Kettle Pot Pond how you remind me

Overcast Clouds; 55.4 ° F, 13 ° C

Another wave of hesitation washed over her ivory body, followed by a pulse of anxiety as the duo walked into the lands of what was their former home. Nearly two years ago was when the scarred phantom had stepped foot out of these lands once again, uncertainty and regret making her retreat from the pack on the lake she created. She had realized, life on the lake would never be what it once was. Her failure would always follow, destroying everyone's lives around her as it continued to engulf her whole.

As Athena retreated and abandoned the Lore once again, the phantom ran into her past once again in the form of @Ash, another who she failed. Days passed as the former lovers stayed together, reaccounting the years they were apart and unknowingly rekindling what was once shared between them. Ash had been searching for Narime with no avail, having been told she had disappeared suddenly from the Lore. Finding comfort in Ash's presence and having every desire to fix the wrongs she did to the russet male, Athena vowed to stick to his side as long as he'd have her. If she could fix one failure, she'd do whatever possible.

The ache within her bones never seemed to leave, no matter how long she rested. Old age wasn't kind to the phantom, as the Moon woman's body had gone through plenty of ordeals in her earlier years. However, the warrior was always strong and resilient, taking her old age in stride as she kept up with the Hervok as they came upon a watering hole. Silence was common between the couple, taking comfort in touch rather than words. The Moon woman reached her muzzle to his, softly bumping his in comfort as he stood in her blind side. Reaching towards the water's surface, she quenched her thirst before retreating from the edge to settle upon her haunches a few yards away from the water and Ash.

"What is on your mind?"

 

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

It had been with a great deal of hesitancy that the decided to return to the place they once called home. There was so much history packed within these lands - and so many enemies Ash had made - though many had fallen in his time away. Yet, a pull still brought him back to these lands. Even with his achy bones and splitting headaches, he wanted to return. As long as he had Athena by his side. Despite this, a deep frown was set on his face as they passed through the lands, his eyebrows creased downwards, making himself look even older than he already was. He had retreated the lore when the news of Narime's disappearance had reached him and like the desperate fool that he was, did everything in his power to try to find her - even going as far to leave the lore. Leave his sister and her pack along with it. It had not been too long before Ash had run into his old flame and - not wanting to run back to old habits - steeled his heart. Athena still preserved in her quest to help him look for his lost love. In their time together, however, old feelings resurfaced and after no progress in finding Narime allowed himself to love again - his first love.

When the couple came upon a watering hole, Ash would have not noticed had it not been for the light lapping of his mate's tongue. Mossy green eyes flickered towards her scarred petite form and softened. The Hervok wondered what would have happened had she not been there when he had gone off to search. Would they still had found their way back to one another? He sure hoped so. The guard was thrown off when she posed a question towards him. The burly man followed her retreating form, pressing his lips in a thin line. She was ever so attentive to his facial expressions and it meant ever so much to him that she expressed concern for him. A soft sigh escaped his lips, his tongue dragging along the back of his teeth before he spoke, "Just thinking about finally being back here. It's just causing some unwanted feelings to resurface." Feelings of anxiety and as if any moment someone would certainly point out that he was indeed back and out him to his sister before he had a chance to confront her himself.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

Ever observant of his facial expressions, any one else who tried to decipher his stoic mask wouldn't succeed as she did, she could see the hesitation in his eyes as they traveled further within the lands of the Lore. Both of them had bountiful history here - enemies, friends, and family, though they couldn't know who still remained. Both of them spent most of their lives here, Ash more than she as Athena was more frequent to travel (some times against her own will) outside Relic Lore. She could never imagine Ash leaving the Lore, but when his mate at the time disappeared, the devoted and loyal man he was couldn't give up on her. A quality she always loved about him. 

When they unexpectedly met, Ash was reluctant to let his heart open, though that was the last thing Athena had on her mind. The phantom only wanted to help with what she could, while she could. She wanted to fix what she did wrong, she needed to fix the mistakes she made. Perhaps, if they did find Narime, she believed Ash would forgive her of all the mistakes she made through her years. She could be saved. However, weeks passed by with no sign of the gray female. Dormant feelings bloomed once again and the two of them found comfort in what was again found between the two of them. A love that could last through any hardship.  

As she retreated away from the water's edge, her burly mate followed shortly after as a soft sigh escaped his ebony lips. She had felt his anxiety build throughout their trip across the borders, his muscles grew tighter and his eyes flickered with concern as if he was a deer within pack territory. She tried to be strong for him, be his rock when he needed her. Though, Athena felt the same anxiety as if she was going to run into an old enemy or family she had wronged. However, Ash was by her side as more than just a protective friend, he was her mate. That should be all the comfort she needed to get her through anything. 

Her fiery orb settled upon his russet frame as he spoke of what was on his mind. Just as she expected. "It's hard, I know and it doesn't get any easier." She had traveled back to these lands plenty of times after being absent. Every time she was alone and scared, afraid nobody would accept her back. She never understood why they did. The phantom always failed them anyways. Though she was trying to change that. Piece by piece. "But you'd regret not coming back." 

Athena knew Ash would never forgive himself if he didn't come back after his failed search for Narime. He was the most loyal wolf she's ever known and to leave Nina and her pack hurt him - hurt him deep. "They'll forgive you, love." Maybe not me.

 

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

The petite woman always knew the right thing to say. Mossy green eyes softened as she spoke, the man’s deep frown relaxing into a neutral line. There was no need for him to worry, especially with her by his side. With consideration to where they stood now, it was hard to believe the pair had ever separated. They complimented one another well and anyone who thought otherwise could be damned. When he spoke, Ash kept his voice soft, “You always know what to say.” The graying man touched his nose to the cheek of the white woman, a smile glinting in his eyes.

The Hervok had been worried about his sister’s reaction to his return. The pair had not gotten off on the correct foot and Ash knew he had been in the wrong. He knew he should have stayed but it only would have torn him apart more to remain with the knowledge that Narime was somewhere out in the unknown. Now, it was better for Ash to have the set of mind that she was dead. It helped him move on and reconnect with Athena – though whether their connection had truly ever been severed was questionable. He puffed out a soft breath before he spoke, “I am excited to see Nina, and I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you too.” It was no secret to his sister about his relationship with Athena. She made him happy and it did not need to be broken down any more than that.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

- MATURE CONTENT - recount of suicidal thoughts

The Moon woman wasn't sure if she'd be here today if it wasn't for Ash. She especially wouldn't have come back to Relic Lore without him, but there was a deeper reason why she truly wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for him. If Athena hadn't of ran into the Hervok man that fateful day, she was determined to find one way to end herself as the pit of depression grew deeper then. But, Ash gave her a reason to keep on living. He had saved her once again, truly saved her from failing herself this time as she thought to just give up. Whether he truly knew what he saved her from, she wasn't sure, but the couple knew how much they needed each other. They were lost without each other, but now, they were whole together.  

Leaning into his touch, her one eyed gaze caught his as she returned a soft smile. She had always been a reserved and calculating woman of few words. Athena had seemed wise even at a young age, though the advice she gave to others, she couldn't seem to apply to her own life. Her life resulted in a long list of betrayals and stupid mistakes whether it was her choice or not, she had put herself in a position to fail someone close to her. Though, she was determined to turn a new leaf, the phantom was always reminded of her failed use of her own wisdom. 

The Hervok sighed before he brought up his sister who they were unaware would not be there to greet them when they arrived in the Thicket of Secrets. She could never be sure how her relations were with someone, though she hoped Nina and her were still on good terms. The last time she was in contact with the one eyed alpha she had told Nina of Poison Path's disbandment after her own disappearance to search for her missing daughter. Ash had been the one to disband the pack they struggled to keep together and it had been about a year before she saw Ash again after those fateful events. She never begrudged him for it. He had to do what was best, though she always wished things had gone differently. 

"I hope so, I haven't seen her in years. Last time I saw her, I had told her Poison Path had disbanded." She said with a frown as she turned to meet his mossy gaze again. Letting herself be vulnerable this time, she admitted, "I'm not sure how I stand with anyone nowadays." Though, she knew Ash needed her to be strong, she couldn't help the self-doubt and uncertainty of those of her past. Would her past discretions come back to haunt her with every step she took within the Lore?

(This post was last modified: Oct 04, 2017, 11:57 PM by Athena.)

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

Ash never got a glimpse to the full extent of his lover's depression but he understood some of the most hidden parts of her no one else would bother looking for. To him, they were part of what made her beautiful and the Hervok would not trade any part of her for the world. She was what someone could call perfectly imperfect but that was perfect in and of itself to him. The russet-hued man had no intentions of every leaving his white lady again, in fact, the mere thought of having to leave her brought a dull ache to his heart. Perhaps that was why he was more blinded by those her faulted her than anyone else. While they did support one another to the fullest, Athena could never do too much wrong in the man's eyes. It would only be a matter of time before he forgave her.

His wife brought up a name he was not quite expecting to hear ever again - but really he should not have expected anything less after returning to the place where all of his ghosts lie. The man's jaw clenched. Poison Path. He had wasted every last ounce of his efforts trying to keep it together but it seemed as if the fates never wanted to grant him mercy in terms of his pack life. The graying man brought his bottom lip between his teeth and bite down gently before returning his attention towards his attentive Athena. "That was quite some time ago..." He trailed off for a moment before continuing, "But anyone would be a fool not to let you back into their hearts." Ash's eyes sparkled passionately as he spoke. And he was sure they both knew that if anyone dare try lay a paw on her, the former Guard would have no qualms getting dirty. Not that his Queen needed much of his defending anymore.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

Poison Path was a name that, for both of them, left a bitter taste and sharp ache in their hearts at the mention of the failed pack the two of them attempted to keep alive. Perhaps as soon as Naira and Rhysis left in the dark of night, the pack was simply a dead flower the two of them kept trying to water and revive. Members, once loyal and devoted to the lake, left as swift as the wind that swept through the mighty mountain range. It was hard to come back to her home deserted, but as tragic as it was, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise for the couple.

So, Athena knew the mention of the lake pack would bring a bad taste to the air, though now was they traveled back into the Lore, it was only a matter of time before their past caught up with them anyway. Might was well rip that band aid off now before someone else with ill intentions did. The phantom could hear in her husband's voice, the hurt and regret within the undertones as he trailed off. 

Smiling softly at his tender sentiment, she eyed him silently with her singular fiery gaze before she reached out for his touch. For the past eight years, her whole world had been filled with a continuous rollercoaster of ups and downs, but he was her only constant. Whether he was merely a friend or a guardian and now her husband, he's been there for her every step of the way. He kept her going when she just wanted to throw in the towel and give up. Ash was the only reason she was here today. 

"It's a wonder how I got back into yours," she mused softly, her fiery gaze glistened with admiration as she looked over her lover again. Oh, how lucky she felt to have him at her side. 

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||