@Holland @Bronco
tags for reference
Miriam was a generally secluded individual, as she didn't feel well-enough to travel too much out of her den. Though there was some kindness of the visitation of her growing doctor
@Caerus, and the kindness of
@Jackalope. Though he made some comments, and especially so left if other was near at anytime, but she felt comfort that the man was there, when no one else was visiting her.. Every once in a while perhaps her daughter, but alas she would only see
@Liliana from afar, and was afraid to say more.
As days go by she was regaining just a bit more health, generally no longer sickly in the sense, but she still looked like someone who been deprived of food for quite a few days. Sometimes Miriam couldn't keep it down anymore, but she tried to eat some of it. Especially knowing for once.. There was another that helped and looked after it.
Just a one-time kindness touched her so, for she was so deprived of any affection, she was starved for that love. Delusioned in any sense, a warmth in her heart when Miriam thought of
him. And every time, she looked forward to the blackthorns visit, even if he did not feel the same. She was blinded whether he enjoyed it or not.
Then one day, finally she felt the spirit to move. Her paws continued roaming until finally, she was the border of the glen. There was a small part of her that desired to see the fireflies that roamed, but she was also a bit curious of those who were here. Miriam was more friendly then those of the glen then actually her own pack, as sad as it was. Fondly so did she think of Toad and Bronco, whom she enjoyed the company of the two.. Perhaps that was what dragged her paws.
Once more, she was starved for any interaction now that her mind was healing. The weakened mother sat at the edge of the forest, silver eyes wandering around aimlessly.
"Do you want to go in?"
The voice croaked, perhaps a bit muffled. Holland's singular eye focused on the woman from the dark depths of the Glen. He had been patrolling the border out of sheer boredom, renewing where he felt scent lacked... only to come across the silvery-blue woman.
She looked like she had seen better days. Still, she smelt like another pack and he was not her 'mate' in the sense he could waltz up to her and check her over. He remained where he was, a shadow and unwilling to meet the light she walked in. But, he did roam a bit closer.
His russet and white shone a bit out, wherein his black head did nothing for her vision. She looked like she was pining for the Glen, but he... had never met her. Did not know of her or her pack. He remained cautious. Just in case.
"Ah, no.." Her mindless watching was caught but a scarful man. He was like the abyssal night with flames touching his back, and a claw to the air for adjourning the wondrous look of a hurtful destiny. A blindful eye against the reddened one, faintly reminding her of Cupid and Caerus, but one long before into the earth, and other a growing man.
"I live next door," her snout pointed toward the large trees behind her so, "I was wondering if I was too late to see the fireflies." So was the excuse, as Miriam wasn't sure what really brought her to the border.
Next door...? It was not Moonspear. The smell was different. This had to be the scent that Keres carried when she hurryingly called the pack together. Neverwinter, perhaps? If they were in the Glen's camp so easily without resistance, that made them allies. "I see."
Though Holland was not one to play politics. If the woman was doing nothing wrong, he would leave her be. He glances backward, seeing only comfortable darkness. The fireflies are gone for the night. He glances back. "I am afraid you are too late..." he tells her.
She was still wholly unaware of the differences that come with Neverwinter and Moonspear. While their differences weren't on a hated level, it was a tense situation.. But she had friends on the other side, and didn't think much to it so, not realizing that she shouldn't simply wander into the glen as she so pleased. Though for Miriam, was Firefly Glen was just at the borders of Neverwinter, she thought just a bit beyond would be alright.
"That is a shame." While dealing with the inner turmoils that was the forest itself, she had missed opportunities.
"I am Miriam, Miriam Iris Willow.. You are from Firefly Glen, yes? I am familiar with Bronco and Toad."
He nods to the pale woman. "Holland" of Firefly Glen, he supposes but she's smart enough to have picked that up herself. Toad and Bronco's names are given. He isn't aware of Bronco, but he has met Toad Amelia. The encounter was less than desirable though.
It was not something he was going to bring up and groan about though. Miriam is ready to introduce herself, while Holland remains cautious as always. He is still in the dark, refusing the light's touch. "I do not know your pack" he tells the woman "I have just arrived in the Teekons."
And if she came closer, what was he going to do? Call for back-up, for this once-sick woman? No, of course not. But he was probably on thin ice if he lets her walk in.
She too remembered long ago, being so fresh and new. Now does her knowledge expand with the pages of Firebirds, Moonspear, Neverwinter, Yuelong, and Firefly Glen. So many groups and perhaps not the end, as she had no expanded beyond the mountain that was far from Moonspear.
"It's a lovely place." It was so large, but so beautiful. Areas full of life and wander, she missed thebexploration.
"We been neighbors with Neverwinter for quite some time.. Though i'm not sure where we stand with them."
"What is your pack about?" he questioned her gently, not probbing but needing to know all the same. Moonspear, Neverwinter and the Glen... all connected in some small way. Was there another pack here too? One he had not met? Holland did not particularly care but he'd know eventuallly.
"You are only the first I have met properly" he thought of the man named Mal, who was the alpha of the pack. Keres and a few others mentioned him in that frantic meeting, yet Holland had never met him. He couldn't speak for him. "forgive my curiosity."
"It is mostly of family.. There was about three separate parents, and the Alpha siring all their litters." A crackened smile as she explained so. For it the truth she could not hide that Neverwinter was mostly of family and lost wanderers, majority of children laughing and singing, but dramatics are always to be filled within the forest.
"You are fine, we all are curious." And she assured the other so, as once long ago she treaded upon pack borders to ask about their areas. Though fled just the same, as Miriam was not strong enough. As a year went by, she still wasn't.
"I see" he says again, for lack of something to contribute. Holland was not one of those men who fathered multiple litters. He never would be. He kept his seed to himself, frankly, and did not approve of such actions. Loyalty was hard earned but also welcomed by him. He appreciated a frank and honest relationship.
"Then if I may be so bold to assume... are you well?" the healer in him mentally checks her over, but his eye does not roam her form "you seem a bit..." Holland trails off, not so much curious but concerned "sickly. As if you are recovering." If Neverwinter had sickness, was it wise to allow Miriam so close to their border?
Gentle concern laces his tone. Not aggression.
"In a way.. I suppose."She wasn't sure how others thought about the woman, so skinny and frail; did her packmates know about her attempt? Would they look at her in scorn.. But perhaps that was better then being ignored, as Miriam so thought to be. No one visiting her throughout her days of sorrow, and only a few touched her heart.
There was a warmth that flashed as she thought of the shadow man, but even then that seemed but like a dream. Reality was hard to tell in that moment, but he gave a comfort of sorts to her so. Then the appearance of Caerus and Jackalope, a lovely boy who was her own doctor, and the blackthorn she desired above all else. However, as much as she wanted to.. Miriam wasn't sure how to process.
"I do not carry disease," a saddened smile, but assuring to the firefly.
Depression wasn't contagious.
"I know" he says quietly, able to smell if she had been carrying it "but the sickness of the mind... is harder to shake." Holland knew this also to be true. He carried his own burdens with him, unwilling to let anyone close to crack them.
He shuffled on the spot, uncertain whether to probe or prod her. As a medic, he could do nothing for her body. As a therapist, he could only offer so much. And it was too soon to be as a friend. "If you ever need an impartial ear, I'm here" the man offers.
He could not promise to judge, for he judged everyone in their own way.