❝ two can keep a secret if one of them is dead ❞

“Yeah, I usually can feel it, but lately I had been distracted, maybe not lately it was just this week, lot of work” He forced a chuckled and a shrugged, he was trying hard to be his normal self, but all the events coming were starting to get him more and more tense by the minute. “Well fuck” He wasn’t supposed to be this honest, but he had no other way to expressed his feelings after her answer, he sighed and looked at the window “I guess the chaining it’s better than nothing at all. This is what I got for acting like I’m safer here” He was talking to himself more than to her. “How did you do it? How did you manage to be in control, of not being afraid?” He turned to look at her.

The cursing was a bit of brutally honesty, but Eilis wouldn’t judge. Had she been in his place, she had no doubt her response to that answer would have been similar. Nevertheless, there was still a glimmer of concern behind that serious expression of hers. “You are safer here,” she assured him. “Even if you had been stuck shifting in the city, at least we have means of handling it properly, not to mention a sense of leniency. Had you been elsewhere... Well, let’s just stick with the positives for now.” Mentioning the threat of hunters or foreign misunderstanding of the supernatural didn’t seem such a smart idea when the hybrid was doing her best to aid her friend in his dilemma. His question then prompted her to look back at him, eliciting a calmer tone than before. “Fear is a hard thing to face, Tane, but it was facing that fear that allowed me to find control. I think about how the wolf is just another form of myself, that it connects me with all of the nature in my vicinity, and it calms me. Though, sometimes it also helps to latch onto the thought of someone or something that reminds you of your humanity-- like, someone you love or a pleasant memory. Anything to clear your mind of fear or anger would be useful.”

opus sanguis;

Ryder was still unsure as to what the connection between the girl and Sam was other than their nature. He still nodded appreciatively as he took to look around the scenery he just mentioned. If he was honest, the park wasn’t his go-to place. In fact, he hadn’t been there often, if at all, unless just passing by. “I’m trying to do the opposite… not think at all.” He grinned, knowing his quest was practically impossible. Minds weren’t easily silenced and his was as stubborn as himself, but the fresh air worked, the long walk distracting. “I’m sorry I interrupted your time alone with your thoughts… it was the music that made me notice you here. I’ll get going and let you go back to it but, it was nice seeing you again, Eilis. Don’t be shy, the Manor’s always welcoming. I think we like having lots of people over so, whenever you want, just ring the bell.”

“Ah, a tricky state to achieve,” Eilis sported a soft smile toward the man. “If you haven’t yet, you could try counting the stars. At least in my experience, the longer you commit to it, the easier it is to lose yourself in the pattern.” Her smile persisted as he announced his apology and departure, even brightened a tad at the added invitation to stop by the manor at her leisure. “It’s quite alright. It’s been nice having some company. Have a nice night, Ryder. I’ll remember that.”

“It would be a smart investment, at least until you can clock it naturally. Never hurts to be safe, though.” Despite her efforts to lessen the tension of the evening to come, Eilis could sense the uneasiness in her friend, smell it even. But she couldn’t blame him. She could imagine how harsh the situation seemed from his point of view-- yet to establish control within his shifts only to be stuck in the open woods as a potential threat to someone he cared for. Eilis was doing her best to counteract his worries with calm and confidence, but the answer she had to give him was likely far from comforting. “Hm... nothing in particular. Typically, I would suggest a basement, but mine is cluttered full of lab materials. If you are set on restraining yourself, we could try chaining you to a tree. I’m just not sure it will hold you back indefinitely.”

AKA: Eil captain of the Balec ship 

roots;

opus sanguis;

Maybe it was the nostalgia of something you held onto dearly in your teens that made the original trilogy still a favorite in his opinion compared to the new installments he hadn’t even watched completely yet, but Ryder still agreed with an euphoric nod. “I’m not a big fan of fantasy films but those are something else.” He offered, taking her hand as they exchanged greetings again. To be honest, Ryder couldn’t remember who had stayed for long and who had left the reception early. “Oh, it’s alright. There was so much going on I didn’t notice, but thank you for being there.” And he meant it, pressing his lips together in a polite, grateful smile. He knew the union meant a lot to Sam, and it had meant a lot to him, too, despite not knowing all that it entailed down to the dot. “Just a walk out, taking in the scenery.” He tried to bat it off, chuckling at his own excuse. “Needed some fresh air. You?”

“Of course. I was honored to receive Sam’s invitation, and I couldn’t disappoint her by not showing.” Eilis returned the other’s smile with a gentle shyness. Ever since she’d run into Sam outside of work and been extended a welcome to the manor, the entirety of her association with the Blackwell pack had felt somewhat surreal. She had always thought keeping her distance was the wisest choice, but now, she wasn’t so sure. “Quite the same,” she answered in a similar attempt to draw away from the previous subject, her gaze mometarily shifting to the star-dotted sky. “Though, if I’m honest, I’ve also been using the time to think. Sometimes I just have to separate myself from everything else for my thoughts to be clear— and the music helps.”

“Never been fond of crowds either, so I can understand.” He rested his hands on his lap, listening to the melody that was being made by the strings of her guitar. “You are an artist, we don’t need to understand you, just appreciate it.” He shared a genuine smile as he looked at the girl, still focused on her activity.

A small smile and a nod corresponded with his statement of understanding. It was refreshing to hear that not everyone in the bustling city of Astoria preferred the excitement of a crowd. “Me? An artist?” Her attention lifted from the guitar once more, though her fingers still worked, and a scoff of disbelief was sounded. “No, I don’t think so. My ex was the artist. I just adopted his appreciation for the art, that’s all.”

“Oh, well thank you,” Eilis smiled up to the stranger, briefly glancing back at her guitar. “It’s always nice to hear I can still play a decent tune. You’re welcome to join me if you like. I’m just out here to clear my head.” She patted the ground beside her as an invitation.