The Atinoran had become observant of the ones who'd surrounded Rickter, mostly because these seemed to be the people the wolf associated with. Patrick found it interesting to see the reactions that developed between everyone, Nnerka's untimely arrival leading up to the excuse to use the restroom, which in turn, left the poor spider woman in a minor tizzy before she joined the table. The bartender couldn't help but wonder how these people knew this Rickter after all, since he only had the initial details from his own mother prior to joining them.
Neither one of them knew of the name Umber at all it seemed, an outcome that didn't surprise Patrick, but at the same time slightly disappointed him just for a bit. Northerners. Did nobody hear of the stories back home? Not that he wanted to dwell on it really, not since "Wolfman" seemed a more amusing nickname to call someone by. "A debt huh? Interesting." To what did this Rickter owe Nnerka? He was definitely curious to figure that out, only guessing that the Rathari had engaged in some kind of transaction with the woman in front of him. "Patrick, pleasure to meet you." He remarked to her casually with a hearty grin, nearing a smirk as he nearly looked to zone out on her.
Until Dante shared his own experience with meeting the wolf, as well as the mention of Talon yet again in this Summit of the Northlands. Was that what went down last Glade? He wasn't entirely aware of what all went on, having spent the time exploring the city with his brothers more than anything. "A riot?" He'd heard that Zaichaer had been antimagic or whatever, but for a literal riot to break out on the streets over a couple of men? Well... Talon was somebody easily worth rioting over, given his role in this city, but the Atinoran wasn't fully aware of his divinity status either. With Rickter being there, and from what Dante mentioned over the shooting, it seemed to Patrick that this fellow wasn't just some big hotshot among the Kalzasi folk.
"I see." The bartender remarked when he heard the comment about being punched in the face, his bottle of whiskey tilted so that he casually took a few gulps from the lip. When Nnerka suggested that Dante do carry out with the punching idea, Patrick couldn't help but exhale sharply through his nose, a few soft chuckles echoing in his throat as he rested the bottle back down. Honestly? Whiskey wasn't going to cut it for the Wolfman, and even Patrick could see that now. From the frost that caked the left mug to the folded parchment sitting next to it, hell, not even that punch might ground the wolf back down into reality. Even now, Patrick couldn't help but wonder as he glanced back to the bathroom door, what exactly did the Kathar from earlier have to say that was so important?
They clearly had to be having an interesting conversation, however, for the time being, the Atinoran was collectively focused on present company before him. As Nnerka's attention quickly shifted to a pair that had entered within the premises...
Having expected to be alone the wolf had retreated within, and succumbed to the whirlwind of thoughts that tidal waved over his mind. He felt cold at the surface of his palms and yet he still couldn't fight it, not when he felt the tears stinging his eyes from the amount of turmoil in his heart. Just then the door clicked open, and when he clenched, Rickter's mind raced so quick that the room nearly spun. Until he realized...
“Which do you need? Time or an ear?” The Prince inquired as he could clearly tell how the wolf had felt. He was honestly fine if not awestruck, having not been blessed with the friends he'd found at the time. Even so... Rickter told Talon part of his own personal life's story, expecting some kind of tease or torment over it in turn. What he did not expect was how caring and compassionate Talon was, when he explained his own insight on the matter, and surprising Rickter, even more, when he expressed these thoughts.
And then came the Bond, and an offer with it the wolf wasn't sure of at the time.
He did not bother asking how Rickter was feeling. Talon could see it, he could experience it, as plainly as his Semblance allowed him to. "If you are struggling, I can form a Light Bond with you and help you with your struggles. It is something that is easily done and while it is the most superficial of the Bond, it can go a long way. The choice is yours." And yet even when he would've normally shied away from such opportunities, it was a chance that he somehow felt inclined to at least consider. Why? Why did Talon make him feel this way? The wolf had thrown caution to the wind, for once in his life, and decided that he wanted to actually trust this man. And for what?
"...What needs to be done?"
"“Only that you trust me." In that instance Talon leaned forward, the press of their foreheads had led to a minor tension in the wolf's shoulders. Yet as they lingered close he somehow felt a little ease wash over him, the uncertainty he felt at the time slowly dissolving as he witnessed the glow of Talon's light over his sternum. That glow....
The door clicked open and Rickter's eyes shifted from the mirror, no longer seeing the memory playing out before him. Baudric had entered the bathrooms with him, earning a wary glare as the wolf breathed both deeply and heavily. There came a thick and heavy silence between them as the Kathar observed, and then leaned into the door behind him with considerable thought on what to say. Why? Did he need to choose his words so carefully? What on Ailizane prompted this man to follow the wolf into such a space? It took one look in the mirror for him to see why that was. Rickter's eyes had reddened from the amount of tears he'd shed, and the pull of his hands from the surface of the sink came with a noticeable tear of ice.
Baudric then expressed that he'd been there, at the wedding, therefore had seen firsthand everything that had went down. Immediately, his fingers tightened back over the edge of the sink, the metal reservoir still groaning as he altered his breathing pace just slightly. It was slower now, deeper as he tried to listen. The legionnaire went on to express how out of place he'd felt, but also obligated to attend on Talon and Aoren's behalf. The wolf didn't blame him... How many times did he feel like he never belonged? Until one day he felt that changed... Wait... Did he? The startling revelation of that slowly welled into his mind, and his eyes never shifted from the mirror as he continued to listen.
There were the blessings for the newlyweds, and then a toast with the Shokoze himself apparently. That was the moment he pointed out going downhill, where this faction known as Maloretsiev came in. They were the ones that came swooping in to crash the wedding, as well as the rest of the damnable outcome that transpired that day. To hear of the moment Savien was taken, when Rickter himself had only ever really met the man once, and barely had the chance to interact with him afterward... Another wave of cold air radiated from the wolf then, as he started to clench his jaw hard in reaction to the news.
When Baudric showed the collar around his neck once more, the rest became clear, Talon acted against the enemy as he normally would... only for Aoren to be taken hostage, and clearly subduing Talon in turn because of how intimate their Bond truly was. A Bond that the wolf would've wanted, one day, had he the courage long before these tragic events. What's more, it now seemed their enemies had Talon and Aoren, and Queen Sahfri herself grasped at straws for answers. Though terrified of her the wolf couldn't help but feel anger both for and against her now... So much of it in fact, that walls of the room gently vibrated from the amount of aether the wolf vibed off. The Imperium. Baudric intended to return there too it would seem, vowing that he would aid in delivering justice to this. To them.
Yet the words merely resulted in an adjacent crack in the mirror in front of them.
The sound of hearbeats in unison filled his mind as the wolf saw the silver light that emanated from Talon's chest. "This is going to be the hardest part for you, Rickter." The words were like a soft blanket over him that night, bringing warmth into his heart as he knew for certain Talon's words. "You have to open yourself up to accepting it. Not just here…...but here." The subtle gestures made with his hands left the wolf to wonder then, as he sought deep within him that connection he'd yearned for. Even now, something inside him struggled.
Was it fear? Or perhaps courage. Something in Rickter drove him to reach deeper within, before he'd found the strength necessary to reveal himself to the prince. The trickle of lights from Rickter's chest finally came, and with it, the forging of their Bond as much greater warmth filled his soul.
"Oh, Rickter… You are not alone. Not anymore. And when you feel you need this no longer, you need only reach out to the door between us and close it." The prince had assured him after embracing the wolf protectively, those silver wings blocking out the rest of the world, leaving only the two of them alone in their own personal dominion for a time.
"I... I doubt that'll be the case anytime soon."
The memory faded from his mind as he breathed deeply and harshly, his brows furrowed deeply as he tried desperately to remember those feelings once more. Where were they? Where had they gone? Only blame seemed the reasonable logic now, and Rickter had quite the growing list to add to the names. "...Good." He finally murmured as there came a gradual stillness to his chest, his thoughts and breath finally slow enough for him to focus on the present. "Do everything you can." He then straightened up a bit, the heavy in his eyes present but mostly mitigated, as the wolf turned to face Baudric with a sharp gaze.
"Mark my words, Baudric, they will all pay. Zaichaer. The Imperium. I'll make them see what hell is... Til then, pave the way for me until I get there." He added as he approached the Kathar, the wolf's hand lifting to rest upon Baud's shoulder. "Because I'll need you, if we're to get Talon and Aoren out." The wolf then heard sounds from outside the bathroom door, sounds that quickly alleviated the spiteful gaze fixed on the wolf's expression. With the hand on Baudric steadily dropping aside, the wolf's eyes fell to the door knob while he reluctantly reached for it in turn.
He knew... those scents.
"Well, hello." Telion greeted Nnerka first as she and Hannah entered the High Hopes, noticing her over the couple men that were found sitting at the table she was with. Her and Hannah both greeted her as the mother knew, right away, auntie Nnerka would certainly want what little time was left with their children. Since, considering, they were all due to leave Kalzasi soon.
"Had to make sure you'd get to say goodbye at the least." Hannah remarked as Kendric and Isaac were allowed to be held by the spider Fae, relieving Telion from carrying them after their return from the palace. Both boys were swaddled with ivory pacifiers in their mouths, their eyes observing the world curiously as they hadn't any idea what was going on. Plus with it being this late, it was certainly well past their bedtimes, but given the circumstances.
"Where's?..." The healer looked within the lobby for Rickter, suddenly leery of the fact he wasn't present as they'd hoped. Nora wasn't here either, all the while Patrick observed the lot of them with curious eyes. And then the door opened once more, with Rickter coming out into the room with Baudric following behind. Immediately, her sights fell on the wolf, and he too looked to her with an ungodly sense of relief. Yet the somberness in his eyes. The mother wasted no time in rushing up toward him, throwing her arms around him as the wolf embraced her protectively. "I thought for a moment..."
"I was really worried, you know." He admitted right away, his hands still clutched at her shoulders when they pulled apart.
"I promised you, didn't I?" She remarked as Hannah stood near them, with a touched smile on her lips before she looked over to Nnerka. Rickter's eyes moved from her to Telion, and then to the one who held both twins in her arms. The twins. He had been so damn scared of losing them next, that to actually see them now, left him on the verge of tears again as he approached them.
"Tarshenna doesn't know anything, about this or us; she says." Hannah remarked as Rickter smiled gently to his boys, Isaac already grinning with a minor squeal as Kendric bounced in Nnerka's arm. The wolf looked to the rogue glumly, his thoughts on the matter certain as he thought back on his time with her. She had always pushed him and Aoren so hard, wanting the best out of both of them... for Talon. Rickter could only wonder how it was she felt in all this, but for now, he settled on the fact his pack was all together once more.
"So..." Patrick finally murmured as he leaned closer to Dante, the bottle of whiskey already three-quarters empty as his speech had slowed but not slurred. "Those are his wife and kids?" He drunkenly asked in a tone of confusion, the droop in his eyes starting to rise as he pretended not to be drunk.
"Common" "Synskrit" "Norvaegan"
"Rickter" "Telion" "Hannah" "Patrick"
