Much had happened within the last couple of weeks. Things had been done that could not be undone. Kite could not think of that; could only think of the promise they had made to their leader, Nina, that only included their return. Certainly not her condition, which truth be told Kite—at this point in time—thought nothing of. The tawny Tainn arrived at the Woodland borders side by side with her mate, nudging him gently.
She would wait for him to make the call, of course. This had been his home long before it had become her own also. Kite respected Nina greatly for letting her in her lands, and thought of the one-eyed woman as a mother to the wood itself. She understood that Mirren also saw the woman as something of a mother, and respecting that Kite knew how important it was to keep the promise they had made. Kite had never intended to leave the thicket, but given the circumstances of life and the unfortunate ones of death, she had departed for a while (giving notice to her leader) with her mate by her side. It was now they returned amain, certainly tired and weary.
She could feel the panic rising within her as she was reminded of the betrayal. The exact one that she had not warranted and had desperately put a stop to as soon as it was suggested. It was the laws of the pack not to do exactly as Nina had instructed. Completely forbidden. Koda should have known that, should have known that Nina was above him and that she controlled the way the pack worked. He hadn't been there as long as she had and he certainly didn't know the pack as well as she did. This pack was her family and Koda had done everything in his power to show what he thought about that. Now with Aideen and one of her children still missing, the only ones that remained were Miccah and her children. While the other man had learned that Nina was in charge and that he should never question her, she still didn't trust him. She needed a male partner, one who she trusted unconditionally and wouldn't do what Koda had done to her. The law that had been put in place was just, both Iopah and Koda had broken it. A shred of hope made its way into her heart when she heard someone summoning her. Not just anyone though, but her, in a way, adopted son, Mirren. Her heart sped up slightly and in that moment Mirren truly would be her knight in shining amour. The distraught mother was quick to her paws and did not hesitate to make her way in the direction that his call had sounded. Her nose had not caught up with her as she entered the area, a sharp sob of relieve escaping her throat as she rushed forward to briefly embrace Mirren. It was over as quick as it begun because she pulled away and rested her eyes on the figure of Kite. Her singular eye settled on Kite, the briefest of smiles crossing her lips when she came to the quick realization that Mirren was to be a father. An accomplishment but one of Nina's fears all the same. The mother didn't even want to think what she would be like when her own children had their own. It was not the time for her to think about such matters though, as they would, hopefully, be some time away. The Hervok was slightly surprised that both of them had made it through the winter to get there, but at that moment, the only thing that mattered to her, was that they were there. It was obvious that Nina was not stably well. Her single emerald eye had lost its everlasting flame and her face was drawn in, stress lines heavily evident over her facial features. When she spoke, it wasn't the familiar strong voice that came out, but one that was comparable to the soft tones she used when talking to Ruiko. "I'm so glad you're both here....so much has happened." Even though she knew that so much had occurred, her tone was hesitant, as if she were asking them if she were correct. Her brows furrowed at this, a million thoughts entering her mind at once, trying to decipher what she was going to ask them. In the end, she settled with, "How are you, my darlings?" Her voice was soft but there was no affection within her tone at all. It remained in the same pitch through every note that she released. Nina's song had died. |
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Kite was unaware of all that had transpired in their absence. That anyone had betrayed anyone had not occurred to Kite; and she also did not know whether or not her act the night prior could be conceived that way. It had seemed so natural, so right... And Kite knew she would do anything for the life that might be growing within her. Was it a sure thing? Admittedly, she did not know how it worked. But she would still need to tell Nina, if the wise woman could not guess from scent alone what she was going through.
Nina appeared before them looking incredibly different. Kite scrutinized her, nervous for how she looked. Nina looked exhausted, and this worried Kite. She wanted to ask what the Hell happened here, but she refrained; instead she pursed her lips, knowing her worry easily presented itself.
Nina embraced Mirren and Kite stood there, waving her tail, pleased that she was happy for their return. Kite would allow her mate to speak first, her warm eyes regarding Ninas frame even still.
She couldn't get enough of just being around him. Even though her mind was in constant, clashing symphonies, his scent calmed her slightly, driving away the endless panic that was attacking her heart. She waited his response eagerly, wanting to know what had become of her former successors. The mother was pleased with what she heard, but then Mirren asked a question that she was still trying to find an answer to. She knew that it was there, somewhere inside her mind, but she couldn't grasp it. It wasn't a tangible thing and Nina was having a hard time making sense of what she was thinking. Nina hadn't slept it days and it was making it quite obvious with the jerky movements of some of her joints, her muscles doing as they pleased. She swallowed quickly, and spoke in the same dejected, soft voice, "Laws are laws are laws and just ones. I promise, they are just. But they all have to be broken. Even if asked they are broken," Nina let out an airy laugh that wasn't audible, the only form of panic evident in her single green orb before she continued, "No one listens to the Queen anymore. She doesn't know what she's talking about. No one listens...no one ever listens. I thought mother always knew best, but apparently she's wrong." She fidgeted slightly, her single eye moving around the territory wearily, as if she were looking for something. Suddenly, as if something had dawned on her, she audibly moaned, as if in pain. "I should have knoooown he would leave again, just as he left the first time. I should have known...but she was stupid and wouldn't listen to her mind." Desperate for some kind of comfort, Nina again dove into Mirren's embrace, desperate for something. She didn't know what it was. For so long, ever since Ruiko and Aeylen had departed, the Hervok woman had been completely independent, while allowing others to sit heavily upon her shoulders. She had a duty to them and now one of the trustworthy had left her...for him. Softly, she whined to him, her voice a broken whisper, "They are all gone..." |
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Kite watched Nina lean into her mate, watched her mate as his eyes looked to her. Kite stepped towards the duo, her head low but seeking to comfort the woman. Kite was still unsure of where she would stand if she told Nina of what was to come should the seed of her mate quicken within her, but she would tell the woman in time. First, though, to comfort her. Kite moved to lick the woman's chin subserviently, letting out a subordinate whine for the moment as the woman groaned about something. She spoke of no one listening to the queen any longer, and a slew of other things Kite did not know about...
But words that she listened to all the same. Someone was leaving, or had left. Kite had no idea what she was speaking of, but she looked to Mirren with concern, then back to Nina again. She wanted so badly to tell Nina that they were here, but would they be accepted if she knew what Kite only speculated? She allowed Mirren again to take the lead, here; he would know the right thing to say.
The mother's brain was so muddled, it wouldn't pick up what was going on around her. So many things were whispering in her ears, dark thoughts, things she had never even considered consulting. Her ears did however, pick up a word. Home. What even was that anymore? An empty word that meant nothing. Home was where family was...and the family that she had...they had left because she hadn't been enough. You will never be enough, the familiar condescending voice of her father resurfaced. Right then, in that moment, she didn't have a home. Ash might have been a few days walk away, but she knew that if the two of them lived together, they would truly go insane... Ironic, considering Nina's current state. Her mind barely registered Mirren's calming words, words of acceptance back into the pack. Of course, she would accept them, she had practically raised Mirren as a child and looked after his health hour after hour. He was as much of a son to her as her own. The Hervok trusted the man with her life, which was very much fated into his paws now. So when he meant to lead her back into the forest, she made no hesitation to do as he wished, her body moving stiffly next to his own as the trio walked back into Nina's personal hell. |
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{Nina done}