he had brought flowers to the little one's grave each day, and spent any amount of time required of him in peregrine's presence, his embrace. though he would not judge the panther for his unwillingness to make known their relationship, some small part of him longed to kiss his lover in the open air of the plateau, to take their pleasurable moments without apprehension that they might be caught.
for now, he was in search of beautiful things with which to gift peregrine and the willow, and the surely lingering spirit of osprey junior. having an affinity for the array of flowers to be found in the summertime heat, the delta had roused himself from the coolness of his den to gather a bouquet, and presently trotted through the woodland with various blossoms dangling from his jaws, their sweet scent rising in his nostrils.
As she trotted towards the grave site to visit with both Junior and Pied she came across Lasher heading the same way and he held a bouquet of fragrant flowers in his maw. Oh Lasher you are the one tending the graves. She smiled at him a bit misty eyed and would give him a nuzzle when they were both slowed and settled.
he was approached in time by the willow, who seemed pleased with his fragrant burden. smiling past their stems, he extended his muzzle toward her, for a gentle touch of the black velvet in which she was cloaked. yes, he said, setting down the flowers gently between his paws. i wanted to help in some way, and tending the gravesite seemed agreeable to me.
picking up the bouquet once more, the earthen man moved toward the loamy crypts, and spread the full flush of colours across them, arranging the blooms with care. but these are for you, blue willow, he murmured at length, turning to gesture at a spray of goldenrod. you deserve beautiful things as well.
Blue smiled and leaned forward to sniff at the goldenrod her green eyes shining at him. Oo goldenrod not only is it beautiful it is useful. Once the color fades and it begins to dry I can use it for many things. Thank you this is wonderful. She gave him a soft lick across the ear and smiled again at the goldenrod. He was a wonderful addition to their ranks, she was every so pleased and glad of the day he came to the front door.
there was no malice, no hatred in blue willow; she reminded him of deirdre, as gentle and kind as a creature ever was. delight sparkled in his murky eyes as she spoke, as she accepted his gift. without a doubt he knew that had she been privy to the details of his relationship with peregrine, she would have accepted it in stride. atticus — atticus' response was not one of which taltos was sure.
but his attentions were for blue willow, and he settled himself with a curious expression. peregrine deserves happiness, as do you. the wolves of this place would not fare half so well without the two of you at the plateau's helm.
he motioned with a forepaw toward the goldenrod. what will you do with that? taltos inquired, wondering at her skill with plants and their separate parts.
Blue smiled Oh not me so much as Perry. He is the true leader, I am just the side of reason. I am usually Happy I try and find the happy in simple things, it is too much work to be angry and sad all the time. she chuckled it was no lie that Perry could be a little rash, given his past history it was all to clear, but that did not endear him any less to the obsidian alphess.
Blue looked down at and spoke softly I have found that when steeped in water it is good for pain in the mouth if you move it around but do not swallow, though it would not hurt you if you did. It can keep a swelling down from a throat that hurts. It can even be helped for bleeding on your insides...it has countless uses. This is a rare find and I am very pleased with it.
i believe peregrine thrives with you beside him, lasher opined quietly. your strength and love has helped him through each difficult day. he felt that he himself had aided peregrine in some ways, though not in those that blue willow was able to provide his beloved devil.
ears swung forward as she began his education, marvelling at her extensive knowledge. to him it had been a simple matter of beauty, the golden blossoms; he was happy to know that they were useful as well as lovely to the willow. will you train another in your craft? he asked softly. surely knowledge so great as hers could not be harnessed solely in her heart; a young mind must be trained to carry it on and pass it down his or her own genealogy. she was young, yet; perhaps she would have a child whom she would entrust this wisdom.
Blue sighed softly and spoke even softer, I would love too I really would, but thus far no one has been interested in learning and I do not know if I will have my own children to pass it on too. I have hope, but thus far it is so far not to be. I would like to though to whomever is willing to learn.
come now; it is not too late, he lilted. she was lovely and kind, and would make any creature a fine companion. he wondered if atticus thought the same, though he did not know why he thought of that particular wolf; perhaps taltos had heard or seen something in passing. at any rate, she was too young and hale to be without a mate for long.
what of the children here? perhaps they would like your teachings? he suggested softly. they were a motley bunch; saēna was withdrawn, pura was silent, and tytonidae was not like any child he had encountered before. but young they were, and youth benefited from positive lessons.
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blue willow spoke of each child in turn, displaying the deep knowledge she had regarding each of them. he listened intently, brow furrowing at his own recollection of pura's consistent silence. pura,
he murmured softly. what happened to his voice?
perhaps she would know; then again, perhaps not. the willow was a healer; taltos had no doubt in his mind that she would attempt whatever it took to restore pura's tongue, if only she knew the malady that afflicted him.
amelie he did not know personally, only in passing, but out of the young ones she sounded the most likely to assume the tasks blue willow would hand down — once her youth was in rein.
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the willow spoke then, for a time, and provided information lasher had not know until now. he watched her curiously, brow furrowed. he had seen kisu in passing, but had never spoken with the man; how difficult it must have been to lose one's wife, and then watch one's children be suckled and reared by another female. taltos' heart hurt for the man, but he said nothing until blue willow had finished.
will he recover?
the delta asked softly, regarding his companion with a mixture of pity and concern. pura seemed distant, though lasher now knew the reasons behind his silence.
Blue sighed I am not sure Lasher. I would like to say yes, but if there is something wrong with his brain...the head is a tricky thing and sometimes it can't be healed like most everything else. He may always be a bit behind the others
he was hurt then, for pura. lasher had great faith in blue willow's skills, and if she had determined that there was little hope for the boy to reach the mental level of his peers, truly it was so. the man's thoughts roamed unbidden toward deirdre — she had been one such. delicate, speechless, though she had been a powerful witch. he had loved her dearly.
such ignorance! — but perhaps pura was only in need of the same, some creature to lavish upon him affection and unlock the secrets of his tongue. lasher was silent upon this suggestion, however, reaching out only to smooth the fur of the willow's soft ruff with his muzzle.
Willow gave him a soft nuzzle into the shoulder as he smoothed the ruff of her fur. He was a good man, and she was happy for him and Fox and Peregrine, all of them were lucky in love and she was happy for them.
taltos let his muzzle rest atop her head for a moment, his mind working in slow firings. blue willow was a traditional sort, and the simple courtship of a male unto her would please the healer greatly. but atticus had faded somehow, and she was ripe now for children.
i do not mean to offend, my friend, but in the springtime, surely peregrine and fox will rear a litter together. if atticus does not return, i would offer myself in his stead, in the capacity of a father to your own brood.
taltos pulled from her then, seeking the willow's eyes with his own.
of course, i know such a thing may weight heavily on you. but you must know that my heart holds a great deal of affection for you. it is not a sacrifice i am making — it would be an honour and a delight. after all, what man does not wish to be a father?the servant's own thoughts on it had changed somewhat; blue willow belonged in the role of matriarch — before fox.
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you will never upset me with honesty, blue willow,lasher murmured. he would have been quite surprised had she accepted; she was not one for such hasty decisions. the willow's soul was an old one, despite her youthful appearance. at some point in the near future he would inform peregrine of his offer, as it was the respectful thing to do.
atticus may very well return,the delta continued gently, pulling away to seek her eyes with his own. for her sake, he hoped it so. even if the willow did not wed him, the bond the two obviously shared was something of great importance to her.
Blue smiled at the male in front of her, a good man he was. Thank you Lasher and you will not upset me with honesty either. Is grew quiet happy to just sit in silence as she thought of the way of the world and her own world at that.
Blue lowered her eyes as she thought about his words I hope so, even if it is not to return to me I want to know he is okay and safe. little did she know that she would have her wish soon enough and it would just about break the healer in many ways, perhaps even make her doubt herself.
all creatures wished to know such things of their loved ones; it was a privileged few that were granted the answers. and so he sighed, and preened the fur of her ruff.
and if he does not return, do not spend your life rooted in this moment, my friend. he would have wanted you to bloom, to grow, to live.
though he had never formally met atticus, taltos felt that any relation of peregrine's was not hardhearted; the dark brother could not have wanted the willow to wilt for lack of him, not in lasher's mind.
Blue didn't move enjoying the closeness he gave, he was a kind wolf. She was glad to count him her friend, she tilted her head and listened to his words and dipped her muzzle. I won't and she wouldn't if he didn't return well she'd try her darndest to move on, but all too soon her world would be changed far more than she would have imagined, but she would roll with it.
Willow thought that Atticus would want her happy too, and though she would be happier with him than with another. She also knew that in order to be with him and be happy he had to be present. She worried again over him, wondering where he was and if he was okay, her heart gave a small pang.
he did not like to see her sad; lasher gathered himself to his paws. come hunt with me,
he said softly, gaze gentle as he looked upon her. it would not remove the pain in her heart, but perhaps it would distract the healer for an hour or so.
waiting on thrumming paws, taltos smiled at the willow quietly.
Blue stood and nodded Okay let's go hunt. She shifted her feet and motioned for him to lead the way. It would give her a moment of respite, perhaps allow her to get her second wind and continue keeping on. Besides she hunted so much better in pairs than she did by herself anyway.
Her tail gently wagged as she followed behind him, a little lighter of heart than she had been.