Home. The festival in Ebony was something, that was for sure, yet nothing was as comfortable or lovely as the lands that he had come to find peace within. Allen felt he could breath easier here too. Though he remained a short while to participate in the festivities the thought of the alphess, Katja, had him hesitant to stay for much longer than he had. There wasn't much left for him there, and honestly it felt a tad strange in those lands. But back in Abaven, back home, he felt lighter. The children, he felt distant from them. His nieces and nephews... he wasn't sure what to say to them. How to face them. Unknown to the man one of their caretakers was, at this very moment, being challenged for. No, for the moment there was only a bit of quiet. As for peace, well, he didn't exactly have that. Sure he had a place that was home, those who cared for his well being as a unit, but did he actually have as much family time he desired? Perhaps that was just his fault... for not trying to get closer to the kids. Even Aiko seemed more content to stay with the others. The calico male would let out a sigh, stepping up to the waters of the rapids and looking within. "Seems things are not becoming as settled as I hoped." Allen would whisper. Dark forest green eyes would slide closed. Time... he had to give it more time. "Speech", 'Thought'

Nona was traveling amongst the Abaven lands after she finally found a place she could call home thanks to the Azat, Bass. Her paws carried far and wide as she was searching for other members of the pack for she was rather new to the pack and didn't know anyone here so thus the best way was to meet and greet everyone she could. Nona kept her mind aware and alert for anyone she might be able to spot and as such her thoughts were answered as she seen a wolf who was standing there and what seemed to be looking into the rapids. The fae's first reaction was to let out a bark to the stranger to let them know that she was there before speaking aloud ?Greetings stranger, what are you doing out here? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to as I don't mean to pry into anything personal". Her breathing was soft and quiet as she slowly moved closer to the male to get a closer look at him. Nona was rather curious and took in his scent as best she can as to not forget it later. The curious nature of her wanted to know what the stranger was thinking but she wasn't going to pressure him to tell her as he might tell her at a later time. The fae came closer to where the brute stood and close enough to the rapid so she too could look down only to listen to her own thoughts echo through her mind. However something didn't feel right to Nona about the brute, was something troubling him? She really wanted to know but again held her tongue as to not offend him especially since she didn't know him at all. Perhaps she could sing for him, the fae loved to sing for others if it meant cheering them up a little however she could hold her tongue no longer as she spoke softly ?Is there something you want to talk about?? Nona couldn't help but ask in a whisper hopefully he would not harm her for asking as she just wanted to do something for the calico male. "Give me a chance to hear your words"

When one was feeling down, what better cure was there for that than some good company? At the bark Allen would turn his head, dark orbs resting upon a female who was young... about the age of his own children. Now he was reminded of them as well. Oh how his heart ached for them, for his Gavroche and Amber. Just to know that they were safe. Were they...? Would they ever find their way back to Alacritia? Had it been wrong of him to let Amber go search for her brother? Would they ever return? His thoughts were going downhill fast, but it was the words of this female stranger that would bring him out of that rapid downward spiral, at least for the moment. "Family matters, young miss. The distance of my nieces and nephews, though I've been trying to help care for them. It is understandable though... they have lost their father now, and their mother they had lost at birth... as well as their foster mother. It has been a rough journey for them." The calico male would turn his body slightly more towards the young woman, though he would follow her with his head as she came to stand beside him and gaze into the water. Her green eyes were beautiful, and held a shine of life in them. It was good to see, and helped lift his spirits. "I am sure that we could find something to speak about, young miss. I would certainly appreciate the company." Allen would turn back towards the water and sit, gazing out across the water for a moment. "But first, well, we have to introduce ourselves, right? My name is Allen Walker. Might I have the honor, young maiden, of knowing yours?" She spoke so softly, though from Allen she had nothing to fear. He was not a warrior or cruel wolf and never would be. He held a much gentler heart. "Speech", 'Thought'

OOC: Any speech from Allen will be quoted in red

This brute, Allen Walker as he introduced himself as was a rather polite man as he spoke to her. Her eyes glanced into his as she listened to his words "Might I have the honor, young maiden, of knowing yours?" the way he picked his words spoke much more about this man's demeanor. Nona knew better than to press Allen about family matters and thought to try and change the subject to something more favorable. She looked at Allen and proceeded to introduce herself to him "Me, I'm Nona, Nona Utahime... I know what its like to lose a father but I don't know what its like to care for those who have lost their own loved ones especially those who are so young, but its not my place to say anything really forgive me if I offend you, Allen" Her voice was gentle and calm as she looked to the waters to reflect on what it was like when she lost her father but couldn't imagine what it would've been like to live with that kind of loss that Allen's family was going through. Nona was quick to think of something else for them to talk about and it came to music, music usually helped make things a little brighter but she was aware if music might bring down the mood even more or lift it up "Umm, how about we talk about music? do you like to sing or listen to others sing?" She was curious though and because she liked to sing that perhaps he would like to listen to her. The fae was trying to be careful about how to word stuff as she didn't want to come across as rude. Nona looked at Allen already seeing him as a good man who does what he can but she wondered about him and was a little concerned about the family matter but again she was not going to pry into it. However before long she already began to sing with little to no thought at all about the lyrics and as such hoped that it would bring a smile to Allen's face, he looked like he needed to smile. Her inky lips moving to form the words "Kokode wa, watashitachi ga sonzai shite iru mono o mi, migiwa ni tatte, aru... Koko de watashitachi no kangae to watashitachi no yume o nayama se, watashitachi no ushironi wa nani... Kako ni atta mono o mi, migiwa ni tatte, nanika watashitachi no mae ni aruga watashitachi no yume o sugita mono o kenbutsu kikoemasu hito ni watashitachi no uta o tsutae..." ("Here we are, standing by the waters edge, seeing what was in the past... What is behind us haunt our thoughts and our dreams... Here we are, standing at the waters edge, seeing what is in our present, what is in front of us tells our song to those who will hear what haunts are past... our dreams") Her voice became silent at the end waiting to hear what Allen thought of it. "let my song bring a smile to your face"

Nona. She would speak, her voice so gentle and kind. She sought to comfort him with her words, and seemed to worry even about offending him. Such a strange prospect that was, at least to the calico gentleman. His was a gentle heart as well, and he found only a bit of relief in her wishing to stay by his side and give him a bit of company. Words to, perhaps, ease the aches he had in his heart. Good company and kindness were such beautiful things. They could take everything this dark, damned world had and turn it all around. Allen would shake his head, allowing a small, although a bit sad, smile to cross his features. "You honestly need not worry about such things my dear." His gaze would return to the water, ears twitching some. The male wondered a great many things about what lay ahead. But Nona, bless her, would speak again, making sure he did not slip back into his thoughts. Music. Song. The male would return his gaze back to her, gaze brightening some. "I find music to be quite soothing, actually. I have never tried singing much myself, though I've taken to humming a lullaby night." It was originally for Aiko's sake... though now the calico male did it more as a force of habit rather than anything else. The beautiful fae who had come to his side would begin to sing. The words were foreign to him, in a language the man surely could not identify. But the beauty of music was that no matter the language the feeling was there. The sweetness of the sound and the strength of the melody. It could call to the heart and caress the ears with sound. Allen felt his breath caught in his throat, and by the time the femme was finished the calico male felt oddly lighter. "That was beautiful..." Allen said the words softly, his dark green eyes seeming brighter now. "You have such a lovely voice... though I'm sure many have told you so." He was smiling now, a true smile. He had no idea that she had made the song just for him... but hearing it had certainly brightened his mood. "Speech", 'Thought'

Nona couldn't help but show a gentle smile towards Allen. His comment about her voice made her heart soar with joy as she loved singing and hearing that made her happy. He was certainly a good man and seeing his smile was all the more encouraging for her to keep singing. Nona believed that if her voice could help lift the spirits of Allen, then perhaps her songs could lift the spirits of others as well. The fae's gentle voice came from her lips "I thought it would be nice to sing a song that was meant just for you, Allen, you should smile more often, or at least smile more for me" there was a soft but audible giggle at the end of her words. She was happy that Allen was smiling and hopefully he would smile more often or at least smile for her. Allen reminded her of her own father and she could see him a little whenever Allen spoke, the brute's words were kind and gentle. Nona began to speak again with the same gentle and soft tone "I'm going to have a complete song eventually, just for you, and eventually just maybe a song for everyone in Abaven" she chuckled and her song then came again, "Kokode wa, watashitachi no sonzai ni nani o mi, migiwa ni tatte, aru, watashitachi no me no mae ni nanika ga kenbutsu ga watashitachi no yume... Sugita koto o kikudeshou hito ni watashitachi no uta o tsutae... Ni tatte, jikan ga atte imasu migiwa wa, watashitachi no kako, soshite watashitachi no ima o mite, watashitachi no yume wa, otagai ni immerudo shi hajimeru... Soshite watashitachiha watashitachi no ie de... Koko ni utsuru-tachi ga migiwa de issho ni tatte tsudzukete iku, watashitachiha subete no ue ni hakobu." "Here we are, standing at the waters edge, seeing what is in our present, what is in front of us tells our song to those who will hear what haunts are past... Our dreams... There comes a time, standing at the waters edge, seeing our past, and our present, our dreams, begin to meld unto each other... and we move on... Here in our home we stand together at the waters edge and carry on, we all carry on". Nona sung the continuation of her song in both japanese and english so Allen could understand what she was singing. After all she was singing a song that she did right on the spot just for him so why sing in only japanese when she could easily sing in both the language she often used and one that others knew. Hopefully since she did that, Allen would continue to smile or at least not be down. She couldn't help but let her voice escape her lips again "Allen, you remind me so much of my father, you're just so kind and gentle in the way you are... I just see him in you and well..." Nona went quiet then stopping herself from continuing on with her speech. "hear me sing."

The calico truly felt something was lifted, some bond formed sure and strong in their brief moments together. Sometimes you didn?t always think a friendship would be lasting right away, but you could feel the beauty and meaning of the meeting, and the place it would hold in your heart. This was something Allen felt in meeting Nona, the girl who sang to lift his spirits and make him smile. Hearing her say he should smile more... It just made him want to do so. Knowing another wolf cared, even one who barely knew him other than a packmate, it was wonderful. ?I will do my very best to do that, Nona. How can I not, when such kindness is given to me?? The thought she would compose a complete song for him, as well as a song for others in Abaven, was a thought that made him smile all the more. He would have spoke, but her song filled the air again, and Allen would listen, feeling his heart warm with the sound of it in his ears. This time, however, rather than finish in that foreign language his new found friend would sing again, this time the song in English. He would listen to the meaning, finding both pretty, though the foreign one holding more of an exotic, dream-like quality. Both versions were undeniably beautiful, however. ?Nona...? He would say her name softly before she spoke again, saying that he reminded her of her father. The calico would chuckle, gently placing his paw on her own for a moment. ?I am old enough to be, sure enough. Your compliments, and your song, all straight from your heart, they bring back that hope that was wavering. You are a kind girl, Nona, and you remind me of a mix of my own son and daughter. If you would not find it overly strange, I would like to consider you in that way, along with being a friend and fellow pack member.? He would close his eyes. ?My own can not be with me now, just as your father is not with you, and though we can not replace such roles I can hope that our bond will grow stronger. Others giving us reasons to smile... It is what helps us go on.? His dark green orbs would open again, meeting hers. "Speech", 'Thought'

Nona felt the calico's paw on her own as he spoke to her, strange? Nona didn't think that strange at all but his words the continued were what caught her attention most I would like to consider you in that way, along with being a friend and fellow pack member. This brought a grand smile upon her maw. Allen was such a wonderful man that she was ever so blessed to have been able to meet. His words they were kind just like he was and what came next made her tear up moving close enough to press her face up against his shoulder. She wanted to say so much to Allen but she couldn't find the words however something did come forth without as so much as a thought about what she was saying "Allen, I want to be your daughter even though we aren't related by blood, I always wanted someone in my life who I can talk to about things even if they would be silly things... having you as a father, it would make my life a lot brighter than what it is" she spoke softly. Her mind thought about her own father and what he might think about this, she knew though that he would approve of this man being a father figure to her. Nona felt like the world was beginning to become a bit more brighter and clearer to her and hopefully Allen was also beginning to brighten even if its just a little. Nona was happy spending time with Allen, he was a good man who she was happy to lift his spirits up. Now it seemed he would lift her own spirits. Nona didn't want to move from where she had her head pressed up against. She felt happy and comfortable being around the calico male who she seen as her own father. Her tears cleared away after a little while, knowing that even though Allen wasn't her biological father, he was still like a father to her giving her someone to call family here. She had to say something though to not let him know that she felt safe being around him "Allen, I'm glad to have met you, we seem to make each other have a brighter day" Nona felt very close to Allen, the bond that was there now between the two was akin to that of a daughter and father. What would Allen think of her having her own head against his shoulder. "hear me sing."

Nona would accept his offer in kind, and it only made the calico?s heart lift a bit higher than it was. Happiness reached him, and he found himself smiling so broadly, unable to help himself. Someone to talk to about anything, silly or not... It was a beautiful thought. A brighter part of their life, extending their families not by blood, but bond. It was something Allen had already done with Quelt. Sure he was distantly related, but after all the time spent with the slate colored male he saw him more and more as an image of Riv, his beloved sister, and came to view him as a nephew. He would not replace Hajime, but the slate male had definitely earned a place of respect in Allen?s heart, just as this young lady had. Even with all that went wrong, Allen knew he was blessed. In his aging he was still not alone, gifted with such beautiful friends and family. He had reasons to smile even during the hardest times. Nona?s company was something, without a doubt, that would continue bringing light into his life. He had just met her, but there was that gentle click within their meeting that just allowed everything to flow smooth as undisturbed water. Allen was almost entirely sure he could say she seemed happier too, and that gave him the greatest joy out of all of this. Making others happy and sharing love was something the gentle calico Walker had been better at doing. Allen would gently move his head overtop of hers, a small, gentle embrace between the two. Things would move forward, move up, and even if the world and universe shook and rumbled, they would come out of it on top in the end. ?I am as well, Nona. This meeting I am sure was an act of fate... To remind us we are not alone, and never need to be.? His words were soft. ?So remember, no matter what happens, you can come to me now. I will listen and I will aid you.? He would smile a bit brighter. ?...and perhaps ask you to sing again for me whenever I have the chance.? "Speech", 'Thought'

Nona felt Allen move his head over top of her's. The action only solidified her thoughts of Allen being a father to her. She knew that Allen was a good man and she felt very blessed to have him in her life as she smiled listening to his words. ?I am as well, Nona. This meeting I am sure was an act of fate... To remind us we are not alone, and never need to be.?, ?So remember, no matter what happens, you can come to me now. I will listen and I will aid you.?, ?...and perhaps ask you to sing again for me whenever I have the chance.? What he said made her feel very loved and most of all joyous, particularly when he told her that she could go to him and he'd listen to her and aid her. She wouldn't take Allen's kindness for granted after all he was her father now and it meant the world to her to have someone who cared about her. Nona spoke softly words for only Allen to hear "I love you, father, you mean the world to me and you know you can always come to me as well if you ever want to talk about something and if you ever need my aid for anything". She was truthful as she spoke, this bond already made her come to love the calico male as a father. Nona made her words heard once more "You know you can always ask me to sing for you or for anyone you know who may need their spirits lifted, I like helping others through song" her voice filled with a gentle and soft tone. Nona wouldn't budge wanting to stay with her father in the embrace. She hoped that Allen would stay with her for at least a little while longer. The embrace was sweet for her, to spend this time with Allen... the man who she helped by lifting his spirits and now he was lifting her own spirits. May the mountains shake and earth tremble this bond between a daughter and father would never be broken. Nona truly cared about Allen and no matter what he did, she would be there to support him as she knew he would most likely support her. "Speech"

Love. The word was beautiful, so precious, and never would he take her for granted either. Nona was his daughter now, if only by spirit. But your blood did not always define your true bonds, love, or family. Sometimes there were those who were endlessly different that became close and turned out to be more of a family then their own blood. Regardless of why, Nona and Allen had formed that bond of kin, one that would be unbroken. Gods above help whoever dare try to hurt her. The calico gentleman, while not one who coveted fighting, would not hesitate to put some young idiot in his place if he were to hurt her. He would give his life for any of his family;; Quelt, Irune, Haji?s children, and his own... Including Nona. Anyone who disrespected any of them would have him to answer to. ?...and I love you as well, my beautiful daughter.? Those words felt so precious coming from his maw, and full of sincerity. He would come to her for anything as well, though he hoped to never have to do that. ?I will keep that in mind, all of it.? So much smiling. He had found a light in his life again. He didn?t need to have a mate, or be running around with some high and fancy rank. As long as he had his loved ones... That was all that Allen truly cared for. Together they would stay in the embrace, marking the start of that unbreakable father-daughter bond. -End Thread, if okay by Aoto.- "Speech", 'Thought'