Broken Antler Fen Go ahead and cry, little girl

Setting: Evening — 18:39
Weather: clear skies, slightly breezy
Tags: The big bosses - @Maia and @Teya

Forward dating to June 6th since it would take him roughly 5-6 days to get there.

Kynareth had been visited by a very special someone. Said wolf’s name starts with a T and ends with eya. The woman had seemed out his attentions — in more ways than one — and he finds himself wondering just who these wolves are. He knows her pack’s name, she gave it to him during their first unexpected run in. Now, he want to know where they live. Knowledge makes one powerful after all and if he’s to dominate all then he needs to know what packs are scattered throughout the Teekon to set the cards in his favor. So when she departs, he decides that he will follow. Probably a good few hours behind just to be safe. He’s not sure if Teya wants him knowing where her pack resides, but he’s going in with a fair attitude, if only to become nothing but acquaintances with them. He has no quarrel with them after all.

So he informs @Simmik and @Nyra of his sudden departure and explains the details. Why would he miss such an opportunity? 

When he gets there, the sun in low in the sky and casts a brilliant fiery hue on the land before him. With his nose constantly stuck to the ground in order to pick up the pack’s scent, he finally stops when it becomes too strong. Hanging by the edge of their borders, he lifts his head and realizes a deep, drawn out howl to beckon those in charge to meet him. Until then, he’d wait patiently.

when she was not fishing or patrolling the fine edges of the fen, teya meant to be with @Ibis where possible, aiding whatever the auspex would need. even if it was only to listen. she was insistent upon sleep, and even though her exposure to the babes did not make her want any of her own, she tried as well as she could to be a sort of auntie to the little ones.
kynareth, then, caught her off-guard.
teya had not done anything to keep herself anonymous, perhaps another sort of mistake, but that would remain to be seen. she knew nothing of the saints' legacy, only kynareth himself, and stalked proudly toward the border with strips of bark caught in her fur from where she had been wrestling with one or another.
"you find me," she laughed in slight imitation of his purr. "what business you have today?" plume flicking, for here she was a leader, and perhaps that would be of interest to him.

Kyn doesn’t wait for long when the woman of the hour shows her pretty little face. The same one he’s spent a few extravagant outings with, the same one he tailed. Teya. Her fur tinted a fiery red due to the sunset makes her look even better, he can’t help but eye her up as she moves towards him with an attractive purr that he’s known to do much too often. He strikes up a casual smile that makes his face look oh so handsome, if not a little bit of friendly smugness. 

He likes the aura of business she displays then, much different than their carefree meet ups. He too becomes a bit more serious then. His smile doesn’t completely disappear, but he schools his expression into something less predatory. 

“I thought perhaps we could strike a deal, darling.” His silver tongue says intriguingly back. “Perhaps an alliance or something more neutral if you prefer.” He allows a soft pause before continuing, expression hardening, becoming a touch more informative and business like. “The Saints have strength, though I do not doubt you have seasoned warriors or require protection, perhaps I could offer our services if you’re ever in a pinch.” He tries to make it clear that he doesn’t think her pack is weak and in need of protection. Only that they could exchange favors when needed. 

Although every deal comes with a price for both sides. “In exchange for any relevant information you gather on details of other packs. Perhaps pack relations, events, or major movements. I like to stay aware of my surrounding neighbors, I hope you understand.”

lmk if any of my presumptions are not ok so i can edit, Starr - and of course, Maia can feel very free to ignore Eljay's suggestion to stay away and pop in! <3

Eljay hadn't meant to come, too. But the call was for @Maia, and Maia was carrying their children. It was clear by now that she was pregnant and she was already getting close. He didn't want her to run any risks, and lately, everything was beginning to smell like a risk. Eljay nosed his mate, who'd been napping with him at their 'napping spot' (and likely, whelpling den to be), and murmured softly in her ear, I'll call you if they really need you, Mrs. Blackthorn. Then he got up and started heading towards the borders.

When he got there, Teya was already there. He hadn't seen her proper in a while, and he'd been in much worse state at the time. He greeted her with a friendly smile and then glanced at the likely source of the call; the man. I'm not a leader here, but my mate can't make it right now so I'll listen in on her behalf, Eljay said with a friendly expression on his face. He glanced at Teya, trying to read on her face if he had anything to worry about, before glancing back at the visitor. I'm Eljay, the pack's caretaker.

kynareth was direct, offering an alliance between their packs. she enjoyed this about him as well, the charming and brusque way in which he outlined the full offerings of his saints in exchange for them laundering secrets through their familial little pack.
she stared at his body, and would have stepped forward with another salacious comment, had not eljay appeared. she gave him an answering grin, the openness of her body signalling that she was comfortable with the brindled warrior.
"kynareth is leader of the saints, over mountains," she gestured, giving her attention to the caretaker with a bit more formality than she often used. "he offers warriors if we tell him what other packs do when he is not around."
he was direct. others might believe his offer suspicious.
"in brecheliant we have council," she granted kynareth with a teasing lilt. he would not have an answer today unless wraen and ibis were consulted, or unless the man beside her made a decision. maia's choice. perhaps eljay might see how she stood taller, how the curve of her hips more accentuated. "but brecheliant not start wars." 
teya had given herself gladly and freely, but when it came to her land, she was protective.
moreso over ibis — but she did not add this.
"what else you have, kynareth?"
testing, touching tongue to the edge of her lips. 
he was a man who enjoyed being pleased, but more than that, he enjoyed the capture and the taking.
what assurance did she have that brecheliant would not be that once he had finished playing with them?

Just after Kynareth maps out a few optional details of what could be a grand deal, another appears. Though he hadn’t missed the mischievous glint that flitted through Teya’s eyes just before this stranger appears. He wonder what she was going to say. He too let’s an interested spark light golden orbs before he turns his attention to their new company that introduces himself as Eljay. 

The man has soft features, splotches of freckles that line his cheeks. A pelt of ashen grays that drape down his back into midnight, but lighten like ice around his underside he notes.

So as Teya looks over and introduces Kynareth to her friend herself he flicks his ears towards him and smiles, it’s casual and polite, Kynareth’s being a good boy right now. 

“Eljay, nice to meet you.” He hums quickly after Teya speaks. 

He doesn’t have much time to pay attention to the male before Teya speaks to him once more. He honed in on her voice and his smile remains softly on his features, ready to combat whatever she has to say with a reply. The words that come and her cocky attitude makes his smile grow. 

What else you have, Kynareth?

He’s already got his thoughts lined up. He was prepared for that, so he begins with a tilt of his head. “I respect your council, feel free to discuss my offer amongst yourselves before making it official.” He answers formally. He knows how it works with multiple leaders and deciding the welfare of the packs needs. 

“Though, yes, you may not start a war, but it could always come to you.” He points out softly as if he knows exactly what he’s talking about. And it’s because he does. He can’t even think about how many times his old Saints rolled up to an innocent pack’s door just for shits and gigs. She wouldn’t know that though. 

“Our alliance doesn’t have to solely be based off protection in exchange for information. We could trade as well. I have many medics, if you ever find yourself in a lack of them, we could assist one another that way. Or perhaps have our medics trade supplies, some medicines are harder to come by in your parts but might be plentiful in mine — or visa versa.” 

Kynareth’s been through this dance over and over and it shows through his calm but efficient way of speech and problem solving. He’s not playing around this time tying to irritate her with his abundance of smirks or taunts, he’s straight to business. He wants information and he won’t go back on his word as long as he gets it. 

“I have no quarrel with your pack, it would be beneficial to take advantage of an alliance on both sides. After all, as long as we’re not enemies, why not be allies?” He hums the last sentence with a smirk that makes him look both devious and handsome.

Eljay followed Teya's gesturing across the mountains as she introduced this man as Kynareth. He vaguely remembered that there'd been some trouble in the Copse that made them move, other than the flooding. Wasn't that with another pack over the mountains? He didn't want to linger on that thought, though, because he wasn't sure and did not want to base his judgement on false information.

The man seemed friendly enough, and Eljay returned the smile. He felt a little less nervous looking at Teya's relaxed disposition and the way she talked about and to the man as though they were friends. He even left them space to discuss it among their council, which was a good thing, too. Eljay visibly relaxed as well as he read the room and realised that there was nothing wrong. Regardless of whether these were the wolves that the Firebirds had had issues with, right now things seemed to be good between them.

Kynareth suggested that war might come to them, something that made Eljay feel both protective and nervous as an upcoming father. He frowned and said with a mixture of confusion and question, I don't see why war would come to us when we're peaceful.

Honestly, the thought of trading medicine seemed like something that might come in handy to him. He remembered when they'd just moved to Redhawk Caldera and he had nothing on hand. It'd be nice to have a pack, then, to be allied with, just like how Redhawk Caldera'd been allied with Moonspear.

There was something about the last thing Kynareth said that bothered Eljay. As long as we're not enemies, why not be allies? Why would they be enemies at all? Eljay hesitated to ask about that, but in the end he just held his tongue and let Teya do most of the talking.

teya was observant. kynareth accepted her test with a charismatic ease, and eljay seemed inclined to take her lead upon this. she saw things perhaps more grayly than the caretaker: brecheliant was self-sufficient, but they were alone so far from the fen. there was redhawk, however. she considered that perhaps eljay might still harbour loyalty toward the pack from which he had come.
but his place was here, with them, with maia, with the children he would father. teya saw little reason to not take the muscled wolf's offer of alliance.
"warriors good option, even if we not need them now." it was as far as she would venture alone upon that point. without the input of ibis and wraen, even the intemperate girl recognized any choice drawn would be lopsided.
she grinned at him.
"medicine is more welcome. i not healer, but eljay knows many things." a flick of her tail. "are you in rush to have answer, kynareth?" teya asked next, thinking of the fact maia might very well be confined in the way ibis was, for some time.

He can see her contemplating; perhaps weighing the pros and cons. Perhaps he hasn’t mentioned the war to her. Perhaps he should. Maybe she’d change her mind. He decides he will not hide it from her, but he will not speak so freely with another that he doesn’t know as well. Though one could argue he doesn’t even know Teya herself well, but she’s still more familiar than their soft hearted company. Wouldn’t want anything to get too out of hand now would he?

When she speaks, he’s horribly pleased with what she says. It’s true. Better to be safe than sorry as they say. He doesn’t show his cards yet – doesn’t betray his satisfaction with a cheeky smirk or gleeful twinkle of his eye. Rather, he keeps a fairly neutral poker face, opting to tick his head down in an understanding nod back. 

Until she grins at him. 

Then he can’t help but crack a smile. A simple twitch of his lips betrays his his mask of faux coolness. That usual gleam of mischief swirls in his eyes at her next words. No, he can wait. The information would probably be worth it, but he’s been wrong before. 

“No rush, darling.” He hums back pleasantly. “Talk amongst yourselves.” Then he can’t help but turn her words back on her in good fun. “Are you in a rush to have me leave?” He jokes with a raise of cream brows. “Would I be a nuisance if I asked to stay a night? Leave in the morning?” He tries his luck, adding an extra amount of charm when he uses that smile that contorts his face handsomely. “Been an awfully long journey.” He almost wants to wink at her, but he resists the urge to be such a dog in front of their company. After all, she stayed in his territory, why not try his luck with staying in hers. In her company of course.

There seemed to be something going on between Teya and this man, this Kynareth. It made Eljay feel uneasy, though he couldn't quite place why. Teya seemed open to the idea of an alliance, while Eljay wasn't too sure. He would rather live his days out in a quiet pack, secluded from everyone else. He didn't want to fight or take into account wolves of another pack. Redhawk caldera's alliance with Moonspear had always made him uneasy.

The man's eyes sparkled with playfulness. Perhaps there was some kind of love going on between the two of them, Eljay could not help but think. He asked to stay the night, but again he seemed playful, and Eljay studied Teya's face to figure out what was going on. He didn't get much further. He said, Oh, uhm... and defected to Teya once more, since he didn't know this man as well as she did, and he didn't know what Brecheliant's policy on this was.

teya was canny. having kynareth close would assuage her own wants, and his as well; the idea of being possessed by him inside her own packland was too pleasurable an idea to deny. yet with children close, and their council not yet met to decide the fate of their alliance, it would not do well to allow him to traipse through their land.
she thought of the way the mountains bordered the fen, how the shadows fell there, from the heart of the packland.
"if it if yes from eljay, it yes from me. but," and teya was willing to let kynareth think her unfair, "we not stay here. i show you." 
better to be secluded. the little raven wondered swiftly if the others of the saints would be so acceptant of their affair — perhaps not! and for the first time since they had begun, she wondered if he had a wife in the hinterlands.
she pushed aside the jealous thoughts, looking patiently to eljay. they did not know one another so well, but she felt assisted by his presence here.

Despite popular belief that the brindled brute is animalistic and unreasonable, he shows to be quite the opposite. At least in this moment. 

Teya speaks of Eljay, the ashen male before them, once more. It’s only fair that she takes her pack members opinion into account too. He knows the drill, has a pack of his own and has for the entirety of his life. It would almost be wrong of her not to take his opinion into account after all.

Even as the sun kissed woman suggests he not stay in her territory, but close, he doesn’t fret. He knows trust takes time, he’s willing to play her game. 

So the Grandmaster nods understandingly. Even looks to Eljay as well to gage his reaction. “I understand, it’s no problem to me.” He hums casually. Truly, it doesn’t him one bit; he’s patient after all. “Take me where you will.” He adds mischievously then, that same handsome grin spreading over his muzzle once more.

Teya deferred to him even though he had deferred to her previously, and it put Eljay in a tough spot. He felt protective over the pack's little ones, of course, but he also trusted Teya's opinion. Even though they didn't know each other very well, Eljay's experiences with her had been positive. Teya seemed to suggest that she would escort the man elsewhere. Kynareth agreed with that as well.

Unaware of what was going on between Teya and Kynareth, Eljay said after a moment, Alright, it's okay with me, but only if you stay with him, Teya. I hope that's okay. And I would like it to be at the outskirts of the territory. Eljay flashed an apologetic smile to Kynareth, even though the man had already said that he totally understood. We have young children. I hope you understand.

eljay, stalwart despite his soft look. not for the first time did teya think more favourably of his joining with brecheliant. despite whatever grudges she had once entertained, they were gone now, united in the face of this cunning man.
"i happy to entertain you, kynareth," the raven responded pleasantly, heeding the instruction of her older fen-counterpart. "i have place in mind."
with a glance to eljay, teya would begin to lead the saints' leader away for a more feral interlude among the stand of golden pines that ended where the fen began, far from the heart of the territory, from maia, from ibis — it would only be the two of them, there.

He can’t help but smile as her accented voice graces his auds. He’s definitely looking forward to spending the night with the sun kissed beta. 

As she nods to her friend, he does the same. Kynareth wipes the smile off his face. Making eye contact with the healer and dipping his head respectfully, he follows closely behind the beta. Instead, moving to turn his gaze to Teya now, unable to stop himself from staring as he walks a step or two behind her. 

He’s sure there’s suspicion clouding the ashen healers mind around them two, but Kyn laughs at the idea. Let them speculate. It’s much more fun that way.

Teya seemed to already have a place in mind, and Eljay nodded, content that she would take care of this. Had he been paying better attention he would've noticed the many signs of what was going on between them, but for however sensitive and emotionally aware Eljay was, he wasn't a very sexual being and he was very traditional about it, too: it didn't even occur to him that something of the likes might be going on. Not unless they'd start actually wildly making out in front of him.

It was nice to meet you, Eljay said to Kynareth before he and Teya left, and once they had left, Eljay started heading back to @Maia to fill his mate in on the details of this meeting.