Regaining What Was Lost {P-Dane}

[Ayame]

//I hope this post gives you something to work with, sorry it's kinda all over the place//

The moon shown bright above, Tor was in all her fullness with a scarce cloud here or there but for the most part the stars shown bright lighting the way for the ebon fae as she made her way to the swamps. Ayame did not know what woke her, but something made her stir and suddenly think of her dear friend Dane. She knew she had not seen him or heard from him since that rainy night in the cave soon after her bloody battle with the Deorian Drappa, they had their ups and downs that night but in the end they were just what they needed for each other, a friend. Her fiery orbs scanned the lands as she made herself down the snow and icy mountain, when she finally reached the bottom she lifted her muzzle to the sky, her wet, black nose twitched back and forth trying to find her way to the swamps. Though everything was mainly still frozen, there was still a faint odor of the dismal lands that Sarnes vargs called their home, and that is where she would find her bi-eyed friend.

As she continued her way towards the uneasy lands of Sarnes, she thought back to that stormy night when she met Dane; she remembered all the different smells, the sounds, his touch. Ayame let a deep sign escape her maw, she missed him. She missed his touch, his voice, his sapphire and golden orbs, she just missed her friend. Life had not been easy lately, food was scarce, the lands were frozen, and her pack had basically disappeared except for a rare sighting here or there. She needed a break; she needed to see someone she could count on.

Ayame chuckled to herself, they way she thought of Dane you would think they had been the best of friends since they were pups, that they grew up together and had a bond that was unbreakable, but that was not the case. She had only just met the tri colored mann several moons ago and their meeting at first was touch and go. The mann didn’t want to trust her, kept his distance and showed disgust towards any friendship at all. Near the end of the night was different, somehow she had gotten through to him, through that thick skull, she assured him that he had found a friend in her and she was not about to let him down.

Something told her to go to him tonight, woke her in the dead of her sleep, he needed her now more than ever and though she didn’t know why she left without a second thought. She had reached the everglades of Sarnes, the only thing she could hope for was to find Dane first, if she ran into any other varg of the pack, the night may not end as pleasant as it began. She watched where she placed her paw with every step, to get stuck in the swamp lands could mean the end of her life, just like one wrong step on the mountain would send any varg plummeting to its death. “Dane,” she thought to herself, “where are you, I am here, come to me.” Ayame hoped he would feel her presence, hoped that they would be reunited on this cold, starry night.

[Dane]

Hours had passed since the tense encounter. Tor's eye now lingered above in the heavens, bright and full; the goddess gazed down fixedly upon all, her sight unhindered by the presence of clouds. Stars, too, blazed bright against the rich blackness, looking like fireflies frozen in time. Night had been quick to claim the land, and the muddied mann cared not to protest against the fading twilight. His motionless form welcomed the night as readily as if the darkness possessed the ability to keep his shame a secret to the world. No matter how dark the sky or how dense the copse in which he resided, he knew that even if he never spoke of his dire mistake and festering guilt, he could not hide the disappointment that he had become; his offense would remain a glaring light through the shade of the swamp.

Moons ago, he had run into the ebony mann, Dakota, entirely by mistake. The reuninon had turned sour without even a chance of being civil, and soon the two Varg were feuding, hashing accusations and excuses at one another until they forfeited their words and let their fangs and claws speak for them. Dane had almost put an end to the ebon mann's life, though fatal hesitation had prevented him from doing so. It was this split-second change in demeanor that had alerted his old friend to something within Dane that needed saving; his mercy had been a silent cry for help in the mann's emerald eyes. Although part of Dane had wanted to abandon his life in the swamp, he knew better than to forsake the one place he had been able to seek refuge in. It had been much easier to end the old friendship rather than placing his newfound security in jeopardy. Only after he had chased the male off did he finally feel the weight of his decision.

Though his words had been cutting and his actions were hostile, Dakota had not been willing to give up on him entirely. The mann had pledged his return to the gray male, and true to his word, he had sought him out in the murky confines of his suffocating homeland. Even Dane had to admit he was surprised by the honored oath, though the humble determination shown by his friend had not been enough to sway his final verdict. His decision to honor Sarnes had won out, backed by the belief that his old friend would benefit more from the loss of his companionship. Unable to listen to the heavy tone of his friend's final goodbye, he had fled the scene, his parting words an issued threat to the Deorian male to ensure he would not be followed.

So now he lay, secluded in an overgrown sect of the swamp off the beaten path. He did not know where Dakota had gone, if he had stood merely pondering the situation, if he had navigated his way out of the swamp and returned home, or if he had made it out alive at all. Whatever the case was, it was useless now. He had laid out the rules, and now would be forced to play by them. Letting out a small sigh, the mann rested his head on his damp paws. It was a mystery to him how he could dwell on the incident when he already knew that the outcome was invariable. Bi-hued orbs stared out into the night as though there, among the silhouettes of gnarled trees and slim rays of cascading moonlight, he would find his answers.

Amidst the silence, a faint rustling met his ears, breaking the spell that the stillness had cast. The slow and careful approach revealed the creature to be not a native of the swamp, but an outsider, for their steps lacked the confident skill of one who had learned how to navigate around the dangerous pools. Instantly he was on the alert, his hackles bristled with anticipation and the sheen in his eyes became fierce, though he did not rise to his paws until the creature was in sight. Their scent seemed familiar, though it did not belong to Sarnes, but another pack. It was a female that trekked through the darkness, she had not bothered to offer Tratto's Blessing and she seemed desperate, probably lost and frightened. It was not uncommon for Varg to wander into Sarnes by mistake, having lost their way, resigning themselves to the relentless labyrinth and its tortures. He was on his feet now, emerging from the thicket that had been concealing him, he stepped towards the female with deliberate slowness. Before he could consider what biting remark he might make in his newfound bitterness, he caught a glimpse of the stranger's eyes, and suddenly his mind was flooded with images as deja vu hit him. He had seen the crimson pools before, and that scent, how could he have forgotten? "Ayame?" he questioned, dumbfounded, though his voice held a tinge of anger within its surprise, and his wide gaze turned hard and furious. "What are you doing here? Don't you know of the danger that fills this place, especially at night!" Despite the urgency of his tones, his voice remained a feverish whisper as he approached her. His eyes were searching as he tried to decipher her thoughts, though he came up with nothing that justified her standing before him. In spite of his hostile nature, he was surprised at how happy he was to see her, for in his current state of depression, he could think of no one that he wished to pass the hours with. Perhaps, he though, this was a godsend. A small ray of light in his darkest hour. Then again, he realized his selfishness, and considered that perhaps the fae was not there for him at all. It would be best, he concluded, to hear from her what exactly her intentions were, and so he stood silent, awaiting her explanation.

[Ayame]

Ayame treaded lightly through the half frozen swamp leaving large paw prints where she stepped. Even though the ground was dense, her weight still cause the mushy lands to give way. With each step her once solid black paws, were now coated in a thick brownish mud. Lifting one paw up, she shook it attempting to remove some of the muck from it with no luck, she would need the clean rushing waters of the river to remove the muddy stains. A sigh escaped her maw, and she shook her head back and forth with her eyes closed, she was getting tired, somehow the swamp lands seemed to drain her energy. The only thing she could hope for was finding her friend soon. Raising her head she opened her eyes, glowing reds emitted in the darkness like lanterns lighting the way, once again she carefully placed one paw in front of the other submerging herself deeper into the evil swamp lands of Sarnes.

The ebon fae’s auds were perked, her crimson orbs actively searching the terrain for any sign of life…nothing. She wondered if Dane was truly happy here, she didn’t know how any varg could be. There was no reason for life to continue, the swamp brought no happiness but instead furthered depression. It seemed to whisper encouragement for death and destruction. She shook her head, trying to push such thoughts from her mind. All these emotions made her worry even more about her dear friend and made her even more anxious to find him. Ayame quickened her pace, still being careful where she placed each paw, her orbs frantically scanning the moonlit terrain, looking for any sign of the mann she searched for.

If she didn’t find him soon, she would be deep within Sarnes territory and nothing good could come of that; she would have a much greater chance meeting an unfriendly face. Then from the darkness, a creature with sapphire and golden orbs approached her. At first she wasn’t sure what it was, it was almost as if two fireflies were glowing in the distance, but now her heart began to race, she had finally found the one she had been searching for. Her ears immediately folded down to the side, her tail lowered and her head sunk down, Dane was made at her. Though it was just a whisper his voice was somewhat harsh, and his looks were no better. She wagged her tail slightly as she began to speak, “Dane. I am sorry that I have upset you, it was not my intention. Something woke me on this night and told me to come to you. I just had a feeling that you needed me, it didn’t matter how dangerous the journey way, that’s what friends do, they come to their friend’s aid, even if they don’t ask for it.” Her fiery gaze fell on the tri-colored mann before her, she hoped that she was not wrong, she hoped that she had made the right choice to come and find him. “If you wish for me to leave, I will. I didn’t mean to bother you, if that is what I have done. “

Ayame’s stare was full of worry, worry for Dane, worry for herself, and worried that she had made a fool of herself. What had told her to go to him on this starlit night? Was it a dream of some kind, or just a feeling; she didn’t know, but she was here now and hoped that it is what the bi-orbed mann wanted and needed, she stood there patiently waiting for what would happen next.

[Dane]

As he stood, his heart beating ever-faster with both anxiety and perhaps even relief, he considered her reasons for venturing to Sarnes. A short sigh escaped his lungs after he realized that she had not been harmed; she had definitely been lucky in finding him, and by the looks of it, she had not had to deal with any of the other monsters that resided within the murky and unforgiving labyrinth. She stood before him, seemingly ashamed of herself for having sought him out at all, and looked the very image of submission. He had not meant to frighten her, for it had only been worry that dominated his thoughts as he had seen her trekking through the muddy fortress. When she had finished speaking, he took a step forward and placed his chin behind her head to rest on her shoulders. After a moment he spoke again, this time in a more controlled tone. "Forgive me Ayame, I am not cross with you. You were right to come, and I am glad you did. This place is just so dangerous for those who do not know it well, and if something were to have happened..." he paused for a moment, not wanting to delve into the realm of dark possibilities, and finally settled for saying, "You're lucky it was I who found you."

Standing so close to her, he could feel the heat radiating from her body to warm his own. He wondered what force had awoken her, tempting her to journey from the comfort of her home to find him. The strength of such a hunch surprised him, for it was in his darkest hour that she had appeared, much as he had encountered her the first time after his first duel with Dakota. Despite the disdain he held for the gods, he couldn't help but feel that if they did indeed reside in the heavens, that perhaps they were smiling down upon him once more. "Strange it is that you felt the need to see me on this night," he spoke in a grave tone, removing his head from her shoulders as he took a step back and fell onto his haunches. Silently he mulled over the decision to tell her what had transpired, whether or not he really wanted to discuss what had happened so soon after the event. He eyed her warily with his mis-matched orbs, but the fact remained that she was the only being he had left who he could talk to, save for his surrogate mother who would only nurse him along his poor decision. Was he really willing to keep his words from the only friendly ear he had left? No, he finally decided, She has come this far for you, you must meet her halfway.

He eyed her frame once more before setting into his tale. "Do you remember the last time we met, I spoke of the mann, Dakota. A Varg I had known in my puphood." A smile grew on his muzzle, small at first, it then widened to wrap around his muzzle. He felt no joy, and yet he could not stop it, as though displaying the deranged expression was the only way to keep himself from splitting in two. "He found me today, before Fenris retired, just as he promised he would. So foolish of him. He knew nothing of the swamps, or of the fiends he might find here, and yet... he marched in, unafraid, ready to keep his oath to me." His gaze had found its way to the ground, though as he paused, he let his eyes wander up to the glowing red lanterns before him, to see if the fae held any recollection of the characters in the tragedy he was weaving, or if he was able to hold her interest. "As I told you before, I wanted nothing to do with him or his offers, and my sentiments had not changed." He shrugged as though the event had meant little to him, even though it had been, and still was, the complete opposite. "But that is my burden, not yours, to carry. I should be rejoicing, happy to be rid of him. The Gods have shined down on this day," he sneered, not actually believing in the meddlesome deities, "Their intervention has worked wonders on my life thusfar."

[Ayame]

The ebon fae didn’t know how the mann in front of her would react to her words, would he send her away with her tail tucked between her legs wondering what she had done wrong or would he ask her to stay. The silence between them seemed to last an eternity, it was as if time stood still, the only sound she heard was her own heart beat pounding in her auds. Ayame was relieved when Dane approached her and placed his head on her shoulders, and sigh of relief escaped her chest as she took in his scent and the warmth that seemed to penetrate from their bodies being intertwined. A smile came across her maw as his kind words entered her burning auds, “Dane, my friend, please do not worry. I didn’t know how you would take me coming to your home, I just hoped for the best. I knew the risks involved with entering the deadly swamps, but you are worth the risk.” With the tri-hued mann still close she closed her eyes remembering their first night together, how they found each other when they both needed it the most. She opened her eyes, her fiery hues piercing the night sky and took and deep, content breath, “I am glad it was you who found me…” because she knew what could have happened on this frigid night.

His deep voice penetrated her auds once more as he removed his head from her shoulders, and sudden chill ran through her body and the heat began to rush from her body. Shaking the chill off, she watched her friend intently taking in all of his body language and listening to his words as he softly barked them to her. He mentioned the name Dakota again and it was like pain shot through her heart, she knew how hard it was for him to talk about this and she nodded indicating that she remembered their previous conversation. Keeping her eyes on him, trying to decipher what his mismatched golden and sapphire orbs were trying to really say; waiting patiently for him to speak again. Dane seemed to be having a hard time, not knowing whether or not to be honest with her and tell her what had happened, Ayame could only hope that he would trust her, she hoped that she had proved to him that she would always be there for him by coming and searching for him tonight. Finally he spoke once more, his lyrics entering her perked auds, ready for anything that he had to say. His body language confused the ebon fae for a moment; he smiled mentioning the dark mann he was once so close to, but then turning to completely not caring and casually talking of their meeting today. Watching the mann in front of her, she could see so many emotions running through his body, even those he wished to keep from everyone, even her. “Dane, what happened earlier today between you and Dakota? You talk about it as if it is nothing but a mere inconvenience, but I can see that it is much, much more. Please, tell me, let me help you, let me be your friend.” She looked deep into his orbs, love pouring from her own fiery hues for the friendship that seemed to be slipping away. Ayame needed him to be completely honest with her, “In Dakota’s defense he did fulfill his promise to you, much as I have on this night. We both promised you something and we both followed through. Don’t get me wrong, I am not on his side, he has hurt you and you are my number one concern.” Danes next words made her blood start to boil, he just doesn’t seem to get it,the ebon fae had to think about her next words for they would either end everything between them or make their bond stronger, she hoped for the latter. “And how dare you, any burden of yours is a burden of mine, can’t you see that I care for you? I risked my life to come to you on this night, a night that you obviously need me, so don’t insult me by saying such ridiculous things as it not being my burden and remember this, the gods sent me to you this night, don’t turn your back on them completely….”

She walked over to the mann, she needed to be closer to him, when she was directly in front of him she rested on her haunches, her glowing red lanterns starring at the mann before her, “Dane, please let me help you, I need you as much as you need me. Whether you want to believe that or not is up to you.” Lowering her gaze to the ground she didn’t know what he would think of her somewhat harsh words, they might have been a little harsh but they came from her heart and every one of them was true. The only thing she could hope for now was that he would understand everything and not send her away without another word.

[Dane]

He was relieved to see that Ayame had not forgotten the past encounter he had told her of, and that she was still willing to listen to him as the tale unfolded now. He had spoken a considerable amount more than he had anticipated he might, for he had been unprepared to rehash the series of unfortunate events so soon. Still, a part of him yearned to say more, to admit to his share of the blame that he had cast solely upon the ebon male. Trust was not an issue when it came to deciding what he should reveal to the worried fae before him, she had proven her dedication to him for a second time as she stood there. The conflict lay within his own heart, where he had to decide if he would ever be brave enough to admit that he had done wrong, or if he should choose once more to bury it, and live his life in secret remorse.

The fae's sudden outburst came as a surprise to him; it caused an entirely new wave of shame to wash over his spirit. His ears flattened as he hung his head, his dual-toned eyes quickly dropped to the ground to avoid her searing crimson gaze. "My apologies, Ayame," he growled softly, the words almost nonexistent as they lingered below his breath. His skin seemed to be set aflame by the fae's stinging words, and while they were not uttered out of malice or ill-intent, he still felt their effect as though they had targeted his heart with the goal of shattering his soul. He knew that Ayame was only trying to help him, though it would take yet more practice before he would be able to rely on her so heavily and completely. "It seems I have forgotten how friendships are to work. I don't mean to insult you, I only hope that my troubles are not so grim that they swallow you whole as I have let them do to me." Silence ensued as he sought the proper words to explain his dilemma, having finally made the decision to open his aching heart to this compassionate fae once more.

"I am aware of the gallantry Dakota has displayed," he said bluntly, knowing that Ayame was not there to choose sides, but simply to look at things a bit more objectively than he was able to in his state of bitterness. "Whereas another Varg might have been able to respect this, and even honor the show of civility, I was able to see only the flaws. Not his... but my own." Closing his eyes, he paused for a moment, his shoulders hunched as his hackles bristled at his own insolence. "I realized then that I had been mistaken this entire time, how foolish of me to have scorned him for his absence, for simply continuing on with his life as every Lera must do! I had been selfish," his hardened eyes rose up to meet the crimson orbs before him as a scowl graced his maw in his honor, daring her to sympathize with his wretched character. "Too much had passed to simply apologize, I believe I finally understood what he meant when he said that I had changed. I threw my life away the day I came to this place. It had seemed like a good idea at first, and had been the only option in my mind, much better than roaming the world alone. If I had only held out a bit longer..." It felt strangely relieving to admit so many of the stresses that had been picking at his mind and spirit. Even as he purged his demons and came clean with confessions, the very swamp seemed to adsorb and feed off the negativity he was projecting. The mist clung to his pelt like the foul odor of death; its macabre influence would be with him always.

Taking a deep breath his whole body seemed to quake as he exhaled. He felt refreshed, and though he loathed the day he had ventured to Sarnes seeking redemption and acceptance, he knew that there was no choice for him now but to remain and live with the decisions he had made. "Our worlds are too different now, that is something I should have known the day I ventured to these swamps. We are the dregs," he said almost proudly, his maw alight with a glistening smile, as he reinforced his place in the forest's social hierarchy. "The damned, the misunderstood. Those who find completion no where else in their pitiful lives may find so here, amongst compatriots who have shared in the same grief and rejection, amongst those, too, who chose to resign themselves and leave everything they've known to the maggots and flies..." As he continued, he was having trouble maintaining a pleasant outlook on his otherwise drab and draining home. He had repeated such assurances to himself time and time again during periods of doubt and despair, and each time he had felt once more enchanted by the putrid waters and barren land. However, the past few days the suffocating effect of the marsh had been wearing on him, the secure walls of his conscience constricting him until he was made to wonder whether any swamp-dweller truly enjoyed their abode, or if they were simply tolerant of roll they played. "You are right, though," he finally said, nosing her affectionately on the muzzle, "The Gods have seen fit to grace me with you in these trying times. Had I not made the transition into this life, had I continued waiting and dragging my paws until perhaps the day I died, I never would have found you." The thought alone was hard to bear, for had he not stumbled upon the Listern fae's cave on that fateful night, he would have been doomed to a life of true isolation. "I told Dakota to leave the swamps when I saw that his kind, the noble Varg he had become, did not belong in this festering place. I don't think I shall ever see him again, and while it pains me now, I have learned from this loss, as it is hoped that all who are wounded will do eventually." His eyes, now somewhat brighter than before, moved from Ayame's face to observe the eerie stillness of the swamp before them. From all directions rolled a thick mist, it lingered just above the ground as it crawled over their paws. Their hot breath displaced the chilled air before their faces, and swirled in curling plumes until it dissipated into the haze.

[Ayame]

Emotions were high, and seemed ever changing between the two vargs surrounded by the eerie mist that seemed to latch onto their very souls. The swamps that Dane called home were unwelcoming to everything even the vargs that called it home, but especially to outsiders. It seemed to be intensifying all of Ayame’s hatred and ill feelings she had ever felt in her life and turning them into anger. She could feel her blood begin to boil; with no reason for it to do so she began to breathe deeply, closing her eyes for a moment and gain control of all of her emotions once more.

The ebon fae’s somewhat harsh words seemed to break the tri-hued man before her, in his reaction a small whine emitted from her muzzle, she rose to her paws inching closer and closer to the mann, her tail wagging lowly behind her and began to lick Dane’s muzzle. “Dane, I did not mean for my words to hurt you, it is my fault, I know that our friendship is still new and that you still are unsure about it. Please let us put that behind us, just know that I am here for you and I will always be here for you no matter what has happened to you in the past, you can trust me.” Placing her head over his shoulder’s she nuzzled him gently before withdrawing from him and resting on her haunches once more.

Dane continued on with his story while Ayame sat in silence listening to every word that he uttered. So much hurt echoed in every word that came from his maw. She wanted nothing more than to go to him and comfort him, show him that she was there and to let it all out, but she remained where she sat, the words panged her heart as he told his tale. “My friend, I have listened to all that you have said and I do not understand why you stay in the isolate place, you call them your pack yet you have no one but me to lean on. That is no pack, and that is no family, you deserve more. Yes Dakota fulfilled his promise to you, and you turned him away, you may not feel you are good enough to be a noble varg at your friend’s side but I believe you deserve more than this life you have chosen for yourself. I do not wish you to go to the other side of the river where the light seems a little brighter for that means that I would lose you and I could not bear to lose you.” She lowered her head to the ground, her fiery gaze getting lost in the thick mist that consumed their paws. Ayame looked back up, her orbs glistening from holding back tears.

As the mann before her nuzzled her affectionately, she closed her eyes and signed contently, “Dane, regardless if you joined Sarnes or not, we would have found each other, I just know it. You were destined to be in my life, as I was destined to be in yours; the gods would have brought us together, for they knew that our friendship together would be a bond that could not be broken. “ The ebon fae was now covered in the thick mist, the tiny droplets of water seemed to cling to every single fur on her pelt, sending chills through her whole body, making her shiver and shake. She rose to her paws, and stepped back from Dane for a moment, and attempted to shake the water from her pelt that was making her cold. As the droplets spiraled off of her pelt they landed gently beside her, looking back at the mann before her she smiled at him for the first time since being in the desolate swamps, she cared for Dane more and more with every meeting they encountered.

She slowly approached him and sat down beside him, just close enough so that their pelt intertwined and she wrapper her tail around him and rested her head on his shoulder as she whispered to him, “Dane there is something that I want you to know. There is no feeling like being close to you, something woke me on this night and I don’t know what it was, but I am glad that I came to you. It has been so lonely back home. Everyone has seemed to go their own way, not wanting anything to do with each other after we lost our stargazer. I hoped that her passing would bring the pack closer together but it has just pushed everyone further apart. I guess I missed having someone to talk to and be close to. Even though I have a pack, I feel like I am still a kerl. The only one I know I have is you, I haven’t even seen my adopted sons in quite some time, but I guess they are getting older and don’t need me anymore. “ A deep saddened sigh escaped her maw, “Maybe that is why I came to you tonight, because I needed to feel close to someone, so once again the gods brought us together when we needed it most.” She brought her head back up and looked deep into the mann’s mismatched orbs, “Thank you Dane.” Is all she could say and then she replaced her head on his shoulder nuzzling him tenderly.

[Dane]

The ebon fae's presence had a calming effect on his restless spirit, and though he had not yet laid to rest the guilt he felt for his ruined friendship, he was now far from the disabled state he had been in only moments before. He scorned himself for having been so bitter towards the gods; in truth he was not even sure of their existence. Regardless of whether or not they existed at all, it somehow didn't feel right to focus only on the misfortune that had befallen him without also choosing to see the good that had surfaced. He was ever-thankful for Ayame's company, and though they had just recently met, he did not look upon his growing trust in her as a mistake in judgment. If there was anything to be looked on with optimism, it was this single choice of learning to trust again, and the faith that he had resolved to bestow upon the Listern fae.

"New as our friendship may be, I feels as though I still owe you an apology." His clear gaze rose from the ground and found Ayame's crimson orbs with ease. "I have made mistakes before, and know that I will not be through making them until the day that I day, though I feel I must tell you... I do not regret opening up to you so easily. Although I may come off as unwilling to share myself with you, please understand that it is not you deterring me at all, just me being overly cautious." He hoped that his words did not come off as sounding cold or hurtful, though he knew that he had been known to have that affect on others, sometimes without really realizing it. As if to reassure her that he did not mean to come off as hostile, he offered her a gentle lick on the cheek. I just need to be sure... he thought to himself; he hoped that the amount of trust he had placed in Ayame thusfar would not turn out to be a mistake later on.

On the matter of destiny, his thoughts were mixed. For the longest time he had felt it had been his fate to writhe until the ends of time, cast into a role and meant to suffer because of his own stubbornness and the imagined betrayal of a dear friend. Now though, it seemed the tables had turned, and he was unable to continue his affair with loneliness; the one he was sure would last forever. "I'm glad that you found me, too." His low tones were muffled as he spoke into her haze-dampened fur. "Your compassion has been the greatest gift I could have ever hoped to receive."

He felt the familiar pangs of regret as he listened to Ayame speak of his downtrodden home. He wore his misery plain enough for her to see, and while he had been hesitant to admit his dislike for the murky prison, he found himself agreeing all-too easily with her words. At the same time though, he was inclined to defend against them, for reasons that perhaps only he could appreciate and understand. Her attention to his plight made him feel more comfortable discussing such matters openly, even if such a decision was unwise. Eager ears and prying eyes were ever-present in the mists of the moor, and Dane knew that their words might not be safe where they resided at the moment. "I couldn't help but notice..." he began, his muzzle tracing a path from the fur of her throat to her pointed aud, "That you seem to be a bit uncomfortable in my less than humble abode. I cant say that I blame you..." His voice had dropped to a mere whisper, for fear of being overheard by his comrades with loose loyalties. Her coat had become covered in moisture from the surrounding mists, and though he had grown accustomed to the cold and sodden scene, it had become apparent that such qualities were not viewed amiably by his guest. "What do you say we pick up and move a little ways off? The river is not far from here, and it has an atmosphere I'm sure you'll find more...agreeable, as will I." Rising to his paws, he turned in the direction of the river, and only started off through the trees after he had made sure that Ayame was right by his side.

Keeping his steps slow and cautious, he gave the ebon fae an opportunity to follow behind him, finding the spots that he judged to have the best footing to prevent them both from sliding into one of the many sink pools. Hoping to shift the mood during their short trek to the river, Dane changed the subject for the moment to focus more on Ayame and her place in List. "So what of your pack mates in List? I know nothing of the stargazers that reside there, or the roll they play in the pack's hierarchy. If it doesn't pain you, I would love to hear more of them, or of your sons, anything you feel like sharing, really." He offered a kind smile to her as he finished speaking. It felt good to be making a conscious effort to get to know another being after isolating himself for so long. Conversation definitely flowed smoothly with this fae in comparison to the absent-minded wretches that dwelled within Sarnes, and their normally hostile attitudes.

[Ayame]

Shivers ran down her spine, the ebon fur clumped together at the ends forming spikes all along her body; she was cold and wet, the only warmth was that from the bi-eyed mann by her side, and even that was hardly putting a damper of the creepy coolness of the eerie swamps. But Ayame wouldn’t have changed her company for the world and she would face whatever harsh elements she had to in order to be Dane’s friend. And the affection that they showed each other was reward enough for her travel to the swamps. Though with the tri-hued’s mann mention of finding a more suitable place to talk, she had to stop herself from jumping up and running full speed ahead. This place brought out the worst in everyone; she wanted to be as far away as possible.

Following Dane’s lead she was sure to step where he stepped, she trusted the mann with her life and she knew that he would not steer her wrong. Her crimson orbs seemed to glow in the dark, and showed full surprise when her company asked questions about her own life, for she had come to him to focus on his life, not her own. “Well, I guess instead of nurses List has stargazers. They hold all of our stories for the young and the old. They teach us the ways of the varg world, and some are lucky to follow the stars and know what the future holds, Fiory was one of those. I guess you could say she had visions and she believed in them so strongly that they came true. Right before her death, she passed on her position as stargazer to the alpha’s daughter Aiyu. Now she holds a great title, one that I know she will advance in.” Glancing at Dane, she hoped he would understand what she was saying. To not be a part of List, sometimes it was hard for one to understand the importance of what Fiory was to List and what her teachings will continue to mean. “Other than that we are a pretty small pack. There is Gryffin and Sudak the Drappa and Dragga. And their daughters, Aiyu and Sora and a son Arias; Aiyu is the one that has stuck around the most, though Sora shows back up every once in a while.” Ayame shook her head back and forth as she remembered the last run in she had with the bitch, but that was a story for another day. “Then there is the Beta Mann Drathlic and the Silent who has come and gone through the years.”

Ayame paused briefly; her tail began to sway happily behind her. She was beginning to feel like her old self again so she knew they were coming to the end of the murky swamps. “As for my two adopted sons, I found them causing trouble around the stone castle one day. From that day I took them under my paw so to say. Oren has come to List to join, and his brother Styr plans to follow in his steps when he finishes exploring and finding out who he is. Of course, like I said they are all grown up now and don’t need the watchful eye of their mom. “ The ebon fae chuckled a bit, thinking back to when Oren and Styr were just small pups, “Oh how fast they grow, and they weren’t even mine. I’d hate to imagine having my own pups and having the time fly. But I guess that’s part of life huh Dane? I hope I haven’t bored you with my ramblings, I came to comfort you, and here I am spilling my life story. Shame on me.”

The two began to near the end of the Sarnes territory, the dense fog and clouds had begun to break apart and Tor in all of her greatness began to shine through with the stars at her side. Now out of the dangers of the sink holes, Ayame trotted up beside the bi–eyed mann, brushing slightly against him in a playful mood. It was as if a burden had been lifted away from her as they exited the swamps, and instead of keeping with Danes pace, she increased hers just a little, bumping him gently with her backside, flipping her tail against his muzzle in a playful, maybe even slightly teasing manner. Then the midnight fae began to run, she knew exactly where she was and knew exactly where she wanted to go. She hoped that Dane would follow and play her little game, looking back; she winked at tri-hued mann, as a way to say, come and get me….

[Dane]

Every so often the muddied mann was sure to give a quick glance over his shoulder, watching not only to ensure that the ebon fae had no fatal missed steps, but also reassuring her that during their short jaunt he was, in fact, listening to her words. Two glowing beacons of crimson revealed that she followed him step for step, and perhaps, just maybe... he turned back every now and then to catch a glimpse of her eyes, the only feature to stand out clearly in the surrounding dark of the dense thicket. His own eyes seemed to glow in the darkness with an eerie awareness- yet another trait that had been honed in him with his arrival to the treacherous trenches.

The notion of Stargazers left in charge of cubs instead of traditional nurses was one that seemed somewhat whimsical. Dane was skeptical by nature, unsure of the gods, unsure of himself, and so to think that these Stargazers were allowed lead the pack into the future based on visions and constellations was an idea hard for him to grasp. Still, what he wouldn't give to be able to believe in something so strongly that it turned out to materialize before him just as he imagined it. If such was possible, he would be living a happy, if not content life outside of the swamps with a supportive fae by his side, maybe even with cubs of his own. Such was the stuff pup's tales were made of; he had learned that daydreaming did not lead to happiness, only self-sacrifice did. Nothing in this world is free.

"List certainly seems to be strong on tradition. I am sorry for the loss of your eldest Stargazer." He gave a quick dip of his muzzle for the fallen Fiory, though he had not heard of her until Ayame had spoken her name. He tried to commit at least some of List's other members' names to memory, just incase fate ever lead him to the mountain-dwelling pack's doorstep. Seeing Ayame's tail began to wag behind her, his own banner started to wave in turn. The terrain had evened out considerably upon nearing the river, and soon the two Varg had passed over the border of the swamplands. "Despite how quickly a pup may grow, or how much time has passed, nothing can replace the importance of a mother's love." His voice seemed suddenly gruff as his thoughts shifted to his own mother's face, the childhood he had been robbed of by man's cruelty, the short window of time he had had to learn her scent, to bask in her loving gaze and surrender himself willingly to her warmth and care. "They may stray from your side for a time, to try and prove their ability to themselves and the world, but they will come back to you." He flashed her a small smile that seemed to say that not only did he know this to be true, but that it was indeed the way such things unfolded.

Slowing down his gait so that Ayame might walk beside him instead of following in his pawprints, he turned his gaze to her once more, as it was prone to stray from her eyes back to the ground before him. "You could never bore me," he spoke softly, ears flicking back as though he became for a moment embarrassed, or wished to relieve himself of a bothersome gnat. "Time spent with you is such a change from everything here. It's as though I step out of the shade when I'm with you, I can't really explain i--" Before he could make a bigger fool of himself by stuttering around his incomplete thought, he felt the feathery plume of Ayame's tail slide across his muzzle, ushering a loud sneeze from his nares. Opening his eyes once more to the world, he saw the ebon fae a few tree lengths ahead of him now, spritely mischief painted across her pretty face and her tail waving in a playful, almost beckoning manner. Not bothering to hide the smirk that played on his lips, he hesitated for a few moments before giving in to his inner child and chasing headlong after Ayame, unsure what he would do when he finally caught her.

Pumping his legs, his claws gripped for better traction than the swamp was able to provide. On such stable ground he had no problem catching up to the tricksy fae, his lungs pumping breath after breath of hot air past his parted lips. Being careful as he could not to harm her, he plowed into her, perhaps more forcefully than he had intended, and sent the both of them tumbling a few feet across the damp earth. Regaining his senses a bit, he loomed over her as any Putnar might loom over trapped prey. His chest heaved with the thrill of the chase, and perhaps something more as his eyes drunk in her surprised expression hungrily, though a moment of careful consideration told him that it was time to end the encounter and take the night's games no further. "Are... you alright?" he asked, his gruff voice cracking only once as the spell was broken and he stepped back to let her up. "I didn't mean to... well... Would you let me walk you back to the Listern border? Hard telling what sort of scum walks the earth at this hour." His two-toned eyes sought not only compliance in her red hues, but forgiveness for his primitive outburst.