Firefly Glen [PHE]Soldiers were once and still men

Reyson had managed to geth through the night. He had a few nightmares, but @Meadow had been there to calm him immediately. And he hadn't been as rough as he usually was. He had been about to agree to go home when the first rays of the sun rose. And he took a deep breath of the morning air. And realized he had made it another day. Another day earth side. And for that he was pleased.

He stared out into the early morning light. Eyes falling on the packs that had begun to stir. He shook his broad shoulders and licked a few pieces of fur down. Then slowly began a preamble along the small borders of their current encampment. Working out the kinks and the joints that had locked up. The scars on his face showing up stark in teh early light.

It seemed this wolf had the same idea. Early morning, no others around. 

Pepper enjoyed the sense of community, but he was near-ready to be back home. He enjoyed his den shared only by one other. 

The wolf seemed worse-off than he was. Older, too. 

His pace quickened until he was beside him, now seeing the scarring. He'd seen the wolf the day before, but hadn't spoken to him. 

"Was beginnin' to think I was the oldest here," he jabbed, though his tone was friendly.

Reyson did better in the morning. Granted he had learned long ago to survive on very little sleep, but as he had aged. He'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy it just a little more. And the pain in his limbs was hard in the early morning.

Reyson tilted his ear forward. Naw there's a few of us old ones here.

The scarring upon his body, born from years of conflict and soldiering. And he was not ashamed. I'm Reyson Ebonywood of Sun Mote Copse.

It felt odd to be on the other side. Like only last week he was young. Too young to enjoy the company of the older wolves. But now he was beginning to feel the opposite. He liked the slower pace. 

The wolf, up close, carried many more scars than he could initially see. Scars one wouldn't just happen upon while living life unless they were sought out.  

"Pepper." he stated. "From Sapphique," he added, after a moment. 

He kept pace with the man as they walked. 

"That one's west o' here, yeah?" 

He'd heard of packs in the area by now, but knew little more than names.

Reyson could not boast a feeling of youngness. It had been far too long since he had fit in a child's fur. He wasn't even sure if he had ever been a child before the ideas of protect and serve came into his mind. Or were forced more so.

Well met Pepper.

A nod. Yes nice little place. Well built and cozy. My wife likes that type of thing. I am fine with trees. And there are many there.

"Wife, eh?" he said. He'd expected the wolf to have a mate, probably a few litters, too. 

"I hear ya. It's nice deep in the woods. Quiet," he agreed. Unless the wolf was simply talking about having an affinity for trees specifically.

Reyson's stern countenance gentled and he nodded.

Yes her name is Meadow. She is a healer. Her and two of our children are still resting.

Reyson tilted his head and gave a nod. It is. Feels safe. Warm. I never much liked open space and underground. So forest for me. The sea makes too much noise.

He kept pace with the older wolf. Meadow and two children. That was a respectable family, and Pepper almost found himself wishing he'd led a life that allowed for that. A litter would be...complicated, but surrogates were an option. 

"It's a little loud, but ya get used to it. Helps me sleep, now," he added. 

He debated asking the wolf about the scars. He was sure they all had stories, but knew sometimes those stories carried a lot of weight. 

"Yer life sounds pretty peaceful now. I'm bettin' you earned that?" Maybe that was a good way to ask..