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+--- Thread: Northstar Vale Let myself drift on and on (/showthread.php?tid=65486)
Let myself drift on and on - Noctaryn - April 04, 2025
He had finished his patrol returning to the settlement when the sun was highest in the sky. There was nothing amiss, only the occasional fox and other small creatures that scattered at his presence or screamed at him from the trees.
A low call was sent before his arrival in the hopes that @Viskani could spare a moment away from Chandra; maybe to also enjoy the sun’s rays as they discussed the result of this task she bade him.
He did not know if Chaudry placed his daughter in her care before finding Pala, or what, if anything, had transpired between mother and son, but he hoped he would soon find out.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Viskani - April 04, 2025
A call from Noctaryn hit her ears, a welcome change in routine.
Chaudry had stopped by that morning, only telling her that he planned to travel before leaving Julienne with her and Chandra. Both pups were old enough to be alone for a time, and so Viskani decided she could treat herself to a visit with Noctaryn.
With easy strides she joined the halfbreed as he made his return, her tail at a low wave as she greeted him.
How did this morning go?Her tone was calm, but her eagerness to hear the results of Noctaryn's discussion with her son was clear.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Noctaryn - April 04, 2025
He had stopped a distance away from her den, out of earshot should the girls be awake and listening to the happenings around them, but close enough if Viskani be required to return to them. He met her easy steps with his own, but his words were laced with uncertainty.
“He will find Pala and bring her home.” He took a pause to get comfortable now that she had joined him, a deep downward stretch and a splay of his front toes until his body followed suit to settle atop the greenery. It helped ease him, his body wound tight from the suspicions he had of her son.
“Come sit with me. Enjoy the sun while we talk.” He patted the ground in front of him as he spoke, an open invitation for her to choose where she rested should she agree. As long as she was comfortable, he was happy.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Viskani - April 04, 2025
She breathed a sigh of relief when he spoke of what had conspired.
You are a good man Noctaryn. Thank you.
His invitation to rest together was a welcome break from caring for her whelp, and now Julienne too. Settling down next to him in the grass, stretching out her legs and leaning on her side. The sun was warm on her back, melting snow long gone leaving the ground a bit damp with the rain from nights previous.
Have you thought about what you would like in return?She asked the question promptly, deciding it was best not to leave it for later. Noctaryn had gone out of his way for her, that deserved to be rewarded.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Noctaryn - April 04, 2025
He winced ever so slightly at her relief, wishing that he, too, could feel the same. But, he did not. And she would know eventually.
He held off, watching her drop beside him. The sun played along her fur as the wind ruffled it gently. He was mesmerized, eyes only blinking as her words registered a beat later. Feigning lost in thought, he sputtered a cough.
He hadn’t thought too much on what he would ask in return; it was his duty to her that drove him and her thanks in return had been enough.
This, under the bright sun, was enough.
Yet, he still owed her words and so he spoke them gently. “I suppose I haven’t, not really; call me a simple man.” He shrugged. He had nothing for most of his life and now? Now, he had a pack. A place to belong. There was more he wanted in life, but it wasn’t something she could easily give him.
“I am happy to serve you, Viskani, however you deem it. Consider it my life’s purpose in return for your kindness in accepting me here.”
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Viskani - April 04, 2025
His answer left her puzzled. Viskani had never met a man who did not wish for higher purpose, for a greater role.
But, she understood. The Matriarche paused for a moment, considering her next move; she wanted to offer something, anything to solidify Noctaryn's place in the pack.
Be my Majordome.It came to her then. A position that would put him on the same level as Chaudry.
Some see it as servanthood, but in truth it would make you my right paw. Placed in only the rank grouping below my own.A fair position, one which she believed suited Noctaryn. It would allow him to have his wish of serving her while allowing her to place him above other's.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Noctaryn - April 04, 2025
“Majordome, huh?” He tested the word. If she deemed it right, then so be it. Titles and such did not mean a lick to him and this one was foreign on his tongue; but if it meant he could keep a closer eye on her and Chandra’s safety, then that is where he shall be.
“It would be my honor.” A bow of his head, his words came softly, reverently.
If this role truly meant that he was her right paw, then he would be speak his worries freely.
“While I am glad that your son agreed to find Pala and bring his family back together, what he said didn’t sit well with me.”
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Viskani - April 04, 2025
Viskani's mind busy with the prospects of Noctaryn's new role, she was caught off-guard by what he said next.
Oh?
Ears perked, she searched his eyes for any hint of something more.
Tell me.If something was wrong, she wanted to know. Chaudry had never been the one she had to worry about, not until now. Part of her hoped it was only her nerves, but she knew it was something more.
She was not looking forward to finding out what her son was capable of.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Noctaryn - April 04, 2025
He sighed. What if he was wrong? What if his worries held no merrit?
Viskani would lose her faith in him, surely. His newfound title ripped from him and his purpose dissolved back into nothing more than a waste of space.
But what if he was right? If he said nothing, and something happened to Pala, her children—to Chandra—he would gladly place himself before Viskani, open throat, to receive what he would be owed. And that was what drove his honesty.
“I hope my worries are based on my inexperience, but I don’t feel as though Pala left on her own accord.” He let the words settle before he continued, his eyes searching hers.
“Chaudry told me that he would not help her to put Julienne as heir, so she left. Julienne is here with your son because Pala did not want her.” He shook his head, disbelief evident. “I do not understand how a mother could leave her child behind only to take the others.”
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Viskani - April 05, 2025
Viskani was silent for a moment after he spoke, unintentionally allowing the tension to settle. Noctaryn was right; it did not make sense.
Chaudry did come speak to me about Julienne's status some time ago.She released a breath, considering her words carefully.
He did not believe Chandra suitable.She would not speak of his offer to kill the child. Noctaryn would not understand, it was the way of old Montagne; Viskani barely understood it herself. She did not want to blame Chaudry for clinging to the values he had been raised with.
But what reason would Pala have to want Julienne as an heir, only to leave her when this wish was not granted? Her daughter having been placed in the role would not have benefited the woman.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Noctaryn - April 05, 2025
He did not stifle the low growl that followed her words. What she shared helped to solidify his suspicions: Chaudry is up to something, possibly nefarious. If Viskani had told him that it had been Pala who had approached Viskani regarding Julienne, then maybe he could have been swayed.
Yet, that would still leave the confusion as to why she would leave her daughter.
"Would putting Julienne as heir mean more to Pala...or Chaudry?" His intention was not to pit mother against son, but he had to know what it truly meant to be a member of Montagne de Cigue.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Viskani - April 05, 2025
I.. I can't say. I'm not sure.She answered truthfully, eyes fixing to the ground in front of her.
It was all quite puzzling to her. She did not want to believe that her son, her Chaudry, could be malicious in the least. He had always behaved himself.
I've struggled to produce a daughter for my last three litters.. Pala would not have known.She was putting the pieces together, sliding them in where they seemed to fit.
Had Chaudry tried to help her by having a litter of his own? While him and Pala spent quite a lot of time together, it was purely because they shared a role for a time. Viskani had assumed that the litter was an accident, a matter of nature. But then again, Chaudry knew how she suffered from her inability to produce an heir; she would never blame him or his brothers, it would be wrong, but it was the truth that Viskani herself had the role as her own maman's heiress stripped from her because they had not been born girls.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Noctaryn - April 05, 2025
"And he now has a daughter..."
His voice had trailed off, losing himself to thought. A daughter he could put in a place of power. To give her the best chance at life? Maybe--a small part of that could certainly be there. Or was it so that he could use her as his puppet?
He shifted, concern creasing his brow.
But, it's not possible now. Chandra has been named. She will inherit this place, this pack when she is of age. There wouldn't be any reason for Julienne to remain here with Chaudry.
Unless...Noctaryn whirled to Viskani, eyes wide, mouth agape.
"Is Chandra in danger, Viskani?" The silver-caped man stood, head swiveling to where the Héritière and the Matriarche's granddaughter should be resting.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Viskani - April 05, 2025
No.She answered promptly this time, but could she truly know?
Pala is gone, and Chaudry would not hurt his own sister.Surely not. Chaudry was a lot of things, but he was not disobedient.
I'll speak to him when he returns.. there is a reasonable explanation, I'm sure.There had to be. She appreciated Noctaryn's concerns, it would do the pack well to have someone willing to voice them, but she was sure it could not be so dire.
You have no reason to worry, I promise.
Chandra would be fine. Viskani watched her closely, and now she could see that Noctaryn had been too.
RE: Let myself drift on and on - Noctaryn - April 05, 2025
Noctaryn shook his head, still troubled, but he would take her word for it. He had to--as her Majordome--otherwise, he would be charging after Chaudry and demanding more than what he had given him on the borders. It would certainly not end well, not with the way the man had greeted him out there.
"Alright. I will take your word for it." Sighing, he conceded. His eyes sought the spot he had left beside her. He wanted to return, to lay with her as the sun danced across the sky until the moon rose in its place. But, he couldn't keep her, not like that--and certainly not from the girls for much longer.
With a soft touch to her brow, he bid Viskani goodbye for now. "I will not be far--as always."
He headed off--another border patrol. Another sleepless night.