A Moment of Respite

[Deleted]

The move to Canada had been a stressful one for all. It was a wonder that the Blackblood Legion hadn't pursued them - presumably they thought the army had fallen to complete pieces and was now out of the picture. Such was not the case, of course, but morale overall wasn't especially high, particularly with the fearsome Gourmand now pushing everybody to be more merciless and train harder.

While Tala knew the realities of the conflict and that fighting skills were a necessary element, she also worried what would happen if the soldiers were pushed too hard with no time to unwind, and so she had taken in upon herself to light a warm fire against the cold evening and take the day to prepare a meal for the weary. A warm room and a full stomach was always a comfort.

As she shuffled about, setting out bowls of a steaming stew she had been working on, her mind wandered to old stories passed on through her family. Perhaps a story wouldn't go amiss either, should any care to listen.

[Angel]

So far away from home, so far away from her family, Angel had not felt like herself upon her arrival among the Dawnseekers. She felt lost, and truly alone, a feeling she never wanted to experience again from her days as a stray... Tramp was gone, and she could no longer stand to walk among the very ones who clamored to execute her father figure. The little mutt was still rattled by the entire experience, and felt antsy among these new faces, this new place... but maybe this was a good thing! Angel knew she could adapt, as she had before. It didn't make her feel any less saddened by the loss of one of her family members, but she also knew she had made the right choice leaving the Rogues.

The crispy smell of the burning fire and savory aroma of stew hit her nose, and with her tail wagging very gently at the idea of food, Angel came upon Tala, resting by the fireside. Angel could tell the old woman was shaken by recent events as well, seemed the whole army was, but within the warmth of the fire, Angel felt herself relax, just a bit.

She padded herself closer to Tala, curling up just by the woman's feet, watching the flames dance in front of her, the popping and crackling and inviting heat making Angel actually start to feel sleepy... she hadn't realized just how little sleep she had gotten in-between her departure from the Rogues and arriving in Canada, but she found herself stretching open her maw in a huge yawn.

As Tala placed a bowl of stew by her, Angel gently got on her hind legs, front ones on the log the bowl sat on, and gave a few small licks of the broth. "Mmm... finally, something nice," she commented, licking at her lips and a bit of broth dribbled down her chin. "Everyone's been so bummed out since I got here, it's nice actually being able to enjoy something here for once."

[Grey Brother]

Grey Brother’s noise had led him into the barn. The scent of food made his mouth water just by its smell alone. Grey Brother had never tasted stew before after all his diet consisted of deer, wild boar and whatever else the pack managed to bring down.

“What is this?” Grey questioned, glancing up at Tala and then offers Angel a inviting smile.

“Hey there, name’s Grey Brother”