Northstar Vale honeyed goblet

tamar fell into melancholy.

when she was not nursing her sons, she was asleep, or perhaps staring out of the den.

this afternoon, she forced her head up, forced herself to groom tangles from her fur, and called for @Reyson. 

the pale eyes were dulled but hopeful as she waited for him to arrive. and perhaps arsenio might be irritated to have him so close, but tamar must see.

Reyson heard a call for him and he froze realizing who it was. He stopped only momentarily to grab a rabbit. Still warm and bleeding. He trotted towards the den.

He stopped outside uncertain. But slowly he pressed near the den mouth and lay the rabbit at his feet. And gently chuffed. He didn't want to wake the babes.

a thump of her tail.

an inhale. "come closer," she invited in a weak monotone.

she wanted to set her eyes upon him.

[

He pressed further. Setting the rabbit nearer to her. Eyes adjusting to the area around them. Looking downard to make sure no oversized paws bumped little.

Ears flicked. Lady Tamar.

"just tamar," she said in a soft voice.

she lifted a foreleg to show him slumbering saleem and sylianos.

"i do not think they would be here without meadow." and it was for meadow she spoke now, and for the man in front of her. "she believes i do not like you." something entered her eyes, was gone.

"will you tell me what you feel?"

He titled an ear towards her. A soft smile at the sleeping littles. Congratulations on your younglings.

He froze and titled his head. Looking away from her as he sorted through his emotions.

What i think doesn't really matter, but.

He licked along seam of muzzle in throught. I don't believe you trust me. I also think you believe me dangerous and you think akashingo has broken me. When it really just bent me.

He sighed. But i also recognize i put you in a difficult position when i shared harsh words with your child.

tamar shook her head. 

"it does matter to me."

reyson was contemplative. she shared in this quiet moment.

"akashingo broke me. your closeness to it was a — trial. i did not know if you would bring it here, to the vale." and so she had become cool.

of antigone; her brow furrowed with pain. "my son struck his father. he can no longer be here. i — thought it was best for you also to go, lest antigone also seek you out." 

at length, tamar reached her paw to reyson. "i never knew my son was capable of this. it is a failure of my own. and in the moment i did not know what i should do. but i was wrong."

Reyson studied her, but said no more about the palace. He had hated it there. It should have been enough, but it wasn't and she had let her color of the pharaoh color him similar and it rankled. But it was also over and for Meadow's sake he could and would let it go.

Reyson was surprised that Antigone had struck his fathwr. All because he wouldn't make Reyson leave? That was disgusting news and also worrying. Would Antigone start a war with his family over this?

She reached for him and though he didn't quite know what she wanted. He shifted his paw so she could touch it if that's what she wanted.

He shook his head. No you were probably right. Had he sought out and struck me given my training and his stubborness despite that I would try and get away. If he continued to attack, I eventually would have to defend and that wouldn't be good.

Reyson titled his head. I can endure, but you've hurt Meadow. I would ask you speak with her soon rather than later.

tamar was not certain.

but she nodded, pressing his larger roughened paw once before withdrawing, tucking it beneath her chest. "i will speak with her. i wished to hear your voice first, however."

it did not feel that there was resolution. she felt her heart lurch in agony for antigone.

"i do not want you only to endure, reyson. i want you to be part of us."

Reyson offered her a soft smile. And dipped his head. Thank you.

Reyson studied her again. I will try, but it goes both ways, trust. And I don't feel trusted by you or your husband anymore. But I will try and become a part

That was if Meadow even still wanted to stay. She had seemed upset earlier and firm on her thoughts.

"then i will earn it from you."

so long as he was here.

the boys stirred; one whined. tamar guided them to her belly with a tired sigh.

"when you are ready, speak with arsenio." her eyes found his own; would reyson see the value?

Blue eyes sparked for a moment and dip to his head. I will endeavor the same.

Reyson was content to live and die here. At least he had been. Now it dependedon what Meadow wanted.

I'll seek him out. He titled an ear and pressed nose to her paw soft and kind. rest well, when you can.

it hurt.

that she had not trusted. that he sought to comfort her even now. "thank you for your gifts."

she fought her tears to offer reyson a regal nod.

"be well," in return. tamar would watch him go, and then she would sleep.