Secret Falls Reminding Me

For @Askan and @Reyes if anyone else would like to join, please ask. Set around the time Percy is at WRF and a few days after Drestig's death.

When Griffin had told them where Askan and Reyes had settled, Jessie knew exactly where they were. Of course, it was not hard to determine when she had lived on the east side of the mountains for a good portion of her life. Eventually, when she was ready, she had told herself, the Rye Queen would head over and speak with the two men and let them know that she was pleased that they were well, despite any ill feelings they might hold towards her after everything that happened in the Rye. She would have made it to Shallows Edge in due time had tragedy not stuck her family, yet again. The monochrome woman had informed those that remained in Wild Rye Field that she would return in a few days time after she told Shallows Edge what happened to him. After all, Drestig had cared deeply for both of these men and their daughter were behind the borders of their former subordinates. The Rye Queen's jaw clenched as she jogged through the forest, a certain sense of calm washing over her. Despite all that happened and the sadness that ached deep in her heart and body, there was a certain calamity that came over her whenever she returned to what felt like home. There was nothing like the soft tap of her footsteps against the earthy ground and reassuring scents of moss and earth. It was not long before another scent attacked her senses, however, three of which were extremely familiar to her accompanied by many others. She stopped a respectable distance away, emerald eyes curiously taking in the home of her former pack mates in admiration. A soft sigh of longing escaped her maw, head turning in the direction of a place of the past, ears flat against her head. There were so many memories in this place, that had eventually lead to her future in the Rye. Jaw clenched again to fight against the wave of sadness and pain that was bound to wash over her. The Tainn could not afford to lose mind of herself, especially not here where she intended to inform others of her mate's fall. Emerald eyes shut and she took a deep cleansing breath in before releasing it. The more she hesitated, the more likely it would be that they would show up here without her even having to call. That would look pathetic. Gritting her teeth together, the monochrome woman tilted her head back and called for Askan and Reyes. She was polite, but despite her aim to remain calm until they arrived, a note of sadness ended her song. She did not want to be the one to do this, but at this point...there was no other choice.

foxstox @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Guard dem 1/3

Askan had assumed that the hidden nature of the Shallows would provide the pack with privacy, that there wouldn't be wolves calling for his attention seemingly every-other day. Before he could even bare his teeth in annoyance, his ears flitted back as he realised that this call was different, set apart from the usual. For one, it held resounding purpose and, whilst he wasn't sure if he was misinterpreting it, a sense of sadness clung to the howl. Like something bad had happened. Concern shoved to the forefront of his mind as he quickly buried the half eaten remains of a woodchuck with a kick or two of his paws. Once satisfied it wouldn't be easy pickings for a wandering scavenger, he set out to respond to the call, his head tipping skywards as he galloped along. His howl was short and sharp, he'd be there shortly.

When he arrived on the scene Askan was met by yet another familiar face. First the Rye King, now it's Queen. Who next? If he had thought her howl had been troubling, well it was nothing in comparison to the grim look that adorned her face. She looked haggard, worn, as though the world had given her a real good beating. Yet, she was here, glassy eyed and clearly trying to maintain a cool and calm facade. The fact that she was struggling...Askan had never seen her waver, not even a little in all the time he'd known her. Something was wrong, very wrong.

Askan opened his mouth to speak, only to realise his mouth was dry, parched like the grasslands Reyes spoke of in the south. His ears flicked back, clearly she had something to say but he didn't know if he wanted to hear it, if he wanted to know just how bad things had gotten in the north. In a way he had always anticipated this sort of meeting, the mean smug part of him wanted to shrug and claim he wasn't surprised, that without him the Field was dead in the water. But that wasn't quite true, Askan harboured no ill will towards them, he might be a little stubborn, rude at times but they were allies. Askan still cared, even if he didn't show it.

He sighed and his shoulders sagged under the weight of it all. There was no use in delaying the inevitable was there?

"Is everything-" He snapped his jaws shut. Clearly everything wasn't okay. "What happened?" He said instead, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.

Askan & Reyes

(This post was last modified: Jul 05, 2018, 03:14 PM by Askan.)

@Reyes is still welcome to join.

She did not have to wait long before Askan's call answered her own. He was on his way. The former guard of the Rye was always an attentive one and it seemed that trait had ever carried over in the founding of his own pack. The sound of paws hitting the dirt caused her ears to flick forward, her lips thinning into a firm line, emerald eyes wide as the dark man came into view. At his appearance, she dipped her head slightly in acknowledgement of his position and accomplishment. Grey ears curved forward to take in his soft sigh as she took in the sight of him. Despite their time apart, not much had changed about the Selywn man and even though they had not parted on the best of terms, she did hope he was happy now. One thing Jessie had always appreciated about Askan was that he always got straight to the point, even if it was a biting cold truth that anyone else would want to avoid. Regardless of that, Jessie found her throat and mouth to be dry and closed off. For a moment, the words were stuck in her throat and she had to take a deep breath in order to calm herself before she could continue. The Rye Queen's jaw clenched before she spoke, "It's Drestig. He passed on just a few days ago." Her voice wavered but she continued on, "I know that you were close to him and...and he told me that Percy was here. I needed to let you know what happened." The woman's nostrils flared, trying to gather her thoughts in a way that would make sense. Saying it out loud only made her heart ache worsen and once again she wished that she was within the comforts of her own borders with her children.

foxstox @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Guard dem 2/3

It was strange, almost, that a man who-more than anything- wanted respect, and to some degree reverence, didn't know what to do with it when it was laid at his feet. Perhaps it was because Jessie had once been his superior, that the turning of the tables felt a little weird to him. Off kilter, as though the planet's was spinning off it's axis. But it was more than that, he shouldn't shake the feeling of wrongness . It had slipped through every pore on his skin and was now flowing through his veins and racing towards his heart.

He swallowed thickly and nodded, the motion so slight that it could barely even be called that. He wasn't ready for her next words, he knew that before she even uttered them.

It's Drestig. He passed on just a few days ago.

He barely caught the tail end of her words. His ears pinned back against his skull as he tried and failed to block out the deafeningly loud whooshing sound that rocked around in his head. That wasn't-he had-Drestig had been here not so long ago. He'd looked like shit but- Askan's mouth went dry, as did his throat. For a man's that mind was usually so full of pointed words he had absolutely nothing, it was like trying to reach out into the night sky.

"Oh...shit." Was all he managed. His throat tightened and he quickly turned away, unwilling-and unable to look her in the eye. His own were starting to prick,he wouldn't break, not in front of her. "I'm so sorry Jessie. Percy is....she's here."

Askan & Reyes

(This post was last modified: Jul 05, 2018, 03:14 PM by Askan.)

Jessie is here while Percy is at the Rye

He was as she remembered. The only thing that was different was an air of maturity about him. While she was expecting some quick-witted response to her arrival, she was granted with silence. The dark man in front of her continued that silence after her announcement. The Rye Queen soon found her eyes glued to the ground, jaw tense with unspoken apologies that would just have to wait for another time. The King of the Shallows offered his condolences and all Jessie could do in response was dip her head. That was until he mentioned her daughter. All the Rye Queen wanted to do was scream at him and tell him that she’d already said that, but she held her tongue. Jessie knew it would have been the grief talking and Askan did not deserve that. Especially if the reason for his lack of attention was due to the spinning of his mind - something similar to the black pit of depression the Tainn generally went into whenever she lost a loved one. Instead of lashing out, she responded, her voice cracking, ”I know...he told me before -,” she inhaled sharply, not willing to say it again. Slowly, she exhaled, looking back up to see that Askan’s back was facing her. Emerald eyes were soft as they watched his dark form. Her jaws parted to speak again, ”Can I see her? I need to tell her what’s happened.”

foxstox @DA & Dawnthieves.de

(This post was last modified: May 14, 2018, 02:20 AM by Jessie.)

Guard dem 3/3

Fuck.

Askan blinked, his eyes glassy and sore. In all honesty he didn't know what was worse, his own grief or that of Jessie's. For all the time he'd known her she'd been so strong and resolute, clearly not a stranger to loss. And yet here she was broken and frayed- a woman who had near lost it all. In a sense, Askan was a man of many words. They weren't nice or frilly, but in that moment he wished with all he had that he could say something, anything that would help. He wanted to apologise over and over till he was blue in the face, proclaim that he wished he hadn't left the Feild, that he'd done his duty as a guardian and protected the old man. But that last part would have been a lie.

He was happy here, felt as though all the pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place. Only for Drestig's death to tear away one of the parts on the corner, now it would be forever incomplete.

He swallowed thickly as he stared down at his muddy paws. He couldn't tell where he began, what was him and what was earth. Askan blinked again as he brought his gaze higher, to the pallid woman before him, those eyes of hers used to say so little but now he could almost read it all, like the pages of a faded book.

She wanted to cherish what little family she had left, before the world took that from her too.

"She's not...she said she was going to head north." He left the rest unspoken. That she wanted to see them, to perhaps make amends. "But-stay a while?"

All of his past-and present- grievances seemed irrelevant. In many ways he was still bitter and sore, but it in that moment he shoved it all a side. She had been good to him, for a time, it only seemed fair to show her the same courtesy.  

Askan & Reyes

(This post was last modified: Jul 05, 2018, 03:14 PM by Askan.)

Ears folded back on her head as she glanced in the direction of her home, desperately wanting to do something. Her face wrinkled as her lips pulled back into a snarl, whether it was anger at herself or her own pain, she was not even sure. It would be pure luck that she would miss her daughter on her way over to tell of what happened and not even bump into her on the way. Damnit. The Rye Queen's head turned back towards Askan, relaxing her lips. His offer shocked her and she glanced into yellow eyes, her own jade ones softening, to see that the man was indeed being serious. Things had never been mended between them, one of Jessie's regrets, but maybe for the future this would be a step in the right direction. Offering the Shallows King a wavering smile, she stepped forward and nodded, "Thank you, I would appreciate that." Emerald eyes looked over the expanse of the forest once more. When her jaws parted again, her voice was soft, "Your home. It's beautiful." The Tainn had always loved the forest, bringing her a sense a peace and back to her roots. Out in the Fields, she always felt like a piece of her was missing, even more so now. Claws sank into the earthy ground with each step, providing a pillow of comfort.

foxstox @DA & Dawnthieves.de

You realize that two coyotes have been following you.

Just gonna ignore the yotes as this was before the BWP

It was the least Askan could do really. They would never see eye to eye, Askan was slowly coming to terms with that, but at the very least he wanted to provide an inkling of solace to her, if he could. If that's what she wanted. He followed her line of sight to the trees, to the rich brows and greens that surrounded them, kept their conversation hidden from prying eyes and ears. Askan had never stopped to consider what Jessie thought of the Field, he'd always assumed that Jessie had done her part in choosing the location as well. But now that he thought about Jessie did seem more at home between the trees, as though she could slip away at a moments notice.

"Yeah, thanks." He uttered, his ears flicking back a little as his words reached them. His awkwardness wasn't out of disapproval, it was more that he'd never been good at receiving compliments, least of all from such a stern woman. "If you like the woods you'll love the Shallows. Sort of like the pond in the Field with just a little more...spectacle."He allowed the tiniest smile at that. Even then it felt hollow, how was he supposed to pretend everything was fine?

But he had to, he had no other choice. He'd have time to process and deal with it later, for now his attention was on Jessie. He dipped his head, motioning for the Rye Queen to follow.

Askan & Reyes

Askan had never been good at taking compliments, at least not from her, so his curt response came as no shock to her. The woman did not pause in her stride, gliding through Askan's home shoulder-to-shoulder with the Shallow's King. Eventually, the mother allowed the man to take the lead, as it was his land. A grey ear flicked in response to the dark man's voice, her eyebrows drawing together in thought. It was ironic, really. The picture he painted was almost like a combination of Swift River and Oak Tree Bend. She let out a shaky laugh, eyes crinkling slightly, "I believe you. I would love to see it." The woman's tail waved behind her, glancing over at the man beside her. "It means a lot...you letting me into your home." The woman's ears folded back on her head. There had been much damage done between them and it would certainly take time to repair the bridge.

foxstox @DA & Dawnthieves.de