Arrow Lake and i found her with some other lover

idly, the titan followed after @Ruenna’s scent in the snow, with no real destination in mind. he admitted he was guilty of indoctrinating the woman to diaspora, and then just as quickly leaving her — it was shameful he hadn’t checked in with her more often, and now it was quite some time since she had first stepped foot in their claim. 

with his own failures in mind as a packmate, thorn walked after the she-wolf’s scent — neither hurrying nor dallying as he went.

Several times now Ruenna had caught Thorn's scent on the breeze, and so she slowed, thinking that the Tessarius might be tracking her. It hadn't taken Thorn long to climb back up to the rank he had gifted Rue a few short moons ago, and that didn't surprise Rue in the least. Rue herself had also risen steadily, which was a more unexpected development especially considering the amount of talent, strength and ambition that Diaspora harbored. 

"Looking for me?" Rue called as she spied Thorn's dark, hulking silhouette nearing. She waved her tail to welcome Thorn closer. It had been quite a while since they caught up, hadn't it?

thorn’s efforts at last bore fruit; before him stood the centurion, no doubt informed of his company by the fickle wind. a guilty smile played his lips — for he had indeed been looking for her. 

slowing his gait so that their strides matched, the dark tessarius apprised ruenna’s condition and then remarked: it’s been a while- it seems diaspora is a good fit for you. how have you liked things? in part thorn regretted thieving her from the creek only to leave her to her own devices — but he knew ruenna to be far stronger than her slight figure suggested, and knew she had managed thus far without much aid from him.

Thorn fell into an easy stride beside her. Rue was reminded of their journey from Swiftcurrent Creek, back before Rue had ever laid eyes upon Arrow Lake. That was, what, two moons ago now? Three? It was hard to believe so much time had passed. Her stay in Diaspora had been so calm and peaceful, it almost felt like time should be standing still. 

"It's exactly what I needed," Rue replied. "The routine, the quiet, the easy camaraderie.. it's been.." Rue paused, searching for the right word. "..Refreshing. Healing." Speaking of healing, her thoughts turned to their injured packmate. "I heard that you were the one who found Ketzia," Rue led, hoping Thorn might be able to offer some more details about the situation.

so much time, it seemed, had passed since ruenna came to diaspora -- that now, thorn could scarce recall a time before she had been among them. little did he know in a few week's time, ruenna's presence would no longer be felt among their ranks .. something that not even thorn would fault her for when the time came.

he too marveled at the ease in which they walked; two comrades, enjoying a tranquil patrol. had life always been this easy and simple?

his steps slowed as ketzia was mentioned; a dark emotion stole across his features, one clearly identified as passing fear. he had hated the heights, the dangers, seeing his friend nearly indisposed. "stranded on the cliffs." he remarked as helpfully as he could, his tone fraught with worry for the woman. "and in much worse shape than she leads on."

Rue shook her head. "I'm glad you found her when you did." She shuddered to think what Thorn would have discovered had his trip to the cliffs been delayed by a week or two. The pair traveled in heavy silence for a dozen or so paces before Rue switched to a considerably lighter subject.

"How have things progressed with your Swiftcurrent Creek beauty?" Rue asked nonchalantly, with only the slightest edge of teasing. She figured that she and Thorn were close enough to talk about-- and perhaps chuckle over-- such things.

thorn too was relieved to have found ketzia - though thinking back on their encounter he found himself growing somewhat distressed. if he had never been there... or if the wind had been too loud to hear her calls ...

he shook the morbid thought from his mind, glad that ruenna had tactfully steered the conversation to a lighter subject. "oh, aria." he offered a rueful smile, though no bitterness came of his voice. "it was fun while it lasted -- but i court her no longer."

such was life; it gave you unpredictable turns, and overturned even your best laid plans. thorn shrugged good-naturedly. "and what about you? have you had any pursurers this season?"

Rue dipped her head knowingly. "A shame," she answered, tone equally lighthearted. A shame, perhaps, but not a surprise. Aria struck Rue as the type who was more into flirting and courting than she was into the prospect of raising a near-stranger's children. And who could blame her? 

Rue gave a small laugh as he turned the question to her. "None who have made themselves known." What might she and Soltero have become, if Rue hadn't abandoned the Creek? What lay in her future, here in Diaspora? Her mind turned unbidden to the statuesque Kapitan, and Rue pushed those thoughts away before they were even fully-formed. 

"It's tough out there, for the romantics of the world," Rue commented, smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. She supposed that if she were simply after a quick roll in the snow and a heap of children, there would be an ample supply of offers. But Rue wanted so much more than that, and she was willing to hold out for as long as it took to find it.

indeed -- who could blame aria? the self-confidence that imbued thorn's blood did not extend to her own; understandably, she likely looked at the prospect of mateship and offspring as a permanent anchor, whereas thorn regarded it as a pinnacle to be obtained. perhaps that was what drove them apart -- they wanted different things in life.

he afforded ruenna a small smile that soon broke into a grin despite his best efforts. "it is tough," he exclaimed with a scoff, looking past them as if beleaguered by his failure. "but romantics will win out in the end. you will get yours, and i will get mine." thorn, while surprised to learn none had pursued ruenna, did not fault her for it. the pickings in diaspora were slim -- and truth be told, thorn questioned their kapitan's interest in women from time to time.

<33 i hope rue finds a man (or woman lmao) that treats her RITE! thank you for threading with me, i really enjoyed the two together <333

Rue smile widened at Thorn took on a playfully dramatic look. Although it was delivered in the same lighthearted tone, his prediction felt more deliberate... it was a reflection of Thorn's true beliefs, perhaps. "What a romatic viewpoint," Rue commented, still chuckling. Fanciful, might be a better word. From what she had seen of life so far, it seemed that good wolves rarely won out, rarely got what they deserved. 

Yesss, always smh and laughing at these two. xD <333 Much love! I hope Thorn reappears someday.