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Rio for Rio, but any of our rag tag group can join

Layre was not adrift, but he was worried as fall weather began to change. The only able bodied man responsible for two true ladies and 2 children. And they held their own as best they could.

The ladies had learned much and gave much and helped him where they could. The pups eager to please and learn. He was happy with his existence right now, which was a lot to say for a former soldier who sometimes loathed himself.

He was a bit frantic as he patrolled the small isle they had made landfall. Eager to put their scent down. To hunt and fill caches. Today he had been hunting. For a small place the prey wasn't bad. He carried two fat rabbits as they began to get ready for winter.

the quiet man always had his hands full!

sometimes rio would watch him, pitifully, find tasks for himself. marking, patrol, babysitting — she would believe it if he told her he never slept!
though the girl hardly knew him, he reminded her of her father — he looked the part, and old enough that he could've been. she did not pity him for this, work was good. but she worried she was a drag; if he had sworn duty to lady kaede, he had not sworn it to rio and she was not so conceited to force it upon him.

ah, but she was now lady rio. lady fujiwara. her rank asked if not his loyalty then his duty. it was why she never felt too compelled to assist. it was a lot nicer to sit and learn from kaede than to ruin her pawpads!
today though, she emerges from the wisterias with a fish, clutched tightly in her grip. blood dripped from her chin and it watered her tongue — a deeply unladylike sight but rio hoped she could be forgiven for it.

rio gallops to catch the man's stride, scaly thing flopping with each bounce of her gait and held in a big smile meant for him.

Layre enjoyed the mindlessness of doing what needed done. Routine. Order. All of it meant more to him than most would know. Lady Kaed and now Lady Rio had given him a purpose, somwthing he had needed and was thankful for. What was a soldier without a duty?

Trained well he always knew when eyes were upon him, but he had learned swiftly what Kaedes, Rios and the pups felt like. So they no longer prickled his hide.


He was surprised from his current actions by the sound of running paws. And he knew it not to be small steps of littles.

He turned with blue gaze to see Lady Rio coming.

He lay the here's down gently. Warmth in his gaze. Voice a low rumble. hello