Clearwater Tarn Itching Paws

@Piety

Fortunately the silver-dusted yearling had responded well to his defeat, and while Cyril’s veins were pumping with adrenaline, the Kael-Santoro felt oddly humbled by the experience. He felt capable and, for the first time in a long time, useful. Maybe this had been the kick in the butt Cyril had needed to get his act together and stop being so … mopey. He doubted it, but it was a good start.

His yellow pools had focused on his mother as she had approached them, a faint smile gracing his dark features. Congratulations. His cheeks flushed warm beneath her praise as he pressed a soft lick to her chin, his ears folding neatly atop the back of his crown. More powerful? The corners of his mouth tightened for a moment before falling into a crooked grin, his expression turning sheepish. Nah, he quipped back with a sharp wag of his tail. But he did—sort of. It was a strange feeling, one that he was certainly unfamiliar with, but it wasn’t horrible. It made him feel invincible, even though he knew very well that he was, in fact, very fragile.

Daesamar Silverveil
There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle.

Long overdue, did you guys want to end it with a post each or one more?

The large yearling closed his eyes slowly as he crouched down, breathing softly when he heard Cyril’s comment. He gave a small nod in agreement and slowly rose. Licking his lips across his muzzle, Daesamar nodded toward Piety, he felt his cheeks flush slightly at the compliment. He wanted to say something, but instead watched the evident closeness between mother and son as they exchanged affectionate gestures.

The young wolf felt a sudden stab of jealousy at the action. He tried his best to hide it, unsure where it had even come from. Cyril was lucky, his mother still around and a capable woman and leader at that. “Good job.” Daesamar managed to get out, he didn't trust himself to be able to say much more beyond that without the sudden bitterness creeping into his tone. DIpping his head toward the Alpha, he turned slowly, the dull ache of not even knowing the fate of his own mother pricked under his fur and left the desire to be alone for a bitas he started off toward the surrendering forest

Daesamar's exit unless stopped

feel free to use this as a fade or post your own @Cyril (:

She watched as Daesamar took his leave. She could only hope he was discouraged by the loss from the challenge. He was still a valuable member of the Tarn and a promising young man.

The mother bumped her shoulder against her son's. "I need to get back to Valentin. Perhaps you should go share the news with @Lenae?" Piety suggested with a small twinkle in her eye. The small Selwyn had been her son's teacher for most of his youth surely she would be pleased to know of his win.

Whatever his answer was, the mother would place a kiss on his temple before slipping back off into the protected area of Clearwater Tarn.

# C W T

He could tell that the silver-dusted yearling was not pleased with his defeat but that was part of being in a pack. Challenges would be made and ranks would be lost. Cyril was determined to make a name for himself in Clearwater and escape the Alpha’s son title. The only way he could do that was by proving to his packmates that he was worthy of higher ranks and, in the future, obtaining a role within the pack. He had thought about his time in the Tarn—if it would be permanent or not—and, for now, he was happy with the mountain haven. Mostly because the agouti medic had disappeared, but also because it reminded him of the monadnock. When things were simpler and made sense.

His lips tightened as he watched the larger yearling stalk away before he turned back to his pale mother. He gave a nod in response to her question, his features finally softening. That’s a good idea, he hummed as he accepted the soft kiss to his temple, his tail sweeping slowly behind him. He pressed his nose to her cheek before taking off in the direction of his former teacher, a foreign rush excitement radiating through his body.

Fade — thread complete.