Redsand Canyon A dirt road's singing me a siren song

Falling asleep wrapped in Germanicus' embrace, and waking up in a similar manner, had done wonders for transforming her outlook. It should probably have been embarrassing if she bothered to introspect - but through the morning she was too optimistic, and the afternoon too pensive over everything that was happening. It was hard to believe it was real.

She wanted to tell Towhee but she would wait and give it at least a few more days. Just in case he changed his mind, or something else caused this entire thing to implode in her face. Something like Fennec screwing something up, or even Ruenna coming back.

If she did, Fennec was willing to bet it would fall to her to end this thing because Germanicus was the very picture of a man who would fall on his sword to uphold his honor. Too bad for him, Fennec wasn't going to stomach round two of ruining a husband's life with nothing but her presence. She would set him loose to chase what he missed - and she hated that it already hurt to think about it. Only a day and she was diving deeper than she should be.

She paused in her walking to stretch, then yawned broadly and listened. She could hear some noise a ways off and that was what she allowed to lead her to the sparring pits. It was about time she officially met her packmates. She would try to find a match for a round or two, and maybe she'd even try not pissing them off in the process.

Reyson knew nothing of the changes that had transpired while he was away, but he was training hard now that he had returned. He had some energy to burn off, a newfound lease on life. He also had to think hard about how he wanted to best court Meadow. She was a complex wolf and one he wanted to make sure he treated her well and made sure she got what she wanted.

He brushed a paw over the dirt and was jolted from his warm up, by paw step on sand. He tilted his head and eyed Fennec as she came near the sparring pits. Though their first spar had been disastrous he had realized she didn't want pity.

So he chuffed and spoke. Would you like to Spar, Lady Fennec?

Of course it would be him. She did promise to try not to be a bitch, right? This thought crossed her mind with a touch of amusement, though she knew even the previous times she hadn't really had a reason. She wouldn't apologize, but she wasn't likely to repeat unless he decided to give her one this time.

I don't think ladies make a habit of rolling in the dirt with random men. Fortunately for you, I've only met them. Never claimed to be one myself. She wasn't about to mention her new mateship. It didn't come with a title to her knowledge and she preferred it that way - any rank she held she wanted to earn with her own skill. If their relationship went up in smoke she wouldn't have her place here in ashes with it. It would be hers completely and not tied to Germanicus, and his private life, in any way.

She remembered that Reyson was larger than she was; she'd need to be quick to get the upper paw. Fennec readied. It was tempting not to even wait for a confirmation, but she was playing this one by his rules. That meant she had to play fair.

You prefer rolling to see who wins correct? I did it out of twenty. 10

Reyson snorted, a small smile on his maw. He quiped back, finding no harm in a joke between soldiers, much like he and Towhee. He wondered if her daughter had the same type of humor.

I think it depends on the breed of lady we are talking about. I prefer the ones willing to get a little dirty.

Reyson went into a crouch. He realized his error last time, in trying to be kind and he would not do so again. She would get the best of him, as he did with all his spars, her handicap, though truthfully it may prove a strength.

got a 7 in discord! Makes sense ^^ she'll be a bit rusty <3. You can pp to pin her and end it at any time!

She couldn't hear him tense, but it also didn't sound like he moved immediately after his response. She appreciated the way he returned her joke, but the points it earned went unacknowledged right now. She was going to kick this thing off.

Fennec should have rarely been the aggressor in an actual fight, but she'd snapped first on more than a few occasions. She at least treated this one like a proper spar, darting in to clip him where she estimated his shoulder to be, then wheeling around and dancing backwards with her teeth forwards. She couldn't leave her back exposed to him.

I usually try and get 10 replies. Old habit. I'm not sure if threads still need 10 to count.

At least she didn't reprimand him this time. or flay strips of his hide off with her words. That was a plus, right? Progress. He wasn't sure how to take this she wolf ever, but well she at least kept things interesting right.

A low grunt came from him as she connected. She had not been ready for her to attack first, but he quickly shifted into a position to nip at her side as she danced backward. He would attempt to unbalance her, because it was clear she was never gonna turn her back. Smart on her part.

So with low growl, he shoved forward after her own shoulder and side.

no worries! Def fine to go a few rounds first, but whenever you want to take the win, feel free to power play how he gets it!

10 isn't a hard rule, but I think some PMs might prefer it. I usually go by how relevant it is ^^

His growl let her know where he was. She managed to spin out of the way so that his shove didn't overbalance her, but it was a near thing. Fennec hadn't sparred like this often. Generally when she fought, it was either entirely playful (with Fig) or meant to make her forget they were sparring (with Niamh). She found she didn't mind it as much as she thought she would. It was still a challenge, but it was.. different. Instinct didn't matter as much as paying attention.

But it mattered a bit, especially for her. It was risky but now was the time, before he caught on and stopped making noise entirely. Fennec rose up and aimed to put a forepaw on his shoulders while grabbing for his scruff with her teeth. She might still miss, and she'd have to be quick to avoid retaliation, but she needed to figure out a weakness in his form. There had to be some way she could knock him off balance.

Reyson realized too late his error. And he quickly grew silent. Her senses were heightened to make up for her eye sight.

She was adjusting and adapting to his movements. Each one a meeting of his own. She was mostly on the defensive, but he hoped she was learning from him as he was from her.

Paws met his shoulders and she attempted to grasp at his scruff, what she hadn't realized that most of his shoulders was scarring, so he felt it quicker and pushed his head hard into her chest, attempting to push her off balance.

Her satisfaction at making contact was short lived. He rounded on her before she could take any advantage of it, forcing her to instinctually lift off and attempt to spring back.

Before she could do so, while she was still in motion, his head struck home right in her chest. She was knocked sideways immediately and hit the ground hard.

Fennec was winded, and for a second she felt a flash of panic. Did she....? No, it just felt like a normal "wind was knocked out of her" breathlessness. No old injuries retriggered, thank fuck. (She would have deserved it, for being stupid enough to let herself fall on this side.)

Shit. That was twice, right? Fuck, she needed to practice.

She had tried her hand and had he been another wolf, she may have gotten that hit in, managed to grasp his scruff. It still hurt a little where her claws had grasped and scraped along his scar, cutting pieces of it open, but nothing that was terrible.

She landed hard and for a moment A stirring of panic began in Reyson's breast, but she seemed okay, and he rounded upon her and placed a paw on her chest, near her throat. But he didn't press, and he wasn't sure if she wouldn't try and get up again.

I think I win this round Lady Fennec. Would you like to try again? You fought well, i learned some new things from you. Thank you.

Maybe in a minute. She replied a little breathlessly, sitting up. At first she'd been defensively annoyed when his paw pressed her chest, but the tension diffused when he spoke. He was nice... and she probably didn't deserve it. Had she ever not been a bitch?

How long have you been training like that? Maybe it was overestimation of herself but it seemed like he was impressive. Maybe her only takeaway was she should be more careful compromising her footing moving forward. From what she could tell, a lot of what he did wouldn't easily translate for her.

A soft chuckle rose from his throat, but he backed away to give her room to reorient herself with her surroundings and possibly get up. He hadn't meant to make her fall so hard. Though she seemed no worse for wear. Reyson wasn't certain if he was nice or just polite, but he had always been this way.

A soft hum in his throat as he thought of the answer. How old had he been, how long had it been. A frown on his face. I believe I was about 4 months old when I was taken into military service. On the field at 6 months. What about you? How long have you been training, Lady Fennec?

Ever since I could sneak across the borders. I used to go up the mountain paths, and sometimes I'd run into trouble. Wraen had started her training, but she'd fought ever since to measure up and survive.

At least, I assumed I was sneaking at the time. Now I wonder if they didn't know and just let me go anyway. Mom would. Fennec smirked, finding it hard to imagine Towhee stopping her. She'd been dead-set on her rebellion when she'd started all of this but her parents had never tried to hold her back before. Funny how things became clearer the more you grew up.

Places like these aren't much for letting kids be kids, are they? She asked, her mind going there for a number of reasons. Killer had grown up in the Caldera. If she and Germanicus... then they'd grow up here. She wondered how much he expected of them, and how much he expected her own opinions to differ. There was no way he was ready, she thought, extremely amused by the prospect of it.

A small smile hovered over the one side of his maw. Amusement in his words. I like mountain paths myself. It's something that works your body, but also clears your mind. You don't have to think hard on more than where your path is going.

A low chuckle burred deep in his chest. I think you're probably right in that regard. Towhee is a good wolf, and she seems to have raised those of hers I have met well.

Reyson sighed. No they aren't. To many expectations. And you are expected to adhere to a certain way of life. Dutiful, loyal, responsible. No questioning. At least that was my experience as a child, but it was not this pack nor these wolves.

She disagreed heavily but was used to doing so. Things that were simple for him were often dangerous for her, but she didn't see much point in underlining that. Fennec always enjoyed when anyone who spoke with her didn't take the differences into account.

She snorted in amused disbelief. You can't teach someone not to ask questions. You can only teach them not to ask you. But she kept her smile. She couldn't tell it Reyson believed what he said or not, but he wasn't the one who mattered. It wasn't his kids she might be having one day.

She could always find out. He'd raised kids before here. Fennec filed that way for future consideration.

How would you say you turned out? She asked, pointedly putting him on the spot.

Fennec made it clear that she didn't wish anyone to take her differences into account. Though she also made it hard, when she used her differences like armor and a reason to be prickly all the time. But it was not his place to say such things. That was for someone who she was closer too, to say. Because were he to say it, it would just cause her more anger.

Reyson frowned and looked down. The marks on his hide, itching and burning as he remembered. His voice overly quiet.

Actually you can. If you get them young enough and you hurt them enough. They grow quiet.

He shifted and lifted his head back up. That was then and this was now.


Her question drew a dry laugh from him. Always to the point Lady Fennec. I like that. Hrm.

He grew quiet, thinking. I would say I turned out okay or I like to think so, but i can certainly see a difference in myself with others. I'm not one that will ask questions when given a command from a leader, at least I didn't used to be. I am stand offish, and short, brusque even. Sometimes too honest, and what i say can hurt. I equate my own worth to what I can do and my soldier expertise. I don't understand family, children make me nervous, and noise and crowds drive me insane.

There was more so much more, but it was not the time or the place to share it. She didn't need to know that sometimes loud noises woke him and he ran blindly, because of all the noise that had been in the trenches. There were times when he was so restless he had to break things.

don’t mind fennec XD I tend to write my characters as unreliable narrators, so their thoughts are their own. Don’t ever feel like you have to justify your characters bc of it! I know fenn (and others I play) are a little unreasonable ^^

Well, he brought that down to real terms quickly. Fennec twitched her tail. He wasn’t wrong, but she still didn’t entirely buy it. Just because they aren’t asking out loud doesn’t mean they aren’t asking. She responded, her expression slightly raised. He seemed to be speaking from experience and she filed it away in her list of things to know about him.

I appreciate blunt honesty. I’d rather know than not and, honestly, anyone who’d rather hear lies probably is just trying to avoid having to change. When you know all of your fuck ups, makes it a lot easier when other wolves bring them up. Now it was her turn to have her expression fall a tidge. Better that than a coward who only says what they think you want to hear. Eventually the truth has to come out. And it would always hurt worse the longer it took.

<3 that is why they are so awesome :)

Reyson felt a small smile take up residence on his maw. She wasn't wrong, however, he also knew intimately what happened even if you asked quietly. If you gave a questioning look or your eyes betrayed you. Thus he had learned quickly to shut it down.

Until you learn to hide it.

Reyson listened closely and gave a soft nod, though he added words to it as well. Forgetting for a moment that Lady Fennec wouldn't have seen the nod.

That is all I ask for with anyone, and any type of relationship I'm in. Platonic, Romantic, what have you. Honesty. And I offer the same.

He frowned. Cowards tend to do that.

She would let it go - he wasn’t wrong there. Sometimes lying was for fun, sometimes it was a survival instinct. Lucky for her, and unluckily for perhaps everyone else, not asking questions wasn’t a lesson she’d ever needed to learn.

She grinned in a way that was almost predatory. Oh, she appreciated that he was so quick to agree outright like that. They do.

And likewise. It’s my only condition. Well, the only one that wasn’t personal. She knew where hers come from, but where did his? She wondered if his previous loves had gone up in flames like hers had. It can be hard to find.

Reyson had always hated lies, because it sometimes got wolves killed. That was not something he liked on his conscious. He had commanders that had lied, before he had gotten into a position higher than them. Then he had always made a way for his soldiers to know what they were signing up for. It was why his contingents were small and they trusted each other.

It can be hard to find, but i refuse to allow myself or others get hurt, because someone was too foolish to too cowardly to tell the truth. And 9 chances out of 10 at least when soldiers are concerned, the more informed they are, and the more they trust you. The more they are likely to follow you to hell. Which sounds cold, but i'd rather have two soldiers i trust to be honest than twenty i don't know their intentions. That gets wolves killed.

Fennec couldn’t help smirking at that. She was thinking of family and of course he was thinking of war. She could live here all of her life and she knew she would never be a soldier at heart. She didn’t have it in her to go through life following orders.

It’s not about them trusting me. It would be about me trusting them. She responded honestly, knowing how that sounded. But it was the truth. They could choose whether to trust her or not themselves, but as long as she felt things were hidden, she wouldn’t be able to move forward.

I would always rather know what someone is thinking about me. The truth of it. Maybe that’s why things always seem to get fucked up when I try to go leadership. Hard to get honest opinions when everyone thinks they need to kiss your ass to stick around. She’d been riddled with insecurity both times she’d tried to lead, thinking she was resented more than anything else.

Maybe Mereo would be different, if she ever got the chance. Or maybe it wouldn’t be.

Reyson could have maybe turned his thoughts towards family. But the simple fact was, he knew war and battle and blood better than love, care and home. Not that he didn't year for that, who didn't, but it was not something he had easy access too.

Reyson chuckled. I trust barely anybody, so I can understand that.

He could probably count on one paw the amount of wolves he trusted, and unfortunately not even the Imperator was on that list. He had trusted before, and wolves had died.

Reyson frowned. Well it's ingrained isnt' it. SO many packs, expect you to kiss their ass to stay. So until you prove that you don't need that. That someone isn't going to get their ass handed to them or shoved outside for speaking their mind. They won't. It's that simple. So you want honesty. Here's my question then Lady Fennec.

Did you listen to them when they tried to talk to you and actually listen? Or did you take everything they said and interpret it in your own way and instead of asking if you were right or wrong. You got offended by what they said and immediately assumed they were not being kind to you or doing you wrong in some way? Hmm.?

Reyson studied her then. HE had spoken with her on two occasions before this and both times she had taken everything he said the wrong way. Interpreted it in her own way and refused to listen to him. So it seemed to him, she wanted honesty, but was too selfish or perhaps bull headed to take the honesty as it was given. And ask for clarification.

Fennec had to fight to keep her composure on this one. Reyson had no way of knowing how closely he was echoing the criticisms she’d had shoved in her face time after time. Nor did he have any way of knowing how hard she had actually tried to change. How much it had hurt when those changes weren’t recognized.

I listened. And I tried, when it was important. But none of it mattered. Her voice did take on a slight edge, but it slipped off a bit when she addressed him directly. I don’t try for everyone. Nobody needs to take advice from strangers who don’t know them. Or criticism. She knew her faults better than anyone.

Reyson didn't know what she had been through. It was not his place to ask. He could simply go on how she treated him and the things she had said to him in brief moments of conversation. When she took everything he said and handed it back with razors upon them. Except this time. This time she was different.

I"m sure it mattered. Perhaps not to them. But to you, showed you where your heart lied, your convictions and what you truly wanted. That's all we can really ask for right. Is to be at peace with ourselves. We are not responsible for anyone's feelings about us, only our own.

Just as she was about to correct him, he corrected it for her. She huffed skeptically, but then smirked. Sure, maybe it did mean something to her that she’d done it. But she still wasn’t sure that was enough. It had hardly brought her peace.

Well, thanks doc. If I need a life coach anytime soon, I’ll make sure I come to you. As long as it comes at a discount. Teasing aside, she had appreciated this conversation. It was just approaching a level of sincerity that she wasn’t quite able to appreciate outwardly. She’d rather slip back into her usual defensive snark, albeit this time with good-natured teasing.

Probably time to do something more productive though. Good spar - we’ll do it again, soon. She’d let him say anything else he wanted, then head out to patrol or attempt a hunt. She’d been trying the latter more and more as she grew comfortable in the territory, though she still hadn’t managed much.