Bramble Falls can you understand it?

RE - The weather is starting to shift, but for the better or worse?
@Leo <3 vague on the timeline for SC's traveling. I'm also sorry for the length - Nori's very introspective right now ^^

It was warmer out than it had been at night lately. Crickets were chirping and owls were hooting and the nearby waterfall was soothing and reminded her of where she grew up. It was a good night for sleeping under the stars.

If Nori were able to get any sleep at all, that is.

The night was peaceful. No one was in danger. It was so nice out. There was logically no reason why she shouldn't be able to sleep.

And yet...

Nori sighed as she stood, padding away from the little patch of underbrush she'd found herself under. It was nice to be able to do so without her shoulder aching as intensely as it did before - it had nearly completely healed from her encounter with Eclypse over a month ago now.

Had it really been that long? Had the yearling been by herself for over a month? Had Nori really failed so spectacularly?

It had been even longer since she'd told the Backwater about Archer. Since he'd died. Longer still since she'd left Jethro and Chan behind. Since she'd separated from her friends. Since she'd fallen down the mountain and forgotten everything - her friends, her family, even how to speak.

A long string of failures and mistakes and ways she'd ruined her own and other's lives.

Did she even belong here? With the Cove? Once she'd made sure they got to their new home safely, wouldn't it be better for everyone if she just slipped away again and found somewhere else to live?

But where would she even go? Not the Backwater or the Falls, surely. She'd ruined any potential relationships with the former and she didn't know if she'd be able to handle living in the same place as Jet and his family. She loved him, but did she love him enough to watch him be in love with someone else every single day for the rest of her life? Did they even need her there?

Probably not.

So if there was nowhere she could go here where she'd be needed, much less wanted, then maybe there was nowhere for her here at all.

She felt marginally better once she was under the sky rather than the undergrowth. Less constricted, less trapped. There were very few clouds, giving her a clear view of the stars above. No northern lights this time, she noted with some measure of relief.

The night is so beautiful.

Shivering in spite of the warmth, Nori took a deep breath.

"Everything's okay," she said to herself, shoulders sagging. It would have to be, wouldn't it?

Was there really any other choice?

(This post was last modified: Jul 06, 2024, 02:59 AM by Nori.)

So far, they were travelling along the foot of the mountains, a sturdy line guiding them north as Nash had wanted. Yet, with every step, they got further and further from the cove, the only home Leo had ever known. Between that, and the sheer struggle of taking those steps, the guardian’s mind was well occupied, and he’d keep to the back of the group, walking in silence for the most part. He did his best to walk on his own most of the time, knowing that everyone would be busy looking after the pups, but now and then he’d have to lean on another’s shoulder, much to his personal chagrin. Still, he rarely talked, too exhausted to carry a conversation while he limped along, let alone after a long day of doing so. He tried to show a brave face, and was quick to reassure @Nash and @Aquene whenever they asked about his wellbeing, but in truth he was thankful for the slow pace set for the sake of the pups, struggling plenty to follow along. And yet, as evening came, when he should be grateful to bed down and get some rest, his mind kept relentlessly whirring, fears, worries and other negative thoughts bombarding him long into the night. I shouldn’t even be here… He’d berate himself darkly; I’m just a burden! A ‘guardian’ unable to protect anyone, not even himself, with a leg that might never be able to carry him again. All his life he had striven to follow in his father’s footsteps and fallen short at every turn. He’d seen his family slowly disappear around him, either leaving, dying or vanishing into thin air, always assuming that he was in the right to stay behind; Maybe I should have left too… It wasn’t as if his presence had prevented the disaster. Finaly giving up on sleep, Leo shifted awkwardly, grimacing at the jolt of pain running through his leg when he got up. With agonizing slowness, he staggered towards the falls to at least quell his thirst if not his mind. Clearing the tree-cover, the mountains came into view, silhouetted against the starry sky. Dual-colored eyes instantly lifted, passing over the tallest peak to instead focus on the southern ridges, hiding the Lost Lake valley. A deep sigh fell from his lips, brows furrowed with mixed emotions as he thought of the home he was leaving behind – he knew this was the only way forwards, there was no life left for them on the mountain – but it still hurt, thinking of the loved ones who couldn’t come with them, buried up there all alone in the cold; Sorry dad. He didn’t notice Nori until his gaze returned to the ground, her tawny fur shining like bronze in the moonlight, only a few lengths from him. Watching silently for a moment, he wondered what was keeping her up tonight, and whether she would appreciate a distraction from it. In the end he chose, perhaps selfishly, to approach her, voice a low hum as he asked: “Mind some company?” Thoughts ”Speech”

Coccineus, annamae22, stock-ashleyrwatts & Dawnthieves.de

It was probably a bad idea to let herself get so wrapped up in self-loathing and pity, especially so late at night, but wasn't that the best time for it? Away from everyone else, so she had the freedom to hate herself all she wanted and no one would be the wiser? It wasn't like she was particularly social with the rest of the pack anyway, too worried that they might react in the way Magg or Eclypse did, but if she ever was addressed then that well-crafted mask of hers slid right back into place. All breezy smiles and a can-do attitude.

Fake, fake, fake.

It was how she had to be though, wasn't it? It helped everyone if she just pretended. If she just expended that little bit more effort into shoving those feelings to the side and act normal. Whatever that meant.

Besides, it helped to keep people at arm's length. It would certainly make it easier when she inevitably left or was chased out, when they decided they didn't need her anymore. She was only allowed to be there because she was useful right now, she figured. An able body that could scout ahead or hunt down food or whatever they needed her to do. It wasn't like anyone actually liked her.

She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't realize anyone else was nearby. Still, when he spoke, she didn't jump or startle - she didn't feel unsafe, regardless of if the presence was a surprise or not.

Mind some company?

Nori wanted to place that mask back on, to pretend, somehow. Maybe flirt - For you, handsome? I don't mind. - or joke - Can't a girl brood in peace? - but she just... couldn't manage it tonight, and she didn't know if it was because she didn't have the energy or if she could see how she was feeling reflected in his multicolored eyes. Sure, when she had visited him in his little hideaway, she had usually carried positivity with her, because she knew he could use some of that, but they weren't there anymore. He wasn't fully better, and he might not ever be, but he still wasn't trapped in a tiny den anymore, so... silver linings.

"Not at all," she said simply, a small smile on her maw and tail thumping a couple of times on the ground as she scooted over, as if to make room. It was a pointless gesture, really - there was already a place for him to sit if he wanted, but it was a way to show that she actually wanted him to be there enough to give him more space.

She wanted to make conversation, somehow, to fill the air with words, but nothing seemed right. How are you feeling? Like shit, probably. Just like Nori, or even worse because of the leg. Can't sleep? Obviously not, Sherlock. Why else would he be up? You should rest. So should she, probably, but here they were.

Glancing back over at him, she settled on, "What's got you up so late?" An open question with plenty of room to answer or not, depending on what he wanted. She wondered if he felt kind of like her, and that was why he couldn't sleep. Or if he was in pain, she could get something from Aquene, or try and find an herb herself - she'd brought enough down to him to at least kind of know what was what. Or maybe he was just afraid of whatever might be lurking in the dark. Regardless of the reason, she couldn't help but feel relieved he'd decided to join her tonight.

(This post was last modified: Jul 11, 2024, 08:48 PM by Nori.)

The summer night was warm, the humid air around the falls wrapping him tightly, like a second fur; Suffocating… At least it was a little better out here in the open, but Leo still felt surrounded on all sides, even the ground beneath his feet seemed to close, like it might rise up and swallow him at any moment. And so what? Maybe that would be better, no more pain – physical and mental – grief, anger, regret, all of it buried with him, finally quiet. And yet here he was, breathing that same air, however stifling, looking at the faint smile on Nori’s face and feeling his own lips curve in response. It came naturally, his body language copying hers subconsciously, tail waving softly about his hocks. He cocked his head a little, raising a brow for a moment at her gesture, but then quickly stepped forwards to sit himself down gingerly in the cleared spot, deliberately ignoring the miles of open space in all directions. A soft sigh escaped him, gaze drifting to look out over the water, breathing the scents of damp earth and rocks. For a moment his thoughts quieted, a soothing calm settling over him as his breath fell into step with hers. To the point that he found himself blinking back awake at the sound of her voice, head turning languidly to meet her eyes. He had to blink a few more times before the question fully connected, a simple answer instantly popping into his head: You. But of course he couldn’t say that out loud, the mere thought made him feel flush, and besides, he doubted very much that she wanted to hear that. Her isolation hadn’t gone without notice from Leo, even in his own seclusion – now and then, he’d catch a glimpse of her face when she thought no one was watching, and the look in her eyes was pained. He had no way of knowing everything that haunted her, her visits had mostly been spend on lighter topics and filling each other in on what had happened in the time since she’d last been part of Sanguine Cove. But that initial, kindred feeling had lingered, that they shared something deep down, impossible for either of them to voice, at least just yet. Leo swallowed, bringing back that small, soft smile before answering: “Thoughts.” His voice was hushed, little more than a whisper, and hoarse from little use, but the tone was earnest, not dismissive; “Lots of thoughts.” He would hold her gaze for a moment more, if she’d let him, feeling a pleasant warmth spreading in his body, seemingly drawn from those honey depths. Then he turned his eyes back to the silhouette of the mountain, clearing his throat before continuing: “I lived all my life up there… It’s all I know.” It probably seemed silly to her, having travelled as she had from a young age, yet he didn’t feel embarrassed in the least, admitting his anxiety to her; for some reason…. Thoughts ”Speech”

Coccineus, annamae22, stock-ashleyrwatts & Dawnthieves.de

Perhaps there was one wolf who didn't mind her company after all.

He took a seat in the space she'd made for him, and she noted the smile on his face. It looked nice on him - she recalled thinking that when they'd first met, and it held true now. It still didn't feel quite right to admire how he looked, but it was just a fact. The seasons changed, the sun rose each day, and Leo Vuesain looked his best with a smile on his face. Nori took a certain amount of pride in being the one to put it there, as well, and had made it a personal goal of hers to get at least one smile from him on every visit.

She hadn't even had to work for this one, it seemed. The knowledge filled her with a certain warmth that she couldn't place. To be actively sought out, to just be close like this, Nori hadn't realized just how much she craved this kind of companionship. How much she'd missed it. He'd been instrumental in helping her through these last several weeks, and she wondered if he was aware of that.

Thoughts. Lots of thoughts.

Ah, so they were up for the same reasons. Maybe not the exact same thoughts, though Nori had no way of knowing how similar they really were. His eyes caught hers and she searched them carefully, wondering if she should prompt him for more or if he'd share on his own. Her answer came moments later, after he looked back toward the mountain and elaborated.

Of course this was hard for him. Nori hadn't experienced staying in one place long enough to form this kind of connection to it, so she couldn't empathize in any meaningful way, but she knew enough to feel a sort of ache for what he and the rest of the Cove wolves were experiencing.

"It's scary, to leave," she said quietly, much as it was difficult to admit. It had been scary every time she'd ever left a place. It was scary even now, in a way. "I don't know what it's like to live somewhere that long, so I won't pretend to understand how you feel." But she found that she wanted to. As unsure as she was that this would work out, especially with Magg's clear dislike of her, she wanted to be able to call this pack - these wolves - her home. A small smile formed on her maw once more and she looked back over to him. "But... you aren't alone." Having his family there had to count for something, right? Nori had always found it easier to go along with someone than to be by herself. Even now, the night didn't seem so oppressive with Leo at her side.

She hoped her presence made it a little easier for him, as well.

Leo had never been the sociable type, spending his life mostly secluded from his peers, with few close friends. The only true confidant he’d ever had was Stella, the hole she’d left behind was far from healed – he wasn’t sure it ever would – and he feared it had caused him to subconsciously distance himself from his younger and step-siblings. But Nori had slipped past those defenses, managing to connect with the Vuesain heir in a way unlike anyone else he’d met.   Looking into her eyes now, he felt that kinship, like a string between them, slowly growing thicker. Of course, he had no way of knowing just how similar they were, but somehow her spirit resonated with his, making him breathe a little easier just being near her. It made it easier to admit his weaknesses, to say things he would never tell anyone else, trusting her not to judge.   And she didn’t, speaking softly and empathetically, her voice wrapping around him like a warm hug in the chilly night air. Leo’s eyes slipped from the mountain peak, glancing briefly at her before focusing down on the water, though his ears remained perked in her direction. She was too kind, making his plight sound so much bigger than hers; At least I’ve got my family… Her words seemed to echo that thought, making him look up in surprise, meeting her honey gaze. Heat spread in his cheeks as he considered the multiple meanings of what she’d said, a strange, bubbling feeling in his chest.   He had to clear his throat before he could answer, a shy smile on his lips as he did; “Thank you.” He shuffled a little in place, to better face her, before continuing: “But you’ve had to leave too, your family I mean… That must have been hard.” He didn’t know all that much about her past, nor did he expect her to tell him, but he wanted to point out the weight of her own hardships, make it clear that she didn’t need to minimize them for his sake; You’re not alone either… Thoughts ”Speech”

Coccineus, annamae22, stock-ashleyrwatts & Dawnthieves.de