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Description

Characters: Morgan and Alice

Time: Early Winter

Musical Accompaniment: Marian at the Waterfall

During the chilly morning briefing with Riverfell’s first wave of patrols, Morgan was assigned to investigate a potential new trading partner that had found the pack’s Eastern border. Knowing the risks of such a journey alone, he decided not to take any chances and invited someone to tag along with him. And considering his normal travel partners had already been tasked with other priorities, he decided to seek out the company of the pack’s Beta -- Alice.

At one point, they had spent well over a year traveling together with Shiloh and a band of misfits through the Wilds of the Domain. And in all that time and since the first day they’d met, Morgan had never trusted Alice. He believed her true intentions had always been a mystery to them all, which made her a potentially dangerous ally and traveling companion. In some ways, she was still shrouded in secrets. But…had he truly been all that different from her in that regard? Did he not hide his identity and intentions all that time from the group? Hell, not even his name was real when they once traveled together, so perhaps…she had her reasons for seeming so isolated and aloof. Who was he to judge?

His concerns aside, there had always seemed to be some spark between her and Shiloh. The two had always had a clash of personalities, as both were strong-willed and never backed down; especially against each other. Shiloh had always been the flint to Alice’s gun powder; and vice versa. And yet, since their arrival in Riverfell, something else was building between them. Tension, surely, but…something more. Morgan had an inkling of what it could be but would never say a word about it. As a silent observer, he’d never been one to gossip and certainly wouldn’t start now.

But he was curious.

Their journey was slow thanks to his injured leg and silent because the two had little to say to one another, as always. When they finally arrived at the border, their potential trading partner was nowhere to be seen. According to the patrol that had found them, their instructions were to remain near the tree line to avoid detection. Cautious steps took them into the woods and before long, bloodied paw prints were found scattered about the snow and dirt of the forest floor. With a deep sigh, Morgan’s ears lowered along with his spirits.

“Up there,” he said quietly. A body lay still, surrounded by crimson snow while the dark fur of its pelt waved in the breeze and gave away its position. “We’re too late. We’re always too damn late!”

Frustrated, Morgan approached the young wolf to be sure they had truly passed. He didn’t even need to look at Alice to confirm what she already knew and instead, the pair began the long trek back home with nothing but bad news to deliver. Again. Shaking his head side to side, he wondered if reports like these were even worth the energy of investigating at this point since they always ended the same way.

Silence reigned once again as the sun rose high above them. His thoughts about the mangled corpse they’d found continued to circulate in his mind and suddenly mixed with horrid thoughts of their own time out in the Wilds as Loners. That wolf could have easily been Shiloh, or Alice, or Joseline, or Calumina had the Hive decided to strike sooner.

“Hard to think we were all Loners together, just like that poor bastard, at one point,” he said quietly with a bewildered scoff, breaking the silence but keeping his eyes fixed upon the trees and road home. Chewing over his thoughts and acknowledging how that lifestyle was just a memory for them now, yet still easily remembered in times like this, he realized he wanted to say something. Never being a wolf of many words, though, made that…difficult.

“So…listen,” he tried again while clearing his throat. “Can’t say I was always all that kind or trusting of you back then. I’m not the type anyway no matter who it is. Pretty sure you know that feeling well enough yourself. But…”

His limping pace came to a slow stop as his eyes left the snowy terrain ahead and found her own as she joined his side. “Just wanted to take a second and say…I’m sorry. You’ve done right by Shiloh over the years despite my not making things any easier on you. She’s an unpredictable bolt of damn lightning, just like her mother, and Siamsa knows I never could have kept her in line without some help. Not to mention you really stepped up and saved her there when she fought Rhaegar, so…”

The memory of seeing Shiloh’s life on the line in what he feared were her last moments had filled him with sorrow again. He needed to wrap this up. “Thanks for that. Never got a chance to say it before I guess, but…you’ve more than proven yourself to Shiloh, to Riverfell, and…to me.”

Alice lowered her head, trying to disguise her urge to smile at Morgan’s words. Looking at the ground more thoughtfully, she finally spoke.

“You were right back then — not to trust me. The truth is, I didn't care about any of you. I just wanted to protect myself when I first joined the group. But Shiloh was always someone that made me angry — and more importantly, curious. Maybe I held a certain envy for her ability to see the world in a way I never had before." Alice gave a slight smile as she remembered how Shiloh made her angry all the time in the beginning of their journey. Old times. At this, she looked back at Morgan. "We all ended up learning to live with each other and overcome our differences; maybe even learn from them. I could say that we changed each other and grew with our experiences.”

She continued after a moment of reflection and consideration about the role he had played in all this and their shared history. "And I always knew there was something strange about you always wanting to protect Shiloh. I just couldn't quite figure out what. In the end, we all have our secrets, and…some of us just want to forget they exist. We are left with scars from a past we wish didn't exist, from mistakes and injustices we can no longer change. I know I can't change the past, but I hope I can do something new with my future. Thank you for your words, Morgan."

His brows softened a bit as a subtle, albeit sincere smile turned the corners of his mouth as he listened to her reply. Very wise indeed, he thought quietly to himself. It seemed that no matter what, they had both had a desire to protect Shiloh all this time. Perhaps they shared more in common than he’d initially realized. Tipping his head to further acknowledge all she had said and done to get them here, he said nothing more before limping forward and continuing their quiet journey home.

In some way, he’d hoped this talk would ease her anxious heart and alleviate some of the tension he had been feeling between the two shewolves; both back then and especially now. Matters of the heart were never easy but with any luck, at least Alice now knew that she had his support.

Perhaps…that would count for something in this increasingly chaotic world?

---------------------------

Finished collab with YazukyYuu of our characters, Morgan and Alice! <3 This takes place in early Winter before Shiloh and Alice officially get together.

The artwork for this has actually been done for a while now, I just took forever to finalize the bit of story I wanted to go along with it ;A; It was very nice being able to see these two together again after so long! Even better and more special that they aren't glaring at one another anymore hahaha. Looking at it now, it's...kinda like Morgan's unofficial blessing of their relationship since he was there when they'd first met and have watched it evolve so much over time? I dunno but that sounds super cute in my book LOL

PS: because it IS Hive season......it seems these two aren't quite alone if you look close enough heeheehee

And a few more pieces just for fun featuring these two back when they all used to travel together! Seems like so long ago now c':

WC: 1255
Artwork & Morgan © Quaylak
Artwork & Alice © YazukyYuu

Description

Characters: Morgan and Alice

Time: Early Winter

Musical Accompaniment: Marian at the Waterfall

During the chilly morning briefing with Riverfell’s first wave of patrols, Morgan was assigned to investigate a potential new trading partner that had found the pack’s Eastern border. Knowing the risks of such a journey alone, he decided not to take any chances and invited someone to tag along with him. And considering his normal travel partners had already been tasked with other priorities, he decided to seek out the company of the pack’s Beta -- Alice.

At one point, they had spent well over a year traveling together with Shiloh and a band of misfits through the Wilds of the Domain. And in all that time and since the first day they’d met, Morgan had never trusted Alice. He believed her true intentions had always been a mystery to them all, which made her a potentially dangerous ally and traveling companion. In some ways, she was still shrouded in secrets. But…had he truly been all that different from her in that regard? Did he not hide his identity and intentions all that time from the group? Hell, not even his name was real when they once traveled together, so perhaps…she had her reasons for seeming so isolated and aloof. Who was he to judge?

His concerns aside, there had always seemed to be some spark between her and Shiloh. The two had always had a clash of personalities, as both were strong-willed and never backed down; especially against each other. Shiloh had always been the flint to Alice’s gun powder; and vice versa. And yet, since their arrival in Riverfell, something else was building between them. Tension, surely, but…something more. Morgan had an inkling of what it could be but would never say a word about it. As a silent observer, he’d never been one to gossip and certainly wouldn’t start now.

But he was curious.

Their journey was slow thanks to his injured leg and silent because the two had little to say to one another, as always. When they finally arrived at the border, their potential trading partner was nowhere to be seen. According to the patrol that had found them, their instructions were to remain near the tree line to avoid detection. Cautious steps took them into the woods and before long, bloodied paw prints were found scattered about the snow and dirt of the forest floor. With a deep sigh, Morgan’s ears lowered along with his spirits.

“Up there,” he said quietly. A body lay still, surrounded by crimson snow while the dark fur of its pelt waved in the breeze and gave away its position. “We’re too late. We’re always too damn late!”

Frustrated, Morgan approached the young wolf to be sure they had truly passed. He didn’t even need to look at Alice to confirm what she already knew and instead, the pair began the long trek back home with nothing but bad news to deliver. Again. Shaking his head side to side, he wondered if reports like these were even worth the energy of investigating at this point since they always ended the same way.

Silence reigned once again as the sun rose high above them. His thoughts about the mangled corpse they’d found continued to circulate in his mind and suddenly mixed with horrid thoughts of their own time out in the Wilds as Loners. That wolf could have easily been Shiloh, or Alice, or Joseline, or Calumina had the Hive decided to strike sooner.

“Hard to think we were all Loners together, just like that poor bastard, at one point,” he said quietly with a bewildered scoff, breaking the silence but keeping his eyes fixed upon the trees and road home. Chewing over his thoughts and acknowledging how that lifestyle was just a memory for them now, yet still easily remembered in times like this, he realized he wanted to say something. Never being a wolf of many words, though, made that…difficult.

“So…listen,” he tried again while clearing his throat. “Can’t say I was always all that kind or trusting of you back then. I’m not the type anyway no matter who it is. Pretty sure you know that feeling well enough yourself. But…”

His limping pace came to a slow stop as his eyes left the snowy terrain ahead and found her own as she joined his side. “Just wanted to take a second and say…I’m sorry. You’ve done right by Shiloh over the years despite my not making things any easier on you. She’s an unpredictable bolt of damn lightning, just like her mother, and Siamsa knows I never could have kept her in line without some help. Not to mention you really stepped up and saved her there when she fought Rhaegar, so…”

The memory of seeing Shiloh’s life on the line in what he feared were her last moments had filled him with sorrow again. He needed to wrap this up. “Thanks for that. Never got a chance to say it before I guess, but…you’ve more than proven yourself to Shiloh, to Riverfell, and…to me.”

Alice lowered her head, trying to disguise her urge to smile at Morgan’s words. Looking at the ground more thoughtfully, she finally spoke.

“You were right back then — not to trust me. The truth is, I didn't care about any of you. I just wanted to protect myself when I first joined the group. But Shiloh was always someone that made me angry — and more importantly, curious. Maybe I held a certain envy for her ability to see the world in a way I never had before." Alice gave a slight smile as she remembered how Shiloh made her angry all the time in the beginning of their journey. Old times. At this, she looked back at Morgan. "We all ended up learning to live with each other and overcome our differences; maybe even learn from them. I could say that we changed each other and grew with our experiences.”

She continued after a moment of reflection and consideration about the role he had played in all this and their shared history. "And I always knew there was something strange about you always wanting to protect Shiloh. I just couldn't quite figure out what. In the end, we all have our secrets, and…some of us just want to forget they exist. We are left with scars from a past we wish didn't exist, from mistakes and injustices we can no longer change. I know I can't change the past, but I hope I can do something new with my future. Thank you for your words, Morgan."

His brows softened a bit as a subtle, albeit sincere smile turned the corners of his mouth as he listened to her reply. Very wise indeed, he thought quietly to himself. It seemed that no matter what, they had both had a desire to protect Shiloh all this time. Perhaps they shared more in common than he’d initially realized. Tipping his head to further acknowledge all she had said and done to get them here, he said nothing more before limping forward and continuing their quiet journey home.

In some way, he’d hoped this talk would ease her anxious heart and alleviate some of the tension he had been feeling between the two shewolves; both back then and especially now. Matters of the heart were never easy but with any luck, at least Alice now knew that she had his support.

Perhaps…that would count for something in this increasingly chaotic world?

---------------------------

Finished collab with YazukyYuu of our characters, Morgan and Alice! <3 This takes place in early Winter before Shiloh and Alice officially get together.

The artwork for this has actually been done for a while now, I just took forever to finalize the bit of story I wanted to go along with it ;A; It was very nice being able to see these two together again after so long! Even better and more special that they aren't glaring at one another anymore hahaha. Looking at it now, it's...kinda like Morgan's unofficial blessing of their relationship since he was there when they'd first met and have watched it evolve so much over time? I dunno but that sounds super cute in my book LOL

PS: because it IS Hive season......it seems these two aren't quite alone if you look close enough heeheehee

And a few more pieces just for fun featuring these two back when they all used to travel together! Seems like so long ago now c':

WC: 1255
Artwork & Morgan © Quaylak
Artwork & Alice © YazukyYuu