Try, Daryn said, as if flopping into the snow was so difficult Harvey might fail. His tail-tip flicked slightly, brushing against the snow beneath their paws.
I was a child once,He retorted coolly, stripping his tone of any emotion.
Daryn was prancing ahead like a stallion showing off for his mares. Harv was tempted to peer over his shoulder to see if there was another audience member here, but no - it was just Harvey. And Wick, the turkey. He'd always assumed Daryn's almost theatrical charm was a facade worn in public for the sake of others. Now, Harvest wondered if was just who Daryn was.
They were going to fit in well with Autumn, he supposed, and that thought was the first real positive he'd experienced in this new world.
We'll have to look - or send out scouts to look - until we find every Havener the spell took to this world. We must also find an appropriate location to establish ourselves in lest the spell be irreversible. Especially now, with...everything...A hint of stress took root in Harvest's voice, a small indicator of the sheer volume of pressure they were under.
It's imperative we strengthen the Haven and bring stability to our peoples.
Their betrothal, however questionable Harvest found it, would help provide that stability.
I agree, though. We shall go south and look for Spring and Autumn on the way.
Daryn went on to offer the help of their familiar, and Harvest arched a brow. He'd assumed the bat was not so well-trained. He shot a snide glare at the bird following him, unperturbed as usual.
If it would please you, of course.
Harvest's mouth quirked into a mild frown. They slid their autumnal gaze over to meet Daryn's, half-lidded eyes giving little indication of very many thoughts behind his eyes.
I wouldn't want anything to happen to your little companion, dear.Harvest murmured, edging dangerously close to sultry with a sinister undertone.
Some boundaries were not to be pressed upon too hard - he hoped that was made clear, quickly. Daryn would receive some leniency from the Monarch by virtue of their assigned bond; but Harvest was a wolf practically bred to inherit the role they now held, and that power was not something the Amulet family had given up easily in many generations. Power, now, was a bargaining chip Daryn would have a hard time prying from their paws. Not now, with everything collapsing around them. It didn't even briefly occur to Harvest that Daryn might be an ally to lean on the with challenges he faced now - just another pawn on Harv's chessboard, and a wildcard of one to boot.
What a mess. What they wouldn't give to drown their sorrows in an Autumn Bacchanal right now, but even the idea of organizing one didn't bring Harvest anything but more problems and stress.