Chapter 90: Lead Sails
Waiting. It always came down to waiting.
Waiting to see if the next settlement they visited would be a mirror of the previous; burned, barren, and brought to its knees. Waiting for Comms’ systems to detect any method of communication on or off planet, still holding hopes of being able to warn command about the state of affairs before they started landing troops.
And now, waiting yet again, this time to see the Grand Huntress of the territory. They had little to go on beyond her settlement being larger than Trill’s—by area, anyway—and that more than half of it was strictly off-limits to all but a select few. Even the Blades sent to scout the area out found themselves entering large constructions barren of even the simplest of furniture. It was a curiosity that remained such, their welcome to the territory being a mere formality.
They had surveyed the area from above to get a feel for what they would be walking into, the massive fenced off area providing an interesting sight. A large river split the inhabited area into two sections; one full of people, and the other composed of large warehouses, though only a scant few souls ever entered them. They didn’t seem to be used for storage, nor any other function that the crew could think of. Their scanners were appropriately useless within the field of the warp-spike, so even that failed to answer the question of what they were used for. Willin supposed he would have to ask.
Whenever he was allowed to meet with their host, that was.
Though the accommodations were far from uncomfortable, it was sparse in things to do. Spending half the sun in a room that seemed to have been begrudgingly built to house traders, Tech took to switching songs every so often as she leaned back into her chair, the lack of entertainment dulling Willin’s consciousness. He sighed, wishing that he had bothered fabricating an audio interface of his own, but conceded that they needed the power for the other systems.
“The Grand Huntress will see you now,” a fearful female informed them, the bow far deeper than any given to them up to this point. Tech twitched an ear in his direction, but all he could offer in reply was his own confusion.
Getting up from their chairs, they followed the servant, her worn clothing telling of far less prosperity than would be expected in a settlement of this size. Another downfall of Hunter packs, he supposed. Many who fell towards the bottom of the hierarchy were rarely afforded comforts.
They were led near the river, the large bridge between the two sections of the settlement heavily guarded. It was a stark difference, to be sure—populated paths shifting to barren buildings, only transitioned by silver wood and moving water. Regardless, the short walk past the oddity led them to a building of alien design. It was different enough that both Willin and Tech paused to glance at each other.
A domed circular middle section sat in the junction of two rectangular extensions that swept away behind it. It was massive, so even the larger buildings nearby paled in the shadow it cast. Details like the hexagonal skylights and wide windows a clear departure from pelts acting as shutters.
The female they were following tensed as they drew closer. Willin had to actively signal Tech to ease off the paw hovering near a CARD. His eyes narrowed, his voice kept low. “Stand down, Tech. Save it for if they open fire first.”
The purple-furred female flinched, sighing as she let her arm drop, her response equally subdued. “I don’t like it. There’s an entire half of the settlement unmanned and we have a scared female guiding us to their most opulent accommodations. Look at her, you can see her ribs through her fur.”
The dark green-furred male kept his expression placid. “We’re finally able to talk to someone. The fact they’re struggling to feed their own is another point for us to bargain with.”
“Going professional, Leader?”
He mentally sighed at her clipped tone. “It’s my job, Tech. We can save everyone once they’re open to being saved.”
She didn’t respond, her gaze fixed forward as they approached the rounded portion of the building, the large double doors surrounded by thick glass. It might have been due to the material, but he found it exceedingly difficult to peer inside, little more than suggestions of figures moving within being discernable.
The servant knocked upon the door, folding her paws over her lap to wait. Eventually, the entrance opened to two bulky males armed with pistols and swords glaring down at them.
“Purpose?” the left one asked, an appraising eye drifting to Tech’s guns.
Her own steeled expression met his gaze, satisfied to allow the servant to reply. “The Grand Huntress has gifted them an audience.”
The male waited a moment before moving aside, staring after the group as they entered. The other guard's paw stopped Tech in her tracks. “Weapons.”
Willin offered his own first, including the knife this time, in case there was someone here keen on taking offence to him keeping it hidden instead of just politely informing him that it wasn’t appreciated. Tech was reluctant to part with her own but relented after a commanding glance.
A raised brow was returned with a subtle shake of her head. Nothing odd on the proximity sensor, at least. She had learned her lesson from Trill’s and had compensated her expectations of its readout to accommodate.
They were escorted towards the left of two doors flanking the edges. It opened into a straight hallway, rooms populating either side, with what looked to be an emergency exit or the like halfway down on the right. They continued to the end of the stretch, the room furthest on the left guarded by another two Lilhuns with more mixed weaponry. The first escort nodded to his allies before leaving.
“We must confirm your state of armament,” a new guard said, gesturing for the pair to pose for a pat-down. Tech growled when one of them got a little too touchy, but it was a relatively smooth process, and far from a foreign experience for them. If anything, the whole process felt like any other military installation they had been to. All that was missing was some scanning devices to check for hidden objects and the entire thing would have been routine for Willin.
Satisfied the two of them were only as dangerous as their claws allowed them to be, the two guards opened the door to an office only a bit smaller than Trill’s. It shared much with the Blademaster’s preferences, though the desk was constructed from local materials and had a surprisingly clear view of the outside. Shelves laden with thin sheets of wood bearing words scratched into them rather than written upon with ink lined the walls so windows would not be obstructed. Skylights integrated into the ceiling illuminated the room evenly, giving the female looking out the window with paws cupped behind her back an ethereal glow.
Though she was on an angle to them, Willin took a moment to observe what he could.
Light grey fur across the majority of her body, fading into a desaturated pastel yellow starting under her jaw and continuing down her core. She wore a simple leather chest binder, as opposed to a proper shirt or vest, displaying large marks over her shoulders. Brutal looking scars marred most of her stomach and chest, ruining what might have been an otherwise flawlessly groomed coat. The short lower-wear cut off high on her thighs, revealing evidence of smaller cuts and wounds had long since healed. Several looked to be of plasma and kinetic origin.
The thing that caught both Willin and Tech off guard the most was her gaze, a permanent look of pain peering out the window also held a deep longing and simmering rage. The Grand Huntress did not deign to greet them first, her own ruminations seeming to be a priority.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, Grand Huntress,” Willin offered, bowing respectfully and gesturing Tech to do the same. The purple-furred female was preoccupied with double checking her sensors and, by the tap to her ear, pausing her music.
“You are late,” the scarred-female replied dryly, only a hint of reprimand actually present, though her scent alone told of her exhibiting great outwards control of herself.
“Apologies, Grand Huntress. We were shown a waiting area and told to expect your summons.”
The female turned around to face them properly, her paws still clutched behind her as she glared at them. “We sent our message many suns ago, yet only now do you arrive.”
Willin blinked as Tech elected to speak. “We were unable to determine the origin of the signal, Grand Huntress. Since we lacked any relevant information, we visited the largest settlement and have been travelling to others on the way here.”
“Sunundra.”
“Pardon?” Tech asked, taken aback by the terse tone. The Grand Huntress zeroed in on her.
“I alleviate you of the burden of referring to me by station. It will facilitate more concise communications.”
“We appreciate the honour, Sunundra,” Willin chipped in, seeing Tech grow weary at the neglect of decorum. “As my other here explained, we did not intentionally disregard your settlement.”
“It is merely the last you choose to visit,” Sunundra deadpanned, a hint of disapproval in her voice.
“There is one other, though an agreement with another Grand Hunter is why we have not stopped there on our way here,” Willin clarified politely. “We mean no disrespect.”
The female sat in her chair, arms crossing her chest with a loose nod. Willin checked again to be sure, but there was no seating afforded to others in the room. Unperturbed after spending most of the sun sitting already, he opted to ignore it.
Sunundra uncrossed one arm to gesture at the pair. “When is the rest of the fleet arriving? I assume you sent for an Electronic Warfare division, and perhaps another habitation ship. You would hardly be standing here if they were near.”
Willin nodded, not outwardly expressing his hesitation. “We do not have a definitive estimate at this time.”
“Then you wish to gain the cooperation of the packs for reintegration,” the female stated, her tone conveying it partially as a question. The dark green-furred male nodded. “What of the other packs?”
Willin couldn’t stop the wince in time, answering her inquiry before her impatience grew. “As long as the remaining settlement stands, there are only four packs left.”
Sunundra remained quiet for a while, each moment growing more uncomfortable as her gaze pierced him. “Who?”
“Grand Hunter Trill, yourself, Hasen,” he paused, unsure of how to phrase the final item, “and another party we have limited information on.”
The Grand Huntress’ ear flicked. “I take it Trill was the one orchestrating the order in which you visited,” she sighed out. “What information do you hold of the last? I am fairly confident in my memory, perhaps I may shed some light.”
“Well,” Willin started cautiously, not entirely comfortable revealing everything. He produced the silver tablet from his pocket. “Grand Hunter Trill requested we meet the others before proceeding to the one in question. When we asked why, he provided this.”
Sunundra accepted it from his grip when he offered it to her, her eyes widening for but a fraction. Her pad felt over the etchings, the intimate touch surprising both him and Tech. “What do you know of this?”
“Only that the Grand Hunter of that settlement seeks something related to it,” Tech explained, ignoring Willin’s disapproval. The Grand Huntress flicked her eyes to bore into the purple-furred female.
“Who is it?” she barked, malice seeping into her words. Tech flinched at the tone.
“You would not know of them.”
“I will be the judge of that,” Sunundra snapped, standing to brace her weight on the desk. “I have a great deal of investment in what this interested party seeks. I will know of who it is.”
“An alien,” Willing interjected, clipping his words. “So, no, you would not know of them.”
The Grand Huntress fixed her gaze onto him, a long moment of silence highlighting the growing snarl. Fury burned in her throat as a growl almost replaced coherence. “Bring them to me.”
“We can’t do that,” Tech replied, cutting off the escalation. “Not without their desires aligning. Even then, fuelling petty disputes is against protocol.”
Sunundra’s visage cooled, distaste covering her ire. “’Petty,’ is it?” She glowered at the two before walking past them, gesturing as she did. “Follow me. I will exhibit why it is far from ‘petty.’”
Shrugging, and more than a little uncertain, Willin tipped his head for Tech to do as asked, falling into step behind the female that radiated displeasure. They both expected to be given back their weapons, but it seemed their meeting extended beyond the confines of an office.
They left the odd building, approaching and crossing the large bridge. Willin couldn’t help but notice the guards part more than strictly required as the Grand Huntress marched past them, her presence alone unsettling those around her, as though she would strike any who dared remain within sight for too long. If the female noticed, she didn’t seem to be disapproving of the fear she instilled. It made him wonder about her intentions for the remaining Grand Hunter, but he supposed he should see where this was going before making any further remarks. As candid as she had been, it was easy enough to scent her irritation for merely humouring their arrival.
The second half of the settlement proved to be just as desolate as they had surveyed, with only a sparse deployment of patrolling guards present. Each was heavily armed compared to those within the main habitation, their weapons and armour either military standard or robustly crafted from local materials. The amount of guns was still lacking, lending credence to Trill’s notation that most of the weaponry had been locked up, but there still existed a few pistols and CARDs kicking around.
“A lot of force for empty buildings,” Tech whispered as they passed a particularly well-armed Lilhun, the Anti-Material Rifle held at low ready. Willin shrugged.
“Guess we’ll see what the fuss is about.”
The Grand Huntress brought them to what seemed to be a random warehouse, a stationed guard wordlessly allowing access past the door. He couldn’t help but notice how thick the walls were—far more than required for simple weather protections.
The door closed silently behind them, only releasing a thud as the thick barrier was reinstated.
“Is this supposed to answer the question?” he ventured, glancing around a rather large building full of absolutely nothing.
Sunundra held up a paw in request for silence, walking towards one end of the construction and stopping at an arbitrary point. Lifting a leg, she hammered the floor in an odd pattern: four strikes, a long pause, then three, then two.
He had to hold out his arm to stop Tech from freaking out when a large section of floor moved, the square cut so perfectly that it rested seamlessly against its surroundings. It lifted up before being slid out of the way, well-disguised cables running from beneath the floorboards into a wide, deep staircase. Standing at the top, and likely being what had removed the hidden entrance, was a massive insectoid.
Red, an arachnid-like abdomen, and an upright torso instead of a thorax. Six legs supported the towering figure, two arms terminating in vicious-looking blades that rested downwards—its three-section appendages travelling down at the shoulder, up at the elbow, and down again at the wrist. An insect head topped the creature, large compound eyes and formed mandibles populating its face. Hardened carapace traded with softer looking scales as they alternated in broad horizontal stripes across the surface of the being.
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
“This,” Sunundra stated, turning to them as she held a paw towards the emerging creature, “is what that one is searching for.”
She passed the tablet Willin had provided to the insect. It accepted, laying it flat against a turned blade to inspect the item, a curious tilt of the head accompanying the quiet chitters.
The reaction didn’t take long, the colossal form bowing slightly to the Grand Huntress before skittering down the stairwell with percussive clicks. Quieter responses carried through the entrance, Willin noticing a conflicted expression on the female’s face.
“What was that?” Tech muttered.
“The Atmo,” the Grand Huntress explained, stoic displeasure replacing what might have been a pensive frown. “The one who seeks them; bring them to me.”
Willin filled his lungs and fought the sigh that tried to escape.
Things just kept getting more complicated.
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Pan swayed lightly on her feet as she set about helping to prepare the fires for the moon, a celebratory feast called on account of her mate slaying one of the beasts that had plighted the first-years during their initial attempt at forming a settlement. Though she did feel a little bad for the way she reacted when she learned of how the task was accomplished.
Try as he might, his subtle wince when she hugged him was telling enough, even without the bond informing her of his guilt. Some prodding and pointed looks was enough for him to divulge that he had been injured. Sure, by his own admission, it was a minor one, but even that much was enough for her to scold him rather thoroughly when she was told how he had managed it. To rush to Cobalt’s side when they were struck was perfectly in line with what she had come to expect from him, but diving under such a dangerous creature—and worse, remaining there to attack it—sparked a protectiveness that required outlet.
Tel had bore witness to the tirade, the grey-furred female neither interjecting nor supporting, instead opting to maintain a quiet stare of disapproval as the diminutive Paw lectured the Human about his safety. Though he disagreed about his own existence meaning far more than any other of the pack, she knew he understood the true weight behind her words.
Once she was done fuming at him, she hugged him again, soaking in warmth she would have lost if the hunt had gone worse than it had. Tel waited for the display to be over before giving Pan an approving nod and walking off to manage some other affairs, the female never once speaking. It may have been awkward, if not for the feeling that everything Joseph’s other mate would have wished to voice had already been aired. It was a comfortably silent interaction between the two that carried far more than words would have otherwise communicated, and Pan felt mollified by the solidity of their relationship as well.
As worried and disapproving as she had been, displeasing Tel also carried a certain discomfort she was pleased to have avoided. Still, the hunt was successful, her mate and the group accompanying him returned, and they were of reason to rejoice; a great threat to their hunting parties was removed.
Harrow, in particular, fussed over Jax, the black-furred male removing his scarred armour under her insistence to prove he was only tired. Finding Jax's health remained unblemished by the activities of the sun, it seemed as if her attentions shifted to the celebratory events in a way that caused her hesitation, though Pan couldn’t say why. Perhaps it had something to do with the project she had been rather reluctant to discuss?
That was to say nothing of Joseph’s reaction to the declaration of festivities, the Grand Hunter growing reluctant and expectant in equal measure. He had excused himself to bathe and, after affirming that he remained uninjured besides the tender elbow, had taken to touching his pocket with doubt flashing obviously across his face. Pan wished that her mate would be more forthcoming with the reason for his trepidation, but there was a rolling sea of affections that swelled when the habit coincided with gazing at herself or Tel. Sahari was of no assistance in deducing the reasoning, and she too became curious as to why.
Regardless of the specifics, she had just finished arranging the event's final preparations when the pack began trickling behind the den, many of the participants taking the time to inspect the parts of the settlement they had little reason to be around. Seeing them laughing and jesting amongst themselves brought a smile to her face, the once fearful gathering of Mi’low’s pack coming under Joseph’s leadership long since replaced by those who had come to call the territory their own. A few were even favoured enough by the Atmo that the large insects could be found chittering amongst the species that not too long ago classified as their abusers, friendships forged and tended to under the Human’s influence.
A paw touching her shoulder brought her out of her reverie, Sahari sharing the same proud smile with the sight that Pan wore. “Joseph should be ready to address the pack in a moment. Shall we ensure all the fires are lit?”
The white-furred female nodded, pleased with the atmosphere around the members. “Has Tel distributed the food?”
“With the help of those who attend her lessons, yes,” Sahari confirmed with a laugh. “Worry not, I would be surprised if most of them are not resting the moon with overfed discomfort by the end of this.”
The Paw giggled at the imagery, trusting her other to have a perfect handle on their stores. Though the hunt was a rather important one to celebrate for many reasons, Tel would protest if they were unable to support it.
The rest of the formalities proceeded smoothly, the area behind the building she had taken to considering the den of all she cared so deeply for filled with fires and voices, even the newest members finding a group to join.
The collection nearest the front belonged to Joseph’s ‘direct pack,’ though the distinction had been muddied and repurposed since so many came to fall under his purview.
Sahari sat with Nalah, the two intertwining tails as the ex-Grand Huntress poked fun at the soreness her mate experienced after the exhilarating events. Harrow was similar with Jax, though there was something to her tone suggesting her mind wasn’t fully there. Tel had joined Pan, plopping herself next to the white-furred female without the once present distance as soon as her obligations had been completed. Pan enjoyed the warmth of the flickering flames paired with the Wraith but would hold her happiness at bay until Joseph joined them.
All in attendance quieted as the Grand Hunter took his position of using the den as a backdrop for his speech, his usual self-consciousness waylaid by his general exhaustion. Though she could see the hesitation creeping up on him, it vanished as he watched the Atmo travel from fire to fire to soak in the company the pack offered instead of shying away from it, his smile genuine and full. Satisfied most everyone could hear him suitably, he cleared his throat, thanking Scarlet for providing him a drink before speaking. His insistence on a lack of translator proved to be only a minor inconvenience by now.
“To start things off, some of you have only had minimal contact with me since your inclusion, so I’d like to take the opportunity to remind you of who I am,” he started stiffly, taking a sip of his water and spitting it out as someone in the crowd commented on the fact that he was the only one of his species that they knew of. It took a few moments for the laughter at the Human to stop, but the ice had been broken, and he eased into the rest of his address.
“Fair enough. Anyway, I’m Joseph. I tell those fucks what to do,” he stated with a gesture towards Pan’s group. “And you’ve been told what to do by them. For those who haven’t heard, we have successfully hunted something that some of you with better naming sense than me have been calling a ‘greymaw,’” He paused to allow the errant cheering to settle before shifting into a sombre tone as he glanced at his surrogate family. “I don’t know how many of you have been affected, but at least one group have had their first chance at life here either disrupted, or ended, by them. I can’t give you some inspirational speech about how we will never have to worry about them again, but I can tell you that they can be killed. We can fight back against what the planet has to offer.”
The surprisingly quiet pack livened with the encouragement of the declaration, though were quickly tempered by a raised paw of the Grand Hunter.
“We couldn’t have done this with just ourselves. I’m glad you’ve managed to show them the kindness they deserve, but the Atmo around you were critical to this gathering consisting of more than a single fire to send off those who were lost this sun. Specifically, Rose and Cobalt were instrumental.”
The Atmo in question received some hollers of approval from the pack, both having been accompanying Violet as she wandered through the people to offer greetings and light conversation with those she had interacted with. Confused, they bowed, chittering with laughter after a moment. Joseph shook his head.
“Now that we know what we’re dealing with, there will be changes to the defences we have in place, and some updates to our weapons and armour afforded to the hunting packs.” He clapped his paws, laughter coming from around those not accustomed to the Human’s penchant for sudden loud noises. “With all that out of the way, I hope the moon treats you well, and feel free to come say hi. I’ll be over there with those lovely females, the two idiots who almost died with me, and their annoyed mates.”
Pan giggled at the positive reception to his modest speech, the lack of fear or mistrust being a delightful departure of previous celebrations. Perhaps it was the bond affecting her, but she felt amazingly comfortable surrounded by the group who had long since become important to her. Influenced or not, it was everything she thought she would never have, so she could only give thankfulness to the Hunt Mother for delivering her to the male who had upended her existence so thoroughly.
Moving to accommodate their mate, Tel and Pan parted long enough for Joseph to claim his place between them, neither shying away when their unconscious envelopment of their tails caused them to cross behind him. It felt right to her for the grey-furred female to be included in the small display of intimacy.
“No threats, Joseph?” Jax asked sarcastically, the Grand Hunter chuckling as he reached for a stick to roast a cube of meat.
“Thankfully,” he replied, shaking his head at the reference. “No. We’ve had enough danger recently.”
Pan waited for her mate to free a paw of his task before taking it in her own, Tel selecting a few portions of what was allotted for the three of them. The white-furred female smiled, finding that even the small attentions given to her by the Wraith conveyed a deeper affection than could ever be voiced. She didn’t fault Tel, so much as humouring the idea aloud would be heretical to her foundations, but Pan wished to believe the natural dynamic they had settled into had become second nature for her.
“Though,” Joseph continued, using his wrist to scratch at his jaw in absence of a free paw, “I don’t have anything to give to everyone this time.”
“Nor last time,” Sahari quipped, grinning at the defeated smirk the remark garnered.
“I really should put some time away for that,” he returned with a sigh.
Harrow fidgeted next to Jax, her eyes avoiding the Human. “Actually, Joe...”
“Hmm?”
“I, well, we,” the orange-furred female clarified with a loose wave in Tel’s direction, “have something for you.”
The Grand Hunter raised a brow at the two, Tel smirking, but shaking her head as she responded to the unasked question. “I am afraid I have a minimal level of involvement in this development by now, assuming Harrow had not been idle the entire duration.”
“It was difficult,” Harrow admitted, a paw flattening the fur on her thigh as her ears twitched anxiously.
Joseph opened his mouth to protest before Tel placed a claw to silence him.
“You will accept it," she insisted before directing a question to the Head of Technology. "Do you have the item here?”
Harrow nodded hesitantly. “It’s in the den, but I can go get it.”
Tel nodded her assent, smirking at her mate’s confusion. “Shortly after we returned from Trill’s, I requested her to prepare an item.”
Joseph’s eyes widened. “That project? Jesus, that’s been forever and a half.”
“It has,” she agreed with amusement. “I am rather curious what the result will be.”
“You asked her to make it, but don’t know what it’s like?”
Pan chuckled as Tel shrugged. “It is not an item I am familiar with, and by how long it has taken her to recreate it, I doubt she has laid paw to it either. She was only working off of what schematics I could provide, after all.”
An attempt at rebuttal was muted once again, a subtle request for Pan to redirect his attention given and heeded. The sudden kiss certainly distracted the male, in any case, her paws gently cupping his face to block his vision beyond her. Long enough for Harrow to return holding an odd device of wooden construction, anyway.
A curved hollow body as large as the Human’s chest, a hole placed on the face of it near one end. A long neck decorated with horizontal bars and capped with a rectangular head. Wires of diminishing thickness fed over the opening in the body to the head, each terminating at one of six accommodating cylinders, with key-like protrusions jutting out of the sides that rotated when the appropriate key was turned. It was simple, yet elegant. Robust, yet delicate. It was the product of countless suns of effort, and likely as many moons when time was available.
Satisfied that Joseph had been pulled away from the events long enough, Pan released her chaste affections, allowing the male to regain his faculties in time for Harrow to present her efforts directly.
A trickle of her bond paled to the displayed disbelief her mate exhibited when faced with the item, his eyes struggling to match reality with expectations. Gingerly, he passed the skewer to Tel and reached out for the item, his expression blank and emotions stilled. Carefully, he plucked a string, absently reaching to the head of the device and adjusting the tension on the wire until some seemingly predefined frequency was achieved. The action repeated for each of the six strings, followed by a light strum once his task was completed, the purpose of the item apparent.
An instrument. Tel had procured the designs, and Harrow had constructed it for him.
Sensing that he would need the room, Pan moved further away, happy to see what would happen next. Joseph placed a few claws on the neck of the device, anchoring a curve of the body on his lap. The new sound was harmonious and smooth, ringing out loudly enough for the din of the festivities to settle as curious ears perked in their direction.
Placing one claw across the thickness of the neck, he arranged the others in a memorized pattern, depressing specific wires. Almost hesitantly, he began strumming rhythmically, the sound produced sombre and weighing heavily on Pan’s soul—though she knew it to be a mirror of his own feelings.
What surprised her was Tel staring at the fire, humming along as if she had spent the time to memorize and recognize what their mate had decided to play.
The pack quieted as she began singing, Joseph supporting her in his lower register. The male failed to notice the other voice, a pit in his very existence exposing to the elements like a scab torn from an old wound as raw emotion long since suppressed was aired with the assistance of music.
It was a feeling of bitter betrayal; a sinking feeling of hopelessness conveyed through lyrics matching the tone. A desperate plea for help when none would be given—when prayer alone wrought no healing.
Pan ignored the wetness staining her fur, the harmony between the two most important souls she had ever met tearing at her from inside and out, yet also applying a salve to the wounds that had been festering without notice. Very few times had she felt so exposed, yet so freed. So vulnerable, yet so safe. A bubbling pool influenced by her bond soothed her despite the pain, only abating when the song he had chosen concluded.
Joseph righted the instrument between his feet, resting it atop them as he wiped away the residue of unbridled emotion that was allowed display. He looked up at Harrow, the female staring back at him with sympathetic sorrow, his voice strained. “A guitar?”
She nodded, lowering her gaze to her feet. “Yeah. Tel wanted to give you something and asked me to make it, since she thought I’d be the only one able.”
Tel returned a weak smile when Joseph glanced at her for confirmation. “Robert suggested it and allowed me to sketch the schematics.”
The Human passed the guitar to Pan, the white-furred female accepting it carefully so as not to marr the product of care when she placed it to the side of the log they used as a bench. Harrow yelped when Joseph embraced her tightly, the female hesitating before melting into the gratitude.
“Thank you,” he murmured into her ear, tightening his hold. She seemed reluctant to let go again, her dazed expression fading as she recomposed herself and separated the tail that had coiled around his leg. A few of the group exchanged looks, but her small voice redirected any building questions.
“What song was that?”
“It was his most played on the terminal,” Tel provided before Joseph’s face could fully darken. The male gestured limply at the answer.
“It’s something I listened to and played a lot after...”
“After your mate left you,” Pan finished quietly, the pieces falling into place. He nodded, drawing a deep breath. She blinked as she felt his determination building under the vestiges of old sorrows. He turned to face the two mates, their questioning expressions at his change in resolve only intensifying as he reached into his pocket and knelt on one knee before them.
“I know it won’t mean much to you, but I wanted to do this as a custom where I’m from, as unorthodox as this is going to be,” he explained, each word drawing more silence from a surprisingly interested pack, even those further away drawn to the spectacle after the impromptu performance. He gave a self-deprecating laugh as he shook his head, his gaze fixing on the bonded mate.
“Pan, you’ve been a rock when I needed it, a harsh reprimand when I did something stupid, and a mother to our unexpected daughter. You’ve helped me heal, endure, and accept that my world didn’t end when Emma left; it just made room for better things.” The Human chewed his cheek, looking over at Tel, the female glancing between the two with caution and curiosity. “Tel, You’ve upended everything I thought right in the most disastrous way possible, every step of the way. When doubts built up, you tore them down with confidence and no small amount of annoyance that I would try to block you off at all. When I needed you to do what I was too scared to think of, you did so without a word of complaint. You accepted a part of me I didn’t want to be given the room to breathe, and put aside a very important part of who you are just so I could be happy.”
He held both paws out, each opening to reveal a beautifully carved and decorated ring.
“I would be the luckiest man in the galaxy if I could have the two of you as my wives, as weird as that is to say. I mean, we would need to wait for it to be officiated, and I know it’s…” He fell quiet as he stopped his ramblings, breathing to compose himself.
“Will...you marry me?” he tentatively asked, the confidence waning as he held his breath. Pan felt his fear build until Tel burst out laughing, a confused look given in return.
The grey-furred female took the ring and donned it, examining it like one might a particularly curious discovery. Her honeyed voice poured as Pan realized what exactly he had asked.
“Unfortunately for you, my male, it would take my demise to keep me from you, and I relish the thought of bleeding whatever attempts to do so dry. If this is what it will take for you to internalize the fact, then yes, I accept. I assume she is of the same mind,” Tel asserted with only a cursory glance to the other subject of the request. Though tearful, Pan nodded, stepping forward to pull the two of them into as tight a hug as she could manage, Tel’s chuckling ringing just a little hollow as it fizzled out.
“Did you think we would refuse?” Pan asked, knowing that he did in some doubtful part of his mind. When he remained silent, she parted, gazing up at him with damp eyes as he stood. “Yes, Joseph. I know what this means to you, and I accept. Where one has failed you, we will not. On this, I commit my everything. Through deepest despair, disastrous trials, and the heights of our affection, I am yours.”
The Human failed to voice anything in response, shunting his eyes closed as he wrapped his arms around the two of them, joy and relief overwhelming him, a weight removed from his soul. Pan smiled as she nuzzled into them, his emotions washing over her and allowing her to feel the same sense of right that he did. The sense of hesitant distance somewhere in his being, some scared and scarred portion in his mind finally opening up to accept that it would not be betrayed.
Tel seemed slightly less enthusiastic about the crowd witnessing the event, and the hushed whispers because of it, but even her reluctant participation became genuine when Pan grasped her paw, completing the embrace with her tail.
Sighing, The grey-furred female returned the affection, muttering under her breath at a volume too quiet for Joseph to hear, but just barely loud enough for Pan, a smirk tinting her tone.
“Honestly, what am I to do with you two?”