Umbra Copse Think Twice

If I ever leave I could learn to miss you

Like it always seemed to be, Hal’s bubbly attitude seemed to have wormed its way into the kinks in the woman’s armor. He watched as her expression seemed to soften and he almost laughed. Of course. Kuwindwa began to speak again and he listened quietly, analyzing her words and how much truth he thought was in them. Her build seemed to confirm them and the flicker of fire within those bronze eyes also seemed to do her justice. Her gaze lowered and she seemed to shrink and suddenly he could feel the honesty. Yes, she could do nicely.

Topaz gaze turned to Hal as she questioned him, sea meeting sun and his heart gave a thud. Of all times. He turned quickly to look back forward. “I think you’ll do just fine in our ranks. We could always use a guardian, old bones over there isn’t much good for anything else other than giving some lip,” he replied, his formerly stoic expression turning up into one of amusement showing he was just poking fun as they normally did. A small chuckle slipped it’s way up his throat. “We can show you to the nearest cache and let you get settled. Tomorrow one of us can show you around,” he added. Normally this would be the point in time that one of them would transfer their scent to their pelt but Alastor wasn’t normally one for physical affection. Rather, he figured he would leave that duty to Sahalie.

With sentimental boy as my nom de plume

(This post was last modified: Apr 27, 2017, 12:54 AM by Kino.)

@Sahalie

A "sanctuary" was a foreign concept for Kuwindwa in many ways. Not that the idea was necessarily a bad one, she merely lacked the ability to understand how literally the term might be applied to the pack, and she could not envision on her own a pack whose boundaries were determined by peace and healing. No doubt she would drill the younger wolves about their concept. If nothing else, she would learn more about them and their ideals. If it was healing this pack intended to bring, Kuwindwa may have unknowingly come to the destination she never knew she needed. Though far from a perfidious wolf, she was putting up a front for these new wolves. Her heart and mind were in tatters, even if her physical prowess was relatively unharmed by her time alone.

Kuwindwa's gaze landed squarely on Alastor again as Sahalie spoke to the man, deliberately drawing him back into the decision. He didn't seem as gung-ho about all this as Sahalie... perhaps a wiser view. Good. The warrior's ears pricked again, the only indication she was ready to answer anything he might ask. His gaze flicked quickly back to the large woman, but he did not present her with a question. Instead, he seemed to take heart and agreed with his co-leader.

Relief. A soft breath, as she realized she'd held it for a moment. Kuwindwa felt the faintest glimmer of... hope? Was that the name for it? Her gaze trailed back to Larkspur as Alastor mentioned the older wolf. Allowing herself a quick smile in the older wolf's direction – she couldn't know how true Alastor's words were yet – she was soon forward-facing again, her tail offering a slow wag before it stilled firmly around her paws again. "Thank you, sir."

@Larkspur figured you'd wanna get one last one in for LP's sake or something. After everyone's responded, whoever is last can archive it :)

Apparently it was enough for him—or perhaps she had just embarrassed him into submission—because Alastor dolled out his consent with a rib at Larkspur. She flicked the old man a glance, knowing that he wouldn't start a fight in front of the new woman but feeling it was a bit unfair, and definitely well beyond her lighthearted joking. Their relationship had developed oddly, and Sahalie didn't really understand whatever agreement they had reached within the last few months behind closed doors. Perhaps Larkspur would just chew on his ear in private or make some snarky comment somewhere else down the line. Because it would be a sad day when the old man would take snark like that lying down. They didn't all have to grow up so fast.

Eagerly, Sahalie moved forward to make contact with the old woman. Wearing their scent of aspen leaves and wet ferns was important, even if the others would soon know her by sight. And this would be the first real time that Sahalie would get to mark another wolf. The girl noted that her new packmate was sturdy like Spieden, though much less squishy, as her small dark body brushed along her side. "Welcome," the little leader said at last, stepping back. "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, but today you should probably relax." The woman would be much more comfortable with Larkspur, for now. He had lead her hear and he was the one she trusted. Everything else would come in time. Sahalie knew that despite her size her presence was very large, and she didn't want to overwhelm the woman so quickly.

"Have fun, kids," she giggled, turning back towards the territory to attend to other business.

He wanted to let the irritation just roll off his back. Sometimes he wanted to be the sort of wolf that could let things go, but somehow (especially so with Alastor), he couldn't. Right then he pretended to ignore it, but Lark wouldn't forget. His teeth were tightly clenched together and sensing their little meeting was coming to an end, Larkspur got up. "I'll show her," he chimed in. As Sahalie made Kuwindwa's welcome official, Lark watched Alastor. He couldn't do much snarling or face wrinkling then, but maybe if he thought it hard enough, Alastor could hear his less-than-friendly reply.

Probably not.

With Sahalie off and on her way, and him volunteering to show Kuwindwa around, he guessed it meant that they could all leave. The sooner the better, too, he didn't know how long he could hold his tongue. He nodded to Alastor, making sure to look the boy in the eye, before looking back to Kuwindwa. "I'll show you the caches, where everyone sleeps," mostly everyone, as Larkspur still insisted that he sleep away from everyone,  "Then I'll leave you be." He needed to find a big stick or five and tear it to shreds. 


@Kuwindwa @Kino