Redtail Rise The story of your little success

Getting this started so we can keep things somewhat up-to-date :) 
Continued from the “Partita” thread in Sapphique. 

It was relatively easy to keep a smile on her face while travelling with @Ashlar, @Etienne and Suzu. @Theo and @Reki had been found and were safe and alive at Redtail Rise. Ashlar was a natural with the children. 

She warred a bit with the thought of leaving Theo here to train at the Rise, when she missed him so much. She wondered if Requiem might choose the same, and she felt herself fear losing the boys she wanted so much to keep close. But those were still just possibilities- there was a chance they might get come home. 

There was also the guilt she felt allowing her children to prance about Ashlar, get to know him as they travelled, while hiding the secret that he was their father. Several times she wondered if she should tell them- and would need time to make that decision. Selfishly, the only reason she found now to keep that secret was to keep herself from losing Étienne and Suzu who might also want to leave for the Rise to spend time with the father they’d never known. 

They drew nearer to the borders, but she would let Ashlar lead the way. Perhaps he knew where the children were spending their time, or perhaps he would call for them. She would follow his lead

Etienne pranced alongaide his mother and his sister. Occasionally peppering Ashlar with questions about everything.

But he always turned to dote upon Suzu, makexsure she was okay, she wasn't tired. And occasionally his manman. Occasionally asking them both if they needed breaks or if they were okay.

When they arrived to the edges of a territory with border markers and instinctual need to not move past hit Eti and he moved to stand near Suzu. Body between her and the new packlands.

Suzu was quieter than her brother, but appreciated that he was bold enough to ask questions. Ashlar was likeable, and he had a particularly nice speaking voice. At first, she just watched the way her mother looked between Étienne and Ashlar every now and again. Soft, fond. Ashlar was likely trustworthy, then. So she found herself stealing glances at Ashlar as well, curious about the man. She’d hide her nose behind Etienne’s flank whenever she thought he might look her way and catch her looking at him.

Her mother stopped, and Suzu bumped into Etienne gently as he stepped before her. She rested her chin atop his hip, which she could just barely reach now. Here, she felt safe and still able to see what went on. She looked from Chacal to Ashlar, expecting one of them to do something to make her brothers appear.

They were a tight band as they wandered to the Rise's edge. Despite the complex feelings that hounded him Ashlar truly enjoyed the travel. He stole glances at both of the children often; Chacal too. She was the only one to really return them and her eyes were kind whenever he found them. He warmed, and his heart stuttered, but he didn't comment on it.

I'll call them. He said softly, watching as Etienne placed himself in front of his sister. They were close - she'd been his focus the entire trip. Ashlar had never had siblings but he was glad that Chacal had been gifted with more than his mother had. It had to be lonely, to be left behind by everything you'd made.

It hurt a bit to think of that. Ashlar lifted his head and summoned the two of them, including the message your mother is here. That would bring anyone else who might want to be involved in the discussion of where they might go next. He hoped that everyone was friendly - he saw no reason not to be.

Still, he shifted a little nervously, even while he gave Chacal a smile meant to reassure. There was no reason for them not to come.

He called for them, letting them know that she was here. She could feel the children’s anticipation and her own as well. Requiem had been gone so long now- he must have grown in the meantime but she knew she would recognize her boy in an instant. The little tuft of fur she’d pulled from his tail trying to keep him from being lifted away had been kept secret, safe. She knew his scent.

And it was here, in wisps. Theo’s too. She waited, being as patient as she could for them to show up, expecting them to come running full tilt to see her, especially Requiem who had been stolen away. 

The silence stretched on. She howled as well and gestured for Étienne and Suzu to call out as well, entice their siblings to come. She waited with baited breath, desperately trying to remain optimistic despite the sinking feeling in her chest.

Etienne felt his mother's body language change, the vibrations with which she allowed into the world. He wasn't even sure if she realized it and his heart tightened. And ears laid back. His poor manman.

He tipped his head back and loosed a howl as loud as he could, for Theo, For Reki. He couldn't remember the latter very well anymore. He remembered the quietness within which he held himself, but he was gone before Eti got to know him as he did with Theo and Suzu. He wanted to see them but he willed them come more for Manma and Suzu. More for them than he.

Then he quietly leaned against his mother's side and preened at her leg and shoulder. He was growing, but still rather short. He leaned to the side, to touch Suzu with his nose, lick her across her own. Let her known he was there. Then he went back to Manman's leg and shoulder, gentle pressure. Just to let her too know that he was there.

She waited for them to come running. She was happy to call out as well, excited to have her brothers come bounding through the dry grasses toward them. Time stretched on, and Étienne reached to soothe her, though a Suzu felt more confusion than concern. 

She wormed her way between Étienne and her Maman, and nibbled at the feathers of Chacal’s foreleg to get her attention. She craned her head back to look up at her and spoke in a hushed voice. 

”But Maman…I t’ought de man say Theo an’ Requiem be ‘ere?” she lowered her head and peered over at Ashlar from beneath her mother’s belly with large, questioning eyes.

The longer the call went with no answer, the lower Ashlar's heart sank. There was no reason for them to not come. Why didn't they come?

This was his fault as well. He'd said he would bring them to him and now he had broken his word. If they'd known him, maybe they would answer. He should have said more. He should have done more. Now he was stuck standing here with a broken promise and nothing to offer. He didn't even know where they would be to go find them.

He couldn't make them come. He didn't know why they would not.

The panic caught in his throat as Suzu echoed his own thoughts with her small voice. He looked at the ground, eyes and ears burning, willing them to come. What would he do if they didn't? What could he do?

Nothing. He was useless. He couldn't look at Chacal. She should want nothing to do with him after this. He would ensure they knew that she wanted them home as he found them, but he'd failed them all here today.

He only heard the end of the first call, having fallen asleep in a field of flowers presided over by a wayward Augur; the man had been on patrol and caught him there, and they'd lounged for a bit, but then the adult wandered off again and Reki had slept. He was rousing now, expecting to find company alongside him - but he saw the disappearing figure of his caretaker and let out a little yawn. The howl petered out, and he felt his ears pop.

The boy got up and shook off. He stretched his front half first, then his back, and frisked his tail, taking is time to get all the kinks out. Another call came — this one from the same direction as Ashlar's and in a feminine voice, one which Reki should have known. It tugged at a very deep, almost forgotten part of himself. It was familiar, sort-of, in a nameless way.

Reki was curious. That was all he thought, initially. He began to find his way. As he came upon the gathered group he heard the raucous sounds of many voices calling out — they were more noise than anything refined, and frighteningly dissonant, which gave him pause. They called for him, he thought; but also for someone else, using a name he did not recognize at all.

It was some time before his little legs got him within view of the gathering. He thought he could see Ashlar there — the only one he recognized with any great certainty, so he moved with great care towards the man, his posture quite low and his tail curled against his legs, overwhelmed by the many faces and reduced to his usual shy mien.

Reki didn't get too close. He didn't know these people, and kept looking to Ashlar as if to ask, what is this?

Theo heard Ashlar call that his mother was here. He started to make his way over as soon as he’d heard those words. it had been some time since he’d seen his family. other than Reki, that is.

He padded up to Ashlar and then spotted his mother, sister, and other brother, Etienne. His tail curled happily over his back and his rushed over to them, nuzzling each in turn, starting with Etienne whom he was closest with. 

“Eti!!!!” He said full of joy. “Mama and Suzu!” He added.

The anticipation caused her heart to flutter, and she nuzzled herself son when he moved close. She sensed his disdain, and looked down to peer into her daughter’s pleading gaze. In the corner of her eye, she could see Ashlar staring hard at the ground with shame. Frustration made her grit her jaw. Be patient. Be patient. Be patient.

He wouldn’t have lied to her, she knew it- but her daughter’s question left Chacal speechless for a moment. She thought Ashlar might offer an excuse- but he was quiet. Chacal swallowed hard and unclenched her jaw-

But just as she did, she saw the dusky rose-brown boy approach in the distance. His features changed, his markings slightly paler, but she knew her meek son instantly. She uttered a whimper and felt her limbs tremble. The memory of seeing his tiny body silhouetted against the clouds, disappearing into the mist held her still. Requiem’s gaze was sheepish, shy. Not the look of one who knew those before him, aside from Ashlar and it broke her heard. 

”Requiem,” The notes of his voice a triplet, sung always in the same tone. Each name Chacal knew had a chime of its own- and she could only hope that he might recognize the tune, if not her face. 

She from the brush as well swept Theo, who looked well and greeted his brother fondly. ”Theo! Ohhh, I am glad you are foun’ safe!” Chacal again cried out with relief, and moved to nuzzle her son’s gold-embroidered shoulders. Relief brought her breath in gasps, and she wept to have all four of her children in her sights again. Through a blurred gaze she looked from one to the next, trying like a hen to pull them all within her wings. ”Eti, Theo, Requiem, Suzu, ohhh, my p’tits oiseaux,” she adorned them with kisses- the three of them who were not shy of her, at least. She reached for Ashlar, to kiss his cheek as well, before the beckoned to Requiem. 

”Requiem, Chéri- it is us, your family,” Her voice was a lullaby, one she would have sung to them as toddlers, hoping it might spark some familiarity.

Dark, dusky brown, with eyes a bit like his came nearer. Though his body language and the vibrations he gave off, caused Etienne's ears to lower and then tighten to his head. This brother did not know him, and he looked to his mother, Ashlar and then to Suzu. Unsure. Fearful.

'ello Req. He said quietly, unsure if the youngling would even recognize his voice, had they even spoken at length before the eagle took him from their midst. Then Theo was there, rushing at him, and enfolding him in puppy legs and kisses.

T'eo you is scared me! But he greeted his brother back with the same exuberance.

Etienne watched Requiem closely, though he held fast to both his siblings, trying in vain t be an anchor to keep them here with him. It had hurt his soul to see his mother, diminish with each missing child. And his sister live in fear of the world.

She saw how crestfallen Ashlar looked and it worried her. Her mother didn’t have an answer, but the way she held her breath told Suzu enough. Neither adult had an answer; it was just the way it was when Requiem had disappeared- questions without answers. 

But then- a figure in the distance. Unfamiliar and yet…Not such a stranger at all when she looked at him long enough. Chacal spoke his name and she waved her tail eagerly. She wasn’t out off by his standoffishness- the reunion was overwhelming. 

Theo too appeared, and while he had matured a bit, he was much more familiar with them, and she happily greeted him with licks and whines. Their mother reached out and fussed over each of them- Suzu bounced and whirled in the sudden frenzy of attention and joy. 

While the others held back, she did not. Étienne was typically her shield but in the excitement she slipped from his side. She bounded between her mother and Ashlar to rub against his leg briefly, affectionate and grateful, before she scooted toward Requiem, head and hind quarters low. She beseeched him with wetted lips and high whines in hopes he’d let her near enough for them to sniff each other again, and be reminded of their bond.

Ashlar hung back alongside Reki. He'd seen the boy look at him and noticed the familiar discomfort of being surrounded by attention. So he quietly stepped over, close but not overbearing, to offer a buffer if Reki decided he needed it.

He was just relieved they had come. He wasn't sure what he'd have done if the call hadn't brought them... likely gone to see why, but could he have forced them to come? No. Despite the respect he had for Chacal, and the love of friendship, he would defend their right to choose. They were old enough now.

It was a surprising silent realization. He didn't often find he felt strongly in a way that would bring conflict to the happiness of a close friend.

He had nothing to add to the words already said. He'd spoken of Chacal to Requiem before, but it was still hard to anticipate how this meeting would unfold.

referencing the other thread ^^; since timelines are a bit wonky!

OK I definitely had a saved draft somewhere... :[

If any familiarity could be sparked, it was short-lived. He didn't give any indication that he recognized Chacal or her voice; he looked from child to child as they stared expectantly after him, and saw only that they were around the same age, and had similar features - but nothing to suggest a relation, and nothing to prompt such a thought to cross Reki's mind.

The pale one, who now stood nearest to him, crept closer with a sickle shape to her body and a forgiving, almost plaintive collection of posture and display.

The only thing that felt right was Ashlar's presence as he stepped closer, tall and lean and somehow comforting the way the perfect branch could block the sun just when you needed it.

At most, he reached for the pale girl's face and carefully sniffed her breath. They shared air a moment, but he pulled away and scooted closer to Ashlar and kept himself planted there. His tail barely moved - but neither did it curl to his belly, as Reki was still curious, and this family hadn't shown him any reason to be that worried.

Nice t'meet ya, I'm -- I'm Reki. He introduced, as that seemed the most polite thing to do when faced with strangers. He felt his cheeks warm, and his belly lurch then twist, and he passed a nervous look to Ashlar as if to soundlessly question if he did good.

Theo looked at Reki sadly. "Reki, they're our family. I know you've been gone a lot longer than me, but don't you recognize them at all?" Theo asked his brother. He wasn't even sure if Reki remembered they were brothers, even since he'd been living in the Rise.

He looked sadly at Suzu, showing he felt her pain in Reki not recognizing them.

She could see that her sweet, once-lost boy was a bit more comfortable in Ashlar's presence, and while she grieved to not be able to hold him tight and hear him cry her name in her ear, she would have to still take this as a win. She did her best to remain strong for her children, who were confused- all of them. Etienne and Suzu had grown from babies to youth, knowing every day that there was a search for their brother, Requiem. Requiem, on the other hand, had his existence, and his experience here. All he could recall, anyway. 

Theo questioned Requiem, gently, and she could give him some time to answer, but reassuringly gave her eldest son a nuzzle. It hurt her too to see Requiem introduce himself, as though those first few months, precious, spent cuddling, snuggling and being fed, had completely been forgotten. 

"You 'ave quite a story, Requiem. Some day, per'aps Monsieur Ashlar will tell it to you,
 'ow you flew wid' de eagle, an' came to live where you do." 

Displacing the child again...She feared it might make him even more shy. Here, at least, he was with Ashlar and Theo, should her eldest choose to stay as well. 

"I be Chacal, an' I be your Maman, sweetling.
Etienne, Suzu an' Theo, dey be your siblings.
Months 'ave passed
since we saw you last,
but we be just so 'appy to see you again." 

She hoped at least that the impression she made on Requiem now was a good one. She turned to Theo, then, and drew in a breath. He'd frightened her, when he had disappeared- but it was in their nature, at this age, to want to travel. She reached to brush her muzzle along the golden cape he wore. He was getting so tall...Her children were outgrowing their stay as puppies each and every day. 

"My Theo- it 'as been told to me,
dat you mebbe wish to stay. 
If dis is what you want it to be,
you may stay, an' train away." She said. 

She looked to Ashlar then, and while she still felt completely overwhelmed by the entire situation- finding her two lost sons alive, and facing the reality that perhaps, they'd found the place they wanted to spend the rest of their youths away from her- she felt without a doubt that she could trust them here, with Ashlar. She gave him a smile, and mouthed merci to him. It was an understatement of how she truly felt, but she would have to save those words for another time.

Their brother did not know them, and it filled Eti with unease. Though he wanted to argue, and rail and perhaps cry he didn't. He sniffled and swallowed and continued to stand next to Manman and watched Suzu with careful interest.

Though he also kept a paw wrapped around Theo, not wanting to let his older brother go, but knowing he would eventually. His brother would stay here too, and then what of them. What if Suzu decided to leave as well.

He placed a paw against his chest, and overwhelming feeling of pressure. As he laid his ears to his skull, but he said nothing. Suffering in silence, he grappled with his emotions. This would all be okay. It would all be okay.

She smiled, and her little tail's wave sped up as she felt herself recognize Requiem's scent. By this time, the idea of him being carried off by an eagle had been warped into something almost unbelievable. Memory had a way of picking and choosing what it kept. Requiem's disappearance- and Theo's as well- had been a major part of her life for the past months. Reki hadn't had someone fussing about his siblings' names, so they seemed to have been forgotten. 

But what was forgotten was easily forgiven by Suzu, who dipped down into a playbow. "I'm Suzu!" She said, once their mother had introduced them and had turned to Theo. Disinterested in her mother's lyrical voice, she panted softly and targeted Reki. "You wanna play tag? I'll be it! Or you can be it if you want!" She whispered eagerly.

Ashlar experienced a hugely conflicted rush of emotion as Reki stepped closer to him. The look he gave Chacal was apologetic, a knowledge that he'd failed in properly preparing him for this meeting. By avoiding connecting with the boy as a father, and appearing to claim him as his own, he'd unintentionally furthered the divide between him and his coastal family. Ashlar wished he'd known sooner that Requiem was here.

But even while that was the case, he stood steady and close, offering his presence and touch as a bulwark to his timid son. He could at least ensure Requiem felt comfortable enough to stay and hear what his family had to say, and he knew even from their short time together that he would listen well. He reminded Ashlar, in so many ways, of himself. Theo did as well.

He wanted to know more about them. Fiercely. But he would allow them to go where they wished.

For now he kept quiet.

Just going to put a wee bow on this and tidy it up as we've moved forward with other threads :) Some things can be left vague.

Having all four of her children finally at hand, safe and sound, brought great joy to Chacal's heart. Though she might not always have them right with her, she could go forth from that day knowing that all of her children had survived this long, despite incredible odds. It made her grateful for the family she had been given, and for Ashlar and his pack, for having both found and cared for her missing sons. 

Reunited, the small family would figure out a situation which worked best for them all, in terms of where they would live, and for how long. Once those details were sorted out, the family could rest assured that they were all together again under the bright sun, even if it set in different territories.