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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Eun settles with his hand in hers, also content to drive and enjoy the scenery. It's easy to get lost in nostalgia. A hundred trips down the coast with her parents, and even to Pacifica for July 4th to set off fireworks on the beach. Even if it was freezing at night and foggy besides.]

No. Mom met Dad in Seoul at University, and that's where they got married. When I was five we moved here. I remember bits and pieces of life there, the preschool and kindergarten class I'd go to, the bus we'd taken, and the family we'd visit. I remember the house too--and my grandmother's in Hong Kong too. But honestly I was so young when I was there that it never felt like home the way Daly City did. I mean, memories when you're really young are so fuzzy...

[She glances over, smiling at him.]

There are pictures though. Videos and all of that.

There is no need, [ he pauses for emphasis ] unless you'd like to show them to me sometime.

[ Of all the marvels that science and technology has brought to the world, perhaps it is the ability to capture moving pictures that fascinates him. While there are drawbacks - at least from his perspective - the ability to keep mementos that one might return to and see is something that comes with it's benefits. ]

[Eun grins, glancing over briefly once more.]

I wasn't offering, but I'd I appreciate it if you can manage a similar answer to my mother and father if they mention trotting out old baby pictures. I don't think they're the type but this is all new territory, like I said.

[Giving his hand a squeeze, she settles into her seat a little more, growing more relaxed in body language.]

Did you ever live anywhere for a good length of time besides the states and Spain? Or was there anywhere maybe you considered going to live for a while?

[ He thinks on that a little, because while the immediate answer is 'no,' there is more nuance to it than just that. ]

I used to travel a lot, back when I was in Spain, but well before Hussan was in my life. [ He sends her a smile; unspolen reassurance that these are good memories, and not ones that would leave him sad. ] For one, it was to pay my respects and ask that respect be paid to me as was due.

There were wars to be fought and hiding in plain sight was crucial to survival.

I suppose that is why I am less inclined to travel. I have done much to the point that being still continues to be refreshing for my soul.

[Eun smiles back, though her eyes stay on the road for the most part. Every so often she can see peeks of the ocean to her left as they drive up the coast, and it soothes her more as they drive and chat.]

I can see how that would make sense. It seems like a lot of people work so they can have special places to relax, more than the people who are fulfilled by constant travel.

[She doesn't ask him if he'd be willing to travel with her one day. She has a move ahead of her, and they have only just stepped off a plane. It is a conversation for a later date and time, but Eun does imagine them together, exploring the world as they have a lifetime with which to do so.]

We did a fair amount of travel back to Seoul and Hong Kong during the summer vacations. One we went to Hawaii and of course down to LA... When it's feasible and I've saved up enough money, I think I'd enjoy exploring the rest of the world. Is it difficult to travel as a tourist when it means traveling through other wolf territories?

[ Musing a little on her question as he admires the scenery. Becoming a werewolf is challenging. There are more rules for the safety and survival of the good of all. But travel is not as difficult as it seems, provided one goes through the protocols and plans in advance. ]

There are rules, [ it is best to begin by setting expectations. ] For those of us who are submissive, travel is easier. Packs will not turn down the presence of somepne who will bring peace and stability.

There are still permissions to be asked. This is why many of us keep in touch - it is necessity more than anything else. Breaches in territory are frowned upon, because so many end in bloodshed.

Are you familiar with the guesting laws?

[Rules don't surprise her, not at this point. She's been a werewolf for a year not and she has learned there are rules for many things, rituals for others, and everything without specific structure still has socially constructed unspoken expectations.

His explanation of submissives traveling more easily makes sense to her, and she is not surprised that permission will need to be gained for any place she wants to go. His mention of guesting laws earns him a glance.]

Are they terribly different from the rules while I've been a guest of the Marrok's pack?

Not entirely. [ He shifts in his seat and leads the back of his head against the rest, momentarily closing his eyes. The sun does not bother him, the scenery is calming, but he finds he needs to close them all the same. ]

Perhaps the most crucial thing you need to know is that should you travel, you can invoke the guesting laws. They naturally differ from place to place, but the core of them remains the same.

If you are a guest, you can request for protection of whoever is in charge.

[ He finds himself thinking about what ifs: he and Eun, traveling. Europe would be easier - at least, in Spain. Other areas where the territories are less defined would be trickier.

He will, for example, have to decline setting foot in France. Juste was not the only one who resented that he did not step in to put Jean Chastel in his place. ]

[Eun doesn't mind his closed eyes. They traveled a long while today, and truthfully she takes it as a sign of trust that he believes she will drive them safely to their destination. Oh, how her fondness for him grows in little ways like this. Her hand relaxes to rest atop his, rather than holding it, relaxed and easy.]

Sounds straightforward enough. I assume that the protection offered is given only unless said guest does something to warrant it being withheld? Breaking laws, terrorizing the human population, et cetera?

[These are things that Eun would not do, of course, but a confirmation that such protection does not come without conditions is important.]

Do most of the packs, in the States and abroad, expect those visiting their territory to socialize or can you simply check in with the local Alpha to introduce yourself and then fuck off wherever you want to go on your own?

Here it is easy. If you wish to travel, it is a matter of contacting the respective Alpha in the area and asking for permission. [His voice takes a slightly wry hint to it as he continues: ]

In Europe, it depends on where you are and who you are connected to.

Some Alphas may insist that, for your protection, you will need to stay with them.

[Eun looks over at Asil then, a wry smile on her face. She thinks she can read between the lines on that one.]

Am I reading too much into it to assume that they might have a variety of ulterior motives for trying to insist on that? Including but not limited to trying to keep me, use me as a bargaining piece, or protect me, but from their own pack who cannot be trusted to leave me alone while playing tourist?

[No alpha would admit to being so inept and incapable that they cannot control their own pack, but some of them may decide it's easier to look after one person than try to manage several.]

Or am I being too suspicious now that we're so much closer to Mason's territory once more...

[ He chuckles. ] The European wolves operate their territories like little kingdoms. And as such, itnis rare that there is no bad blood between packs, old grievances that some of us have the luxury of holding onto because what else is there to give us purpose.

[ He does, however, add: ]

I understand that there is some resentment towards Bran among the old lobos in Europa. The systems of wary cooperation that we have in place here cause suspicion among our brothers there.

And when we decided to bring ourselves out into the open, it revealed just how difficult it would be for the rest of the world to adjust.

[ He remembers those talks. And how Bran had paced since it had come down to Charles and Anna going in his stead. ]

[It's not exactly a promising answer. She wonders if she'd almost prefer that the issue be that they would cause problems because she's one of the few female werewolves, not that her ability to live her life the way she chooses could be limited by bad blood she had nothing to do with.

Deflating somewhat, or perhaps losing her edge at her initial suspicions, Eun sighs.]

I'll worry about the wheres and whens at another time then, closer to when travel would even be feasible. Maybe occupy myself with the rest of North America first.

[The car turns up a road that curves somewhat, elevating them into the side of a mountain. For a brief moment, the ocean stretches out to Eun's left, and she settles into her chair with a deep sense of satisfaction that radiates from her.]

Visits to California might satisfy me for a while, honestly. I think I'm going to love living in Montana, but visiting home and seeing the ocean once or twice a year would be nice if I can swing it.

[ He eyes her discreetly, watching the shifts in her expression as she maneuvers the vehicle. ] Bran will agree to that. We try as much as possible to make it easy for wolves with living family to keep in touch. Tending to our foundational relationships are important.

[ He keeps the stroke of his fingers on her hand gentle, not wanting to distract her from the road. ]

If you do wish to eventually travel overseas, I can guarantee that Spain will welcome you, and we are in good standing with the French werewolves because of Juste and the British Alphas are finally recovering.

The only true place of concern is Eastern Europe.

[Her attention is on the ocean somewhat as he speaks, and while she had suspected that visiting her family would not be an issue, especially with Mason's pack already familiar with her, it's good for her to hear confirmation that at least the wolves will have no issues with it. The vampire Thomas may prove to be more difficult, but she hopes that what she's heard of him and the fact that they will all have dinner together will prove otherwise.

The movement of his fingers is welcome, and while Eun does not distract herself by trying to reciprocate, she does give a faint hum of approval, listening to him still.]

Spain would be first on my list. I won't pretend I'm not eager to see the place you called home for so many centuries, and meet your son also if it wouldn't be overstepping.

[Such things she would not do with without him, and Eun does not wish to put pressure on him in that regard. She lets it go unsaid, for him to pick up or not as he wills.]

France and Italy are definitely on my list also. Juste would give a hundred tips and suggestions of places to go and people to meet, and Anna has had good things to say about the Italians on more than one occasion. I think she's still emailing back and forth with that other Omega...

Ric? Yes. He and Anna correspond regularly. Though I imagine that she is giving him more tips than he does her.

[ He smiles at the idea of introducing Eun to Hussan. He mentioned her in his last few letters, and his son had naturally expressed curiosity. ]

Hussan says hello, by the way.

[ Asil says that softly. ]

[Eun glances over at Asil at that, her hand twitching before she indulges herself in stroking her fingertips over his palm.]

Tell him I said hi back, of course.

[Oh, she is desperately curious now. A million questions light up her face, interest almost palpable. She decides rather than ask Asil what he's told Hussan, or what Hussan has said back, or any sort of prying into the more intimate details of their conversation, to go at it in a more roundabout way. To let Asil volunteer what he might.]

Did you tell him we would be traveling to California today?

I did. [ His eyes are focused on what little of the ocean he can spot from here. ] I wanted to let him know in case he called and we found ourselves occupied.

He has only been to this country once before - for the conference the Marrok called for and which Angus of Seattle hosted. But that was before the world knew we existed en masse. So now he slides in inquiries about what it is like and how different it is from Spain.

Edited 2020-06-01 03:34 (UTC)

[Eun could point out that they could very well find themselves just as occupied in Montana also, especially as she enjoys distracting him in any number of delightful ways, but she hardly wishes to distract Asil from the subject of his son.

Besides, she's not so clueless as to think he's not referring to the many activities they're in town for.]

I can see how that might be relevant to his interests on multiple levels. [As a werewolf. As an alpha. As Asil's son.] How has the response been in Spain?

Not quite as publicized as the wolves in America. [ Here, Adam Hauptman was a celebrity. And, at least up until Mercy's declaration, Bran had utilized that for the good of all werewolves. ] There are many things to contend with: religion, politics. To be truthful, many of the wolves continue to operate quietly.

Their families know, of course. Our communities tend to be close-knit and often people are born and grow old in the same place over the course of generations.

We choose to steer away from more urban centers.

[It's an answer that gives Eun something to chew on for a moment, as she considers both the potential reasons and whether or not being public changes things. The car continues up the road, still showing glimpses of ocean now that they are past the wooded area. Houses begin to appear in larger clusters, and not just on Asil's side but even on Eun's overlooking the ocean. What started as a two lane road begins to take more of the appearance of a highway proper.

They are getting close.

Eun's hand chokes up on the steering wheel, though her other remains gently over his.]

I suppose that makes sense, especially for all these years of keeping things quiet while also wanting space to support a pack and allow them to hunt as wolves should...It will be interesting to see if things change over the years now that we are out.

[She wets her lips with the tip of her tongue, and checks her rear view mirror again to make sure Charles and Anna are close behind still. Her voice quiets somewhat as her eyes return back to the road before them.]

We're nearly there.

[ He turns his palm up so that he can hold her hand better. While he does not know exactly what she is feeling, he can hazard a close enough guess given how he's been observing the changes in her posture, voice, and expression. ]

Everything will be alright, mi amor.

[ With his free hand, he swipes out a message to Anna's phone, letting her know exactly what Eun has told him. ]

[Her wolf paces restlessly inside of her, and while Eun stays steady on the road, her nerves--anxious and excited--make it hard to feel calm. Grateful for Asil's reassurance, she takes his hand once more, holding tightly.]

I think you're right, but the way I feel is so odd right now. I can't explain it...

[Breathing slowly, steadily, she takes them into the gradual curves up the coast, recognizing places that are familiar with ease. The city has not changed at all in a year.]

Don't leave until I'm inside? [It feels like a stupid question, one that Eun recognizes. Why would they leave until they are sure she's connected with her family? And yet she asks because she somehow needs to hear it. Perhaps not from Asil who is her lover, but Asil who will be her pack. This moment has nothing to do with their relationship and everything to do with what she has become. This second family that she has brought to meet the first.]

I was not planning on doing so until you actually waved me off. [ The way he says it is teasing, but the look in his eyes is serious.

He can scent her nervousness: a mix of anxiety and excitement and the faintest hint of longing. He will not call it homesickness, but the scent is close enough. Kara used to have a similar mix of scents in those first rocky months after her parents started visiting again. ] And you do not need to explain the feeling, mi querida. I think I understand.

[Now would be an excellent time to wrap her arms around him, breath in his scent and take comfort in the reassurance that he offers, but she still has a few miles to drive. Her hand shifts until her fingers curl over the edge of his palm.]

I thought that you might, thank you. [She has only so much control over what will happen, and while the worst of what she had to reveal to her parents has been discussed at a distance, the unknown rattles her. The more she thinks about it, the more grateful she is that Asil will defer to her as to when he should leave. It is something she controls, which soothes her wolf.

Uncertain what to say beyond that, Eun finally falls quiet, taking slow breaths as she finally turns off the highway and onto John Daly Boulevard to get to her neighborhood's entrance. The car heads down the easy slope of the road a ways before Eun takes the first opening on the right, and carefully eases them down rows of colorfully painted houses with crisp green lawns. She takes a few more turns along the way before finally parking--three houses away from her own. Checking her mirror, she sees Charles and Anna pull up behind them, but they don't leave their car.

After all, they're just supposed to be dropping Eun off. Eun shuts the car off and gets out without a word, eyes trained on the familiar house just a few down.

It's just the way she remembers it. Shades of blue, her parents' green sedan in the driveway, and the silver one at the curb. Eun takes in a deep breath as she crosses to the front of their own rental vehicle, and holds it a second too long with surprise. There's a cluster of red and silver balloons tied to the front.

Her head whips back toward Asil, to see if he's caught sight of the same thing.]

Characters

PREMISE

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