No sooner does Everlyse's song come to a close when she is answered by the song of another whom Reich was familiar with. His gentle gaze never strayed too far from his heart and soul, still loving every second of looking at her and knowing she was all his, pregnant with his puppies; it was the ultimate sealing of their bond, through the creation of life. His tail gives a few excited wags, a reassuring smile painted across his obsidian maw in an attempt to ease her frayed nerves and fill her with the same hope that he held that everything would be fine. He was confident that Daenerys would not turn him and his family away, that a solution and a peaceful resolution could be found to these feuding siblings.
When she gently nuzzles into his chest, he protectively wraps his neck around her, trying to make her as comfortable as possible before she was forced to face a situation that would surely push her to her breaking point. At the sound of Cae's approach however, her body tenses against him before she pulls away. He is quick to lean into her, a reminder that he is there for her and that he will protect her not matter what should the meeting go amiss. If this Jericho tried to harm his Everlyse further, he would protect her even at the cost of his own life. He was her dark knight, her shadow stalker devoted forever to his white angel.
His mixed gaze watches the son of Iblis and Rhae as he greets them, feeling Everlyse's mind and body slightly. The feint whine that slips from her lips at the sight of him does not go unnoticed, and he gently leans down and gives her a comforting nuzzle along her cheek. He could feel and understand the pain she felt over the loss of their leaders, they had welcomed them into their family, and now they were just gone. "It is indeed a loss. I cared deeply for your parents Cae," she says, a sad smile adorning her face. She looks so Reich for a brief moment before speaking again. "I am Everlyse and this is Reich, it is a pleasure to meet you," She says, and Reich dips his head in silent greeting. "Have you heard from Rhae.....is she well?" Everlyse asks, voice almost cracking and hesitant for an answer that neither of them want to hear.
Reich see's the way that Cae shifts and his stomach drops. "I...do not know. I have heard from none of my family....save you two," he says, barely managing a small, sad smile. Reich winced, feeling a pain in his heart. These wolves were important to him and his family and he hoped they were okay. They were strong wolves, but he couldn't help but worry about his extended family. They needed to be found, them and the one he had vowed to protect: Fjallraven.
The sound of movement causes Reich's eyes to shoot towards the source. There is a moment of tension in him as he anticipates who might appear, yet it quickly subsides when the familiar grey form of Daenerys trots out. He doesn't notice the black form of Jericho as he is too distracted by his friend. His tail immediately wags, a happy smile dancing across his lips as he watches his friend first greet Cae and then move to him. It had been a while since he has seen her, but she looks healthy and happy and that is all that matters to him. The mountain queen gently touches her nose to his shoulder, a show of affection from one friend to another, and he reciprocates the action. Yet the sound of a small, possessive growl pulls his attention towards Everlyse, the hint of jealousy in her orange eyes. 'Friend,' he mouths to her, leaning in to her and licking her cheek in a way of saying I am yours and only yours, do not ever worry about that.
But her eyes are no longer trained on him or her, and when mixed gazers follow her line of sight they land upon the form of a male that could only be Jericho; his eyes a tell tale sign as they were the same as Everlyse's. Though he is not looking at Everlyse anymore, rather Daenerys in a soft, tender way. Still, instinct takes over Reich and he steps protectively in front of his angel, eyes trained on Jerich. There was no aggression in his body language, more uncertainty. He had heard much about Jericho, about how he would attack and abuse his own sister. He may have changed now, if Daenerys allowed him into her pack, but he would have to figure it out for himself in due time. For now though, he was taking no chances of their being a confrontation, be it from Jericho or Everlyse.
“Hello, I am Daenerys, Protector of the Realm of Spirane; you’ve already met Cae, and this is… she starts with the introductions, Jericho close at her side, but she grows silent as she looks at Everlyse. The light heartedness is gone as recognition plays across her face, and Reich can only stare at her now, wondering just what she will do. ”Jericho.” she says simply, the look of ready to allow them to join now gone. Reich can see there is something between Jericho and Daenerys, and he hopes this will not detour her from allowed his family a home. For though Everlyse attacked him, he had done far worse atrocities towards her. Violence only led to more violence and an eye for an eye made the whole world blind.
Jericho remains silent the whole time, only throwing a nod of acknowledgment to Cae, who is also silent. “I am sorry for the loss of your home; is there some way in which we might help you?” she asks, eyes wandering back to Reich. He offers her a small smile, a reassurance to ease her tension that they came on peaceful terms, though he was unsure how much longer peace would last with the ever growing tension. "I am Everlyse and this is Reich, though I think you've already met... Everlyse responds for the both of them, breaking the silence. Her orange eyes turn to Reich and he looks back towards her with love. "We seek shelter, Asteraia is lost to us.. My children need safety from the winter elements." Everlyse continues, Reich adding a nod to her words to say that they are true.
And then her eyes turn towards Jericho once more and the tension grows again. "I had heard you were here, though I am surprised to see the truth in that.." she says, tension in her words and her fur beginning to rise. Reich is quick to lean in to her, trying to calm her back down before she tips over the edge and spirals down. "You look.. worried Jericho." her words have anger behind them, and it shows in a slight raising of her lips. You protect her.. why..." she asks, looking to Daenerys and then back to her brother. Because despite the aggression, there is pain in those words.
Reich can feel the pain, hear it in her voice, and see it in her eyes. It hurts him just the same as it hurts her, and he understands why she feels this way. To have her brother abuse her for so long only to turn around and protect and cherish another. It would be like being stabbed in the back, and that is one reason why Reich is so uncertain about Jericho. If he thought that he could mend things with a simple sorry he was mistaken, the wounds inflicted would take time and patience, but maybe Reich could help heal them. "Why Jericho?.." she spits out, so much pain in her voice.
She quickly turns back into Reich, and he can feel her fear: fear that she will ruin this for her family and have to take them elsewhere. Yet Reich had faith in her, knew she could put her differences aside enough to coincide with Jericho. He wraps his neck around her again, enveloping her in all the love and comfort he has to offer her. He gives a soft chuffing noise with his breath, trying to calm her down. He gently glances up to Daenerys, his eyes pleading in a way that scream 'please don't turn us away.' Gently his eyes fall back down to his Everlyse; if he could hum and whine he would. He just wanted her to know that she didn't need Jericho in her life, she could ignore him if she wanted to, she had him and her puppies and some more puppies on the way. She didn't need to forgive him, but she did need to put her differences aside to be happy again.
7 years/ Throwing my faith away for/ Fighting for Everlyse/ Spirane
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