Northstar Vale blood in the cut [m]

@Reyson but leaving AW in case anyone else pops in quickly or what not.

She rubbed at her cheek, just below her eye with the back of a dainty paw, the yawn that escaped her longer than necessary. Blinking rapidly, she looked down, trying to focus at the task on hand. She was near the borders of Epoch—having howled for Reyson moments earlier. It could take him a bit to get here, and so she would wait—her intention to travel to Basilica with the promised herbs and plants for its healer.

The broad leaf she had piled them on had been carefully placed and packed. She hadn’t seen the soldier since Towhee’s incident and had spent the past day or so ensuring the woman was going to rest and settle in alright—and then another quick feed of some medicine and latch assistance with Keyni…

She was exhausted. Hours before, she had freshened herself up in a pool of water—her mind casually telling her it was to help wake her up, and nothing to do with the clinging scents of the Sunbeam Lair and a darker soldier she had recently spent time with.

“Get over yourself,” she muttered quietly, looking up, scanning the horizon for a hint of the mountainous Legatus.

Reyson found himself roaming closer to Epoch than was necessary inbetween patrols. He was hoth surprised and a little irritated with himself. He didn't know what she wanted or even if she wanted him and he didn't wish to push and push her away.

He heard her howl upon the wind and looed towards it. As he neared he took a moment to study. She looked tired and he frowned.

He approached her with a gentle nudge. Are you alright?

She pushed herself for others and it would weigh on her

She warmed as icy blue eyes swept over her. Uncertaint of where they stood—unsure of anything and everything she was feeling, and at his touch and gentle questioning, she leaned to him slightly before pulling away, eyes drifting from him to cast down upon her parcel. She was tired, was all. It was the fatigue, she could tell herself, and after this trip, she would come home, check on Towhee and Keyni… check in with Tamar… and then she would sleep.

“Late nights, early mornings,” she offered, blinking as she looked back up to him, trying to solidify her words with a smile, as if to ease his concern. “Are you up for that trip today?” She lifted a paw, motioning down to the packed herbs and plants. “I want to make good on my word to Ash Paw sooner than later.”

She looked up at him a moment and cast her gaze back down. He was confused and unsure now. Had he spoken too much on his past, ruined whatever they may have had. Pwrhaps it was best to close his heart away again. After all if it wasn't there for taking, it couldn't hurt. And yet it felt an injustice and unfairness to her.

I wish you wouldn't run yourself so raggedly. With you always.

He saw there herbs. Would you like me to carry them?

Her smile was wane—there was little left to do but run herself ragged for now, and she would tell herself that soon, it would become easier. Soon, she would have a decent supply of resources… She would train Tamar, and there would be two of them able to treat those within the pack. Soon, soon, soon…

“Are you the pot or kettle?” She offered, a small chuckle—trying to break the ice and bridge whatever strange gap presented between them now. At his question, she blinked, eyes slipping past him to the direction they would head. She was just grateful for the company—she didn’t expect him to do all the work, though and she gave a gentle shake of her slender muzzle.

Gingerly, she finished wrapping up the leaf, once more going through the list of her trade in her mind—willing herself to not forget something. “I think I’m ready if you are?”

The lift of her muzzle. The line of her jaw. Her smile fell flat and his heart stuttered. She would work herself to death and it drove him mad with worry.

Though her words laced his mind with amusement and he chuckled.

Touche. Though in my defense i did rest when i got too tired after the last few days ordeal. Feel asleep beneath the willows on my way home.

He moved into paw step with her and brushed a muzzle across her head again and was ready to go. He changed his gait to match hers, so as to not outpace her.

His broad muzzle smoothed over her crown—he shadowed her in so many ways and she found she did not mind, her shoulder brushing to his with a sense of ease. His admission to sleeping alone, though—that drew a sharp gaze from the healer, and a rather sour twist of her lips before she bent down to pick up her carrier. They were on their way—and it was probably becoming painfully obvious she was avoiding speaking of the elephant in the room.

“You could have stayed and slept at Epoch,” she grumbled around the leaf. “Tamar wouldn’t have minded.” Something about him sleeping alone in the dead of night in a strange place did not settle well with her.

And bitterly, she had to push aside the thought of him possibly sleeping very much not alone in the pleasurable walls of Akashingo.

She glared at him with sharp gaze and he blinked unsure what he had done to get a eye reprimand.

Reyson smiled. That feels intrusive to your pack, regardless of our pack ship. And Imperator may not like it.

The silence was growing and he knew he'd need to speak soon enough on his admission from the day before, make sure they were okay. But he wanted to see if she would bring it up first. It settled under his fur like a burr.

Imperator might not like it.

She considered the roman Mereo leader, realizing it felt mostly disingenuous that Reyson not realize that she knew the stark solider, and she felt her shoulders sag. Hiding one friendship from another didn’t seem so terrible—a burden to be lifted, certainly. “But he doesn’t mind you taking time away from Mereo to escort Epoch in this matter?”

There was a pause, and then, eyes averted, she looked ahead of them, feeling the brush of his fur against hers, relishing in it, lest he soon move away from her. “I’ve met your Imperator a couple of times now,” she informed, her breath hitching lightly.

Reyson dipped his muzzle and shrugged a shoulder.

I didn't ask because he has already bade me meet packs in the area. And my time is my own if i do my duties well. My main concern was I didn't wish to agitate any standings when we are beginning to bring good tidings to our packs.

Reyson stiffened immediately. Thoigh he didn't move away. Going over every single conversation. If she were to tell Germanicus anything he had said. It would be insubordination. The muscles in his back twinged and he remembered well the cat o nine tails upon his broad back. Renauds tears as he helped to clean it.

He heard the hitch and his stomach twitched even further and he closed his eyes.

Imperator is a good soldier and from what i know of him a good man.

His tongue felt to large for his maw.

And that was the reaction she had expected—the pull away, the instant way he froze, his muscles growing taut. Her eyes raked over him, brows lifting in surprise as what seemed an almost robotic response slipped past him.

But she was not a mind reader. And she felt her frustration growing, as she considered the conversation and night she had shared with Reyson prior—and then the casual words he had spoken to Towhee.

“You dislike that I have met him?” It was a question—digging. Honeyed eyes rapt upon him, not willing to let this conversation slide to something easier for them both. Not at this juncture of their relationship—whatever it may be.

Reyson could understand her ire. Though he had not pulled away. He had stiffened as his memories had reared their ugly head, but how was she to know this. It was unfair of him, and yet he couldn't stop the reaction.

Twisted and harsh his heart felt strange in his chest. Brain was firing a million different things and he blinked once, twice forcing them back and away. And he stopped moving.

No, you should meet him. He is my leader, and an ally to Epoch. But of what i spoke to you is considered insubordination and it could get me punished if it is revealed.

He looked down at her then, a maelstrom of emotions tethered in his eyes. The scars upon my shoulders are from a cat o nine tails for infractions against commanders and though i doubt very much that Imperator would do such a thing. The ghosts of memories are there and it fills me with unease. I don't regret that i shared such things with you and would do so again.

Reyson sighed. I also do not know how the fact that i fall in love with personalities versus genders would be received.

A hitch of her breath—they had stopped, and he shared with her the story of the other scars that marred his body. There was a spark of anger—that anyone dare touch him in any manner, and she had to swallow that emotion down, for it would do no good to rehash a past that she could not change.

“I don’t share our conversations,” she reiterated, understanding that he needed the reassurance of this but also curious if he felt that part of her personality. “Nor do I plan to.”

And then, another bristle—his worry that Germanicus would punish him for a preference he had no control over. “If he does that, then he’s certainly not the man I thought I’ve gotten to know,” she huffed, and continued forward, her ire not with Reyson but the structure of everything he had endured.

Then, with no filter whatsoever: “I hope your last commanders who did that to you go to hell and have to sit on a throne of porcupines.”

Reyson had grown used to his scars. But in moments like this his memories reared and frothed and it broke his soul.

I didn't think you would. Just memories tend to overwhelm me at times.

Reyson smiled and shook his head. Her ire cute. I will take your word on it. I dont know him well.

He snorted. ::They are all dead. Perhaps that is where they went.:

He shifted and moved to catch up with her.

fade to a thread in basilica? or if you want to keep going im good either way!

She slowed—he caught up quickly, his strides lengthy. Her pause gave way, and with great intention, she slid up against him, an assurance—whatever was between them, above all else, she was his friend. Hopefully, one day, he would trust that.

And because of this, she let the elephant in the room fester for now, feeling it inappropriate as they continued their way to Basilica—nimble paws leading them quickly, knowing there was much to do upon her return, and also wishing to be respectful of his time as well.

hrm. I can edit this if you want to fade.

Reyson allowed her to touch him, stay near his pelt. But he spoke soflty.

I have laid many heavy things at your feet these last days. Do you have any questions? Please don't fear offending me.

He didn't know if sje would speak, but he still felt a heaviness upon the air. And if he was to move forward with whatever this was and he hoped it what he hoped it was.

Oh, she had many questions.

So many questions. And yet, she wasn’t certain any of it her business, and so she gave him a sideways glance, parcel carefully pinched between her lips. “Have you and Towhee ever….” She trailed off, feeling that familiar flush rise to her cheeks. “Been together?”

Reyson studied her. Ask your questions all of them. I don't wish to hide things from you. You are the first in sometime i can speak too candidly.

Her next question caused him to almost laugh, but it felt rude so he answered.

I have been with three, but Towhee has never been one. Renaud, Amity's mother, and another female from my former barracks. All of who are no longer in the world of thr living.

Three was three times more than her, and she allowed a small chuckle to escape her. Reyson’s insistence she ask him anything indicated to her that he too had felt a weird dynamic shift between them—something unspoken and lingering.

He worried of insubordination and word returning to the Imperator and then he implored her to ask him anything and everything—it was much the same of his concerns and fears from the other night, and she sensed something had changed in her friend.

“Maybe, Reyson,” she began, gently dropping the herbs to the ground, allowing herself to settle back to her haunches, brows knit together. “It’s time I share something of myself to you.” He had never asked—had never pushed. He probably never would. “If you want me to.”

Reyson had felt a shift and he wasn't certain what it was from or what it meant. All he knew was that it was not a good feeling.

Reyson saw her drop the herbs and then settle to the ground. He looked towards the way they came and then back to her. Then he too settled to his haunches. Close enough she could touch him if she wished, but far enough away to give her space.

whatever you want to tell me. I'll listen.

He remembered Maxims words and smil3d softly.

She stretched—an attempt to relax her nerves, more than likely, then anything else. It wasn’t that she worried how he would react—her past was not terrible. But she wasn’t sure how to dissect herself from it yet—how to grow from it.

“My birth pack was taken out by a fire. My father died in it—I don’t really remember him. We relocated to another pack… a haven of sorts, and there, my mother disappeared one day, and one by one, my siblings.” Her voice was neutral—this was the part she hated talking about, because it seemed to bring upon sympathy that she just didn’t feel was necessary. She no longer missed them.

“I spent about two years joining packs and making friends and then… something would happen. The pack would disband, those I knew would just… fuck off.” There was no better word to say it—it was a bitterness she carried. “And then I met a band of brothers, and they… They saved me, I think. Maybe not physically, but emotionally. They were different than anyone I had ever met. A touch more wild. Their laws were noble and yet based on their instincts… They barely spoke english. I all but butchered their tongue when I tried to learn it, and they named me Engi. And I carried that name for a year and half.”

Another pause, a sway of her tail as she slowly settled further, chin resting upon an outstretched limb. “They were wild and free and beautiful. And I loved one of them. I loved him so much it hurt. And then that too, was over, and I was alone. And now I’m here—I’m not Engi. I’m Meadow. And Epoch is now my home and I will run myself into the ground trying to do anything I can for them because at night time, when I dream, all I can think about is how this too will probably go away. So I don't have big questions for you, Reyson... All I want is for you, and all of the friends I have made here to not go away."

There was a restlessness to her and he couldn't help, but want to ease it. But knew she needed to speak this to possibly move on?

Reyson understood this. He missed his pstents, but didn't miss them. Gone so quickly in his life. He thought of them fondly..



Reyson's nose flared at the thought of the male leaving her. Well he was a dumbass. If i were him I'd have never left. He was lucky to have your love and a fool to throw it away.

Reyson shifted then at her sadness and he leanedcdown to touch her nose with his own. Though it slightly hurt.

I have no plans of leaving Lady Meadow. You're stuck with me.

She laughed—full-bellied, unable to help it as he labeled her sun eater a dumbass. “I don’t think he fully understood my feelings for him, Reyson. One didn’t talk about those things in Hrafnsvatkin. And he listened to the call of the wild—spring came, and one day he came home with a she-wolf he had impregnated.” Bitter resolution, then. His nudge given and she stood, her muzzle seeking his cheek in response before turning away, a paw lifting to swipe at her cheek, unwilling the tear to truly fall.

“That’s what spring does, Reyson.” And she looked to him—honeyed eyes focused, intent. Studying. He would go to Akashingo. He would live in a world of temptation… and when he returned, winter would be underway, and she would likely see less of him. And then spring would come—and yet another world of temptation would be introduced. “We should go,” she whispered, the raw emotion of her voice ignored as she dipped down, unwilling to discuss further, and once more wrapping her gift to Ash Paw.

Reyson dipped his muzzle. This is why eveyone should speak plainly.

It irritated him to no end when others didn't speak plainly. It drove him mad.


Reyson stared at her surprised and then slightly bent. You think i would do that? I assure you i would not. Were there someone who wanted me for themselves. I'd keep my dick to myself. I am 4 and have never gone out and stuck it just where it was wet cause i could.

Reyson stared at her, ears back, eyes narrowed.

Its not easy to ignore the temptaton, but it can be done. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or a pencildick.

While she encouraged them to continue—by walking, even—Reyson was quick to halt her once more, eyes narrowed, ears slid back. He was heated about this! She stared at him, wondering how it was he took this so personally.

“It matters to you what I think on it?” She stood there, chin jutted forward, eyes narrowed upon him in turn.