#rakouse

@raksha-bhediya

[cw – sick children]

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“Raksha, hello,” Lou said, smiling softly as he entered the Ivy Grove. “How are things? How was Dhaumya?” 

“He turned,” Raksha said, without smiling, her whole body was stiff, carved in an anxious line. 

Lou put the basket of food he’d brought down on the counter top. He frowned a little. “And?” he ventured, not sure he wanted to hear what Raksha had to report. 

But, at the same time, he desperately was. He didn’t like to see any child sick, of course, but--he had spent a lot of time with Dhaumya. Watching him alongside his own children while Raksha was at work. He had come by, too, when Raksha had to go to work and Dhaumya was still bedridden. 

He helped care for the boy. Feeding him, reading to him, teaching him English. Sometimes, he brought his own children. Sometimes, it was just him. 

They had been worried about his turning. He was healing slower than werewolves did normally. Which could just be explained by the intensity of the surgery. The fact it was his heart…but no one knew for sure, because no one had ever done it before. At least, not in any records that Lou could find. (Had that just meant any children like Dhaumya had just died before this? Of a treatable valve deformity? The thought made Lou so angry, he could feel it between his teeth.) 

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[link here]

@raksha-bhediya, @labellerose-acheron

[cw -- sick children, CPS, medical situation discussions]

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Toulouse’s phone rang.

He had mostly been ignoring his phone for the day, sulking in his studio. He wasn’t even painting, just laying on the couch, staring up at the perfectly white ceiling. Far too high and new for there to be any paint splattered that marked it. He was missing home and his studio there, which had been much smaller and a far deal messier. His mind felt messy, an unbelievable twist of truths and half-truths and lies. He could not tell one from the other. 

His phone was ringing. 

At first, he thought his mind was once again playing tricks on him. There was a piece of him that wanted someone to reach out: his brother, his partners--someone. But, the other piece of him wanted to continue to sulk. 

The phone stopped vibrating.

And then it rang again.

This time, Lou glanced at the screen. The name made him pick up the phone at once.

“Raksha?” 

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@raksha-bhediya

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“Hello, Lou,” Raksha said with a smile as she sat Dhaumya down on the couch in the living room of the Nook. “We missed you yesterday.” 

Lou gave a brief, unemotional smile. “Yes, I was busy.” 

He hadn’t been busy. In fact, he had laid in bed for most of the day, only getting up to go lay on the couch whilst the children played in the evening, wishing for another nap. The whole day all of his limbs had felt as if they were full of heavy, wet sand. He had just wanted to sleep. 

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@raksha-bhediya

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As Lou made his walk up to the Ivy Grove, he noticed the absence of the brightly coloured strips of cloth that had been tied to one of the trees outside. It was funny, because he had considered saying no to Raksha’s request when she had asked him if she could do it, worried about the aesthetics and any environmentalists who might take issue. The Ivy Grove was a business now, after all. But, Raksha had explained that it would just be for a few weeks, as part of a religious observance. And he was glad he had allowed it, as it had added a cheery air to things.

They were gone now, the ritual complete, and Lou was surprised at himself for missing them. 

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@raksha-bhediya (guest appearance from @labellerose-acheron)

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“I just don’t understand,” Toulouse was saying. “It is just irresponsible.” 

“I am sure she doesn’t see it that way,” Belle said, putting the last dish on the drying rack. She turned to look at Lou where he stood, braiding Opal’s hair whilst she ate breakfast. “Don’t look at me like that.” 

He had paused to give her a dubious look but he just shook his head and rolled his eyes, going back to what he was doing. “Caillou, sit still.” 

Opal whined and wiggled, shoving another piece of food in her mouth. 

“Just talk to her if you have questions,” Belle said. 

“It is not that simple.” 

“I do not see why not. She has been rather open with you thus far. If you have questions, you should ask. She could be a valuable resource for you.” 

Lou scoffed. 

“I mean it, Toulouse,” Belle said, somewhat sharper. “If she is a born wolf, she’s been this way her whole life. There are still parts of this you and Merida don’t know. And clearly, you are curious.” 

“I am not.” 

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@raksha-bhediya

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“Bonjour,” Lou announced himself as he entered the Ivy Grove.

It was a bit strange, because it was his house--technically, but he had guests here. And he wanted them to feel as though this was their home. Especially the wolves. 

Which was, also, why he had, himself, brought breakfast. It was the first full moon for Raksha and little Dhaumya in Swynlake. And Lou knew how uncomfortable his first changes had been. In this exact house. (Though, the little hovel he had bought to exile himself to was gone now--burned to ash. This grand house had risen from the ashes.) He did not know much about Raksha’s circumstances, but he wanted her to feel welcome.

There was also an anxious part of him that wanted to make sure that everything had gone fine. That there were no issues with her transformation. No flags raised in town…the amount of wolves that had recently immigrated was making him a touch paranoid. After all, he was who would have the blame thrown on him if anyone attacked someone. 

The house was--quiet, but not empty. 

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[link here]