Firefly Glen [PHE] sweet grain

"who's that?" the young brecheliant woman asked of no one in particular. her children had run off to join another group of young ones, near the moonglow camp. and it was in that direction chickadee had gone.
fanfare and organized marchers marked the second day. she watched in open admiration as the retinue of royals disembarked, her eyes drawn to a tall figure of dark marble who gave certain orders. more were given by his counterpart, a woman who resonated with so powerful a beauty that chickadee was suddenly self-conscious.
yet unable to keep her curiosity from announcing itself, she stole forward, tongue tying in her mouth as one of the group seemed to turn toward her.

Akashingo, Killdeer answered her query, being the closest to hear it. Specifically, I'm not sure. Looks like one of them must be the Pharaoh, which is what they call their leader.

They'd brought a sizable contingent with them, so their numbers must be strong. Killer would never forget his brief time in the red chambers. He had never before experienced anything like the mesa, and perhaps never would again.

He turned to the young woman, smiling at the sight of her. How are you, Chickadee? It's been a little while since we've spoken. She was as kind and sweet as both of her parents; his heart ached a little to think of Eljay and Maia, and he silently, fervently wished them well.

akashingo.
"have you been there?" she asked, searching among them for this pharaoh. but the moonthorn was only curious up until killdeer turned the spotlight on her. "oh! well, we've been good. brecheliant is quiet and the kids are growing up so fast," chickadee sighed. "mama is auspex again and daddy, well. he's teaching me medical stuff," she said, though her face might suggest a wistful aspect to this bit of information.

I have, Killdeer replied, but then the conversation flipped to Brecheliant. I'm glad to hear it. I was sorry to leave y'all, but Daddy duty called. 

For most of his time in Moonspear, he hadn't regretted that decision. He still didn't, for the most part; the myriad children gave him great joy and purpose. But Sialuk's standoffish nature regarding their relationship had soured his attitude somewhat, and it had him wondering 'what if?' on several sleepless nights.

He sighed quietly, and noted the odd tone in Chickadee's voice as she spoke of Eljay. Maybe they both had things they were grappling with.

There's nothing quite like Akashingo, he said, switching topics once more. I was there for a bit as a guardian, during my time in Mereo. There was an alliance, and trouble in the pack. Lots of politics—but lots of pleasure, too.

It was altogether too complicated a place for Killdeer long-term, but he hadn't minded dipping his toe into the maelstrom for at least a little while.

"and i can't blame you very well for that, can i?" she asked in jest, eyes shining. their words moved back to akashingo and she found herself quite interested. "politics? what kind of politics? and mereo —?" she asked, trying to think if she'd ever heard any of these things.
perhaps she had only forgotten! but killdeer here was now to jog her memory, and she looked forward to hearing tastier details of the rich nation.

He always forgot Chickadee was a year his junior, mature as she was for her age. She had been just a child during the events described, and so he made a noise of apology and began to go mentally back, trying to sort through it all. He was pretty young himself when it had all gone down.

Some sort of conflict, Killer started off, a bit vague. Oh, Mereo was a pack in the mountains—very warlike. We trained to be soldiers. And they had an alliance with Akashingo—that's what I mean by politics, he added. Akashingo has a lot of connections and allies. They're also a kingdom, so there's always things happening as far as, you know, who's in power and all that.

Again. . .a little beyond his scope. He preferred the simplicity of traditional wolf hierarchy, where you always knew where you stood. Intriguing as the palace had been, he did not much yearn to return.

I'm sure they've got some juicy stuff happening even now, he added, chuckling.

mereo. soldiers. her eyes widened a little but the bird kept silent as killdeer went on. allies, connections. politics. overwhelmed, chickadee shut her gaze to process, grinning a little as she imagined it all.
"do you ever miss it?" she asked him, turning her head as one or another of the children bounded into view. "would you go back? or do you like it up there," on moonspear. her gaze danced.

That was a loaded question. Yes, he replied slowly, and no. It was what I needed back then—I didn't have a lot of discipline, and Mereo gave me actual responsibility. Helped me grow up.

But it was really strict, Killer added as counterpoint. Training all the time—spars, patrols, and so on. Perfect for some, but for me?

He shook his head and smiled, following her gaze up the great spear that was his home now. I like it much better there, he murmured. My kids are there—and that alone makes it hard to beat. You know what I mean, Killer told her, meeting Chickadee's eyes again. Once you have kids. . .everything changes.

He had at once more and less freedom all at once, and he wouldn't trade it for the world.

"i do know," chickadee said, holding killdeer's eye for a fond moment. "i don't think i ever wanted to wander, but after being in moonglow and then coming home, i don't know i've ever felt so content."
just to be at peace, without chaos, without dramatic words; it was a sensation of goodness that chickadee adored.
"well. time is funny," she sighed next. "who knows? both our kids might end up adventurers, what with all the calm we've managed to achieve. it's a little ironic."

I wouldn't blame them if they did, Killdeer remarked, smirking. Mine, at least. We've all been wanderers in my family—me, my mom, Towhee. . . It would make sense if they felt the same.

But the thought of his children, far-flung and distant, struck a pang in his heart that he didn't anticipate. He winced as it came on and swallowed, hard, trying to ignore the thought of perhaps never seeing them again.

Maybe he wasn't so okay with the prospect, after all.

Mind if I follow you back to Brecheliant's camp? Killer asked. I'd like to say, 'Hi,' before I forget.

wanna fade? thank you for thread! <3

<3 fading & ty!

wandering. dee had felt it; it seemed all the other blackthorn kids had dispersed besides herself. and while chickadee never regretted leaving the great bear, she did have a moment of introspection.
thankfully the little pensive bubble was broken by killdeer.
"of course! come on, i'll collect the kids on the way," she grinned, encouraging him into a little trot.
many years later, the memory of this warm moment would last for chickadee.