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

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.]

[ He steps out of the car, one eye on Eun as he rounds the car to the driver's side. When he gets close, he allows himself a moment to settle a hand on the small of her back, leaning in to press a kiss to her temple. ]

I take it that red and silver mean welcome home?

[ He's remembering their first exchange. When they traded names and the meaning behind them. ]

You are their good fortune, mi amor. Go. I will wait here until you wave me off.

[Eun presses against him as soon as she feels him close to her, and as his hand moves to her back, Eun turns in. Her arms wrap around his waist, face tucked against his shoulder for a moment. She feels his lips on her temple and closes her eyes. He is warm and solid, and a familiar source of comfort already.

And she is overwhelmed by that small, thoughtful gesture that her parents have done for her. A sign to give her confidence to come home to them. She is returning, and she isn't just welcome, her return is to be celebrated. They have missed her and are leaving her with no doubt that they want her to come back to them. Had they known that she would be anxious and uncertain by the time she got to the house? Had they anticipated that their confident girl might worry for the first time about how she would be received? Perhaps they knew her better than she thought.

Swallowing, she lifts her head and smiles at Asil. There is excitement that thrums through her, and her nerves are still in a heightened state, but she does not look so much like she's going to vibrate out of her skin for fear of the unknown.

Her mind is already halfway through that front door as she looks into his eyes and leans up to press a kiss to his cheek.]

Okay. [She leans around the car to wave at Anna and Charles, before she turns back to Asil and gives him one last squeeze of her arms. Her hands draw back to his waist, and she takes one last centering breath.] See you soon, mi alma.

[It's difficult, but she does pull away from him and walk down the sidewalk alone to her home. She takes the steps the way she's used to, with a little energy that propels her up them faster than she's ready. She steps onto the top landing, ready to approach the front door when it opens.

Eun's eyes widen as she sees her mother standing in the doorway first, and her own face lights up in response to the broad smile of her mother. Even from afar, the wolves will hear another woman exclaim Eun's name, and see arms pull her into an embrace. Her father stands close behind, and Eun looks up to his face to see his eyes tearing up ever so slightly. Keeping one arm wrapped around her mother, Eun lifts the other past her, reaching for her father. His larger hand envelops hers, and with them both close to her she lets herself sink into the familiar feel of home and family that she did not know she was missing so intensely until just that moment.

The wolf falls back, giving her space to have this moment, sensing safety as much as Eun does, even if for different reasons.

Eun hears her mother murmuring into her ear, code-switching between Cantonese and English as her father lets go of her hand. Dimly, she's aware that he's urging her mother back so he can give his daughter a hug as well. Cheeks pink, she returns the embrace, aware of the fact that they do have a small audience from afar.

The questions begin moments later, and Eun finds herself laughing, all tension melting away as they begin the bombardment. Still on the porch landing.]

Let me get in the door and I'll answer everything, okay? Come on, come on, this way...

[Gently she shoos them inside, with her mother turning back to shoo back Eun's hands, making them both laugh. She pauses before stepping in, realizing that she's out of view. Two steps bring her back into sight of the cars, and she finds Asil there with ease. She gives him a small wave and blows him a kiss before darting back to her mother, who had already made it halfway across the porch again to Eun's side.]

I'm coming, I'm coming!

[Leaving Asil and the rest to find their way to the hotel, Eun enters her family home once more to spend some much needed time catching up.

Her purse drops to the floor by the couch, and Eun soon follows suit, dropping into the corner of the couch with a sigh. It feels good to be back, and strange. For a moment she doesn't even realize what's off until her wolf seems to understand. She's never smelled her home as a wolf, only as a human. Her mind races to absorb the way it seems different and somehow even more familiar than it might have before. It's strange and somehow comforting, and something to give her balance as her parents soon descend.

Thirty minutes into the rush of talking with each other and over each other, Eun realizes that even now she is not to be treated as a guest, and pushes up from the couch to get herself a glass of water. Talking is thirsty business, and as she fills a glass with water it's easy to see that nothing has changed at all.

Her parents had questions the night they spoke, but in the intervening time they've thought of more. Her mother pulls out a list and after the first few Eun grabs it from her hands to skim them over. She deems half of them better answered by the others and passes over them for later.

Later comes a full hour and a half later when Eun finally picks up her phone to text Asil.]

dinner prep starts in fifteen
you're all welcome to come back now
dad is firing up the grill
how is the hotel? everything going okay for all of you?

[ He is standing by the window of Anna and Charles' suite when her message comes in. The three of them were in conference with Mason's second, working through the details of protocol. Earlier, Anna had deemed it prudent to call Mercy so that they could do away with middle men and a more direct line to Thomas Hao.

Surprisingly, nothing has exploded, no Fae have declared problems within California, and everything moves along so smoothly, he wonders if he should have taken a nap instead.

But that is neither here nor there. He nods to Charles, motioning that he is listening still. ]

The hotel is lovely.

Anna has already made Charles promise to take
her back here at a later date.

I would call, but we are currently in a
conference call with Mason's second
to coordinate some items. But once we wrap up,
I will let them know that we can head over.

[ He pauses a little, and then adds before sending the follow up message off: ]

I gather your parents find it acceptable to have three additional werewolves as dinner guests?

i think mom or dad may have gotten a call from bran
or maybe mason?

[What follows is a picture of several small mountains of food. Steaks. Chicken breasts. Sausage. Several vegetables, and a few fruits as well. A woman's hands are in the background of the picture, placing bottles for sauces on the counter near it all.]

they knew i was bringing you all before i left montana
but someone must have told them how much werewolves can eat

my parents are looking forward to meeting everyone though!

[ He presses his lips together, biting back a smile. When Anna notices, he shakes his head and turns back to looking out the window. He suspects that it was Mason, but decides that inquiring after that bit of information might be more useful when face to face with the Carmel Valley Alpha. ]

Those look lovely. We shall see you soon.
Charles is wrapping up discussions now.

Edited 2020-06-03 06:45 (UTC)

oh good, dad was worried about timing so i'll let him know

remind anna and charles that this is all casual, okay?
whatever they're comfortable wearing
same goes for you too ♥

[She's excited to see him again. The butterflies are back in her stomach but this time at least there's no apprehension. Her parents had treated her the same, asked a million questions, and each hugged her half a dozen times in the last hour.

They're also very much looking forward to meeting Asil, Anna, and Charles, and not just to ask them all of the questions that Eun couldn't, or wouldn't answer. It's the sort of thing that ought to have her nervous all over again, but she's not. The three werewolves joining her are people she has grown close to in the previous weeks, and she's excited to introduce her parents to them, and vice versa.]

[ He passes on word to Anna and Charles and they all agree that might be better to bring the two rental cars still. Anna had taken the liberty of pinning their earlier location to the GPS, which makes navigating the streets easier from the hotel.

They bring gifts, naturally, stopping by a grocery along the way to pick up ice cream and one of those frozen cakes made available for any occasion.

When they arrive, they are dressed casually for an evening dinner indoors and Asil has his present for Eun's present in his arms: a window box with herbs from his own garden. He and Charles both leave Anna to handle ringing the doorbell. ]

[Eun's mother had just started to say that it would be good to start cutting up the vegetables for the grill when the doorbell rings.]

I'll get it!

[Funny how some things never change. She hasn't lived in this house for a while now, but it's still home. It will always be home to her. She darts out of the kitchen, wiping her hands dry with a towel on the way, and after a quick peak through the peep hole, opens the door to the trio of wolves on her doorstep.

Her smile is for Anna, who is at the front, but it slides back to Charles, and settles on Asil. Stepping back at once, she gives them room to come in, eyes alight with curiosity at all of the things they're holding.]

What's all this?

[The box that Charles holds looks like it belongs at a bakery, and she recognizes the plastic bags of the grocery store not far from the house. Asil's gift...looks nothing like something from a grocery store. She only barely restrains herself from pawing through it all, and instead uses her feet to shove some of the shoes by the door out of the way to make room for the guests' shoes as well.]

Asil showed you the picture, didn't he? [They're going to be rolling out of this house with all of the food that's been set aside for tonight's dinner. Distantly, Eun notes her mother's voice in the kitchen, calling through the window for her father to come inside. That "Eun's friends" are there.]

[ "Yes," it is Anna who replies, "but considering that we'll be around for a bit, it seemed only right that we bring something so that the task of feeding us all doesn't fall solely on your family."

He waits for Anna and Charles to make their way inside, before following and dropping a kiss to Eun's shoulder. ]

A gift. For your mother. I set them aside a few days ago and had them flown ahead.

[Eun grins, acknowledging that it won't be amiss for them to have brought food as well.

Her attention is drawn from friends by the kiss to her shoulder. She turns to face Asil, all warmth in her expression, and looks down to the window box in his arms. It's more than flowers. More than roses. It's a thoughtful gift that has personal meaning for him and use for her mother and father. Her father may have been the one to teach her to bake as much as she does, but her mother is the better chef in the family by far.]

Both of my parents are going to go wild for that. [Her heart swells a little, moved by his gift, and that he did it all himself without input from her. Without even telling her he was going to. She'd have to make sure to make it clear to them how special it was that the herbs came from his own greenhouse. Leaning up, she presses a kiss to his mouth, and when she speaks again her voice drops low enough that her parents won't hear from the kitchen.] It all went really well. Everything's the same, it's--

["Eun?" her father says, calling over to her from around the corner to the kitchen. Her cheeks color faintly, aware that he likely saw her kissing Asil. Oh well. It's not as if she'd planned on holding back entirely during the visit.

More important is making introductions. She glances between all three of the wolves, wondering which order in which she should give names. Charles and Anna are closest to him, but Asil is the most important to her. In the end, because things are casual, she decides to go with what's easiest. Asil is more dominant but Charles is the second in the pack she is joining, and closest. And, as she walks forward to stand between Charles and Anna, and her father, it will set things up more easily to let Asil speak more than a greeting to the man who raised her.

She introduces Charles and Anna first, giving names only, and nothing to do with pack rankings or anything of that sort. This is her family, and they don't necessarily need to take that into account at first meeting.

Her father shakes hands with Charles just as Eun's mother comes out of the kitchen to join them. Eun quickly repeats her introductions, allowing Charles and Anna to give their greetings and explain what they've brought (which they're directed to place on the nearby table to be dealt with momentarily. Eun crosses over to Asil quickly after, resting a hand at his elbow with obvious familiarity and guiding him over with his window box in hand.]

And this, of course, is Asil. Asil, these are my parents.

[She looks between them quickly, half holding her breath as both of them give Asil a more curious, appraising look than they'd done for Charles and Anna.

It's Eun's mother that steps forward first, offering her hand to shake.

"Welcome to our home," she offers, looking every inch like a near copy of Eun, but for the twenty or so years between them. A mirror of what Eun might have looked like eventually if she hadn't become a werewolf.

Eun's father steps up after, standing a step behind and to the side of his wife to offer his hand to shake once Eun's mother has done so. While Eun's mother's attention is wholly on Asil and the hand that Eun has resting on Asil's arm, Eun's father is clearly drawn to the window box instead. Eun can almost hear the wheels in his head turning as he starts identifying the various herbs inside by sight.]

[ Later, he will confide in Eun that this experience was altogether new. That his wolf had assessed both of her parents and seen people meant for protection.

For now, he presents the gift and smiles warmly at the two peoplenwhp brought his little wolf into the world; and who welcomed her back with open arms in a way that he too, understands. ]

It is a pleasure to meet you both. I thought it was appropriate to bring a gift. These are from my garden, but I kept in mind California's climate when I selected the herbs.

[In that moment in which she watches Asil interact with her parents, two completely separate worlds colliding, she finds herself in a strange position where the situation is wholly unfamiliar, and yet she feels more like herself than she has before. A mix of the Eun who is a daughter and Eun who is an adult woman and a life all on her own.

She watches her parents more than Asil, her mother's face warming with Asil's words, and her father's gaze finally sliding away from the gift to Asil's face. Her father, given to smiling, offers one to Asil now as he takes the offered gift with care, holding it for his wife to see.

"Eun must have told you how much we cook at home," her mother says, sliding a knowing look to her daughter before she nods to Asil with approval. "We'll make very good use of these, thank you."

"Yes, thank you so much. Here, come in, come in. Eun, see what they want to drink?" her father adds, already turning to lead the group deeper into the house. Eun squeezes Asil's arm in a silent sign meant to convey that it went well, before stepping forward to lead all three werewolves toward the kitchen. Halfway there, she glances over her shoulder to address them all as she approaches the kitchen area, leaving them to stand near the table where she and her parents had eaten most nights when she was young.]

We've got wine, beef, soda, juice, and tea of course.

[When they get to the kitchen, Eun takes the cake from Charles to fit into the freezer, and lingers there to pull out chilled drinks on request.

The mountain of vegetables to chop up are still on the counter alongside a few empty bowls and cutting boards. Tasks yet to be completed. From the kitchen, Eun can smell the smoke from the wood burning beneath the grill built into the back patio.]

Tea will be fine. And yes, Eun has.

[ His nose brings his attention to the different smells mingling in Eun's childhood home.

He follows them all into the kitchen and finds a quiet spot to stand in. And then, with a few gentle words, he speaks to Eun's mother to tell her a bit of what he's planted in the box. He excuses himself after that, meandering over to his little wolf before he quietly offers his hand for her to take. ]

Your parents are lovely. I can see how much of an influence they have been to you, differences and all.

Edited 2020-06-05 05:04 (UTC)

[Eun watches as Anna and Charles seat themselves at the table. The open concept of the floor allows everyone to converse with ease even in different parts of the larger room. With ease, she serves them both drinks--a soda for Anna, water for Charles--and by the time they're settled, Eun turns to see Asil conversing with her mother. Her father's left to tend to the grill heating up outside, so Eun takes care of filling the electric kettle with water and setting it to heat.

She looks up as she senses Asil come near, and beams up at him as she takes his offered hand. It's not an unfamiliar sight to Anna and Charles, but it is to her mother. She can feel her mother's gaze on them, but it doesn't make Eun uncomfortable. Her parents know that she's involved with Asil, and Eun is aware that it is curiosity about the man that draws her attention.]

I suppose you would. My friends would be surprised I think to see how I am here.

[They've only seen a different side of her, one that she hasn't even really shown Asil before.]

The herbs are brilliant, by the way. My parents are going to be fighting over who gets to use what out of it. [She squeezes his hand.] It was very sweet of you to do that.

Surprised how? [ He tilts his head a little. He has no illusions that he has only seen select aspects of Eun. But he is curious nevertheless. ] Although I suppose I can wait until that meeting with your friends.

[ On the subject of her parents and his preaent, however: ] It is customary to bring a present for the parents of one's beloved. But they sounded like very good people. And I thought they might enjoy it.

Some herbs are best grown at home, instead of picked up at the grocery.

[Her parents are far enough away to not quite hear his words, but Eun's mother perks up a little, as if instinctively sensing that something has been said about her. Eun ignores her, turning to Asil as the water heats. Her hand squeezes his.]

Like I said, very sweet. Very thoughtful. Perfect for them. [And it had, in a way, been a gift for her as well. Perhaps it wasn't meant so, but it touches her heart to think that he did all of that for her parents. Because of her. All as a surprise for the three of them. That he calls her his beloved is the cherry on top.] As for my friends...they're just used to a lot more bravado from me. Harder edges. Tougher externally.

[Still holding his hand, she reaches up for the cabinet door near them, opening it to grab a mug and a box of tea bags. The tea bags are neatly arranged in a tin, but there's no organization to them at all. She lays it on the counter between them.]

We were always the kinds of friends to do things together, get into trouble or wild activities, but not the sort that let each other in very deep, if that makes sense. They're very loyal, however. Very good...

[Just not the sort of friends she would bring home to meet her family, even. They wouldn't be comfortable in this setting, with Eun so relaxed and solicitous of guests.]

[ He nods, the expression on his face considering. He can picture Eun with harder edges and a tougher appearance presented. He glimpsed a hint of that at their original meeting. ]

I shall keep that in mind for our eventual meeting.

Is there anything I can help with in the meantime?

Characters

PREMISE

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