Sanguine Cove my family lives in a different state

Backdated to 2/19, this is the AW departure thread for DEB visitors and SC kiddos to take their turn in the exchange! This is also Chan's official leaving-the-pack thread.
@Aleister @Nash @Aquene @Siyet @Jethro @Oksana @Flair @Moonshadow @Stella @Hazelnut @Marguerite

Chan took a deep breath, soaking up the bright sun along with the glimmering view of the lake's surface. Snow and ice glittered under the warm rays and blue sky, and taking it all in the Eastfall was confident they would be having a good trip down into the Lore's Heart. Where the wondering lie, was in when exactly he'd see this breathtaking view again. As many reassurances as he'd given over the past year, Chan knew well as any other weathered adult that life often made short work of plans.

It was enough thinking. Chan rose to his paws, and tipped back his head, sending out a howl to the pack and their charges. It was time to gather and say their goodbyes, so that the Backwater children could return home and the Cove youths could have their turn at experiencing something new. After that, it was time for him to continue his own life outside of the Lore.

"Outside of the Lore" broke my heart a little

It was a nice day; sunny, warm. A sign that spring was on the way. Or, it would have been nice if not for the shadow hanging over him. Nash knew what today was, and though he'd spoken to both his brother and his mother earlier, it had done little to sooth the dread creeping up his spine. He was overthinking again.

Then Chan's voice rang out and it was time. No more procrastinating, no more convincing... just time. Nash trotted towards his brother's voice, dreading the moment even as it was stepping over the borders. He arrived first; not a surprise. He imagined the pups would be delaying as long as they could, although for them it wasn't really goodbye. Their friends were going with them.

And so was Nash, but he'd only be taking them as far as the Backwater's borders. He wasn't staying; he'd be coming right back up the mountain upon safe delivery of the children and his brother. The real goodbye would be there.

He gave Chan his customary shoulder bump in greeting and sat beside him to await the pups.

(This post was last modified: Mar 01, 2022, 11:04 PM by Nash. Edit Reason: take into account previous thread )

Archer Valle

Archer wouldn't say he was homesick, per se, but when he heard the call to gather to return down the mountain he had to admit he was a little relieved. Despite Eros's surprise visit, Archer did miss his brother, and he was a little excited to show the Cove pups his own home. It was less treacherous than the mountain, so he hoped they would be able to go out more. He wanted them to see everything.

The youngest Valle boy quickly abandoned the lakeshore and made his way towards the voice. Already another dark man was sitting there; Archer couldn't remember his name, but he knew the man who'd called was Chan. Wasn't the other guy his own brother? Archer couldn't help but compare the pair to himself and Eros, though less wild than his own littermate.

"Hello," Archer said politely, stopping in front of the men to await his siblings and agemates.

Archer is very haggard and thin; it is obvious he is not doing well.

It was such a nice day that Oksana had decided to take a walk through the cove. Things were going so well for her lately that she didn't know if she could be any happier. Then she heard Chan's call and she remembered that he was going to be leaving them. The crow was sad that he was especially since she'd struck up a friendship with him and they hadn't really had a chance explore that further.

It was a bittersweet day as Chan would be taking the backwater pups home and the cove pups would he going too. It would be their chance to learn some new things. As much as she'd miss having them all around she was happy for them too. It was a once in a lifetime kind of thing.

Not wanting to miss her chance to say goodbye to them all and Chan she hurried to meet them. There she found Chan along with his brother and one of the Backwater pups too.

Please see Sharlee's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you

The dark man was taking advantage of the sun that had shown it's face. It felt like so many months had passed since he'd last seen it. His old bones seemed to be rejoicing in the warmth that it provided. He lay stretched out so that the rays could touch as much of his body as possible. He raised his head though when he heard Chan's voice.

It was a call that he'd been dreading despite knowing it would come. He couldn't let his godson leave without a goodbye and one last show of support. Through their last conversation. He'd learned how important this was and over time Kajika had come to terms with it.

So he rose to his feet and found his way to the lake where he found some of the others there with Chan.

Please see OOC Profile for OOC Preferences, Thank you.

She was so excited for the day she would get to fo to the backwater like the kids from there had come to the cove. She couldn't believe that her mother was letting her go since her leg was still not completely healed but she'd promised to be careful and now that she was doing her own treatments she was sure she'd be fine.

Hearing Chans call she knew exactly what it meant. Kateri was up like a flash and making her way as fast as she could toward it. She was ready for this adventure. It had been such a long time since her last one. She came to the shore of the lake and found that a group had already gathered. She didn't stay in the background though cause she knew her uncle Chan would be leaving too. Kateri went right up to him and pressed her face into his chest.

It was an unusually warm day for the winter, and Siyet was taking full advantage of the warmth. She was outside of her usual snow cave, soaking up the rays and getting nice and warm.

She heard his call and knew what it was. Today was the day that Chan would be leaving. She stood up, saddened by his leaving. She knew it was coming but either way, she couldn't help but feel distraught. He had been a good friend and had even saved her life recently. She started to head to where he was and saw a crowd already starting to gather.

I think I need help, cuz I'm drowning in myself

The cove had been bustling with activity with all the pups running around, having a great time exploring the mountain. It was time for the Backwater pups to return home and their own taking their turn exploring somewhere new. The aging Eastfall matriarch would miss all the young smiling faces running about. Though their absence is probably best following Chan's departure, Moon was sure she was going to be a mess and the pups didnt need to bare witness to it.

Even though they had already said their goodbyes earlier Moonshadow peeled her inky frame from the lake's shore to join the send off. She moved slowly, her head hanging a little lower than usual until the gathering group came into sight. Once in sight, the elderly woman pulled herself together and put a smile on her maw. This was an exciting thing for the children and she didnt want to spoil the mood. Mercury orbs found the dark forms of Nash and Kateri near Chan with the youngest of the Valle children not far off either. Then Kajika and Siyet came into view nearby. She made her way towards her best friend, brushing against his side in a silent greeting. While she wanted to handle her emotions on her own she probably wouldnt be able to, And even if she were able to, she wouldnt be able to hide it from the chocolatey man. So why try to fight it?

Word Count: 241

After what happened at the lake, Leo was even more nervous about going to the Backwater with the other pups. He wanted to explore more of the creek and surrounding lands, and maybe get to know their allies a little better, but he was worried about getting into trouble – or being marked as a spoilsport. He struggled with social ques at the best of times, and tended to use rules as guideline for how to interact with others, but as he had come to learn, this didn’t always pay off in the way he wanted.   But he couldn’t back out of this, Kateri was going, and he needed to be there to look after her. So when Chan howled, the agouti youth grudgingly turned towards the call. He took his time, knowing that this would also be the older Eastfall brother’s official send off, and the adults would likely be making their own farewells. Once arrived, Leo kept to the back, since Chan would be coming with them, he would have time later on to say goodbye, more privately. Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

gonna pp stella, margo & hazelnut as here and ready to go so we can keep going c:

Chan leaned into his brother's nonverbal hello as usual, returning the nudge with his own. Their goodbye would not be immediate, and the elder Eastfall was thankful for the minor extension on their time together. Adults and children both filtered in after, quite the group assembling before him. He smiled widely at them all, mismatched eyes closed into crescent moons with glee. He was proud to see Lost Lake bustling so.

Archer had been given a nod and echoing "hello," while Kateri's show of affection was returned, Chan nuzzling her crown while his tail wagged behind him. When his mother arrived and settled at his godfather's side, he moved to properly greet her. He bumped his forehead to hers, and leaned in for a wolfish hug.

When he let go, the girls had joined him, and Chan regarded the children curiously.

"Have you said your goodbyes then? All ready?"

He didn't see @Aleister or @Aquene, and so had to assume they'd already had their farewell moments with their assorted offspring. He would await confirmation of this, before looking to those he'd yet to say a proper goodbye to, namely Siyet and Oksana.