Emberwood the faes are gone

fore. date after Bhe/Ibis departure

The bard, now magician (not to his knowledge yet) wasn't even aware of the scandals that were occuring day in and out of his own nature filled veil, while he brashly mutilated unsuspecting coyotes, the same woman who had scolded him on not being a proper patriarch had gone to fraternize with the foreign scout (whom he had much adoration for) and have his offspring. Soft calls for Ibis and Bheidya were sent out, but nothing in return.

The male then grudingly calls for @Kavik, his call soft and wavering, unsure. The ashen crown circled the snowy terrain in the hopes of intercepting the greater one's path. ❝Kavik, I need to speak with you, I haven't been able to get a reply from Bheidya or Ibis, where are they?❞

He heard Awol's first calls, both he knew would not be answered, and so Kavik had already made his way from the borders to find the other leader when his third call finally sounded soft and hesitant through the trees. He was kicking himself for not finding him sooner and explaining everything to him.

When he finally found the new Magician, he had barely stopped in front of him when he began to speak. Kavik sighed. Awol, I apologize; I should have come to you sooner. Ibis is in a deep sleep—unable to be woken and I don't know if she'll ever wake, he started. And Bhediya no longer felt safe here. Something happened with Pygmalion...he threatened her and had an altercation with Kukulkan. She is safe in a hideout. I escorted her there myself. He paused briefly and then continued. I can ask her if I can bring you there the next time I go to check on her. I just don't want to surprise her right now when she's so upset. And he also wasn't sure how close Awol and Bhediya were; she may not want him there. 

Of course, this means you now fill the rank of Paladin. My second—if that is something you wish to do, of course. He wouldn't force the other man into something he may not want to do, not matter how much he needed him to remain in the council and be his second. He didn't want the pack to have to deal with anymore changes.

Faulty and barren;
teary-eyed and shaken;
wasn't he awfully fallacious.

Sweet, sweet innocence! Was he alluding to her? To himself? He could not tell. Heartbroken. Mislead. He was encased in the cocoon of his own deep, mental slumber, his heart now retreating fitfully to the most hideous and lightless enclaves of the heart. It appeared as if his jaw slackened and subjected to the movements of an elvish puppeteer; illustrating despair on his shrouded countenance. The shackles of stress and suprise held him in his state.

❝I —❞  he began after pausing for a brief recollection. ❝This is much to process, Kavik.❞
Ibis was gone. If the ashen crowned could feel her touch, admire her gingerly used lips, the soft waves of her fur on his unkempt. . . she was gone, gone from him. her beautiful countenance bound to something beyond him, wehre he stood, everything. Even the black fae neglected any trust he wished she had placed oh so carefully in him and retreated alone to flee her mate, a place not to his knowledge. ❝I had rather not see Bheidya for the time being. She left without notifying me for a reason.❞  Was he that off putting, untrustworthy? He'd at least thought Bheidya thought they were part of tem with the others, and they all needed each other. He supposed not.

How foolish he was! How starlit she was. . .  Kukulakan. Was he harmed? The man had deep, unfound affections for him as well. . . Pygmalion. he had only rendered the man once in his time, it was a brief meetig with Ibis, before this. He needed to keep her alive, in this plane.

❝I will undoudtly be your second. We would dishonor if we didn't carry out what she had made...❞  

Change. Second. Heartbreak. In a mere timeframe!

It was a lot to process—too much, in fact. I know it is, and I'm sorry. He wished things were different, but they weren't and if he had learned one thing over the last year, it was that life didn't care how unprepared you were for hardship; it dealt it swiftly and equally regardless. And you could either let it bury you or deal with it. He couldn't deny that sometimes he seriously considered just letting his own problem bury him just to find some relief, but then he thought about everyone he would let down if he did and chose to just deal with things as they came. Right now that meant assuming leadership of a pack that had no reason to trust him. And for Awol, it meant that he would need to step up too. 

He elected to not see Bhediya right now, but Kavik would still ask about it the next time he saw her just in case he changed his mind. He did, however, accept the role as second without question, much to Kavik's relief. He would prefer not to be the sole leader at a time like this, and it would just be more change for the pack. Plus, Awol was correct, they needed to honor Ibis' vision for Uaine Gorsedd in her absence, permanent or not. Thank you, Awol, he offered with a dip of his head. I'm going to gather the pack soon and inform them of everything. I think we should invite members to apply for the remaining council positions. I think it will help them accept all the change if they feel like we're all facing this together. I also think it will make things easier if we have four council members. That's how it was meant to be. He quieted and turned to the new Paladin, inviting his input. He wanted to make sure they were on the same page before he addressed the rest of the pack.

Feathery breaths, barely listening;

his breast unsteady his footing like so;

 

❝Of course.❞

'Loss.'

He agreed, but Kavik got the distinct impression that the other man was not really listening. His eyes looked glassy and far away. He swayed a little where he stood. Kavik stepped towards him. Awol, Kavik said, concern clear in his voice. Are you okay? He knew it was a lot to take in—a lot of responsibility to accept. But he hadn't expected this. He couldn't see any other way to go about this, though. Awol needed to know what was going on and needed to know all of the decisions that needed to be made. Maybe he just needed a minute to collect himself. So Kavik waited in silence, watching him with concern. He hoped once the shock wore off, he would do what needed to be done. If not, then Kavik would deal with that too, he supposed.

His voice cracked, miniscule, delicate. ❝Fine. Let's begin the meeting soon,❞ he whispered in incoherent tones, weak smile creasing his ashen face. How rare.

Kavik watched the other man with grave concern, not really believing his words. But he wouldn't push him any further to speak about how he was feeling. Alright...but if you need to talk, you can talk to me, he offered before dropping it. I'll call the pack soon and let them know what's going on. He still watched Awol closely, not convinced yet that he wouldn't pass out right in front of him.