[html] Cassia
Oak traveled north.
He left the cider house in the early morning and simply moved north. He had always done that when their lives were centered around Haven Manor. The male would just go, and North it was. To the hills and woods. Now, only after hours of walking the male stood at the water. Had it even been a hour? The ocean seemed so close and he could not tell, his thoughts were far from focused on the day. They painted his future, and the colors they used were dim and neutral.
The salt licked air touched his shortly kept mane, lifting it and bringing a summer breeze to ease the warmth of the sun. It was so seemingly wide open. Just like the coast that his family had once owned. But he had no idea that just beyond the horizon lay another stretch of beach or rock. A beast could be standing on it as well, looking out and wondering where the sea would end. The tree-male did not know the area, or the coastline. Suddenly he missed what was so familiar for him.
Questions had begun to rise inside, they started to wonder about the where and when and who in his life. He wanted something larger then the cider house, a part of him resented the orchard and how it was so easily found and how it had become the perfect hideaway. When they left Rabbit Lake Oak could not imagine calling himself anything again, if he was not a Dreamer… he was nothing. But he couldn’t stand being that any longer.
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[html] Yippee ^_^The cinnamon femme had risen before the sun as she did habitually. As a huntress she had learned to rise early to reach the early morning feeding grounds of game before they awoke with the dawn. This morning, like so many others she had no plan for the day. Usually she would wait for the others to rise and assist them with whatever was their goal for the day whether it was foraging, tending the orchard or hunting, but if the other inhabitants of the cider house had no plans then she would wander. A sigh escaped her lips as she wondered. Was this really how her life was meant to go on? She did not regret living with Oak, his family and the others that called Berwick home, but there was no real structure. For a girl raised in the rigors of high society, though she abhorred it so, this inconsistent day to day living threatened to drive her mad. Her thoughts would have continued on this downward trend had not a shift in the wind distracted her. Oak! His scent was close, coming from the north. Where was he going? He wasn't that far ahead of her so perhaps she could follow and see. Truth be told she had not interacted with the russet male as much in the recent week as she had in the past, after their sparring match. She felt so embarrassed that she had knocked him unconscious. She hadn't meant to strike him so harshly, but nevertheless her forearm had cracked him in the side of the head with sufficient force to leave him lying flat out on the ground. It had only been the second blow thrown in the match. When he had come to she had explained what had happened and the russet male had just laughed. She had just wanted to cry, a rare emotional outburst from the Calidus girl. She could have hurt her best friend in these lands and she would never have forgiven herself. Of course, she hadn't and the two of them had parted ways that day and exchanged the occasional greetings and small talk in the days after, but no really meaningful encounters as were usual. Today would be different. Wearing her blouse tied up to sit just below her chest, revealing her midriff, and her skirt with none of her weapons or armor the girl felt uncharacteristically vulnerable, but if she turned back to grab her sword Oak might get too far ahead to make following him feasible. So the mahogany maned wolfess left her blade, bow and quiver behind, slender form floating across the orchard to follow behind the male who was already long out of sight, his scent the only clue to his direction. North had been his direction so for the next couple hours Cassia followed his trail north. The familiar scent of salt, the sound of the surf brought a smile to her lips as she neared the coast. At the edge of the beach the cinnamon girl paused, her sea green eyes quickly finding the russet form of her friend. Calmly she strode forward, hands clasped behind her back casually, to stand beside the male. The ocean breeze whipped her long mane behind her. Her mane, stretching down to just above her tail was quite the sight to see blowing behind her. Standing beside her friend, she watched him as he appeared lost in thought. "What troubles you, Oak?" she queried, her hands fiddling with the knot tied in her blouse to hold it up higher. It had not taken long for Cassia to see the thoughtful expression of her dear friend. She had known him long enough to feel confident that something bothered him. [/html]
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Watching the waters did not help the rolling thoughts in his head, and it did not help the uprooted and displaced feeling that had settled into his heart. It was constantly moving, rolling back and forth as if it couldn't find a secure place to simply be. At the moment he heard her voice Oak turned, suddenly finding himself steadier and more secure as he caught her gaze.
Oak smiled. He had come to know the feeling that rose within when he was near Cassia, and his heart leaned on it during a moment of weakness. But then her question placed the weight on his shoulders once more. There was so much that seemed to be upsetting him and he was unsure how to express it. Oak took a few steps towards her. She looked different, though clothed as usual there was a change in her presence when she was without her armor or weapons.
He still found her confidence and powerful, despite the appearance and remembered well the moment he awoke by the nap she induced. She had been there, worrying over him as he tried to get up after their sparring match. He knew she worried that he would regret the moment, but Oak did not. He found nothing disheartening about being overtaken by the female, she was better at combat and she had shown it.
Blue gaze looked over her, differently then before. He saw the things that she covered more often then not and the sea winds gave the fur of her mane a mind of its own. Berwick. he replied, mind stumbling back to the present and causing a frown to alter his features.
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[html] Sea green met tore bay blue and the vulnerability returned, though she did not shrink from it. She knew and liked that Oak saw her for who she really was, not who she made herself out to be for protection. Her guard could fall and she would be just as safe. Lips curved in a warm smile as Oak moved closer to her before answering her question. One word, that was all. Berwick. How odd and yet understandable that Oak would be worrying about the same thing she had been brooding over earlier. The little corner of the world where they lived held shelter and companionship, but was it really what they wanted from life? "Ah yes, Berwick. I've been thinking a lot about the little village and orchard, myself, lately," she revealed, hand still clasped behind her back casually. She'd allow the words to linger in the air for a few moments before continuing. Oak's thoughts were still whirling. That she could see. He really had a lot more on his mind than just Berwick, but perhaps the little village was the center point in his web of consciousness. "Are you growing bored with it? Is there something missing from the quiet life Berwick offers?" She probed, in a way revealing her own struggles and misgivings through her questions. She wanted to hear Oak's troubles, though. Her queries were primarily intended to focus his active mind to more thoroughly answer her initial question. Life in Berwick presented many issues to think about, but which of them had captured the woodsman's thoughts. Truthfully Cassia had not yet thought of alternatives to Berwick. The wolfess she had met in the old Crimson Dream's orchard, Colibri Haki, had said the entire band of Berwick wolves would be welcomed in her pack. Vinatta was it? The cinnamon wolfess did miss the lifestyle found in a pack, but she did not wish to leave Oak or his family. She was closest to Oak, but she was a part of the loose group and liked all of them. She did not want to break out on her own and risk losing the companionship she had found.[/html]
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There was no question in Oak’s mind, Cassia would understand. That was something that he had come to learn about the other loner, they could trust one another to simply understand. He was not fearful that she would think him selfish or weak for having such troubles, and was not fearful of her green gaze watching him.
As she replied he listened with the same interest he always held when she moved to speak. She had been thinking the very same thing; a monstrous amount of emotion held by one single place. He felt instantly relieved by the notion that Cassia too could be discontent in the orchards, even if it was just a small notion of unhappiness. He was not alone. Once again she was beside him with a similar feeling or need.
His troubles were far from settled though, despite Cassia. She questioned him after a few moments passing and he looked away as he tried to gather his answer. It was not that he was bored; he had what he needed in the sense of family. And she… she was his friend and Oak had not needed to seek beyond her. Turning back to face her, I’m not bored, you keep me busy. he added with a bit of a smirk, changing his tone from sorrow to something brighter. But, There –is- something missing though. he paused, Do you think so too?
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[html] She kept him busy. A flush came to her face when he said that, though she had no real reason for embarrassment. They were best friends, she saw him almost daily and when they weren't practicing the martial arts together they were engaging in conversation or other tasks. Truthfully she wasn't sure what about his statement brought the warmth to her cheeks. Sea green gaze looked out over the water as Oak finished his answer. Something missing? Yes certainly there was, but what exactly? "I do, though I cannot quite place what precisely "it" is. I do like the orchard and Berwick, but even within our little group I feel like there is a void in this form of living that was not there when living in Crimson Dreams." The mention of the former pack's name stirred a nostalgic sigh from within her. Her arms moved from behind her back to folding in front of her, a hand cradling her chin as she thought. "I feel, like we lack true unity as a group. We go about our daily business, working to better the orchard and keep each other safe but in the end, as close as we all are, I don't feel the unity that a pack provides." Despite all of her words she still struggled to grasp the real point of what she was saying. Perhaps she really didn't know, but it felt like the answer was on the tip of her tongue. She longed for structure. Crimson Dreams had had structure, a pack mentality even with the tremendous emphasis on equality. Whenever the need arose the hierarchy became clear and the pack would unite around a common goal, as one. While no such need had arisen yet in the cider house group, Cassia felt that if a situation presented itself the group would lack that ability to act as one and the idea unsettled her. Even as much as she hated the class system of her old homeland, there had never been any question of safety or indecision when a dire need arose. Her father had always been able to step up and, with the other leaders, bring order to whatever situation, whether she agreed with the method or not. Even in during the rebellion that had landed her in the 'Souls lands there had been unity in the actions. Was there such a thing in their group in Berwick?[/html]
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He was afraid to say he missed Crimson Dreams. So much had happened in such a short span of time that the male had desired peace and quite afterward the disbandment, and the Cider House had provided. And provided well. He had spent his energy pushing away the feelings of longing for the pack, to help his mother and to help himself transition into the life of loners. And maybe to help Cassia too. He moved from sadness to determination, set on moving on. To miss Crimson Dreams was to fall backwards. But it was impossible to squelch the feelings and he was having trouble continuing to deny them as well.
Tore bay eyes watched. They caught her as she looked away, taking in her thoughtfulness as she spoke in answer to his question. Yes. He felt relief that he was not alone in the discontent. Her words now confirming it. As she spoke it he felt the hurt that hearing the name of their last home brought, but he did not let the sting reach his outer shell.
Silence filled the gap between them when she finished speaking, and then Oak finally nodded. I miss it too. He admitted, the denial falling away like a silk-thin veil. They deserved more, they all did. Every wolf that had come to Berwick needed a retreat from the pack, but now he felt the time to return to the natural desire for the pack had come. It had been set so deeply in them, written in their blood.
He thought of Lilin, and the joy she exuded when she spoke of her home. He had been that wolf once. The air of pride surrounding him when he had called himself a Dreamer. I don’t know if I could leave my mother, I am unsure if she would want to go anywhere… If we found a place. The true trouble came to the surface unexpectedly. But of course it had been bubbling like a rolling boil since he felt the need to find a pack.
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[html] Sorry for the long delay, real life is just killing me lately,The russet male revealed that he too missed Crimson Dreams and a comforted smile crossed her lips. It was calming to know that she was not alone in her longing for the old pack. Luperci were social by nature and despite their attempts to live socially at the orchard, as she had said before, the true unity of pack life was lost. The worry Oak expressed moments later brought a thoughtful sigh from within the cinnamon girl. "I can understand your feelings. I would hope you would not have to leave your mother, but perhaps if we find a suitable home she will come with some urging. At least, I hope so. We might just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. That is, if we're seriously thinking about finding a new home," she replied, as sincerely sympathetic as possible while trying to maintain an air of realism. She had not wanted to leave her original homeland. The choice had been made for her. In this moment, she, Oak, Anu and the rest of the orchard group had the liberty to choose whithersoever they went. The mahogany maned girl knew she would follow her best friend wherever he went. She dared not lose that companionship. [/html]
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Her words were comforting, and understanding as always. After all that had happened Oak could not imagine simply leaving his mother. She wouldn’t be alone, Tayui would be there for her as well as Cypress. But it was not the same. He could protect them, at least long enough for them to flee from any trouble. He and Cassia were their defenses in the loner’s world, and Oak’s idea threatened to take that away from them.
Oak nodded, eyes watching her as he thought for a moment. There is a new pack to the north, Vinátta they are called. I met one of their leaders. He was serious about leaving, and even as he spoke about the pack there was something changing inside him. An ease was released, a relief causing the tension in his body to defuse. It’s far away from Crimson Dreams, The old territory would forever be known as Crimson Dreams for the male that had been born and raised there. and it is peaceful.
His voice trailed, unsure what else to even say about the Vinátta. Going elsewhere was a possibility, they had two different packs that flanked the orchard and either would take them in. But he believed they needed to get away, and truly change their fate.
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[html] ooc: Sorry for the delay, comatose muse from real life y'know lolThe cinnamon huntress turned as the russet woodsman spoke of this new pack. Vinatta, the name sounded pleasant, though if any wolf were to join a pack purely for its name their intelligence would get called into question. Oak had met one of their leaders. He noted the distance from their old pack lands and their peaceful nature and her ears perked in interest. Her friend had done his homework. "What was the leader like?" she inquired, head cocked inquisitively. The idea of finding a new pack had crossed Cassia's mind several times, but she had not wanted to leave Oak and his family behind. They were her only close friends in this land. She had met a few others but did not know them well enough to call them more than acquaintences. No, if she were to find a new home she would want to be with her friends. Mahogany mane whipped in the ocean breeze as she gazed at the male's tore bay eyes, a smile curving the edges of her mouth in a display of her eagerness. If Oak had found a potential home, she would have him relay every detail to her, though she preferred not to press him. If the need arose then press she would but hopefully her one inquiry would be enough to set the male to regailing her with his encounter with the leader of Vinatta [/html]
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