[ P ] Beacon

I'm still running against the wind

The Saoran streets were buzzing with excitement, a vast departure from the unsettling dread and fear that was pervasive during the war. The conflict had ended, and today, the newly anointed king was celebrating with a peace parade. It was good, Finch supposed, for survivors to revel in this tentative serenity, to find joy after so much devastation. The war’s conclusion had led to patrols being withdrawn from both sides of the border, from Saora to Rionna — which meant wolves were free to travel from one land to the other once more.

Today, it wasn’t the festivities that Finch looked forward to with a buzzing eagerness. It wasn’t the crowds or their raucous, joyous laughter. He didn’t care about the parade, or even about this king or the other. He had a freshly picked flower, a white daisy bigger than any he’d ever seen before, and nervous cobalt eyes. His heart was pounding … and Spirit wasn’t even there yet!

Finch had risen before dawn after a sleepless night, consumed by his wandering thoughts and restless imagination. Today was important. He was unaccustomed to crowds, and found a renewed nervousness as he drew nearer to the village. Now he stood in the shadows of the mountains that had been the backdrop of his youth. Finch looked down a familiar cobblestone road as he shifted awkwardly on enormous paws, awaiting Ashira’s arrival.


@Ashira

Ashira

The world was changing again and Ashira was on her own path through those changes. Destiny had pulled her along like a red balloon to a child and she went with it without any questions. This outlook on life was one that not many had; Ashira had acquired it at a young age and had never found any reason to be moved away. One recent example of this was when she came to work and discovered that her job was no longer needed. Unless the war returned with full force, Ashira's charge nurse duties were required elsewhere. Instead of firing her and giving her a severance package (which rarely happened in the military), they lined up a couple of civilian opportunities. Which one that would be chosen, however, would come in due time. The army had told her to think on both and return with an answer. With that last order given, Ashira left the army and headed towards the festivals.

Monochrome paws carried her towards the source of her attention for that day. Finch had reached out to her after their union at the lagoon, wanting to spend time with her since the borders had become less of an issue. She had accepted and through the many wolves that gathered for the parades, she did not have much time pass before she found him. Finch, she called, tones rising above the many heads between her and the dark male. Moving through and around the various bodies did not take long and she was in front of him in less than two minutes. I found you, she stated, both ears perked as she waited for his response.

  

  

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I'm still running against the wind

Finch stood at the edge of the gathering, heart racing. The Highlands were both a beautiful and painful reminder of his past, a place where shadows lurked around every corner. Memories of battles and loss clung to him like a heavy fog. But today, amidst the laughter and joy, he sought one bright light — Ashira, his beloved.


As the parade swelled with energy, Finch’s gaze searched the crowd. His heart thudded in his chest when he spotted her with a mix of happiness and relief. His Spirit was a breathtaking sight, her sleek black and white fur shimmering in the sunlight, silver eyes sparkling. At the sight of her, his existence was transformed. It felt as if the entire world faded away, leaving only the nurse in focus. The blue-eyed male took a deep breath, his nerves threatening to consume him. He had brought something special for her: a delicate white flower, a symbol of hope and renewal. With shaky paws, he picked it up, its petals soft against the pads of his paws. Her gaze locked onto his, and the warmth of recognition flooded between them. Finch’s expression shifted from nervousness to joy.


“Ashira!” His voice barely rose above the jubilant sounds around them. ”Finch. I found you.” Her voice was music to his ears. As they met, they stood in silence for a heartbeat, the parade swirling around them like a dream. With a trembling paw, he offered the healer the white flower. ”For you. To – to celebrate this new beginning.” He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers gently in affectionate greeting.


In that moment, all the pain of the past seemed to fade away, replaced by the hopeful promise of tomorrow - and a future he hoped would always include Ashira. ”I’m so happy to see you – er, here, I mean. Up in the Highlands – or Saora or – whatever they call it now.” He smiled sheepishly, nervousness unfurling like a flag in Ashira’s radiant presence.


@Ashira