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+--- Thread: Mount Everfall down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved (/showthread.php?tid=24865)
down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 15, 2018
Something wild was brewing within him-- he could feel it.
As he gathered his strength, a fire was returning to the former soldier's veins, a renewed will to live. It burned fiercely, as he did, in argent and ink. Feeling returned to him now in stinging waves of heat and biting surges of ice, battling painfully in his chest. Nathaniel thought himself unable to bear it-- so he took a walk.
A walk, yes, to clear his mind and his heart and maybe have himself another helping of that stony indifference that seemed to have worn off. Perhaps not the healthiest coping mechanism; shouldn't he have been waiting for this? For the grief to wear off finally, so he could deal with the mess that had become himself and move on? But no, he hadn't been looking forward to it. It felt wrong still, to consider giving himself closure when those he had left behind would have none. Not even in the grave, for they had none but where they had fallen.
He shook his head as if to ward off the thoughts. If he was to be as he had in the past-- the rage and the flicker, the heat and the chill-- he could not do it brokenly. Nathaniel had always lived dangerously; there was no room in that world for the broken.
But he was no fool, fired up as he already found himself. Nor was he as cold as he might have others believe. There was something for him here, one of the few things he had left in this world. Small and weak as it was, the connection to his father was enough to anchor him for now. The old man was dying, he concluded in his own mind as he sat a few feet from the edge of the cliff, peering over it. It would not be much trouble to stay until he passed... would it?
As he gathered his strength, a fire was returning to the former soldier's veins, a renewed will to live. It burned fiercely, as he did, in argent and ink. Feeling returned to him now in stinging waves of heat and biting surges of ice, battling painfully in his chest. Nathaniel thought himself unable to bear it-- so he took a walk.
A walk, yes, to clear his mind and his heart and maybe have himself another helping of that stony indifference that seemed to have worn off. Perhaps not the healthiest coping mechanism; shouldn't he have been waiting for this? For the grief to wear off finally, so he could deal with the mess that had become himself and move on? But no, he hadn't been looking forward to it. It felt wrong still, to consider giving himself closure when those he had left behind would have none. Not even in the grave, for they had none but where they had fallen.
He shook his head as if to ward off the thoughts. If he was to be as he had in the past-- the rage and the flicker, the heat and the chill-- he could not do it brokenly. Nathaniel had always lived dangerously; there was no room in that world for the broken.
But he was no fool, fired up as he already found himself. Nor was he as cold as he might have others believe. There was something for him here, one of the few things he had left in this world. Small and weak as it was, the connection to his father was enough to anchor him for now. The old man was dying, he concluded in his own mind as he sat a few feet from the edge of the cliff, peering over it. It would not be much trouble to stay until he passed... would it?
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 19, 2018
sorry for how long this took!
after shouting at casmir and rowan to leave her alone, to not follow her, after being admitted soon thereafter into tindome, mona had taken her anger and confusion and run with these burdens for the jagged teeth of the mountain closest to her. in desperate rage she had climbed its crags and found a small cave at the clifftop for her efforts. and here the mayfair had collapsed, her weighted heart engendering hot tears that flowed until mona was unable to keep exhaustion from stealing her.
the girl wasn't sure of the time when she awoke; pulling her red plume away from where it had been laid across her face, mona blinked into the cold air and unfurled herself from the tiny den with a grunted sigh. tasting salt on her lips, the yearling rolled murkwater eyes angrily and made as if to wipe the dried tears away, but froze in place when her vision caught sight of another.
his broad back was to her, thickly furred in hues of ash and off-white, but it was his size that rather robbed mona's breath, and she crouched suddenly in the rocks outside the mouth of the little cave, terrified she would be spotted.
the girl wasn't sure of the time when she awoke; pulling her red plume away from where it had been laid across her face, mona blinked into the cold air and unfurled herself from the tiny den with a grunted sigh. tasting salt on her lips, the yearling rolled murkwater eyes angrily and made as if to wipe the dried tears away, but froze in place when her vision caught sight of another.
his broad back was to her, thickly furred in hues of ash and off-white, but it was his size that rather robbed mona's breath, and she crouched suddenly in the rocks outside the mouth of the little cave, terrified she would be spotted.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 19, 2018
It's totally fine!! ^-^
Nathaniel liked to think that, over time, he had developed a sort of sixth sense when it came to being looked at. It was better than admitting he was paranoid as sin, anyway. So when he felt that familiar sense of being distinctly uncomfortable, the ex-soldier couldn't help but glance over his shoulder.
He blinked once, twice, then turned fully around. Was he seeing things?
But no; huddled by the entrance of a small cave (the existence of which he had overlooked in his angst) was a wisp of red. She looked terrified.
Normally he wasn't one to coddle the feelings of others, but it left him feeling slightly cornered in a way when a wolf went about being so small and looking so scared of him. He lowered his front half to the ground, and stretched out his paws lazily, chuffing at her and waving his tail slightly. It was more out of obligation than anything-- obligation to the shriveled thing that was his conscience. Somehow it yet lived, though Nathaniel wasn't sure he had known it until his encounter with Burke.
He blinked once, twice, then turned fully around. Was he seeing things?
But no; huddled by the entrance of a small cave (the existence of which he had overlooked in his angst) was a wisp of red. She looked terrified.
Normally he wasn't one to coddle the feelings of others, but it left him feeling slightly cornered in a way when a wolf went about being so small and looking so scared of him. He lowered his front half to the ground, and stretched out his paws lazily, chuffing at her and waving his tail slightly. It was more out of obligation than anything-- obligation to the shriveled thing that was his conscience. Somehow it yet lived, though Nathaniel wasn't sure he had known it until his encounter with Burke.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 19, 2018
mona would have liked to scramble back into the den, to avoid the giant just outside her door, but as if by some second sight, he turned and the mayfair's eyes widened as she saw his scarring, the burn of his eyes. that he lowered himself and made a friendly noise did nothing to dissuade her growing horror; the girl's breathe came faster, but so did her anger. what the fuck is wrong with you? she demanded of herself, curling against the cold ground and burrowing her nose into the crook of her scarlet tail. he's not even doing anything.
thinking better of her cowering, mona cleared her throat and stepped gracefully to her small feet, swaying her own tailtip at her little hocks. she said nothing, watching the brute warily, but managed to proffer a smile that trembled on her lips. — maybe if she gave in to how pathetic she looked, he would leave her alone.
thinking better of her cowering, mona cleared her throat and stepped gracefully to her small feet, swaying her own tailtip at her little hocks. she said nothing, watching the brute warily, but managed to proffer a smile that trembled on her lips. — maybe if she gave in to how pathetic she looked, he would leave her alone.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 19, 2018
He was confused when, for a moment, she seemed more scared of him than ever. The only thing he could think to do was mimic her movement (though in a less terrified way) and lay fully down, thinking any other movement might push her over the edge. She seemed more likely to run than snap, but Nathaniel had been wrong before.
Almost as soon as he had touched the ground, the red-cloaked girl stood, a nervous smile gracing her features. He didn't move, but chuffed again and gave her a moment to relax before he spoke.
Then he was struck with a wonder, feeling behind it the familiar spark that said he was ready to be outraged if the answer was in the positive.
Almost as soon as he had touched the ground, the red-cloaked girl stood, a nervous smile gracing her features. He didn't move, but chuffed again and gave her a moment to relax before he spoke.
Not planning on hurting you, girlie.The ex-soldier rumbled, managing to seem both apologetic and exasperated. He noted her features, wondering if she was perhaps familiar with him in another life-- but no, she looked too young, and he did not recognize anything about her. Nat did find her eyes fascinating, the exact shade of green not being the brightest or the most common but still striking with their depth.
Then he was struck with a wonder, feeling behind it the familiar spark that said he was ready to be outraged if the answer was in the positive.
Has someone hurt you?Nathaniel couldn't see any visible wounds, but he had been a soldier once-- he knew there were crueller ways to hurt someone than injury.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 19, 2018
the little curve of her lips died a hasty death at the sound of his words; he was reclining now, which mona supposed was to make her feel more at ease, but the appearance of his power remained undiminished — here was the first creature she had met who she supposed could kill her more easily than previously imaginable. her mind threatened to run wild with itself; mona closed her eyes a moment and sought focus.
when she opened them again, the stark-eyed man was asking her if she'd been hurt. a chuckle broke madly from her mouth — mona's eyes widened in horror and she sat down hard on the stone, lifting an ankle as if to close her own mouth. "uhh ... no. sorry. i ... uhum, i don't know why i laughed!" the girl exclaimed in a sing-song hiss of anguished amazement at her own stupidity.
and weirdness. he probably thought she was weird. god, she was weird. just so fucking odd. "no," mona said more firmly, appalled at the shake of her voice. "why ... do you ask?" the little mayfair mustered. this was small talk, right? small talk. good. fuck.
when she opened them again, the stark-eyed man was asking her if she'd been hurt. a chuckle broke madly from her mouth — mona's eyes widened in horror and she sat down hard on the stone, lifting an ankle as if to close her own mouth. "uhh ... no. sorry. i ... uhum, i don't know why i laughed!" the girl exclaimed in a sing-song hiss of anguished amazement at her own stupidity.
and weirdness. he probably thought she was weird. god, she was weird. just so fucking odd. "no," mona said more firmly, appalled at the shake of her voice. "why ... do you ask?" the little mayfair mustered. this was small talk, right? small talk. good. fuck.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 19, 2018
At first Nathaniel wasn't sure what to think of the girl's sudden laugh-- he remained silent, expressionless for a moment as she stumbled over a response. Then, after a beat of silence, he grinned a bit wryly at her.
Well, that was a lie; Nat knew he could be downright terrifying, but typically it was when he was trying. It wasn't that often he came across someone who flinched if he breathed too hard at them, and when he did... well, they never had the most heartwarming of tales to tell. He did find himself somewhat glad that none had hurt the tiny girl, though. It was all too common to find life intent on kicking those who could not kick it right back.
Well, you've been acting like a kicked pup.The ex-soldier pointed out.
I know mine's not the prettiest mug, but I didn't think I was that scary.
Well, that was a lie; Nat knew he could be downright terrifying, but typically it was when he was trying. It wasn't that often he came across someone who flinched if he breathed too hard at them, and when he did... well, they never had the most heartwarming of tales to tell. He did find himself somewhat glad that none had hurt the tiny girl, though. It was all too common to find life intent on kicking those who could not kick it right back.
I'm Nathaniel-- Nathaniel Rochester.He offered, deciding he could at least give her something to call him during their encounter even if they never met again. But he did not ask for her name, rather doubting she would give it.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 19, 2018
am not! mona piped indignantly in her head at the great male's dryly amused assessment of her behavior, in the next moment deciding he was not completely wrong. "well, there's a reason for that," she sniffed with a sudden unconscious loftiness, curling her plume around one hip and settling it over her forepaws. but it seemed the other might not receive a tale today, as mona found herself again appalled that the man could think —
"— no! you're ... pretty," mona stumbled, wondering if he would be offended at the adjective. "i mean ... your eyes ... well, you're not scary!" she finished inelegantly, and hated herself for it — rowan had always been so poised, and here went her daughter, thrashing idiotically through a simple conversation.
"mona antha mayfair," the scarlet-furred girl rejoined in a steadier voice. "it's a pleasure to meet you, mister rochester." at least she hadn't forgotten how to be mannerly — it was the one silver lining in this abomination of a meeting.
"— no! you're ... pretty," mona stumbled, wondering if he would be offended at the adjective. "i mean ... your eyes ... well, you're not scary!" she finished inelegantly, and hated herself for it — rowan had always been so poised, and here went her daughter, thrashing idiotically through a simple conversation.
"mona antha mayfair," the scarlet-furred girl rejoined in a steadier voice. "it's a pleasure to meet you, mister rochester." at least she hadn't forgotten how to be mannerly — it was the one silver lining in this abomination of a meeting.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 19, 2018
Just as he was about to inquire as to the reason, the girl's next words forced him to bite back another laugh. He kept his amusement hidden this time, mostly because he felt for her a bit; he still remembered how awkward he had been with girls in his youth, even the ones he didn't find appealing.
The ex-soldier chose not to respond to the statement, though his eyes flashed a bit more brightly when she said it. If he thought there was anything more behind it, he might have pursued it, if only to tell her to forget any notion of him being an option. Even at his worst, Nathaniel would not have been thoughtless enough to subject one who seemed so timid to the storm he held inside.
But such thoughts were irrelevant anyway-- they had just met, and thankfully there could not be more behind the fumbling words.
Nat moved closer slowly, vaguely hoping she would not decide he was still going to eat her after all that. He sat down at a slight distance from her, ever-mindful of the (in his opinion) most important rule of all: personal space.
The ex-soldier chose not to respond to the statement, though his eyes flashed a bit more brightly when she said it. If he thought there was anything more behind it, he might have pursued it, if only to tell her to forget any notion of him being an option. Even at his worst, Nathaniel would not have been thoughtless enough to subject one who seemed so timid to the storm he held inside.
But such thoughts were irrelevant anyway-- they had just met, and thankfully there could not be more behind the fumbling words.
Mayfair, huh?He stood and dipped his head. It was an unfamiliar but memorable last name, slipping off the tongue like music.
It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Mayfair.
Nat moved closer slowly, vaguely hoping she would not decide he was still going to eat her after all that. He sat down at a slight distance from her, ever-mindful of the (in his opinion) most important rule of all: personal space.
Do you live here?
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 19, 2018
mona was not unaware of the heat lightning that sparked momentarily in nathaniel's eyes — it brought an answering flush to her cheeks beneath the ruddy fur, though the sensation was immediately followed by indignant confusion over what it was she felt. prepared for the moment to ignore it, mona nevertheless tensed as the rochester stood — her murkwater eyes followed every graceful movement of his muscular body as the man moved, inching closer to her.
mantling again, but deciding she enjoyed the odd heat blossoming along her cheekbones, the mayfair smiled, attempting to be inviting, as her companion remained mindful of the space between them. gathering herself more tightly together, mona shook her slim muzzle. "n-no. i live that way," she murmured, gesturing in the general direction of tindome. "the forest of king elk," her girlish voice added, not attempting to hide the wonder at its edges. "it's a nice place," mona mumbled when she realized how close she'd come to showing too much excitement about the wolf-killing ruminant.
"what about you?" came her next airy question — the yearling fixed her eyes on nathaniel, unable to keep her gaze from over the shifting oceanic hue of his eyes, the set of his jaw, the scars half-hidden by his plush stomach-fur — goodness! for the third time she colored and this time mona's ears swept back over her fragile skull. how rude she was! staring like a dumb child at this man who had been subjected for the last time to her oddities.
mantling again, but deciding she enjoyed the odd heat blossoming along her cheekbones, the mayfair smiled, attempting to be inviting, as her companion remained mindful of the space between them. gathering herself more tightly together, mona shook her slim muzzle. "n-no. i live that way," she murmured, gesturing in the general direction of tindome. "the forest of king elk," her girlish voice added, not attempting to hide the wonder at its edges. "it's a nice place," mona mumbled when she realized how close she'd come to showing too much excitement about the wolf-killing ruminant.
"what about you?" came her next airy question — the yearling fixed her eyes on nathaniel, unable to keep her gaze from over the shifting oceanic hue of his eyes, the set of his jaw, the scars half-hidden by his plush stomach-fur — goodness! for the third time she colored and this time mona's ears swept back over her fragile skull. how rude she was! staring like a dumb child at this man who had been subjected for the last time to her oddities.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 19, 2018
This smile lit up Mona's notably pleasant features in a way the previous, half-hearted one hadn't-- Nathaniel couldn't help but return it, though it was a strange expression to feel develop naturally on his own face. When had he last smiled out of anything but obligation or sick humor?
It was disconcerting to find he couldn't remember, so he shelved the thought in favor of what was turning out to be an interesting conversation. The words 'King Elk' caught his attention, but before he could ask for elaboration she was asking her own question.
The ex-soldier paused for a moment, mulling over the direction she had pointed before he spoke.
He tilted his head slightly at her expression, then, a bit puzzled but not bothered enough to comment. Sensing discomfort from the girl, he smiled again and hoped it would help settle her.
It was disconcerting to find he couldn't remember, so he shelved the thought in favor of what was turning out to be an interesting conversation. The words 'King Elk' caught his attention, but before he could ask for elaboration she was asking her own question.
No, I don't live here-- or anywhere, yet.He explained, feeling oddly comfortable with answering.
My former home lays in ruin, far from here.
The ex-soldier paused for a moment, mulling over the direction she had pointed before he spoke.
We may soon be neighbors-- my father belongs to a pack near there...Then he frowned. He couldn't remember the mention of a second pack nearby.
Perhaps the same pack. Is the name Burke familiar to you?
He tilted his head slightly at her expression, then, a bit puzzled but not bothered enough to comment. Sensing discomfort from the girl, he smiled again and hoped it would help settle her.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 24, 2018
mona found it hard to believe that a scarce handful of minutes, she'd been cowering in front of this male. while she did not yet fully trust nathaniel, in the way of their kind, she felt a warm sense of his power settle over her — the mayfair could not yet admit it to herself, but perhaps in some small manner, she experienced protection, simply by way of the brute's nearness.
ruins. mona's cerise ears with their downy rose interiors swept forward at the sound of the word; she would have very much liked to explore this, but nathaniel was speaking again, and she sought the information that followed. the man with the ocean-eyes remained swathed in mystery, but he gave a name. "burke," mona repeated, the title unfamilar to her. "no — the only wolf i've met is the one who decided to take pity on a girl with no skills. delight leads tindome."
his smile caught mona off guard, then bewildered her. the intention behind the curve of his lips was clear, but its effect served only to confuse the yearling more, what with the flush sweeping her cheekbones again. she chewed the edge of one bottom lip thoughtfully. "do you want to belong someplace?" the mayfair girl blurted, choosing in the next beat not to explain herself. it was an odd question, but she suspected nathaniel might enjoy answering.
ruins. mona's cerise ears with their downy rose interiors swept forward at the sound of the word; she would have very much liked to explore this, but nathaniel was speaking again, and she sought the information that followed. the man with the ocean-eyes remained swathed in mystery, but he gave a name. "burke," mona repeated, the title unfamilar to her. "no — the only wolf i've met is the one who decided to take pity on a girl with no skills. delight leads tindome."
his smile caught mona off guard, then bewildered her. the intention behind the curve of his lips was clear, but its effect served only to confuse the yearling more, what with the flush sweeping her cheekbones again. she chewed the edge of one bottom lip thoughtfully. "do you want to belong someplace?" the mayfair girl blurted, choosing in the next beat not to explain herself. it was an odd question, but she suspected nathaniel might enjoy answering.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 24, 2018
The girl was... intriguing. He hadn't thought so when he first noticed her, terrified as she had been. Slowly, though, Nathaniel was beginning to think this interaction wasn't a complete mistake.
The ex-soldier generally wasn't fond of company; more often than not it left him full of anger and regret. He didn't mind talking to Mona, though. The fiery-pelted girl was obviously young, but well-spoken— not unpleasant to converse with.
Mona's question took him a bit off-guard; he hadn't considered such a thing. Did it matter anymore, what he wanted? He wanted Eirene back-- he wanted his children back. He wanted his life back. None of that could ever happen, though, and what did that leave him to want? What could he possibly want anymore from a world so obviously bent on taking back every gift it gave?
After a few seconds of silence on his part, Nat's lack of familiarity with truly friendly conversation-- and his lingering curiosity-- broke through and forced him to tack on a request.
The ex-soldier generally wasn't fond of company; more often than not it left him full of anger and regret. He didn't mind talking to Mona, though. The fiery-pelted girl was obviously young, but well-spoken— not unpleasant to converse with.
Hmm.Was the ex-soldier's only response to the information she gave about the pack. The pack that could have possibly been his father's, he reminded himself, and with that he stowed the information away.
Mona's question took him a bit off-guard; he hadn't considered such a thing. Did it matter anymore, what he wanted? He wanted Eirene back-- he wanted his children back. He wanted his life back. None of that could ever happen, though, and what did that leave him to want? What could he possibly want anymore from a world so obviously bent on taking back every gift it gave?
I haven't decided yet.The ex-soldier said, finally.
But you have given me something to consider. Thank you, Mona.
After a few seconds of silence on his part, Nat's lack of familiarity with truly friendly conversation-- and his lingering curiosity-- broke through and forced him to tack on a request.
Tell me of this King Elk.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 24, 2018
there was more behind nathaniel's words than the large wolf wanted to say, mona sensed, with the inuition only had by the young. that she was the daughter of a druid and a witch had never occurred to her as a reason for things happening in her world. from casmir, she had inherited a healthy skepticism of the otherworldy. but the girl could not deny the sensation that crept between her small shoulderblades as the rochester thanked her, though his reply was brief and closed.
wanting to glean more from him, mona nodded eagerly when he bid explanation of tindome's namesake. "well, he's very large, and very old. tindome has been around for six months, and that was enough time to know he's also called 'wolf-killer,' for reasons ... that are clear."
a delicious shiver traced the lines of her young body, and she curled her pawtoes against the stone. "i've just been accepted, and so haven't seen him, but i bet he lives deep in the heart of the forest, bigger than any elk before .." her tones were becoming whimsical; the girl's swampwater eyes flickered in the direction of her new home, before she brought their dreamy glow back toward nathaniel. "i'm going to see him one day," the girl added with finality.
she shook out her ruff and examined the muscled wolf in front of her, curiosity unabated. "may i ask you something, mister rochester?"
wanting to glean more from him, mona nodded eagerly when he bid explanation of tindome's namesake. "well, he's very large, and very old. tindome has been around for six months, and that was enough time to know he's also called 'wolf-killer,' for reasons ... that are clear."
a delicious shiver traced the lines of her young body, and she curled her pawtoes against the stone. "i've just been accepted, and so haven't seen him, but i bet he lives deep in the heart of the forest, bigger than any elk before .." her tones were becoming whimsical; the girl's swampwater eyes flickered in the direction of her new home, before she brought their dreamy glow back toward nathaniel. "i'm going to see him one day," the girl added with finality.
she shook out her ruff and examined the muscled wolf in front of her, curiosity unabated. "may i ask you something, mister rochester?"
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 24, 2018
Nathaniel was undeniably charmed by the girl's telling of the tale. The excitement and wonder in her voice did not go unnoticed; it brought another smile to his face, drew him further into her words. The King Elk.
A formidable creature, he decided-- it brought him pleasure to know some of his kin recognized the beast as worthy of respect. He resisted the urge to chuckle at Mona's assertion that she would see it. It would not have been a mocking laugh, but the ex-soldier suspected it would be taken that way.
He didn't have much time to consider what he would say in response. The girl was wondering, now, if she might ask her own question. Nat studied her for a moment, trying to decide what to say. There were many questions he would not wish to answer, but it seemed unfair to say yes and then no, not that-- but he didn't want to say no, either, to the girl. After a few beats of silence, he made his decision.
A formidable creature, he decided-- it brought him pleasure to know some of his kin recognized the beast as worthy of respect. He resisted the urge to chuckle at Mona's assertion that she would see it. It would not have been a mocking laugh, but the ex-soldier suspected it would be taken that way.
He didn't have much time to consider what he would say in response. The girl was wondering, now, if she might ask her own question. Nat studied her for a moment, trying to decide what to say. There were many questions he would not wish to answer, but it seemed unfair to say yes and then no, not that-- but he didn't want to say no, either, to the girl. After a few beats of silence, he made his decision.
Go ahead.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 24, 2018
the warming of nathaniel's face, his laugh — these things evinced how amused he was with her, and while mona was a bit put out by the idea that he was laughing at her, the yearling decided not to touch on this. instead, she unfurled her plume and began to groom its red hairs with nervous paws. the words for what she wanted to ask evaded her; it was several moments before the mayfair was able to pin them down, and she drew in a quick breath for the sake of her nerves before beginning.
"i ran away from my parents because they told me everything i'd known was a lie. my dad isn't my dad; he's my older brother. my dad is someone i haven't ever met, and i can't meet him, because he's dead." the girl's voice broke a little on the last word, but she sniffed and forced herself to go on, unwilling to do any more crying.
"anyway, i want to go see the places he lived, but ... but i've never been to the sea! have you? what's it like?" her questions bubbled fearfully, until she stemmed herself and paused, closing her eyes to regain composure. "i don't know what to do next," mona finished simply, her gaze finding that of the warrior.
"i ran away from my parents because they told me everything i'd known was a lie. my dad isn't my dad; he's my older brother. my dad is someone i haven't ever met, and i can't meet him, because he's dead." the girl's voice broke a little on the last word, but she sniffed and forced herself to go on, unwilling to do any more crying.
"anyway, i want to go see the places he lived, but ... but i've never been to the sea! have you? what's it like?" her questions bubbled fearfully, until she stemmed herself and paused, closing her eyes to regain composure. "i don't know what to do next," mona finished simply, her gaze finding that of the warrior.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Nathaniel Sr. - January 24, 2018
He was definitely relieved, but-- more than that, it was a bit of a shocking confession. Nathaniel's own family dynamic had been less than stellar; it didn't put him in much of a position to judge, though it was... unique. Flicking one ear back, he regarded her with curiosity for a moment. Clearly the story behind her origin was complicated, at the very least.
It had not been their home when they fell-- he often found himself wishing it still was their home. None of it might have ever happened.
But that was not the conversation at hand, was it? He continued:
Then he paused, uncertain if the girl was wanting some kind of... advice. Nat wasn't the best at advice.
I used to live by the ocean— in a different land.The ex-soldier admitted, thinking back a bit fondly to his time there. The coast where his pack had been forced to temporarily settle spent half the year smothered by storms, and the other half as a paradise. Nat had found the two states equally endearing, in their own ways; there was something oddly peaceful about the storms.
It had not been their home when they fell-- he often found himself wishing it still was their home. None of it might have ever happened.
But that was not the conversation at hand, was it? He continued:
It's a beautiful place; unforgiving, but many beautiful things are harsh.
Then he paused, uncertain if the girl was wanting some kind of... advice. Nat wasn't the best at advice.
This Tindómë— your new home. It sounds like a good start. If you use it well, I don't doubt you will achieve your goals.
RE: down in a hole, and I don't know if I can be saved - Mona - January 25, 2018
by the coast .. a different land. if it had ever been nathaniel's intention to steer mona away from visions of his past, he was making a poor go of it indeed. the mayfair girl could not stop her fantastical mind from creating images of nathaniel as a marauding pirate, or perhaps nathaniel, a soldier defending his lands against pillaging. whatever it was, whoever he was, mona knew it must be a long story, and one she suddenly and desperately wanted to hear. "i have to go visit it now, the sea!" she exclaimed when he had finished his comment.
she blinked back into herself as the man began to offer her some rough-hewn advice, but he was true, and she bobbed her little head at his correctness. however, another thought seized her — mona's lips pursed into an O of recollection, and she turned foxlike to duck her head into the small cavern behind her, pulling out the remnants of a squirrel.
"thank you, mithter rochthesther," mona lisped from behind her burden, setting it down and pushing it across the small space between them toward the larger wolf. "i'll take it to heart. this — please have some," the girl invited, settling to her slender haunches again. "my parents didn't tell me the truth, but they did teach me manners," mona observed dryly. "but who leaves something like that out! i mean honestly," mona snapped under her breath, all scarlet fire for a heated moment, her phrasing a perfect imitation of a step-grandmother named blue willow who had disappeared even before lasher's passing. mona did not know this, however, and left off her rant to swallow and grin appeasingly at nathaniel. "sorry. i've still got ... issues about it."
on a bolder note — "i bet you wouldn't do that to your kids!" the yearling mayfair declared, and then her swampwater eyes widened. "uh, i mean, if you had — uhum ... do you have ... never mind." and now her cheeks burned again. you're such a weird fuckin' idiot, the girl told herself fiercely.
she blinked back into herself as the man began to offer her some rough-hewn advice, but he was true, and she bobbed her little head at his correctness. however, another thought seized her — mona's lips pursed into an O of recollection, and she turned foxlike to duck her head into the small cavern behind her, pulling out the remnants of a squirrel.
"thank you, mithter rochthesther," mona lisped from behind her burden, setting it down and pushing it across the small space between them toward the larger wolf. "i'll take it to heart. this — please have some," the girl invited, settling to her slender haunches again. "my parents didn't tell me the truth, but they did teach me manners," mona observed dryly. "but who leaves something like that out! i mean honestly," mona snapped under her breath, all scarlet fire for a heated moment, her phrasing a perfect imitation of a step-grandmother named blue willow who had disappeared even before lasher's passing. mona did not know this, however, and left off her rant to swallow and grin appeasingly at nathaniel. "sorry. i've still got ... issues about it."
on a bolder note — "i bet you wouldn't do that to your kids!" the yearling mayfair declared, and then her swampwater eyes widened. "uh, i mean, if you had — uhum ... do you have ... never mind." and now her cheeks burned again. you're such a weird fuckin' idiot, the girl told herself fiercely.