Once again, Spirit found himself alone. It wasn't a surprising thing, not given how his life had gone up until this moment, but it still hurt. The fall of Ashen had been swift and surprising, especially given the offer just recently given to him by Chimera - for once, he'd be part of something, not just a scared nobody with no real purpose in the world. The possibility had been ripped away from him just as quickly as it'd been presented to him, and was once again a reminder not to get his hopes up. It never did any good, anyway. All it left him was disappointment and a persistent, aching feeling that nothing would ever quite work out for him.

Strawberry soared overhead not far off from where he walked, seeming unaffected by his sullen mood. It wasn't like she didn't recognize what he was going through, but what could either of them do about it? They'd keep moving, as they always did, this time further south, closer to where he knew Gloom lived. Spirit wasn't convinced she needed him around though - as far as he knew, she was living her life just fine without him. She certainly didn't need him to come around and darken everything like a grey cloud. That was how he felt, too; everything seemed to go downhill whenever he showed up, consistently. Not that he had any part in it, but it seemed too strong a coincidence to ignore.

He frowned slightly as he tilted his head to the sky, noting the dark clouds that had begun to roll in from across the water. The sand under his paws was warm and comforting, but he knew it wouldn't be fun to navigate down the beach once the rain had begun. Strawberry especially would want to seek shelter. Nose wrinkling as he sniffed at the air, he pulled his head back down and kept going, moving further down the beach without any real goal in mind.

With the takeover of Norad, Haydée has been busy making sure that all the refugees have a safe, warm place to stay within Ethne borders. Day in and day out, the young Leader has spent every waking moment she has trying her best to help the displaced wolves feel welcomed and loved here. Today, the young Leader peels herself away her duties in favor of going to walk along the nearby beach to help clear her head and remind her of the beauty around her.

Clouds loom on the horizon and the smell of rain is heavy the air as the woman gracefully trots down the beach, enjoying the magnificence in the way the sun hits the water and the sounds of gulls crying their hunger above her. Yes, there is beauty in everything if one simply stops to look around and Haydée cannot stop the warm smile that curls her lips. Baecette’s passing has taught her to she has to slow down and enjoy the moments that she has while she has them and that is precisely what she is doing.

Short legs happily eat up the distance as she meanders along, aimless, yet joyful to just be here. A form appears on the horizon, head down and shoulders drawn in and Haydée can almost see the dark cloud that seems to be hanging over the stranger’s head. They do not bare the scent of a pack and, with the clouds that are swiftly rolling with the promise a hell of a storm, the young woman quietly makes up her mind. Thinking of the stranger’s wellbeing, the russet woman moves toward him and releases a soft ‘woof’ to alert him of her presence.

Once she is close enough to talk to him without having to shout, Haydée jovially says, “Tut, tut. It looks like rain.” A smile, warm and genuine tugs her lips up as she slows to a stop a respectful distance from the man. Head cants slightly to the side as she gently says, “Hey Mister, you seem to have something on your mind. Are you okay?” The male is taller than her but she approaches him without fear, her stance open, relaxed, and as nonthreatening as she can possibly be, wishing only to help the wayward soul she has found on this stormy day.


"Haydée Kedieo"

Dark clouds rolling in, everywhere he went, felt like no surprise to Spirit. Once the rain began he wasn't quite sure where he'd go - probably further south, though he wasn't sure he'd be able to find shelter beforehand. Oh well, a little rain had never hurt him. As long as Strawberry could find a place to wait out the storm, he'd be just fine.

A bark nearby alerted her to a stranger's presence. He was equally torn between avoiding the presence of another, and actively desiring it - for a wolf that had always been nearly paralyzed in fear around others, he still hated being alone, and longed for companionship. The stranger seemed friendly enough so he didn't avoid her gaze entirely, head ducking slightly and tail curling between his hind legs in a submissive gesture

"I-I-I'm okay," he stammered softly as she drew closer. "W-was just thinking I'd find somewhere to get out of this rain. N-not sure there's much around here though," Spirit admitted softly, his voice rough from lack of use these days. "N-not familiar with these lands." Communicating had always been hard for him, though it felt even harder these days when his self-esteem had only crumbled further into nothingness. Not far off from where they were, Strawberry let out a soft cry to let him know she wasn't far off if he needed her.