It was a whirlwind. Valiant was exhausted, but too full of thoughts to sleep. At the same time, those thoughts did not want to come together in any semblance of order. Many of them were to the tune of,
Vairë, Vairë, Vairë, which was as unhelpful as it was pleasant. Others were more of the wordless terror variety.
There was one terror, however, that did have a name.
@Aiolos.
The isbjørn slipped away in the morning, half-formed plans joining the other thoughts clamoring in his mind. He washed himself in the freezing river, claws scrabbling across the ice to find a place where he could actually touch the water. Then, to warm up and dry off, he threw himself into a perilous hunt. There was a family of beavers living far across the lake that Valiant would've left well enough alone, had he known they would be so quick to defend a family member.
But he had his prize, now. Heavy and limp and still sopping wet. He paused, panting, to reorient himself on sun man's trail before picking up his burden once more. He slowed only when the scent of Aiolos was strong, red-eyed but wired, and finally considered that he should have consulted Vairë before seeking out her father. Perhaps she would have preferred to be here beside him — but there were some things that a man needed to do on his own.
@Kukutux had gone on her mission. He awaited the days and nights patiently for when he would hear her howling song over the low-lying mountains of Moonglow. Secretly in ways, he was happy she had gone, had done this. She would teach her skills and offer her paws to new mothers in need. It would keep her quite busy this season and maybe, maybe, she would be away still during her own time of season.
For the first time Aiolos was not yet ready and wanting of it. A deep nervousness and worry set in him, spurred by the death of his daughter during child birth. He had lost a daughter this year. In a way, with Ariadne now gone, he had lost two. A primal instinct wished to fill that void with more healthy pups, yet his mind said otherwise and his heart lurched.
Quietly now in these thoughts, he found settlement in the space between Grandfather Stone and the lake. It was here he sees Valiant drawing nearer from the distance. Aiolos woofs out in simple greeting, though his ears perk at the sight of what he was hauling.
Quite a catch..!
He calls out, meeting the man now as they came towards eachother.
I can help you haul it wherever your headed.
It would, after all, get his mind off some things.
Valiant glanced up at the sound of the sun man's voice. His stomach swooped uncomfortably, but his tail swept in greeting at his hocks. Aiolos was easy to like, and Valiant had enjoyed the times he'd shared quiet companionship with the man on hunts or patrols.
"It's for you," he replied, dropping the beaver with a sense of relief despite his mounting anxiety. At least he would not have to lug it around much further on his own. "For you and — and moonwoman," he clarified. Even after over a month among them, he still had no idea what to call the woman. He would make a better effort when she returned to them.
"It's a gift," he said, though he was sure by now he needn't explain more for the man to understand — "Because I wanted to talk to you about Vairë. To both of you, but since she ain't here..."
Another ripple of discomfort made his skin twitch.
"And I'm sure I ain't doin' this right — " he went on a tired laugh escaped him. "And you can tell me so and I'll do different. But I mean to marry her, and I don't want that to be a secret any longer just so I can figure out how not to make a fool of myself."
Oh?
Aiolos gingered ears perked at the knowledge that this large river rodent was for he and Moonwoman. A gift... because, because of he and Vairë. Aiolos jaw clenched and he leans back so that he may carefully sit down. Ready to hear what was about to be laid out before him by the pale, malted man.
Valiant was younger then himself at least by a few years. However, he was equally older then Vaire by a number, too. The age gap between the two was a reminder of Ariadne and Kigipigak. He, who had found a bride young of far less years and took her far from the life and family she knew. The thought made Aiolos skin crawl and so, made the hairs along his spine bristle.
Yet - Vairë's first had been a young man, dark and handsome. Yet he had left. Whether it was cold feet being tied up with children and a wife at such a young age or whether something dire had happened, Aiolos likely would never know, lest he returned.
Vaire is a grown woman. She has already been wife, already had children. Her bride-price has been paid...
Aiolos murmurs at first, yet it is obvious he is now just as uncertain and uncomfortable as Valiant.
@Kukutux usually handled these things. Well, she seemed to be able to handle
everything.
Time is all that I and my wife may need.
He then decides and then explains.
She has been left. Many wives have been left...
He trails off, a grumble on his lips as his firey gaze casts away all brooding like.
Jesus, this was painful. Valiant almost wished he'd just sent Vaire to do this sort of dirty work. He was almost equally sure that Aiolos wished the same. But he'd wanted to gauge the man's unguarded opinion on the matter, and he wasn't sure he would've gotten that with Vaire by his side.
What he received wasn't a no. That was good enough for Valiant, who was bound and determined to marry her anyway. There wasn't another option, in his mind. But while they could make that decision on their own, it was Aiolos and Kukutux who would decide whether or not he was truly part of their family. This was what he was truly asking for. Not a blessing, exactly, but a chance.
He would ask Vaire about a bride price, he decided, but not until after their children were born and settled. As for the rest — Valiant was unsurprised that the man's chief concerns ran parallel with the moonwoman's.
"I've got time," he agreed, his tail swishing in satisfaction. He shouldn't be pleased to skate under a bar that was so obviously low, but Aiolos spoke of nothing that Valiant felt he couldn't achieve or measure up to. "And I've got no intention of leavin' — and I never left a wife before, if you were wondering. Never had one. But I know what it's like to get left behind. I'll die before I walk out on a family — and, not to be smug or anything, but I've done alright keepin' myself alive, so far."
He tried for humor, but he couldn't muster any amusement of his own. The joke fell flat, just as his jokes often did when Vaire wasn't around to laugh at them. He'd never been funny until he met her.
"I love her," he said, cringing, internally, at this uncouth show of emotion. "And I wanna do right by her, that's all. So if you think I ain't doin' right, I guess I hope you'll tell me. And if you've said all you mean to say about it, that's fine with me, too."
More than fine. He regretted bringing the beaver, he decided. Maybe he should've left it with Vaire.