For Dathan! Rwar.



He didn’t like this – being so close to the borders of a pack land he’d been yet to visit before. Sure, Gold Moon Forest he’d ventured into, but that was only with a pack member at his side that had given him permission. Just the pack member he was now here looking for, Dathan. The older male was probably one of Element’s best friends, and in a way, a father figure for the young Zeta. Sadly, it had been months since Element had seen his friend. Not since the flood and that horrible night that followed. Element winced at the thought, cringing inwardly at memories of what he knew to be the worst day of his life. It had been awful, plain and simple, and he didn’t want to dwell in the thoughts any longer. Shaking his head he snapped himself out of it, and continued to walk.

Now he was much closer. The distinct scent of the pack was on every leaf, every piece of surrounding. His instincts told him to stop here, and he followed them with precision. Stopping dead, the male glanced around, trying to figure out exactly where he was. He knew it was the fields, but that was the limit of his knowledge. How big was the territory? What did it offer? Were a majority of the Gold Moon Forest wolves still residing here? He had questions, but had to wait. He still felt too close for comfort, even though he knew he had an open invitation to the lands thanks to Dathan. His uncertainty held stronger than rash action, however, and the Shadower sat stock still as he waited.

It would probably be best to announce he was here. Call to Dathan, at least. There wasn’t a high chance he’d just so happen to be stumbling around the borders this particular day. The older male would probably be disappointed – even angry – that Element hadn’t visited in such a long time. He had sufficient excuse with everything that had been going on, but still felt guilty for not seeing his friend. So, with a heavy conscience and hold for the rules, Element let out a barking call.

That’s because your to ubercool to leave alone. ^^ You and grumpy ol’ Dathan.



He sat patiently as he waited for his call to be answered, admiring the view of the place and the lay of the lands. It was different than the other territories, that was for sure. But it was also an intriguing different. Everything from the view to the scent – a distinct… fruity aroma. He smirked, it was clear why the place was named what it was. A content sigh escaped parted lips as he waited, shuffling in his spot amidst the wiry brush. After a short wait, only fifteen minutes or so Element heard footsteps. His ears perked, eyes scanning the surroundings for an approaching greeter. Then, casting an educated look over his shoulder, he also prepared. Who knows, Dathan may be feeling sneaky and try to come up behind him. He wouldn’t doubt it from his friend. But as the steps neared closer, he was able to pinpoint where they were coming from. In front of him, approaching from around a bend. He craned his neck forward, peeking out in anticipation and hoping it was indeed Dathan coming. Sure enough, there he was. Limping over as fast as he could manage. Element’s first thought was an inward frown at the bad state of his movement. It looked like his injured ankle was yet to heal.

Dathan approached, and uttered simple words. His own form of a greeting. Glad to see him, Element mouthed his own greeting: “You’ve aged.” He smirked, grinning at his silver friend as he sat nearby. It was a joke; a sly little input the two of them were so accustomed to. It was something they did, send little quips back and forth in the manner of fun. Element’s tail started a slow wag across the floor draped in color, and it was obvious he was pleased to see Dathan. “How’ve you been doing, bud?” He shot a glance to his paw, frowning slightly. “Looks like that hasn’t improved too much. Is it bothering you a lot?”

///



Element grinned over at Dathan, nipping his ear playfully as he rutted his head against Element’s own. “You wish,” Element retorted, laughing. “Dathan…. You and cute should never be used in the same sentence at once. Ever.” It was great to see him again, to joke and talk like they hadn’t gotten the chance to in a long time. Months, in fact. “It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to see you.” He shuffled his gaze out past Dathan, peering around the territory. “And I’ve never been here before. Strawberry Fields. It seems nice though.” Of course, Element didn’t know much else about the place other than the view. “How do you like it here?” But right as the words slipped out Dathan already had moved on to the very question at hand. “Well… at least it’s somewhere to call home. Better than nothing.” It was true. Anywhere you had to call home was better than no where at all. Element knew that from experience, and he was sure Dathan did too.

“I’ve been doing…” he considered how to answer, biting his lip slightly in contemplation. Dathan had missed out on a lot; Element’s life had taken a drastic change since last time they had talked. “Good. Really good, actually. And that’s saying the least of it.” He wondered how Dathan would take to the news. Of course he had to tell him he had a mate now, a lovely mate from his own back who he cared for more than anything. And then there was Akeboshi too. All of this would certainly be interesting to explain. “A whole lot of things happened since we last talked. Big things,” he was weaving around the main topic, waiting to see Dathan’s initial reaction. One brow was raised tentatively as he debated on how to break the news.

He shook his head as Dathan talked about his paw. “Same old you. You know, you old people have no tolerance for what’s good for you.” He raised a paw dramatically in the air, waving it at Dathan in a classic ‘bad dog’ gesture. “You should learn to listen to listen to our hip young generation,” he grinned. It was clear Element’s humor hadn’t degraded any. If anything, it had risen further. Turning his tone a bit more serious, Element spoke again. “But really Dath, if you want it to heal you should keep off of it. Even if it’s a couple hours a day and while you sleep. I’m no medic, but I have some common sense on the matter.”

Regarding Element’s own injuries on that day months ago, he shook his head. “I’m fine. Nothing long lasting. Just a few bruises, one or two bad ones and a cut or two. It was just stress and fatigue, and a lot of it.” That’s what had worn him down, pummeling the young male into the state he had been in when Indris found the two. “But I’ve obviously gotten my rest since then. And I’m hoping you lost some weight if you ever want me to carry you miles again.”

///



Element frowned upon his friend as he ushered the last words out of his mouth. The Valley in Crescent Moon Mountain… he’d heard it before, heard Dathan spit these words with a tone clearly full of pained memories and harsh experience. Element had never directly asked or learned specifically about the place, he hadn’t dared to delve deeper into those memories Dathan clearly didn’t want to roam through. But the ebony Zeta wasn’t a total dunce, he could figure enough out on his own to realize that this was the place Dathan had survived many of his years in what must have been disgust and pain. He’d heard enough things from his silvery friend to know he hadn’t had the kindest life, and that specific place was probably one of the major roots of the problem. Element couldn’t give much comfort to Dathan on what was the past, yet he couldn’t promise it would be all right in the future either. Already fate had befallen Dathan’s pack – also the pack of a few other friends of the obsidian Shadower – and there was no promise fate had nothing else in store for them or for all the Salvajes. If only he really knew how to read the stars on another level, to predict the future and be able to say everything would be alright.

“Oh, trust me. They aren’t just ‘so called’ changes, Dath. You’d never guess the bucket of luck I got thrown into.” It certainly had been a big bucket indeed. He’d start off slow, not throwing the details too high and too fast. It would probably be one hell of a surprise either way. “First of all… I got promoted again.” One ear flickered absently, a light breeze brushing through the surroundings. “First to Epsilon for a while, then to Zeta. We had a longer standing member of the pack come into adult ranks and be awarded with the spot.” He smiled, tail wagging. “She deserved it though, a lot. A great member.” There was obviously no hard feelings at the rank shuffle. In fact, Element was playing over in his head the last time he’d gotten to see the wolf in particular he was referring too. It had been a while, that was certain. He threw a memo into his train of thought to seek her out next time on the mount, or wherever else he may encounter her. Who knew, the Salvajes was a big place. “And I’ll leave out the other things for a little while sooner.” He winked at Dathan, grinning broadly. “Can’t let you be in total control now. Gotta keep you in suspense.”

Element probably had grown a bit since their last encounter. If not physically, mentally most certainly. He’d had a fair share of psychological weight heaved onto his shoulders during the time, but not all of it was bad. Good and not so good mixed together, but a load all the same. He couldn’t complain now though. He had his life, his friends, his loved ones, his pack. Things were alright in his life and he was happy about it and lucky to have it. And as for physically, there probably was no doubt he’d bulked up a tiny bit. Not enough to notice on a day to day basis, but for Dathan who hadn’t seen him in a few months time just enough of a difference to notice. Climbing up and down a mountain day by day could do that to you. Not to mention all the traveling around Element loved to do. He had grown a little bit in both ways. “Yeah… I’m doing okay health wise.” He eyed Dathan over, inspecting him on the loss of weight matter. It may have just been the remains of a thicker coat, but his friend didn’t appear too thin. “You don’t look too bad though. Of course, keyword being too.” Again, a joke; but probably no where near the end of more to come.