Post by Kvatch on Jun 14, 2012 9:32:04 GMT -5
| Brutal, a male wolf | Althaea, a female adolescent wolf (Ute) | Grim, a male wolf |
Wind-Blown Lowlands
==========================================================================
Once, twice, perhaps a hundred times did Brutal doze off while the young she-wolf rested against him. Each time was subsequently followed by a abrupt awaking, afraid each and every time that he would find her gone, but equally pleased to discover her still there. He struggled for a long time with the inevitable, until heavy eyes became too much of a burden and his great mass finally slunk down to lay next to her. When he next awoke, the sun was gone and the night harbored the chill of spring, or maybe it just seemed this way, for now she too had also gone. The days passed and Brutal spent a majority of his time in quiet reflection, thinking of things he had not allowed himself to think of in years. When he was not doing this, he was avoiding Grim, and feeling only slightly guilty about doing so. He really wasn't in the mood to hear what his brother might have to say, or rather, knowing that Grim will not want to listen to what he thinks. Brutal did not expect things to get so complicated. But then, there are quite a few things Brutal did not anticipate and of these, the young she-wolf Althaea, is the last thing he ever could have imagined to trouble his mind. Perhaps that is why he is out here now, his dark figure casting a distinct silhouette as the rogue wolf rest at the edge of the grasslands, letting the warm breeze ruffle at his dark pelt while yellow eyes stare far into the distance, caught somewhere beyond the mountains and the sky.
Though it would have upset her brother for even suggesting, Althaea felt it right to at least try. No one should have to live with anger or uncertainty over another. Told to not speak of it, she was upset but knew it wasn't the time or place to offer a peace offering, especially if it wasn't hers to offer. With Hadir now asleep the young adolescent is left to her own, wondering off once more but this time not into the woods, but the plains that once bordered their distant home. Slowly she trailed the barren path that laid between the falls and here, keeping a eye out for anything capable of doing her harm or not. For the first time she's felt prone, though a familiar scent was in the air; it brought comfort, but not enough to drop her guard. Looking all around the she-wolf searched for possible clues on where the scent originates, however she finds nothing. If its true in who she thought it to be, then she's not surprised she's unable to find him at first. Reaching the edge where the grassland meets the forest, Althaea comes to a stop, a short distance from burly wolf, giving herself time to check the area before stepping out into the open. Doing this, a side glance allows the girl to spot Brutal's shadowed figure and she's relieved, but still remains ever watchful.
A distant rustle, the soft scuff of paws against dirt. Immediately the sound brings a smile to the lips of the dark male, which also causes a single ear to tip in Althaea's direction of approach. His own eyes remain forward though, his gaze turned toward the east and still caught upon the horizon that is already veiled in the deep blue of night. Without checking to ensure himself it is her, the massive wolf's deep voice calls out quietly, "Do you know about the wolf-ways in the stars, young Althaea?" His question is spoken gently, his smile becoming warm upon his muzzle. "From here, you can see Gili, who's path leads south to waters that have no end. And over there to the north, just barely visible because her path is secret, is Asta, who ran away to be with her lover." Here, he finally turns his great furred head to set his yellow eyes upon her, his expression quiet, yet observant, before he interrupts it with the sprawl of a small grin, "My brother and me, we used to stay up nearly all night singing down the stars." He draws in a soft breath, his grin diminishing into a small smile as he gives his head a rueful shake, turning his eyes back to the sky for a moment, "I've forgotten so many of their names..." he nearly whispers, his voice sad and wistful. Looking back to the young she-wolf, he perks his ears, "Though listen to me ramble about silly things. It is good to see you again, Althaea." He rises up ever so quietly, his movement purposely slow, as if he were afraid she might take wing and fly off like a startled prairie hen. Once standing, he moves to meet her, head lowering to reach out and very lightly touch his nose to her shoulder.
Althaea stood there only a moment before approaching the wolf, seeking his comfort far from home. Her gaze is out toward the open plain as she steps near, a fair amount of amazement fills her expression. It was all different now that she was older and tall enough to see over the grasses. She'd laugh about it if it weren't for the wolf she's about to join. A smile meeting the wolf, she looks at Brutal, glad to see him almost to the point of actually missing him. Steps falling short from the question, she pauses giving a quick look threw a gap in the canopy above to the stars. "I dont believe so, no." Is her response, continuing her steps to his side, looking down to hear his short tale. Once there, or rather met, a smile curls her lips to his touch, met with a light brush of her own along his in return. She rather liked when he rambled, if gave her the chance to think, to experience the wolf in a whole different way. "Its good to see you too."
Since that day by the waterfall pool, when a young she-wolf stood bold and judged him not by how others perceived him, Brutal has ever after missed her company when not in it. Something about her nature calms the waters of his turbulent mind, giving him a taste of peace that has not been known for a very long time. Though as wondrous as this is, it also just as bitter sweet. Like the beauty of a flower blooming in late winter, he cannot hope that this will last. This calm. This peace. It is just Fate's way of taunting him, of letting him believe that all might be forgiven, or maybe that he has suffered enough for his foolishness- his debt repaid. Yet, knowing that all of this might as well be a dream, it is a good dream, and he has decided he will continue to dream it until he is forced to wake up; even if that mean reliving a nightmare. Something of a soft growl rumbles in his throat as Althaea expresses her own pleasure at seeing him, the sound nothing so fierce as to be threatening, but rather, resonates with obvious intonations of affection. The brush of her muzzle in return begs Brutal to linger, but the burly male forces himself to take a step back, least he forget himself and risk becoming overbearing and frightening her. Letting her response take his attention, he chuckles gently, "No? Well, they are very old songs. Old even when I was young." He smiles, giving his large head a small tilt in a curious gesture, "Have you caught any fish lately?" he questions, though the subtle grin that tugs at the corners of his mouth suggest his question is more playful jest than genuine interest in her fishing habits.
If there ever was a thing that separated Althaea from the rest, it was her risks. Just being here was a risk- one she'd make over and over without regret, for if she did, moments like this would never be dreamed. Pulling her muzzle from the wolf when he forces himself to take a step back, she holds her smile, however faint it may have become due to it. A light shake of the head confirms her earlier response- such songs are foreign to her, as are many things infact. "Heh, none yet." She says. Last she was at the river she was brought a hare from her father, intentional or not. Taking a seat not, she turns out toward the plain, more specifically the hills.
If Brutal had his way, he'd teach Althaea everything he was ever taught, down to the language of his birthland. Maybe it's because he never had the chance to do this with his own cubs, or maybe because her own pack has neglected to do so. Whatever the reason, all he knows is that he wants to share and teach her such things, because he's fond of her. Watching her face, as he often does, Brutal catches sight of that faltered smile and it causes his own to diminish, but the burly male doesn't dwell on the matter openly, for he resumes the expression at her retort. "Well, no matter. I'd prefer you learn how to catch rabbit and deer, anyhow. I intended to show you, but..." he stops himself, pausing just long enough to choose his words more delicately, " Things didn't go as planned that day." Brutal has no intention of elaborating on that subject though, not because of any real avoidance, because if she asked, he'd tell her. However, as it were, his attention follows the adolescent's movement along with his darkly furred ears, his brows knitting ever so slightly with curiosity as he looks upon her lithe frame, privately appreciating her young elegance, even as he questions her, "Have you ever heard them sing? Those hills?"
Althaea wasn't to much into fish anyway. If she had to guess on what they tasted liked, she'd imagine them to be grimy, like old mice. Ear swiveling back to listen to the wolf's words, she turns to him some at the mention of his intentions. Things didn't go as planned? Well thats an interesting inquiry. "What do you mean, as planned?" She'd wait on a response for that for however long it took. Till then she averted her eyes back toward the hills. "The day my sister died, they sang." She wouldn't really call it a song; she barely knew her sister, it was more like a sign of things to come. Her sister died, dogs ran her from home, her mother missing... Many things sang that day, not just the hills. "One day they may again." With good news she hoped.
It is but for a split second that Brutal regrets bringing it up, but only because he fears that in answering, what he has to say might upset her and shorten the time spent in her company. So, just so that he might enjoy this moment a bit longer, he refrains from immediate response. Instead, it is to her own reply that the massive wolf stays his regards, his scarred and grizzled muzzle touched with a small frown. "Oh...I see. Sad." Quiet paw steps advance the big wolf to her side, with the only sound actually heard being the gentle rustle of prairie grass around his sturdy legs. In the veiled darkness that has fallen around them, save but the darkening hues of a deep purple to the west, Brutal comes to stand as a tall looming shadow next to her, but a gentle caress of warm breath and then his muzzle against the back of her ear makes him far from ominous."You have a brave heart, Althaea. You look for hope and goodness in the darkest of times. That is a rare gift." Easing down next to her, Brutal comes to lay squarely upon his stomach, fore paws stretched out in front of his broad chest. Yet still, even in this position, the height of the burly male's shoulder is very near her own, such is his size. "Not long ago, I come upon a young yearling. It carried an old injury and had clearly fallen behind it's mother. So I carried it carefully back to the falls...looking for you. I wanted to teach you how to kill it properly." He draws in a careful breath, his yellow eyes set upon her face, even if she should still be looking to those hills. "Though, I came upon your brother instead. He was upset that I had not killed it and had brought it back alive. We spoke of death and he told me he was dying. Maybe I was insensitive, maybe I've just been taught differently. I guess what really matters, is that he said some things that opened up some old wounds. I got angry and sorta...well, shoved him over." His ears turn back a bit, as if uncertain himself if that is truly what happened. After all, Brutal sometimes forgets his own strength. "I didn't mean to hurt your brother, Althaea."
Althaea's own words bring her sadness, but dwelling over the past just makes things worse. All she can do is keep the lost at heart and look to the future where things can either get worse or better, dealing with it as it comes. Looking to the ground, if only for a moment, she looks up when the burly wolf moves along her side. Leaning to one side, failing to touch the wolf as he drops to lay, she smiles at his words. Kind and yet unexpected. Gaze drifting from him she blinks to what appears to be an explanation; not just to her question but to what happened to her brother. She never knew exactly what happened, just that he slept for days and Brutal was being blamed for it. It was easy to believe the pack would assume the worse; they never did like Brut or his brother. "My brother may be sick, but even he sometimes needs to feel the hardships of life." A harsh way of putting it, but Hadir has been treated with nothing but sympathy and kindness. It was sickening to a point where she pitied him. "My brother has been nothing but coddled since he was found to be sick. If you ask me, its because of that that has made him fragile even now." Don't get her wrong, she loves her brother like any other, but a sister's love only goes so far before it turns into something else. "So don't go thinking its just your fault on what happened." Maybe she shouldn't of said anything about giving Brutal a second chance.. Closing her eyes, muzzle pointing to the ground she sighs. Wanting whats best for everyone- why did it have to be so hard? So complicated?
Brutal expected many possible reactions, hoped against some, but would still accept anything that the adolescent she-wolf might feel. If she became angry with him, that was her right. After all, Brutal could have possibly killed the poor boy- her own brother! Then where would they be? Very likely far apart and possibly with a whole pack of angry wolves on his heels. Yet as it is, for all things expected, the response he receives from the female is the least of them. So much, that his surprise is glimpsed upon his face by way of briefly widened eyes, followed by immediate gratitude that she might see things as he does. With continued silence and patient attention, Brutal listens to Althaea discuss her own feelings on the matter and by the end, Brutal's ears are turned back and a soft, almost sheepish smile touches his lips, the big bad Brutal looking very much like a gently scolded pup. "Alright, I won't." he promises her. Those folded ears stand aloft his head once again as Brutal looks upon the side of her wolfish visage, watching her in his quiet way as she closes her eyes. The sound of her sigh saddens him, for unspoken as they are, in it, he can hear her troubled thoughts. Leaning over, he lifts his stout muzzle to her cheek, where a warm dab of his fleshy tongue presses firmly against the fur to briefly heat the skin beneath. Pulling away with no great rush, he smiles softly to her, "Come on, I'll walk you home." And perhaps, hopefully, relieve her from some of her troubles. Or gain a few new ones for himself, depending on the nature of welcome.
Then again, maybe it was Brutal's fault for letting her brother's words get to him. She really didn't want to play the blame game even though that's all that seems to be happening when one of the brothers happened to be involved. In a moments time Althaea's eyes open and she turns to the wolf beside her, his words just enough to put a faint smile over her lips. His touch she gives pause to, blinking. It was different from his normal nosing, yet she doesn't reject it, but rather embraces it. "Thank you." He didn't have to accompany her, but in a way she was glad he was. Pushing herself from her haunches to a stand, she circles around to face the falls. Time to go home it seems. A breath is taken.
If only he truly could walk her home, if only he could lead her back to the comfort and familiarity of her birth lands, for whatever it might mean to her, but only if it should mean her happiness. As for Brutal, to call a place home has long since become a lost memory, because he has only ever carried it with him. Home is not where you live, but where they understand you. And when he became misunderstood so long ago, Brutal moved on with what home he had left. Though these days, very little comfort is found even in his brother's company. Countless times now Grim has asked Brutal why they have stayed, so many times in fact, that Brutal had taken to dodging him. He stayed, because he needed to find a way to tell his brother he wanted to move on alone. Now? He stays for a very different reason, as unexpected as it is difficult. Worse, Grim wouldn't understand it at all. Complicated indeed. Althaea's voiced expression of gratitude gains a further smile of warmth from the massive dark wolf, who soon rises up to move after her and in the darkness of the night, appearing in all likeness to her own shadow, in which moonlight has made tall and distinct. Except this night, there is no moon and still her shadow follows. It will be a quiet walk back to the falls, but then, Brutal has never been a wolf for useless conversation and noisy prattle. Instead, he simply saunters along next to Althaea, neither leading or following, but rather just accompanying the she-wolf and in turn, letting her accompany him.
A moonless night it is, but still a pair of eyes that are golden by day, manage to glint a eerie shade of green from within the darkness of the bordering woodland. In his excitement that he should have found it at all, so suddenly had he come upon the fresh scent of his slippery brother, that Grim had not noticed the young female's cross scent. He noticed her now though, the poisonous snake! No doubt luring Brutal into the role of hero again, so that he might help win back their land. At this point, her and the whole Ute pack could go get f**ked by dogs for all the concern it was of Grim's. Lurking in the shadows, he continued to watch the both of them with no small amount of leering regard; spying until his lurking became skulking, which then became prowling, until by the time Brutal and Althaea moved off together, ghostly pale lips are drawn into a sinister sneer. Brutal was /his/ family and none of these ignorant Ute bastards deserved such a wolf's loyalty and strength! Maybe he'll just have to prove this to them... *Cue dramatic music of doom*
Wind-Blown Lowlands
==========================================================================
Once, twice, perhaps a hundred times did Brutal doze off while the young she-wolf rested against him. Each time was subsequently followed by a abrupt awaking, afraid each and every time that he would find her gone, but equally pleased to discover her still there. He struggled for a long time with the inevitable, until heavy eyes became too much of a burden and his great mass finally slunk down to lay next to her. When he next awoke, the sun was gone and the night harbored the chill of spring, or maybe it just seemed this way, for now she too had also gone. The days passed and Brutal spent a majority of his time in quiet reflection, thinking of things he had not allowed himself to think of in years. When he was not doing this, he was avoiding Grim, and feeling only slightly guilty about doing so. He really wasn't in the mood to hear what his brother might have to say, or rather, knowing that Grim will not want to listen to what he thinks. Brutal did not expect things to get so complicated. But then, there are quite a few things Brutal did not anticipate and of these, the young she-wolf Althaea, is the last thing he ever could have imagined to trouble his mind. Perhaps that is why he is out here now, his dark figure casting a distinct silhouette as the rogue wolf rest at the edge of the grasslands, letting the warm breeze ruffle at his dark pelt while yellow eyes stare far into the distance, caught somewhere beyond the mountains and the sky.
Though it would have upset her brother for even suggesting, Althaea felt it right to at least try. No one should have to live with anger or uncertainty over another. Told to not speak of it, she was upset but knew it wasn't the time or place to offer a peace offering, especially if it wasn't hers to offer. With Hadir now asleep the young adolescent is left to her own, wondering off once more but this time not into the woods, but the plains that once bordered their distant home. Slowly she trailed the barren path that laid between the falls and here, keeping a eye out for anything capable of doing her harm or not. For the first time she's felt prone, though a familiar scent was in the air; it brought comfort, but not enough to drop her guard. Looking all around the she-wolf searched for possible clues on where the scent originates, however she finds nothing. If its true in who she thought it to be, then she's not surprised she's unable to find him at first. Reaching the edge where the grassland meets the forest, Althaea comes to a stop, a short distance from burly wolf, giving herself time to check the area before stepping out into the open. Doing this, a side glance allows the girl to spot Brutal's shadowed figure and she's relieved, but still remains ever watchful.
A distant rustle, the soft scuff of paws against dirt. Immediately the sound brings a smile to the lips of the dark male, which also causes a single ear to tip in Althaea's direction of approach. His own eyes remain forward though, his gaze turned toward the east and still caught upon the horizon that is already veiled in the deep blue of night. Without checking to ensure himself it is her, the massive wolf's deep voice calls out quietly, "Do you know about the wolf-ways in the stars, young Althaea?" His question is spoken gently, his smile becoming warm upon his muzzle. "From here, you can see Gili, who's path leads south to waters that have no end. And over there to the north, just barely visible because her path is secret, is Asta, who ran away to be with her lover." Here, he finally turns his great furred head to set his yellow eyes upon her, his expression quiet, yet observant, before he interrupts it with the sprawl of a small grin, "My brother and me, we used to stay up nearly all night singing down the stars." He draws in a soft breath, his grin diminishing into a small smile as he gives his head a rueful shake, turning his eyes back to the sky for a moment, "I've forgotten so many of their names..." he nearly whispers, his voice sad and wistful. Looking back to the young she-wolf, he perks his ears, "Though listen to me ramble about silly things. It is good to see you again, Althaea." He rises up ever so quietly, his movement purposely slow, as if he were afraid she might take wing and fly off like a startled prairie hen. Once standing, he moves to meet her, head lowering to reach out and very lightly touch his nose to her shoulder.
Althaea stood there only a moment before approaching the wolf, seeking his comfort far from home. Her gaze is out toward the open plain as she steps near, a fair amount of amazement fills her expression. It was all different now that she was older and tall enough to see over the grasses. She'd laugh about it if it weren't for the wolf she's about to join. A smile meeting the wolf, she looks at Brutal, glad to see him almost to the point of actually missing him. Steps falling short from the question, she pauses giving a quick look threw a gap in the canopy above to the stars. "I dont believe so, no." Is her response, continuing her steps to his side, looking down to hear his short tale. Once there, or rather met, a smile curls her lips to his touch, met with a light brush of her own along his in return. She rather liked when he rambled, if gave her the chance to think, to experience the wolf in a whole different way. "Its good to see you too."
Since that day by the waterfall pool, when a young she-wolf stood bold and judged him not by how others perceived him, Brutal has ever after missed her company when not in it. Something about her nature calms the waters of his turbulent mind, giving him a taste of peace that has not been known for a very long time. Though as wondrous as this is, it also just as bitter sweet. Like the beauty of a flower blooming in late winter, he cannot hope that this will last. This calm. This peace. It is just Fate's way of taunting him, of letting him believe that all might be forgiven, or maybe that he has suffered enough for his foolishness- his debt repaid. Yet, knowing that all of this might as well be a dream, it is a good dream, and he has decided he will continue to dream it until he is forced to wake up; even if that mean reliving a nightmare. Something of a soft growl rumbles in his throat as Althaea expresses her own pleasure at seeing him, the sound nothing so fierce as to be threatening, but rather, resonates with obvious intonations of affection. The brush of her muzzle in return begs Brutal to linger, but the burly male forces himself to take a step back, least he forget himself and risk becoming overbearing and frightening her. Letting her response take his attention, he chuckles gently, "No? Well, they are very old songs. Old even when I was young." He smiles, giving his large head a small tilt in a curious gesture, "Have you caught any fish lately?" he questions, though the subtle grin that tugs at the corners of his mouth suggest his question is more playful jest than genuine interest in her fishing habits.
If there ever was a thing that separated Althaea from the rest, it was her risks. Just being here was a risk- one she'd make over and over without regret, for if she did, moments like this would never be dreamed. Pulling her muzzle from the wolf when he forces himself to take a step back, she holds her smile, however faint it may have become due to it. A light shake of the head confirms her earlier response- such songs are foreign to her, as are many things infact. "Heh, none yet." She says. Last she was at the river she was brought a hare from her father, intentional or not. Taking a seat not, she turns out toward the plain, more specifically the hills.
If Brutal had his way, he'd teach Althaea everything he was ever taught, down to the language of his birthland. Maybe it's because he never had the chance to do this with his own cubs, or maybe because her own pack has neglected to do so. Whatever the reason, all he knows is that he wants to share and teach her such things, because he's fond of her. Watching her face, as he often does, Brutal catches sight of that faltered smile and it causes his own to diminish, but the burly male doesn't dwell on the matter openly, for he resumes the expression at her retort. "Well, no matter. I'd prefer you learn how to catch rabbit and deer, anyhow. I intended to show you, but..." he stops himself, pausing just long enough to choose his words more delicately, " Things didn't go as planned that day." Brutal has no intention of elaborating on that subject though, not because of any real avoidance, because if she asked, he'd tell her. However, as it were, his attention follows the adolescent's movement along with his darkly furred ears, his brows knitting ever so slightly with curiosity as he looks upon her lithe frame, privately appreciating her young elegance, even as he questions her, "Have you ever heard them sing? Those hills?"
Althaea wasn't to much into fish anyway. If she had to guess on what they tasted liked, she'd imagine them to be grimy, like old mice. Ear swiveling back to listen to the wolf's words, she turns to him some at the mention of his intentions. Things didn't go as planned? Well thats an interesting inquiry. "What do you mean, as planned?" She'd wait on a response for that for however long it took. Till then she averted her eyes back toward the hills. "The day my sister died, they sang." She wouldn't really call it a song; she barely knew her sister, it was more like a sign of things to come. Her sister died, dogs ran her from home, her mother missing... Many things sang that day, not just the hills. "One day they may again." With good news she hoped.
It is but for a split second that Brutal regrets bringing it up, but only because he fears that in answering, what he has to say might upset her and shorten the time spent in her company. So, just so that he might enjoy this moment a bit longer, he refrains from immediate response. Instead, it is to her own reply that the massive wolf stays his regards, his scarred and grizzled muzzle touched with a small frown. "Oh...I see. Sad." Quiet paw steps advance the big wolf to her side, with the only sound actually heard being the gentle rustle of prairie grass around his sturdy legs. In the veiled darkness that has fallen around them, save but the darkening hues of a deep purple to the west, Brutal comes to stand as a tall looming shadow next to her, but a gentle caress of warm breath and then his muzzle against the back of her ear makes him far from ominous."You have a brave heart, Althaea. You look for hope and goodness in the darkest of times. That is a rare gift." Easing down next to her, Brutal comes to lay squarely upon his stomach, fore paws stretched out in front of his broad chest. Yet still, even in this position, the height of the burly male's shoulder is very near her own, such is his size. "Not long ago, I come upon a young yearling. It carried an old injury and had clearly fallen behind it's mother. So I carried it carefully back to the falls...looking for you. I wanted to teach you how to kill it properly." He draws in a careful breath, his yellow eyes set upon her face, even if she should still be looking to those hills. "Though, I came upon your brother instead. He was upset that I had not killed it and had brought it back alive. We spoke of death and he told me he was dying. Maybe I was insensitive, maybe I've just been taught differently. I guess what really matters, is that he said some things that opened up some old wounds. I got angry and sorta...well, shoved him over." His ears turn back a bit, as if uncertain himself if that is truly what happened. After all, Brutal sometimes forgets his own strength. "I didn't mean to hurt your brother, Althaea."
Althaea's own words bring her sadness, but dwelling over the past just makes things worse. All she can do is keep the lost at heart and look to the future where things can either get worse or better, dealing with it as it comes. Looking to the ground, if only for a moment, she looks up when the burly wolf moves along her side. Leaning to one side, failing to touch the wolf as he drops to lay, she smiles at his words. Kind and yet unexpected. Gaze drifting from him she blinks to what appears to be an explanation; not just to her question but to what happened to her brother. She never knew exactly what happened, just that he slept for days and Brutal was being blamed for it. It was easy to believe the pack would assume the worse; they never did like Brut or his brother. "My brother may be sick, but even he sometimes needs to feel the hardships of life." A harsh way of putting it, but Hadir has been treated with nothing but sympathy and kindness. It was sickening to a point where she pitied him. "My brother has been nothing but coddled since he was found to be sick. If you ask me, its because of that that has made him fragile even now." Don't get her wrong, she loves her brother like any other, but a sister's love only goes so far before it turns into something else. "So don't go thinking its just your fault on what happened." Maybe she shouldn't of said anything about giving Brutal a second chance.. Closing her eyes, muzzle pointing to the ground she sighs. Wanting whats best for everyone- why did it have to be so hard? So complicated?
Brutal expected many possible reactions, hoped against some, but would still accept anything that the adolescent she-wolf might feel. If she became angry with him, that was her right. After all, Brutal could have possibly killed the poor boy- her own brother! Then where would they be? Very likely far apart and possibly with a whole pack of angry wolves on his heels. Yet as it is, for all things expected, the response he receives from the female is the least of them. So much, that his surprise is glimpsed upon his face by way of briefly widened eyes, followed by immediate gratitude that she might see things as he does. With continued silence and patient attention, Brutal listens to Althaea discuss her own feelings on the matter and by the end, Brutal's ears are turned back and a soft, almost sheepish smile touches his lips, the big bad Brutal looking very much like a gently scolded pup. "Alright, I won't." he promises her. Those folded ears stand aloft his head once again as Brutal looks upon the side of her wolfish visage, watching her in his quiet way as she closes her eyes. The sound of her sigh saddens him, for unspoken as they are, in it, he can hear her troubled thoughts. Leaning over, he lifts his stout muzzle to her cheek, where a warm dab of his fleshy tongue presses firmly against the fur to briefly heat the skin beneath. Pulling away with no great rush, he smiles softly to her, "Come on, I'll walk you home." And perhaps, hopefully, relieve her from some of her troubles. Or gain a few new ones for himself, depending on the nature of welcome.
Then again, maybe it was Brutal's fault for letting her brother's words get to him. She really didn't want to play the blame game even though that's all that seems to be happening when one of the brothers happened to be involved. In a moments time Althaea's eyes open and she turns to the wolf beside her, his words just enough to put a faint smile over her lips. His touch she gives pause to, blinking. It was different from his normal nosing, yet she doesn't reject it, but rather embraces it. "Thank you." He didn't have to accompany her, but in a way she was glad he was. Pushing herself from her haunches to a stand, she circles around to face the falls. Time to go home it seems. A breath is taken.
If only he truly could walk her home, if only he could lead her back to the comfort and familiarity of her birth lands, for whatever it might mean to her, but only if it should mean her happiness. As for Brutal, to call a place home has long since become a lost memory, because he has only ever carried it with him. Home is not where you live, but where they understand you. And when he became misunderstood so long ago, Brutal moved on with what home he had left. Though these days, very little comfort is found even in his brother's company. Countless times now Grim has asked Brutal why they have stayed, so many times in fact, that Brutal had taken to dodging him. He stayed, because he needed to find a way to tell his brother he wanted to move on alone. Now? He stays for a very different reason, as unexpected as it is difficult. Worse, Grim wouldn't understand it at all. Complicated indeed. Althaea's voiced expression of gratitude gains a further smile of warmth from the massive dark wolf, who soon rises up to move after her and in the darkness of the night, appearing in all likeness to her own shadow, in which moonlight has made tall and distinct. Except this night, there is no moon and still her shadow follows. It will be a quiet walk back to the falls, but then, Brutal has never been a wolf for useless conversation and noisy prattle. Instead, he simply saunters along next to Althaea, neither leading or following, but rather just accompanying the she-wolf and in turn, letting her accompany him.
A moonless night it is, but still a pair of eyes that are golden by day, manage to glint a eerie shade of green from within the darkness of the bordering woodland. In his excitement that he should have found it at all, so suddenly had he come upon the fresh scent of his slippery brother, that Grim had not noticed the young female's cross scent. He noticed her now though, the poisonous snake! No doubt luring Brutal into the role of hero again, so that he might help win back their land. At this point, her and the whole Ute pack could go get f**ked by dogs for all the concern it was of Grim's. Lurking in the shadows, he continued to watch the both of them with no small amount of leering regard; spying until his lurking became skulking, which then became prowling, until by the time Brutal and Althaea moved off together, ghostly pale lips are drawn into a sinister sneer. Brutal was /his/ family and none of these ignorant Ute bastards deserved such a wolf's loyalty and strength! Maybe he'll just have to prove this to them... *Cue dramatic music of doom*
