking his head out from the den's gloomy entrance, his golden eyes met Craw's and lowering his head and flattening his ears, the subordinate clambered out and sat down obediently. "Sir?" It was hard to mistake the confusion in his voice as he searched his alpha's scarred monochrome face for clues.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

The first response wasn't from the summoned medic, but a disgruntled sound coming from a source he recognised all too well. The thought of her was like milk to his burning mouth, not least the idea of her sleepy and grumpy, and for the first time since leaving their neighbour's borders his lips curled in something other than hostility.

But then he appeared, obedient as ever, and the indignation flared up again - but not aimed at Lorcan himself, so Craw made a conscious effort to look calmer than he felt. Not sure how well he managed that. "Whatever happened with you and Askan," he rasped, aware that this was going to come completely out of the blue to Lorcan but not caring one bit, "and whatever might happen in the future, know that he is not worth the dirt under your paw. If he ever gives you lip, just remind him. Now go back to sleep, and find me once the sun is up." Time to toughen you up.

And with that he turned away, not prepared to deal with the many questions that had probably left swirling in the poor man's head, to try and find a quiet place to get a little sleep before the next day's work.

@Craw

As Lorcan waited in uneasy anticipation for whatever it was the Craw was so desperate to say, the subordinate began to think back to every day that has passed, since he had returned from the long trip spent searching for medicinal supplies until now – desperate trying to remember a time when he might have slipped up somehow, and growing all the more internally panicked when he failed to pinpoint a single event.

The words that spilled from Craw’s ever so slightly curling lips hit him like a tonne of bricks. What was going on?! Something must have happened. A frown quickly plagued the young subordinates face as he listened, trying to make sense of it, but understanding the importance behind it all the same. Askan was trouble – which he had known all along, but the fact the Craw was speaking about him now only further confirmed it. Before he had the chance to ask what had gone on, Craw has dismissed him back to bed, leaving Lorcan with his jaw hung ajar without a word.

“O-okay, Sir..” He responded, dipping his head respectively as he turned to crouch down at the den entrance again. “I will come and find you first thing in the morning.” He confirmed as he stared back into the gloomy tunnel of the main den. “G-good night, Sir.” He tried to offer some sort of comfort to his superior, who was obviously disgruntled, concerned golden gaze glancing back to Craw before he crawled back into the den and settled back down to sleep, thoughts whirling through his mind.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

An ear had been turned towards the den entrance, and when Lorcan returned alone, she decided it wasn't worth staying in here if she was just going to spend what remained of the night tossing and turning. Standing up with a less than courteous shake, she paid less mind than Lorcan about who she may or may not be stepping on (seemingly managing to miss splayed limbs and tail purely by chance). Wherever @Craw finally settled she would throw herself down and hopefully, finally manage to find the sleep that was eluding her with his absence.

(This post was last modified: Nov 21, 2016, 10:45 PM by Morganna.)

December 31, 2016

A disgruntled sigh was breathed past his charcoal lips, sending a white cloud into the icy air, as the agouti subordinate traipsed his way back up the old goat track to the summit of his home. His footfall was uncaring and heavy, his posture and movement hinting at his less than contented mood that evening. This was the second time in a matter of weeks that he had returned back to the pack empty-handed. After all those hours spent in the lowlands, huddled down against the cold, what did he have to show for it? Nothing.

His black-tipped tail flicked behind him in irritation just before he clambered up from the goat track and onto the more even surface of the monadnock. Head held low and russet ears held back, Lorcan made his way slowly towards the edge of the plateau where he and @Piety has star-gazed that time. Secretly he hoped that she would be there to greet him, for the skies were already dark with gloom of night. Golden eyes scanned the spot where he had expected her to be and an almost inaudible whine whistled past his lips when he found the space to be empty. Still feeling too restless to settle down to sleep, Lorcan sprawled down at the edge of the plateau and placed his muzzle atop his outstretched paws as his golden eyes searched the sky for starlight.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

I WRITE MORE POSTCARDS THAN HOOKS
I READ MAPS MORE THAN BOOKS
FEEL LIKE EVERY CHANCE TO LEAVE
IS ANOTHER CHANCE I SHOULD HAVE TOOK

She had been resting. While she usually would have been star gazing she felt uncomfortably tired today. Perhaps it was the ever increasing cold and lack of true sunlight that had her this way. Whatever it was she wanted it to end. It was hard to be cheerful and motivated with such little energy to spare.

The pale woman had been drifting in and out of sleep for perhaps the last hour. "For being so tired you think sleep would be easier to reach.." A soft sigh left her lips as she rose to her paws. Carefully tip-toeing over the bodies as she looked at who all was sleeping. Someone was missing...

It didn't take long for her to realize it was @Lorcan who was gone. A frown planted on her face as she sleepily stumbled out of the entrance. There was a blob on the floor that had not been there earlier. Perhaps that was him. Was he stargazing? Her frown had been replaced with a smile as she softly called out his name. "Lorcan? That you?" Her voice heavy from what little sleep she had gotten. Her paws carried her closer to him. She wasted no time to settle on the ground beside him. Her head buried into his neck for a moment before she pulled pack to look at him. "You're back so-" She yawned mid-sentence before she carried on. "late. Everything alright?"

"speech"

(This post was last modified: Dec 31, 2016, 07:03 PM by Piety.)

# C W T

@Piety

Golden eyes scanned the dark night sky for stars, wondering if he would be able to spot any that evening. Eyes narrowed as he searched, desperately straining for any sign of light…but there was none. The skies were too cloudy and any stars which might have glimmered up above were hidden behind the thick cloud cover. Just as he was above to place his chin back onto his outstretched paws, he heard movement behind him. Sniffing the air, the mixture of scents reached his nose, making it hard to determine which one of his pack mates was moving in the den. Turning his head, his golden eyes remained focused on the dark gloomy entrance of the den and he waited curiously to see who would come out to greet him.

He was greeted with pale figure and for a moment he thought it had been Saradathia, but the voice gave it away. “Piety..” He breathed, his voice high-pitched with surprise. “Yes, it’s me.” He confirmed, nodding his head gently before he turned his gaze back out towards the view of lowlands below and waited for her to settle down beside him. He leaned in to her embrace, feeling his heart calm a little with the warm comforting gesture. He couldn’t help the smirk which tugged at the corners of his lips when a yawn broke through her question. “Yes, I’m fine, I just… feel a bit useless right now.” He sighed. Self-doubt had begun to crawl into his mind again.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

DO YOU BELIEVE YOU'RE MISSIN' OUT?
THAT EVERYTHING GOOD IS HAPPENING SOMEWHERE ELSE?
BUT WITH NOBODY IN YOUR BED
THE NIGHT'S HARD TO GET THROUGH

Her name was spoken like a surprise. She wondered if perhaps he had wanted to be left alone tonight. But all notions of such a thing were washed away when he accepted her gentle embrace. He was a genuinely good man and the pale woman could only hope he'd stay that way. Or at least only change for the better.

But her eyes grew sad and a frown made way to her face. "Is that why you're out here? I couldn't sleep well and noticed you were missing from inside the den." She sighed and nosed at the side of his face. "I don't know why you're feeling useless. You do a lot around here. You're our medic..you keep us alive when we get sick. There are wolves counting on you here. No need to feel useless." She could hide the sad tones of her voice. The pale Santoro never liked seeing those close to her sad or feeling bad.

Her head found a place to rest on his shoulders. While Piety glanced across the skies she looked for any stars. The clouds were too thick, though. "There's no stars out tonight. What're we gonna look at?" Her voice light, barely a whisper. It was only meant for @Lorcan to hear. Piety had no intention of possibly awakening those who may be asleep.

"speech"

(This post was last modified: Dec 31, 2016, 07:40 PM by Piety.)

# C W T