[ P ] an oldie but a goodie

sometimes, all i think about is you

Sunshine beat down on him from thigh in the sky, warming him on this cold winter day as he walked through the streets of Aberdeen. It had been a while since he'd come here but he thought he'd make the trip today just to stretch his legs. Granted this was quite the stretch from Perth but he couldn't stay cooped up in the house any longer today. With his children and grandchildren home, the place got pretty cramped pretty fast he'd come to realize.

He cracked his neck and sighed as the feeling of relief shot down his spine. He stopped to shake out his white fur then carried on down the stone-lined street. His black claws clicked on the ground beneath him and eventually the din of those around him faded out as he came to the edge of town, near the woods. He tilted his head and looked out at the trees, then back to the town, debating on heading back now or taking more time to find a souvenir or two. It was then he spotted a couple walking along the pathway near the trees and blinked-- he recognized one of them, he was sure of it. An old guard, perhaps, from the ball and surely that face had been in the riots. Blinking, he wondered what a soldier would be doing this far north and looking so... relaxed. Maybe he was mistaken, but that didn't stop him from slowly approaching the pair with a curious look on his face. "Excuse me, sir? Do I... know you?"

"speech"

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Settling into the highlands had been easier for Merrin than Argent. She had called more places than he had home and he hoped that this would be their last. No one had bothered them so far, but there was always the worry that Nalik might send someone after them. He couldn't allow himself to fully relax even as he smiled and laughed with the woman he loved. His grey eyes and ears were on constant alert for threats as he limped alongside her.

It was a milder day compared to the freezing nights they had spent huddled together under the sheepskin. The cold was making his old war injuries take more of a toll on his body, feeling a tugging pain in his chest from his fractured ribs and a dull throbbing in his leg when he walked. He stopped suddenly when he saw a scarred pale wolf approaching them. The man didn't appear to be showing signs of aggression, but Argent assumed a defensive stance in front of Merrin “Are you an Imperial?” he questioned, a scowl hardening his battle scarred and grizzled features.

There was a time when he would have been excited at the possibility of meeting someone from the Imperial Army if he was a soldier after all. This past year had destroyed his faith in the system that he had sworn to protect. All he had left was Merrin and he wouldn't let anyone harm the life that they were trying to build together here.

code: elyon | art: ashon

Their lives were improving slowly, but surely as Merrin and Luciel continued to settle into their new life in the Highlands. It was a slow progression, small steps leading to larger strides as they rebuilt the foundation of their relationship. Merrin was determined to find joy in the small things once again and made sure to always point them out to her beloved mate every chance she got. She sought to redefine their Twilight years, putting all her effort into making them the best years of both of their lives.

Eventually, Merrin grew brave enough to make visits into town always with her handsome silver escort by her side, of course. With Spring on its way, she was preparing to cultivate another garden, building it all over again with Luciel's help. “And I will make sure that you have your own section of berries again. What else would you like to plant this year?" She was in the middle of sharing her ideas and collaborating with her mate when a stranger approached them.

Luciel was immediately on the defensive, moving yo stand in front of Merrin as a man seemed to recognize him. The elder woman's ears lay back and she tucked herself closer to fluffy, arctic fir. She did attempt to peel out from behind Luciel to get a better look at the man, especially when the brute as called out to be an Imperial Soldier. As lavender orbs studied him, she couldn't recall if she had seen him before...then again, her memory seemed to be scattered nowadays. “Luciel...?" She murmured, trying to gauge if she needed to make herself scarce.


@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

sometimes, all i think about is you

The man moved to stand defensively before his woman and a glint of understanging and remorse filled Baelfire's singular green eye. He didn't know this pair's story but he could tell just by that simple action they had seen their fair share of trouble. He took a moment to take a step back and allow them space, lowering head slightly as if he were raising his hands in surrender. He meant them no harm at all. The man's gruff voice filled his ears, asking if he was an Imperial and Baelfire offered a small smile. "Not anymore. I'm retired now.." he said truthfully.

"I didn't meant to impose, I just... I saw you from afar and you looked so familiar. Were you in the Army too?" he questioned, unable to pinpoint exactly where he'd noticed Argent before. "I'm Baelfire, by the way. I was just a soldier in the Army, nobody special." He offered a genuine smile towards the man, then let his gaze shift towards Merrin. He nodded his head her away before letting his tail sway a few times behind him. While they weren't exactly friendly faces right now he hoped they would be. It would nice to find others that shared his experiences. If this man was from the Army and now living in Saora perhaps he had had similar ones to Baelfire himself. He'd only know if he asked.

"speech"

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The pleasant discussion faded into the wind as the veteran's body tensed, awaiting an unpleasant confrontation that could cause more scars in his family and body. No aggression came. It seemed that the other man was not searching for them over the border. He was retired. Argent wondered how he found himself in Saora if it was a different king that he was loyal to. The frown deepened with thought as he considered his circumstances. A retired soldier had no authority to arrest him, but he knew people who could. His hackles prickled with uncertainty, not entirely willing to let his guard down just yet even with as friendly as the man was. “I am retired too. Formerly known as Captain Argent, but Argent is fine,” he revealed his name, testing the other for a reaction. If he had heard about his or Merrin's altercation with that Verlice man and then their arrest then he would know how dangerous he was.

“Are you living in Saora now, Baelfire?” he asked, hoping it would be the case. If this man had betrayed his homeland just as Argent had to live in stolen land then he was in a similar situation. The Imperials would not welcome him either. He nodded at Merrin, giving her a signal that everything was okay for now and waved with his tail for her to be ready to run at the first sign of danger. They had practised these signals together for Argent’s peace of mind, little habits left over from his army days so that they would be better prepared if a soldier did come across them.

code: elyon | art: ashon

Merrin hovered behind Luciel, taking a couple steps back as he assessed the situation. She was completely focused on him, watching for the flick of an ear or a tail tip. If he gave the signal, she was to flee...although they hadn't ever had to put that plan into action. If he were to give her the sign to get safety...she wasn't sure she could leave him behind. They were a team after all...why else would they have called each other 'Partner'?

The other man was revealed to have only been a soldier and a retired one now. He went by the name Baelfire. It was a lovely name and he seemed to be amiable, though with a nod and swish of a fluffy arctic tail from Luciel, she conyinued to stay on guard. Merrin allowed them to continue their conversation, however much she might have wanted to simply join it. She couldn't, not until it was completely certain that there was no threat. Seen, but not heard... Her mother's voice nagged her in the back of her mind and she had to firmly remind the ghost of one of her abusers that her silence was only temporary.

@Baelfire @Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

sometimes, all i think about is you

The man was still on guard, Baelfire could tell from his tense stance and prickling fur -- but he was willing to at least answer him and tell him that he too was a retired soldier. "It's nice to properly meet you, Argent." he said with a warm smile. He might not have known him while they served but that didn't matter to him.

His ears flicked as Argent asked him if he were living in Saora now and Baelfire nodded his head. "Yes, I live here with my family. I wasn't able to stay in the Army after the war because of the split," he revealed. Baelfire would have continued serving, more than likely, if the place his family called home had not been separated from Rionnach. His hand had been forced, unfortunately, and while he did not regret his decision he did miss his job and his other son, who still worked among the Army's ranks.

He noted how the woman remained silent and his gaze flickered to her curiously, wondering if she would offer up a greeting or name. "It's nice to meet you too," he said, offering her a small smile. He didn't want her to be left out of the conversation.

"speech"

code // art