Rising Sun Valley lorewatch

She couldn't help but laugh along with him, comforted by his words. Yes, perhaps we were. He has that effect, doesn't he? There's something about him... though I couldn't tell you what. A mystery, even to me at times.

She sighed softly, her gaze flickering once more to the entrance of the den. Family... what a lovely thing. You're fortunate to have yours close.

Then, with a newfound determination sparking in her silver eyes, she turned to Lestan. I have to ask, would you join us?

Her voice carried an earnest weight, a quiet hopefulness. Wake has grand plans, a vision of founding a pack, of creating a true home. I wish I shared his clarity, but I’ll leave the planning to him. Right now, it’s just the two of us. But I see his passion, and I want to help make his vision a reality. He deserves that much.

There was admiration in her tone, quiet and unwavering. Wake has a gift for forging bonds, for diplomacy. A natural leader. And I... She hesitated for a breath, then continued. I find my place in healing, in nurturing life. It’s what I do best. And you, your tracking, your hunting, you would complete us. We’d be well-rounded, don’t you think?

"that w-was always the plan," lestan said sadly, "but he — i d-don't see him now. i have — t-too many ties at the c-creek to s-simply —" throw away on an idea. a churlish, unforgiving, cruel thought. but no one he had loved was still here.
maybe that was why he had answered the siren's call and that of the sylph. if nature blessed them, young wolves with mayfair blood would breathe this spring.
maybe that was his only calling.
kirain spoke with such earnestness that he wanted to leave, and straightaway. but he thought of all he had already abandoned. already failed. a third excursion? a fourth? what would it take?
"i d-do agree we could dignify one another," he murmured, "and he has s-such a passionate follower in y-you, kirain, that i could do no l-less than agree."

She listened intently as he stumbled through his words, her expression soft with understanding. A gentle hum escaped her as she leaned in, offering him a reassuring nuzzle.

Don't feel like you have to hold back, she murmured. I know... it's just an idea. One standing on shaky ground with him missing. But I believe in him. I told him I would follow him anywhere, and I intend to keep my word.

Her voice wavered slightly, sadness threading through her words. I.. I have nothing tying me to this world. Not anymore. Just Wake and his dreams. Maybe that’s foolish of me..

She fell silent for a moment, letting the thought settle before continuing. But I have to believe in something. I need a purpose, and this, this calls to me.

Her silver gaze met his, steady despite the weight of her confession. You must do what’s right for you, for your life. Not everyone can chase ideas as recklessly as I do. I understand that.

lestan sighed softly, feeling both comforted and guilty. "i th-think, truly, that i am a c-coward," he admitted. a crush of emotion; a lightening in his chest. "i am a f-follower. i g-go along. i even h-had a chance at a f-family, but — i put m-myself in the w-way at that, too."
wherever blossom was, he hoped with all his hurting heart that she was far, that she was happy, and that she might never see him again. she did not deserve the damnation of tending her crazed father.
"y-you are not foolish, kirain. like wake, you have a vision." a small wan smile came to life on his mouth. "you suit each other."
if there was a call, there should be an answer.

I don't believe that for a second, Lestan. Cowards don’t open their hearts to strangers or lend a hand in desperate moments. They think only of themselves, clawing for survival. She shook her head, as if trying to dispel his self-doubt. I don’t know your full story, but I see more in you than you give yourself credit for.

Life was a cycle, give and take, gain and loss. An endless rhythm of life and death. There was no stopping it, no predicting its course. Only acceptance. Only peace. And she suspected that was something he struggled with.

I disagree, she said softly. Wake is a visionary. And I... A weary sigh slipped from her lips. I am nothing. Nothing but convenience.

his turn to disagree. lestan shook his head with passionate denial. "m-my story is sad with m-many aspects to it." he studied kirain. "do not sell yourself short. you are k-kind. you are soothing. and y-you treated me immediately with r-respect, coming through a s-storm to see how i was."
his smile was shy but genuine. "we h-have got to be kinder to ourselves," he joked a little, ears now lifting to monitor the dying wind. it seemed the storm would soon pass, but he had grown accustomed to the little den and the conversation.

She laughed then, the sound lighter than before, carrying a warmth that softened the space between them. I’ve gotta agree with you on that. It’s too easy to fall into self-criticism. Her ears flicked as the wind shifted, and she let out a quiet breath of relief at the storm’s retreat.

I like to listen, she continued, her voice thoughtful. Life is such a beautiful thing, in all its facets. Perhaps I can hear more of your story, if you’d like to share. You seem like someone who has seen much.

For a fleeting moment, hesitation flickered across her face. Was she being too forward? She hardly knew him, yet something about him felt familiar, kindred, even. And truthfully, she was enjoying the company. The days had felt so empty without Wake by her side.

"th-thank you, kirain. i'll r-remember that." her laughter was soothing and pretty, drawing a grin from the mayfair.
no promise made to utter, but she had not asked for one. he lay beside her in comforting silence for a time, thinking of how very much he too was enjoying their meet. "i h-have a daughter, blossom. grown now and g-gone away."
some cruel lump sat suddenly in his throat. "i m-miss her. i hope she thr-thrives. i was — not a f-fit father." that he had tried was not enough. it would never be enough.
he thought, for the first time in a long while, of his talisman. he had wanted wake to replace it. now the need for his charm was rising again, sharp and stark.

She listened. The faint tremor in his voice stirred sympathy in the white dame. There was more to this story, more than he would say. And she respected that.

Blossom... that's a beautiful name. I bet she's lovely. A child of yours should be capable.

Kirain pressed a gentle nip to his jaw, her voice softening. I wasn’t there to see it, but I have a feeling you’re being far too hard on yourself. Parenthood is no easy feat.

Truthfully, she couldn’t imagine him as anything less than a devoted father. With how gentle and attentive he was? No, it didn’t sit right with her.

"sh-she is," lestan murmured, just before the tips of kiran's teeth brushed his chin in teasing? encouragement?
deciding to treat the action as one of playfulness, lestan passed the same gentle motion to his companion's nearest eartip. 
"i am b-being honest," he insisted, trying not to be distracted by her amiable reception of him. "it is the f-first step toward h-healing." after all. after all.
pensively lestan set his chin atop her head, a loud sigh deflating him. "where will you go from here?"

This is true. Healing does require honesty and mindfulness, she acknowledged. Still, I feel there's more you're not saying.

She hummed softly in understanding but chose not to press further. It was clear this topic wounded him, and the last thing she wanted was to poke at an open sore.

Hm? I... I don't know, she admitted, her ears folding back against her head. I suppose I'll keep wandering. I don't really have a choice. A shadow crossed her expression. I'll wait for his return, faithfully, patiently.

She grimaced and fell silent. The thought of embracing isolation once again gnawed at her. Wake had been too good to her, easing the ache in her soul. And now? What now?

Her voice dropped to a whisper. I worry about the others in the valley, truthfully. Bearclaw has... not been the kindest. Her paws worked the dirt in front of her, restless with unease.

800 for u!

there was indeed more, a vast sum more. his eyes said it as much, stark hurt standing open for a moment. but he had found trust in kirain; if ever the moment came for him to utter pained syllables, he knew it could be to her ear.
in truth, he knew not where to begin. with golden fire? with the madness?
no one deserved to see lestan again in such pathetic agonies. he thought of those who had tended him up the seacoast and blanched a little beneath his fur.
kirain meant to wander, to wait, a self-imposed paladin. or maybe druid. lestan found he did not care for the idea, but was helpless to decide decisively that he would leave swiftcurrent. he could not come and go; he must decide.
"we could tr-travel together a bit. they are indeed w-wild, but i went f-far enough to find crueler men in the t-taiga." he considered. "s-suppose we went to the flatlands? if he's not in the v-valley or on h-his mountain, we should s-search other regions."

That's amazing! Congrats ♡

She pressed her muzzle against his neck, seeking comfort in his warmth as much as offering it. A gentle touch to soothe aching hearts. These conversations were never easy. They laid bare too much, doubt, longing, the weight of impossible choices. She only hoped she gave him the same solace he gave her in moments like this.

I can't ask you to abandon your people, your home, she murmured. I know you miss him, but don't let your longing cloud your judgment. Perhaps you're right, maybe searching beyond the valley is our best chance. He’s a wanderer at heart. There are so many places he could have gone.

The thought of leaving the valley, the place she had longed to call home, cut deeper than words could express. A flicker of resentment burned within her, directed at Wake for driving her to this desperation and at herself for feeling so lost without him. But she couldn't just sit still. Whether she was chasing his trail or rallying others to his cause, she needed to act.

With a quiet sigh, she spoke her decision aloud, solidifying it in the space between them. I will go. I have to. You should stay, if he returns, he deserves someone waiting for him.

thank u! <3

"i would like to go."
lestan's voice was soft, unrushed; he did not command, and his embrace settled more fully as their sharing intensified. "he will know i l-look for him," said the mayfair in a voice brushed silken with longing.
"i do not want to be alone. n-not now."
he loved the creek and those therein, but this was a chance to be more, to see a portion of the lands which he had not yet been able to enjoy.
"i will not insist," lestan assured, settled now into a silence that was warm if somewhat melancholy.

Then alone, you shall not be. Her response came after a brief silence, her voice quiet but unwavering. This was not how she had expected things to unfold. A simple name, shouted into the void, one they both knew, and suddenly, the course of their lives had shifted. Plans were forming, roots loosening, all for the fragile hope of a different future.

She wasn't sure whether to feel encouraged or disheartened. Was this a promise or a farewell? A beginning or an ending?

Who knows, she murmured, a faint trace of wistfulness in her tone. Maybe this will be a worthwhile adventure, a chance to experience something new… something beautiful.

With a soft sigh, she let the silence return, her thoughts heavy with the weight of what lay ahead.