Blackfeather Woods Your tears don't fall

For @Santiago Arcos, set for immediately after the pack meeting regarding Rowan

 


The Seer had noted Santi's displeasure silently while the meeting was in progress.

It was after the fact that she would request his presence so she could explain what was going on. No need for him to find her himself.

"I promise I did not lie to you. Not knowingly." Eldritch began with her usual calm, furthering her words as she drew closer to him a little.

"I had assumed Rowan would be here, and therefore that you could ask him about your mates. His absence is troubling, in more ways than one." The newly appointed Alpha stated gently, intending to include the trouble she had unintentionally slapped upon Santiago's shoulders. 

"Since he is gone, I am, I admit, at a loss." She sighed, shoulders sagging slightly.

The reaper had seen the way her gaze beckoned him over after the pack meeting. His own had never left hers. He slinks past any other bodies and meets her own. A look of distaste on his ruined face is what he meets her with. He doesn’t speak, he lets her have the first word, he lets her explain.

She moves closer. His steely eyes follow the motion. He watches her silently. He almost likes the closeness. If he wasn’t so grumpy he might have even been able to muster a smirk and send a corny flirt her way. In any other circumstance he would. If he wasn’t injured he would. For now, he doesn’t. He only takes in her attractive form quietly as she speaks further. Santi doesn’t nod, he doesn’t do anything. He only fixes his gaze on her and listens until she’s done. He has to admit he’s moderately surprised but he truthfulness she meets him with, a slump of her shoulders shows him that she too didn’t expect his disappearance. She’s not lying to him, this he knows.

“Unfortunado.” He hums deeply to the alphess. His tone isn’t biting, rather it’s quite neutral. “It seems the loss effects you more than it does me, cariña. Entiendo. I will remain here for a while longer. If only to repay my debt to you.” His voice isn’t soft per say, but it is understanding, if only slightly gruff.

Eldritch listens to his words, his gruff understanding of the situation she's in now. 
Silently she is relieved, but she is also feeling guilty that his search has not yet reaped any reward. 

"You may stay as long as you like, and if you go, as long as Ivory Rose stands, you will be welcomed back should you return." She stated, her tone by now returned to its almost seemingly eternal nature of calm.

"Should fate reward you in your search, your mates are welcome as well." She furthered. After all, she did want to found a home for all who seeked for one.
Her offers are genuine, and though she was growing accustomed to the Grumpy Old Man she understood that one day he would, probably, depart.

She offers him a home for as long as her pack exists. He’s almost honored. He has sealed a place of safe tidings if he so needs it. It seems everything happens for a reason then. Perhaps he could help her in return. He feels compelled to now. His life was in her hands. Though back then he wouldn’t have expressed such gratitude, he’s becoming a bit older now. His head is still hard and stubborn, but he as a different understanding as age comes and goes. If old home is no more. He might as well take the offer that stands before him. 

She even offers his mates a place to stay then. This makes his respect for her rise. Her kindness towards him and his mates who she does not know allows him to see her in a different light. Is this what it’s like to be in a pack that isn’t full of ruthless savages. Perhaps. It’s interesting. Not his style, but useful. 

“Gracias, amiga.” He hums back. “I will protect this place as if it is home then.” He says with a determination in his icy eyes. A promise perhaps.

The Seer almost smiles as she hears Santi's words. His promise, of sorts, to stay.

"I am not sure, honestly, if Ivory Rose will still stand after today. But perhaps from this, something can be born anew, and those who remain in the Woods can still make of the forest a home." 

Her ears slanted back slightly, a nonverbal note of uncertainty.

He can see the lightening of her eyes in what appears to be a sliver of happiness. It doesn’t last long, as she mentions the possible fall of their pack. He knows this well. The Nightwalkers also were doomed to the same fate. It saddens him somewhere deep within, what had become of the Nightwalkers, but it couldn’t be helped. 

Now though, as he had remembered earlier a male and female seemed gruff — fed up — with the turn of events. His eyes had narrowed at the pair of strangers and his ears shifted on his skull in suspicion. So they had left. Santi finds himself desiring not to be like those who abandoned something, or someone, so easily. 

So he nods to her, a stiff but understanding movement. His eyes flick to her ears. “I will stay for as long as it benefits me.” He confirms. “If something comes of it, then so be it. If not, then I will continue the search for my mate.” 

Gonna wrap this one up! I'll archive after your response Malia :>

 


"I understand." Eldritch responded softly. With that, the dark Seer turned and began to disappear, perhaps to go find her Night-Sister...

I understand. 

He nods at that. A somewhat unlikely kinship seems to have come from this mess. They have an understanding. He likes that. 

So with one last goodbye, he nods one last time. Turning around himself, he moves away from her just as she does him. Off he goes.