loccent | run with wolves

Entry tags:

verse: run with wolves

run with wolves | open post.

Characters

Asil, The Moor
A very, very old wolf and a member of the Marrok's pack.

Jang Eun
Previously of Carmel Valley, sent to Aspen Creek by her former Alpha.

Jesse Hauptman
Daughter of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin Pack

Joshua Brennan
Burden-bound. A Sin-Eater paired with the ghost of a long-dead soldier.

PREMISE

All the stories are true. Years ago, the Fae came out because technology was making it harder and harder for them to hide, and it's been a couple of years since the werewolves did the same. The world is changing day by day. Humans and the paranormal live side by side, but it's not easy nor is it simple. While the Marrok has taken great lengths and care to preserve the werewolves' PR front, everyone - wolf, fae, vampire and other - know that it's only a matter of time before the humans start thinking that perhaps the other stories meant to warn of the dark are true.

This is an open post set in the universe of Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series. The books are amazing and you should definitely check them out. More information via this Wiki link. The rules are simple: Drop a prompt, leave a tag, and let's play!

THREAD TRACKING

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[She leans into the touch, head turning to catch his fingertips with a brief touch of her lips. When she looks back, however, her eyebrow is lifted ever so slightly.]

When we were talking, your tastes seemed sort of elevated compared to mine. [More highbrow.] I thought if you didn't mind watching Teen Wolf with Kara, Cutthroat Island it might not be an issue, but I wondered a little all the same.

I rarely watch films to pass the time, but I do not object to it when it is something that the people I care about enjoy.

[ A gentle smile now, before he tracks a finger from her forehead down to the tip of her nose. ]

I honestly did enjoy the movie. Thank you for sharing it with me.

[The explanation he offers seems reasonable. There is no lie in his words, tone, or scent. It is impossible to doubt in the face of such signals. Leaning forward, she presses another kiss to his mouth.]

I'll try to think of another I think we could enjoy together then. And I do think some sort of low-key movie night with the pack could be fun. Especially the popcorn-throwing kind of viewing...

[She pauses a beat, a look of contemplation crossing her face.]

Most of the wolves here are very old, aren't they? I know there are a few closer to my age but it's safe to say most are at least a couple hundred years old or more, right?

Yes. [ He answers softly, quietly studying her expression as he does. ] Not counting the young ones that you know personally and the ones you encountered at the Hunt, Charles is one of the youngest among the Aspen Creek wolves.

[ He respected his liege's hatchet man. But it didn't matter that Charles was pushing two hundred years, the younger of Bran's sons would always be a pup to him. ]

[There is something on her mind, and once more Eun falls quiet, occupying her hands by stroking Asil's shoulders and chest as she finds her words again.]

Aside for a handful of Mason's wolves, none of the members of his pack have exceeded a normal human lifespan. Being here, interacting with not just you but the other older wolves of Bran's pack, it's made me wonder a little more about how the view of age and maturity might shift with longer lifespans. As someone who is still in her twenties, I can't even begin to theorize what the perspective of someone who is not just decades older, but centuries, would be. Especially taking into account that our bodies do not age, and yet on the other side we can also accumulate so much more experience and knowledge...

[She trails off, brows furrowing briefly with thought as she grapples with the complicated concept she's trying to discuss. Her own subjective view point, formed from her own experiences and impressions, makes it impossible to put herself in the shoes of someone whose views she cannot even begin to fathom. There is too much that would affect their own perspective, which she is trying to understand.]

I'm not used to worrying about what other people think because I've lived my life among peers who were all around the same stage of life as I am. But moving here would change that drastically and I don't want to be seen as silly or immature for wanting to put together something like a bad movie night, or occasionally building an elaborate blanket fort in the living room, or anything else like that. I feel like my relative youth and the fact that I have a world of experiences ahead of me could be a strength here, but I can't help but wonder if those very same things could put others off, or lead to them not taking me seriously.

[Eun pauses again, and while she had intended to stop there and let Asil respond to her on that count first, she cannot hold in other thoughts she had. The ones that are relevant to them and them alone.]

Not only that, but I told you weeks ago that your age does not bother me, and that is still true. But after this morning, even parts of last night just after the hunt...I can't help but feel embarrassed by some of my reactions, especially the ones that seemed especially over-dramatic. I would hate it if my inexperience was in any way became a burden to you. You've loved. You've had a mate, and children. I don't doubt your patience, or the fact that you care for me, or your willingness to share the wealth of your own experience with me on many subjects...but in this I can't help but wonder if the possible issue was never if you're too old for me, but if I am in fact too young for you.

[ Her touch calms his beast, so he lets the feel of her fingers lull him into that same, precise calm.

This is not a wholly unusual conversation - the worry, the concern of what a pack might think. Hussan had expressed similar concerns once. That conversation had been abrupt and tension-filled. His son had been a young second. And while the pup's dominance had never been called into question, inheriting the pack in Spain was something that Asil may have prepared him better for.

But that is not now and here. And though Asil had not expected that he would be involved in the circumstances that he and Eun are in now, he finds himself lingering on the memory for some semblance of guidance.

And so, he allows himself the simple gesture of smoothing a hand down her arm and keeps his peace as she continues to finish articulating what has been clearly weighing on her mind. ]

Let me start by saying that youth has it's own advantages, mi amor.

And that there is no reason for you to worry about what the other wolves may think. I say it with much fondness that the old ones in the pack - present company included - are not without our own quirks.

I have my roses and my predisposition for hermiting. Tag occupies himself with watching sports and chasing experiences that approximate youth: finding new music to enjoy, for instance.

We have had long years to accumulate victories, yes. But virtual immortality does not exempt us from mistakes and missteps that we would rather forget.

[ He pauses then, to reach up and cup her cheek tenderly. ] Do you know why Kara is treasured so?

[ It is a brief diversion from the rest that he wishes to say. But he wants to give Eun the opportunity to speculate and perhaps arrive at a conclusion herself. It is important that she understand, after all, that while she is young, her opinions hold as much weight as anyone else's. ]

[It was Eun's thought as well that her youth has advantages and strengths, but that doesn't mean that she expects everyone to see it that way. There are disadvantages to her youth as well, but on that subject she only spoke of what lies between them.

Having said her piece, she listens to Asil's response without interrupting, but she cannot help but feel like his examples are all different. That his roses are beautiful, actual masterpieces, and sports and music are also socially acceptable activities no matter what age you are. It isn't about victories, not to her...and perhaps Asil has made his own missteps between them, but for some reason hers feel...burdensome. An indication of something that could be an issue in the long term rather than a one-time miscommunication.

Her head tilts into the touch of his hand, eyes closing as she enjoys the warm and feel. The growing familiarity of it.]

Kara is treasured because she's a delight. Because she's Kara.

[To herself, she also thinks that Kara is still a child in the pack, and not subject to the same expectations or judgments that Eun might be.

It does not occur to her that the things that would matter to people she knows back home may not matter to the pack here.]

Kara is treasured because she is a child, and fortunate to not be burdened by decisions that might haunt her. She reminds us to live in the moment, the ways wolves do. Because age impacts our human sides more since that is the side of us that is occupied with decisions that affect us in the long run.

[ He allows himself a pause. He does not want to muddle things between them. ]

No one will judge you for organizing movie nights. Or if you wish to set up a pillow fort.

Social gatherings in Aspen Creek are largely skewed towards meetings - an obligation that is almost ritual. Because often, it is Bran who will ask that we attend and none of the wolves will risk insulting our alpha by declining unless we are feeling especially poorly.

[ He breathes. ] Post-hunt socials were Anna's idea, in light of a failed music festival that Bran was disinclined to continue once the weight of our collective tragedy settled.

But. I believe that anything you wish to arrange would be a welcome respite. We have all, in varying degrees, chosen isolation by coming here. I could not, for instance, organize something for the wolves to enjoy and gather in.

For one, I am lazy. And pulling together something like that is taxing for me. [ An apologetic look now. ] For another, I risk a few of the old ones bristling at the invite. I have few friends here.

But you are a young wolf given our protection. You are viewed a treasure as surely as Kara or Peggy or Anna. You are allowed more leeway in such matters.

[His explanation makes sense, and at least for the first portion of her question she is satisfied. It is the answer she had hoped for, that the other wolves of the pack would not judge her for the things she chooses to do or organize but perhaps allow themselves to enjoy what she brings to the table.

That Asil considers organizing something himself to be too taxing is an interesting thing to note, but again, his reasoning seems sound enough. After years of being the alpha of a pack, and no doubt organizing countless meetings of his own and seeing to the welfare of many, he's earned the right to never have to manage those logistics again.]

I had hoped that would be the attitude here. Humans can be very judgmental sometimes. There is always friction between young and old for one reason or another, but with this being such a small community...I hoped it would not be the case here.

[Her eyes search his now, however, and it is clear that she is not done.]

What about the rest, though?

[What about the part where she worries that while her youth is something to treasure in a pack, it may yet be a burden for him on a personal level, tied into her inexperience with lasting relationships.]

That perhaps the issue is that you are too young for me?

[ He hopes that his surprise does not reflect too plainly in his tone of voice. ]

Not the issue so much as me wondering if it is an issue at all. For you.

[There's a nuance to the way she's phrased it. Her questions were more geared toward asking if her age and inexperience, or the activities she might pursue in Aspen Creek could be an issue or draw negative attention from others. If it would be a burden for Asil. He has already assured her that for the pack, it is not. But she is not newly in a relationship with the pack.]

Edited 2020-05-17 04:17 (UTC)

Why would that be an issue at all?

[ He softens the question with a smile. ]

A beautiful and intelligent woman in her prime finds me attractive and my company pleasant and enjoyable. I count myself fortunate that you give me the time of day at all.

[ He's not entirely sure if any reassurances offered can put to rest what is bothering her. He has no illusions that their interactions would not always be play or smooth sailing. But that is the nature of relationships as a whole. ]

What are you worried about, Eun? You can tell me. Honestly.

[When he puts it that way it's hard for her to argue with him. Beautiful and intelligent is everything she wants to be. Everything she thinks herself to be and how she generally comports herself. More than that, his attitude that he is lucky to have her is exactly what she's wanted in a man. Someone who sees her value.

She thought she knew all of her flaws going into this, and thought she could handle them all. The problem is she never anticipated any of this. The previous times they had talks like this, she found herself later regretting how much she said. How much she rambled. Eun tries this time to put it simply.]

I care more about you so much, in such a short period of time, that it's apparently turned me into an occasional lunatic because my relationship inexperience means I don't know how to handle those feelings well. Or the related thoughts and questions. The more I try to figure things out and get a handle on it, the more I feel like I'm just digging myself in deeper which starts the cycle all over again. I mean, this is the third conversation we've had like this, this morning alone.

[Her head gently falls forward, forehead resting against his shoulder.]

You have centuries more experience than I do, isn't this sort of learning period the last thing you'd want to deal with in a prospective partner? How is it not sending you a million red flags or running for the hills when faced with someone who apparently cannot get a grip on herself and keeps complicating things?

[ He's unable to help the wave of relief that washed over him when she responds, and so he does not keep himself from wrapping his arms loose about her body when she leans in close. ]

Apparently, [ perhaps a little humor is due? ] because for all that our exchanges might prompt worry on your part, I am quietly still amazed that you could scold me and my wolf finds himself in agreeement or even inclined to apologize.

[ He is, of course, thinking back to the pole barn. Since his worry over her anger turned out an overexaggeration on his part, he can fondly recall how magnificent she'd looked all fire and indignation. ]

Perhaps I am just a product of my time, Eun. But often what might be seen as red flags in theory are more sign posts for better communication when two people are getting to know each other.

[ Enough of American daytime television has shown him that extremes can occasionally be overdone to the point where they appear the norm. But life is seldom so black and white. His own history is littered with many shades of grey. ]

[His answer is not one that she expects, but it seems par for the course that he never gives the answers she would expect from another man. She called him singular last night to Bran, and apparently that still holds true. Neither of them seem to find fault in the things the other worries about. It gives her hope that perhaps she will not drive away the first man she's ever wanted to keep herself. More than that, the first one she would allow to have and hold her as well.

His arms around her soothe the parts of her that were still rattled, and she turns her head to nuzzle in against him instead. His neck is closest to her mouth, so she drops a kiss as the base there.]

I like that you see it that way. I will...try to keep that in mind. The next time I feel badly about how I communicated--or didn't--with you.

[She breathes in deeply, centering herself with his scent, and opens her eyes slowly.]

Will you tell me more about your wolf? The way you talk about him...it makes me feel like I am missing some context for how significant it is when you say things like that part about me scolding you. Or how you said earlier he would have me and my wolf as yours and his....

It is something that happens the older werewolves get. We tend to acknowledge that our wolves are separate from us with opinions and thoughts.

[ He shifts a little, so that they can both get more comfortable. ]

My beast is... volatile. Part of the reason I no longer trust myself on hunts is that we constantly wrestle for control.

[Some of this sounds familiar to her, and while she acknowledges his words with a soft sound of implied understanding, she is a little distracted by his shifting as well. Like him, she thinks that they could probably get more comfortable. Without a word, she pushes back enough to encourage him to lay down, much like they did the morning of their first breakfast. She stretches out next to him, draping her arm across his waist, and her ankle across his.]

How does he tend to react to other wolves in the pack? Or other women in the past?

He is mostly uninterested in socializing.

[ It's been a while since he had to examine how his wolf felt about others. ]

My beast is slow to trust, and in most cases, he would prefer not to trust at all. He lives more for the kill and I've often found myself ensuring that the internal leash I keep him on stays tight.

[Eun is quiet for a moment, taking in his words and trying to extrapolate some of what goes unsaid.]

I take that to mean that he trusts me, then?

If I had been someone else, and scolded you the way I did earlier in the barn, would you have expected your wolf to want to attack them?

[ He nods. ] As far as I can tell, yes. It has been a long time since he took interest enough beyond suspicion.

[ At her second question however, he takes a moment to find the words. ]

If it were someone else, I would not have been able to listen to even a word from you. He would felt compelled to make sure that whoever questioned me would know their place in the pecking order.

[ And then because he promised her that he would be truthful. ] And if I did not care very much for that person I would not be bothered to dissuade him.

[He's been telling her from the start about all of this. That he is unstable. That his wolf is unstable. Angry. Volatile. He has told her many times in calm, and clear ways. But today feels like the first day that she understands exactly what he means when she is given context with regards to her.

It does not make her fear him, not even now, but his words have given both she and her wolf reason to be more thoughtful and aware of these things. Eun briefly considers asking him if he thinks there is even a possibility that one day his wolf may not look upon her so well, but it seems a can of worms not worth opening now.]

If you did not care very much for that person I imagine you'd have good reason for that. All the same, I'm glad your wolf likes me as much as it does. [She pauses a beat, reaching up to press her fingers into his short hair, to toy with the short ends with her fingertips.] Maybe it's the fact I am so young and so new a werewolf that made it easier for it to trust me. To allow itself to like me. I'm far from a threat, and my wolf and I may be strong but neither of us is stupid to question which of our two wolves is the more dominant one.

[Her lips spread into a smile then, as she teases:]

Or maybe I am just that charming.

Let us go with the last one.

[ He leans into her touch, grateful over how well she takes things in stride. ]

If anything, it is the explanation I am most comfortable with because it rings the most true.

[She could question what it is about her original theory he thinks doesn't ring true, but in the end she is...simply glad that this conversation has gone so much better than the other two. Her leg slides higher to stay closer to Asil, smile fading to a more relaxed, neutral expression. Her tone remains light and easy.]

In that case, I think I could get away with a lot, with the amount of charm I have. [She leans in to kiss the corner of his mouth.] Is there anything you want to talk to me about, or ask me, before we decide what we want to do next with our day?

Nothing that cannot wait.

[ He hugs her close and caresses her cheek. ]

Would you like another movie? Otherwise I am happy to carry you back upstaurs where we can idle around in bed.

Granted, [ his eyes warm with the suggestion ] you are also free to enjoy me however you please.

Edited 2020-05-18 03:33 (UTC)

[It's been Asil's way, Eun realizes, to prompt her to say what's on her mind even when she mentions that it's nothing that needs discussing at that moment. She half considers doing the same, but she is easily distracted by the offer to carry her back up to bed and let her do as she pleases with him. A smile slides back onto her face as she cuddles in closer against him.]

Oh, how could I possibly resist that offer? I think you should definitely carry me back upstairs to your bed, mi amor.

[They are not so hurried now, and Eun is certain that not only will she enjoy being carried up once more, but the time to laze around in bed with him. While it's true that he has offered to let her enjoy him as she pleases, she wonders if he'll expect that at least at the start, there's little more that she wants than to enjoy holding him and being held.]

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run with wolves | open post.

Characters

PREMISE

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