Kingsfall when it all falls down

Music Inspiration: 'All Falls Down' by Alan Walker. December 3rd, Midday. For the attention of @Lachesis

The devastating news he had received at the monadnock had shaken him. It had come as a complete shock to the male that Wraith, his old pack mate – Piety’s mate – a man that he had come to respect, was dead. Gored by a stag whilst protecting his child, no less. It didn’t make sense to Lorcan that such a good man should suffer such a grisly end. Wraith had deserved better than that.

Another thing that had come to shock him whilst he had at the monadnock had been the appearance of his daughter. The father was aware that he had told @Oksana that was where she could find him, but he had still not expected for the girl run off from her mother so soon after their argument. If anything Lorcan had expected that Inna would not have let her daughter out of her sight after that, but it had now become apparent that the mother had less of a hold around their daughter than perhaps he had previously imagined.

Regardless of his daughter’s feelings on the matter, Lorcan was convinced that remaining with her mother within Hearthwood River would be the best option for right now. Whilst relationships within the pack might have felt somewhat strained and uncomfortable for Oksana, he knew that living within the pack would provide her with the best outcome during the winter months. She would at least have the luxury of regular meals and a safe place to sleep there.

As the sun rose up high in the midday sky, the father retraced his steps back through the trees of Kingsfall, his smaller daughter trailing by his side. “You understand why I am taking you back, don’t you?” He asked tenderly, turning his head to briefly glance across to the dark haired girl. “It’s not safe for you to stick with me through winter, not whilst you’re still growing.” He explained, flashing her a sympathetic look with his golden eyes. He hoped that his daughter would understand and not think that he was trying to get rid of her for good.

(This post was last modified: Dec 02, 2017, 04:58 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

Her father was taking her back to Hearthwood but she didn't want to go she wanted to stay with him. She wanted the chance to find out if she could forgive him for leaving her for a second time. She wanted to get to know him as her father and not just Lorc as she had known him since she was old enough to remember. Now she just felt that her family was falling apart and being so young she didn't know what she could do to save it.

The journey back to the kingswood had been one that was familiar to her once they had reached a certain point. The dark pup sulked along beside her father as he led her through the familiar trees. She didn't even know what he was taking her back too because she had run away right after Ayti had said what he had. She didn't know if her mother had made things better or if her mum was even still in Hearthwood.

The closer they came to Hearthwood her father finally spoke asking if she understood why he was taking her back. “No, I don't understand why you want to leave again,” she stated not holding back the anger she felt toward him for not wanting to be her father. “How do you know what's safe for me when you haven't been here?” All she felt was that he didn't want to have her around. “I want to know my father,” she said quietly, almost a whisper before looking away from him.

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After the explosion with the raven Baranski he had gone looking for the little crow, his nose sticking to the ground as he followed her sent through the towering redwoods of Kingsfall and out onto the tundra. She had followed closely behind Lorcán, streaking across the lowlands toward the monadnock in the distance. A couple miles out he frowned, his ears falling against his skull as he skidded to a halt, snow spraying his stomach. If she was with Lorcán she would be safe, Lachesis knew that. The tawny healer had returned for his daughter, after all. He would allow the little crow to spend time with her father. Despite his wandering paws the Artemieva was a good wolf and had only the best intentions for his daughter. The girl would return, with or without him, to see her mother. So he returned, to the Kingswood, with a frown still embedded into his pale features.

As he patrolled the borders, silently debating on whether he should pursue the girl’s trail once more, not one but two familiar scents reached his damp nostrils. She was home. With Lorcán in tow. Curiosity drove him forward, relief pulling the weight off his shoulder as he weaved through the trees. He had caught the tail end of their conversation as he padded toward them, his plume waving high above his back in greeting. His heart ached for the little crow. Her mother had been mostly absent, confined to her den, after Kisla’s death. Oksana had spent most of her time wandering around Kingsfall and the neighbouring territories—going where she wasn’t supposed to go because Inna had not been watching her. With five children in Hearthwood it was more than difficult to keep track of them all, especially with the adult wolf numbers being so low…

Sana, he greeted, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth before he turned to the tawny male. Lorcán. Lachesis was angry with the healer for leaving so soon after disappearing a first time. But, he was happy to see the male alive. When he’d been present he had been a loyal member of Hearthwood. Inna had really done a number on the once proud male… Thank you for bringing her back.

stick with those who stick with you

It seemed that his daughter had inherited her mother’s temper. Lorcan’s pale brow furrowed in annoyance as Oksana snapped back angrily at him and his shoulders sagged wearily before he released a sharp sigh and slowed his pace. Turning his head to glance across to the smaller shadow by his side, he moved over to bump her shoulder affectionately as she questioned him. “Believe me, no matter how bad things seem in Hearthwood right now, it’ll always be better than living it rough in the wild.” He explained calmly, before attempting to place a lick to the side of his daughter’s face.

At the sound of approaching footfall crunching through the snow, the father quickly shook his pelt to compose himself a gave sharp glare towards Oksana, silently instructing her to behave in the presence of company. Spotting the large pale figure of @Lachesis, the agouti male immediately dropped his head and tucked his tail submissively between his legs and came to a halt. “Sir.” He responded to the leader out of habit, russet ears flattening down just to further prove to Lachesis that he was not looking for trouble. “It was no trouble..” He said with a small smile before glancing back across to @Oksana.

“I think Inna would’ve torn my throat out if she didn’t get home safely.” He half joked, though the wide-eyed stare he shot Lachesis hinted at his seriousness. Nudging Oksana’s side gently, he silently encouraged her to go with the large male.

A few awkward moments passed before Lorcan once again attempted to catch the chartreuse gaze of the Hearthwood leader. “Lachesis, whilst I’m here, there’s something I think you should know…” He said anxiously, golden eyes drifting to his paws.

 

(This post was last modified: Dec 04, 2017, 06:56 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

She'd made it very clear to her father that she was not pleased with his decision to leave her in Hearthwood. She did not like the fact he was going to leave them again. Oksana couldn't help feeling like this was the end of her family so she felt like she had to fight for it. The bump to her shoulder did nothing to quell the worry the bubbled inside her. “Hearthwood isn't the same without you. You keep leaving us, what I'd you don't come back this time or you find a better family?” The girl was practically in tears at this point and just wanted her father to understand that she wanted him to stay. How much she wanted him to stay with them in Hearthwood so he and Inna could make up and they could be a family again. She didn't move when he licked her cheek because even though she was upset with him he was still her father.

All of that was put to an end when the sound of someone approaching reached her ears. She narrowed her eyes at her father when he glared at her. She looked at her paws when she was greeted by her uncle Lach, Oksana fully expected to be punished for running off. She had done it too often to not receive some sort of punishment. She didn't say anything as her father greeted the river leader.

She hoped her father didn't expect her to listen when he hadn't been there and hadn't been her father. “Mum wouldn't hurt you,” the little Crow nearly shouted at her father not caring if Lachesis heard. He shouldn't talk badly about her mum. A small growl vibrated her throat in protest as he nudged her side. She didn't want to go without him.

Then as if all off her protests and fighting the matter were ignored when her father changed the subject. She didn't understand adults and why they had to ignore their pups, why her father couldn't see what he was doing. She remained silent this time though because something told her she should, the tone of her father's voice, the way he said the words. Whatever it was that caused her to behave in that moment didn't push her any closer to the Hearthwood border.

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Sir. His ears twitched at the name—it had never suited him. Made him feel older than he was. But he did not comment on it, only answering the tawny healer with a soft upward curve of his lips. His tail swayed slowly behind him as the agouti spoke a second time, earning a small laugh from the Stark. He nodded, his smile deepening: You’re not wrong. Inna was furiously protective over her daughter, even if she had left the girl alone for a few days… But she would have fought to have Oksana back in Hearthwood, at her side. With or without Lorcán. The little crow’s voice caused his gaze to fall away from the healer, his chartreuse orbs fixated on the Baranski. Lachesis knew how badly the girl wanted her father to stay in Hearthwood, but it was not up to any of them. It was Lorcán’s decision, and then it was up to Lachesis.

His brows pinched together as the agouti spoke once more, his tone more serious. Oh? He blinked, maw canted to the side. Go on… he urged silently, his sonars pinned forward. Lorcán had captured his attention with a few words—XIX was eager to hear what the healer had found out.

stick with those who stick with you

PP permission given by Kai.

No matter how much the father attempted to quiet her and convince her that what he was doing was, in fact, the best thing for her – Oksana continued to argue. Lorcan’s ears pushed flat against his head uncomfortably as he formulated a response. She sure did know how to make him feel guilty for leaving her mother, but he supposed, at her age she couldn’t understand how hard and awkward the entire situation was for him.

“I will come back Sana. I will.” He assured her, his brows arching earnestly. “I will come and visit you from time to time, when I am able, but I cannot stay here with you and your mother. Things aren’t good between us, they haven’t been for a long time, and I do not want you to be witness to anymore of our arguments.” He finally admitted, golden eyes searching for some sign that she somewhat understood.

The love between him and Inna had slowly manifested into something entirely more toxic. It was only during his time away that Lorcan had finally come to realise that. Inna’s reaction to him four days previous had only further confirmed his fears.

Lorcan was not blind to the narrowed glare his daughter shot at him when he had instructed her to behave in front of Lachesis. Oksana’s constant arguing and back-chatting was beginning to wear on the father’s patience. He had been trying to keep things civil and polite between him and his old leader but it seemed, despite his warning, his daughter was intent on making a scene. When @Oksana shouted and growled in protest, Lorcan immediately leant over and planted his jaws around her muzzle, clamping it shut.

The father understood that she was upset and angry but that did not give her permission to openly challenge him, especially in front of @Lachesis. Tail curling dominantly over his back, a low growl rumbled in his throat and out between the fangs which clamped down on her jaws. Golden eyes flashed over to give the girl a stern glare. Before he had been forgiving but now she had forced him to be harsh with her. Lorcan hated to do it in front of Lachesis, but Oksana needed to be disciplined.

After a few tense moments, Lorcan’s jaws unlocked and he released his grip on her. He then turned back to Lachesis, his tail lowering, as he awkwardly blinked the leader a silent apology. Ignoring Oksana for a moment, to allow her to contemplate what had just happened, the father focused his attention on the large white male who seemed very interested in what he had to say. “Whitestone Monadnock is no more.” He stated calmly, before pausing a moment to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to say next. “Wraith was killed whilst protecting his pup from a stag. Piety and the others have left.” He swallowed. "I just thought you should know..." He sighed, before glancing back across to his daughter.

(This post was last modified: Dec 05, 2017, 06:49 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

There was no part of the girl that believed what her father was doing was right. She saw her uncle Lach with his daughters and Lilya. A family just like she wanted, was that so wrong to want her family together? Yet her father seemed determined to leave them over and over and now as he spoke she felt this would be the last time she ever saw her father.

“Just like you promised you wouldn't leave again? You haven't even given mum a chance you just ran away. Do you even care about us?” the pup huffed. She'd been there and she'd seen her mum trying to be nice to Lorc… her father but it wasn't even like he wanted to be. He was bound and determined to get rid of her and leave their family for good and she was starting to feel that there wasn't anything left for her to do. That he was going to leave again no matter what and she worried what this would do to her mum.

Then her father did it instead of listening and trying to talk this out his jaws clamped around her muzzle shutting it. At first she was surprised by the action wanting to cry out but She knew what it was for, she'd misbehaved in front of Lachesis, did what her father told her not to. A whine broke the silence around them as her father held her muzzle in his mouth her eyes fixated on his as she was met with a glare which she returned her own. She couldn't do anything else he was bigger and stronger. After another moment she whined again.

Finally he let go and Oksana opened her mouth running her tongue across her lips as her father spoke to Lachesis. She knew she had better behave before her father grabbed her muzzle again. It seemed that the discussion was over and that there wasn't anything left to be said. Her father didn't seem to care about her feelings on the matter. He was going to leave anyway no matter how much he hurt her or Inna.

She had heard about what Lorc was now telling Lachesis and now knew what had been wrong with Cyril when she had seen him last. That still didn't mean that she hadn't been hurt by his treatment of her that day. The pup placed her paw on her father's leg before looking between the two and waiting to be acknowledged. She didn't want to feel her father's teeth on her muzzle again.

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A young deer has been separated from the rest of its herd. Hunt Opportunity

The show of discipline did not bother the pale father. In fact, he was pleased that someone was properly punishing the child for speaking out of turn and so brashly. He had never felt as though the Baranski child was a burden on the river wolves. She was an unexpected addition to the pack, but she had been doted on all the same. Cared for by the pale Stark and his blue-eyed mate, along with other members of the pack, when Inna was unable. However, like her mother, the little crow felt as though she could come and go as she pleased. Passing over the borders and bringing strangers home. Acting without fear of consequences. She had to learn.

His eyes widened at the news of Whitestone, his ears sweeping back against his skull. The pack had once been a formidable presence in the north, acquiring a large number of wolves after they established themselves atop the rock. Piety and Wraith had done well in holding the pack together after the departure of the founding leaders, and Lachesis had always maintained a good relationship with the pack. The news was devastating, especially after learning that Wraith had been killed protecting his son. A frown cut deep into his pale features, his grief evident on his furrowed brow. Thank you for telling me, he responded after a pregnant pause, his tail flicking absently behind him. Where are you going to go now? There was no room for the healer in Hearthwood—not anymore. Not when him and Inna couldn’t be in the same area for longer than two minutes without shouting at each other. It was one or the other, and as long as Inna remained in Hearthwood Lorcán could not.

stick with those who stick with you