Bramblepoint sweet child o mine

@Rannoch

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she was healing. gradually, slowly, did her ruined face mend itself, did her mental state improve. it had been a week since her encounter with the wrath who had sought to attack her for no other reason than to think she was a threat to a love that she would never have had any part of. she had grown more comfortable with the group, and slowly did the terror turn to fear, and the fear ebb further. she was grateful- to those who sheltered her, and the russet girl that had aided in her physical recovery. but still she was kept from growing close to the group by a fierce homesickness.

she sat amidst a cluster of saplings, looking to the tiny, new growth that had formed on all the branches. spring was here, and warmth, and the hope that came to all living things when the seasons turned for the better. still did she hurt, yet not quite so badly, anymore.

It was odd for Rannoch to be surrounded by so many others, but, despite the oddity, he much preferred it over solitude. Despite the confidence that had been felt upon their departure from Chimera Fields, Rannoch had not been sure at the time what would come of this adventure. The feat was one born out of a longing to find their place in the world, and slowly, Rannoch was feeling more sure of where he was intended to be. The new recruits solidified this for him and made him feel as though something was coming of their wandering. 

Though it had been long since Rannoch ran amongst the ranks of a solidified pack, he knew that how he felt was the feeling of a pack-bound wolf; working and striving for the survival of all. With this feeling was coupled another, one that he hadn't experienced in his seclusion. It was one that urged him to pick himself up, to tower over the others, and for things to go his way. Though he was characteristically a good-natured wolf, there was something about running amongst others that urged him to be the top dog, to assert him, and as such he had been conducting himself in such a manner around the others. 

On this particular day, the band had settled in the shadows of the fruit trees for the afternoon as the sun shone heavily overhead. In this siesta, Rannoch had found himself wondering about Keoni, and he sought her out, following her scent trail easily. He had been worried for her since she had been found. Physically she had been faring well, her face slowly recovering from the injury it had undergone, but mentally, Rannoch was unsure. He had known from experience the hardships of trauma that lingered under the surface. He had weathered the worst storms, falling victim to the lowest lows and he wanted to make sure that she hadn't succumbed to such feelings. 

When he spotted her, he paused at a safe distance, allowing her some space if need be. Despite this, he held himself tall, his tail rising, yet, a kind smile was upon his features. "Hey, Keoni," he called, "Mind if I join you?" 

for a while, it was but her and her turbulent emotions, fear and sorrow and a sick feeling that lay coiled within her chest. there too was hate, a scolding voice that grew in volume and was directed at herself. should have listened to Valette. should have been less naive. should have fought back harder- why didn't you fight back? why did you freeze, instead of run? over and over did the voice repeat, when she was alone, with nothing but herself and the voice inside. 

but noise in the silence had her head snap around, gaze settling after a moment of panic on the form of Rannoch. he spoke, words kind and familiar, with no hint of the fear or uncertainty that had been present on his features when they had first met. she smiled, pushing away the weight that lingered, the fear of the wraith. they lingered still, yet were not her sole focus anymore. she shifted, and for a moment was glad that her body was not subject to the same injuries as her face. her head shook in an obvious no, a breath slipped by her fangs in a hollow-sounding chuff.

Despite Keoni's apparent injuries, it seemed as though she was slowly becoming herself again. It was through this healing process that Rannoch attempted to get to know the woman from the perspective of before she had been torn apart. Taking the shake of her head as approval to come close, Rannoch strode forward until he was next to her and sat, looking at her kindly. Though he had not personally gotten used the scars that had plagued her pretty face, his gaze did not shy from the markings. In an attempt to make her feel more welcome, and less alienated because of her injuries, the turquoise-eyed man forced himself to be forthcoming in his stare. Rannoch did not think twice about the differences that she had, or pay any particular mind to them, despite the fact that they made his stomach turn upside down. He kept his composure cool whenever he caught sight of the healing scars and did his best to not draw attention to him. 

Once settled, Rannoch began to voice what had been on his mind since he and Rose had discovered her and it was something that he needed to know. "This might be a touchy subject," he began after a pause, his ears lowering at his hesitance, "but, do you have a family around here?" Keoni's case was much different from the others. Unlike the recruits that had come to him on their own, Keoni had been thrust upon him in light of a tragedy. If she did have a family and wanted to return to them, then Rannoch would not question her motives, knowing that if he were in her position, he would want to do the same. He had spent a good amount of time, thought, and courage-building to get where he was now and with the question asked, the gun-metal male felt a weight lift, happy to finally have this off his chest.

he settled, and briars of unease grew and prickled within her stomach. yet after a few moments, her guard slipped carefully, and she relaxed for fully beside the male. carefully, her gaze moved to fall on his face. there was an odd feeling that seemed to settle on her whenever she paused to watch him, the male who's empathy and handsomeness had her feel...something. her gaze flickered away, and the feeling faded, chased by the confusion and mild alarm that always seemed to accompany it. 

he asked a question, and slowly, she nodded. she stood, making a slow, sweeping circle, until she settled on a direction that felt right and motions this with a swaying of her muzzle in the general direction. north, beyond the mountains, in the valley. she looks to Rannoch, settling back down beside him as a bitter sigh left her mouth, homesickness plaguing her.

By this point in their relationship, Rannoch had learned to listen to Keoni's body rather than her voice. Another had taken her voice, and though Rannoch did not know the details of her voice missing, he knew was aware of the pain that had followed. He had done his best in attempting to help Rose care for her, but there was still so much that he didn't know about the world of medicine. 

Watching carefully, he was given information of where her family was, and he nodded, noting the sigh that followed her movements. "I'm assuming you miss them?" He asked, somewhat naively, as he looked to her again as she settled. Realizing his question may have been too straightforward, he added quickly: "It's understandable if you do." 

she nodded. what else was she to do? she missed them, dearly, and could not sleep at night without waking in a cold sweat and wishing they were here. Nikai she missed most of all, with his seemingly unlimited kindness and the close bond they shared, and she almost began to tell Rannoch about him. her jaws snapped shut immediately after they were open, and she turned away, voice burning. the loss of her voice was a fresh wound and one that plagued her.

what use was all she knew if she could never put it into words? how could she ever find home, convey all she had been through to her family? she couldn't, was the answer, and suddenly her chest burned as if squeezed by a giant fist.

Another nod. Rannoch felt the importance of this and as such did not take her words to heart. Had he been in her situation, he would have wanted his family as well and could not blame her for what she needed. "Do you need help getting back?" Though he was confident that she knew the way back, given her condition, he didn't want her wandering alone. He felt much safer knowing that she would be protected and he wanted to ensure her a safe journey, regardless of the resources that it used. 

To further his point, he added: "You have no obligations to us," he began, realizing then that he didn't even know her name. Perhaps, he would never know, given her condition. "We wanted to help you, and you are free to go as you please." He expected nothing from her as he and Rose had been the ones to save her-- nothing that she had asked for outright. He would expect nothing less than that, honestly.

his question gave her pause, for she longed to say yes and be done with it. but could she accepted more help, when the male had done so much already? she was still, and her head was beginning to shake in a barely perceptible no when he spoke his next words.

she trembled, amazed by Rannoch's simply caring. she had expected to do something in return, anything, for they had lugged her around, fed her and healed her and protected her. her ears folded back and she whined in pure gratitude, moving forward to touch her muzzle to his shoulder in a careful gesture of thanks. she quivered, overcome, the kindness in her wrenched state all the more powerful.

What came next from Keoni was unsuspected to the young male and though his expression was surprised at first, such shock melted away to reveal a warm smile. "You will always be welcome if you ever come back," disclosed Rannoch, bringing forward his muzzle to touch her forehead briefly. He would not blame her if she did not, but he wanted to leave the door open for her. "But, now, I would feel wrong keeping you away from your family, and you must go see them." Rannoch's rumbling baritone was kind as he solidified the decision. 

Standing suddenly, as the idea of her leaving became permanent in his mind, he looked down to her knowing that she had to prepare for her journey. "If you would like, we could enjoy one last meal before you go?" After all, he couldn't have her leaving on an empty stomach. When she nodded, he happily led her to where the pack stored their food and offered her her last meal with them. When they were done, Rannoch bid her farewell and watched as she faded into nothingness, feeling as though the pack had lost a great friend that day.