Kingsfall just to get back home to you

Borders of HR, Afternoon, Fog, 53°F, 12°C, All Welcome, @Lachesis

It felt like an eternity had passed since he had last traipsed beneath the dappled shade provided by the tall sequoia trees which bordered of Hearthwood River. In reality, the once trusted healer had been missing from his home for just over a month. Lorcan inwardly winced as his tired paws carried him anxiously through the maze of trees in the direction of the pack territory, his mind entirely consumed with guilt and fear as he worried over the reaction he might receive from his fellow pack mates upon his return. 

The male had never planned to be gone for so long without explanation. He had been setting out on frequent trips to the lowlands in search of prey, encouraged by the growing hunger of the numerous pups the pack now supported. He had hoped to return after three days at most with a sizeable kill between his jaws, but the torrential rain had caught him out by surprise and had flooded the river crossing long before he had managed to race back towards it. 

He had been forced to head in the opposite direction, towards the mountains, in search of higher ground. It had been there that Lorcan had spent numerous days and nights, his frustration growing as he waited for the flood water to recede. Numerous times he had braved it down from the mountain peaks and tried to wade his way back through the boggy ground and across the raging river towards Kingsfall, but it was only now that he had managed cross it and reach the familiar sequoia trees which bordered his river side home through the fog which hung along the water’s edge.

Dark nostrils flared as he suddenly inhaled the earthy-decaying scent of the territorial borders and a whine whistled through his quivering charcoal lips as his golden eyes sought out the familiar shapes of his pack mates. Lorcan’s uncharacteristically damp, dishevelled and malnourished form anxiously came to linger quietly at the borders. A shiver of relief washed over him as he took a few moments to take in his surroundings, before he nervously tucked his tail between his muddied legs and howled.

(This post was last modified: Jul 24, 2017, 05:50 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

Guardian Dem 1/3

After a morning of spending time with her daughter traipsing around the territory and hunting practice Oksana was worn out. When the sun had gotten to it's highest point in the sky Inna had brought her daughter back to the den for their nap. Curling up next to the Ebony ball of fur that had grown so much in the past months she watched the rise and fall of her daughter's chest as she fell asleep. Sleep however, didn't not come so easily to the older Baranski for Lorcan's disappearance and Ayti weighed heavily on her mind causing it to keep going long after Oksana had fallen into a sound sleep.

She'd laid there for quite some time before deciding it was futile to try and sleep since it had not come to her. Quietly and carefully the Raven rose from the place next she'd held next to Oksana and like she had been doing since her cub had been born covered her with the furs. Placing a kiss on her crown Inna slipped from the den and made her way through the sequoia trees to take care of some of her duties. She'd neglected them that morning for her daughter and while she felt Lachesis and her mother would understand she also felt it was time she started being the pack member she had been before she had left for the mountain with her brother.

The fog had settled among the trunks of the trees giving the forest a slightly eerie feeling but she supposed it was better than the rain. The ground was still damp under her paws as she placed them on the well worn paths of her home. The was the earthy scent of the forest after a rain in the air that Inna had always found comfort in. She wondered if one day her daughter would as well and the lavender. Even after Lorcan had disappeared Inna had kept up bringing the plant to the den for her daughter.

She'd only been in the border a short time when her ears caught the familiar voice, excitement and happiness bubbled up inside her but there was the ever present doubt that pushed it back down. She couldn't do what she did with Aleksei even if deep down she knew Lorcan wasn't anything like her brother. She had to protect herself and her daughter but she would also hear him out, he deserved that much at least. Inna quickly made her way to the border and stopped just out of sight to take a deep breath. She then slowly and cautiously stepped into view with her head up and tail high, “Lorcan, glad to see your still alive,” she greeted cordially and without humor in her features.

~Table by Jacqueline

(This post was last modified: Jul 24, 2017, 04:19 PM by Inna.)

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you.

 

LAIKE ARTEMIEVA

The moment that voice rung through the air, his hackles raised. He wasted no time in moving from his current position to the borders. Picking up Inna's scent only quickened his pace. If she was already at the scene then he supposed he wouldn't show too much aggression towards his disappearing brother.

A few tall redwoods passed by before the sight of the gold-eyed Artemieva and ebony pelted Baranski. His tail threatened to creep upwards as his lip pulled back for the briefest moment. Laike let his shoulder briefly bump against Inna's hip in a silent greeting. Although his brother looked like a disaster the older brother wouldn't give Lorcan his sympathy yet. The stocky male had looked for him and not on his own accord. He did it to ease the mind of those around him. Mainly Oksana who had seemed so eager to go out and look for the tawny healer. Mentally he tsked. The thought of the young girl wasting time and energy searching for some who (only in Laike's mind) wasn't worth too much of the effort was upsetting. Of course, he trusted full and well that Inna wouldn't let her daughter embark on such a mission just yet.

He pulled himself from his thoughts to focus on the wolves before him. For now, he was content to linger by Inna's hip and examine the situation for himself.

art by kydnt

guardian demonstration 1/3

have you checked out my player preferences?

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

sorry for holding this up! @Lorcan

The tawny healer wasn’t the only wolf to disappear from the river as summer rolled into the Lore. Another had vanished from their ranks, the white-cheeked Splashing Otter, without an explanation. Lachesis continued to patrol the borders, searching for traces of the absent males. He tried to remain positive and hope for the best, but the ghost could not help but worry. Unfortunately Hearthwood had a trend of hosting wolves who did not intend on making the river their home and used it as a place of temporary refuge.

He frowned at the thought, his paws dragging across the forest floor as he ran parallel to the border. The fog hindered his sight, weaving between the trees as it pooled around his legs. He toyed around with the idea of plunging into the lowlands to search for food or, perhaps, locating one of the nearby herds. The children of the river were reaching the age where they would be able to join the rest of the pack on a hunt. They would not be able to be active participants but they could watch; they could learn.

A call sounded through the trees, muted slightly by the fog. The familiarity of the voice caused his legs to spring forward, his ears pinned forward in determination as he sprinted toward the source. Hope bubbled inside his chest, fuelling his movement.

He was not surprised to see that he was not the first on the scene. The alpha nodded at both the raven and the fiery-eyed Artemieva, his expression solemn as he approached the healer. His frown was still present, etched into his dark lips as he noted the male’s dishevelled appearance. Clearly his absence had not been by choice. “It’s good to see you,” he greeted, his features softening slightly as he spoke. “Are you alright? Are you hurt?” He could not stop the questions from tumbling off his tongue as his brows narrowed in concern. 

stick with those who stick with you

The forest seemed eerily quiet. Golden eyes wondered down to glance at the thick fog which engulfed the roots of the sequoia trees and hung hauntingly around their rounded trunks. The spectacle reminded him somewhat of the frothing waters from the river which had prevented him from coming home and it caused an uneasy shiver to prickle its way up his spine. However, before he could grow too uncomfortable, a familiar and very much welcome odour reached his nose. 

Russet ears pricked up immediately and his golden eyes began darting erratically between the towering tree trunks as he searched for the raven female. Although he did not spot @Inna immediately, his slender tail began to sway uncontrollably behind him, thumping incessantly between his hind legs as he began to twist his body around more excitedly in search of her. A whine began to bubble up in his throat and the moment her voice echoed through the trees and the agouti male bound inelegantly right towards her dark form as she approached him through the heavy fog. 

“I’ve missed you so much!” He whined, his emotions finally erupting out from his charcoal lips as he hastily approached her, with little regard for her hardened exterior. Lorcan had every intention to crouch down before her and smother her face in tiny kisses, to beg for her forgiveness, but the sudden appearance of his brother @Laike brought a halt to his plans. Slowing his advance on the pair of them, the agouti male began to crawl submissively and flattened his ears against his head in a show of respect as he now moved forwards to brush himself up against the pair in more casual greeting.

He snaked his thinner frame beneath Inna’s chin and then around her side to do the same to Laike, his black-tipped tail curling gently around their figures as he moved, as if to cling onto them both for as long as possible and brush up in their scent. “Brother..” He breathed, his voice a little hesitant as he met those fiery orange eyes. “It’s good to see you again.” He said sincerely, his russet ears flitting awkwardly against his crown at his own words.

The voice of Lachesis stopped his greeting from going any further as his head shot around to meet the leader’s frowning features. The bedraggled male broke away from the side of his family members and moved to approach the large pale figure slowly. He knew he had some explaining to do and there was not one day that passed up on the mountain when he didn’t worry about how @Lachesis would take his return. Although the questions of concern comforted him a little, Lorcan did not want to ruin his chances of returning to his home by being too presumptuous. 

Crouching down just like he had for the others, the agouti male approached his leader submissively before finally slumping over at his paws to expose his pale chest and throat, hopeful that it would help earn his forgiveness. “I’m fine, Sir.” He answered, his voice dry. Although it was apparent that Lorcan had gone many days without food and had earnt himself a few minor cuts and bruises from his travels, it was nothing that the healer himself was concerned about. “I am just happy to have finally made it back.” He added, his golden eyes glancing briefly across to the other pair of wolves as a smile began to tug at the corners of his lips.

“Please understand, Sir, I never meant to be gone for soo long...” He whined, as his golden eyes returned back to meet the chartreuse gaze of his superior.  

(This post was last modified: Jul 25, 2017, 11:49 AM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

Guardian Dem 2/3

Did she want to go to him and bury her face in his scruff and tell him how glad she was that he had found his way back home? Yes, she did. She saw how he looked, the thinness of his frame and disheveled appearance and knew that he couldn't have left on his own.  As always she had Oksana to think about and she hated that she felt she had to protect her daughter from her own father but Inna couldn't let her little girl get hurt.  Especially not by her own father because he could hurt her the worst. Inna had made up her mind a long time ago when she had first accepted he wasn't returning and she would keep that for Oksana and for herself.

She remained steadfast in her posture not giving in to her emotions for the tawny healer. At his words her posture remained as it was but her tone softened some as she spoke, “I've missed you too,” she told feeling he should know that. In a way she also hoped it conveyed to him that she did care about him still. It was he who made the first move toward her leaving Inna to question what she should expect.  She would not find out what Lorcan had wanted to do as Laike appeared at her side bumping her shoulder. For a moment she turned her head to look at him offering a nod in greeting. She wondered if he was just as surprised by Lorcan's appearance at the border as she had been.

The greeting that she and Laike received was that of Lorcan brushing himself against her and Laike. With Lorcans brother there she had to keep up appearances just as she had when he'd come to speak with her about Lorcan. She remained quiet as the tawny healer spoke to his brother, they needed their time too.

At the sound of another approaching Inna turned her head to find that it was Lachesis which brought some relief to her.  She knew Lorcan had come to rejoin, how could he not? She worried that he wouldn't be allowed because he had left without word. She feared that if her mother were to decide he would be turned away especially after what she had told her children. With Lachesis she felt he had a better chance if his reason was unintentional. A nod was given to the pale healer in greeting and Lorcan's attention was turned to the alpha. Inna remained by Laike's side watching and listening to what the father of her daughter had to say for himself.

His words confirmed that he was indeed okay and that was a relief but also that he had not meant to leave. It was as she had thought but she needed to hear more to know if it would be safe for her daughter to let Lorcan back into her life.

~Table by Jacqueline

(This post was last modified: Jul 26, 2017, 11:55 AM by Inna.)

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you.

 

LAIKE ARTEMIEVA

Laike had thought he would have been angry when his brother snaked forward to greet the River wolves. He had expected himself to lunge or even pull back but the contact brought some sort of relief. Even if the two Artemieva brothers had never been that close Laike still cared about his family's well-being. Softly he lowered his nose to touch Lorcan's crown for a moment. "And the same to you, brother." The stocky Artemieva knew there was still displeasure on his end about his brother's departure but for now, he could be okay that the damned male was still alive. Laike could be the bearer of bad news another day it seemed.

He returned the nod to Lachesis, pleased like usual to see the ghastly leader. While they weren't very buddy-buddy or even rather good friends Laike had shared a few key moments with his pale superior. Restless mornings to searching for Lorcan. He fell silent as they interacted. Still content to linger by Inna's side until either she left or this was all sorted out. He had promised to help her out and he felt as if this was a part to still offer help on. Returns could be just as hard as leaving.

Tan-lined ears pushed forward just slightly. He was feeling a bit impatient as to his golden-eyed brother's reason for being gone. If he hadn't meant to simply up with the wind than what took him? What did he do to become so distant from the safety of Hearthwood? Better be one hell of a reason. Especially to come back looking so rugged.

art by kydnt

guardian demonstration 2/3

have you checked out my player preferences?

Lorcán was fortunate that it had been Lachesis to arrive and not his co-lead, for she would not be as forgiving. The pair had endured the array of temporary members together; the tawny queen had made it known to her children that if they disappeared from Hearthwood once more they would not be welcomed back. They had given he same warning to the wolves they accepted. Those who turned their backs on Hearthwood would be treated as enemies—unless they had a good reason for their departure.

Which, he hoped, the agouti healer did.

He was pleased to see that the healer had returned unscathed, only adorning a few minor injuries. Curiosity bubbled inside his chest as the younger male flashed his chest and throat in submission as he spoke, announcing how happy he was that he found his way back to the river. I never meant to be gone for so long… Lachesis believed him. The healer had given him no reason not to believe him since he left to monadnock to join Hearthwood. He had done his part, abiding by the rules and providing for the pack, all while working up the ranks and earning his role as pack healer. It did not make sense for him to put so much effort into Hearthwood if he had no intention of staying.

“What happened?” He asked cautiously as he gave the pale wolf a small nod, allowing him to resume his former position. His chartreuse gaze met pools of gold as his tongue fell slack, growing heavy between his teeth as he waited for the answer all three of them wanted to hear.

stick with those who stick with you

Despite their cold eyes and defensive stance, the agouti male could tell that despite their seemingly stoic exterior @Inna and his brother were glad to him. The softening of the dark raven’s voice and the gentle touch @Laike placed to his crown was enough to comfort and reassure Lorcan that his family had not cast him out of their hearts completely. He took his time as he embraced them both, his thin frame melting against the warmth of their soft fur and his nose inhaling the familiar earthy scent which uncloaked their shiny coats. The male couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief at their touch, enthralled to be in their company once again. 

The appearance of @Lachesis made him nervous and as he tentatively stepped away from the comfort of his family members, he made sure to keep his posture submissive as he slowly approached the pale leader. Falling at his feet, Lorcan did his best to apologize and to beg forgiveness from his superior. At his nod, Lorcan slowly rolled back onto his front before rising onto all fours to stand before Lachesis before finally acknowledging his question. The agouti male frowned and cast his golden eyes to the foggy ground for a moment as he quickly tried to formulate an answer.

“I had only planned to take a trip to the lowlands.” He admitted, his frown deepening and his russet ears pressing against his head as he remembered the series of events which had resulted in him being missing for a month. “With the pups growing, I wanted to provide a decent meal for the pack..” He explained, golden eyes flitting up to meet Lachesis’ chartreuse gaze sheepishly. “I thought the heavy rains had passed, but when I reached the lowlands they returned. I tried to run back but by the time I reached the river they had all flooded. It was impossible for me to cross.” His tail curled up beneath him as he recalled his ordeal. “I sought higher ground in the mountains to wait out the worst of it. I thought I would be able to return once the rain stopped, but it was only today that I discovered the rivers had settled enough for me to finally make it back.” Golden eyes settled on the face of his superior, hoping that his explanation would be enough.

He turned his head briefly to one side to glance back towards the other two wolves present, wondering if they would also be able to forgive him for his absence. 

(This post was last modified: Jul 25, 2017, 03:38 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together