Hushed Willows A couple bodies in the garden where the grass grows

Tags can be for ref or for joining, just pulling Mae into the present!

Time passed, and Mae's healing was slow but steady. She kept close to Reverie and @Blossom, who she had learned was a cousin of sorts, another Mayfair. They were family. It was this revelation which had allowed her to fully relax and settle into this strange new place, Hearthwood. She still wasn't sure about the man, though, @Boone. He was... alright. But she didn't go out of her way to talk to him.

Instead she took to the territory the moment the infection faded from her blood, driven by a bone-deep sense of possession over the land. She marked the trees and left mangled remnants of prey here and there, she walked the borders and watched the land beyond; she'd even chased a bold fox from a cache, snarling and snapping the whole way until it was far out of sight. There was something gratifying about this work.

She was reinforcing the edges of the claim now, the part that melted away into marshland. Mae hadn't ventured past this point just yet. She wasn't quite ready. Swiftcurrent Creek was not so far as she would have liked, and she didn't think she could face any of them just yet. Especially not Akavir. So she kept within the boundaries of the willows, following the scents of other animals which had passed through and keeping careful tabs on everything that entered and exited the territory.

The cat had dragged in a chipmunk. Or, in this case, Blossom had made a new friend.
Mae, her name was. Banged up real bad. As time dragged on, he picked up more details: something something Swiftcurrent Creek, lousy father; Reverie had far more context to the situation than he did, given her history, but his heart still sank for the girl — sympathetic. Understanding, even if he did not speak it.
She was useful, often busying herself with tasks he never even would have asked of her; not of someone so young. He wondered often if it was out of thanks to the little blended family, or for her own desires.
He finds her close to the edge of the territory, near the moss and low-hanging willows that bleed into the marsh just northwest of them. Frost tips the grass that still had yet to brown; the scent of snow soon to come is heavy in the air.
You settlin' in alright, kiddo? he calls, pausing just shy of the creekbed as he takes in the scab-covered silhouette. Oh, that must hurt like a bitch. I appreciate it, y'know. You tendin' the borders.

Mae stiffened when she heard Boone's approach. She knew it was him by the heaviness of his walk compared to Reverie and Blossom's lighter, almost dancing steps — and this intrusion was entirely unwelcome. He was not family. He was just some strange man whose manner of speech was even stranger to her.

But he was not unkind. Her initial glare softened when he spoke. She shrugged in response to both his question and his gratitude. It's whatever. I just wanna keep it safe here, For her own sake, but for Blossom and Reverie too, both of whom Mae suspected would cry if they so much as stepped on a snail. Their soft demeanors annoyed her sometimes. Mostly she felt protective over them.

She eyed Boone, wondering if he was meant to be their protector. You know anything about fighting?

As a matter of fact, I do.
By no means was he a professional, not yet; but growing up alone spelled a lot of scuffles over stupid things. Growing up in a way not unlike she had, from what he'd gathered.
Perhaps he ought to pursue the art further if his family is about to get bigger.
He shuffles until he comes up beside her, dwarfing her even with his own midday shadow. He keeps his distance; head lowered, body languid in its movements. She is still nervous around him and he can't blame her. You wanna learn?

Her eyes lit, just a little, when Boone confirmed her suspicions. Mae nodded without thinking about it, remembering that night with Moss, and the boy who'd tried to kill her, and the man after that. Yeah, She said, though she immediately wondered how it would all work. Boone was kind of... massive. Mae herself was no delicate flower, but her sinewy figure was all sharp angles, built thin and narrow like the mother she'd never known. Even nearing her adult height, she was no match for him.

Long as you don't crush me into the dirt, She commented after a moment. It might have been a joke, but it was hard to tell with Mae.

A laugh blooms from deep in his his chest. Don't get ahead of yourself. You've got a lotta healin' to do before you can spar, he gives a once-over with a knowing glint to oakwood eyes. but one day, when you're ready, I'll show you what I know.
It was a good thing to be concerned about, really; how would it work? He'd have to be a punching bag, he suspected, unless he wanted to crush her to smithereens. I won't put my teeth on you, then. You'll do all the work, I'll just show ya how.
Silence billows for a while before a question drawls from his lips. Had he hands to hold one, he would have lit a cigarette and watched the smoke pour out over the trees. Where'd you come from, Mae? A little birdie told me you had some troubles.

Mae snorted, a little irritated with being treated so much like a child; like she was weak, helpless. I've fought through worse, It was meant to be defiant, but the words sounded more sorrowful to her own ears. Her gaze darkened and fell away, seeking the forest beyond.

But he would teach her. Someday soon, she hoped. His question fell into the silence between them, and Mae tensed, knowing that she should have expected it but wanting to snap at him anyway, to tell him that it was none of his business and never would be. You mean Reverie told you, She managed stiffly, still not looking at Boone. It's whatever, ya know, who wouldn't like the whole world knowing that your mom took off on you and your dad fuckin' sucks?

She took a deep breath. I came from Swiftcurrent Creek. It's a pack down in the valley, name's pretty self-explanatory. Might'a stayed if my dad gave half a shit about me. But he doesn't. So I left. Ran into just about every crazy asshole from there to the mountains. Then I ran into Blossom. And that was it. The whole story, as far as Mae was concerned. Boone didn't need to know more than that. No one did.

as hard as mae seemed to fight it, from what boone could gather, it felt as though she needed someone to listen. and so he did.
the world had let her down. her parents, her pack. she reminded him painfully of himself when he had been her age.
you're a strong girl, mae, boone broke the silence with a soft, trembling sigh. that sure sounds like a lot to deal with. i'm glad you told me.
perhaps it was corny, or soft, or something else emasculating, but there was value to be found in moments like these. there was hope in patching wounds, even with only a band-aid.
are we gonna have to worry about anyone huntin' you down?

Fading!

I'm glad you told me.

Mae fought the urge to scoff. What a load of shit. At his question she looked up, eyes cold and hard. No, She said, and picked herself up to move on. Gonna get back to patrolling.

And that was exactly what she did. Whether Boone joined her or not, Mae intended to spend several hours at the borders. She certainly wasn't sticking around for more disingenuous sentimental bullshit.