Firefly Glen [BWH] In-between Humility and Faith

While the world hunted around him. Rodyn did not quiet his paws. He made sure to go around and greet those that had arrived. Loners or pack members alike. And he hunted smaller game. Anything to give back to the wolves that had traveled so far. To the new life that graced these places.

Today he was on the scent of some weasels. It was with bittersweet air he already carried two of the creatures around his neck. They had been part of his bride price. A bride price that had been larger than almost any other. And he had managed it. And it had born a new type of peace with his existence. And yet sometimes it felt as if he should not have won. Would Samani still be here.

He was not the reason for the grief. But it still cut him deeply. He followed the small creature deeper into the woods. Winds whispering about him. But he was intent upon his mission.

because im greedy! and love rodyn.

ippiksaut walked with purpose toward a quieter trail, nose lifted to the faint scent she sought: weaselmusk, frost, and beneath it all the steady, humble warmth that was rodyn.

she found him deep in the undergrowth, two weasels slung over his neck, his posture bent in focused pursuit of a third. he looked built from grief and gentleness both— a rare combination, one the world often punished.

she stepped into his path with the silence of an owl’s shadow, the folded lavender-scented pelt draped across her back.

rodyn, she breathed, her voice a low tide roll.

she slid the pelt forward, letting it fall softly at his paws. the scent rose between them, warm and clean, a balm against the cold memories she could feel tugging at his shoulders.

for you, she said. i enjoyed our conversation at the lake. 

her mismatched eyes met his gently, the gold warm, the blue steady.

your hands feed many, she added, glancing at the weasels he carried. and your heart carries more than it should.

a glance towards the pelt at her feet. 

take this. it will serve you in winter. and perhaps ease the weight you spoke of.

No worries <3 I am beginning to really like Ippi too.

He had heard the crunch of snow. The footfalls of another who walked with quiet pace and the moon. Her scent met him next. The scent of lavender and fur. That hearty scent that came from well worked furs. It smelled like home, like parents, like life.

Rodyn did not know why the world punished him so. But he tried his hardest to count his blessings among his burdens. And truth be told, they outweighed his darkness. Even if he forgot this sometimes.

He was taken aback as she stepped into his view and before he could catch the weasel he had been intent upon. It raced in the snow. It's chittery laughter coming back to haunt him. He made a soft snort of amusement. A smile hanging there at the edges of his maw. Eyes lit up with amused happiness.

Hello Ippiksaut. It is good to see your face. There was a humor in his voice, a gentle teasing quality. Despite that shadows played peek a boo in his eyes. He bent his head to sniff at the scent that clung to the edges of the hide. His eyes softening ever more at the sides.

His ear tilted forward at her words. They were quiet in the hushed forest, but carried more weight than most. She could see right through him. And this amused him even more. Not many could look at the hunter and see the grief he carried like a second skin. Years of love he had to give and hadn't been able too.

I do not like my paws to sit idle.

he bent to touch the fur with gentle nose. Thank you. It will serve me well. And the scent will ease some of my nightmares I believe.

he did not boast a huge knowledge of herbs, but he knew enough. TO know that lavender calmed.

i am sorry the nights trouble you, she said quietly, a sincere note threading through her voice. no one should dream in darkness alone.

her gaze softened, eyes warm on his face.

i hope this eases them. even a little.

then, a faint smile, brief but real.

and… it is good to see your face too, rodyn.

tell me— how has the hunt gone for you today? any packs i should know of? anyone i ought to greet... or keep an eye on?

she waited. i have been curing hides more than speaking with strangers. you will know better than i who walks these grounds.

Rodyn smiled sadly. No, but some of us are not lucky enough to have someone to share that burden with. Perhaps someday it will happen again. Only the gods know.

He liked to think that perhaps love would find him again, but three times he had tried and three times he had failed. It felt a bit like a sign. And a troubling one.

Thank you. You're kindness is not something I shall forget.

He sniffed at the fur again, placed a paw upon it to pull it towards himself closer. A gentle hum as he thought through her question. We have done well for the hunt. We were able to manage four groups of hunters. You should greet all, they are all here for good tidings and good company, maybe even some good trades. But there is one pack.

Rodyn frowned in thought. They have not wronged us exactly, but they have an herb. I believe it had something to do with the demise of our former leader, but I can't prove this of course. And I know nothing about it. They are Verapaz from the desert. But we have invited them in good faith so it would not do well to question them too closely.

A small smile. Most are good wolves. And it always makes my heart glad to do this.

ippiksaut’s ears tipped toward him, catching the weight beneath his words. for a moment her gaze softened — not pity, but understanding.

love comes when it chooses, she said quietly. not when we ask. the path is simply long.

she watched him pull the lavender pelt close, a small warmth touching her chest at how gently he held it.

your thanks is heard, she added. and returned.

at his report of the hunt, she dipped her head. four groups is strong. moonglow is lucky to have your guidance.

but at the name verapaz, one ear flicked, a subtle tension passing through her shoulders.

i will be cautious, she said, tone still calm. and polite. a guest is a guest— but i will not forget what you’ve said.

a small smile curved her mouth.

thank you, rodyn.

she stepped back toward the glen’s bustle, tail brushing lightly against his as she passed.

come find me later, she murmured. i would hear how the rest of your hunt ends.

Rodyn gave a sage nod. That is more truth than most have learned.
And it was, the road to happiness had been long for him and it had hurt. And he had fallen along the way. And he had grieved, but he would continue forward. And perhaps it was not for him anymore, but perhaps some day. You never really knew.

He thought of the gifts he had in his den for a future bride if he should ever take another. If he did not find one soon. He may just simply need to give them away to someone else that could use them. Perhaps if another chose to take a mate in Moonglow he would gift the husband to be these presents for his bride.

He was not blind to the tension, but he did wonder at it. Was it because of his words of caution. Or had she had a run in with them herself, and it caused her unease. He frowned in thought. He hoped not.

He was surprised at the touch of her tail to his. And he blinked when she said to find him, but a small smile did take place on his maw as he nodded gently. He would tell her of their tribes hunts. Perhaps even bring her an elk fur to work through. He did take a moment to smell the lavender again, and dip his tail to his nose, catching the same scent there.

Another soft snort of amusement. He added his new fur to his back and went in search of the wayward weasel that had laughed.