The Sentinels Oh, it's time to start livin'

He eased back into a routine, surprised to find that some of the scents he'd grown used to had faded with time.  Pearl, Tachyon, Casmir... all had left and he had not grown aware.  Immediately guilt caught him and erased all trace of leftover distrust towards his alpha.  Now it was he who had failed in his role as supporter.

It was a slightly subdued Beta who patrolled the forest, hoping for a kill.  A fat weasel had already fallen prey to him, but there were hours before nightfall and perhaps he could find a friend to keep it company.  He couldn't dwell upset too far, with such happy recent happenings.  But he knew it did not excuse his recent inaction.

lasher did not begrudge dante his time away -- the beta had been a faithful fixture in donnelaith, and surely he needed the break in what had become a cluster of monotonous days. blue willow had stepped down, aria was 'round vaguely. casmir had gone and tachyon was nowhere to be found.

lasher's quiet sigh was stifled by a glimpse of dante's steelwater fur -- he fell into silent step with the man, glancing sideways with a small smile, though for the moment he was content not to speak.

Emaleth had been a quiet shadow, playing a one-sided game with her father to pass the time; where he went, she followed some distance behind, as stealthily as she was able. If he was aware of her presence, he had humored her by pressing onwards without outwardly acknowledging her presence. The instant the druid fell in step beside the silver furred form, little Emaleth tired of her game and pranced forward to trail at her father's side. She looked up at him, with a small wag of her tail, small shoulder brushing against the man's foreleg— she wanted to be important, as they were, though if she were commanded to the child would scamper away.

They hadn't really gotten the chance to catch up much since the awkward situation with Deirdre, but when Lasher pulled up beside him, he accepted the company with a smile.  He'd gotten over the rather large dose of disappointment and, through avioding any encounters, managed so far not to repeat the mistake.  It was regrettable but a necessity.  In time hopefully the young witch would come around.

When Emaleth pranced up alongside, Dante initially faltered, only noticing that it was a small form and fearing perhaps it was her sister instead.  That was quickly allayed and he sighed slightly, glancing at Lasher apologetically.  "I see you come with a shadow."

lasher smiled at emaleth as she came to his side, and did not miss dante's falter upon seeing her. perhaps having children would cure the beta of his obvious discomfort when it came to small wolves. but he did not comment upon this. "yes," he said instead, grinning between the two of them. "she has been practicing her quieter hunting skills, have you not, emaleth?" his dark little witch was not as outgoing as her paler counterpart, but the intelligent focus of her eyes was undeniable. suzanne had been so.

"Yes, father," she responded, dutiful as she ever was, but there was the sound of her smile in her obedient agreement. Emaleth spoke her next words slowly, as if she were struggling to recite them from memory, "It is important that your prey does not sense your presence before you are ready to spring." Her mismatched eyes glanced to her father, seeking his approval. She did not know much of hunting, and certainly nothing of killing, but the foundations her father sought to teach her now would mold her into a graceful hunter in the future.

Dante watched with no small amount of warmth as Emaleth and Lasher spoke.  It was obvious she sought to please him, and the love Lasher had for both of his daughters was impossible to miss.  "It is," he agreed, knowing even from looking at her now Emaleth would likely be much more suited to that brand of forest hunting than he himself ever had been or would be.  In the trees there was no room to wear prey down - surprise was important, or the trees could lead to an easy escape.  He much preferred the open chase where his own large size was a benefit rather than hinderance.

"Before long she'll be giving us a run for it," he said, obviously impressed by her dilligence already.  Their pack was thriving with young and eager wolves; obviously Emaleth was looking to join that number as well.

emaleth spoke, proper and reserved where her sister was exuberance and fire, and lasher marvelled again at the differences between them! how unalike and yet alike they were! dante's own tones were filled with pride, and lasher nodded at him, beaming down into the mismatched eyes of his dark witch. "indeed she shall. emaleth is studious and focused -- she takes great pride in learning."

"she will make a fine tutor for any more children born to donnelaith," lasher chuckled, teasing the greyscale beta a bit, even as his eyes glowed fondly between the two of them.

since this is more Dante-focused convo I'm gonna go ahead and throw a response up while I'm museful.  I hope that's ok! Lemme know if not!

Lasher seemed full of pride and affection, and he had reason to be.  All of his children had turned out (and were growing to be) fine wolves.  Even those who no longer were with them.

"They will be lucky to have she and her sister, when they come." He responded, returning the knowing look with a smile.  If they come, he thought silently, though these worries he would hold within as a paranoid and overactive anxiety.  All would be well, and with any luck soon there would be plenty of opportunity for the young Mayfairs to mentor.  He couldn't think of any better suited.

No problem! I am going to have Emaleth run off so you two can continue without having to wait. <3

She kept pace with the adults as they walked through the wood, and fell back to an eager silence. Emaleth's ears perked as they spoke of future children born beneath the trees she so loved, but she made no comment. She truly had no desire for any other companions than those she had already, and she knew it was rude to say as much. The dark child loved her life here; she had no desire to see the dynamics change, nor to see the woods grow more crowded.

Sensing that the adults wished to speak between themselves, the child darted to supplant kisses beneath each their chins in turn -- an expression of respect, and one of temporary farewell. She slipped further into the shadows Donnelaith, and returned to her devotion to solitude and study.

<3

lasher returned emaleth's kiss and watched fondly as she ran ahead and disappeared into the wood. "she is quite turned inward," the man observed, not without a hint of worry, but it soon feathered away. the pair walked in gliding silence before taltos turned a smile upon his companion. "you stand perhaps upon the threshold of fatherhood, my friend. how does it feel?"

Emaleth did slip away silently, with only a gesture of farewell, but Dante watched with a smile as she did so.  Lasher sounded a tad concerned by his daughter's quietude, but the Beta sensed a calm in the child.  She seemed content in herself.  It was rather a magnificent thing, and he felt the father had little to worry.

"Honestly?  I'm not sure.  Frightening, and exciting."  He turned his head sideways to glance teasingly at Lasher.  "Any advice from the old to the new?"

fade w your last post? ;__; i will miss these two

lasher laughed, a genuine sound. "take time for yourself. giving so freely of yourself to others shall strain you, and it is important that you allow yourself time for uninterrupted breaths. surprise her with choice morsels, and stand close so that she make take her leave, as the children will quickly become cloying and clinging with their needs."

"i am here for you," lasher added as the pair moved quietly through donnelaith, and his gaze upon dante was fond indeed.

Me too ;,;

All that he said Dante took in carefully, filing it away for future use.  Much of it was common sense, yes, but he knew the reminder would be important.  Osprey would need him in the coming weeks, and he would need her as well.  Parenthood would test him as it did all who partook.

"Then I'm sure it will be fine," he said with more confidence, truly glad he'd have the gentle and experienced father in his corner.  He knew he would return the favor, if ever he was able.  In their life here, Lasher had always been a constant, and one he certainly relied on.  The best he could do was try to offer the same, to he and to the rest of their band.  "Thank you."  He returned the look with heartfelt thanks, sorely unaware of how this conversation would rise up to taunt him in the months to come.