Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:34 PM, Post Subject: Settling In[P/R]

Liz smiled at Isabelle and leaned against the doorway. “I once ran away from home… It was after my son had died and I wasn’t in my right mind. I ran… Gods,” Liz trailed her voice and thought about it. “I ran from the top of the continent all the way to bottom… and I puked when I finally let myself have a breather. Waiting there where I would be was my mother.” She shook her head. “Brought me back home, nursed me back to health, and told me I wasn’t allowed to leave. Trust me when I say I understand you, Isabelle.”

She crossed her arms and thought about it. “The Old Man, no matter the wrong he may have done in his past… has been a savior of my life and he’s given me a reason to breathe. We’re at a snail’s pace but I don’t want to hide that from you. You more than anyone deserve to know what’s going on. At first, it started with us just running, we wouldn’t speak… We would just run. We would hunt and play. Soon it was like that every day.”

Closing her eyes she thought back to the past few months. “He would check up on me and make sure my leg was healing properly but more out of being friends. Then one night we asked each other the what if questions. I crawled into bed with him and it was your uncle and aunt who made a big deal out of it. We hadn’t really decided on anything. We bonded over our love for our kids… Coriko might not be alive anymore but I still remember and love him in my heart.”

She moved her arms and banged her hand against the wood frame. “Then he told me Moliira had come back and I didn’t know how to exactly take it. I was scared. I had been away making preparations to ask him to move in and making the room for you… Thought I had really fucked up by not saying anything but he told me… That I was the one he wanted to be with and that his time with her had passed.”

Shrugging Liz turned her eyes to Isabelle. “Don’t know much about your father I’ll admit. Every single one of us has that dark side to us but your father is a good man now. If he isn’t I’ll beat the shit out of him for stringing me along.” There was a laugh. “Cause I don’t need that and you don’t need that. Even if something were to happen between Krystopher and me, you are still welcome in this room. This can be your home even if he turns out the way you are worried about. Ever single lone wolf in the world should have a safe place to call home and as long as you are under my roof, you are safe here… Even from Krys.” She gave another smile. “No matter how old we lone wolves get there are times when we just want to be home.”

She moved into the room and moved a divider. “Your washroom is over here by the way. Magic makes the water hot so you can always have a hot bath. I don’t much care about being overly sappy but I do like to clear the air. You have the house to yourself other than the small lot of us. Books are fine to read as long as you take care of them. We normally eat dinner together but there are times when Mother can’t be here and Crystaline is with Colden. However, I didn’t mean just material things… If you need someone to talk to or anything you can always find me around here.”

Author: Isabelle Wintercrest, Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:08 PM, Post Subject: Settling In[P/R]

Call her skeptical, but Isabelle resembled her mother not only in looks but also in her demeanor. She was careful, perhaps a bit too much so about the situations and people she came across. Was this really a good idea? Probably not and she suspected that her father’s old habits would return no matter what Liz said. Stubborn habits died hard and she was used to how he was for years. No matter how far she would get, he’d find her and pull her right back into the castle that was once her home and prison at the same time.

Still, she wouldn’t completely snuff out what she was saying. He seemed to be sorry and meant it this time, and it was that one last chance that drove her to follow them into the bitter desert. Not used to the heat around them, she was softly starting to regret this decision in her mind. She was used to the luscious forests and rivers, not the sand or the sun out high above them without the protection of clouds or treetops around.

Eventually they made it through the hellish part and made it to the oasis city. A place like this was only heard about from her in the tales her parents used to read to her many years ago. It was amazing to the eyes as she slowly trailed behind the pair. The people here were similar to Liz and her Aunt Toya, very beautiful and held an air about them. She knew that there were other Wintercrests here, in particularly her Uncle Blaine. She wanted to see him and his family at some point but first thing’s first. She need to have some clothes and Liz solved that problem right away. She took them into her maw and slipped away from sight for a bit as she went to shift and change into her new wares. The dress was a little long for her, but she could fix that soon enough and she could still move in it comfortably enough. She returned to see her father also dressed up but was soon lead away further into the house.

Her green eyes fell before the mistress of the house, taken by surprise that she had heard her voice, but not out loud but in her mind. And then Crystaline appeared and she didn’t feel so small anymore considering that before she was the shortest until that point. She was barely taller than her mother had been. “…Yes, it’s nice to meet you both and thank you”, she replied before giving a bow of respect. She had been a little rusty since she had been in her wolf form for months now, but the motion came back to her. It was strange to have this sort of attention, not that she minded it.

After the pleasantries were over, Isabelle was lead into what would be her room. It was vastly different from the one she had grown up in. But it was a nice change and would be seen as more of a bedroom than a cell. “It’s fine Liz. The room is great…Don’t worry about it. To be honest, my father tried to give me everything he thought I would want, but I’m like my mother- I don’t need much when it comes to the material things but the effort is appreciated.”

Author: Elizabeth, Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 4:08 PM, Post Subject: Settling In[P/R]

It wasn’t that Liz hadn’t seen a bad side of anyone before. It was simply that Liz wouldn’t let Krystopher be that way. For better or for worse she was his mate and she would help him. Thinking about Isabelle’s words it was clear that Liz was thinking on it. “Actually, when I asked your father to move in with me… I made a room for you too. Isabelle, if your father is going to be in my life and I love him by extension I love you as well. You are a packaged deal and many women and men forget that. Especially as wolves, we need to remember this. You are family Isabelle and as long as you are part of this family you will be treated with respect. Even if I have to pin people to the ground and make them realize that.” Not that she was talking about Krys but she had her own problems with Kai and Xavier.

Liz was an alpha and a lone wolf as was Krystopher. At times their relationship strained just a little from that point of view. Once Isabelle stated her opinion Liz huffed. “I speak only as if you would come Isabelle. Understand that is just how I am. You always have a choice just to walk away. But know this: as someone who was a lone wolf for many years even I have a place to call home. You can come and go as you please… but you should always remember where your home is.”

Getting up she came over to boop Isabelle with her paw. “You have reminded me of myself since I first heard about you. You will come to see that most in Sularia are like us. Lone people who want freedom. You don’t have to come. You always have had that choice since I approached you.” She went over to Krys and nudged him softly. “She’ll be fine.” She didn’t mind her hearing but her voice was softer now as she tended to his heart most of all. “Rest it’s a long journey back.”

–

Liz was more accustomed to the desert heat. It showed by how she scouted ahead, how her stamina in the heat was different from the forest, and how she acted. The desert was her playground and she was effortlessly able to take them through it with no problems. Once they got into the city she took them through the streets. “Welcome back Liz,” some people of her court yelled towards her. Liz released a howl as acknowledgment and moved on to the manor. She shifted at the front door and found their clothes they had hidden away. She slipped the light dress on and brought clothes over to Krys. She had a light dress in her arms and offered it out to Isabelle. “Here, it should fit you… I’ve heard we’re built the same.” She offered a smile to her.

“I’m going to get Isabelle settled in Krys.” She pushed herself up and kissed his cheek before beckoning Isabelle. “This place is huge but you’ll learn it. You sound like a smart woman.” Liz winked and smiled. Taking her inside she showed her the entryway and stopped as they were greeted by Cathrine almost immediately. “Mother… Didn’t realize you were home.”

Cathrine looked over at Isabelle. “Knew you were coming. Bryony said you would be… so I thought it would be best to introduce myself. I am the Matron of the Purple Court and Elizabeth’s mother. This is my youngest child Crystaline.” Crystaline gave a smile and bowed softly as soon as she was pointed in the right direction. “Our home is your home.”

It wasn’t long before Liz started to laugh after they left. “Things like that happen in Sularia. People know things that you couldn’t possibly dream of.” She led Isabelle up the stairs and opened the door. “I decided to give you some privacy… Few doors down from us and you get your own washroom.” She opened the wine colored room up. “Like I told Krys… I didn’t know what you would like so I guessed. I took a few days at the market trying to pick everything out for you the best I could… After all, I didn’t know how much you had or needed. You can always change it if you want. Anything you want, you can have it.” Liz gave a smile. “This is merely to get you started.”