The warm day is a pleasant and welcomed distraction for those in the Armada. With the appearance of the sun, many of the wolves that live in the Col have begun to start their spring cleaning. Dens are being aired out, furs hang from lines after the dust and fur have been shaken free, and some have even set up areas to craft outside. Andy is doing none of those things and, instead, beats a hasty path to where the Obelisk stands.

Ranger had arrived, bringing with her, a message that Briar has agreed to their visit. All that is left to do now is secure their father’s permission. Since the day is nice, the purple girl is certain that she will find her dad near the Obelisk, crafting… something. To her delight, she spies his dark form exactly where she thought he would be. Taking a deep breath, she allows a smile to appear on her lips and lightens her steps into a bounce despite the anxiety that bubbles like acid in her gut.

Drawing near, she calls out, “Hey dad! What are you making?” Stopping next to him, she leans in to peer at what he is making before turning her gaze up to catch his eyes and quirking a brow in question. Maybe she is making pleasantries because she doesn’t want him to suspect anything is wrong. Or, more likely, she does it to put her nerves at ease.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

The Warlord lifted the small device in his paws. trapping it between extended claws as he shifted it this way and that, examining it. The live-trap was still something he was perfecting. It was something himself and other members of the pack had utalised for the past year or so to trap smaller prey to bring to the market or train as companions. A useful device, but what he really needed was an easier way to take down larger prey…

A shadow fell over his work, and he looked over to see his daughter. He smiled at Andy, and raised his paw a little higher so that she could see it, as well. “Tinkering with our live traps.” he explained, before placing it down on the ground beside him. Andy was far more important then his work. He leaned over, grabbing her gently with a paw so he could pull her close enough to kiss her brow. “But that’s not what brings you here. is everything alright with your observation post?” He guessed. He couldn’t help but notice the slight pensive pull of her expression. He guessed she wished to ask something of him. If her Observation post needed some tinkering, he would be more then willing to help.

Her father lowers the device that is between his paws so Andy can inspect it and curiosity crosses her features. She knows of the live traps that the pack use but has never had time to fiddle with them herself. The device is intriguing and, on any other day, she would have spent time picking his brain about it and seeing if she can make it run smoother. But today, the girl is on a mission and she must remain focused on that.

Sirius draws her in toward him and the girl giggles as he kisses her brow, sneaking in a quick peck on his cheek before he can retreat too far. Andy should have known that he would see right through her attempt at making small talk for what it really is. A gentle laugh bubbles out as she shakes her head, saying, “Oh it is great! I have been spending a lot of time up there.” With a smile and wag of her tail, she looks her father in the eye as a plan suddenly takes root in her mind.

With a small huff, Andy admits, “However, you are right, I didn’t come here about the trap. I want to ask you about going down to the Hallows to visit Briar for bit. I want to map some of the stars there and it will be turning into winter down there. If I can have a winter map of their stars, I can compare it against the stars in our wintertime!” It seems almost too easy, the sudden inspiration striking at the perfect moment but she really has wanted to map the stars down in Auster since they had visited.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

His lips twitched at the peck she snuck in. The girl did know the way to his heart. "I'm glad to hear it" he said warmly as she spoke well of her observation post. But even as she spoke, he eyed her with interest. If not the observation post, then what was she working up the courage to ask? When she got to it, his frown deepened. Would the stars really be any different down in Auster? He was ignorant enough in the stars to be uncertain of the answer.


"The last time we went to Auster…" he paused, swallowed, and tried not to let the full depths of his emotions bleed through.  He did not want to discourage her, but nor was he sure he could let her go. Even for a season, the Armada would be cold without her. She was the bubbliest and most social of the youngest litter. "It's a very long way from Armada, and you're still young yet. The stars will still be there when you're two." He told her gently.

As she asks to go visit the Hallows, she can see the memory of the time they had spent down their play through his mind. Andy’s heart squeezes in chest and she really hates that she is misleading him. True, she will spend her time down there bonding with Briar and watching the stars but that is not the main reason that she is going.

At his words, the purple girl blows out a soft sigh and gives a brief nod before saying, “I know dad but I really miss Briar too. She has a special in my heart and I want to visit her and my nieces and nephews. How about I take a buddy with me? Kite has expressed interest in going and even sent Ranger ahead to ask for our sister’s permission!”

Eyes are bright with happiness even as her stomach clenches and a wave of nausea rolls through her. This is the hardest thing she has ever done in her life. On one side she has her sister who is depending on her to pull of this escapade and, on the other, a father she does not wish to disappoint. It takes all of her self-control not to allow any of the doubt and fear that wars inside her, appear on her features.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Sirius Fatalis Andy might as well have had the key to his heart. Her words were undeniable to the Warlord. She didn’t say it, but he knew the way Briar had mothered them directly after Zee’s passing. She had fed and looked out for them, and she was an older, and a female wolf in their lives. They did not have their mother, so could he really deny Andy this connection? He was surprised to hear they had already checked with Briar. “Well, we will see what Ranger has to say when she returns” he said. At least he had some time to get accustomed to the idea. Blissfully unaware as he was that Ranger had already left and returned. "Speech"

Even as Andy speaks with her father, calm, confident, and happy on the outside, the girl feels herself being torn apart from the inside. Kite is expecting her to pull this off so she can run away with her friend and Andy cannot let her down. However, she also does not want to disappoint her father. She wonders if he view her differently after everything plays out.

Pushing the worry away, she speaks of Ranger going to ask Briar permission and he agrees to see what the bird brings back. Eyes light up with joy while her heart dies a little more as she says, “That is the great part! Ranger is back! See, we wanted to clear it with her before approaching you and Briar said we can visit! Here let me call Ranger…”

Of course the bird is close by and has been waiting for the cue to appear and share Briar’s words with her father. With a soft whistle, the falcon does as bid, dropping from the sky to roost nearby and share the news.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Sirius Fatalis It seemed the girls had already thought ahead, and the bird had both left and returned. He turned as she called for Ranger, and the falcon dropped into view. It sat on a branch near the two wolves and opened his beak. In a melodic tone it said. “Of course! They’re welcome to visit anytime” In a pretty good impersonation of Briar’s voice. The Warlord paused, looking out into the woods for a time. Taking a moment to think. He didn’t like splitting the family, having some of his youngest children so far away would be difficult. But Andy wanted to see Briar, and she was growing up, and her body was changing. If there was something about her stage of growth that she wished to talk to a female about, he knew Briar was her best bet. How could he deny her that resource? “Very well, but only if Keahi is willing to escort the two of you down to The Hallows. She’s our most experienced traveller. I don’t want the two of you gone too long, either. Let's say… half a season.” He suggested. "Speech"

Ranger appears, relying the message that both Kite and Andy have already heard. Her father’s gaze shifts to the woods and the girl takes the moment to looks to her sister’s companion as she wonders if this will play out the way as the pair had hoped. Sirius’s voice pulls her attention back and she turns her pale blue eyes up to meet his strong blue gaze. He lays out a condition and she nods eagerly, accepting Keahi as their guide. However, his next suggestion is met with the normal behavior of a teenager as she whines out, “But dad.”

Andy draws out the word, pulling a pained expression to her face as her eyes turn to a pleading look. The longer she allowed to remain in the Hallows, the longer she can put off having to come home and face him without Kite. Ears slick back as she says, “It is only one season. I need as much time as I can have to make sure I get my charts right. Plus, its winter so the longer I have, the more chances I get for clear nights! One season. Please?” Finally, she pulls out the puppy dog eyes as she attempts to get what she wishes.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

Sirius Fatalis The Warlord’s expression was stern as Andy started in on the ‘buts’ She acted so mature most of the time, that sometimes he forgot just how young she was. It saddened to know exactly why she had grown up so quickly, and while he liked to see the rays of youth shine through… he would not be easily swayed. “A season is a quarter of the time you’ve been alive. You’ve already spend a season in the Hallows” - when their mother had died - “Another season would mean you would be spending almost as much of your current life in the Hallows, instead of the Armada with the rest of your family. Is that really what you want?” He had intended to sound stern, lecturing. But there was a soft quake to his voice as he spoke. Thinking of an entire season without watching stars in the observatory without Andy was no easy thing. "Speech"

Andy watches her father’s expression as she whines and pouts, noting the way his expression becomes stern. While she may be an old soul, there are times like this, when all her meager months of life shine through. She puts on show for him, trying to get him to relent to giving her a season in the Hallows so she try to get ahead of the damage control that will surely follow in the wake of Kite’s departure. When her father speaks, the girl’s expression shifts, slowly morphing from pleading teenager to a wise old soul.

The quake in his voice does not escape her notice and the girl gazes up at her father with all the tender love a child has for their parent. A slender paw lifts and reaches for her father’s larger one, gently coming to rest over top of it. Andy’s voice is soft as she says, “Dad, I’m not leaving forever. Four months is a small drop in the bucket compared to the years we still have ahead.” The smile that appears is warm as she tries to explain her reasoning, “Briar is family. While I won’t be here, I will still be with family.”

A part of her knows why he hesitates so much, the fear of losing yet another family member keeps Sirius up at night. Still, Andy is growing older and the urge to explore has begun to tug at her heart. While going down to the Hallows is mainly to help Kite run away, it will also help to calm the restless tug to travel as well. Giving his paw a gentle pat, she adds, “It is also going to be Briar’s litters first birthday. I would like to be there to celebrate with them. One season, dad. Please. I can come back and visit after two months if that makes you feel better.” A small, gentle smile is offered.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

"And what of the years you have with me? I'm not getting any younger, you know" the Old Warlord said softly, resting a paw over Andy's. Zee had made him all too aware of his mortality. This youngest litter would be his last, and he was loath to let them go. He knew they would grow into adults in another year, and likely many of them would already be out into the world. But they had just reached the age of a yearling, they were still young. Young enough to hold in his arms at night, and kiss their scraped knees. 


Soon, very, very soon. They would be too old for that. And Andy... Andy reminded him of Zee the most. No, he wasn't ready to squander her youth. Selfish old bastard that he was. "Half a season, or not at all, Andy. It's my final word on it." He said, his voice growing sterner still.

Sirius speaks about how many years he has left with her and the Andy cannot help the soft scoffing sound that moves past her lips. The urge to joke rises but she pushes it away and says instead, “You are still young. Maybe not as young as me, but I still expect you to be around for several years. And you better be!” Her voice rises into humor at the last sentence but her tone remains soft and filled with love. He rests a large paw over her own and she offers him a warm smile.

Still, Sirius remains set on the two months and for a moment, she almost presses the subject. But this isn’t about her, it never really was, and Andy knows she has to accept his terms or risk having the whole trip being canceled. His stern terms are laid out and she offers a soft, sad sigh as she ponders, once again, how she got into all this. Giving her father a small nod, she says, “Fine. Two months. We will leave as soon as the season turns.”

Eyes slide away from her father’s face down to their linked paws. Andy’s mind turns to the end of those two months and she wonders what will happen when she returns home. Will her father ever forgive her for this?


"Andromeda Fatalis"