Deathly Cold

It had begun to snow as the sun dipped below the horizon, the temperature falling well into freezing as darkness fell. Silas had returned to retrieve his etched bone from the meeting grounds as midnight came and went, doing so as stealthily as possible in hopes that he would not run into anyone that had been there to witness his behavior earlier in the day… and thankfully he did not.

Once he had returned to his den he would continue his work on the bone… though he could not shake the scene of his departure from the meeting from his mind. He was a better man than that… and so far he had not given much of a reason for this pride to tolerate his presence, much less his outbursts. He had a good deal of respect for @Reah , and he wanted to make sure she knew that.

He tried in vain to sleep until the early morning, twisting and turning… unable to shut off his mind or shake the embarrassment he had caused himself the day before. He wished he had kept his composure… been more graceful – more diplomatic – about his concerns. With his head in his paws, he began to hear the first signs of the morning. Birds began chirping and others began to disturb the fresh snow on the ground outside.

He emerged from his den, looking like he hadn’t slept in a year. He shuffled through the thick snow, wandering the pride’s dens to try to catch a glimpse of the Sovereign or perhaps locate the den she stayed in. This issue wouldn’t leave him alone until he got it off his chest.

He had decided he would try to find Reah… he wanted to apologize.

(He wants to talk to Reah but literally anyone can respond :3)

code by corvus

Most in the pride seemed to be settling in well, offering up their skills and accepting things for what they were. There was one, though, that Renfri was concerned about. After his display at the meeting, she wondered if their ideals were well enough aligned for him to be able to handle being here, or if he would prove to be a continuing problem. The way the male had attempted to speak for his sister, dismissing her and her efforts, had provoked a level of irritation within the Heiress that she’d not felt for a subordinate in quite some time. She could smell him poking around the densite in the early morning and rose, stepping out into the cool winter air. She hovered there for a while, watching, wondering if he’d approach her. After his outburst, she’d mostly ignored him, not trusting that she wouldn’t say something that would make the situation worse. Now, though, she wanted to speak to him. He had clearly been one of Reah’s recruits, but if he was going to be an issue, Renfri would not hesitate to ask him to leave. They were not pacifists, and the Heiress at least had made that clear to all who joined. She wouldn’t knowingly put anyone in a dangerous situation any more than she would try to force someone to fight that did not wish to. However, that did not mean she would hold others back if they wanted to be productive and contribute to the pride's well being. Not even his sister. @Silas

Art & Code by Vasilia

Deathly Cold

It had been several minutes Silas had been lingering around the dens he assumed were owned by the leaders of the pride. He had hoped to eventually catch Reah, but it would seem the Heiress would emerge first. He sighed to himself, debating weather he should head over to her… He had noticed her blatant effort to ignore him since his outburst, but he really couldn’t blame her. After all, it was her event he had made a spectacle of in the first place.

Perhaps she deserved the apology more than anyone.

Swallowing his pride and inhibitions, Silas made his way humbly in the Heiress’ direction. His head was lowered to be even with his shoulders, his ears relaxed. He chuffed quietly to let her know he was coming to talk, and once he had made his way to her he would dip his head respectfully.

“Good morning, Heiress.”

He greeted as he stopped a comfortable distance from her.

“I will not linger long… I just wanted to come and express my apologies for my outburst the other day. It was truly unbecoming, and rather unacceptable.”

His voice was quiet, and his tail swayed slowly behind him as he awaited a response… though he had a crushing feeling he was not going to be forgiven. Not by Her.

@Renfri

code by corvus

It took him some time, but eventually he made his way over to her. She could imagine she was probably the one he was least interested in talking to, but she was a leader in the pride and she expected to be given the same level of respect as Reah and Aeistrios. It was a positive sign that he was coming towards her without prompting, but she wasn’t ready to pretend that what had transpired at the meeting the other day hadn’t occurred. She nodded a greeting to him at he wished her a good morning, keeping her expression neutral as he continued on. “No, it was not.” She responded, her tone lacking any hint of anger or condemnation. When he’d spoken up, she’d been tempted to launch herself from her perch and chase him off right then and there, but she didn’t think it would be a good way to instill loyalty from everyone else. Perhaps he was still salvageable, but if he did want to stay here he would need to work harder than most to prove himself to her. It didn’t mean she would write him off completely just yet, though. “In the Plains, we allow everyone to pursue the path that best suits them. Just as we would not require you to fight if you did not wish to, we will not hold your sister back from using her skills to aid us in whatever way she wishes to.” She started, looking him over, allowing him a moment to consider her words before moving on. “I can understand your concern for her, but it is now my job as Heiress to help look after her, along with everyone else in Lorien, and that sometimes means allowing those who are willing to take risks for the safety of the pride as a whole to do so. Sending a pride member of ours into enemy territory is not a decision we would make lightly, nor have we yet decided if we will agree to her doing so. At the end of the day, though, your sister is not ours, or yours to control.” She didn’t know what kind of arrangement the siblings had before, but she wouldn’t allow anyone within her home to be steamrolled or controlled by someone else’s fears. If he couldn’t accept that, then it was best they sorted it out now, rather than later. @Silas

Art & Code by Vasilia

(TULIE IS ACTIVELY TRYING TO HIDE)

Tulie had not been blind nor deaf about the chaos that had happened between the brother and sister. But she bore no cause to actually get involved with the dispute. Instead, the Lead Scout focused on exactly what her job was. Being a sneaky girl and practicing her skills on her pride mates was a pretty good start. The tiny lioness worked on covering her scent by rolling in some mud and a pelt of a decaying animal. Not enough to actually stink up the joint but to throw off her smell from anyone not actually searching for her. There were some decaying leaves nearby and moved to roll around in them to stick to her pelt. Giving the illusion that she was not as she seemed to be.

Following @Silas around the territory, the lioness saw him stop in front of some dens, trying to locate someone. But as @Renfri emerged, ears flicked back as she actively tried to hide and spy on the two talking. He apologized about how he acted at the meeting and she gave insight of how things were run in the pride. Watching them both from a distance, she was close enough to hear the conversation, but not close enough to be spotted unless they were actively searching for her. Hiding between some rocks, she attempted to blend in the shadows of the boulders.

MASTER: SLEUTH
+5 Practice hiding your scent (mud/carcass) 1/2
+5 Practice disguising your appearance (leaves stuck to mud) 1/2
+5 Spy on a non-group thread without getting caught (Silas/Renfri) 1/2

code by scorpixia♡︎

Deathly Cold

Silas stood in silence, head still held level with his shoulders as the woman only one year his senior spoke out on his controlling behavior. Controlling it may seem, but it was out of necessity! If the Heiress only knew the kind of mischief his sister could find herself in, she would understand his deep worry for her wellbeing! Not to mention, the loss of Barnabas remained heavy upon him… to lose Mavour too would be – well – frankly he didn’t let his mind wander that far. Still… with a flood of defenses rearing in his mind, Silas stood quiet.

He was here to apologize… not argue and devolve into an entirely unbecoming state again.

Another advantage the heiress had in getting through the young man’s thick skull was the loving gift bestowed upon his right eye by his beloved sister… the wound still fresh, stinging now as if to remind him that the odds were against him here. When the Heiress had finished speaking, Silas exhaled a heavy sigh and averted his gaze. “I have no choice but to agree with you. Mavour has made as much crystal clear.” He said in a dead pan tone, and with a tilt of his head he would gesture to the claw marks across his eye.

His gaze sought her’s once more, the tired and melancholy glare of ice showing a reluctant acceptance. “I will be of no further trouble…” He would have to leave Mavour to the fate she so chose, and perhaps… merely begin to prepare for the worst.

@Renfri

code by corvus

She could see his hesitation, that barely contained urge to argue his original point once more palpable in the air. But he resisted. If she was being honest, she was surprised to see the reluctant acceptance in his eyes. At realizing that he had, in fact, accepted what she said, she let out a small breath. It was a step, at least. He didn’t have to agree with every decision that was made, but there was a proper time, a proper place, and a proper manner in which those views could be expressed. Sharing concerns was not forbidden, but speaking over others, speaking for others who were capable of speaking for themselves, that would not be tolerated. Not by her, not ever. She nodded her acknowledgment of his commitment to not cause more trouble. “Good.” She would not thank a man for agreeing to behave in an acceptable manner, but she was still glad to hear it. “Believe it or not, I would like for everyone here to get along. If you have thoughts on things, and valid reasons behind your concerns, I encourage you to share them as long as you remain respectful of the leadership in this pride, as well as all of your pride mates. And that includes giving your sister due respect for her own independence.” It was a hard set boundary for her. If he could agree to it, and actually follow through and prove his loyalty to the pride, she wouldn’t be opposed to offering him a chance to thrive here, in whatever capacity he saw fit. She, too, had made mistakes in her past and had been prone to outbursts and fits of rage. She’d been far more volatile then, and had manage to reign in her worst impulses and channel them into something productive. Perhaps he could do the same. @Silas @Tulie

Art & Code by Vasilia

Deathly Cold

Silas looked to the woman as she spoke, his eyes tired and full of sadness. He was every part the representation of a broken man, with a wound across his eye that had been delivered to him by his own family.

The last straw.

His mind had been working as she spoke, only half listening as he began to make his mind up about his own future. When she was done, Silas would clear his throat to speak. "I'm sorry, but you misunderstand." He said quietly as a lump rose in his throat, his voice choked in a rather embarrassing manner. "With Mavour rejecting my presence, there is nothing left for me here." Not only had she rejected him... but let him know that he was completely and utterly alone. He was a burden, and perhaps he was better off being a burden to no one but himself.

His eyes welled with tears as he looked away, ashamed of the display as the woman before him would see only weakness in him now. "I'll be nearby, in case she asks for me... Please, I only ask you tell me if anything happens to her." He takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself before Renfri responds.

@Renfri

code by corvus

Her gaze darkened as he continued to speak, the willingness to offer him a second chance waning with each passing moment. It seemed he wasn’t interested in making a future here for himself, or in repairing things with his sister. Her lip curled back from her teeth, disdain leaking into her features. “You mean to leave because your sister won’t let you run her life for her, then?” At least he had the decency to announce his departure, and if he was going to be this way, then good riddance. The Plains needed members who wanted to be here, not ones that were only here because they felt an obligation to be. “The only tabs I will be keeping on Mavour will be for my own purposes, not yours. She’s not your responsibility anymore.” Her tone was sharper now, devoid of any friendliness or warmth that she’d had previously. The emotion in his own face only served to further put her off. “If you’re going to be a coward and run from your problems, the least you could do is save the self pity for when you’re alone.” Her tail flicked and she sat back, moving her gaze to the area just beyond him, as though looking through him. A silent dismissal. Unless he had anything useful to add, she was done with the conversation. @Silas @Tulie

Art & Code by Vasilia

Deathly Cold

Silas had braced himself for what the Heiress had to say about his intent to leave their pride. He did not expect her to show sympathy or even kindness... but the ridicule and cold disregard for his interest in Mavour's welfare was something he hadn't fully expected.

'You mean to leave because your sister won't let you run her life for her, then?'

Renfri's accusations pained him more than they should have. He had no reason to want for this woman's acceptance, but he found himself hurt by her judgement. It was as though a small part of him longed for her understanding... but his logical half knew such a thing would never be. She didn't want to understand him.

She refused him his wish to be informed if Mavour got herself into trouble, and suddenly the weight of his decision felt finalized. If he leaves the pride, Mavour would be at their mercy. But at this point, he felt he had already dug his grave with the Heiress. She would hold him to his decision.

With nowhere to go but forward, Silas felt heavy tears stream down his cheeks, head lowered as he was berated for such a display. She was right, he should have stayed and tried to mend the relationship between he and Mavour... but - as today made crystal clear - he just continued getting in his own way.

Today he would leave for good. With nothing more to say to Renfri, and without even being able to meet her gaze he would turn to take his leave in silence.

~ Exit Silas

@Renfri

code by corvus