Dante had been stressed during the meeting. Highly stressed. As it was, the entire thing was a bit of a blur. But one thing stood out... he'd seen the expression on one packmate's face as he turned away, and it wasn't the usual expected lightness. It made Dante think that something had occurred, and while he wasn't aware of Finn's attraction to a certain missing lady, he wanted to make sure that things were alright.
Recalling their previous conversation, he counted them associates if not friends, and could see a friendship growing in the future. Therefore, he lifted his muzzle, sending up a call for Finn to join him if he could. If not they could talk later, as this wasn't of dire importance, but he was Alpha now and thus it was his responsibility to ensure all was well. If Finn needed to talk, he was here.
My posts have been nothing but short all week >< wahh I apologize
Finn immediately greeted him with a question and Dante shrugged in response. "
It's going," he replied truthfully. "
Honestly I still sometimes forget, but I'm sure I'll get used to it." It was a candid confession, but he wasn't afraid to make it to Finn. He seemed the type who would understand.
"
How are you, though," the Alpha threw back, casting a concerned eye over his fellow. "
You seemed... off... at the meeting, so I wanted to check in."
Dante half expected Finn to finish with a simple 'I dunno', not sure how into sharing he was. He was pleasantly surprised, though, when he confided his true reason for being down. It didn't take Dante long to surmise who Finn was talking about. After all, only two women followed Peregrine to the Caldera, and it certainly wasn't Fox.
Having met Finley before, it wasn't surprising that she had captivated Finn. She certainly had the personality for it, and Dante felt for him. The rending of the pack was made even worse when such ties were broken.
"She must have felt her place with Fox and Peregrine. Not to say that I am not sincerely glad you did not follow, but may I ask why?" He had a theory, and it didn't have anything to do with his leadership. True, he had spoken to Finn before, but he wondered if Finn hadn't used this split as a means to determine what his lady friend's priorities really were. A gamble he may have lost.
You're fine, I'm being a slow butt myself this month x.x
The answer wasn't the one that Dante had been expecting, per say, but it was solid enough. There was nothing wrong with not wanting to move, with being content in a place. Dante was averse to change himself, happily falling into place with little desire to move once there. He did not know if this was the way Finn was, but could respect it if so.
However, he knew how unfinished business like that could weigh on a wolf's mind. It was a distraction, something that could hold him back from fully being able to participate in pack life, sapping happiness with it. "
You know, if you ever decide to take a trip to the Caldera, feel free." Dante looked at him with understanding. "I
would hate to lose you to Peregrine, but perhaps talking with her... well, maybe you could find some answers. But that's up to you." He hoped that Finn wouldn't decide to relocate, but if he did, Dante wouldn't fault him for it. He would never ask a wolf to stay in their pack against their will, especially if their happiness lay elsewhere.
Wrap this up? We can keep it going if you like but it's a tad backdated
If you like we can have a new one prior to Finley's departure where they moan about the complexity of womenfolk XDDD
"No problem, anytime." He was glad Finn had come to him with this, as it was good to know where he stood on the matter with the Caldera. Now if he took the trip Dante would know where he was going and why he was doing so. One less thing for him to worry about.
He sensed the change in the other's demeanor and knew then that the conversation was over. He'd given him something to think about, a blessing to hopefully make things right in some sense, and that would perhaps be enough. It was all he had to offer in any event. He let out a breath, watching the slight mist that arose from it.
"I think this is going to be a complicated winter," he mused, looking at Finn with a wry smile. He was thinking more in a sense of working out his own responsibilities and relations with other packs (including the Caldera), but had no idea how right he was going to prove to be in a few short weeks.
last post! thanks for the thread<3
Finn was also glad he had seeked Dante out, or that by the strange desires of fate they had ran into each other at that particular time. That had certaintly saved Finn a whole lot of effort and stress -- if channeling his feeling into spoken words was hard enough imagine how excrutiatingly hard it would've been to actually go after Dante to gush about his broken emotions.
Man.
We have fine hunters, we'll be alright I think
he barked, now taking the chance to try to boost Dante's feelings now. What could be more comforting for an Alpha than a subordinate's confidence in him? While he had not resolved when he would go to meet Finley, or what would happen after they saw each other, he was certain his friendship with Dante would not be damaged.
Dante truly hoped that Finn was right. He liked his optimism, in any event, appreciating the confidence and taking heart from it. With their pack he had little doubts they would make it through no matter what and hopefully be the stronger for any trials thrown their way. As long as they stuck together, that is, and it fell to him to make sure that happened. He hoped he was up to the task.
He continued to converse with Finn for a while before each moved on to their own respective duties for the day. It was a nice conversation and Dante too was glad to have found a good friend in him. No matter his decision regarding the Caldera it was one he would hold dearly.