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Description

2/22/2024 - He's here!
2/14/2024 - Noted to group.
2/13/2024 - Added playlist, theme song, pinterest, and bone tracker links.
2/6/2024 - Uploaded to Stash

Playlist | Pinterest | Bone Tracker

>> Useful RP Info <<

Usually with or within sight of Bennett (during their puphood).
Likes to swim. Best place to look for him when he's alone is near water.
Knowledgeable about beavers. He can talk about them for hours. HOURS.
A bit craftsy. Always on the look out for new bits and bobs to make into toys for Bennett.

>> Basics <<
> Name: Talcott
>> Nicknames: Ott, Butters (by Bennett), Trott (Alias he gives to strangers he's nervous about)
> Age: Young Adult
> Gender: Male (AMAB, He/Him)
> Voice: Silvery and clear, with a distinctive accent. (Think Canadian or Australian).
> Theme Song: Ordon Village

>> Physical <<
> Height: 31"
> Weight: 67 lbs
> Build: Long, sturdy legs and an upright posture, Talcott is quite small and thin beneath his thick coat. Still, despite his size, he possesses a surprising amount of strength that shows itself in bizarre ways, most notably when doing a mundane task or carrying something perceived as quite heavy.
> Coat: Thick and soft in the winter. Sheds away late spring to reveal just how lanky he is underneath, then starts growing back around early fall.
> Notable Traits: Big nose, shorter than average tail, "butterfly" mask. Has a nice smile.

>> Connections <<
> Pack: Chandor
> Rank: Ho'omaka (Omega)
> Family:
>> Bennett (Adopted Child, Alive)
>> Mariette (Mother, Alive)
>> Yoxbow (Father, Alive)
>> Four Siblings (Alive)

>> Personality <<

Libra | ISFJ-A (Defender)

Devoted | Nurturing | Playful | Tolerant | Sensitive | Wary | Avoidant | Stubborn

Impressions: Talcott looks like the world might just eat him alive, so to learn he's caring for a child may come off as surprising. The way he interacts with others is so soft and gentle that he may come off as a pushover.
Get to Know Him and You Might: Witness his full, unrestrained smile and laugh. Or even more rarely, see him properly angry.

>> Devoted: If there's ever a need for help, one can always count on Talcott to answer that call. Caring to a fault (and how, it's the whole reason he's here!), he's always willing to step forward and ask "What can I do to help you?" Those closest to him are considered family, and once one crosses that threshold for him, that's that. They are fixed into the quilt work of his heart for the rest of his days, and he will do everything in his power to provide for their wants and needs, no matter the obstacle. Outside of relationships, Talcott has a deep love for nature, and can be seen admiring all the little things often overlooked to the average eye. He's also a dedicated working, always willing to volunteer to get stuff done, even if it's not a task he particularly cares for.

>> Nurturing: As an eldest of five, Talcott is a naturally caring and nurturing soul, and has quite the inner child. While he doesn't fully see it himself, he's very good with children, and many things he comes up with can apply to just about anyone, not just small pups still growing into their own legs. Talcott has a strong platonic love language and enjoys giving, and often, he has far more love than individuals he has to give.

>> Tolerant: Talcott has an exemplary amount of patience for things, from the little inconvenience to large disagreements. He takes the time to wake up others early even when they are sleeping past the appointed time, he smiles and waits for his turn to speak even when spoken over multiple times, and he makes sure to get the full picture so he isn't making a hasty decision he might regret later. Still, Talcott is a mortal wolf, and has his limits. Conflict and aggressive personalities greatly drain him, and judging character by limited knowledge or context can get under his skin. Push the limits of his good nature too much, and one day Talcott may become intolerant of you. The rare few to earn a place on his shit-list are truly special individuals indeed.

>> Sensitive: Talcott is an absolute sap that can - at times - be a little too trusting. He is a sucker for a good story, and even if his instincts can detect a lie, his heartstrings will get carried along for the ride anyway, leaving him a blubbering mess or quietly riled up more often than not. It's not that hard to get him to fall for a trick or ploy, but fool him once and he'll smarten up and begin to pay better attention... and probably fall for it a couple more times before it sticks in. However, this makes him a really good listener to those that are genuine and appreciate his generosity.

>> Wary: Being so far from home in a new place, with strange new faces and a huge responsibility put upon him, Talcott is - obviously - nervous about a bit of everything. He's learned a bit from his past experience with Bennett's mother, and is trying to navigate things more carefully and be a good role model for them. He has a bit of a checklist now before he starts to put trust in others, though it is quite short and is changing as time goes.

>> Avoidant: Much as he wishes he had the answers, Talcott knows nothing of Bennett's life before meeting them. It's left him lost on how to address all of it when others come asking questions. In truth, he is a bit fearful of how others may think of him, should they learn the truth. As a result he finds himself picking up some habits from Bennett's mother, changing or side-stepping the subject when it gets to topics he finds uncomfortable.

>> Stubborn: Still a bit young and ignorant of the world, Talcott has a strong sense of morals and what he believes as right and wrong. His worldview is not so narrow that he cannot see the shades of gray, but he holds a firm belief in what he feels is right and true, and does his best to follow those principles even in the face of adversity. He also can sometimes be plain bull-headed, overworking himself or refusing to back down from something his mind is absolutely made up on.

>>Pre-Group History<<

Born to a pack of peaceful fishers, Talcott’s upbringing was a simple one. First-born of his parents and eldest of five siblings, his youth was spent straddling the line between practice and play, learning of the rivers and the respect they deserved. Part of these lessons involved the Current’s Pull, the pack’s concept of one’s life being guided like an object would float down a stream. One by one, each of his siblings felt the Pull and left home as they grew up. Or, well, all of them but Talcott.

While his family assured him that life had no deadlines and the Pull would come to him when things were just right, Talcott couldn’t help but worry, at least to himself. He bided his time as told, and a full cycle of seasons went by in the interim to the end of yet another winter.

It was then that she appeared. While out checking fish traps on the pack’s river border, Talcott spotted a wolf he never saw before. From his spot on the ice he watched her, content to let her through until she stepped out to cross an unstable part of the ice.

“HEY! It’s not safe to cross… there…”

Startled by his shout, the wolf scrambled back to shore and disappeared into the trees. Something niggled at his brain about her. After a brief deliberation on what to do, he abandons his haul of fish to follow her.

- - - - - -

It didn’t take long to find her. She hadn’t run very far.

And as Talcott caught up, it wasn’t hard to tell why. Flecks of blood mixed with her scent and tracks were a telling sign, and her state in the clearing, collapsed and hunched over the bundle she’d been carrying, made it pretty clear.

She was gravely injured.

And she wasn’t alone either. The bundle of what he thought was scraps of food she was guarding so fiercely squirmed and moved, revealing a small face with big, curious eyes staring at him from beneath their mother’s fur.

Oh.

“Uh.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry for scaring you, I didn’t mean any harm. I’m Talcott.” He took a tentative step forward, to try and get a better look at her and her injuries. “Is there anything I can do to…”

She bared her fangs at him and growled. A promise of violence.

“...Help you?”

- - - - -

It took several hours of reasoning, but with the promise of food and the child’s advocacy for a warm place to sleep, Talcott eventually convinced the single mother to follow him to shelter. But that didn’t mean she made it easy. Were it not for the pup’s chatter and constant giggling revealing when she tried to sneak away, Talcott is he’d have lost her multiple times.

“Mamma,” The pup had been talking the whole way, but their tone this time suddenly took a serious edge, “Is this Chandor?"

Chandor? That’s not a name he’s ever heard before. Talcott glanced back, and the mother suppressed a strangled noise with a barely concealed grimace. Unfortunately, he caught it.

And even without it, it was clear she struggled to think of an answer, so Talcott spoke for her.

“Not Chandor,” He said with a smile, and the kid turned to look at him. “But it is somewhere. You are in Lodgebend, land of beavers.”

Stillness reigned in the woods for thirteen full seconds. Talcott knows for certain. He counted every one.

“Mamma? What is beavers?”

- - - - -

They picked up a routine. While she rested and recovered, Talcott brought food to her and the kid. The first few days he let them be, and the two slept much of the day.

But as the days rolled by, the child became more energetic and rowdy.

“No, no. Mamma can’t follow you out to play right now, come back.”

“Woah there, kiddo,” Talcott returned to the den just in time to catch the kid at the entrance, and steered them gently back inside. “It’s not fun being left alone. Let’s stay in so your mom can play too, yeah? Here-”

He led the kid to a deeper spot of the den, and dug out some items from a pile of stuff tucked under some rocks. It was a stash full of trinkets, and he gently picked one out and set it - a ramshackle wad of fur and bone wound together to resemble a bat - at the pup’s feet. It was one of his old toys (one he and his sister regularly fought over for).

“This is Stew,” Talcott introduced with the gravity of a child sharing the importance of one's beloved toys. “Stew loves games, but he isn't good with the cold outside. Could you play a game or two with him here where it's warm to keep them company?”

The child’s eyes were wide with wonder and awe, and took the toy over to a spot not far from their mother’s tail. “Hi Stew. I’m Bean.”

Bean. Huh. Main crisis averted and one mystery solved, Talcott made to return to his spot by the den’s entrance, but a voice, soft and low compared to the kid's playing, stopped him.

"Bennett."

"Eh?"

"Their name is Bennett." She gestured with a dip of her head, towards her child at play farther in the den. "You've been... helpful. With them. I." She paused and chewed at her lip, like she was coming to a decision. "I appreciate it."

It was the first kind thing she spoke to him this whole time. Talcott couldn't quite word it, but something about the way she said it had an odd... finality to it.

Almost as if she was coming to a decision, when she spoke.

“It’s my pleasure to help a guest.” Is all he said, and the smile he sends her way is a genuine one. Nice is nice, after all, even if it seems... strange. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll get it for you.”

- - - - -

She was fidgeting. He could tell. He debated on if he wanted to try and ask her directly, but this time she beat him to the punch.

“I remember your reaction before… Would you… happen to know of Chandor?”

Talcott blinked, turning his attention from the kid playing tug of war with a pelt in his paws to her. It’d been a couple weeks since then. He was sure she’d leave it and hope it’d be forgotten.

“I don’t know much about it, I’m afraid. Have you been there?”

“No, but I… There are stories,” She chewed on a paw, and Talcott heard the gears turn in her head as she debated how much she wanted to tell. “It’s a place anyone can go and find refuge. If there’s anywhere in this world safe for me and my child–”

“Then it’s Chandor.” He finished for her. Not sure what she’s running from or if she’s running, but her injuries sure told their own story. “How far is it?”

“Far enough,” She hissed, and for once, the venom was not directed at him. “Somewhere east. That’s all I know.”

Talcott is quiet for a really long time. He watches her pup tussle about with the scrap of fur, then switch in a flurry to toss Stew across the den.

“I can take you.”

“What?”

“The rivers here are really wide, and my pack’s familiar with all the safe crossings over the ice,” Something settled in Talcott’s chest with these words, a knot that pulled and tied itself into place, pointing somewhere. To the rest of the world. To Chandor. “I won’t travel the full way if you don’t want to, but I can at least help you through the riverland safely.”

He watched her open and close her mouth in an attempt to speak, but no words came out.

“You don't have to answer now. Think about it, and when you decide, let me know when you're ready.”

- - - - -

It turned out ‘ready’ wasn’t when she was better. Ready meant now.

Talcott felt like he should’ve known better, considering the attitude she had when he first met her. He wondered if he was being as hasty as she was being - he still didn't know her name.

But, well... if he winds up able to go with them all the way to Chandor... she'd have to give it up to someone then.

Wouldn't she?

Still, he was curious at her strange... insistence with all of it. Gave her Bennett's name, but not hers...

What was she planning?

What was she running from?

- - - - -

The attack came an hour's travel from Lodgebend's territory. Talcott had been leading them to a narrower stretch of the river on a high ridge, when a group of wolves - bandits from the looks of it - exploded from the ridge and the undergrowth behind them. Outnumbered four to two, they were quickly surrounded.

Talcott was at a loss of what to do, but Bennett's mother seemed to have an idea.

"Take Ben and go," She hissed low in his ear as the bandits cackled around them. "Once you lose them, head to Chandor. I'll catch up with you there."

"But-"

"GO."

Giving no time to argue, she charged right through the bandit group into the woods. Two of them broke formation and barked orders to go after her. Talcott took the distraction for what it was and fled the other way, Bennett safely in his jaws. A barked complaint that they were getting away echoed through the trees, and the crunch of paws under snow behind him slowly became louder.

Talcott felt his heartbeat in his ears. He was a steady runner, not a swift runner. If he kept going the path they set, they would catch him, and-and do who knows what once they did. There was only one choice he can think of for escape, and he didn't like thinking about it one bit.

But there really was no other choice. Talcott pivoted and changed course, heading somewhat back from where they came to a wider stretch of river.

The widest part his pack knows of.

The only saving grace of all this was Bennett seemed to be having the time of their life, laughing and giggling in delight as Talcott ducked and weaved through the trees and bounded over rocks. The constant laughter kept giving their location away, making it impossible for Talcott to shake them, but it did provide some security. The constant commentary helped him track their pursuers without having to look.

"They're catching us they're catching us!" Bennett cried, oblivious to the danger of what that meant.

Talcott crossed a cliff gap using an old, fallen tree as a bridge. The bandit wolves followed him, but the weight of them both at once was too much for the tree to take. The boughs bent and snapped underfoot with a loud crack. One wolf clambered their way over to the other side while the other plummeted down with the tree, dropping out of sight with a yelp.

"Do you think they'll be OK?" Bennett asked. Talcott certainly hoped not.

Just then, Talcott's paw snagged on an exposed root, and the two of them were sent tumbling down a hill of gnarling brambles and over the edge of a dip onto the frozen river. The impact cracked the ice on Talcott's back, and freezing water oozed through the cracks.

"Are YOU gonna be OK?" He... wasn't actually so sure, honestly. Talcott groaned and rolled over, pushing himself to sit. Once the stars cleared from his eyes he saw a wolf barreling towards them from the shore, rage in their eyes and wrath in their teeth.

Talcott scooped Bennett back up and started running, fleeing farther out onto the wider stretch of river. Soon, crusted snow gave way, and there was nothing but clear, pitch black ice beneath Talcott's paws. Ice that lightly clicked against his claws, creaked with his weight. Eventually it all gave way to a strip of pure water, a central section of the current too deep and fast to fully freeze over.

One of Talcot's paws broke through the ice under his weight, and he took a few hasty steps back.

"They're coming."

Dreading the thought but unable to not look, Talcott glanced back. Fifty meters away, the bandit wolf was there, approaching at a confident, swift pace.

Think you have me, huh? Well, too bad. I'm not giving up.

Picking the best gap he could see, Talcott charged the river at an angle and jumped. The ice bent beneath Talcott's paws, but held enough for him to scramble across. Intent on keeping his pursuit, the bandit wolf followed Talcott's example, and approached the ice with a massive leap.

Only for the ice to fold like wet leaves beneath his weight, and he sank like a stone, smirk and all, beneath the waves.

Talcott retreated to a safer spot and set Bennett down. He looked back across the river at the spot the bandit fell through and waited. Five seconds. Ten. A minute. Two. Three.

Nothing. Just like that, the chase was over. Like it never happened.

Talcott exhaled a breath he didn’t know he was holding and bent down, nudging Bennett away towards the shore.

“Almost there, now,” Talcott tried to match the kid’s excitement and cheer, but he was still catching his breath, still on edge, and the beginnings of a bone-deep tiredness from all the running seeped its way into his limbs. Still, he felt he had the energy to be a little bit joyful, if anything but for the kid’s sake. “I’ll race you there.”

Bennett raced across the river towards the proposed finish line, and Talcott followed behind, close enough to look like he was trying, but fully intent on letting the pup have the victory.

Thirty meters.

Twenty meters.

Ten–

Everything happened so quickly, but to him it felt like it took ages. Talcott watched as the pup fell through the ice in horror, and without thinking, burst through after them. Like a heron would snatch a frog, he found Bennett and snatched them up, swimming to the surface with them safe in his jaws. Lucky for them both the water wasn't deep, and Talcott climbed out of the water and carried the sodden pup to shore.

Bennett shivered and sneezed as Talcott set them on the ground, “‘m OK.”

Talcott let out a sigh of relief. He looked back out on the river, wondering about everything that just happened, and of the safety of the kid's mother.

“Where’s momma?”

Talcott barely concealed a wince, and he struggled to find an answer.

“Your mom’s... taking another way.” River's above, how could he phrase this? “She’s... got some things to take care of first, so we're gonna go to Chandor and meet up with her there. ‘Kay?”

Head to Chandor. I’ll catch up with you there. He could only hope she escaped and caught up like she said she would.

Still… as he urged on further into the trees, a thought struck him.

...What was he supposed to do on the trip to Chandor, though?

And where on earth was the pack located, actually?

She never said!

Like that day nights ago, Talcott felt a niggling in his gut. Still, he made a promise, and while the one he made it to is gone and missing, he isn’t about to leave a kid alone on their own.

He’ll get them where they need to be, and stay with them for as long as he’s needed until their mother catches up.

Or at least, he hopes she will.

Group History

Other

Description

2/22/2024 - He's here!
2/14/2024 - Noted to group.
2/13/2024 - Added playlist, theme song, pinterest, and bone tracker links.
2/6/2024 - Uploaded to Stash

Playlist | Pinterest | Bone Tracker

>> Useful RP Info <<

Usually with or within sight of Bennett (during their puphood).
Likes to swim. Best place to look for him when he's alone is near water.
Knowledgeable about beavers. He can talk about them for hours. HOURS.
A bit craftsy. Always on the look out for new bits and bobs to make into toys for Bennett.

>> Basics <<
> Name: Talcott
>> Nicknames: Ott, Butters (by Bennett), Trott (Alias he gives to strangers he's nervous about)
> Age: Young Adult
> Gender: Male (AMAB, He/Him)
> Voice: Silvery and clear, with a distinctive accent. (Think Canadian or Australian).
> Theme Song: Ordon Village

>> Physical <<
> Height: 31"
> Weight: 67 lbs
> Build: Long, sturdy legs and an upright posture, Talcott is quite small and thin beneath his thick coat. Still, despite his size, he possesses a surprising amount of strength that shows itself in bizarre ways, most notably when doing a mundane task or carrying something perceived as quite heavy.
> Coat: Thick and soft in the winter. Sheds away late spring to reveal just how lanky he is underneath, then starts growing back around early fall.
> Notable Traits: Big nose, shorter than average tail, "butterfly" mask. Has a nice smile.

>> Connections <<
> Pack: Chandor
> Rank: Ho'omaka (Omega)
> Family:
>> Bennett (Adopted Child, Alive)
>> Mariette (Mother, Alive)
>> Yoxbow (Father, Alive)
>> Four Siblings (Alive)

>> Personality <<

Libra | ISFJ-A (Defender)

Devoted | Nurturing | Playful | Tolerant | Sensitive | Wary | Avoidant | Stubborn

Impressions: Talcott looks like the world might just eat him alive, so to learn he's caring for a child may come off as surprising. The way he interacts with others is so soft and gentle that he may come off as a pushover.
Get to Know Him and You Might: Witness his full, unrestrained smile and laugh. Or even more rarely, see him properly angry.

>> Devoted: If there's ever a need for help, one can always count on Talcott to answer that call. Caring to a fault (and how, it's the whole reason he's here!), he's always willing to step forward and ask "What can I do to help you?" Those closest to him are considered family, and once one crosses that threshold for him, that's that. They are fixed into the quilt work of his heart for the rest of his days, and he will do everything in his power to provide for their wants and needs, no matter the obstacle. Outside of relationships, Talcott has a deep love for nature, and can be seen admiring all the little things often overlooked to the average eye. He's also a dedicated working, always willing to volunteer to get stuff done, even if it's not a task he particularly cares for.

>> Nurturing: As an eldest of five, Talcott is a naturally caring and nurturing soul, and has quite the inner child. While he doesn't fully see it himself, he's very good with children, and many things he comes up with can apply to just about anyone, not just small pups still growing into their own legs. Talcott has a strong platonic love language and enjoys giving, and often, he has far more love than individuals he has to give.

>> Tolerant: Talcott has an exemplary amount of patience for things, from the little inconvenience to large disagreements. He takes the time to wake up others early even when they are sleeping past the appointed time, he smiles and waits for his turn to speak even when spoken over multiple times, and he makes sure to get the full picture so he isn't making a hasty decision he might regret later. Still, Talcott is a mortal wolf, and has his limits. Conflict and aggressive personalities greatly drain him, and judging character by limited knowledge or context can get under his skin. Push the limits of his good nature too much, and one day Talcott may become intolerant of you. The rare few to earn a place on his shit-list are truly special individuals indeed.

>> Sensitive: Talcott is an absolute sap that can - at times - be a little too trusting. He is a sucker for a good story, and even if his instincts can detect a lie, his heartstrings will get carried along for the ride anyway, leaving him a blubbering mess or quietly riled up more often than not. It's not that hard to get him to fall for a trick or ploy, but fool him once and he'll smarten up and begin to pay better attention... and probably fall for it a couple more times before it sticks in. However, this makes him a really good listener to those that are genuine and appreciate his generosity.

>> Wary: Being so far from home in a new place, with strange new faces and a huge responsibility put upon him, Talcott is - obviously - nervous about a bit of everything. He's learned a bit from his past experience with Bennett's mother, and is trying to navigate things more carefully and be a good role model for them. He has a bit of a checklist now before he starts to put trust in others, though it is quite short and is changing as time goes.

>> Avoidant: Much as he wishes he had the answers, Talcott knows nothing of Bennett's life before meeting them. It's left him lost on how to address all of it when others come asking questions. In truth, he is a bit fearful of how others may think of him, should they learn the truth. As a result he finds himself picking up some habits from Bennett's mother, changing or side-stepping the subject when it gets to topics he finds uncomfortable.

>> Stubborn: Still a bit young and ignorant of the world, Talcott has a strong sense of morals and what he believes as right and wrong. His worldview is not so narrow that he cannot see the shades of gray, but he holds a firm belief in what he feels is right and true, and does his best to follow those principles even in the face of adversity. He also can sometimes be plain bull-headed, overworking himself or refusing to back down from something his mind is absolutely made up on.

>>Pre-Group History<<

Born to a pack of peaceful fishers, Talcott’s upbringing was a simple one. First-born of his parents and eldest of five siblings, his youth was spent straddling the line between practice and play, learning of the rivers and the respect they deserved. Part of these lessons involved the Current’s Pull, the pack’s concept of one’s life being guided like an object would float down a stream. One by one, each of his siblings felt the Pull and left home as they grew up. Or, well, all of them but Talcott.

While his family assured him that life had no deadlines and the Pull would come to him when things were just right, Talcott couldn’t help but worry, at least to himself. He bided his time as told, and a full cycle of seasons went by in the interim to the end of yet another winter.

It was then that she appeared. While out checking fish traps on the pack’s river border, Talcott spotted a wolf he never saw before. From his spot on the ice he watched her, content to let her through until she stepped out to cross an unstable part of the ice.

“HEY! It’s not safe to cross… there…”

Startled by his shout, the wolf scrambled back to shore and disappeared into the trees. Something niggled at his brain about her. After a brief deliberation on what to do, he abandons his haul of fish to follow her.

- - - - - -

It didn’t take long to find her. She hadn’t run very far.

And as Talcott caught up, it wasn’t hard to tell why. Flecks of blood mixed with her scent and tracks were a telling sign, and her state in the clearing, collapsed and hunched over the bundle she’d been carrying, made it pretty clear.

She was gravely injured.

And she wasn’t alone either. The bundle of what he thought was scraps of food she was guarding so fiercely squirmed and moved, revealing a small face with big, curious eyes staring at him from beneath their mother’s fur.

Oh.

“Uh.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry for scaring you, I didn’t mean any harm. I’m Talcott.” He took a tentative step forward, to try and get a better look at her and her injuries. “Is there anything I can do to…”

She bared her fangs at him and growled. A promise of violence.

“...Help you?”

- - - - -

It took several hours of reasoning, but with the promise of food and the child’s advocacy for a warm place to sleep, Talcott eventually convinced the single mother to follow him to shelter. But that didn’t mean she made it easy. Were it not for the pup’s chatter and constant giggling revealing when she tried to sneak away, Talcott is he’d have lost her multiple times.

“Mamma,” The pup had been talking the whole way, but their tone this time suddenly took a serious edge, “Is this Chandor?"

Chandor? That’s not a name he’s ever heard before. Talcott glanced back, and the mother suppressed a strangled noise with a barely concealed grimace. Unfortunately, he caught it.

And even without it, it was clear she struggled to think of an answer, so Talcott spoke for her.

“Not Chandor,” He said with a smile, and the kid turned to look at him. “But it is somewhere. You are in Lodgebend, land of beavers.”

Stillness reigned in the woods for thirteen full seconds. Talcott knows for certain. He counted every one.

“Mamma? What is beavers?”

- - - - -

They picked up a routine. While she rested and recovered, Talcott brought food to her and the kid. The first few days he let them be, and the two slept much of the day.

But as the days rolled by, the child became more energetic and rowdy.

“No, no. Mamma can’t follow you out to play right now, come back.”

“Woah there, kiddo,” Talcott returned to the den just in time to catch the kid at the entrance, and steered them gently back inside. “It’s not fun being left alone. Let’s stay in so your mom can play too, yeah? Here-”

He led the kid to a deeper spot of the den, and dug out some items from a pile of stuff tucked under some rocks. It was a stash full of trinkets, and he gently picked one out and set it - a ramshackle wad of fur and bone wound together to resemble a bat - at the pup’s feet. It was one of his old toys (one he and his sister regularly fought over for).

“This is Stew,” Talcott introduced with the gravity of a child sharing the importance of one's beloved toys. “Stew loves games, but he isn't good with the cold outside. Could you play a game or two with him here where it's warm to keep them company?”

The child’s eyes were wide with wonder and awe, and took the toy over to a spot not far from their mother’s tail. “Hi Stew. I’m Bean.”

Bean. Huh. Main crisis averted and one mystery solved, Talcott made to return to his spot by the den’s entrance, but a voice, soft and low compared to the kid's playing, stopped him.

"Bennett."

"Eh?"

"Their name is Bennett." She gestured with a dip of her head, towards her child at play farther in the den. "You've been... helpful. With them. I." She paused and chewed at her lip, like she was coming to a decision. "I appreciate it."

It was the first kind thing she spoke to him this whole time. Talcott couldn't quite word it, but something about the way she said it had an odd... finality to it.

Almost as if she was coming to a decision, when she spoke.

“It’s my pleasure to help a guest.” Is all he said, and the smile he sends her way is a genuine one. Nice is nice, after all, even if it seems... strange. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll get it for you.”

- - - - -

She was fidgeting. He could tell. He debated on if he wanted to try and ask her directly, but this time she beat him to the punch.

“I remember your reaction before… Would you… happen to know of Chandor?”

Talcott blinked, turning his attention from the kid playing tug of war with a pelt in his paws to her. It’d been a couple weeks since then. He was sure she’d leave it and hope it’d be forgotten.

“I don’t know much about it, I’m afraid. Have you been there?”

“No, but I… There are stories,” She chewed on a paw, and Talcott heard the gears turn in her head as she debated how much she wanted to tell. “It’s a place anyone can go and find refuge. If there’s anywhere in this world safe for me and my child–”

“Then it’s Chandor.” He finished for her. Not sure what she’s running from or if she’s running, but her injuries sure told their own story. “How far is it?”

“Far enough,” She hissed, and for once, the venom was not directed at him. “Somewhere east. That’s all I know.”

Talcott is quiet for a really long time. He watches her pup tussle about with the scrap of fur, then switch in a flurry to toss Stew across the den.

“I can take you.”

“What?”

“The rivers here are really wide, and my pack’s familiar with all the safe crossings over the ice,” Something settled in Talcott’s chest with these words, a knot that pulled and tied itself into place, pointing somewhere. To the rest of the world. To Chandor. “I won’t travel the full way if you don’t want to, but I can at least help you through the riverland safely.”

He watched her open and close her mouth in an attempt to speak, but no words came out.

“You don't have to answer now. Think about it, and when you decide, let me know when you're ready.”

- - - - -

It turned out ‘ready’ wasn’t when she was better. Ready meant now.

Talcott felt like he should’ve known better, considering the attitude she had when he first met her. He wondered if he was being as hasty as she was being - he still didn't know her name.

But, well... if he winds up able to go with them all the way to Chandor... she'd have to give it up to someone then.

Wouldn't she?

Still, he was curious at her strange... insistence with all of it. Gave her Bennett's name, but not hers...

What was she planning?

What was she running from?

- - - - -

The attack came an hour's travel from Lodgebend's territory. Talcott had been leading them to a narrower stretch of the river on a high ridge, when a group of wolves - bandits from the looks of it - exploded from the ridge and the undergrowth behind them. Outnumbered four to two, they were quickly surrounded.

Talcott was at a loss of what to do, but Bennett's mother seemed to have an idea.

"Take Ben and go," She hissed low in his ear as the bandits cackled around them. "Once you lose them, head to Chandor. I'll catch up with you there."

"But-"

"GO."

Giving no time to argue, she charged right through the bandit group into the woods. Two of them broke formation and barked orders to go after her. Talcott took the distraction for what it was and fled the other way, Bennett safely in his jaws. A barked complaint that they were getting away echoed through the trees, and the crunch of paws under snow behind him slowly became louder.

Talcott felt his heartbeat in his ears. He was a steady runner, not a swift runner. If he kept going the path they set, they would catch him, and-and do who knows what once they did. There was only one choice he can think of for escape, and he didn't like thinking about it one bit.

But there really was no other choice. Talcott pivoted and changed course, heading somewhat back from where they came to a wider stretch of river.

The widest part his pack knows of.

The only saving grace of all this was Bennett seemed to be having the time of their life, laughing and giggling in delight as Talcott ducked and weaved through the trees and bounded over rocks. The constant laughter kept giving their location away, making it impossible for Talcott to shake them, but it did provide some security. The constant commentary helped him track their pursuers without having to look.

"They're catching us they're catching us!" Bennett cried, oblivious to the danger of what that meant.

Talcott crossed a cliff gap using an old, fallen tree as a bridge. The bandit wolves followed him, but the weight of them both at once was too much for the tree to take. The boughs bent and snapped underfoot with a loud crack. One wolf clambered their way over to the other side while the other plummeted down with the tree, dropping out of sight with a yelp.

"Do you think they'll be OK?" Bennett asked. Talcott certainly hoped not.

Just then, Talcott's paw snagged on an exposed root, and the two of them were sent tumbling down a hill of gnarling brambles and over the edge of a dip onto the frozen river. The impact cracked the ice on Talcott's back, and freezing water oozed through the cracks.

"Are YOU gonna be OK?" He... wasn't actually so sure, honestly. Talcott groaned and rolled over, pushing himself to sit. Once the stars cleared from his eyes he saw a wolf barreling towards them from the shore, rage in their eyes and wrath in their teeth.

Talcott scooped Bennett back up and started running, fleeing farther out onto the wider stretch of river. Soon, crusted snow gave way, and there was nothing but clear, pitch black ice beneath Talcott's paws. Ice that lightly clicked against his claws, creaked with his weight. Eventually it all gave way to a strip of pure water, a central section of the current too deep and fast to fully freeze over.

One of Talcot's paws broke through the ice under his weight, and he took a few hasty steps back.

"They're coming."

Dreading the thought but unable to not look, Talcott glanced back. Fifty meters away, the bandit wolf was there, approaching at a confident, swift pace.

Think you have me, huh? Well, too bad. I'm not giving up.

Picking the best gap he could see, Talcott charged the river at an angle and jumped. The ice bent beneath Talcott's paws, but held enough for him to scramble across. Intent on keeping his pursuit, the bandit wolf followed Talcott's example, and approached the ice with a massive leap.

Only for the ice to fold like wet leaves beneath his weight, and he sank like a stone, smirk and all, beneath the waves.

Talcott retreated to a safer spot and set Bennett down. He looked back across the river at the spot the bandit fell through and waited. Five seconds. Ten. A minute. Two. Three.

Nothing. Just like that, the chase was over. Like it never happened.

Talcott exhaled a breath he didn’t know he was holding and bent down, nudging Bennett away towards the shore.

“Almost there, now,” Talcott tried to match the kid’s excitement and cheer, but he was still catching his breath, still on edge, and the beginnings of a bone-deep tiredness from all the running seeped its way into his limbs. Still, he felt he had the energy to be a little bit joyful, if anything but for the kid’s sake. “I’ll race you there.”

Bennett raced across the river towards the proposed finish line, and Talcott followed behind, close enough to look like he was trying, but fully intent on letting the pup have the victory.

Thirty meters.

Twenty meters.

Ten–

Everything happened so quickly, but to him it felt like it took ages. Talcott watched as the pup fell through the ice in horror, and without thinking, burst through after them. Like a heron would snatch a frog, he found Bennett and snatched them up, swimming to the surface with them safe in his jaws. Lucky for them both the water wasn't deep, and Talcott climbed out of the water and carried the sodden pup to shore.

Bennett shivered and sneezed as Talcott set them on the ground, “‘m OK.”

Talcott let out a sigh of relief. He looked back out on the river, wondering about everything that just happened, and of the safety of the kid's mother.

“Where’s momma?”

Talcott barely concealed a wince, and he struggled to find an answer.

“Your mom’s... taking another way.” River's above, how could he phrase this? “She’s... got some things to take care of first, so we're gonna go to Chandor and meet up with her there. ‘Kay?”

Head to Chandor. I’ll catch up with you there. He could only hope she escaped and caught up like she said she would.

Still… as he urged on further into the trees, a thought struck him.

...What was he supposed to do on the trip to Chandor, though?

And where on earth was the pack located, actually?

She never said!

Like that day nights ago, Talcott felt a niggling in his gut. Still, he made a promise, and while the one he made it to is gone and missing, he isn’t about to leave a kid alone on their own.

He’ll get them where they need to be, and stay with them for as long as he’s needed until their mother catches up.

Or at least, he hopes she will.

Group History

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