[ P ] from the other side

The air was cool but not chilled, sun low in the sky, just after dawn. A familiar frown was set on Monarch’s brow as he kept a steady pace towards Perth, the trees of the forest visible now, beginning to loom larger and larger. A huff of breath left his mouth with impatience, his frown deepening. What was he doing here? This wasn’t his job. His paws stopped suddenly, a flash of anger buffeting the thoughts, almost turning around. Surely there was someone better, more suited to this? Another frustrated sigh left his mouth as he sat, back to the forest for a few moments. No, they wanted to keep things discreet. And this was his brother, after all. Monarch sat until the anger dissipated, eyes closed and nose to the sky. Then he continued on.

The frown was more determined now as he finally headed into the woods. Elias was missing, apparently, and he was here to try and find out more. Rumors abounded, and apparently the maid Roisin was connected. Monarch tried to envision her but he couldn’t picture the girl very clearly… then again he was rarely home. Honestly all of it felt a bit preposterous to him but he wanted to appease his mother and find his brother. Then he could leave and go back to Ara.

Walking through the dappled shadows of the trees, his head swung, searching, unfamiliar with this place. He continued until he found a small cluster of wolves, locals. He paused a health distance, his face neutral. ”Excuse me… do you know of a Roisin who has been living here?” he asked, trying not to sound gruff but failing somewhat. Monarch knew he should probably smile, try to seem friendly, but… he felt like that would feel even more inauthentic.

Monarch Vanadium

@Roisin

Word reached her father quickly that a man was looking for her. With a booming bark he ordered Roisin to take care of it. The Chief was far too busy preparing for the coming war to deal with any outside affairs. She knew what he was thinking. That she had some unfinished business in the mainlands, judging her as if some part of her still belonged there. It wasn't true. She wanted to sever ties with her old life, but her efforts seemed in vain. There was always someone to remind her that she wasn't 'one of them', not a proper highlander. It didn't matter to them that she came from a long line of proud highlander because she still spoke like a mainlander with only a slight gaelic lilt.

The former maid stiffened when she saw that it was a member of the family she used to serve that was searching for her. Her former lord and lady's elder brother, Monarch. Why? She felt her heart begin to race, uncertainty slowing her steps as she approached. That would be me, mil- ah..sir, Roisin began and then corrected herself before she addressed him like a servant would. Pathetic. You're so pathetic. She was so angry at herself for behaving so timidly. There was no reason for her to humble herself before him. He was not her lord, no one was.

Why are you here? she finally questioned him, forcing herself to look him in the eye like she would an equal. I'm not going back, Roisin stated forcefully, lips curling ever so slightly. She would not let herself be taken again.

Art by Amphi

Though he asked around there seemed to be no definitive leads, and frustration slowly climbed in the back of his skull, a headache coming on. This felt foolish, and Monarch was very obviously out of place. He had a nagging feeling that the wolves he spoke with knew more than they were letting on, but were keeping secrets on purpose… either afraid or protective. Surprisingly though, the very wolf he was seeking appeared suddenly, announcing herself and making him whip around to catch sight of her.

He recognized her, surprising himself, as Monarch wasn’t sure if he’d know who she was. Bright and almost fiery in her colours, quite the contrast to the Vanadium family’s bleak monochrome. She had stood out. He frowned at her and walked a few steps closer, taking in the nervousness that seemed to emanate from her being. Guilt? Or just fear to be asked about by a former employer? Monarch wasn’t naive to the way common folk felt about the gentry, such as (apparently) his family… his being here in this place he didn’t belong was sure to ignite some suspicions.

But Roisin seemed to gather herself and realize that meekness was no longer required of her, as she stood straighter and looked at him directly, asking him why he was here. And then stating somewhat forcefully that she wasn’t going to go back. Monarch’s eyes narrowed a bit at that statement.n”Why do you I think I’m here to bring you back?” he asked, his tone flat. He shook his head immediately after, realizing he had somehow automatically gone to playing games and being duplicitous, when really, all he was here to do was find out information. Likely Roisin had done nothing wrong… right?

Monarch sighed, letting his face relax a little. ”Please don’t be afraid… I’m just here to ask a few questions,” he said, trying to make his tone more reassuring but failing… gruff as always instead. He paused for a moment, appraising the female, and deciding he felt like it was unlikely she was involved with Elias as the others were implying. But still, he had to ask. ”Have you seen my brother Elias recently?”

Monarch Vanadium

@Roisin

Monarch had barely interacted with her during her time in his family's service. He'd kept to himself and she'd been happy to avoid him. Now he was here she felt her freedom being threatened. Surely they wouldn't be so bold to try and take her from her own home. Her fur fluffed out and bristled. She was normally restrained and kept her cool, but she didn't trust any of the Vanadium's, especially since her last encounter with Elias. Because you Vanadiums think you own me, she answered bitterly, taking out her hatred of Elias on his brother. It was easy to blame him for his brother's sins. They had the same eyes and she hated them.

Please don't be afraid… His assumption that she was afraid of him warmed her belly with rage and her vibrant gaze glared with undisguised loathing for the Vanadium. I'm not scared of you, she snarled, tail stiff and bristling, appearing fox-like in her anger. Lies she was afraid of him, of the meekness that he had triggered within her when she'd first approached him and of the threat he presented to her freedom. It made her feel weak and she was supposed to be strong.

”Have you seen my brother Elias recently?”

It was not the question she had been expecting. The answer was simple and it would have been easier for her to play along, but she was done doing their bidding. I'm not telling you anything, she stubbornly refused to answer, giving him cold glare.

Art by Amphi

Monarch could already tell that this was going badly. Every inch of Roisin was on guard and she was practically bristling with an antagonistic air, even though he hadn’t really said anything yet. He could feel frustration rising and all he wanted to do was snarl and walk away. But his mother’s request stilled his feet, and Monarch attempted to tamp down on the fury. She spoke then after his question, saying that his family thought they owned her. Instead of making Monarch even angrier, it only made him feel more confused. He stared at her baldly, frown creasing deeper on his brow and he didn’t say anything else at first. He tried to alleviate her fear and this only seemed to increase her anger, a snarl coming from her instead of him.

Icy blue eyes narrowed, and he did another look over her form. ”Then why are you acting like that?” he asked, keeping his voice low, as others were starting to look over at them, the scene they were causing. He leaned down and over, closer, voice near her ear if she didn’t fully jerk back ”I don’t think we own you. Now stop acting like I’m going to steal you away, otherwise I might need to,” he hissed.

Even after asking his real question she refused to give him anything, a fierce light in her eye and an obstinate air to the words. It would have been better for her to say she didn’t know anything because now Monarch still could not leave her be. He curled a lip in distaste, but still reigned in how he was really feeling. ”Have you not heard the rumors? He’s missing. Others think you’re responsible. You’re not helping my opinion of that rumor by refusing to answer,” Monarch told her, calmly as possible. He let out a large, frustrated sigh. ”Again, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt. Give me something,” he asked, his stare intense on hers, trying to express the seriousness of their circumstances ”Before they send someone else,” He finished, the threat not veiled but honest. Monarch wouldn’t be surprised if his mother went to the authorities next, if Elias did not show up or Monarch returned with nothing.

Monarch Vanadium

@Roisin

Roisin wanted nothing more than to drag him by the ear and force him off her land. Her small size made that a rather difficult task and although she didn't want to admit it she was still afraid of the power the Vanadiums held over her. The years of training to be their dutiful servant had crushed her willful spirit, one that was finding its fire again. She would not let them control her again. She was a true born highlander, not a mainlander pet. "I hate you," she spat, eyes full of loathing and disgust. All she saw in front of her was another Elias throwing his weight around because he couldn't get what he wanted.

"You wouldn't dare," Roisin growled when he threatened to steal her, tail bristling. "I'll scream," she threatened, knowing that with one desperate cry she could have all of Perth running to her aid. She glared at him, fur puffing out and bristling like an angry cat. The standoff was reaching a stalemate and Roisin was uncertain of what to do. Her refusal to answer had not made him go away. She didn't want to cause a scene by calling for help. Her father would not thank her for it. As usual it was all that bastard Elias' fault. He was obviously trying to punish her by spreading rumours that she had done away with him. She wished she had. "I haven't seen the little rat in seasons. Happy?" she snarled, only relenting after he threatened that others would come.

Art by Amphi

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Monarch knew that he wasn’t being as gracious as he could have been, but he’d never been the aristocrat, despite his upbringing. Still, it surprised him when Roisin’s unbridled anger reared its head and she spat out how she hated him. Him, specifically, whom she had barely interacted with. Monarch had expected his own anger to flair but surprisingly, he only felt exasperation. He rolled his eyes to look up to the sky, as if asking for answers. His words came out in a tired sigh. ”Roisin, I won’t pretend that we are on good terms, but you barely know me, I barely know you. Hate seems a strong word. And honestly? Besides the point right now,” he replied, quiet and gruff and just hoping to get through this without an outburst on his part. Monarch knew that would not be received well, especially where he was right now.

His threats and admonishment seemed to do nothing to strike any fear or lessen any of her anger. All of Roisin’s body language was set against him, and Monarch glanced around at the others staring at them. Again, he did not try to pretend everything was fine, but also kept himself as neutral as possible, keeping distance and trying not to let his tail lash about. ”I have no doubt you I would,” he murmured, eyeing her, when Roisin claimed she would scream if he tried anything. Finally, finally! She deigned to give him some kind of answer, though it was much of anything. Monarch let out another prolonged sigh, breaking eye contact to look at the ground as an even deeper frown overtook his brow. ”Good and bad news. Seems rumours are untrue but that still doesn’t help my find my brother,” Monarch’s lip raised, not at Roisin, but at the thought of Elias. ”The little shit,” he murmured, mostly to himself.

He looked back up at Roisin once more, his face more relaxed, icy blue eyes almost pleading. ”I know you want to leave but can you please tell me about the last time you saw him? What happened and where he went?”

Monarch Vanadium

@Roisin

She couldn’t help, but laugh when he said that she didn’t know him enough to hate him. Did he understand what his family had taken from her and how they had treated her? No, he was a foolish noble. He skipped along blissfully ignorant of the damage that had been done to her and her clan. ”You did nothing. You were quite happy to go along with your life and pretend everything was fine. I hated watching you eat together, live together like a family while I had to bow my head and smile like I was privileged to be there. Hate isn’t strong enough,” Roisin spat, letting him know exactly how repugnant she thought he and his family were. Maybe it wasn’t fair to lump Monarch in with them, but he was guilty by association and that was enough to find him guilty.

”I will tell you nothing. Find him yourself. I want nothing to do with this,” she scoffed, turning her back on him dismissively. An angry bark sent the crowd scattering away as she marched back to her home, bristling with every step. She thought she’d seen the last of the Vanadium’s, but even out there Elias was determined to be a thorn in her side.

- Exit Roisin

Art by Amphi

Literally nothing he said seemed to appease her. In fact, every word out of his mouth only made her angrier, somehow, which was confounding Monarch as he felt truly like he had done nothing wrong. His exasperation grew as his frown deepened as she spoke, her words spitting like fire out at his face. It seemed to him like Roisin was taking out her hatred of his family all upon him solely, which felt deeply unfair being how he was adjacent, instead of being part of them. He had never had to look at his privilege before, and contemplate the ways in which it might cause others suffering. And it was hard to know if even once examined, if Monarch would care. He was not cruel but he also was not particularily inclined to be anything but selfish. He lifted his lip in a snarl right back at her animosity. ”I didn’t put you there and I owe you nothing,” he said back, his voice deadly quite against her noise. ”And seems like you saved yourself, so move on,” he finished, his blue eyes burning intensely.

Monarch knew his last inquiry would fail as soon as it was out of his mouth, given the earlier things she said. She barked and made everyone scatter as she left, giving him nothing. Monarch stayed where he was, ignoring the stares and glares from the crowd around him, watching Roisin as she stormed away. His body bristled with residual anger but he managed to hold it in, and was absurdly proud of himself for maintain himself in front of all these other wolves. Once Roisin disappeared from view he slowly stood up, tail lashing, before turning to head home. He’d let Lye know what he’d heard, but Elias was still missing… this did not bode well for him.

-exit Monarch-

Monarch Vanadium

@Roisin