The journey had been an awfully slow and quiet one. Fenix had let Bellamy practically escort him here. But tending to graves probably wasn’t the best for his recovery he knew that. Tail twitching the skinny man rummaged through his collected pile of leaves. For no particular reason he was sorting them into piles depending on shape and size. Fenix had to keep himself occupied in one way or another before he started brushing up on his herb skills. He needed more himself evident by the ribs and hip bones that stuck out underneath his matted fur.

He sighed, trying to find ways to distract himself from swirling thoughts was harder than he could have imagined. Being near the water helped listening to the steady flow of the river. Poking at a pile of leaves he looked at his reflection. A shadow of a man, he’d been too scared to confess and when he had things hadn’t gone to plan but they did give him a wake up call. To at least try to get better. It would be a slow process but for it to happen in ethne felt like his best bet.

The stitched, healing wounds on her neck are itchy and it drives Haydée from her den, in the hope of walking out of a strong, insatiable itch. Dorian has provided a salve to try and help quell the desire to stretch the wounds until they are bloody but, since it is an inevitable process of healing, the mixture of herbs and honey only seem to help for so long. So, the young woman walks, tracing familiar pathways underneath the canopy of trees when a form catches her attention.

Pulling to a stop, Hay watches the frail ghost of the once strong, Fenix, slowly shorting through a pile of leaves. Emerald eyes watch him, sympathy and sorrow swelling in her chest as she remembers his self-imposed task of tending his family graves and how long he has been gone. It had taken Fenix some much time that her mother had actually gone to fetch him because she was worried for him. Gaze traces the ribs and hip bones that jut out on his lackluster coat and she spots the matts that litter his hide.

With a small, sad sigh, Haydée once again moving as slowly approaches Fenix with a warm smile on her lips. Without seeking his permission, she walks up beside him and plops herself down next to him, being careful not to disturb his careful sorting. Looking between the piles, she gently asks, “How are you doing Fenix? I have been worried about you.” While her attention has been divided between several different things, the young woman has often wondered where he was and how he has been doing.

Mentally kicking herself for not checking in on him sooner, she now offers him the only thing she has to give; her friendship.


"Haydée Kedieo"

Fenix knew sooner or later the pack was going to speak with them. Though he was a bit surprised at the sight of her. Haydee had grown a lot and evident enough she was injured and he hadn’t been here for it. It was hard not to blame himself. Not a matter of whether he could be here or not with a right to relax and recover. She was gentle with him though, no where the hell had you been. Looking back at his leaves he hummed trying to decide how to answer the question truthfully. "Why are all the most important wolves in the world worried about me rather than themselves?" he questioned tilting his head to one side. Best not tell Haydee about her mother rejecting him after a confession. "In truth I’ve been doing terrible, but… it’s better now that I’m here." he took a deep breath giving off a sigh.

"Might take me a season to fully recover, but your mother always knows how to pull me in the right direction." he chuckled. "Well you look like you’ve had a time yourself. What’s happened recently?" he tried to steel himself for news. News of war or anything else. His head immediately going to the worse cases. Fenix tried to keep himself calm but he was so damn nervous his heart was pounding.

Lying beside Fenix, Haydée watches him, concern evident in her eyes as she allows her gaze to roam over his skinny, unkempt body. His words have her blinking in surprise as her eyes snap to his face, features lifting with unvoiced mirth before they fall at his admission of not doing well. Subtly, she shifts closer, small body gentle pressing against his in a physical show of support as she gently says, “I am glad you are home Fenix, I was worried about it.” A warm smile fills her soft features as she continues, “We are here for you, no matter what. Every single member here. If you ever need anything do not be afraid to ask.”

It is apparent that Fenix has been struggling and, now that he has returned to Ethne, Haydée intends to help him realize how important he is not just to her, but to all of them. Nodding at the assessment of his recovery, the young woman says, “Well, when you are ready for it, I would be grateful if you thought about teaching some of the younger wolves. A lot of them need to find a direction to take and I think you would be the perfect wolf to help guide them.” Fenix has missed his lost family so, in her mind, asking him to watch over and steer the younger generation towards their passion seems like right thing to do.

At his question, Haydée blows out a small sigh before slowly telling the tale, “We were raided not that long ago by Raiders Hollow. During the fights my mother maimed a pup. After the raid, Gavroche II went to offer apologies and herbs on behalf of the pack but it… was not well received. I arrived as a large purple woman was chasing him, more than likely intending to hurt him. I offered myself up for my mother’s mistake and was given these scars in return.” Eyes slowly move down to her paws as she admits all that has happened in a short amount of time.

Yes, a lot had happened but she does not wish to burden Fenix when he is already struggle with so much. Lifting her eyes, she offers a small smile as she says, “But we aren’t going to allow their slights to go unpunished. I intend to lead a raid against them soon to take back the chickens that they stole.” Lifting a paw, she gives it a small shake as if to dispel the heaviness of the news as she warmly says, “Ah, but it is nothing to worry about! Ethne is no pushover after all. Tell me about your trip up north.” The smile grows as she tries to be reassuring before diverting his attention away from the coming raid.


"Haydée Kedieo"