princess
Alby47
RemramMenzai Isanami
Time: Morning
Location: Gaurav
Interactions: , Phia @princess , Viola @13org , Cyrus @Helo
Mentions: Dante, Darius @Alivefalling @FunnyGuy
Equipment: White Haori, Gauravian luck charm bracelet, Steel Chain Shirt of Deflection (3 uses per day), Disguise ring
Gaurav
Prior to the lone wolf's approach towards the family household, he had since parted ways with Ulysses upon reaching the village's edge. The burly wolf giving a friendly farewell and his blessings to Lady Annabelle. A blessing given with a multitude of meaning behind it; none pleasant, reminding him all the more of his mother and how much he dreaded her reaction. The heinous thought sat at the back of his mind; a tiny speck burning furiously.
Menzai appreciated his old mentor’s kind words though they only served fuel to the turmoil roiling like an endless storm at the pit of his stomach. Inwardly, his mind had been a nonstop whirlwind of thoughts of the group, what happened, how to proceed and more up until the moment Ulysses placed him down.
Almost as if the comfort of the earth beneath his feet was able to sooth him. His mind cleared; finally becoming calm, but that speck still seethed and sparked, almost cackling.
“ Thank you, Sir Ulysses. We can only be thankful that no harm befell the village. And will be certain to give your blessings.” Responded the tired wolf, grateful nevertheless.
A snorting huff from the huge wolf, a dismissive wave of the hand.” Enough with the platitudes. Get on with ya. Not like either of us are gonna have an easy night.” The man rubbed at his beard slightly soaked in booze with a half amused and half nervous chuckle.” You take it easy..er while you can.” Rubbing the back of his head before giving Menzai his usual pat on the shoulder.
A usual gesture that would normally not faze the wolf unintentionally pushed Menzai down to his knee.
“ Agh! Bloody moon sake! I di-.. It slipped my mind!” He quickly scrambled to help Menzai back up.
Menzai raised his right hand in a hold-off motion and after affording himself a few seconds to reorient himself, got himself back up to his feet.” There is no need for apologies. In fact, I am thankful for it.” A small bow of the head.” Till next we meet, my old friend.”
Without another word, he turned to depart, making his way into the village leaving the bewildered Ulysses to his reporting task. Rolling the shoulder that had been patted as he went.* That shock was just what I needed to discern how much my body’s center of gravity was disrupted.* From there, the solution was easy, but for the time being he would need to keep his motions simple. Merely even walking did much to help; unfortunate his body was so exhausted which would delay, however. He desired to rest, but still had far much to do.
With the knowledge that the group was in Phia’s hand gave him a small bit of relief. Leaving them in her care, Menzai spent some time checking in on the village folks. Doing so to both ensure them the threat had been dealt with and to comfort them regarding the visitors.
Upon doing so, he came to hear of how Phia and the brothers had comforted them earlier. Pleasing news it was to hear for Menzai.
He explained and assured them they were friendly and the matter of the blood was to do with a special plant. Seeing the villagers relieved and satisfied faces as they gave their blessings and love did much to comfort and rejuvenate the injured wolf. Tough and awkward it was on top of it.
After checking in on Sonia, the current head healer of Gaurav having taken the position in place of Annabelle, Menzai since the year of the incident.
Sonia Ichinoke-
Current leader and most capable healer of the Gaurav tribe, twin sister (and slightly older by a few seconds) of Senia Ichinoke. Even among the long line of skilled wolves the Ichinoke family have produced, Sonia has proven especially adept at her knowledge of healing medicine; only surpassed by the family Freylesca family's personal recipe. A woman normally gentle in nature does share a bit of her younger sister’s temperament. At least when it comes to dealing with healing and finds repeated patients most cumbersome. Save for the less inclined, children and Phia where she would otherwise be a gentle sweetheart, to others only wrath awaits the foolish.
As expected, the woman was far from pleased or happy to see the so-called guardian in such an awful state. Her concern and anger were warranted; not only for her sake but for what he has and will put his family and the humans through. A bitter, but grateful exchange.
One Menzai could only escape through a check-up and promise made to Phia regarding dinner. Aughtwise, the still recovering wolf finds himself stuck at her healing center for the night.
The departure would end on a tender note-
“ Wait.” A caring hand gently grabbed hold of Menzai’s remaining hand, halting him before he could depart.” What I said…no, how I said it and….forgive me. It’s just…when I heard what happened… to the boys….sweet Phi… to… you.” Her gentle grip tensed tightly around Menzai, her normally confident and warm voice trembled; putting all her feelings into it, sharing as much of her with him as she could.” They will come to rely on you going forward. So, please.” Pausing, struggling and wrestling to say the words.” Please be strong and do whatever it takes to keep them safe. That is the oath you’ve sworn, yes?” A reminder she tried to say through teasing snark.
Words meant motivation, but they rang hollow. The tears flowing down her cheeks displaying grief and hesitation laced with hidden cruelty; only painful truths lie hidden past.
A few seconds reprieve; thinking over what was shared. The purpose understood; appreciated while the ember frothed. He returned the gesture with a gentle squeeze.” Thank you for the kind words. Your concerns will surely do well in soothing Phia’s mood.”
Slipping his hand free, Menzai quietly departed.
And through the scents of the group’s recent passing towards the direction of their home, his destination was made.
His foot brushes a wilting flower. A dew droplet dripping, reflecting the moon. A lunar tear shatters.
The trek would not be an overtly long one; from the center of the village the Isanami household is twenty minutes out through one of the multiple lightly forested paths; all kept cleared of roots and other troublesome objects, but otherwise nature was left alone.
Among the family households, the Isanami is the furthest out from the main portion of Gaurav, where it was practically on the borders into the forest. This afforded them the most privacy while still being within short distance in the wolven tribe’s eyes at the very least.
Breaching through the end of the path, Menzai came upon home at least. There, he paused; taking in the sight, his ears perked catching the sound of footsteps and familiar voices from within.
A certain pair of humans, however, were missing. This was concerning, but they likely had their reasons. There was much to discuss though they will have to wait till tomorrow.
Having thought over this, Menzai decided to take a moment to admire his family’s home long-standing rumored since the founding of the village.
Sitting nestled in a wide oval clearing at the back center that sat on the fringes of the forest stood the Isanami home. One that carried age, history and care while living in harmony with nature around it.
And sitting directly behind it, the back of the building seemingly one with the massive and mighty tree that stood tall even amongst this ancient forest. Long has it sat, watching over Gaurav; tended to by the Isanami bloodline through many generations. On most nights, the tree sits silent, but on the nights of the full moon a spectacle, a beacon and magical delight occurs. The Lunar rebirth festival, always a joyous night to beheld and shared by all among the forest.
A home that could be nothing but inviting and always made any that stepped within feel welcomed, the natural earthy scent kept muted mixed with the muted pleasant scent of whatever each individual found calming. A wonderful gift from the tree to help ease one’s discomforts. The decor and furniture were tribal with wolven trinkets and fur pelts with a huge blending of nature. So much so, that one can easily mistake this cottage belonging closer to a Fairy’s household.
Not too different from Phia’s room, animals and critters were allowed about as long as they were not being bothersome or in the way. Most tend to stay away from two particular rooms as if they can sense it best to be left alone. (This is forgotten whenever Phia decides to pay her brother’s room a visit)
Fitting to be taken into the Isanami family with Annabelle, who, even without blood relations could just as well be her actual mother. Among all women, no other could match Anna’s gentleness and motherly nature. There was not a person in the village that did not know of her nor any that did not like her. Such features Phia easily shared naturally; too much to the older brother’s annoyance. Her expertise and knowledge blended in her charms and potions was unmatched even within the Freylesca line and among the village; the previous head healer until the incident took place. Where, since then she has retired to being a mother, with a newborn son mere weeks away.
While Anna once excelled and since settled down, Josiah Isanami, who though less skilled like his beloved or among his family line. He made up for in dedication to keeping the council up to date and running efficiently. Especially knowing the head elder’s irksome tendencies. Similar to his son, he is a more reserved individual that is easily outshone by Anna’s shining motherly personality. Sharing a love of study and understanding of magic, the two researched numerous times together in the earlier years. Unlike his son, he does express emotion while controlling himself to a somewhat better degree.
Trinity………..
…..
……..
Exhaling slowly, eyes blinking away whatever memories the tired wolf had drifted off into these brief few seconds. The reprieve over, Menzai took another deep breath with a weary sigh.
Inside was Phia with Viola and Cyrus with Dante and Darius currently out as he already learned. To his shock and partial relief, he would learn that his mother was sleeping after receiving a frightful scare from the Roc’s shriek. He was thankful to know she was well with plenty of rest all that was needed.
Menzai was afforded another form of reprieve, if minor for in place of dealing with such trauma, instead had an guilt ridden little sister overly concerned clinging to him. A lesser evil for the night; one he did not mind enduring and as such felt no need to stop her, other than small nudges when she got a bit *too* overbearing. If this helped her even a little as it would have to do.
He had no wish to put her or any of the group through any more painful talks that night. Leaving it be, he went the night reading a book or playing small board games.
It was not too long before his usually boundlessly energy filled sister drifted off to sleep. This left him the peace and quiet needed to meditate and recover.
A session that would be cut short upon hearing the visiting siblings step their way outside. His ears flicked to their voices. The lack of distance they made from the house was an amusing note even to the near humorless wolf.
Not surprising and with it came just the opportunity. This wolf, ever curious, had many questions and had long wished to discuss with them.
Doing so with Phia asleep was his chance to take care of a problem that if left alone could lead to dire consequences. Just the mere glimpses of the two had him concerned; them being her sibling likely true, but whether their intent with her was genuine was an uncertainty.
An uncertainty he could not allow.
Making sure and double-checking that Phia was asleep (also shifting her into a more comfortable position with a blanket placed with brotherly care) Menzai quietly exited from the cottage.
From there, finding the visitors was a simple task. Though listening in on others was something he did not much care for, it was necessary at times. Thankfully, training allowed the wolf tribe to control such to a certain degree.
The unease the siblings gave him left him little choice, particularly the sister. While he desired to discuss with them; a better understanding of what the pair were about before doing so might be best.
Doing so could prove to have trust between them become more difficult. As such, he would signal to the guards to leave without revealing themselves.
Whatever would be said this night. Secrets or more would stay between the three of them, for the time being.
His decision made, the lone wolf quietly stalked his way behind a tree a short distance from the two fairies. Careful to avoid giving himself away. Hiding within the trees might have been his usual method, but the state of his body did not allow the risk, nor did he want take the chance of waking his sleeping sister.
Back to th bark of the tree, the rough bumpiness of the bark acting as a comforting wall. There, he remained still with ears perked; flicking even to their hushed whispers though Menzai being more skilled than most could better choose what to block or not which he used to prevent overhearing anything personal.
Silently, the shadow lurked.
