Redhawk Caldera calm tides

It'd been too long since Eljay had had a good heart-to-heart with his friend @Teya. He had always had a liking to her, since she was around Weejay's age and if Eljay reached into his heart, he would notice there had always been some fatherly feelings involved from the moment that Teya lost Ibis and really needed a strong shoulder that he gladly provided. The times they spent together were always warm and close, and Eljay was over the moon that Teya had decided to create a family with @Bronco this year, even though she had had such a bad time last year. He was sad that Sorana had left, especially with how poorly it had all gone for her. Eljay honestly wished he could've helped her, but she seemed to just wall herself off to everyone, and that left him sadder for his friend Teya and the gaping hole that Sorana's hurtful departure had left behind than for Sorana herself.

Eljay took his time today, because his muscles were stiff; like most of the time, these days. The caretaker made his way towards Teya and Bronco's densite, carrying a fox tail in his mouth for Bronte, @Ponyboy and @Boris to play with.

knowing that her daughter was all right, alive, did not make it easier for teya. when she was not watching the sky, she was trying to commit every detail of sorana's face and voice to her mind.
the tiny tone that cried you too deserve happiness was not one to which teya listened these days. she had become less anxious, and was not drawn around her family, but otherwise the raven held an aura of slight tension.
but not for eljay, whom she noted with a pang was ageing. "hello," she greeted him, shepherding the children closer. "this uncle eljay. say hi," teya instructed them, then looked up at the man. "how you feeling?"

Today a strange man approached them, and Boris sought to tuck closer into Teya's side. But rather than find shelter beneath her, he found himself ushered out. The little boy scuttled against the ground - clicking as he vainly tried to cement himself in place - but it really was no use. He glanced to the sky before turning wide eyes on who mama called "Uncle Eljay". A term of endearment, affection.

Boris simply looked petrified.

His glance fretted to the tail hanging from his uncle's mouth - clearly not wolf - and though curiosity nagged him to edge closer, fear kept him low as he stretched out his neck and reached out to stiff the tail. His undersides brushed the dirt and all the while, whites now showing, he didn't take his eyes off of Uncle Eljay.

"Hwwlo," he mumbled - barely audible - and only because mama had told him to.

A stranger approached the den. Bronte turned, sucking in a breath. Teya urged her and her brothers closer, to greet them. His name was Eljay. Their Uncle. She had no idea what that meant.

She wasn't sure how to feel after the owl attack, although she had not been the one that ended up with an ear tip missing. These days, she huddled close to her brothers. Sought close contact with Boris, to shelter him and be sheltered. She also kept a very watchful eye on Ponyboy, when she could.

The fox tail looked odd and smelled even odder. It was a curious thing. She reached out to sniff at it tentatively, but was far more interested in Eljay himself. Her soft wide eyes peeked up at him, her tail beating slightly. "Hweeo."

Eljay smiled as Teya came into view, and he reached out to nuzzle her cheek, brushing the fox tail briefly against her fur in the process. He put the tail down, the smile never ceasing. It's good to see you, he said, before turning his attention to the children. Hiya! he returned to their greetings - one shy, one more outgoing - and he nosed the fox tail gently closer to them as they craned their necks out. The shyest of them seemed most interested in the tail, curiously, while the more outgoing of the pair of them looked curiously at Eljay himself with beating tail. It's a toy, he explained to the children, smiling down at them.

As Teya asked how he was doing, Eljay smiled and said, I'm well. Maia's pregnant again, so hopefully your little ones will have some playmates soon. Despite his stiff joints, Eljay still felt that he was happier each day — and he looked forward to expand his family once more this year.

plz feel free to skip if i ever take so long again <3

"it good to see you also." eljay was growing slower as he aged, but his eyes still shone with great wisdom, and his kindness was undeniable, something he could teach each young blackthorn as they grew.
and with that thought came good news. teya's face was a wreath of silver light. "that wonderful, eljay! congratulations to you both."
the raven waved a paw at her children. "you hear that? you have new cousins this year to play with!" she crooned.