Dead Empress Backwater Magic Mirror in my Hand

For @Rochus
Around noon - Cloudy, -6°C/22°F

It was so quiet in the backwater with most of the pups gone, too quiet as far as their grandfather was concerned. He worried about them, out in the world like that, even if they were with trusted allies. Perhaps he was just paranoid, Viorel and their mothers obviously thought it was appropriate, and they were almost yearlings, ready to start exploring; Growing up…. And yet, he couldn’t help but worry, that they’d get hurt somehow or lost or… What if THEY come back? The kidnappers that had shattered their family once already, stolen them away from their home and torn them apart. Vasco couldn’t bare the thought of something like that happening to his grandchildren.   But what was he to do? He couldn’t keep the children locked away for their whole life, and besides, they’d all been together last time, it hadn’t helped. These were the dark thoughts swirling in the pale man’s brain as he did his daily jog along the creek. The route was so familiar now that his legs would make it on their own, leaving his mind free; For better or worse… And today he made it all the way to his halfway point, the Backwater itself, before needing a break. This should have been cause for celebration, yet there was no room in his gloom for anything else. Instead he just bowed his head to the water, gulping icy water between gasps for breath, trying in vain to dismiss the horrible pictures in his head. . Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

He preferred it now that all the children had left, finding solace in the more quiet and orderly tasks of day-to-day life without them popping up almost at every turn. If new life wasn't needed to keep a pack strong Rochus was sure he would detest children, but as it is he begrudgingly accepted the fact that they were necessary. It didn't mean he had to actually like them, however.

Rochus meandered his way along the creek, his interest piqued upon catching sight of Vasco up ahead, lapping almost hungrily at the water. His mouth morphed into a smirk at the smaller man. While he hadn't been particularly close to Vasco, or really anyone for that matter, Rochus had no qualms about him. In fact he didn't really care what Vasco was up to, as long as it didn't interfere with his own plans.

Stopping a short distance away he began to also drink from the creek, though he took more time in the act with smaller gulps. He was in no rush, and unless anything particularly interesting happened, he'd likely just move on and leave Vasco to whatever he had been doing.

He glimpsed movement out the corner of his eye, pausing his drink to glance up. Silvered brows arched high as he recognized the murky form, coming to drink only a few lengths from his own spot. Of course, Vasco knew that the other interloper had finally found his way to the new pack, though he had yet to exchange any real conversation with the man.   In truth, he’d never known how to feel about Rochus. Their similar circumstances should have been ideal grounds for a friendship, yet they’d never really bonded; perhaps because, while they were both strangers joined to the Valles by relations, they had very different dispositions.   Still, with this new home, perhaps there was a new opportunity to make friends. After all, both their situations had changed drastically, they were without their partners, yet both of their sons were now their leaders. So Vasco stood, suppressing a sigh before walking over to the other man, greeting him with a not of the head and amicable sway of his tail; “Rochus, good to see you found your way here.” . Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA