Sleepy Fox Hollow trübsinn

backdated to the 15th

he supported @Zarya as they made their way back from diaspora's ruined winter claim to the hollow.
they had spoken of various things on their trek; he was still unsure of his decision, but the general was proud, and confident that she would buoy his stead in some way.
at the borders, he helped her across and then began to guide the injured she-wolf in the direction of a nearby cache.

Zarya had only tried to walk her way back to Mahler's pack for a couple of steps. The journey to the deserted place had taken more out of her than she had previously believed. Turns out, Mahler was not only gonna lead her there but also reinforce her up to the borders. Zarya was still unconfident as she crossed the border with the wolf. But, she supposed he was probably questioning if it was right to bring her back as well. So, she shook it off with a simple thought. 

      When Mahler let go of the she-wolf she wavered a bit before following. But, it only took a few moments before she steadied and engaged in ensuing her guide. Zarya wasn't sure where she was being taken to but it didn't matter much. She didn't want to owe this wolf much, for crying out loud she could barely hunt for herself! If she stayed here too long she would owe this wolf her life and more. Considering she already practically owed him her life. They had conversed the way there so she decided to keep quiet; all the while trailing the other wolf.

still wary of whatever had caused him to not only spare zarya, but treat and recruit her, mahler nevertheless kept silent. had he known her thoughts, he might not have understood them — his pound of flesh could be exacted in other ways than blood.
motioning that she should sit down, mahler set to digging up the frozen half-carcass of a wood pigeon. it was little, but he nudged it toward the woman all the same. prey was beginning to filter back into sunspire, and though this spring might not bring with it a great profusion, he was hopeful for summer.
"vhere did you come from, zarya?" the general asked softly, testing the still-new syllables of her name upon his tongue.

      When they had arrived at what she assumed to be the place Mahler was searching for she was directed to sit. On one hand- her flank was burning, the journey had only caused her more pain. But on the other- she had already acted like a jerk for the duration of knowing him. Hesitantly, she obeyed the gargoyle. This better make him happy! Floated through her head as she watched Mahler dig up a small carcass.

       "I-uhh... I..." she stuttered as she shot her emerald eyes at the wolf just when he pushed it towards her. "Fine" she muttered, much like she did when he set out hunting back in his previous territory. It seemed this phrase would become quite common in her dictionary in coming time. She was still mannerly restraining herself from tearing the pigeon apart in one go when the wolf began speaking once more.

       Where had she come from? "A loving family, friendly pack. Quite a while away from anywhere near here." she said with a slight sigh in her voice. "It was an average day, nothing really exciting going on. Another pack came, they wanted our land for their own. Let's just say they got it, I got a couple scars, and that day running became my safe haven." As she mentioned scars she turned her head to reveal a scar leading from her chin to her left forepaw, previously hidden by fur.

      The injury wasn't as bad as it sounded, it wasn't a terribly deep incision. But, it did intimidate people when she intended it to. Remembering the food that still lay at her paws she glanced down and returned the rest of it Mahler's way with a small shove. She wasn't that hungry anymore. Mahler didn't cross a line, Zarya just always had trouble discussing her family. She was the one giving the information.

      Attempting to show him his question hadn't affected her she glanced upward and flashed him a pitiful smile. She tried to look alright, but her emerald eyes most likely betrayed her. Zarya gave up pretending as she let out another sigh, softened her gaze, and spoke. "Don't worry, you did nothing wrong."

zarya did not seem to welcome the show of hospitality, but mahler found himself far more fixed upon her tale.
it took a mournful form; the gargoyle listened with unchanging expression as the geist poured the tome of herself into his ear.
he did not stir when the she-wolf returned the fowl to his paw; eyes gone questioning and thoughtful, mahler pressed it lightly upon the churned earth.
"it is still very painful for you," he remarked quietly, eyes lingering upon her scar, the apology of her open gaze. "i vould not be surprised if trust did not come easily to you."

Heh. She gave off a slight chuckle to his "it is still very painful for you" observation. "One could say that" she spoke back with a quick glance of retirement. Zarya had given up trying to change herself, morph herself into some strong and sturdy emotionless fighter.

      She was Zarya. The wolf who had lost her family, obtained scars, loved running, hunted to survive, couldn't control her pity and sorrow, and she was the wolf who would fight for a stranger of whom she just met. She was crazy, but that was all she would ever be. 

      "Trust comes too easily" she admitted looking down once more. "That's the problem" Zarya remarked with yet another sigh. "If my trust was more than it already is I would already be dead," she said simply. This was one of her many flaws, but she was still alive, wasn't she?

who was this woman who had come to diaspora? each time he spoke with zarya, she revealed some layer of herself that mahler found intriguing. he himself kept well-guarded against such advances, but it seemed the she-wolf needed only be prompted to speak. perhaps she had needed the companionship, he mused, but reminded himself that had it not been for his wounding, zarya would be no geist.
"ve are straightforvard here," mahler assured briskly. a lie if he had ever told one, for he had been embroiled in deception as of late. but she need not trouble herself so much — a flick of his plume and onward the general moved. "how is your pain now that you have rested a bit?"

Straightforward? Zarya had to admit, at the word straightforward she had to suppress a laugh. Straightforward was not a word she would use to describe this wolf she thought as she mockingly rolled her eyes. But otherwise, she stayed silent and continued to follow the gargoyle.

      "I'm fine." Zarya reassured the he-wolf, huffing underneath her breath. One could assume she was still not comfortable or thrilled about the recent events. After admitting her willingness to trust Zarya had become more aware of what she was doing.

      She really was crazy, but she had already agreed so she would have to deal with it now. Zarya still owed this wolf her life. "Is there anything I can do to repay you?" since you're so straightforward all the time she thought with a stifled smile.

"good. if you have need of me, i vill check on you often." mahler rather doubted she was without discomfort at this time, having walked so far.
but as any beast, she needed her pride. he granted it by accepting her words, refusing to coddle or demean her with further commentary.
zarya rolled her eyes, but redeemed herself with an offer he had not expected. "you vill not be able to get around much for now. but vhen you can stand, ask the others for small tasks."
servant until she might give back. her thigh would take at least a fortnight to mend, and even then it would be tender. an arch of his brow.
did she accept?

Zarya expected the gargoyle to answer in such a way. So when he did, she just glanced at her paws and back up to the wolf. She was disappointed in herself that she had ever allowed this to happen, this was something she couldn't run from.

      Though, this wasn't a time for pouting or downcast. She nodded in understanding as she undertook the he-wolf's request. "I can do that" she answered briefly whilst hiding her frustration to her ability's best, complementing her speech with a slight nod. Now what? Zarya had no earthly clue, so she looked upon Mahler for further instructions.

"i know this is hard. to be beholden," mahler groused. "do not think of it as a task. you are a member of diaspora. use it to help you meet the others."
she would be here a fortnight, perhaps two for safety, until her flank had mended.
why depart the comfort of a pack after that long a time? it was what the gargoyle expected to happen, though he entertained no true illusion that it was a certain thing.

She didn't know how long she was to stay, or if after her wound mended she would stay part of the pack. All Zarya knew was if you wanna keep your head, you have to keep your head low. She nodded at the gargoyle's grumbling speech. Zarya knew her eyes had uncovered her disappointment before, so she refused to meet the he-wolf's gaze.

      It wasn't Mahler she despised, nor the pack she resided within. It was herself she loathed, she was the cause of the resentment flowing through her veins. But still, her eyes flamed, her heart pounded, and it took all her effort to not just break apart with the pressure of her failure. Zarya withstood the hatred, composed her stature. The only giveaway possible would be the glare she now threw at her paws. Worried her voice would reveal her too soon Zarya stayed silent. If she didn't find something to distract her soon she would end up burning a hole into her forepaws with her still-smoldering scowl.

zarya did not recant, nor recover; mahler felt the smolder of her irritation singe him even now. "i shall leave you," he offered, unsure if that was what the she-wolf wished. she was prickly, unreadable, and mahler suspected that leaving zarya to her own devices was the wisest.
before he truly stepped away, however, the general cleared his throat.
"thank you for alerting me to the bear from that day." she had trespassed; she had been punished for it. he saw no reason to torment her further.
and, after all, zarya had volunteered information necessary for his pack's well-being.

Zarya wasn't sure what she wanted. No, that's wrong, she knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted to run, run from all her problems, run from this pack, this confusing Mahler character, and most of all herself. But, if Mahler wanted to leave, she wasn't gonna get in the way. So, raising her head and smoldering the flames inside her she nodded and squeaked out an "Okay" before turning her gaze away once more and collapsing completely. Not out of pain, but from insignificance. 

Upon hearing the man's appreciation Zarya pulled her head up and nodded, "It was the right thing to do." she responded. Not sure who she was trying to convince, Mahler or her. If she hadn't had a reason or tried to explain herself, perhaps Mahler would've just finished her off at his old territory. Saving her from all this unnecessary nonsense she was now forced to endure. Running now wouldn't work. As much as she hated to admit it, Mahler was right, she probably wouldn't survive on her own like this. Upset she laid her head back down, deciding that when she awoke she would try to do something to distract herself. For now, she rested.