Case of Cousins [Casso/Nolan/Baine]
04-22-2020, 06:08 PM
The large male followed along behind Regulus and Aurielle as they led the way into Valhalla, moving a tad slower than he would have otherwise. He quietly did his best to keep up with them though, never one to complain. He kept his ears perked forward to listen while his glowing cousin explained some of the layout of her pack, occasionally giving a small nod of understanding to show that he was listening. Being around others certainly had a way of keeping his mind calm and he was grateful for that as they went to find his aunt. He was nervous to see her again, especially in this state. There was something about the fact that she knew the truth of what he was that made him particularly careful about how he presented himself to her, but after the experience he had with Elizabeth he began to wonder if it wouldn't be better for him to be less careful. He hadn't had anyone to share with since his mother passed and he was starting to think that had been what had worn him down.
His gaze flicked to Aurielle's when she offered him something for the pain and he shook his head after a slight pause. "No, that's okay. I'm fine." A small part of it was not wanting any extra attention on him or his injury, but he also appreciated the dull, lingering ache that the wound sent though his leg. It kept him firmly planted in the present and gave him a not too subtle reminder of what happened when he didn't maintain himself. Eventually he might give in and take the herbs one of his family members was sure to offer to him again, but for now he wasn't interested. It felt like a self-inflicted punishment for the lapse he had allowed himself to have.
When he looked up again, his eyes landed on his aunt's worried face and his expression softened a bit. He let himself return her embrace, saying softly, "Hi, Aunt Baine," even though she had been quiet when she approached him. When she pulled back to question him, he paused and took in her stern expression. He gave her a tired smile and nodded. "Yeah... I'm okay now." It was a short, simple exchange to anyone that didn't know any better, but between the two of them the words held weight. He saw the relief that touched her expression and he gave her another small nod. He was okay, at least for now. He couldn't know how well he was actually doing, but for now his mind was quiet and that was about all he could ask for.
His cousin's energetic greeting made him grin as he looked at the partially-albino young man. "I did, with a speed bump or two along the way. I got into a fight with a couple of coyotes. Don't worry, I'll leave one for you next time." The humor in his tone and the smirk on his lips clearly said that he was joking, but he had always appreciated how eager Nolan was to dive into literally anything. He hadn't wanted to tell his family about the fight he had gotten into, but now that he was here and the evidence was written in his skin it was hard to hide. His gaze shifted to glance from one family to another, realizing there was practically a welcome party here for him now. He wasn't someone that liked to be the center of attention, but now there was no avoiding it.
"I found some of my Praetor family in the north," he explained, his gaze focusing on Baine again. "Acere is the alpha now... He said Ignis and Actaea are living there too." He knew Baine would likely be the only one here that knew who he was talking about, but he could at least tell her so she knew what he had been up to. "I was on my way to fill you in and then I was planning on going back to see them again and stay with their pack for a while, but then..." He motioned to his injury with a small shrug. "Aurielle said I could stay with you all until I'm all healed up though, so I guess I'll be here for a few weeks."
"Speech" Thought
