I Remember Your Face

The emotion in Seraphina's expression was palpable in the cramped space of the hollow tree. Even if he was incapable of feeling them himself any longer, Alastor knew what she was feeling, knew the strength of those emotions. She balked, hesitated, eyes bleary with growing pools of liquid crystals as she stammered and struggled to find the words to say. Alastor simply waited, waited and smiled while she worked her way through her thoughts and feelings. He didn't reach any closer to her—he knew how much close physical contact made her skittish—but left his paw where it was. After a moment, Sera admitted she didn't know what to say, and a deep rumbling chuckle rose in Alastor's chest.

"So say yes," he remarked with a crooked, toothy grin. "What have you got to lose?" Alastor extended the gesture of acceptance and welcome further when he turned his paw over, reaching out to her with soft paw pads turned up to her. He wanted her to take his paw, to step out of the shadow of fear and learn to not only survive, but to thrive in the wake of the pain and the terror and the sorrow. He had done it; he could show her how to do it too.

"You don't have to stay permanently if it's not your speed, but I'd feel better knowing you had a giant dire wolf watching over you so you weren't alone, at least until you were confident you could kill him on sight. Although the offer of a permanent home is always on the table." He gave her a wink, still waiting with bated breath to see if she'd accept his offer or refuse him.


"Alastor"