Setting this after her challenge cuz I has plans

She was a free woman again. Cru had come for her, just as she had expected. But the amount of blood spilled was ungodly. But her freedom had come at a cost, as everything did. She was reunited with her children, all of whom were overjoyed to see her again. Her wounds were healing, thanks to Maijas care while she was held prisoner. She appreciated her sister help, and she knew the golden woman had no power to have helped her escape, at least not without risk. It was nice to be home. She had been like some sort of experiment in Arcanum. Everyone wanted to see her, everyone wanted to chat, to know her story, to taunt her. It had been exhausting. But now she was again home, surrounded by her children and mate. But today she was restless. Rarely did she leave pack lands anymore, unwilling to take any risk that her foes wished to capture her again. Today she patrolled the border, paws pressing into the grass that was steadily dying. Fall was upon them, and soon winter would be too. A sigh rolled off her tongue. She was troubled. She had seen a different side of her husband when he had challenged the silver queen. He hadn't been that way since Covari. And despite her situation, she had felt an odd pull of desire for him. A slow smirk would lift her lips. She wasn't sure if this change would linger, or if it was simply brought about by a stressful situation, but she would hang onto it while she could. Her tail swayed at her hocks, her seeing angle angled out into rogue lands, audits tipped forward as she moved leisurely along the outskirts of her home. ""

Freya didn't hate him. His darling golden daughter didn't hate him and she never would; he understood that. And he thanked every god that ever existed that at least one of his children would never loathe him as he so deserved. He didn't quite understand why his daughter loved him so when he had been absent for most of her life, but he was thankful that she did. It solidified his hope that maybe his family would still love him after all. Erani didn't seem to hate him either, though perhaps that was because she was dealing with her own demons. She hadn't been very forward with what was troubling her, but he had sensed it from her, making Taurig feel that much worse about himself. He had disappeared and now his mother was suffering because of unknown demons that he was unable to fight for her. He was a terrible father, the worst husband, and a pathetic excuse for a son. The list of those he had to find and make amends with was long, but he was going to make his way through it, slowly but surely. He would start with his immediate family, children, siblings, wife and then make his way down to his friends and acquaintances. He would only hope that they all could be as understand as his young daughter and mother. The other pups seemed to have gone their separate ways from what Freya had told him, but Sib and his brother Falk seemed to be close by, Sib being the closest at the moment, so it was she that he was seeking out. Freya had told him the name of the pack which his sister now resided in, but gods only knew where that was. Everything had been shifted around and it would be a miracle if he was able to stumble across the lands of Arcanum. Just like his wife, Sibelle had her temper, a temper that was just as fiery as her coat and he was expecting it to come out when he found her; if he was able to find her after all. Sibelle was going to be upset with him he knew that for sure, but she would forgive him...or at least, he hoped she would. Scarred skull would reach down towards the ground, velvet nostrils scenting as he hunted for his sister's scent. It was there, just as he remembered it, only there was something different about it. It was more...pungent, as if...she'd become a mother? His little Red was a mother now? Little Sibelle's running around...wasn't that a treat. He could only dwell on the wonder of having nieces and nephews before the hesitation of seeing his sister once again became overpowering. Body language was relaxed as he moved along, the scent of other wolves beginning to mingle with Sibelle's. Surely this had to be the pack that Freya had told him of? Taurig moved slowly, deliberately, tattered ears swiveling this way and that as he moved along the border, hoping that by some stroke of luck his sister would be nearby. Heaven help him. "Speech"

Her thoughts were interrupted. The world suddenly stopped spinning. Everything froze. There no noise. An achingly familiar scent would assault her mind, captivating her attention. Hackles would bristle, ears falling back against her skull. It couldn't be. As far as she knew, her brother was dead. Her singular eye would frantically search back and forth, he was close, close enough to smell. Muscles were rigid with tension, her tail straightening with her spine, elevating ever so slightly. She would turn, looking up and down the border, moving in the necessary direction until she saw his face. Legs stopped functioning, barely able to hold her up as she gazed upon the man she never thought she would see again. Lips peeled back as she stood by silently, knowing full well he couldn't see her. "How dare you." She would hiss with enough venom to kill as finally remembered how to move so that she could close the distance between them. A snarl would rip free from her jaws, adrenaline and emotions mingling together for a dangerous combination in her veins. Her body vibrated with barely contained rage. How dare he show his face here. Who did he think he was? He had abandoned them all, not once, but twice. This would destroy Maija. Her sister had finally found happiness, settled down with another and started a new family. And now her brother decided to come back. She had picked up the pieces of not only her life, but Maija's and her children. She had brought them to the mainland, she had supplied them with a home, she had protected them. All while her brother hide away from whatever demons haunted him. Jaws unhinged as her tongue rolled angry against the roof of her mouth, behind its cage of fangs. Fury blazed in her only seeing eye as she shot hatred at her brothers bedraggled form. With a quick once over, she took note of his appearance. He looked weary, like life had not been good to him. He looked thinner, his coat dull, his physique that used to be impressive and intimating was not practically nonexistent. Living with one eye was hard enough, she knew her brother was struggling in the world completely blind. But none of that eased her fury, or soothed her hurt. She wanted to him to know, to feel, every drop of anger and hurt she had held inside for so long. ""

The sound of pawsteps reached his ears and Taurig slowed his pace down to a crawl, listening to the other wolf whom he assumed to be Sibelle. She approached, but then abruptly stopped, the titan mimicking the action. He kept his crown neutral, just below his shoulders, clouded eyes moving in the direction he believed her to be standing. For the longest time there was just silence between the two siblings, Taurig waiting to see just what his sister had in store for him this time; and she didn't fail him. How dare you. There it was. The anger, the hurt. The venom was unmistakable in her voice and he knew every once of it was directed at him. The snarl that followed her words had no affect on the beast as he stood, taking the brunt of his sister's rage. It was nothing short of what he deserved. If you wish to strike me...little red, do so without fear. I will not fight you or strike back. He would state simply, his body completely relaxed. Despite his haggered appearance, he probably could still put up a decent fight. Well, as decent as a blind man could put up. But he wasn't here to fight his sister. He was here to make mends, to see if she could still find it within herself to pardon the wrongs he'd committed against their family. He was here to see his baby sister, to find out how her life had been going since his departure. All of this of course, depended on whether Sibelle was a willing participant. From her reaction, it didn't seem like he was going to get the chance to find anything out. His limbs would angle towards his left, his body beginning to curve away from his sister, ready to walk away at her command. He would not stay where he was not wanted; he had done enough to them to now become a nuisance. "Speech"

He stopped when she did, his milky gaze shifting her direction. His posture was relaxed, as though he was expecting her rage. He would be a fool not to. Her nickname rolled off his tongue as he opened himself up to an attack. No, that would be too easy. "You have no right to call me that." Words hissed from between clenched jaws. She had been through far to much to be dealing with this now. His body curled away from her, as though he was preparing to leave. But she wasn't done with him, he wasn't going to get away with all this heartache that easily. "I won't strike you, brother, I'll leave that to your wife." She carefully annunciated key words, each syllable dripping toxicity. He didn't deserve such titles. She would stalk closer, careful to press her paws nearly silently into the ground, in hopes of making it harder for him to pinpoint her. She didn't stop until only a foot or so stood between them. She stood to his right, nearly perpendicular with his neck. "What do you want?" Her heart thundered in her chest, her body trembled with unspoken emotion. Her vision blurred with unshed tears, of which she was happy her brother couldn't see. Walls carefully went up around her. While she longed to have him back in her life, she wasn't sure she would be able to handle him leaving again. The pain she felt after he vanished was nearly insurmountable. And now here he was, strolling so easily back into her life. Did he honestly think it would be so easy? There was so much she wished to tell him. She had children of her own, a pack, and a mate. Falk had a mate too, and their own children just a few weeks younger than hers. His children had all flourished, growing into young adults. And Maija..... Well she wasn't sure how to bring up the golden woman who had found another and now they had children of their own. But he didn't deserve to know. Not yet at least. ""

You have no right to call me that. The beast recoiled at her words, feeling them slice against his flesh as if she'd physically struck him. He'd take her beatings over anything that she had to say. Her words cut deeper into him than her talons ever would. He could only imagine how it felt to see him again, after having no inkling of where he'd gone or what had happened to him. Perhaps having returned was the wrong idea. He should've left everyone well alone, let them think that he had perished in some distant lands and that he was completely lost to them. Returning was only causing them more pain, as he could hear from Sibelle. Each word that fell from her jaws was more acidic than its predecessor, each word striking the titan through to his very core. And how it hurt to hear all of this come from his sister, to know that he had hurt her so much that she felt all of this anger and resentment towards him. If Sibelle felt this way, he could only imagine how Maija felt. His wife...questions about her ran circles through his mind, ready to leap from his tongue to reach his sister's ears, but he refrained. Sibelle wouldn't disclose anything if he asked; she had to disclose of her own free will, if she felt inclined to do so. Though she moved quietly, he could still hear the light steps of her paws as she moved towards his right, closing the distance between him. His body would return to it's normal stance, no longer curving away from her, his ears attentive to Sibelle as she asked what he wanted. What did he want? Forgiveness? Acceptance? Love? Whatever you feel I deserve... He rumbled, emotion making his voice thick as he reigned in the feelings that were threatening to overwhelm him. He couldn't loose it in front of his sister. Not now. "Speech"

He would recoil as she spoke, her words affecting her more than any tooth or fang could. But she felt not gratification. It didn't make her feel any better to know that she was hurting him. As she closed the distance, his body straightened, no longer curling to make an escape. The answer he gave was not what she excepting, nor what she wanted. Shoulders would sag with weariness, her loose defenses dropping. A sigh rolled off her tongue. It was a struggle to keep the venom in her voice. "That's not what I asked." She voice shook ever so subtly, tears spilling over, wetting her cheeks. His own voice had been heavy with emotion. Her legs would wobble with uncertainty. He may have hurt her, caused their entire family so much heartache, but he was still family. He was still her brother, and he always would be. She still loved him with all her heart, nothing would change that. Tears rolled down her cheeks and onto the ground. She couldn't remember the last time she had cried. Sucking in a shaky breath, she would finally crumble. Losing her eye, bearing children, being held hostage, watching Cru battle for her freedom, the injuries she had sustained. It all came crashing down on her like a tidal wave. It was suffocating. And now her brother had returned. After all this time, she had finally accepted that he was dead, but here he stood, as anything but dead. ""

That's not what I asked. Her voice shook, the venom it had held just moments ago having dissipated. And then the wall was gone. Sibelle wasn't enraged anymore; she was hurt yes, but no longer was she looking to hurt him with his words. The scent of water reached his nostrils, bringing along with it the realization that his sister was crying. He had brought his sister to the point of tears...Despite having told himself that he couldn't cry in front of Sibelle, that was exactly what Taurig found himself doing; crying. The tears slipped from his blind eyes freely, spilling over his scarred cheeks as the emotions that coiled within him began to slip out. Some older brother he was. He took a step towards Sibelle, crown held lower than her own, torn ears flattening against his skull, wanting to embrace her. He wanted to hold his baby sister, to tell her that everything was going to be ok, to swear to her that he was never leaving them again. But would she believe him? Would she let him embrace her, as he had embraced his mother and daughter before her? He could only stand in pathetic silence, tears continuing to fall from his milky eyes, hoping that his sister's breaking meant that she was going to forgive him, that she was going to allow him back into her life. Could she put aside all the hurt that he had put her through and let him try to fix the wrong he had done? "Speech"

He didn't answer her. Instead tear spilled from his milky eyes, wetting his cheeks. He stepped towards her, his crown lower than her own. He had opened himself up to an embrace and in a lapse of judgement, she would rush forward. Her russet pelt would mix with his cobalt as she pressed against him. She would bury her face in the thick fur of her neck, a sob wracking her smaller figure. She would inhale his familiar scent, finding an odd sense of peace in the smell. Her control crumbled, she could reign in her tears, they fell freely, wetting not only her cheeks, but her brothers neck. She stood like that for what felt like eternity. "Stay. I'm Alpha of this pack along with my mate, Crucifix. Stay here." She mumbled into his neck, her words muffled. She would lean back just so she could peer up at him. There was no doubt that she would still be wary, she wasn't sure that she was ready to let him back in entirely. But for now, she could accept him into their pack, they could begin to make amends. And maybe, eventually, she would allow him to meet her nieces and nephew, but there was no way in hell she was going to do that until she was sure that he was here for good. Lingering close, so that she could feel his body heat, she would peer up at him, waiting. ""

He waited, still as a statue, to see if his sister would allow him a simple embrace. At first it seemed like she had strengthened her resolve once again, but that notion was quickly dismissed when he felt her russet body connect with his own, her face burying itself in his neck. He felt a sob rock her frame and Taurig shuddered, his knees buckling as he hugged Sibelle tightly to him, his tears becoming a torrent as they fell onto his sister's pelt. He took in her familiar scent, a scent he thought he'd never catch again. Her hug meant the world to him. He knew they were nowhere near where they had been before he'd gone, but this hug told him things were going to be okay. Sibelle would forgive him, even if it took some time, but she would come to forgive his mistakes because this time he didn't plan on repeating the past any longer. This was the last time he was abandoning his family. He couldn't live without them. Stay. I'm Alpha of this pack along with my mate, Crucifix. Stay here. Alpha. His baby sister was a queen now, and she had a mate. So what he'd smelled had been true; he had more nieces and nephews. It was surprising to think that his younger siblings had grown so much during his absence and that they were forming families of their own. He only hoped that they were better at having a family than he was. She would pull away from him, but not completely, her body still in close proximity to his, waiting to see what he would say. There's nowhere else I would rather be. he whispered quietly, wishing that there was someway he could show her that he wasn't going to leave her ever gain. But baby steps seemed to be the way to go. She accepted him into her pack; now he just had to show her that he was here to stay for good. He would work to make things better between them. "Speech"

He had returned her embrace, his tears wetting her pelt as they stood together. He sagged against her, even as she pulled away to look up at him. Tension hugged until he spoke. A small smile would lift her lips, her tears slowly drying. She would back a step or two, leading onto pack lands. Her shoulders sagged with a new found weariness. Her brother was home, and hopefully to stay. She pressed her blind side against him, moving deepening into the plains. "You have nieces and nephews. Falk recently had kids with his mate Surreal. As have I, Keiran, Illaria, and Ravenna." She would offer tidbits of information about her and Falk before jumping to his own children. "All you children have grown. Pandora is quite the spite fire." She would smirk, knowing that the girl was probably out causing trouble as they spoke. Maija knew more about her children's whereabouts then she did, but she wasn't sure she should bring up the woman. There was no doubt in her mind that he wanted to know how his wife was doing. But... she was no longer his wife. And how did she tell that to her brother? Instead, she would fall silent. Leaving the border behind in favor of the safety deeper within her home. She would bump against him every steps, guiding him and herself. ""

For the time being, things were going to be okay. His sister didn't hate him, or at least, didn't hate him enough to keep him out of her pack, so that was a start. He would feel her pull away and his body would follow hers to where he assumed were the pack lands. The two siblings stayed close, pelts of cobaltand russet meshing together as they walked. You have nieces and nephews. Falk recently had kids with his mate Surreal. As have I, Keiran, Illaria, and Ravenna. He would nod quietly, his conversation with his mother replaying in his head. He remembered Erani mentioning that Falk and Surreal had started their own family and it seemed that Sibelle had gone down that same path. He would commit the pups' names to memory, hoping that he would get to meet his nieces and nephews soon. It was good to see that his siblings were starting their own lives. All you children have grown. Pandora is quite the spite fire. Pandora. Freya. Valentine. Niketas. Fakira. He mentally repeated their names in his head, putting looks to names. Probably because she's been hanging out too much with you. You've rubbed off on her. The whereabouts of his children were unknown to the cobalt titan, except of course Freya's. Were the other four keeping out of trouble like Freya, or had the rest of his children discovered a taste for adventure? As they continued to walk his thoughts would wander away from his children back to his wife. Did the children even live with Maija anymore? He had no way of knowing. Did Sibelle know? He assumed she did, since she and his wife had become close. Her name had become like a mantra in his head, running circles. He wanted to know how his wife was doing, where she was...he wanted to see her, to ask for her forgiveness. But would he get the chance? "Burn Baby Burn"

He would listen attentively, following her closely, nodding on occasion. When she spoke of his children, he would comment on Pandora. She would laugh, bumping her shoulder against him. "Well that just means she's badass." She would answer smugly, a smirk lifting her lips. She couldn't provide much more information on his children, only because she simply didn't know. He would fall silent, and she could only imagine what was running through his mind. A soft sigh rolled off her tongue, a frown wrinkling her features. Did she tell him? She did not tell him? She should warn Maija at the very least. Her sister would already be upset, but to be blindsided by her ex-husband? That would be even worse. She would too would take the time to fall silent, mulling over her thoughts. She would lead him towards a selection of uninhabited dens that had survived the storm. After perhaps, she would hunt for them, she doubted her brother had had a decent meal in months. Paws pressed against the ground of her, a sense of security surrounding her, but Maija was not within these lands, she couldn't protect the golden woman, not that she needed protecting. But with recent events, she would definitely need some protecting, or her would was bound to come to a screeching and messy halt. occ- crappy tag "Burn Baby Burn"

Is that what they call being difficult these days? Though no humor could be heard in his voice, the bantering was still there. His brain acted on autopilot, the words falling from his lips almost automatically. It was easy for him to fall back into the same routine with his sister. Hearing them banter like this would never lead anyone to believe that they had been separated for some time and that Sibelle probably held some hatred for him, however temporary it was. They would appear like a pair of normal siblings; well as normal as a scarred and blind man could appear. He didn't miss the touch of smugness to her tone and it was well received by the cobalt titan. It was good to hear that from her when moments ago she had been spitting acid at him. She was on her way to forgiving him; that was more than he could ask for right now. The russet woman would fall silent beside him, probably engulfed in her own thoughts too. Had his vision not been taken from him, he probably would've been taking in the sights, but since he obviously couldn't, he was resigned to simply experiencing everything by smell. Touch wouldn't do him much good since basically all trees and plants felt the same, so smell would have to do. As they walked, his replayed his sister's words from before. I'm Alpha of this pack . His baby sister was an alpha now. She had gotten a pack all of her own; who would've thought. The pair walked in silence through her territory, the destination unknown to the beast but trusting that his sister knew what she was doing and where she was taking him. "Burn Baby Burn"

It was easy to fall back into the friendly banter with her brother. She would chuckle softly, shaking her head at his words. It was a welcomed change to their earlier conversation. He followed her without a word, not once questioning where they were going. Suddenly an idea would pop into her mind. "Theres someone I want you to meet." Her crown would tip back, lips pulling together before her melody filled the air. She wanted Cru here, she wanted him to finally meet her brother. They would arrive at the clusters of den, so she would stop, haunches reclined towards the earth, as she peered over at her brother. "There are some dens here that haven't been occupied if you want one. Then maybe we can go hunt." She would watch her brother carefully, growing anxious as she waited for Cru. Audits twitched, trying to pinpoint from which direction he would approach. She knew things were strained between them. Part of her felt as though he blamed her for being captured, as though she had done it intentionally. She had caused him so much worry, even though it had not been her fault. A sad sigh rolled off her tongue, her gaze falling briefly to the floor. She desperately wanted to patch things up, to mend their relationship, but he seemed so unwilling. Worried constantly gnawed at her, often keep her awake at night. "Burn Baby Burn"

He was still coming to terms with the changed in Sibelle, still missed the fiery woman she had been with a steady ache. He couldn't help but blame himself, that he should have gone for her earlier, that he should have done more to stop it. He was recovering from the own injuries he had gained in fighting for her freedom, just fine, it was Sibelle who had walked away more injured then ever. It seemed to be a repeating process, that every time she left the pack she came back to him more damaged, and he found himself asking why she had to leave in the first place. This last time confused him most of all, although with her head injuries he had not wanted to ask her, to blame her. She had left their children alone in the den, just old enough to wonder outside with supervision and she had left them on their own to go tramping off into the wilderness and find this worst trouble of all. Crucifix had gone after her, knowing that in the face of the cruel pack he went to their could be the possibility he was leaving their young lives to be orphans. How could she do that to them? And he could not even tell her what churned in his gut, he would do nothing to add to the burdens she now held, but he did feel.. defeated, let her go as she may, if Solstice wasn't enough for her, he was not her keeper, only her lover. He would be surprised when she called for him and it would pull him momentarily from the depths of his mind as he stretched and started a light trot in her direction. He would find her beside another man outside some of Solstice's dens. He didn't recognise the ebony man beside her, but they stood on friendly terms, like old friends perhaps? With holding judgement he stopped before them and turned his attention to Sibelle. ?Sibelle, a friend of yours? I'm Crucifix? he would add, nodding politely towards the stranger. Walk "Talk" Think

Theres someone I want you to meet. There are some dens here that haven't been occupied if you want one. Then maybe we can go hunt. He wasn't entirely sure how long they'd been walking, but it hadn't felt like that long before Sibelle came to a stop where she said was a cluster of dens, giving him permission to claim one of his own, mentioning that she had someone she wanted him to meet. He would nod quietly to both statements, his shoulder brushing against his sister's as he felt her sit, his own body mimicking the posture, haunches kissing the earth beneath him. Silence would fall between them once again, only this time it was expectant. He waited patiently as Sibelle called to whomever this particular wolf was, wondering just who she was going to introduce him too. The pair didn't wait long, the sound of paws beating the earth reaching the titan's ears a few minutes later. A foreign male scent touched his nostrils, crown turning in the direction from where it originated, tattered ears attentive as the man spoke, introducing himself as Crucifix. Taurig would incline his massive head towards Crucifix in greeting. Good to meet you Crucifix. I am Taurig, elder brother to Sibelle. he would state simply, wondering just how this Crucifix man was. Was this the father to his nieces and nephews? "Burn Baby Burn"

They didn't sit alone for long. The gentle paw steps of her mate would soon fill her ears, pulling her gaze from the ground to him. Her lips would lift in a smile as she rose to close the distance between them. She would attempt to press her nose into his neck, her tongue lashing gently against his fresh. His question would fill her ears, but Taurig would answer first. "Yes, Cru this is my brother, and Taurig, this is my mate." She would turn back towards Taurig, his unseeing gaze resting on them both. A smile would lift her lips, genuine happiness brightening her features. She would take a few steps back to her brother, hoping her mate would follow. "I asked him to join us here, in Solstice." She would look over at Cru, a question lingering on her face. She was no longer entirely sure what he thought of her, but she desperately wanted to change that. She was tired, too much weighed down on her, yet she had to keep a happy face for her children and Cru. She had never told him about Taurig, so he would have no idea why his return was so surprising. Her singular gaze would shift back and forth between them. Eventually she would have to tell her brother about her handicap, perhaps they could spar together, work on building their skills together. "Burn Baby Burn"

Sibelle would greet him warmly, she looked and acted unchanged here before this unknown male, moving to meet him half way, her tongue gently caressing his neck. He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch, all this trouble she caused him but one flash of her old self and he was in love all over again. Aware they had company he left his enjoyment last no more then two heartbeats before turning attention to that brute, listening as the other explained that he was Sibelle's brother. If what he had seen so far was anything to go by, being around her brother helped her. So when she told him that he was to stay here, he would nod ?He is more then welcome? he would confirm, not that Sibelle as co-leader needed such confirmations from him. He moved as Sibelle did, staying beside her and gently leaning his head against her side as he looked at her brother. He noticed the milkiness of the eyes and realised for the first time the other might be blind. Perhaps his presence here might be good in more ways then one, perhaps he could help Sibelle adjust to her single blind eye, although he had helped her as best he could after she had come home with that injury. "Speech"

His question about who this Crucific was was answered not shortly after by his sister, as she introduced the man as her mate. Her mate. Who would've thought that his baby sister would be a come a queen, a mother and a wife. If anything, he was proud of how far she had come despite him not being there to support her through it. But those days were done and over with. He was here to stay until the breath left his body, which he hoped wasn't going to be a really long time. Perhaps once he had settled into the pack he could help Sibelle with its affairs, counseling her as best he knew how, since he had run a pack of his own after all. His mind pushed his thoughts aside as he returned to the moment, listening as his sister explained that he had come to stay. Would her mate be opposed to the cobalt titan staying in their lands? He's more than welcome. It appeared not. Another dip of the head would be given to his sister's mate, his new King, in gratitude. I will do what I can for the pack. Thank you. He would then turn to his sister, wondering if she wanted to have some time to talk to her husband about his return. Surely she had mentioned him before? "Burn Baby Burn"