Magnolia Glen How We Do

For my darlings @Hawthorne and @Sachiel

Perhaps it was the season addling his mind but Askan couldn't help but think of family and what the word meant to him. Before he left the mountains he'd never even thought about it, after all, family was everywhere he looked: yellow eyes, dark coats and a stifling sense of superiority.  But now? As far as he was aware, they were all gone. The Dynasty had been brought to a bloody end and those who remained had scattered to the wind, their tails between their legs. Askan wasn't angry, perhaps a little disappointed but what was he to do? What was done was done, missing the dead wouldn't bring them back. Not ever.

Though they weren't his blood, there was no denying that the wolves of the Edge were his family, they cared for him far more than many of the Selwyns ever did. Whilst it was an unpleasant thought, one that made shame creep into the forefront of his mind, Askan couldn't help but feel a grateful that the Edge wolves decided to stick with him, with his flaws and all.  Perhaps it was sappy of him (damn it, it really was), but Askan wanted to return the sentiment. At first he wasn't sure how, as there wasn't much he could offer these days, but then it dawned on him that he had one thing of interest, one thing that would solidify it all: his name.

Askan traipsed through the woods, heading ever south, hot on the trail of the Edge's resident youngsters. Soon enough he found them in the wide open space of a glen, a quiet little sanctuary, befitting of such a sensitive topic. At least it felt that way to Askan, emotions were hard and being nice always felt foreign to the Edge Lord, like he was reciting words off a script. Clearing his throat, he stepped out into the open and cut right to the chase. His expression was tight and his posture tense, with a sigh he rolled his shoulders and forced his tail to wag lazily in greeting. It wasn't bad, but Askan was serious, this meant a lot to him.

"You two got a minute?"

(This post was last modified: Mar 28, 2018, 04:30 PM by Askan.)

The glen was very much a special place to Hawthorne. She considered it to be her and Sachiel's haven. When things got too heated, emotionally or they simply wanted a bit of room they came down here. There were even a few souvenirs from previous trips hidden in the area. So needless to say, the glen was kind of her place.

That didn't mean the familiar voice of Askan was unwelcomed though. She had been lying underneath one of the larger magnolia trees when she heard his question. Catching up on sleep and all that jazz. Her masked head raised and orange eyes opened to be greeted by his dark form. The Edge wolf's tail thumped against the roots with as an eager and obvious welcoming to the Edge Lord. It was a bit strange he had come down here but maybe he just needed a break too. Hawthorne couldn't imagine all the pressure that sat on him with regular duties and on top of that, it seemed the smelly season (heat season as Reyes had called it with the talk of breeding but yuck) was only adding to stress levels - for everyone actually, not just the Selwyn male.

For you? 'Course we do. She hummed in response with honesty, hoping her tawny companion would feel the same. Just to make sure she tossed Sachiel a sharp glance.

Things, for the most part, had been relatively quiet in the shallows. The males were a little grumpier than usual, which Sachiel didn’t think was possible, and the few older females they had reeked something foul. He hoped Hawthorne would never smell like that—he could hardly stand to be around them and he could not fathom the idea of not seeing his greyscale friend for an entire month. They had slipped away from the adults and retreated to the glen, seeking a few quiet moments away before they had to return to their duties. With only a few months left of their childhood Sachiel knew that they’d have to take on more responsibilities once they joined the adult ranks.

The voice of their Edge Lord caused his ears to twitch as they cupped forward, his brows narrowing with confusion. Were they in trouble? was his immediate response, the corners of his mouth drooping. He looked … serious … had something happened in their brief absence? Did it have something to do with the heat season? Had he done something wrong? His chest tightened as he pulled himself off the ground and reclined into a sitting position, while making sure there was at least six inches between himself and Pumpkin Eyes. Just in case.

Hawthorne, as usual, beat him to the punch. He did not miss the sharp glance she’d thrown in his direction and almost rolled his eyes in response. Instead, he kept his attention focused on the dark male before him, his chin canted to the side. Suppose so, he teased, his expression softening despite his racing heart.

ridge is a mature character

aka he curses a lot due to his frustation with his memory loss

x

ridge associates colours with moods/feelings & uses them to describe others

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

It wasn't all that surprising that he found the Edgesters laying around in the snow. Which wasn't to say Askan was mad, he didn't expect them to be go go go all the damn time, if anything it made things a little easier. It felt a little less serious, considering he hadn't stopped them in their tracks. The assurances were welcome, even if Sachiel got a bit lippy there was no harm meant, it was banter, nothing more and nothing less.

"I wanted to talk about your last names, or lack thereof, I suppose."He stated, matter of matter, as though this was business. "It doesn't mean much around these parts, but if you wanted to take the Selwyn name I'd be fine with it." He realised that his wording made it sound as though they'd hinted an interest in his name....which they hadn't. Was he jumping the gun? Making a right twat of himself? Probably.

Askan cleared his throat and held his head a little higher as he paced into the middle of the glen, closer to the youngsters. Though nervousness tinged his thought processes he somehow managed to stop it from staining his posture. He stood tall-as he could manage without talking on his toes, like a right git- and his tail hung between his legs, twitching this way and that to accentuate his points when need be.

"If you have no interest, it's fine. I'm not offended, nor am I going to throw a tantrum." That was a lie, he'd sulk at least a little bit."But at the very least I thought I'd offer."

He waited, impatiently, for their Edge Lord to continue, his creamy brows pinched tight as he focused his mismatched gaze on his leader’s chin. He didn’t really know what to expect—maybe it was something regarding the meeting they had at the beginning of the month? Reyes had mentioned the Edge subordinates pursuing roles; it was possible that the yellow-eyed Selwyn wanted to approach the duo about their future in the pack.

I wanted to talk about your last names…

His chin fell to the side, a line forming between his brows as a wave of confusion washed over him. The agouti boy had never thought too much about his last name. To him, it was just a name. A reminder of his father—the one parent that seemed to care about him. He’d only known one other to share the same surname—his uncle, Alastor. Aside from him, and his father, Sachiel did not know anything about the other Leighs. The only reason why he knew anything about his mother’s side of the family was because he’d encountered his grandmother on the edge of the shallows. If it had not been for her, he might not have ever learned of his distant relatives; the ones he didn’t even know existed.

His bottom jaw almost fell open as Askan announced that they—both he and Hawthorne—could take the Selwyn name. He blinked, dumbfounded by the grumpy Edge Lord’s offer. He’d always considered his dark leaders to be like his parents but had never thought about making it official. The duo had taken him in on a whim and taken care of him when he’d needed them. All Sachiel wanted was to repay them for the kindness they had shown him.

His mismatched gaze flitted over to his greyscale companion, his lips tightening as he considered his leader’s offer. Wait—would that make him and Hawthorne siblings? They didn’t share the same parents but if they shared the same last name… would others think they were siblings? Sure, she was his closest friend and he spent most of his time with her, but he didn’t think of her as a sister. That… that would be gross. Even grosser than having feelings for his peppered friend, which was absolutely preposterous.

Even though Askan said he wouldn’t be upset if they decided against it, Sachiel still worried it would offend the Edge Lord. Especially since he seemed so nervous asking them. Sachiel Selwyn, he mused, his lips rubbing together as he tested out the name, doesn’t sound too bad. Suddenly his cheeks flushed warm beneath his tawny fur, his black-tipped tail swaying uncomfortably behind him. I—uh, thank you, he added, his voice soft as he averted his gaze, his expression growing bashful as he glanced over at his pumpkin-eyed friend. Would she want to take the Selwyn name as well?

(This post was last modified: Apr 03, 2018, 05:43 AM by Sachiel.)

ridge is a mature character

aka he curses a lot due to his frustation with his memory loss

x

ridge associates colours with moods/feelings & uses them to describe others

sorry for the wait! :c

She would have wrestled Sachiel for his sharp-witted words had Askan not seemed so serious. Not glum but maybe...ponderous? Broody. It was a far better word for the Edge Lord. Her superior's words told all though. The girl's heart thumped hard in her chest. Was he serious? Could she really take the Selwyn name? Mentioning that she looked up to Askan (more than she would ever openly admit) it felt damn good to know he would trust her to take the same name he held - that he thought her Selwyn material.

While her counterpart spoke his thanks, Hawthorne moved to her paws and went to bump her head under Askan's if he'd allow. It would be a brief touch as she didn't wish to smother the older Selwyn. Thought you'd never ask. She said with a smile that seemed more genuine than her usual smirk. Hawthorne Selwyn. The girl said it with a fondness and a small hum followed after. It sounded nice, more than nice. It sounded strong.

<3 <3  

Though he liked to think he knew the youngsters rather well by now, it was near impossible for Askan to gauge their reaction. Would they be offended, think he was trying to replace their parents, their heritage? It wasn't like that at all. But then, what was it like? He'd thought about it a lot, this wasn't a spur of the moment thing, but when he tried to string together his reasons for seeking them out it crumbled to dust in his grasp.

Was because he wanted to not a good enough answer? What if they wanted something real and tangible from him? He shifted his weight from one paw to the next as his ears flitted between taut and alert, to flicked back against his skull as though he didn't want to hear what they had to say.

Huh. Apparently he'd gotten a little carried away, worried over nothing, as soon enough it became clear that this was what they wanted: to be a part of his family. For real this time. Askan swallowed back his smile as he stood a little taller and shoved all that concern out of the window, things were fine. Better than that really.

"It's official then."He noted, his tail swishing behind him. None of that pompous fanfare that would've taken place back home, just reassuring simplicity. Quick and painless- not to mention no awkward vows. Ugh. "Welcome to the family." His smile refused to remain hidden, it shoved it's way onto his lips as his eyes crinkled around the corners, his tail waved faster now, an earnest blur of brown.

Wait...did this mean that he was their Father? Ooof. Perhaps, but that made him feel old, so he wasn't going to say it. Things were fine as they were, better than that really.

sachiel & hawthorne

'Cause if we don't leave this town
We might never make it out

Family. He blinked, his chin tucking against his chest as a wave of bashfulness washed over him. He’d always considered the Edgy wolves his family—more so than his own parents and the few stray family members he’d encountered—but he had never imagined to be included this way. An official Selwyn. Heck, any other cubs that joined them in the coming months would be so jealous to know that he and Pumpkin Eyes had such a badass dad (er, dads, but he wasn’t sure Reyes had taken Askan’s surname). He was still a little confused on whether that made him and Hawthorne siblings—gross!—but he’d ask the Edge Lord about that later. He didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of his friend-sister-thing.

So, uh, he started, his tail flicking absently behind him as he regarded the older Selwyn with a single raised brow, what do Selwyn’s do? Aside from being brooding and grumpy all the time. Sachiel could be grumpy if he wanted to be, but all the time? He didn’t know if he could commit to that—especially when he was around Pumpkin Eyes. The dynamic duo could be serious when they wanted to be, but most of their adventures were of the less-serious variety. 

ridge is a mature character

aka he curses a lot due to his frustation with his memory loss

x

ridge associates colours with moods/feelings & uses them to describe others

When I hate everyone but you

Her tail beat the air behind her ankles at the official welcome. Hawthorne had always considered herself a part of his family but now she guessed it was something more permanent. She wasn't just family by being in the same pack. She was family by name - which might not have sounded important but it was as close as she could get mentioning she could never be a Selwyn by blood. The thought stung a bit but she wouldn't dwell on it for there was nothing to be done about it.

"They squint." She said as she narrowed her features to do (in her opinion) a wonderful Selwyn squint. Of course, it was quickly replaced by a more friendly face as a soft laugh tumbled forth from her.

Her orange gaze quickly glanced over to look at Askan, expecting a more serious answer about what the bloodline did.