Redhawk Caldera From Bissau to Palau, in the shade of Avalon

Especially compared to Mereo but even Akashingo, life here in Brecheliant was slow. Even after Atreus’s ankle felt better, nothing was asked of him in particular. For the first few weeks, he felt a little disoriented and more than a little restless. But as the one month mark sneaked up on him, Atreus felt like he’d settled back into the easygoing rhythm of this place.

He kept himself busy by exploring every inch of the caldera, including the caverns beneath. They reminded him of being back at the palace. He had never been a fan of the subterranean hallways, luxurious as they were, so Atreus didn’t spend much time underground. He preferred walking along the territory’s rim and enjoying the views, which included the mesa in the distance.

Atreus stood there now, gazing at the palace. He knew he ought to go back and explain himself in person. By all accounts, @Amalia’s conversation with Toula had gone well enough. They weren’t going to come looking for him, as far as he knew, and might have even written him off by now. Still, Atreus felt it would be most respectful to bid his formal farewells to Makono et al…

He turned his back on the horizon and began climbing down into the caldera, headed toward the place some called the Hobbit Hole. There was a little hill over it with some sort of blossoming tree. It was one of Atreus’s favorite spots to simply sit and think.

Amalia had been staying away from everyone, Atreus especially. It wasn't because she didn't care about him with every fiber of her being or that he wasn't literally her best friend, but the herbs had only worked half way, and he was still a man after all. And the way she had been converged upon by three wolves, it had shaken the very foundations of herself and she didn't like it.

But that time was finally over and she was happy to go in search of him today, when her scent was no more and she could be around him without causing him or her any embarrassment or situations they didn't want.

He seemed to like the place that Killdeer had shown her the placed called Hobbit Hole, but that was the last time she saw the wolf Killdeer, as she had guessed he left quickly as they always did. It was why she didn't share her heart with anyone.

Atreus! She called out when she caught a glimpse of his fur with a smile in her voice and in her eyes.

The flowers had been pink just a few weeks ago. Now, they were faded, many of them scattered on the ground below the tree. Atreus walked beneath its shade and looked up at the green leaves fluttering in the breeze. He smiled, then dropped his nose and brushed it through the drifts of blossoms. He pushed a few dozen into a pile, then gently lowered himself among them. Their fragrance surrounded him and, he hoped, stuck to his fur.

Amalia found him like that, a former soldier and guardian of pharaohs rolling around in pretty flowers. Atreus didn’t mind being “caught.” This sort of thing really suited his new life here. As she came closer, he snuffled at some of the nearest petals and then patted the space next to him, inviting Amalia to join him.

I like it here, he told her, but I’ve spent all this time exploring the place and not enough time talking to the other people who live here, Atreus admitted with a thoughtful frown. Maybe we could find some of them today and you could introduce me?

Amalia came upon her friend rolling among the blossoms and without missing a beat she quickly joined him, flopping down with a happy sigh. She wriggled and moved until finally she was comfortable.

Amalia's ears went to her head quickly. We can try. But I haven't conversed with many of them myself. We all just sort of go about our days. Hmm Bridget and Teya maybe around to speak with. Have you met Eljay? And did you talk long to the children? Bronco is also out there, he's usually with his children.

It sounded like his experience wasn’t unusual. It actually made Atreus think of Mereo. Everyone there had been so busy being soldierly, they hadn’t really taken time to develop deep interpersonal relationships. At least, he hadn’t. It had worked for him at the time, though now that his life had taken on a much slower pace, he decided he wanted to pursue more meaningful connections.

Maybe we can get to know some of them together then, he said with a smile. I know Bridget, a little. I haven’t met anybody named Teya, Eljay or Bronco. And I haven’t met any little kids, he said with a shake of his head, not entirely sure he’d know what to do around the latter.

Thinking about striking up friendships made his mind wander to Inkeri for the first time in a long time. He wondered how she was doing. Atreus still didn’t think himself equipped to support someone like her appropriately, though he craved the bond they’d managed to briefly share. Having Amalia close by was wonderful but it would be nice to have more than one dear friend in his life…

Is there anyone here who’s close to my age? he asked.

Specifically, he wondered if there were any young women here. He thought of Toula and Makono, wilting a little on the inside. They’d both been great and he hoped they still thought well of him. But chances were they might be disappointed in him for not returning, if they ever even thought of him at all.

Amalia was loud and exuberant at times, but it only hid a shy and insecure heart mostly. She wasn't one that made friends easily. Though she tried.

She nodded. They are nice or seem to be. That is how most of Brecheliant is, all niceness. Not much of anything bad, which is good.

That didn't make much sense, but she knew what she was trying to say, hopefully he understood too.

She nodded. Yes a few girls. Dwin, Chickadee, and one or two other's. I can't remember all their names.

There was a nagging sensation about one of those names, but she couldn't remember why.

His ears stood alert as Amalia named a few young she-wolves in the pack. She mentioned some others, though nothing concrete. Atreus pondered this momentarily, shuffling his paw idly among the soft blossoms tucked around him.

I should probably prioritize meeting Teya. Am I using that word right? Prioritize? Atreus said. She’s the other leader besides Maia, right? Could we look for her?

Amalia realized as she said the names. That there were mostly girls in the packlands. Hardly any males. She wondered briefly for a moment at it, until he spoke again. She tilted ears forward and gave a soft nod of her head.

Yes let's go find @Teya.

Amalia motioned for him to follow. You are using it correctly and she's usually near her den with the littles.

Amalia agreed. Atreus pushed onto all fours, brushing some petals from his fur with a small smile. He then trotted after her, ears pricking atop his head when she said the word “littles.”

I’ve never been around little kids, he thought aloud. Do you like kids? Atreus asked before realizing with a laugh, That’s a dumb question! You were so nice to me, when I was little. Remember how you growled at me at first, though? he recollected with another huff of laughter.

Gosh, that really was funny to think about now, considering how close they had become! Of course, Amalia had warmed to him almost right away that first day. It had taken Atreus a bit longer to thaw, though he’d gotten there in the end. And he was so glad, his eyes shining now as they rested on the face of his friend turned sister.

She chuckled at the petals that fell from his fur and danced along the wind and then landed whisperlike on the ground. So pretty.

I do yes. Though i haven't had much time to be around them. Amalia chuckled. That was not a good time for me. There was so many changes going on in our small pack it was on the edge of disbanding and there were bad feelings. It wasn't a good time. I'm sorry i growled at you if I scared you.

She leaned over to nudge him gently, kindly with her nose a crooked smile on her face, a snaggle tooth sticking out. I'm glad i met you.

I don’t think you scared me, exactly, he thought back, trying to recall. I remember thinking something like, ‘oh, here’s another terrible lady’ or something like that. My mom had disappeared and my aunt was… Atreus jerked a paw in the air. But then you turned out to be so nice and caring. I think you may have single-handedly changed my mind about women, actually…

Amalia reached out to nudge him, an action that would’ve had him shying away back then. But now, he grinned and nipped at the ruff of dark fur circling her face. His tail waved as his paws momentarily pranced along the ground before he settled and resumed a normal walk again.

I’m so glad I came here to live with you. I don’t really know why I didn’t do it sooner, Atreus posited, shrugging. Happy I’m here now, though. What’s Teya like?

atreus and amalia. admittedly, teya knew little of them both, just that they were warm individuals and therefore fit well into the culture of brecheliant.
the little ones were quiet for now, having nursed. teya glanced up at the approach with a thump of her tail, rising to greet the pair.
taking this moment to truly look at both of them, she waved her plume. "it nice to see you again, amalia. and you too, atreus." though she was not sure they had been formally introduced, and knew him only in passing.

Amalia didn't know the soft voiced she wolf well. She knew her in passing. Had met her a time or two, but mostly Amalia stuck to herself. She offered a smile in return and a warm deference where it was due to the 2nd leader of the pack.

it's good to see you too.

It wasn’t long before the pair approached a den. Atreus fell quiet, testing the air and memorizing the scents here. The most predominant one belonged to the she-wolf who stepped out to greet them, with gold-spun fur, a svelte build and expressive eyes.

The two women exchanged pleasantries, leaving Atreus to say, It’s good to formally meet you, Teya. We’re not bothering you, are we? he added, leaning his head a little to glance past her, trying to get a glimpse of the puppies presumably tucked inside the den.

"not at all," teya said to the others, though she motioned that they should step some feet away. "they eat. they sleep." her face was beatific a moment, glowing through its tired nature. "you feeling better? and welcome to brecheliant."
"something wrong?" teya inquired, though she did not see that it was, not from how they acted before her now.

Atreus stepped back sheepishly when Teya gestured, brow furrowing slightly. He resisted the impulse to glance at the puppies again, instead focusing all of his attention on the Raven and the questions on her lips.

Yes, thank you, Atreus said, pausing and glancing over at Amalia before adding, Oh, no, nothing’s the matter. I just wanted to meet you formally, since you’re the other leader.

He wasn’t great at small talk, though he didn’t want to simply introduce himself and then bail. Atreus shifted his weight, kind of wishing Amalia would say something, trying to think of something to say himself.

How old are they? he asked, pointing a toe. What are their names? Is their dad around?

Atreus glanced around, though he didn’t see anybody. Only after his eyes returned to Teya’s pleasant features did he realize he had phrased that question a bit awkwardly. He just hoped he hadn’t inserted his whole foot in his mouth…

Skipping Amalia with permission (given on Discord).

"ah, this bronte. boris. and ponyboy." atreus' phrasing did indeed garner a curious look from teya, but no more than that. "bronco. he hunting," she explained, glancing between the pair.
were they a pair?
the raven did not think so. 
"about two months." give or take. she smiled at them both and sighed in quiet happiness. "is nice to have pack help."

They had funny names, he thought, though Atreus knew better than to make that comment. Their dad was Bronco, who was off hunting. He received this information with a nod, glad that Teya hadn’t taken his strange phrasing the wrong way.

The Raven’s remark about help made his ears perk atop his head as he asked, Is there anything we can do you for you guys? We weren’t doing anything else, Atreus said, motioning at Amalia, so we’d be happy to get you anything you need.

A part of him thrilled at the idea of a task. Although he had relaxed into the easygoing way of life here, he would always be a trained soldier at his core, eager to protect and serve.

"food, always," the raven sighed, deciding to rely more heavily on her packmates this time around. "fish is good. but anything is good," teya hastened.
her ears flicked.
"i bring them to meet everyone soon, another month maybe," she told the pair, her eyes bright.

He barely registered her latter remark, instead focused on the task set before him. Teya could use some food, specifically fish. Atreus exchanged a glance with Amalia, then returned his attention to the Raven.

We’ll go fetch you something now, he said, already feeling significantly more integrated here after this brief exchange. We’ll be back soon, he added, turning and giving Amalia a nudge as he trotted off toward the caldera’s namesake landmark.

Feel free to wrap and/or ship to the archives (and assume they eventually brought back a snack of some sort!). :)