their feet aches, each step sending a twang of pain through their paws. it’s the culmination of a day’s travel and the emotional turmoil of their Mother’s abandonment that weighs heavily on their tiny frame, sending a shudder of exertion with every stride. raising their gaze to the woman beside them, Aranae seeks comfort in that hazel-green stare, tracing the russet hues of her pelt. she’d found them in their darkest moment and brought them from that place - and loathe as they are to trust another adult, there’s something about Hazel that urges Araneae to take that next step, regardless of their exhaustion.

despite this, they can’t help the complaint that falls from their lips. “how much longer?” there’s something plaintively childish in their voice, a grouchy whine elongating each vow. it is the complaints of a tired child in desperate want of a nap, and though many would find it irritating, there is comfort in the ability to express such petty grievances. Mother never let complain, after all, no matter how dismal the circumstances - and there is something freeing about the ability to do so.

It was a long walk for Hazel, she couldn’t imagine what it was like for the pup. Though her strides weren’t as long as say, Bas, she certainly wasn’t the shortest. Then there was the tiny child by her side… yeah, she could excuse some whining. Still, with how things had been in the world, she hesitated to slow down. Agitated predators could spell disaster for them, and Hazel wasn’t going to fail this kid. She couldn’t. She wouldn’t. Head effectively on a swivel, she couldn’t let this one down. ”Not far, do you want me to carry you?” They’d be home soon, if Hazel had to carry the pup the rest of the way, then that was fine.

They drew close to the borders, the massive trees coming into focus as she came near. She’s the General. She’s found a child and decided it’s hers now. She needed to check in with Sirius, especially with the strange behavior of the pup’s family. Why abandon them? It’s worth putting more thought into, in Hazel’s mind. ”Here, we’re going to wait here and talk to the Warlord, okay?” Hazel stilled, looking to the child and then back at the borders. The girl called softly for the Warlord, nothing urgent, just a request. She still had to figure out what she’d say to Bas, after.

"Speech"

A call from his general was an unexpected distraction. He veered off his patrol without hesitation and made his way to the outskirts of the woods at a light trott. Her call may have indicated a lack of urgency, but it was unusual for her to call to him at the borders.

He arrived to find her with a child. For a split moment, he wondered if there was any way it could be hers - but there was no way he would have missed the scent or signs. He had been around too many pregnant wolves in his life. Instead, he got left with an off sense of deja vu. He remembered another wolf, and another time. When Basilisk as a child had brought home an abandoned child.

"Hello, little one" the Warlord said softly. The gruff old man's soft spot for children was almost legendary these days. "Their parents?" He asked softly, his eyes on Hazel now.

"Speech"

Art by Salt

Araneae stills at Hazel’s offer, sorely tempted - but they also want desperately to impress her, to demonstrate their stamina and endurance. “no, that’s ok.” they lift their chin with an air of great sacrifice, darting infinitesimal glances in Hazel’s direction to gauge her level of admiration. thankfully, they arrive at the border shortly afterward; a riot of strange new scents brings them to attention, eyes wide and ears pricked. their exhaustion is chased away on the wings of curiosity, a touch of awe-struck wonder in their voice. “the…Warlord?”

as though in answer, a great dark figure appears in the distance and grows steadily closer. Araneae stares up at him in open-mouthed surprise, and shuffles backward to duck behind Hazel’s flank in an uncharacteristic bought of shyness. they linger there for a moment, peering out   at the Warlord with wide-rimmed eyes - but once he addresses them, a hesitant half-smile tugs at their mouth, and they dare a step closer. “hi.”

It doesn't matter where the child came from, they belong to Hazel now. That much is clear, as she moves with the pup. A soft nod, letting the child make their own choices. They'd work on the whole asking for and accepting assistance thing later. They had time, Hazel has decided. "He's called Sirius, he raised me. This is his pack, the Armada." Hazel explained to the child, watching Seer fade into focus through the trees. He's an imposing figure, but he really does love puppies. Though they'd had a recent boom in population, the General also can't see him saying no. Not when there was a child in need.

Aranea clings to Hazel's flank, and the girl reaches to gently encourage the child. There we go, a step up, Hazel smiled softly. Still, her attention returned to the Warlord. "Same as mine." Hazel cannot chase all of the darkness from her tone. She's close to the situation, perhaps too close, but it doesn't matter. Seer would know, perhaps better than anyone, how she felt on the subject. "I crossed through Redbud Nook on my way home from trying to gather more intel on the Pirates. That's where I found Spider." An explanation, while Hazel hovered protectively close to the child. Protecting them from what, hell, Hazel wasn't even sure. It didn't matter, the pup was hers now.

"Speech"

The Warlord frowned as he digested that. Wondering if there was any relation between these families that dumped their children is such a similar way. But it didn't matter. They had forfeited their right to the child, and if they ever came looking they would discover the child belonged to the Armada. And, if he was any judge, to Hazel.


He turned his head a fraction, so that the tiny child shivering beneath Hazel wouldn't see his expression. He raised his muzzle over one fang, bearing it in a silent threat for a moment. His eyes on Hazel, and then gave a satisfied nod of approval. Knowing she would understand - they would protect Spider. Hazel, it seemed, had come full circle. 


Turning his attention back on Spider, he crouched down low so his imposing height would be less daunting. "Welcome to the Armada, Spider. Will you come out and let me take a look at you?" He asked, voice gentle.

he raised me. whatever trepidation they’d been harbouring about Sirius melts away almost completely, and they dare another step closer - comforted by Hazel’s protective presence at their back. it’s wonderful to explore their curiosities under the watchful eyes of a trusted presence, to feel safe to be young and reckless. it’s a levity they hadn’t known they’d been missing until this very moment, but they feel it now as they gaze up at Sirius with wide, owlish eyes.

“Hazel found me,” they whisper to Sirius, as though confiding a secret - rather redundantly, given Hazel had just revealed as much, but they feel a sense of pride at having contributed. “she made it not scary.”

at Sirius’ request, Araneae perks up and shuffles closer to be properly admired, unable to help but preen slightly at the attention. now that they know he isn’t a threat, they want the Warlord to find them impressive.

Hazel knows full well what happens to parents who tried to reclaim their children from the Armada. She would know. She'd dealt the punishment, perhaps the greatest punishment of all. She shook the uncomfortable feeling from her head, thinking about what exactly she'd done to her father. Hazel didn't know what was in the future of this child, but she could hope beyond hope that it would be an easier one. The General stands straighter, keen as she watched the Warlord's expression. He was deep in thought, and she wouldn't question it. She didn't need to.

Araneae preens a bit, stepping before the Warlord. Hazel can't help but give the man a confidential smile over the pup's head, rather proud already of the little pup. Watching them straighten, watching them try to look impressive. That, and the fact the child already painted her in such a good light. For the first time, she knows how Sirius and Halo both feel when she speaks about them. An approving nod, it was clear-- Spider was here to stay. Hazel would be keeping them, this one is hers now. She remains behind the child, watching the Warlord appraise them. "I'll have Halo check everything out tomorrow, today has been long already," she spoke softly. A long walk, a long day. They could both use a rest.

"Speech"

The Warlord’s muzzle twitched in a smile at that. “Hazel is my General, she’s very good at making things not scary when it matters” He agreed easily. Because she would kill whatever was making it scary, of that he was certain. He had a look at the tiny child, noting their strange eyes as well as their indeterminate scent. He had a feeling they would fit in well with their strange collection of children. His own brood included.

“Alright Spider, well Hazel will help you get settled in. She will also help you figure out what you want to be when you grow up - but all that can wait. Go with Hazel and get some sleep. If you need me, you need only call for me, alright?” He told her kindly.


"Speech"

Art by Salt

General? Araneae peers at Hazel with wide, awestruck eyes, practically brimming with admiration. honestly, could she be any cooler? turning back to Sirius, they nod importantly to show they’d been listening, attempting to look studious - but the effect is rather ruined by a jaw-cracking yawn. sleep certainly sounded ideal right about now. despite their exhaustion, however, something light and warm rose within their chest. they had a place to stay, and somewhere safe to sleep; it was infinitely more than they would’ve dared hope. “thank you,” they whisper to Sirius - a tad shyly - and then turn to encompass Hazel in this gratitude. of course,  it's immediately followed by yet another yawn. "Speech"