Let it Be
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This character is equally proficient in both English and Irish Gaelic
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“So, woundwort… good for stopping hemorrhages, easing pain, annnd…” The Crimson Archangel trailed off, muzzle tipping toward the ceiling of the main chamber of the family cave den as his ears planed to the sides in thought. “And healing cuts with poultices… There’s something else..” His head tilted to allow him a peek at Kavdaya’s amethyst flecked sapphire eyes, watching the Nomad’s mark rise as her brow points lifted encouragingly. He thought harder, then brightened and grinned. “Diarrhea. It relieves it, right?” The snowy Master Healer grinned briefly. ”Those are some of them. It can help with fevers, as well as expelling worms. Now, what time of the year should you look for it; when does it flower?”
The crimson male thought back, then answered slowly, ”Late Summer…” The howl from a voice he hadn’t heard in ages interrupted Kavdaya’s affirmative answer, and Regulus’ head whipped around as his fathomless sapphire eyes widened slightly. “Tor?” He pulled himself to his paws, peeking into his mother’s alcove; she was conked out cold, taking a nap while Cinder watched the pups. Kavdaya could help with that. And perhaps it would be best if his mother was asleep. Considering she thought her wayward middle son hated her, and couldn’t understand why, the emotional pain might do her in. Especially with how easily she took ill, lately.
He took a deep breath and trotted quickly from the cave, down the ravine, and out into the small chunk of woodland, taking a quick sniff to ascertain which way to go before he crossed into the plains. Despite his outwardly calm demeanor, his heart was hammering. There hadn’t been a major sense of urgency in his brother’s call. It hadn’t really even been directed specifically at one of the family. But who else would he be calling for?
As his brother’s form came into view, standing at the borders, Regulus slowed, taking the time to inspect his brother closely for hurts, new scars, old scars… any sign of illness that meant he should call for Kavdaya or Zuriel. He seemed fine… Nervous, but fine… Regulus stopped a respectful distance away; about five feet within the border, posture easy, tail waving slowly above his hips. “I was beginning to wonder if we’d ever hear from you again.” Did Tor understand what his departure had done to their mother? That Baine had cried? He knew his sisters had run across Tornach. But their storm cloud brother had never sought them out. He was aware that his brother’s scent had been all over the Moor. But given the departure, he had chosen to avoid the fresher scents, and allow his brother to approach on his own terms.
“We have three new siblings. Two girls, and a boy...” His face watched that of his brother as his haunches slowly lowered to the ground. If Tornach had any explanation of his behavior, Regulus was willing to hear it, but for now, his baritone rumble was simply relaxed, conversational.
"What brings you to the border?" Had Tornach come because he wanted to see them, or did he just need something and had no choice?
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This character is equally proficient in both English and Irish Gaelic
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He looked over his younger brother again, wondering just what had gone wrong to make him run away. However, he didn’t ask, at least not yet, instead nodding to acknowledge that he had known Tornach was near. “I know,” he supplied. “Since I don’t know why you ran off, I didn’t want to push you before you were ready… But we have missed you.” They were all genuine words, honest, and his face showed it. However much Tornach had hurt them by leaving without even saying why, or goodbye, the love was still there for his thundercloud colored brother.
Tornach’s reaction to the news of more siblings brought a big grin to his face, his tail sweeping the ground behind him. And the blurted beginning of a question, he could guess the completion to. “Alright? Yeah. She was sick during the pregnancy, and there were two still born pups… But Rasiel, Laisrén, and Kieryn are all healthy, and more of a pawful than you and Baine ever were.” He chortled, but the smile fell away at Tornach’s request. He shook his head, slowly, then more firmly. “No, brother. I think you need to tell them yourself. I’m not going to request that you join the pack; clearly that’s not who you are, and I respect that. But you are family. Mom thinks you hate her, because you ran off after she told you she was proud of your actions, and you never told any of us why, or said goodbye. If you really don’t hate her, she needs to know, directly from you, so that when she has to go… she doesn’t die thinking one of her sons hates her, and she never knew why. She would never rest in peace. And she isn’t getting any younger.”
A lump rose in his throat, and he blinked several times to clear the blurriness from his eyes, shaking his head quickly before he went on. “You don’t have to join the pack, not ever, but I don’t want our brother and sisters to grow up like you and Baine did, not knowing all their siblings. You’re free to enter Celestial’s lands anytime you wish to visit us and the kids. I’ll pass that on to the pack so they know you’re not a threat. I don’t want our family to stay fractured, Thundercloud… I really don’t. All I ask is that you spend time with us and visit. I’ll give you time to think on what you want to do. But just know that if you ever need us, we’re here. We always will be, and I would die before I break that promise, okay?”
He gave his brother a long, steady look before he inclined his head and said, “As for how we’re doing, Mother stepped down just a few days before birthing. I’m the Archangel now. She’s gotten better, but I don’t think her health will ever really be the same. Creed’s the Right Wing. Faite’s risen to Legionary and doing well, and Baine to Emissary. Zuriel is working hard to keep the herbs stocked up; mom and I haven’t exactly been helpful, since we both got sick. Eh, life. Uncle Castiel’s back after he went missing, and we have two cousins that joined a while back. Acapella and Dagger; you should get together with the family now and then, meet everyone. Dagger’s as big as you and I.” He grinned at that; it seemed large wolves ran in the family. “Overall, everyone’s alive and well at this end of the family.”
“Now, what’s your plan? It sounds big.” He leaned forward, heavy topics set aside for an intently interested expression, hips wiggling as his tail swept the ground. His brother was a smart one, so he had no doubt whatever he was putting together was going to be interesting, possibly even doing as Tornach suggested.
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The whole encounter had soured for him despite his enthusiasm for his plans. He felt off balance and sick, and couldn't seem to find his footing in this conversation. Had he made a mistake, coming here for this? He had to press on regardless. He sighed out a quick breath and began. "It has occurred to me that much time and energy is wasted looking for prey in the winter when many wolves are already weakened by cold. I believe this struggle for resources is behind most clashes between packs, and I could possibly relieve some of that burden through trade and community rather than battle. I plan to create a neutral place where wolves can come to trade for what they do not have, whether it be things my people have raised or that others have to trade already. If I build enclosures, I could keep prey penned so that we always have access to them when they are necessary, and their dung could fertilize medicinal herbs we could provide for healers. If cared for properly the prey would replenish their own numbers at a constant rate to replace planned cullings. With the prey always on hand, we could afford to be more choosy with which we take, which would contribute to the health of the population and in return our own health." He paused finally, having exhausted much of his pitch in that one burst.
This character is equally proficient in both English and Irish Gaelic