Sun Mote Copse He was never demanding, just understanding.

Etienne had left Rivenwood behind. But he had not wanted to go to the shores. There was pain heavy on hisspirit. He felt alone with his thoughts and lost. His awareness of Anselm prickly at the edges, but more than that. It was Anselm's reaction.

The only thing he could think was that Anselm hated him now. Felt burdened by the fact that he had to save Eti. That he had been hurt because of Eti. That was the only reason the seaborn could think that Anselm had such a reaction. That Etienne's presence sickened him.

So Etienne left the pack lands days behind. He would return when he was able to get his head on straight. He had howled his leaving and his potential return as he crossed into the wilderness to @Anselm, @Heda and @Druid and @Fiona.

He had no destination in mind. Simply mindful walking. But he was stopped short by a scent he knew well. And he was both infuriated and also longed to see the wolves beyond the line.

tags just for reference so you know where he went or at least that he qent and he'll be back.

Someone was here. Fennec scented them before she’d heard them, and by the time she approached they were silent. That either meant they’d moved on or that they weren’t moving at all.

She listened with a cocked ear for a moment, turning her head. The wind wasn’t direct enough for her to know, but she had to be close. At least they hadn’t crossed the border.

If you’re still here, just go ahead and announce yourself, alright? She called out, then listened again for a response. If they hadn’t left then hopefully they’d make her job easier and give her a heading.

She didn’t recognize them, that much she knew. So it wasn’t family. Maybe someone from that new pack, the one that seemed to have a little trouble with borders? Oh, shit, please.. She could use a little practice to knock the dust off.

Etienne hadn't called out. He had been too lost in his own feelings to do the proper thing. And that was how the she wolf would find him.

This one didn't seem to see him, but he wasn't close enough to determine if they were blind or just too far away. He shifted in his stance and debated. Should he just turn and walk away.


I'm sorry. My name be Etienne, but most everyone calls me Eti.

He tilted his own ears forward. I um was explorin' I be born from Sapp'ique, but i be making my 'ome in Rivenwood. I smelled missus Meerkat and Mista Njord.

She didn’t recognize the voice but she absolutely recognized the accent. It took her a moment to parse it, but as he spoke she managed to approach and position herself facing him.

Alright, Eti. I know Sapphique. Barely, but well enough to say it. She knew that Alex was no longer there so had never had reason to go back, especially after realizing the coast just wasn’t for her.

This is their claim, though they are with the kids. So I guess you are stuck with me for the moment. She smirked, wondering how he’d take that. He sounded sweet, apologizing for just standing there quietly. If he knew her sister then she probably shouldn’t prod too much, but a little fun couldn’t hurt.

Etienne knew most would recognize where he was from as soon as he spoke. If they knew it at least. It was arrogance to assume everyone knew of Sapphique.

She moved closer and he saw her face. And realized. She was indeed blind. It must have been for sometime. She had no issues getting to him. He was momentarily surprised, but small part of him gave huge props for doing so well. What adversity she must have handled. A queen stood in front of him. Like his family before.

A quiet chuckle. My Granme's an' mama's reach is a long one.

A soft smile and though it hurt to know they had started a new family after leaving the shire. He couldn't blame them. He swallowed and spoke.

I be 'appy for dem. Dey deserve 'appiness. Wut be your name?

His comments were odd.  Fennec picked up on it immediately, the corners of her mouth twitching into a smile.  dey deserve appiness, as if for some reason he needed to affirm that.  There was history here.

Fennec. How do you know Njord and my sister?  She asked, more curious about who this wolf was than she had been before.  Fennec didn’t have a ton of interest for things outside of herself (admittedly) but she loved a good secret.  And past connections tended to be full of them.

Especially a pack like Sapphique.  Her own experiences with the wolves there had been mixed at best; she had a hard time picturing either of the Copse leaders fitting with them any better, but for wildly different reasons.

He blinked surprised. Dey used to be livin' in Sapp'ique. Njord be my auntie and Uncles dad. But den 'e met Missus Meerkat and dey fallin in love. Bear came dere be many injured and dead. Dat be last time I saw dem.

Etienne shifted and curled his tail around his haunches. I be sayin dat my granmes loved each otter. Dey be puckin' men to 'ave babies wit' and den raise dem togetter.

He didn't want Miss. Fennec feeling a little upset with Meerkat. Njord had been a free agent when he met her.

Etienne also didn't know all of the story. He didn't know Njord had abandoned his family. Only that he had been gone when they needed him most.

Huh. Weird, though no weirder than her own parental situation. Bears do love to fuck shit up, Fennec replied conversationally, as if talking about the weather and not a deadly predator. She’d had her fair share of run ins, though she hadn’t been around when the Glen was destroyed. Meerkat apparently had pretty rotten luck if they’d forced her out twice.

Guess they decided they wanted a place of their own. No offense. Fennec didn’t blame them. Sapphique was on the shore, if she remembered correctly, a place she was not fond of in the least.

Etienne gave a ghost if a laugh. A little strangled. True enuff dey do.

He thought if the bear. She was not wrong. The thing still haunted his nightmares. The sounds, the screams, the smell.

Etienne held up a paw. Before realizing she wouldn't have seen it. No offense taken. Dey deserve it. My family mmm. I love dem. But dey can make it difficult for dose not born to dem.

Sometimes even those born to them. Especially if you were born a man.

I think that might be the case for any family that actually cares enough to stick around, Fennec responded drily, thinking of her own family. Towhee was incredibly similar. Fennec knew that her mom would choose her and her siblings over a stranger any day, and it was something she appreciated and had (admittedly) come to rely on.

There was a reason she had never agreed to cast off the Redhawk name in any mateship she’d taken. She didn’t use it often, but getting rid of it felt like erasing a part of herself - a part of her she was not willing to give up, not even for someone she loved.

So, was this just a social call, or did you need something from them? I can call them, or pass on a message. Fennec’s ears turned as she listened for movement near by, but the copse seemed quiet today. She was guessing Njord and Meerkat were tied up with the kids elsewhere.

Etienne chuckled again and she was not wrong. His family would move heaven and earth and walk through hell fire to bring some of their loved ones home if they knew they were in trouble. No matter what. Even if they were in the wrong. When it came to family. Well.

He shifted. It was neidder. I was out walkin' and 'appened to scent them an' decided to stop and say 'ello. You can simply tell dem dat Etienne or Eti stopped by. T'ank you.

He bowed his head knowing she wouldn't be able to see it, but doing it anyway. And t'ank you for takin' de time to just talk wit' me. I appreciate it, Miss. Fennec.

I’ll let them know. She’d tell @Njord and/or @Meerkat about his message in passing tomorrow when she stopped in to visit Skipjack and Otter. If she didn’t cross paths with one of the. Even sooner than that, that is.

It was strange hearing her name paired with Miss. The last one to be so formal was Germanicus, and the surprising touch of nostalgia made her relent momentarily. Not for the first time she wondered if he’d ever found happiness. It’s no problem. Thanks for answering some questions. I don’t make it to the coast often, but I had another sister who ran with your grandmothers too. It’s nice to hear your family is still there.

There was a touch of jealousy in that. Longing too, but she meant it genuinely. Imagine the feeling of building something that lasted.

He amiled amd gave a small huff of delight. Tanks again.

His ears perked forward. Oh, who dat be? Mebbe I 'ear 'er name?


He apoke with a small dose of exasperation and love in his tone. Dey be dere even if de world falls under. My family dey never leave. Dey sea is in dey blood.