DotW RP: Parting Words

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Tazihound said the following:

“Uncle?”

Faust stood behind the blonde wolf, his eyes gazing at the snow between his toes, pain burning his face. He had been dreading this moment, avoiding it, but he couldn’t any longer. Likely his uncle had already heard rumors that Faust was leaving, and they were true. He was leaving, and he didn’t know when he’d be back. But how did he tell Silvanus that? He was his uncle by blood, but to Faust he was a father. While the whole pack worked to raise Faust and shape him into the wolf he was today, his bond with SIlvanus was different, deeper. Silvanus had showed him love and affection, when no other Havir wolf would.

Perhaps this was harder because he didn’t know how SIlvanus would react. Faust knew Hera and Saurugol would be angry with his journey, but he could be sure what kind of response he’d garner from Silvanus.

He took a hesitant step forward, bringing his head up. “I need to talk to you,” he said simply, his voice feeling hollow as he spoke.

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Ramala said the following:

Silvanus stood looking out on the barrier mountains, the snow was turning a rosy golden hue in the late afternoon sun. The shadows were cool and glittering blue on the fresh drifts. He wasn't usually the sort to stop and appreciate the beauty of the territory, but today was different. He was in a reflective mood, he had heard about Faust's plans. His first instinct was to run to his nephew and to do his best to talk him out of his madness. Surely he and his silver tongue could convince the rash young wolf to change his mind.... but the longer he thought about it, the less convinced he became that it was the right idea. Faust had always been a strong willed, independent-minded individual. His soul had always wandered, even though his body had always stayed within the borders of Havir. The priest's heart ached, he felt more deep emotion that day than he had let himself succumb to in a long time. His nephew, the one he'd loved and raised like a son, was leaving... and he knew in his heart that there was nothing he could do. Still- he wanted to understand, he wanted to know what was drawing Faust away so strongly. He wanted to hear it in Faust's words.

He shut his eyes when he heard Faust's voice behind him, he exhaled. Silvanus lifted a pristine, pale paw to his face before he turned around, wiping the tears that had gathered in the corners of his eyes. When he turned to face his nephew, he had completely regained his composure. His head lifted to it's regular height, ears forward, his signature grin across his face, though his eyes were darkened by the sadness he couldn't hide completely.

"Of course.  You can always talk to me, Faust.”

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Tazihound said the following:

Faust looked into his uncle’s eyes and he read the truth. Silvanus put up his jovial front but Faust knew that he hid his despair behind it. Faust felt his a weight crushing his chest. He was the cause of this, how could he continue to be the root of so much anguish? He felt guilty, his eyes closing for a moment as he gained enough confidence to speak. “I’m leaving, tomorrow, for the South. There’s a pack that has been living under humane reign, but there is a new leader, I just need to see, see for myself,  that they’re treated right. They’ve been through so much…they deserve that,” He spoke with assurance but every word crumbled as he met Silvanus’ watery gaze.

He inhaled and started again, “The wolves they…they might need me uncle…” His voice was weak now as his brain scattered. The only thing he could think to do was to push his head up beneath his uncle’s chin, as if he were no older than a pup. He didn’t know how to reassure him that everything would be ok. He just wanted to feel safe, like he was doing the right thing, but no one could make him doubt it more than his uncle. How did Silvanus see him? A foolish child? How could Faust disappoint his family so much? He was torn between his family and what he felt was morally right.

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Ramala said the following:

Silvanus' mind spun when Faust spoke, he heard his reasons, but all he could think 'was my boy is leaving'... The pale wolf listened quietly as Faust's words faltered. It seemed the young wolf was not of one mind about his decision, but Silvanus knew that wouldn't change anything, he knew Faust too well.

Faust's words finally failed him and he pushed head under Silvanus' chin, the uncle's breath quavered as he lowered his head over Faust's neck, pulling him into an embrace. Any of Silvanus' normal pretenses had melted away. The little pup had grown up, and he needed to find his path in life just like everyone else. But why did it need to lead him so far away?

Pulling Faust close, Silvanus murmured, "but why does it have to be you?" He sighed, "No, I know you have to follow your conscience."

He drew back far enough to look his nephew in the face, his normally perfect and seamless voice cracking, "It breaks my heart that you're leaving, and I can't pretend to understand... but I know how it feels to fight something that is calling you, and that is no way to live. I want only the best for you, wherever that takes you."

He paused, afraid to ask the question burning on his tongue, "... will you come back?”

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Tazihound said the following:

Faust hung his head against Silvanus’ chest, pressing his eyes closed as he spoke softly, “Who else if not me, uncle? You know no other Havir wolf would make the journey, it’s not important to them. But…it is to me. How can I continue to live here if wolves down south are suffering? What if they are just waiting for help, and it never comes?” This was Faust’s fear, that more continued to die at the paw of a tyrant. So little was known about the new alpha, Faust hoped that he lead the pack right but he had little confidence. he wanted the reassurance that these wolves were living in good condition.

Faust’s tail lashed to the side as he attempted to sort through his thoughts. Silvanus’ words burned his ears. He knew how he felt but hearing it only amplified the guilt pressing on his chest.

At Silvanus’ next words Faust whipped his head up, his fiery gaze meeting Silvanus’, “yes, uncle, of course, I would never leave you or mother. I am a wolf of Havir,” he said but his voice was lacking certainty. Of his family, he was sure about. He loved them all despite their differences. He would be back, of course, but he could never be his true self in Havir. He was a traitor to his entire pack, a skeptic, and in the eyes of Havir a wolf without faith was no wolf at all.

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Ramala said the following:

Silvanus looked deep into Faust's fiery eyes. He could see as many thoughts in his mind as there were stars in the night sky, hurtling past those windows to his soul... He had feared for Faust's faith for a while, he wished that Faust still felt like he could confide these things, but he wasn't a pup anymore, and every wolf had thoughts they had to keep to themselves. He couldn't be sure, and he prayed that his fears were for nothing.

Silvanus sighed, "I can't say I understand it, but I do understand your resolve. I will always try to support you in everything you do, because I-" he paused for a moment, "I love you."

The words felt strange in his mouth, he didn't often speak of emotions so true and raw even though he knew that Faust must know it, but Silvanus felt like he needed to hear it now. He shook his head slightly as if shaking the hanging moment away, his thick mane rustled and glittered in the evening light. The Cheshire grin returned to his face, though his eyes still betrayed his feelings.

He softly nudged Faust's neck, "You can go. I'll always be here for you."

He faltered for a moment, daring to betray his suspicions about Faust's conviction in the gods, "...no matter what, Faust.”

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Tazihound said the following:

Faust bowed his head, and at once all he could feel in his heart was gratitude. Silvanus didn’t agree with him, but his uncle knew Faust was doing what was right for him. Their bond could not be broken. Silvanus would always accept him. He squeezed his eyes shut, “I love you too, uncle.”

Then he stepped out, glancing back at Silvanus quickly enough to catch his uncle’s transition. Once again he resumed the role of charming Priest. The image was burned into his brain.

Silvanus’ steady voice stopped him in his tracks. His fiery eyes widened as his uncle’s omniscient words met his ears. He turned back but Silvanus had already started downward into the valley. Faust’s ears fell back. He watched his uncle’s descent until he disappeared from view.

He knew.