Kingsfall new friends and new places to see

Backdated to 12/25, immediately following this thread. Private to @Jethro for the first few rounds (we'll say when), then will be open to anyone from the Paradise Falls group if anyone else would like to meet Auburn before he goes to SC. @Flair @Siyet @Finley @Caspian @Reika

Just like that they were off, and Auburn was hardly able to contain his excitement. It wasn't the same as meeting the man himself, but it was already so much more than had ever been available to him before. Another benefit was that should there be anything he needed to prepare for or properly dread, hopefully this way he would get a heads up. He wanted to trust, and most of him did, but Auburn had seen enough of the world to know that sometimes things were... out of paw.

"He still travels, then?" Aub asked, remembering his mother having said that was why he wasn't around. 'Your father belongs to the world,' she had said once, 'not us.' As though that were something a child could properly parse.

The closer they got to the falls, the more audible the sound of water became. Although.. at this time of the year, instead of a reliable stream, it’d become more of a trickle. A far cry from the hidden oasis it’d been during the warmer months, but they’d get back to that. A part of Jethro was also eager to see what someone that wasn’t part of their group would think of the place, too.

Though he was not nearly as intrigued by that as he was to learn just who Auburn was. He had a name, and he had suspicions, but no facts yet. Almost all of the younger man’s questions centered around Chan, which was.. interesting, to say the least.

And his next inquiry had Jethro contemplating again. ”I.. guess? He went out to visit the other packs a lot, bringin’ gifts and stuff. Went with him a few times, but.. I don’t think it was much as maybe he wanted to, though.” He spoke, a little uncertain of the specifics of Chan’s desires or mindset. Jet had always been curious, but he’d tried not to pry too much. ” He was with the Cove almost the whole time I was there, which was.. at least year for him. We left around the same time, and I know he had plans to visit more distant places, but.. things changed, and he ended up here with us for a few moons before duty called him back to the Cove.”

Jethro took a breath then, casting a glance towards his company. With the amount of information he’d revealed so far, it was time to do a bit of digging of his own. ”I gotta ask you, though. All your questions about him.. who is Chan, to you?”

As much as Jethro had to say, Auburn found himself surprisingly unable to pin anything down for certain about his father. Perhaps it went to prove that the only way to know was to ask the wolf themself, or maybe it said something about Chan that the younger man didn't yet have the words for. Of course it helped, though, to frame and narrow down those questions he did have, and it was a relief that there yet to be anything unsavory said or hinted toward.

Of course, speaking ill was not something expected of a close friend. What would the others Jethro lived with have to say?

I gotta ask you though, his company prefaced, and Auburn blinked as the question was finally asked. Somehow he'd thought he might actually stand a chance at avoiding it, feeling it was something best for Chan to reveal himself. These were his friends and acquaintances, after all. But, lying or dodging also didn't feel right. The truth didn't change regardless of how much living creatures did or did not take to it.

"... I've been told he's my father," he answered quietly, grass green eyes hovering near Jethro's dial to gauge his reaction. Maybe it was all wrong, and he had no relation at all to the Eastfall family; it wasn't like his mother was still around to take back any lies she may have told. This was the only way to find out, either way.

(This post was last modified: Feb 04, 2023, 10:22 PM by Auburn.)

Auburn, as he had with much of the information Jethro had provided him up until now, contemplated what was said without much inclination as to what his thoughts were. A sidelong glance towards his company didn’t reveal much, even as his own inquiry was asked.

But the answer.. told him a lot. And brought up even more questions. ”He’s.. your dad,” Jethro murmured, not quite an inquiry. There was surprise there, to be sure. Chan had never mentioned anything about other kids, or a son, but.. ”I can see it. You do sorta resemble him,” the dark one observed aloud. Which meant Auburn wasn’t related to Nori. At least not in the way he'd hoped.

He wasn’t nearly as focused on that, though, as he was something else. ”Does he.. not know? Not know you?” The dark one inquired tentatively, for he did not know if the subject was a touchy one, and he did not wish to stir up emotion if it was. Chan had hardly seemed like the type to just abandon a child of his, so he must not have known. But even that didn’t fit, because the act of creating a child was specific and unmistakable. There was no way someone couldn’t know.

For anyone else, such knowledge would’ve tarnished their reputation with Jet almost instantly, likely irreparably so. To abandon one’s child was a deed he thought dastardly and pretty much unforgivable. But Chan.. he was one of the few wolves the dark one was willing to provide a benefit of the doubt and a chance to explain it.

Chan hadn't mentioned them or hinted at their possibility, then. The pattern still continued, for that still didn't mean he hadn't known he'd left their mother pregnant. Auburn thought briefly of his sister for the first time in a while, if maybe she would beat him to the mountain and have this particular answer first. She would certainly have a lot to say about it, if that were the case. Aub, on the other paw... well, there were reasons they didn't quite get along.

Auburn did know that he felt something warm and good in his chest when Jethro spoke the words, I can see it. His tail gave wags, but then he let out a sigh and his strides ceased.

"I'm not... good at parceling out information. I'd rather he got to tell his own story, but... it's mine too, right?"

He looked to the other man for validation, genuinely wanting to know if he agreed or not.

(This post was last modified: Feb 07, 2023, 06:16 AM by Auburn.)

Auburn.. all but confirmed the thoughts he’d had. Somehow, Chan didn’t know, or hadn’t cared. That was a concept Jethro struggled to believe, though. There had to be some kind of explanation, a reason, a middle ground. Something.

While he wouldn’t have hesitated to cast judgment on anyone else for such a deed, in this specific case, he wholly agreed with Auburn. ”He.. deserves a chance to explain, yeah. But I think.. you have a right to know, too.” Whatever it was, good or bad. And with that, the dark one opted not to pry any further.

”Just.. be aware, he’s been through a lot this year. I’m sure the Cove has, we all have,” Jethro cautioned and paused for a breath, stifling the anger he still felt at the one who’d broken Flair and Chan to continue. ”I’d tell ya more, but.. it isn’t mine to share.” It felt best not to get into that. Not to overstep, not to speak of things Chan or even Flair might not want spoken of. That could be between father and son.

”Our home, though, it’s just up here,” he spoke again, with a short gesture of his nose to the valley which had been cut through the forest by a now mostly frozen stream. The very faint trickle of water was still audible though - a peaceful sound amidst the nature of their current conversation.

-feel like this is a good spot to open to anyone in the group
@Flair  @Siyet  @Reika  @Finley  @Caspian

(This post was last modified: Feb 07, 2023, 05:10 PM by Jethro.)

With their groups collective move to the Falls, Flair had finally left behind her den near the Demise for good – it was never meant for just one and had felt far too empty since Chan’s departure, but it was also her last physical link to what they’d lost. Moving on didn’t mean forgetting though, it was more than time she allowed herself to take this step, to be there for her budding pack, without feeling like she was betraying those memories. Remember the dead, but tend to the living. They still had some final ends to tie, but with the big snows coming in they had hunkered down, mostly content to just be sheltered together. Come spring, they’d make it official. For now, the daily life was quiet, far too much so for the fiery woman’s comfort. So when she heard the approaching voices, even though she recognized one of them as Jethro’s, she still went to investigate. With winter approaching it’s harshest, it wouldn’t be surprising for a straggler or two to seek out a group to shelter with. And as Flair came upon her co-leader and his young companion, that was all she expected, tail waving casually behind her, she offered the lad half-smile and nodded at Jethro; “Found a new recruit?” ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA

Jethro's choice of words made Auburn feel a tinge of unease that steadily spread. Like he'd done something wrong, given away something that wasn't his and that couldn't be taken back. Even if the other man didn't sound particularly upset, what if Chan couldn't explain well enough? What if Aub just initiated the total fracturing of a relationship? He tired to reason with this feeling, internally insisting that it wasn't his fault the truth was what it was. It wasn't his responsibility to sweep his father's mistakes under the rug. But... should mistakes really have such permanent consequences? Wasn't life already harsh enough without him adding to it? It wouldn't have hurt him to just-

Auburn would likely be talking circles about it with himself for hours to come, and that sinking feeling would unfortunately last just as long. Outwardly, he would do his best not to show his discomfort. Sympathy did pass over his features in the form of a frown and lightly knitted brows at the mention of his dad having 'been through a lot.' He wouldn't ask what had happened, but he hoped Chan had been able to recover from whatever transpired.

He nodded in acknowledgement, followed Jet's gesture with his eyes, and it was only moments later than another wolf stepped into view. Auburn's ears lifted and his expression cleared with mild surprise. Another of his father's friends?

'Found a new recruit?'

He glanced briefly to Jethro, before opting to introduce himself, smile reappearing and tail giving a few friendly wags.

"Actually, I'm on my way to Sanguine Cove. My name is Auburn."

And who are you... ?

As the two of them neared the frozen falls, it did not take long for another to appear. Flair sauntered forth to greet each of them with a small smile and Jet with a nod - a rather welcome sight at that. Though a part of him would’ve liked to continue to converse with Auburn alone, it was probably better that they let those things go. Focus on what was ahead, instead of questions about the past that neither of them could know.

Found a new recruit? Flair inquired. The dark one gave his head a single shake as Auburn answered that he was instead on his way to the cove. ”Yah, Auburn’s a guest. Thought I’d offer ‘im a safe place to rest before he attempts the mountains.” Jet offered, opting to let Flair introduce herself in return given Auburn had taken the initiative for himself.  

Though he did wish Auburn could’ve been a recruit. If he was anything like Chan, this group would be missing out on a wonderful addition.

The pale youth stepped forwards to answer her before Jethro could, his forwardness taking the much more reserved woman aback. But she quickly returned his smile, waving her own tail at his introduction, surprising as it was; “Oh, well it’s good t’ meet you. I’m Flair.” Good manners were an unfortunate necessity for a pack leader, even towards those who were just passing through; No matter confused they make you… Jet’s explanation didn’t really do anything to clear it up, her gaze drifting from one to the other as she tried to find the piece she was missing; “Y’ two know each other?” If he was headed to the Cove he must know someone there, right? Unless he’s bringing a message… Despite Flair’s best attempts at a polite demeanor, a furrow was starting to form between her brows. She’d never cared for puzzles, all those questions buzzing around just made her head hurt. So, she hoped the two of them would get to explaining quickly, otherwise her polite façade would start to crack. ”Speech" Thoughts

dawnthieves.de, FairieGoodMother @DA & Lakela @DA