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 Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 3:17 pm
 Deep below Laisidhiel's common area, well below even the Chieftain's "war room", the roots stretched out in all directions, anchoring the massive Tree in place. Tunnels woven in and about those roots lay in general darkness, interrupted from time to time by a torch or small lantern. These paths were worn, but not often traveled anymore. Or at least, they hadn't been...until recently. The roots had held a single 'guest' since shortly after the Tree had been rocked by the explosion and last night had gained another occupant.
The grey, dappled Faun was motionless and could have easily been mistaken for being asleep, if he wasn't overlooked completely. However, closer inspection would show normally-brilliant blue eyes dim and unfocused, staring into the distance. Faroth lay curled on his side, seeming completely passive. Though it had to be near midday by now, he hadn't yet attempted to rise. It was hard to tell time down here and sleep had eluded him all night anyway.
A growing pain in his back finally prompted him to shift positions. Slowly, he swung his hooves down from the earthy shelf that served as a resting place to settle on the floor as he sat up. His head sank into his hands, elbows resting on his knees. He could feel the weight of his actions pressing his shoulders to the earth. It was no longer a matter of asking 'what had he done.' He knew all too well what he had done. The question was how could he make up for such a grave mistake? How could he ever make it up to his family for the pain and humiliation? Would they ever be able to forgive him for being such an ignorant fool?
...I am such a screw-up.
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Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2016 3:45 pm
 The young wolf traversed the twisting, dark corridors in silence. He seemed outwardly calm, though inside he was still filled with a smoldering energy that seemed determined to break free. When he'd originally approached the guards, demanding to see his father, he'd been visibly irate...and had been denied until he could 'calm down and demonstrate some control over himself.' Fine, he could do that. Didn't mean he had to actually calm down; just look like it.
Of course, the time he'd had to pause and wait had still done a bit to temper his anger. At this point, he wasn't sure how much was still righteous anger...and how much was exhaustion and stress making him prone to snap. Either way, he kept his composure while following the guard thought the dimly lit tunnels and past several empty alcoves before coming to a cell with an occupant. The guard simply made a sweeping gesture with one hand, then fixed the wolf faun with a stare before retreating down the corridor. Likely not far, close enough to come running if he tried anything funny, Ranuin figured. Still, it was better than having him stand here and stare at them both.
Ranuin's dark eyes turned toward the cell with some reluctance and the fire in his belly quickly dissipated, replaced by a subtle ache in his chest. His father, bent over with his head in his hands, seemed broken. The sight did what time had failed to do and replaced his fury with concern. For a moment, he'd forgotten why he'd come here.
After some awkward shifting from paw to paw, he lifted his voice hesitantly, "...Dad?"
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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 3:06 pm
Faroth had been completely lost in his haze of muddled thoughts and hadn't noticed the approach of either of the other Faun. Only when his son spoke did a crack appear in the wall he'd built around himself. Was he dreaming? Had he finally drifted off to sleep? No, it couldn't be. The heavy scent of soil reminded him that he was still here in the waking world and the realization triggered a number of conflicting thoughts. Relief at hearing a familiar voice was quickly replaced by dread. How could he let his son see him like this? He felt ashamed and fearful of what Ranuin might think of him right now. What else could he think, after Faroth had shamed and humiliated his family so dramatically? Oh, spirits, what would they all think? How would the rest of the Tree treat them?
He could feel the weight pressing down again, heavier and heavier. Time had seemed to slow, though it couldn't have been more than a few moments since Ranuin spoke. He hadn't said anything else, however; no other words followed, angry or otherwise. Hesitantly, Faroth started to look up, ears drooped low and laid back close to his head. His stomach turned with anxiety and he searched Ranuin's face for some indication of his frame of mind or thoughts. "...Ranuin." He couldn't keep the relief from his voice. After everything that had happened the night before, just seeing his son, angry or not, was an enormous comfort. He had come here, after all...he couldn't be TOO angry...right?
Ranuin simply stared at first. He'd heard the obvious relief in his father's voice, just in saying his name. This was a dreary place down here and he knew how his father preferred open spaces. The setting alone had to feel like it was closing in on him. And for just a moment, that had seemed to fall away when he recognized his son come to visit him.
Ranuin took a couple of silent paw-steps forward, then reached up to rest one hand on the tree root 'bars', a pensive expression on his face. He ran his fingertips over the solid, semi-rough surface of the root, then turned a flat glance towards his father.
"Why?"
Faroth seemed puzzled by the question, but also by his son's behavior. He was being particularly hard to read right now. Faroth wasn't used to seeing the boy veiling his thoughts or intentions so completely. It was unnerving, just a bit. "...Why?" he echoed the question back, unsure exactly what it was Ranuin was wanting to know. Why was he here? Why had he done what he'd done? Why had everything happened as it had? There were so many 'whys' that had been circling Faroth's head all night and he was exhausted from the effort of trying to corner any of the answers.
A surge of irritation sparked from the response and Ranuin's tail twitched in visible ire. He had tried to be calm. He'd managed enough at least for them to let him come down here. But now, that frustration was returning, building like a smoldering fire that found more fuel, a glow engulfing dry tinder to give birth to new flames. With a thinly veiled growl, he snapped back in reply, "I know you're no traitor like they said! So, yes...why? I want to know why! What was so damned important that you had to run off and break curfew?!? They're calling you a traitor, dad! They're saying that...that you're meeting with Blood Pae and that...the Tree could be in danger...and, and--" His breath hitched and his explosion faltered, words failing him after whatever he had been practicing to say shattered and tumbled from his mouth like gibberish. He'd clenched his fists at his side in restrained frustration and took a moment to try to regain his composure. He wanted to rage and hit something. He wanted to shout. To bellow to the skies in fury and frustration.
Deep down, he may have also wanted to cry. He wanted his father to comfort him and assure him that everything would be okay.
He also wanted to be able to believe it.
But, too many things had changed in the last setting and rising of the sun.
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 7:42 pm
Wincing slightly at Ranuin's outburst, Faroth's ears remained flat against his head and he swallowed hard. So, he was angry. Of course he was. Faroth didn't blame him. He deserved this.
"No, I'm not a traitor. Just an idiot."
Once more, the anger in Ranuin flared then died back, smoldering quietly deep within as his tense stance slumped and he leaned against the tree roots wearily. He was exhausted, temper wearing thin from the combination of stress and very little sleep. He just wanted answers. At the same time, he could see how much his father was suffering and that too wore on his heart. After a moment's silence between them, Ranuin calmly stated, "...then explain."
Faroth sighed with resignation, shoulders slumping. "Your old man has a history of breaking rules. That's why I'm in here. For that, I'm sorry. I just...I don't know. Forget to think before doing things." He stared down at his hands.
"You know I have friends outside the Tree. Friends from when I was just a kid. I always wanted you to meet them, but...you never seemed comfortable. I suppose that would make sense these days," he grumbled to himself. "They're good Pae though, I swear. And when I heard the rumors going around about the attacker...the description sounded similar to my good friend, and I--" Faroth paused, catching a twitch in his son's expression and he hurried to add. "It's not him. Just similar colors. But, with how everyone has been on edge lately, I wouldn't be surprised to hear about some hunter or scout shooting first and asking questions later about crossing paths with a blue and silver demon. I'm not sure that would end well for either party involved. I just wanted to make sure that everyone was alright and that no one came anywhere near the Tree for the time being. To keep everyone safe. That was my only intention."
Ranuin was quiet for a bit, considering the explanation given. It did sound like his father: well-meaning, but rash. No thought for the consequences. Had he always been this way? It seemed so. Even now, Ranuin was just putting it together with the image he'd created of his father in his life experience. Yes, he'd always been this way, leaping first without looking to see where his hooves were going to land. Still, he always had the best intentions and things always seemed to work out in the past.
Not so much this time.
Sighing, the lupine faun let some of the tension bleed from his form, forehead coming to rest against the tree roots. "Alright, fine...but why did you have to sneak out there yourself? Couldn't you have sent a message or something?"
Shaking his head, Faroth grumbled, "If you haven't noticed, I don't write so well."
"Have one of us write it then? Or send a Mellon?"
The dappled faun paused. He hadn't thought of that. Of course he hadn't. If he'd thought, none of this probably would have happened at all. After a moment, he shook his head again. "No, if I'd put that much thought into it, I wouldn't have wanted any of you involved. And hell, I probably couldn't have drawn the line at just sending a message. I hadn't seen them in so long, I needed to see for myself that everyone was okay. I'd have never been able to just sit here without knowing that for sure. It would have driven me mad. This whole mess is all my fault for not thinking things through and for not respecting the Chief's rules. I've always been bad at that. He's always let me slide before, but looks like it finally caught up with me this time."
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