Hearthwood River taking your disguises

on the borders of HR - @Oksana first, then @Lachesis

It had not been a long walk to the edge of Hearthwood, which Seven was thankful for. He’d been doing a lot of walking and his gangly legs were growing weary with every step. Excitement fuelled him, making it difficult to focus on anything else. Even being tired. He was finally going to meet his uncle! He knew that his mother had worried that Lachesis might have wandered somewhere else, or had succumbed to the ferals in Relic Lore. But she had always had hope, which was what had driven her children south in search of the elusive ghost. He just couldn’t believe how easy it had been! The first two wolves he had encountered had been oh so helpful, providing the yearling with all the information he needed. He was forever grateful to them and kept their messages tucked away for when he met the older healer.

He kept quiet for most of the walk, mostly because he was too anxious to form sentences together. The ebony cub didn’t seem to mind. She made haste in bringing him to the borders, her stubby legs working feverishly to get them there in a timely fashion.

Once they arrived at the pungent borders Seven took a step back, making sure he kept his distance. That was one thing his mother had been very persistent on. Never crossing the borders of a pack without being invited in. So he waited, his muddy gaze focused on the child. It was time for her to ring the doorbell.

It wasn't the first time she'd brought someone to the borders of Hearthwood River to speak to Lachesis. This time was different however, she wasn't bringing a wolf for the pale healer to make better. The wolf that accompanied her now was family to the alpha and having been what she had in her short life she thought it was important for the yearling to meet his uncle. She could tell that he was excited to meet Lachesis and she hoped for his sake they all went well.

Oksana led the way through the kingswood taking the familiar paths through the trees. It was a quiet walk between the two of them. She wondered what might be on his mind as they grew closer to when he would finally meet his uncle, the wolf his mother had told him so much about.

Once they finally reached the borders Seven stayed back allowing Oksana to approach the border and call for Lachesis just as she said she would. She raised her muzzle into the air and let her tiny voice be heard through the trees. The message was clear that she was asking for the pale leader to join her at the border. When she had finished she sat back on her haunches to wait. “Shouldn't be long,” she told, “He’s usually very prompt.”

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He was getting used to hearing Oksana calling for him at the borders. The little crow was turning into the spitting image of her mother, always welcoming strangers at the borders or bringing strays back home with her. For now, he did not mind. It was because of her that Reid had found his way to Hearthwood, and since joining he had done well in busying himself and providing for his pack mates. So, until she brought home an undesirable wolf, Lachesis would allow her little excursions. Within reason, of course, as he did not want her to think she could do as she pleased. There was already enough of that in Hearthwood…

As he arrived at the borders he was greeted by the sight of the fiery-eyed child and a salt-and-peppered yearling, his unkempt fur an obvious sign of travel. He offered a soft smile to the little crow, his nose brushing against her forehead as he stepped forward. Sana, he started, his chartreuse gaze trailing to the anxious stranger, who have you brought this time? The river pack remained moderate in size, not losing any members over the recent weeks, but it didn’t hurt to add more fresh blood to their ranks.

(This post was last modified: Dec 15, 2017, 04:21 AM by Lachesis.)

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

Shouldn’t be long. He nodded, a lump forming in his throat as his anxiety only increased. What if this Lachesis didn’t care that he was his nephew? It was possible. The pale healer wasn’t even aware of his existence, for he had not returned home since leaving all those years ago… oh no. Oh no. What if this was a mistake? He had left his mother behind in the reserve, prime prey for those bothersome two-legs! And he had misplaced not one but two!!! wolves along the way. Well, shit. Maybe this adventure was too big for the yearling…

But it was too late now. A familiar scent wafted toward him—one of the many scents that lingered along the invisible border. It was him.

Okay Seven, breathe. Just relax. Inhale, exhale.

You can do this.

As the alabaster wolf approached it was evident he possessed power, for his head was raised high and his tail was arched over his spine. Instinctively the yearling bowed his head, his knees bending as he lowered himself to the ground. Avoid the eyes, he coached himself, his muddy gaze swinging to the ground as the wolf—his uncle!—spoke, his voice directed at the ebony cub.

Hesitantly, the yearling cleared his throat. Uh, m’names S-Seven Selwyn, sir, he started, his words fumbling over each other as they fought their way off his tongue. I-I’ve come f-from the north. Somehow he had acquired the stutter that Lachesis had lost. I, uh, oh no, oh no, oh no, I’myournephew! The words spewed from his mouth all at once, a sheepish expression crumbling onto his nervous features as he sank lower to the ground.

Smooth, as always. 

She had tried to reassure the man that the wait wouldn't be too long and then he would be able to meet his uncle. Her gaze went back to him for a moment and she worried he might run from his nervousness and that would not go over well. However, he didn't. Instead he stayed and waited with her. As promised Lachesis arrived almost immediately coming out of the trees just as she had expected he would. A smile crossed her features as he brushed his nose across her forehead. “Uncle Lach,” she greeted her tail sweeping the ground behind her.

She didn't get the chance to answer because the yearling seemed to not be able to contain himself any longer. As ye spoke and stumbled over his words she could only roll her eyes and shake her head. At least when Reid had spoken before ye he hadn't stumbled over his words. ‘Perhaps this was meant by a stutter,’ she thought as he went on.

Finally he stopped talking, good on him, before he stuck a paw in his mouth and upset Lachesis. “I found him in the forest not far from here. He says your his uncle and wanted to meet you. He knew you knew about plants and stuff so I brought him,” she explained.

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The peppered stranger was quick to respond, introducing himself as Seven Selwyn. It was not just the surname that sparked the ghost’s interest. The only wolves he had known that were named after numbers belonged to the reserve. He blinked, dismissing the thought. It wasn’t possible. He wasn’t even sure the reserve was still standing, for it had been years since he had been pushed underneath the fence by his brother. Selwyn, though. Was this wolf related to Askan and Lenae?

He didn’t have long to process the thought, for the yearling spoke up once more, his words colliding into each other. The north. A brow quirked, his nose wrinkling. Just as he was about to pose a question a final sentence was thrusted from the young boy’s body. Nephew? No—it didn’t make sense. He did not share any relatives with the Selwyn clan…

Oksana chimed in soon after, cleaning up the mess Seven had spilled between them. He had not missed the dramatic roll of her eyes at his stuttering words, but he dismissed it for now. It wasn’t worth it. The teenager claimed that he was his uncle… huh. His chartreuse gaze narrowed, his nose pointing in the young Selwyn’s direction. Uncle, huh? A lopsided smirk had found its onto his handsome features. Why do you say that?

stick with those who stick with you

The only thing the boy had been successful in doing was absolutely embarrassing himself in front of his uncle. Great, now the infamous Lachesis was going to hate him and shoo him away from the forest. He swallowed, his muddy gaze still averted from the pale male’s face, his legs trembling with worry. Oksana spoke up once he was finished his word vomit, her voice much calmer; relaxed. The yearling was still confused as to why the girl called Lachesis her uncle has well, but now was not the time for such questions. He was trying to redeem himself.

Her explanation seemed to do the trick, as Lachesis did not respond in an aggressive manner. Instead he seemed amused by the boy’s outburst—or that’s what it sounded like from his tone, as Seven refused to lift his gaze any higher than Lachesis’ paws. Why do you say that? Instead of answering right away the yearling took a deep breath in a feeble attempt at calming himself down. Well, he started, his paws shuffling awkwardly beneath him, my m-mom says she’s your sister. Thalia. He hoped the name would jog a memory within the older wolf. She t-told me all about you. 

The little Baranski quietly waited for Seven to finish tripping over his words before she spoke to help him out. It was the least she could do since she did want this to go well for him. She may not be able to have her perfect ending but that didn't mean he couldn't. She was curious how the pale alpha would take the news of having a nephew since he was unaware of Seven’s existence. As he spoke she was surprised in a way but not at the same time. She'd always felt Lachesis took things in stride.

The question he asked of the yearling was only a natural one. Her orange gaze turned to the man to wait for his answer to the question. He was still stumbling over his words so Oksana rose to her feet and went to sit beside him. She placed a paw on his leg like she had her father only this time she didn't want to speak. It was more of a gesture to say ‘Don’t worry he will listen’.

She hoped that would give him some kind of reassurance and help calm him down a little. She didn't want him to do or say something that would mess this up for him.

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Thalia. It was a name he had not heard in a long time. Thought of, maybe, but not heard. He blinked slowly as he digested the news, the corners of his mouth falling. Perhaps the most shocking bit of information wasn’t the fact that his sister had had children, but the fact that she had bred with a Selwyn. One of Askan’s relatives, no doubt. Bewildered, the ghost remained quiet for a moment, his chartreuse gaze studying the young wolf before him. The pelt, although a blend of darker hues, was thick like his own. An Arctic pelt with a Selwyn twist. But the eyes… the eyes belonged to his father; Seven’s grandfather. Linos.

It was another name he had not thought of recently, but as soon as it entered his mind a tidal wave of memories hit the river king. Memories that felt a lifetime away…

Thalia, he responded, a faint smile curving his lips. Our brother—is he still there? It was a test. A test to see whether the boy was telling the truth. One brother had left, with Lachesis (although it had been the other way around), but he had gotten separated along the way. Chased off by a mountain lion. Hopefully still alive, somewhere.

Why did you leave? The question rolled off his tongue unexpectedly, his soft frown deepening into his pale maw. Life on the reserve had been good, but now that Lachesis had experienced the outside world he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. To have freedom and the access to meet wolves beyond the silver fence… he couldn’t return to the north. Even if it meant never seeing his family again. 

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