Dragoncrest Cliffs for even if she flees, she shall soon pursue

no posting order and small powerplay <3

when at last she and @Rosencrantz had come to the imposing stone gates of the ocean-carved cliffs, erzulie sent out an invitation for @Rosalyn to join them.
she herself intended to allow her pirate to test the man himself; she would take her leave if that so came to pass. but for now she led the archangel along the paths that wound up and up as the sky darkened overhead into a true twilight.

Without any second thought, the paladin followed Erzulie back to where they had claimed their new lands in Rusalka's name. Where Rosalyn would be next to judge him worthy of returning to their ranks or no. This time, he had no interest in climbing the ranks and claiming them through force, perhaps his time away had changed and softened him... or perhaps his thoughts were elsewhere entirely. As they approached the gates of the mountainside, this place was foreboding and cold - and yet, he liked it much more than the open moors. Rather than trying to observe the surroundings to familiarize himself with it too soon upon judgement, he stood by Erzulie and waited silently for the final decision to make its way to them.

Rosalyn came quickly as she could to her wife's summons.  At first she'd tensed, but the call lacked the urgency that meant anything had transpired.  Until they'd lived here a time, doubtless every call would be met with some amount of stress.  The pirate descended among the trees rapidly, not slowing until she was in view of Erzulie and another familiar face.

This was a surprise, and not altogether an unwelcome one.  She'd obviously held a great deal of fondness for Rosencrantz when he'd first graced their shores, enough to overcome the pall that Firefly had left upon them both.  Now she was careful to keep neutral, waiting for one of them to catch her up.  She thought she had a handle on it, but perhaps he was simply here to request a conversation with Chacal.  Were that the case, though, would Erzulie have entertained it?  Rosalyn waited, curious, eye mainly on Rosencrantz.

WC: 153

"he found me when i went out to de field. surely he came along de coas'line. he wants a place wid us again, an' he knows his role when it come to de way we raise our family. i have forgiven him, but i told him dat it be your choice."
silence now. she expected that rosalyn would not feel pressured to answer; erzulie supported her wife in whatever choice was made, despite her renewed fondness for the archangel.

The gallant man stood by Erzulie, his stoic exterior a stark contrast to the storm that was raging within. The racing heart within his chest - even if he had obtained forgiveness from one, it was only half the battle; and somehow, it was heavier than the first. Perhaps it was the ties he had created with Rosalyn that heavied this burden, made her judgment all that much more formidable than the last. He was fond of Erzulie and saw her as an equal to Rosalyn, and yet... the blood bond was undeniable. 

Soon enough the silent Pirate Queen descended. Not a word was ushered and his own eye met hers, waiting for something. Thankfully, Erzulie was there to break the crushing stillness. That usual hard stare was softened by her sight, though he would crack and express himself - that same eye. was warmer than the usual frost within. Erzulie did enough explaining for now as is until the inquiries were focused on him specifically, and so for now, with extreme, unquestionable diligence, he waited.

She waited a beat after Erzulie finished, but Rosencrantz remained silent.  It was simple, then.  Perhaps he'd offered a reason to Erzulie or perhaps he'd had no reason to give; either way, did it really matter?  She'd long since parted with the notion that wolves never left.  They came and went like gulls from the cliffs, some only leaving passing impressions, others full nests in their wake.  His impression had been stronger than most; it trailed behind her daily, slept beside her at night, and while never making a sound, spoke clearer to her than most would ever hope to.

He knows his role when it come to de way we raise our family.

But if I recall, I told him differently, she thought silently.  She'd recounted the mistake with Firefly, the subsequent loss of most of their first brood.  Perhaps it was not the lack of a father, but some key understanding had been missing when raising the first.  For the second she'd hoped for more, a core family that perhaps could include a father alongside two mothers.  Not primary, but a secondary voice in the raising and a figure to turn to.  She had no notion of a father aside from what the lack had cost her so many years ago.

Later.  She stood silent as she thought this, obviously thinking the matter over fully.  Finally she sighed.  There isn't much to forgive; I'm under no pretense of eternal loyalty.  She smirked, then shook her head.  Just, next time, an explanation.  I thought perhaps the sea had claimed you.  She was too tired at this point for grudges and too glad to see a familiar face.  If Erzulie had forgiven him, that was enough for her.  She imagined her own approval, despite being the final word, had been an easier mark to obtain.

WC: 305

she did not think rosencrantz would have been turned away, but stranger things had happened.
"it be good to have you back," she purled softly. between the two she glanced. whatever rosalyn chose to do by way of introductions between the warrior and the little daughter she would trust, but suspected that later in the night they would speak personally upon the matter.

Not being one to sing songs of excuses - he explained himself to Erzulie, perhaps she would break the news somewhat to Rosalyn before he could. For now, he didn't wish to repeat himself the same story he had told one of them. Not if he wasn't asked outright. If they didn't care to ask, he wouldn't grovel. He wouldn't embarrass them all by begging and spewing his reasonings because barely anything was worth vanishing into the wind, none but death. Especially something so selfish as his. 

Because that's all it was. A selfish desire to hold onto his new wife just a little longer before, well, perhaps never seeing her again. Only time would tell, and he trusted she would make the effort. A thought that saddened him still, a thought he would not linger on. Not now, not when the wives needed his full attention, his now properly positioned Alphas. 

As if a weight had just been lifted, Rosalyn was quick to forgive as well. Something he thought was impossible by either of them and yet, he was wholly thankful once again. Even if he had spoken yet in her presence, there was one thing he had to say. Something he had withheld from Erzulie before until both of them were here to listen, together. Shifting to try and face them both, hanging his head in a more humble posture. I'm sorry. He uttered with the utmost honesty. Thank you. 

It was good to be home again.

There was nothing to forgive but Rosalyn appreciated the apology all the same.  He hadn't seemed the type to disappear without a word, so when he had, they'd worried.  Either he had broken their trust or something had happened, and finding out it was the former was at least preferred to the latter.  Following a woman, Rosalyn thought wryly.  Her wife was right - men thought with little about the waist.

She kept that to herself and instead nodded to confirm what Erzulie said.  Welcome home.  She shifted, no longer a symbolic nor physical boundary between him and the cliffs. Hopefully this time the term would stick, though if he chose to go after the one he had pursued before, all she asked was a warning.  Little was worse than when they disappeared, one by one, swallowed seemingly by the waves.

prob last for me! <3 we should have another soon for them to catch up !!!
WC: 140

last for me also <3

rosencrantz, welcomed back into rusalka. she was happy to have him, happy to have his strength as she and her wife envisioned a new future for the pack they had long led and long loved. 
something that did not churn beneath the whims of men.
she would fall into step with the archangel, whisper an abbreviated history of drageda to him, pride shining that they had come to claim the stones with a contented finality.