Woke up surprised you hadn't earned your fate

For @Reign

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It was time for him to brush up on his skills, he found. The winter had been slow and tedious, and he felt weaker than before the snowfall of the colder months - not that the weather was cheery today. A strange weather pattern had crept up on the Temperate, and he could smell tension in the air. The stormcloak was sensitive to the strange, electric feeling that clung to the drizzle, irritating the tips of his long fur. He could not place why it made his insides burn, and his heart pound a little faster.

It was this feeling that chased him beyond the Pasture, and further than the mountains. The grasslands, though barren and wet, felt like a breath of fresh air. He looked up to find the dark clouds, hanging ominously, never moving... A silent threat, like the one he tried to eliminate within the Reach. Perhaps it was a taunt from the Gods that hated him so.

He huffed determinedly, closing his eyes to seek out the scent of prey. He found the freshest trail of rabbit and followed that, quietly, focused solely on his task of finding breakfast.

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It was now the morning of Reign’s third day in these strange lands. She’d awoken before @Aerys had. She cast a glance over the sleeping woman before she stepped closer and let out a low growl. “Time to wake up little cloud!” She slightly kicked at the girl to make sure she woke up.

Stepping away from Aerys, reign stretched before looking up at the ominous clouds. Reign could feel the slight buzz of electricity in the air. And for some unknown reason it excited her. It brought her to life more than ever.

A low stomach grumble burgling in angry demand caused reign to turn her eyes from the sky back to her pet. It was time to find breakfast.
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She was free, running through the fields and happy. The flower swayed in the wind as she smiled. Her tongue rolled to the side before she began rolling in the grass. The sun kissed her skin a warm feeling in her chest.

But then she woke up, hearing the growl that she had unfortunately grown used to over the last few days. The kick was unnecessary but Aerys didn't say anything against it. There was no point.

She was hungry so as she spoke about food, the girl nodded meekly as she stood, shaking out her fur. Wherever Reign went Aerys would follow.... Not like she had much choice in the matter.

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That the stormcloaked man was one of righteousness and justice was hard to imagine as he dwelled within the ranks of the Nightwalkers and was under direct command of the Warlord himself. It was easy to write him off as villainous, uncaring... But somewhere under the façade was a boy badly hurting, trying to rid the world of the pain he had to endure. He was a protector, one to stand between opposing sides and say enough - when he allowed himself to. Though blessed with brawn and an intimidating exterior, those who knew him better would be right to describe him as rather gentle.

Ashen ears swiveled atop his broad skull as he was distracted from the hunt by a distant voice. He grumbled something under his breath, but unlike the Pasture, the Grasslands weren't their claimed hunting grounds. He had no right to chase away whoever resided here, but seeing as they were disturbing his peace of mind he could at least tell them to quiet down during his hunt. He approached with an air of superiority, sweeping an interested yet cold gaze over the two monochromatic women. The smaller, grayer one earned a second take as her petite frame reminded him of someone... special, to him.

“Up early, ladies?” He spoke with his slurred and rough voice, one that sounded older than he was.

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Reign was pleased as Aerys stood and nodded. She was falling into her place quickly and Reign felt proud that she’d picked the perfect first pet to call her own. Reign stepped closer to Aerys and just as she went to open her mouth a new voice rang out.

“Up early, ladies?”

Reign turned her attention to the stranger, but placed herself between Aerys and the newcomer. This would be Aerys first real test it would seem.

“Indeed, we were just about to go catch ourselves some breakfast” her voice gentle.

She looked over the male. Reign was large but he was larger. She made note of the difference in size before she continued to study him. He looked almost as if he belonged to the storm brewing above them.

“I’m Reign, and this is Aerys.” She stated matter of factly before moving aside slightly to show off her little cloud.
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She remained silent the whole time, having not said a word for the past three days. At this point, she wasn't even sure if her voice worked anymore or not. The voice of another brought hope to the young girl's eyes but quickly was broken as her capture shielded her. If this was any other circumstance, she might feel protected, but now, she just felt locked away. 

The wound on her right cheek was still quite fresh though no longer bled down her chin. Instantly she would lower her head, trying to hide her wounded side. It wasn't that she was trying to not show what happened, she just didn't want anyone to see the ugly scar that would soon form. Surprisingly she was content hiding behind her capture, not wanting to start anything. 

However, as the woman backed away to introduce her, she glanced up with wide eyes, fear clear in her gaze. Instantly she would shy away, lowering herself to the ground and looking away. She didn't know why she was being showed off, but she certainly didn't like it.

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Strategist

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Though the man appeared brutish, he had quite keen senses and better social skills than the majority of his pack - although that was a low bar to top. He felt something was off the moment Reign, as she introduced herself, stepped between him and the other woman she was with. It was odd because, if they had been friends, sisters, or even just traveling together, usually you wanted the other to be able to speak as well. It made him more curious and more suspicious than if she hadn't done anything.

“Given that I heard you all the way out there, I'm afraid all that can be considered breakfast is already far from here.” He informed, smiling yet not lifting his brows. This is why he preferred working alone, or with packmates, they knew what they were doing and didn't get in his way. Most of the time.

He took a moment to observe Aerys, noting her odd behavior and the wound on the side of her muzzle. His expression softened. Is that why Reign had been protective of her? Had someone hurt her, and had she merely mistaken him for someone who would do the same? Still... “Has a healer taken a look at that yet, Aerys?” He asked, taking a few steps forward to prevent being shut out again by Reign. “An infection can be deadly on the road.” It looked deep enough to scar, which meant it had to be cleaned thoroughly - that much he had learned from his own scuffles and accidents.

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“Given that I heard you all the way out there, I'm afraid all that can be considered breakfast is already far from here.”

“I hadn’t realized we’d been that loud, but that’s quite alright. We don’t mind the hike it’ll take to find food”she stated calmly.

She needed to keep things light and calm. Because she didn’t know this man. And she had Aerys, who might try to beg for help or even flee.

“Has a healer taken a look at that yet, Aerys?”

“An infection can be deadly on the road.”

Reign’s muscles tensed as he stepped closer. She frowned immediately before backing herself up so that her legs were against Aerys who was now on the ground again.

She didn’t like him asking questions. Especially when she didn’t know him. She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly before she turned to Aerys.

“We have yet to come across anyone with medical skills” she stated simply.

It wasn’t a lie technically. They hadn’t. But they also hadn’t been looking either.

“We rinsed it in a stream though. And we do so daily. So it should be fine” she looked at Aerys as she spoke. Almost as if trying to reassure the girl she was fine.

She gently placed a paw on Aerys, making eye contact with her. A silent reminder and command to follow along before she spoke again.

“Aerys is shy and her jaw is likely sore. So she might not talk much. Please forgive my bluntness, but don’t push her to speak. I’m capable of relaying our answers to you so she is comfortable ” she studied him for a reaction, and hoped he’d back off a bit.
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As he moved closer, the woman began to panic, though her fearful eyes was placed mostly on the woman in front of her and not the male that approached her. She knew what would happen if he tried to save her and the fear kept her paralyzed as she huddled into the ground, curled up against herself. Green eyes flickered back and forth between the two of them, watching the interactions with wide eyes. However, as Reign placed a paw on her and bore her eyes into the frightened she-wolf, the mute woman would look away, burying her face into the crook of her own leg and blocking out the two of them. 

It was clear she was frightened but she tried her best to remain still, almost like a pup who didn't want to be seen. Her ears pinned against her head, though listening closely to what the two of them had to say. Her body was tense, unsure if she would have to fight or run, both of which she knew would be a terrible idea for her. However, she still wasn't sure which one, if any, she would do. It all depended on the man that stood in front of them. 

She knew she could plead to him for help, but Reign's reminder made her hesitate, not wanting to risk him more so than the fear of risking herself.

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Strategist

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He grinned, showing his teeth as his heavy eyebrows still rested just above his sterling eyes. “I was actually just in the process of catching my own - and that of my pack's.” He wasn't sure if he wanted their help or for them to get lost and leave him to his peace and quiet. Perhaps he was simply cranky because he hadn't eaten anything, only further proving that it was them who were the problem, not him. He'd let them decide what to do with that information.

“Well, I don't have anything of the sort, but my pack has a few medical specialists. Perhaps they can help heal the scar properly - wouldn't want a nasty one on such a pretty face, hm? - maybe they even have something for the pain.” He offered freely, friendly. He wasn't lying, not really, but he was unsure of how willing his pack was to help out a stranger. Perhaps if he explained what he thought to be true, that being that there was something off about the duo and that Aerys was in danger, they would understand. He could even twist it as something akin to a recruitment of Reign, as she fit in with the other walkers perfectly in hindsight.

“You must care deeply for your friend, going to all these lengths to ensure her comfort. It's admirable.” He suspected Reign to refuse his silent offer from before, and since Aerys could or would not stand up for herself, there was little else he could do but lay cards on the table in the hopes they'd be picked up.

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 “I was actually just in the process of catching my own - and that of my pack's.”

Reign choose to ignore this information. She knew that hunting with him would open up the chance to slip up on her story, or wind up with Aerys spilling her guts. And Reign just couldn't risk it. She didn't want to push Aery's training that far yet. SO when he moved on to talking again Reign was all the more relieved. 


“Well, I don't have anything of the sort, but my pack has a few medical specialists. Perhaps they can help heal the scar properly - wouldn't want a nasty one on such a pretty face, hm? - maybe they even have something for the pain.”

"I think we shall have to pass, just on a safety measure. We don't really know you, or the people you're referring to, and while we greatly appreciate the offer. I think we can manage on our own. Not to be rude, but Aerys is nervous around just you, i can't imagine the stress she'd be under around your pack" Reign feigned concern and compassion for Aerys. She looked over the cowering girl. "I would love to take her pain away, but to subject her to such social stress to do it. i just couldn't bring myself to do such a thing"  

“You must care deeply for your friend, going to all these lengths to ensure her comfort. It's admirable.” 

"I do, Aerys is all i have. So ill do everything i can to keep her comfortable" She shifted slightly "If she should get sickly from the wound, could we seek you out? If it comes to that, that is. I don't wanna bring her there unless i absolutely must" 
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The woman knew she needed to do something, but she didn't know what to do. She could say something or run over to hide behind this man, but who knew if that would work. Her body shook slightly from the stress, unsure of what she should do. Her mind willed her to speak up, but she just couldn't. Instead, she kept her eyes on the man, refusing to look at her captor. 

For a moment, she thought of a plan and glanced around, trying to remember where she was. Perhaps she could make her way out here later and talk to the nice man. But that would take a lot of time and courage that she wasn't sure she had.

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Strategist - feel free to either archive or wrap up with your own posts!

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But the cards remained dormant on the table, and none moved to pick them up. Though he would've loved to peer at what he assumed was the captor and curse her into Hell, without Aerys wanting to be saved he was powerless. He couldn't help her further without resorting to violence, something he refused to do unless his own safety was on the line. Even then there was the possibility he had completely misread the situation, which would make any aggressive display he showed one he would deeply regret later on. He wasn't his father, nor just any Nightwalker, after all.

“I understand.” No, he didn't. “Wel, if you won't come with me I cannot force you. Just make sure to take care of each other then. May whatever's watching over us keep you both safe.” He offered like he was a saint himself, when in reality he believed that the forces that ruled this earth were cruel and unforgiving. A couple thundering steps were taken in a random reaction.

“You will always be welcome in the Reach.” He responded, refusing to explain how to get there. If they really wanted to find the Walkers, they'd remember his scent and know it could not be far from the Grasslands. He was trusting, but far from naïve. With a slow nod and a wave of his ashen tail, he bid them both farewell as he went on his way to find a quiet place to continue his plans of catching breakfast.

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