(2024-06-03) Refugees of Gilneas

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Author:	Alli
Summary:	Gilnean refugees pass the time on their boat ride from their lost homeland to Darnassus. The Gravehowl Pack gains a member.
Rating:	T for Teen

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grief

At sea….

Since the moment she stepped aboard, Gabriella has been a mother hen, doing her best to herd the pack and account for everyone. Even as the passengers settle in, she is regularly touring the ship, keeping track of who is where and staying alert for any trouble rising in this tense and emotional time.

Thaniel sits abovedeck in his human form, holding Malcom's dog Henry in his lap, singing. His voice is getting a little hoarse - he's been at this a while.

Apricity is on the deck, in his human form. He mechanically readjusts his shirt, his gaze lost at sea, finding its way back to where their home used to be.

Oslynn has remained in her worgen form, and stands by herself at a railing looking out to sea. Her gray-green eyes are strangely vacant.

Kenelly Ashewood sits quietly between a pair of crates on the deck. She had been tending to some of the wounded…and later the seasick. But at last she has some time to just sit, breathe, and feel the salty air on her skin. Thaniel's songs are soothing, repeatedly lulling her near to sleep until a gust of wind or pitch of the ship stirs her awake again.

A young red-haired human-looking woman has found the perfect angle from which to sketch the people around her. The Gilnean population, the kaldorei running the ship, and the sad-looking pack of worgens. All of her work may be soon going to waste, however, as a gust of wind sends her sheets of paper flying, the black and white sketches floating everywhere. Callyna Lancaster looks genuinely a little distressed at the potential loss of her work, but only walks slowly towards the papers, afraid of drawing unnecessary attention to herself.

Another red-haired human-form woman, Merelda sits near the front of the ship. Instead of looking back towards their lost home, she stares at the dark waters ahead.

Anselyn, Apricity, and Merelda

Anselyn is in worgen form. Yseulde had to carry him onto the ship. He's stuck to her like someone glued them together, eyes shut tight. Yseulde has a brush, and she's patiently petting and brushing, trying to keep him from falling completely apart.

"He wasn't afraid of the water before. I don't know what happened."

Apricity turns to look at the siblings. "You cannot keep taking reassuring him like that for the whole boat ride," he says, raising an eyebrow. "Can't you take him somewhere below deck? Where he won't see said water?"

Merelda looks over at the sound of Apricity's complaint, her lips pressed in a thin line. Instead of rebuking him, though, she walks over to the pair and addresses Yseulde. "Has he still not been able to regain his form? Or do you think he doesn't want to?"

"I think it's hard for him to hold onto his natural form when he's upset. And I can reassure him for as long as I need to. I owe him seven years worth at least."

Yseulde never stops petting or combing. "I think if he just has a chance to see that he's safe, it'll be easier." and then she mutters, "Also he's heavy as a rock, I couldn't carry him below."

Merelda does not look like she could carry a large rock. She settles next to them. "Is there anything I might do to help?"

Somewhere belowdeck is Lloyd, still in worgen form, scrabbling to keep his balance at even the slightest tilt of the ship — and failing. Ships are clearly not for him.

Kenelly and Ozzy

After the umpteenth time nodding off and jarring awake, Kenelly gives up on sleep. She rises and crosses the deck to Oslynn, leaning up against the railing beside her. "I heard about your friend. Ozzy…I'm so sorry."

Ozzy just continues to stare out over the water. For a moment it seems she's going to pretend Kennelly isn't there. But then she finally says, quietly and without her usual animation, "Me an' 'is bruvver, we 'ad a fing."

Kenelly peers up at Oslynn, hesitating before asking. "Did he…the bruvver," she unconsciously slips into the common way of speaking, "did 'e make it?"

Oslynn shakes her head at Kennelly without meeting her eyes. "Died in prison," she says shortly. "I got Mal out… 'fought it made up fer it somehow… but it didn't." Her eyes well up. "It didn't matter."

Rhenardt, who had spent the first part of the journey prowling in gruff, restless silence from one member of the pack to another, making some sort of endless, circling head count, now stands motionless at the ship's stern watching the water below. He looks neither behind them nor ahead; only down at the sea. He has not shifted from worgen form.

At the slight, teary thickness in Ozzy's voice behind him, he flicks an ear in her direction, but does not turn his head.

Kenelly again opens her mouth, but finds she has no words of comfort. What can she possibly say? She tenses as her body grows and shifts, assuming her worgen form. Then she leans into Ozzy, putting an arm around her.

Ozzy, despite not knowing Kenelly particularly well, leans into the gesture, and starts to cry. She's making an effort to be quiet about it, but it's messy, her eyes squeezed shut and her tall form hunched, ears folding.

Kenelly puts her other arm around Ozzy, hugging her and resting her chin atop Ozzy's head to give her a relatively private place to fall apart if she needs to.

Rhenardt continues not to say anything, nor to turn and look at anyone, but he moves a few slow steps along the rail in Ozzy's vague direction, still staring out at the water.

Callyna and Thaniel

One of Callyna's sketches - one of Ozzy - flies towards Thaniel. She approaches slowly, reaching for the piece of paper.

Thaniel does not stop singing, but he blinks and watches the paper with a curious expression as the wind carries it towards him. He reaches out to pick it up from the deck of the boat and looks at it.

"I'm sorry," Callyna says, wincing ever-so-slightly as Thaniel picks up her sketch. She's holding a few more in her hands. Her eyes dart briefly at the dog on his lap. "I, um… can I have that… drawing back, please?"

Thaniel looks slowly up. He stops singing. "What?" Maybe he didn't hear the question.

Callyna looks at Thaniel for a second, evaluating him. "The sketch. Can I have it back, please?"

Thaniel looks down at the piece of paper in his hand once again. "Yes." He holds it out to her. "That's Ozzy."

Callyna slowly takes the paper. "I'm sorry, I don't know who Ozzy is. I'm just… drawing people I see on this boat."

Thaniel points at the paper in Callyna's hand. "That's Ozzy," he says. "The one you drew. That's Ozzy."

Henry stirs, and Thaniel leans down to whisper in the dog's ears again. "Shh, shhh…"

Callyna, looks at the drawing, then in Ozzy's direction. Oops, she saw that snot-wiping move. She turns back to Thaniel and Henry. "Ozzy, okay. Is your dog okay?"

"He's not my dog," Thaniel says. "His person just died. Malcolm. Before we boarded. And Henry didn't see it. So he doesn't understand. This is Henry."

Callyna's shoulders drop at the dog's name. She crosses her arms and hold on tightly to the sides of her shirt. "Henry, uh? That's a pretty name, for a dog." She takes a deep breath in. "I'm sorry about your friend. Is it for him, that you sing?"

Thaniel nods. He remains seated. "Yes. So Mal can find us. Do you like dogs?"

Henry sniffs at Callyna.

Callyna squats down slowly, giving the dog all the time he needs to sniff at her. She smiles faintly at the dog, before looking back at Thaniel, evaluating him once more. After a little bit, she continues "I do, yeah. My family had a pup named Henry too, back before…" she pauses. "Everything."

Thaniel makes a sympathetic noise and pats Callyna's knee.

Callyna looks a little surprised and confused at the knee pats, but she lets him do it. "I'm going to leave you to your song. I don't want your friend to lose his way." She gets up, and begins walking away. "See you."

Thaniel gives her a little wave and begins singing again, gathering Henry back into his arms.

Ozzy, Kenelly, Merelda, and Rhenardt

Ozzy vents her grief on Kenelly's shoulder for a while, then eventually pulls away, dragging the back of one furry hand across her wet nose. Eww, Ozzy.

"Fanks," she says. "Sorry. Just feels like I done the McPheersons a whole lotta wrong."

"We all 'ave things we regret," Kenelly tries to assure Ozzy. "I fink maybe the best thing you can do for them now is honor them with 'ow you live your life. They'll rest easier knowing you're safe."

Ozzy gives an indelicate little snort. "Pffft. Bet Nigel would rest easiest knowin' I was cursed an' 'omeless. Mal though… 'e came around. Said 'e 'ated me at first, when I first sprung 'im… but by the end…" Her eyes fill again.

"By the end, 'e saw your indomitable spirit and your true, beautiful soul." Kenelly has no idea if her words hold any truth, but it feels right to her. "You 'ave a lot to offer the world, Ozzy. I fink they boff know that now, even if Nigel maybe never figured it out in life."

Ozzy turns to offer Kenelly a wobbly but sincere smile. "You're awright," she says. "Lord Graves gonna make you pack? Or did 'e awready? I'unno wot's goin' on, it's been crazy."

Merelda overhears that one, and rises to walk over to Ozzy and Kenelly after attempting to give Yseulde a comforting shoulder pat.

Rhenardt flicks an ear again at the sound of his name, and now he does turn to look at Ozzy and Merelda and the unfamiliar third woman.

"I think we should resolve that before we reach land," Merelda says firmly. "If you haven't spoken with him already, Lady Kenelly."

"Naw, I ain't even met him proper yet." Kenelly shrugs. "Seems like there's more important fings goin' on. Oh, Lady Veyne! Hello." Her speech seamlessly shifts to a more aristocratic affectation as she addresses Merelda. "I'd love to meet him. I didn't want to impose, though. I'm sure he has a lot on his mind right now."

Ozzy physically gives Kenelly a nudge toward Rhenardt.

"Lord Graves," Merelda says, taking a step toward him. "A moment, please?"

Kenelly gives Ozzy a look of surprise at the nudge. "Awrigh' awrigh'…I'm goin'." She laughs softly. Shifting back to her human form, she steps up just behind Merelda, waiting.

Rhenardt turns toward the women with a silent, full-body sigh. Xcuse u he was Brooding. He inclines his head courteously to the trio. "Lady Veyne. Oslynn. And — ?"

"Lady Kenelly Ashewood," Merelda supplies. "I've been meaning to ask you - might we invite new members into our pack? I would vouch for her as would Ozzy and M…" Merelda stumbles, corrects, "As would Ozzy."

Kenelly dips a proper curtsey in greeting. "Lord Graves, it's my honor."

Rhenardt stares at Merelda for a moment, his expression frozen, lip curled slightly at that half-spoken name. Then he shakes his head roughly as if shaking off some buzzing irritant and looks to Kenelly. He bows his head again. "Lady Ashewood, likewise. You have no pack? What became of yours?"

"I confess, my memory of it is blurry at best," Kenelly explains. "But I'm told they were killed resisting capture. I'm the only one they were able to take in alive."

Rhenardt flattens his ears briefly. He lifts his head to look around the deck; his gaze finds Gabriella for a moment, and then he looks back to Kenelly. "The name Ashewood is a familiar one."

Kenelly nods. "My father is Baron Leor Ashewood. Our lands sit…sat near the western border of the Blackwald."

Rhenardt looks to Merelda and then Ozzy. "And you vouch for Lady Ashewood?"

"I do," Merelda says, without hesitation. "She was one of us, before the curse." By which she means a Gilnean noble, presumably. "She would be a benefit to the pack. And she should not remain alone."

Rhenardt's expression shifts into some bleaker thought. He looks out at the water again. "No. No, we all need pack. None of us should be alone." He looks to Kenelly again. "Have you met others of Gravehowl?"

Kenelly's face brightens with a glimmer of hope. "Some, my lord. Lady Veyne, of course, and I knew Ozzy from our coven, and she introduced me to Zeke." She looks around the deck of the ship. "Are Thaniel and Mr. Hearthleigh with the Gravehowl as well?"

Ozzy just nods, staying back by the rail.

Rhenardt surveys Ozzy for a moment at 'from our coven,' and then he lifts his head to scan the deck as well. "Aye, Thaniel. Miss Pearson. S.I. Thorne. Rivere. And Falston and Lowynn and Hearthleigh." The pause before that And suggests that these three are sort of in a category of their own.

After a moment, he adds more gruffly, "And our pup, Malcolm."

Kenelly's face tenses with empathetic sorrow at the mention of Malcolm. "I'm so sorry for your loss." Her words are just a whisper.

Rhenardt growls, a low, involuntary sound; it isn't directed at Kenelly. "He's pack," he says stiffly. "We don't lose pack. He's waiting where we'll all find him someday."

Merelda looks stricken for a moment at the words, but then she nods.

Ozzy starts to cry again, quietly, and turns her face away, back toward the water.

Rhenardt looks from Merelda to Ozzy and back again a little helplessly. "Oslynn," he says.

Ozzy turns at the sound of her name, straightening as though awaiting orders. "Sir?"

He regards her sternly. "The pup is pack. He's ours as long as there is a pack. That can't be undone."

Now he looks at Kenelly again. "And that's what you want? To be pack?"

Kenelly nods solemnly. "I do, my lord. If you'll have me."

Rhenardt surveys the others on deck again. He looks back to Kenelly and nods. "Good. Aye. You're Gravehowl, then." He shifts his attention to Oslynn. "Ozzy. Look after her. See she meets the rest."

Merelda lets out a breath, and takes a step back. She looks at Ozzy like maybe she wants to say something more, but for now she stays silent.

"Yes sir!" Ozzy says fervently.

Kenelly dips her head respectfully to Rhenardt. "Thank you. I'll make you proud." She flashes a smile to Merelda and Ozzy. Something good amid all the sorrow.

Ozzy actually smiles a little back at her, sincerely, as though reflecting her mood like light on water.

Rhenardt doesn't smile himself, but watching Ozzy, his gaze lightens a little.

He looks to Merelda and then Kenelly and nods. "Ladies." He reaches out and drops a hand briefly on Oslynn's shoulder, and then turns and goes back to his place along the rail. We now return to our regularly-scheduled Brooding.

Merelda moves over to sit by Kenelly and Ozzy. "I'm pleased we were able to settle that. I thought Lord Graves would welcome it, but sometimes the only way to know for sure is to ask the question."

"Thank you for doing the asking." Kenelly glances over toward the brooding lord. "He's a bit intimidating…but in a good, impressive way. I can see why the pack rallies behind him."

"Yes," Merelda says, glancing over at Rhenardt's back. "He kept us together, in the initial chaos, when the curse got out of hand. He guided us through the city, and then… he'd been bitten. And then we were together again, in the wild." Merelda doesn't give any explanation how that happened. "And now, with our minds again. As he's said, it can't be undone."