Swiftcurrent Creek Are we cool?

@Frederick sorry for the delay!

Arlette hadn't really spoken to Frederick since the little... incident? Well, she didn't want to think of it as an incident because he had corrected it and apologized. Arlette wasn't mad at him, but she was worried that she might have chased him away now. She disliked the idea that someone was afraid or avoiding her.

The pale beta went to look for her fellow pale coated packmate. Perhaps then she could see if it was still a thing or that he had also gotten past it. She trotted into the direction where his scent got fresher. Not wanting to howl in case it felt like a summon.

it was a funny coincidence, really, that frederick had also been seeking out the pale woman. he had first sought out to apologise to both parties after the incident. he had already apologised to milan, which, although terrifying (and also somehow ending in a confession of his love), came somewhat easier than apologising to his boss-landlord, who could practically kick him out at any time whatsoever with little to no warning.

it was also safe to say that he was panicking.

not a whole lot, just a little bit. frederick simply found it somewhat nerve-wracking, this moment, considering that this may be the moment that he has to seek refuge in bearclaw valley. which, hey, might be a good thing, especially considering that's where the love of his life is. but also, would the swiftcurrent wolves come to him if they heard word of adrian? the search for his brother was still incredibly important to him, and he had barely made even a wink of progress. was it time to dedicate everything to the search?

the goliath took a breath, two, three. just a few moments to gather his thoughts, to think, before the appearance of a white, scarred woman flagged within his brain. quiet alarm bells made their attempt to ring out in the back of his mind, but he silenced them, put on a calm, collected face, and moved towards her with a learnt tranquility.

hi, arlette. he spoke first, not at all considering whether or not that would be perceived as rude. what used to be a guarded, covered-in-thorns man now seemed to only wish to get all of his thoughts out on the table. well, here goes:

i'm sorry. about that... whole thing. it's embarrassing. actually, i shouldn't have been embarrassed, i should have just come to you first, or called for you while she waited at the border. it wasn't milan's fault, i was the one that brought her inside. she's very polite. she would've waited for you, and i think you would like her, too.

frederick took a breath, turning his gaze away. examining the river for a few seconds before he would look at arlette once more. i know that smelling a stranger probably rung some alarm bells and that's why you arrived. i can't blame you for that ; i'd freak out, too. so, i'm sorry. he lowered his head. disappointed with himself, mostly.

and, no. he was not going to ask if they were cool.

Our silly little pleasers hahah

Arlette soon found the man in question. He seemed to quickly greet her. She got to greet him in return before he started talking. He instantly moved to the incident, she was glad that she didn't need to start about it. She listened to him but slowly frowned. Just because she didn't agree with him exactly. She let him talk though. First of all, it is not embarrassing, she spoke. I might have overreacted a little but like you said, I smelled a strange scent and just reacted, she admitted. I feel bad about it. But I am in no way mad about it, or mad at you, she offered.

You responded well in that moment by taking her towards the border and apologizing. So you have nothing to be embarrassed about, She assured him. I just hope that I didn't startle Milan too much? It was in no way directed to her personally. I was just a protective mom, she admitted sheepishly. She is welcome, just a heads up and all is well. She is from Bearclaw, right? I like to think of them as allies, though I am not sure if we are officially. Still, I know she doesn't mean any harm. Will you be able to tell her that?, she asked him. She didn't want to stand between the lovers.

sorry for the wait on this !! fred motivation escapes me haha

she was not mad, and at that response frederick let out a sigh that he wasn't completely aware that he had been holding on to. arlette was kind in her answering, letting him now that milan was welcome at any time, and to that, he gave a nod of his head. there was something else, though: something festering, a thought in which he had yet to tell.

yes, of course, he answered, keeping a mental note of telling milan that arlette seems to have no quarrels with her presence within the creek. actually ... there is something that i must tell you, and he took a quick breath. he was sure that the wolves of the creek would not try to tether nor bind him to these lands, but he felt that transparency was rather important. honesty, of sorts. and he had yet to be called for the patrol that akavir had arranged ... was it still ongoing? uncertain, now, he spoke:

milan wishes for me to join her, at the valley, frederick said, carefully scanning arlette's expression. i can't ... i don't like to keep her waiting. though winter is thickening, i can't help but think to spring, and i like to hope that together, milan and i may be able to have children someday. as much as i have appreciated your welcoming, i believe it might be best for me to go to her, for milan seemed less than excited at the prospect of coming to the valley after the 'incident', and so frederick only wished for her comfort. he took a breath, and said: she speaks of sharing a den, how am i to say no? a sheepish grin adorning his features, now.

soon, he would return to @Milan, and they would be undivided.

Same! Holiday blues! Haha

Arlette figured that once she got to speak to Frederick that he might say that he wished to leave, even though it was not her fault. She was already nodding, having a feeling where the conversation was going when he spoke of something he must tell her. The female had a soft smile on her face. I completely understand, Frederick, she assured him. She had left her own pack once, her birth pack for love. Now she regretted not saying goodbye. I'm glad we got to talk about the fact that there are no hard feelings. You are in love, even wanting a family! I cannot say no to that. You have my blessing to go to her if I even have a blessing to give, she hummed.

She hoped that this might strengthen the bond with Bearclaw instead of diminishing it. She had worried that Milan being chased out might have gone the wrong way. They could use allies, as they had little of it. You should go to her, there is no point in being stuck here while you long to be with her, she stated. There is one condition though, if I may be so bold. Perhaps you can help with the bonding between our packs. I do not mind if we stay Neutral, or perhaps even become allies but at least that there is no ill feelings towards one another.

your blessing means much to me, came words that were decorated with a chuckle and a nod of his head. he was glad, oh, so glad, to know that arlette approved, and would give him a polite send-off. i will speak to milan about that, and hopefully she will be able to commune with their leaders. i'm sure that bearclaw valley will be more than happy to have more allies, because, well, who wouldn't? especially during the winter.

with a breath, then, he said: i will catch some prey for the caches ... but i wish to go silently, he was beginning to regret not reaching out to the wolves of this pack. and ... thank you, arlette, for you have given me the courage that i needed to reach.

frederick gave a single nod ; within it was a sense of finality.

he turned away, then, and moved to the hunting grounds.

exit fred !!