Barrow Fields love 'em and leave 'em

Regardless of how he proports himself before the creatures on the island, Dingo doesn't stay long. He can eventually be spotted heading east from the coast and crossing the seemingly endless, equally-as-frigid-as-everything-else fields. Maybe this wasn't the best time of the year to go traipsing in the wilderness? But the young man thought about that, considered his options, and something about his previous experiences caused a sour look to cross over his features.

He'd left someone behind. Not that it mattered — Dingo was known for doing that, and it had been time. Nobody could hold him down for long! And he was proud of that. A free spirit, going wherever the (too cold) wind took him! An adventurer, a rogue, a — Lonely piece of shit. He grumbled at himself, completing the line of thinking verbally. The sour expression wore off soon enough, but the feeling remained.

Sequoia was fast-approaching five months old, and it showed. Whether or not it was true, she considered herself an adult. Her bones were still growing, and she had a lot of filling out to do, but she felt like an adult. She was friends with adults, she politely declined to play children's games, and she was recruiting members for Drageda. If that wasn't adulting, she didn't know what was! Not only that, but she was inching further and further away from home base. Something tugged at her to reach beyond Drageda, although she obediently returned every evening.

This place was odd, although Sequoia couldn't pinpoint why it was odd. Something about the smooth surface of the ground and the occasional lump put her on edge, for reasons she could not begin to put into words.

She picked up a green scent and began to hunt it down, following it across the open landscape in the chilly, harsh wind of the afternoon. She found him after thirty or forty minutes, a reddish tan stuck out like a sore thumb on the white of the snow. He looked to be mumbling something, and Sequoia woofed to announce her presence.

In all his (very short) years, Dingo had never adapted to the cold. One might think he'd get big and bushy like all the other wolves around, or at least adapt in other ways to compensate, but he never cottoned on to anything. Someone should make him a sweater or something — he was thinking about making just such a fashion statement with the next warm body he encountered, when he heard a call, and dully turned to greet whatever had made it. He would've been quicker on the uptake but Dingo often thought he was cold-blooded — much better suited to the summertime and the warm regions of the south, and made slow and stupid in the cold. It was just as likely he was born slow and stupid, but don't go telling him that.

So he turns, kind of in slow-motion because his body feels stiff and awful and he's not entirely pleased to have company, but then he spots the dappled girl. She is a girl, too. Her youth is obvious, her body almost at its full size but not proportionally correct — he can tell, mostly because Dingo is the sort of creep that would hang out at a high school well after graduation, trying to charm the new arrivals. Fresh blood and all that — cherries to pop.

The sight of her warms him all over, and he's shrugging off the negative funk that's been harrowing him from the get-go.

Well hello! What're you doin' way out here in the middle-a nowhere? You are real, right? Not part of my subconcious or something, eh? He hoped not, anyway. Without waiting for her reply, he was slinking on over, tail wagging in a friendly manner but his body poised in a slightly more predatory manner; Dingo did his best not to push in to her space too far, but he wanted to get a good look at her — and my, my, he quite liked what he'd found already.

If there was one thing Sequoia thrived on, it was attention. It didn't matter the type of attention, which was to the stranger's advantage (although she was blissfully unaware of his intentions). The green wolf's upbeat attitude and general likeability were enticing, to say the least, and he spoke to her as if she were an adult. All of these things were in his favor, and Sequoia was immediately entranced by him. He reminded her of Buckshot in some ways, and boy did she like Buckshot.

She giggled—a bit too loud—at his questions. Real as can be! she replied, using her nose to touch him on the shoulder and prove that she was a physical being and not some apparition. I came out here to explore, she explained, Name's Sequoia. What's yours? Are you from around here? He didn't really look like it, but then again, he just kinda looked different all around. He looked cold, for one.

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, she was exactly what the doctor ordered. Dingo's laughter came out as soon as he heard her giggling, and his tail began to wag, so pleased that he'd finally found someone interesting in the big empty wilderness. She was cute. The more he watched her, the cuter she appeared. It was surprising to see how colorful and bright she was; a mottled coat that wasn't super appealing, hanging off a young and virile figure that made him think — damn girl, you'll grow up pretty! And those eyes! Two different colors. Dingo didn't know that was even possible!

She asked some questions and he, charmed and charming in equal measure, jovially spilled the beans: M'name is Dingo! Dingo Crestwood, an' I'm definitely not from around here, nope! But I might stick around if I can find a good reason to. A little intrigue, a lick of adventure — hmm? If he had eyebrows they'd be wiggling. Since he didn't, he channeled all his energy in to sliding right on in to her DMs over to her, nice and close, to give her a little shoulder-to-shoulder bump. Where's home for you? Is it exciting there?

Hopefully not. Maybe we can get in to some trouble together, eh?

Dingo Crestwood. That sounded so very regal and foreign compared to the names she knew. He was instantly familiar as he slid up alongside her, and she could feel her skin flush beneath her fur. Something about his tone made her a twinge nervous, but she brushed it aside. What was there to be nervous about? Bless your heart, Sequoia. You've got no idea what you're doing.

Drageda can be exciting, she replied, resisting the urge to step away from him. He was probably just chilly. His winter coat hadn't come in yet. What kinda trouble? she asked. She had never really gotten into trouble, except maybe that time she'd left with Kiwi when Helix had wanted them to talk or whatever. And sure, she and Kiwi ran around being kinda rude, but it was only when others started snooping around what they were doing or being annoying.

Well, yeah, he was friggen cold, but mostly he was a creep that had decided not to care about personal boundaries. This girl seemed particularly young and innocent, which was just his type. Dingo lingered for a little too long beside her, squished there and feeling her warmth, before he peeled himself away - not too far, but a comfortable distance.

What kinda trouble? She asked, unfortunate for her.

Well, ah, he started, putting on a little act of indecision, there's the typical adventure stuff — hunting things, fighting things, exploring, but, he cleared his throat and began to say something else, only to apparently rethink that decision. Dingo murmured cryptically, some more adult stuff, I can't really talk about it.

When they say "a dingo ate my baby" they probably refer to this Dingo, and any kid around Sequoia's age (in other words, they  need an adult).

He mentioned hunting and fighting, neither of which Sequoia considered herself particularly talented with. Exploring was definitely something she was getting better at, especially now that she was older and could go out on her own a little bit more. There was a "but" though, and Sequoia leaned in curiously to hear it. Dingo hinted at something so very cryptically, mentioning it was only for adults, and Sequoia slumped. I get it, she replied defeatedly. I know I only gotta wait a little bit longer, then I'll be a grown up.

She had a feeling that whatever Dingo wanted to do, she would not be invited. Exploring, however, she could do! We can still explore, though! I'm getting really good at it. Heck, she'd even managed to bring back a recruit for Drageda.

it was not often that portia left the confines of the drageda territory. not ever, at that. but since dalia's leave, which had taken a toll on the mother-- who was wrought with the fear that somehow she was not enough for her poor daughter, sometimes decided to keep tabs on her remaining children.

it hurt her damned foot to walk so far. she walked with a limp, as always, and it curled gently as she did so. those damn men. the trouble they caused. 

and as she came up upon sequoia (finally, her daughter was much more spritely than she was), portia heard the tail end of the conversation and realized that, once again, this man was causing trouble. she bared her teeth, straightening out her limp best she could and striding forwards with her tail arc over her back, snarling once. "you better leave before i sink teeth into that chatty throat of yours, god help me," she growled, stepping in-between him and sequoia, "sequoia step back, hun." her voice was softer than it was when she spoke to the pedophile before her. 

she'd given dalia and sirio the talk around know, and she supposed it was damn time she had it with her other kids. lest they end up in the clutches of men like this. 

her shoulders squared, her ears pushed forwards, august gaze hardened on him.

Feel free to skip Dacio, he's just staring.  :P

When Dacio picked up his mother's scent, he was swift to pursue her trail. She'd been quiet since Dalia's unexpected departure, keeping to herself at times while she busied herself with her garden and preparing stores before Winter's frost claimed the living plants. He worried for her, naturally, and despite his ever-growing desire to wander beyond the safety of Drageda territory, he did his best to devote as much time to Portia as he could.

Curiously, the healer's trail seemed to lead away from the cliffs, which urged young Dacio to quicken his stride. She rarely, if ever, travelled beyond their home, and his sromach flopped uncomfortably at the possibility of her taking leave just as his sister did before. He crossed the border with fear in his heart, though his tension slackened as he spotted the piebald adult's form as she hobbled ahead.

Dacio exhaled heavily, easing his pace to gather his breath, but it was promptly held as he moved in alongside his dam to find two others - Sequoia and a stranger - stood before her. His pale eyes lifted, lingering with confused surprise on the proud arch of her feathered tail and the unfamiliar rise of her guard hairs. At once, he lowered himself and flicked his tongue nervously over an upper lip, before flitting his gaze anxiously between his sister and the unfamiliar male who'd apparently offended Portia.

Dingo thought he could get it from anyone, and he wasn't picky. The fact this individual wasn't even full-grown had no effect on his choices, and one had to wonder if he was cognizant of his decisions in any form. He knew what he wanted, and he knew how to charm the younger generations in to getting it (or so he thought); they were often easier to manipulate than their older siblings or their parents — a fact which would come to light all too quickly. 

The girl seemed despondent when he made mention of her age, although he hadn't wanted that. Dingo hoped to appeal to her need to be an adult; all teenagers had the same feeling, that urge to belong and be taken seriously. He had accidentally cock-blocked himself with his words though, and while he wanted to correct that mistake, he didn't get a chance. A woman arrived and was not at all pleased to see him. She looked familiar — probably just because she was this kid's mom.

Dingo's mind first went, a two-for-one deal? Sign me up! As if her teeth and words meant nothing; for a split second he wanted to make mention of how hot she was, but didn't. It seemed like a little bit of good judgement was kicking in. He gave a wink to the younger girl as he skeedaddled backwards, calling out, Hey! We were just talkin', and who're you? Kinda rude to barge in on a private conversation between two adults, eh? He was still trying to make the younger girl feel valid, or at the very least raise some of that teenage angst in her, maybe use it as a distraction if he chose to escape.

Whatever exploring they were going to do was abruptly put on hold when Portia showed up, teeth out and eyes full of fire. Sequoia had never seen Momma Portia so angry before, and it filled the tween with confusion and fright. She was quick to abandon Dingo's side and come to her mother's. The child did not comprehend why her mother was so upset, as they had only just been talking, but she also trusted her mother completely. She had only just met Dingo, after all. Momma Portia probably knew something she didn't.

Dacio was on the other side of Momma, but Sequoia purposely ignored him. She knew he had gotten his Drakru name before her, and she was still salty about that. It was likely she would remain so until she too earned her name.

Dingo spoke to her, in a way, but Sequoia only stared blankly back at him. If she'd been alone, she would have easily gone along with whatever he'd said. Now, though, Momma Portia made it clear that she did not like Dingo, so Sequoia could only stand by silently.

she flashed her teeth as the male began to speak again-- claiming it was rude! of her! portia was many things-- a kind-hearted, intelligent, beautiful, lady, to name a few-- but above all, portia had never been rude a day in her life!(save for those times she'd been jealous, we don't talk about those times) sequoia came to her side, and portia was relieved in this moment her children had been raised so well-behaved, for once. sirio, she'd have bet, would've just spoken some nonsense and disobeyed her. got himself hurt. sequoia listened, and for that portia would praise her immensely as soon as they left this horrid monster. 

dacio, she realized, was nearby-- his scent flitted past her, but her gaze was too pressed on this man-- this grown man! ugh!! with her daughter!! ugh!!-- to turn and find him. "a mother can do whatever she'd like," she returned, tail lashing. she took another step forwards, teeth clicking. "i'd suggest you get lost, hun, or i'll tear your bits to pieces." maybe. she was not a wild force to be reckoned with, typically. quite the opposite, and quite out of practice. but maternal instinct gave her an edge, and that's what she was banking on.

Sequoia was prompt to move in toward Portia's opposite side, and young Dacio felt some relief at her proximity. While he failed to understand their mother's fury, he trusted her judgement completely - and most importantly, the piebald Goufa was safe at her flank. Grey-green eyes settled on the retreating form of the blonde stranger, watching quietly as he backed away and grumbled about the rudeness of this interruption, to which Dacio pricked a charcoal lobe.

Portia swept forward at this bold accusation, and the ashen boy found himself holding his breath as she cracked her teeth in the rogue's direction. She encouraged him to leave, spitting a warning toward him, and Dacio hoped that this altercation wouldn't turn violent. You'll be Gona soon, he willed himself to think of his recent accomplishment, and attempted swallowed his anxiety with the upward sweep of his dark tail. You are Drakru. You got this.

And faced with the very real possibility that his family could be harmed, Dacio stepped outwith his comfort zone to twitch his lip in a flash of fangs that supported his mother's anger.

He'd thought his bachelor days were behind him; woe is he! Oh, how would Dingo ever survive without the sweet grace of this child — 

Nah, he's good.

The moment the other girl admitted with her agitated tone that she was the girl's mum, Dingo shut his trap. She threatened his precious bits and that was the last straw. The girl was cute, and her mom was a hottie too, but he was outnumbered and the vibe had gone all sour. Better luck next time.

Rather than lose his bits, he chose to take them somewhere else — maybe someone further along would appreciate him! He huffed, turned, and left without another word. Dingo out!

(Sweet, innocent) Sequoia did not know what "bits" her mother spoke of, but she was well aware of the seething anger that was directed at Dingo. As much as Sequoia might want to be an adult, she was quick to revert back to a child in the face of angry Momma Portia, even if the anger was not directed at her. She did not raise her lip at Dingo as Dacio did, if only because she was still a bit confused by the whole situation. Fear was higher on the list than anger, and confusion remained when Dingo finally left the scene. The air still felt think with Portia's anger, and Sequoia whined to display her unease.

With Dingo gone (who might have been a recruit if Momma Portia had not stepped in), Sequoia was not sure what to do next. The girl's ears remained flattened against her head, and she nudged her mother's shoulder gently, hoping not to startle her lest she be the target of redirected anger and malice.

he left. 

truthfully, portia was a bit surprised to see him turn tail and flee so quickly, perhaps the idea of mother was just a turn off for him-- it seemed cradle-robbers did have better luck with children than with adults. her lips were still raised in his direction, fur still bristling, until he was a far enough distance off and sequoia had whined softly.

the petite piebald fisa turned abruptly to her as she nudged her shoulder, but her expression was no longer angry-- it was now relieved. adrenaline was slowly being replaced with fear, as portia was far more flight than she was fight, but she kept herself together for her two children. 

"oh, i'm so sorry, hun," she apologized quickly, pressing her nose to her daughters scruff before taking her weak foreleg to pull her close into a wolfish embrace, "i'm so sorry to barge in." she knew for a fact she would have been livid had her mother walked in on a conversation she was having with a boy, but that was no boy. it was a man, and whether or not sequoia could tell the difference was mute-- because portia could, and she didn't like his intentions one bit. 

her gaze flitted to dacio, who had backed her up. she released her grip on her daughter and looked between the two. they had grown so big-- and today displayed a lot of maturity and rationality in how they handled her anger spoke numbers. around now, dalia and sirio had been taught about the birds and the bees. portia would soon teach them about it too. her gaze settled upon sequoia, hardening so she understood what she was about to say was important. she needed to understand this. "men will tell you anything they think you want to hear because they think you owe them something. you owe them nothing, you only give them what you want to give them. that man was taking advantage of how old you are," she told her sternly. then her expression and tone softened, and portia released a gently sigh. "one day you'll understand this better, i promise," she began again, "you can use it to your advantage, too, once you understand. but you need to be careful around strangers, listen to what they say to you. don't take their flattery at face value." portia's mother had never told her any of this. just that she was here to be at the bedside, hand and foot, waiting on every man. it was her job. portia had scoffed, and then learned this the hard way.

she prayed her daughters would never have to learn the hard way. 

"you are both very mature-- thank you for listening to me, sequoia, and for having my back, dacio," she told them both, august gaze flitting between the two, "at the end of the week i will explain to you why i did what i did-- to opalia as well. you are all still young, but you're old enough to be able to know."

Outnumbered and likely hugely intimidated by the wildfire that raged in Portia's stare, the stranger turned and fled. Dacio's pale gaze followed his retreat and, glad to see the back of him, the young Drakru let himself slacken. Sheathing his teeth, the boy lowered his tail and exhaled the breath he hadn't realised he'd held as he turned his charcoal-tipped crown to look upon his mother.

He remain quiet as Sequoia was fussed over, watching and waiting as he wondered what it was that roused such fury in the normally placid Fisa. Portia went on to explain the situation to her daughter and Dacio maintained his silence, listening curiously to the firm words she delivered.

Still unsure and uncertain, Dacio blinked in the direction the warm-pelted male once stood. In large part, he was concerned that he might return at a later date and attempt to manipulate his sibling again, but he refrained from voicing this budding anxiety. He chanted a lobe at the mention of his name and, seeking to make eye contact with his dam, nodded obediently to the instruction she delivered - and hoped she'd lead them back toward the safety of their home.

Momma Portia seemed to begin to slow her heart rate and her breathing, leaving Sequoia more at ease. Her own breath went out in a woosh, relieved that the tension had left the air and her mother was back to her normal self. When Momma apologized, Sequoia was left wondering what there was to apologize for, except that she had frightened her daughter. The piebald girl accepted this without question, pressing hard into her mother's fur when she was coddled. Even though she considered herself an adult, Sequoia had felt very scared and odd in these past few minutes, and the comfort of her mother was exactly what she needed.

She listened intently as her mother explained something, or tried to. Sequoia only barely grasped what was being said, but she tried to understand and comprehend every word. Sequoia didn't really understand how Dingo had been taking advantage of her. She hadn't given him anything, and as far as she could tell, he hadn't asked her for anything except her company. (Oh, bless your heart, Sequoia.)

When Momma Portia explained that she would go into more detail later, Sequoia's attention was even more intense. She wondered if all of this would make her more of an adult. Hopefully it would, as that was her primary directive at the moment. For now, she stuck close to Portia and followed her back home with Dacio.