Post by Kvatch on Aug 11, 2012 10:58:21 GMT -5
| Brutal, a male wolf |
| Ikuna, a male wolf (Ute Alpha) |
Wind-Blown Lowlands
==========================================================================
The days have passed like they always do, coming and going until they begin to blend together and only the change of the season can tell the passage of time. In years past, Brutal had only ever been vaguely aware of such passage, mostly out of indifference. Now, while no more observant than before, the reason is very different. The massive wolf has spent these last days of summer in a perpetual state of distraction, spent as lazy days in the cool of a shade tree and idle conversations that often fade into mummers of a mid day nap. However, there are days, such as this, when Brutal turns his thoughts upon unresolved matters and loose ends. He has searched for his brother many times by now, if just in the effort to find some confirmation that Grim has indeed gone away. But by the day's end, all he ever finds are old signs and a dead end trail. As for the unresolved matter, Brutal has a good idea where to find Ikuna, he just hasn't been up to the task. That is, the part after hunting him down. For whatever reason though, this evening finds Brutal's dark figure wandering thoughtfully down a worn path, heading out to where the vast sea of grassland breaks upon the tree-line of the denser forest. He's not exactly searching, but there remains a purpose to his saunter and a certain conviction burning behind his yellow eyes. A wolf seeking council.
The days have passed as they always do, but for Ikuna - a younger wolf, and one whose life has seen much upheaval of late - each day still has a freashness to it. He could, he imagines, count the days since - but he'd rather not, and so he doesn't. On this particular day, he's patrolled - as usual - and spent some time with Wachiwa's pups - also usual. Now it's time for his brief evening patrol - also usual, but there turns out to be something unusual along the way. Not wholly so; for he's caught Brutal's scent around, even sometimes followed it for a few moments, though not far enough to find the older wolf since... but he's not counting days. Suffice it to say that Brutal's presence is less familiar than some, more familiar than others, and when he finds it now - not merely the scent, but fresh enough to be the wolf himself - he moves himself to a rise along the other's approach, visible but silent. The silence is less choice, more a necessity from the flurry of his thoughts.
It doesn't take long for Brutal to take notice of distant movement, or rather catching sight of what is the younger wolf's back and ears, drifting and bobbing just behind the hill. However, the identity of that figure isn't known until Ikuna's path brings him to rise up to take the full shape of a wolf. But with his attention already alert and his gaze scrutinizing, Brutal quickly confirms the figure to be that of the somewhat elusive wolf. Not that Brutal can lay claim to being any less guilty of that, himself. And while Brutal's thoughts are fairly stasis and resolute, the massive male seems partial to silence himself, at least until he is his well within speaking distance. In fact, it isn't until he is nearly face to face with Ikuna -though his approach is more lateral than strait- that the older male's coarse voice is heard, oddly, in question. "May I walk with you?"
When two wolves walk different paths, it's hard for them to find each other, no matter whether they're stealthy or not. There are certainly those Ikuna has not eluded; Brutal has not been among them. The Ute alpha holds steady, letting the other approach him as he discovers how many of his thoughts he hasn't managed to work through up until actually seeing the larger wolf. It's enough to keep him thinking until Brutal speaks, and for a moment longer after the question before he nods. "Yes," he says, and starts in motion again, a leisurely walk-and-talk pace.
Despite whatever troubled waters still might stand between them, they are not so deep and turbulent that Brutal does not manage a genuinely pleased smile as Ikuna acquiesces his request. For Brutal's part, he retains no ill feelings in regards to past frustrations and minor disagreements with the wolf who's company he now joins, but this is not to say that a certain social-distance does not persist. The walking helps, if simply as a means to avoid feeding the beast of awkwardness by sitting and staring at each other. For Brutal though, the difficulty comes not because of past transgressions, but indecisiveness. It has since come to his knowledge that Skahla has passed his mantle to the young wolf. Not exactly surprising, hell, Brutal couldn't say he doesn't approve of the choice. And though the timing seemed a bit peculiar, if not down right suspicious, if it's one thing Brutal has learned, it is that nothing about this pack is ordinary. The problem is, Brutal now struggles with how to address the young alpha. As far as social preliminaries go, the massive wolf was practically force fed them from birth. But Brutal doesn't want to be correct. He wants to be personal. And so, with only a hint of hesitation and a mental strain to not fuss with etiquette, Brutal decides to just talk... "I hear you are Ute's new Alpha." he begins, speaking more in congratulatory than actually seeking confirmation, told by the way he simply continues, ambling along in pace the other wolf's stride. "You are a much stronger wolf than I could ever be, Ikuna." he says, casting a quick side glance before looking ahead once more, but only to gaze back at the images of his own past. "I am no brave warrior or noble wolf, despite what my brother may have had you believe, I'm sure. Truth is, I am a coward. A coward who has spent his days running from his own shame." He shakes his head slowly, dismissively, "It is no matter now. The thing is, you've surely done what I could not. Accept responsibility, even at the cost of what you want. Now that is a noble thing indeed." Slowing to a eventual halt, Brutal turns his scarred face to look upon Ikuna, his expression almost grievous, "Will they come back? Ahiga and your sister Tala?"
Ikuna nods to Brutal's comment on his new status, though he makes no effort to interrupt. As for his strength... the young alpha's muzzle curves at that, in something that isn't really a smile, and he lets out a slow breath rather than letting himself interrupt. By the end of it, it's a sigh, and he looks out ahead before turning his head to glance at Brutal as the other wolf continues. Responsibility. Desire. Nobility. Ikuna listens, though Brutal's words must be weighed against the philosophies of Ute that he's learned. Those are what have led him to take this role; the things he learned from his parents before their deaths, from Wachiwa, from Skahla and Askuwheteau. There's only one thing that he feels needs comment, during the discussion. "I have no great trust for your brother's words." Agreement, of sorts, with what Brutal says now - but it's also part of another issue. Of Brutal, Ikuna has heard both good reports and ill; of Grim, there have been no good reports. As for the question asked, Ikuna sighs again, and his gaze goes out to the horizon. "Perhaps," he says. After a moment, he corrects himself. "The last moon of summer is growing full. I asked them to return then; I think they will." Though perhaps not for long, which is the part, unspoken, that troubles him. His gaze returns to Brutal. "That is when we leave these lands. Will you or your brother wish to come with us?" These past days, Brutal and Grim have been guests by Skahla's say-so; Ikuna has made no move to reverse the decision... nor reaffirm it. Only to say he will make a decision - his decision - when the pack moves.
A grunt is give in correspondence to Ikuna's admittance, the sound implicating a understanding for the young wolf's hesitation to do otherwise, but there is also a more personal note captured in the simplicity of the wordless response, something of a regretful acceptance of truth. Brutal would love nothing more than to lay the blame on Grim for the necessity of the conditional terms laid out by the former alpha, but truly the fault is his own. Too long did he allow Grim the liberty of going unchecked, while he himself did little to apologize for his brother's bawdy behavior, himself caught up in a lust for blood or the release of it with his own death; which ever came first. But then something happened to change him. Althaea happened. Ute happened. Perhaps the Spirits that Wachiwa is forever searching to find, are not nearly so far away. To Ikuna's report and his thoughts upon Ute's currently wayward members, Brutal just gives a nod of acknowledgment. Though with the attached question, the hulking male takes a moment to consider his own answer, but even as he raises his voice in reply, there is a distinct uncertainty there. "I..wish to, yes." His head turns and yellow eyes seek to look up the face of the wolf next to him, "But only if my presence serves you and all members of your pack well. I may walk, talk, and look like a alpha, but I do not want that." His voice drops to a near whisper, distant, almost angry that he should even suffer the image. "I have never wanted it." Drawing in a breath, he doesn't seem to expect Ikuna to give some kind of definite word of acceptance or rebuttal to this confession, in fact, he seems to prefer the young wolf not to. He ensures this, at least for now, by turning to another matter. A grim matter. "As for my brother, I have told him to choose his own path. He no longer follows my lead. I have not seen Grim since that evening by the river."
Ikuna nods for Brutal's wish. He doesn't seem surprised by it, nor is the nod more than the acknowledgement. The rest of Brutal's desire provokes a somewhat keener interest; there's somewhat of surprise, somewhat of consideration. Ikuna has had his moments of not wanting to be an alpha as well - yet there was a time he desired it, and even when it pains him, he sees a good in it. So while he may have had the same emotions as Brutal, Ikuna can't quite say that he understands the other. Still, he listens. More food for his thoughts, and they are well-fed of late. For now, that carcass remains uneaten, as Brutal moves on swiftly to the matter of Grim. "Perhaps he is gone," says Ikuna, and though he tries to be even with his words - Grim is, after all, Brutal's sibling, as Tala is Ikuna's - he can't keep the relief out of his tone at the prospect of not having to deal with Grim any further; of not needing a confrontation to drive him away. The other matter... he does not return to now, though his expression is more on one of thought than dismissal.
And how could Brutal know of these things? How could he know what it feels like to desire to be alpha, to pine for a chance, the hope, to lead your pack -your family- toward a greater future? How could he know what it is to happily shoulder such a honor, a recognition of strength, but at the cost of sacrificing the selfish dreams of one for the greater dream of all? He could not. Because Brutal was never given the option to desire leadership. That role was handed to him at birth, even expected of him. On this subject, Ikuna would discover Grim to be a much more suitable conversationalist. But Grim is not here. And no matter the delicacy for which the Ute Alpha voices this point of fact, including the most probable explanation for it, Brutal cannot stifle the depths nor the grief of the frown that darkens the contours of his grizzled and scarred muzzle. "Perhaps..." is all that he manages to say, the words falling off his tongue in brotherly lament, but there remains something of a unspoken observation, a shifting of yellow eyes away from Ikuna and the choking of the words 'but still' stifled in his throat. Away does his gaze advert, away from giving up the truth. He won't say it, simply because he has heard that relief in the new Alpha's voice, the exhale of good riddance. Why trouble a already troubled mind? Maybe Grim is gone, for the good of them all. 'But still'...darkness lingers on the horizon. On his heart.
As Brutal looks away, so too does Ikuna, letting the dark-furred wolf have his moment of familial grief, for Ikuna ascribes it to nothing more nor less than that. There is the horizon; there it is his sister has gone to. At least Ikuna still has his pack, or what remains of it. The silence stretches on for some moment, until at last Ikuna clears his throat a little, a notifiction before he returns his gaze to Brutal. "As a guest," he says quietly, "You /are/ welcome to visit us at the den. Though I understand if you'd rather keep to the outside." Not everyone is good around puppies, after all - but to judge from his expression, the comment is meant as a not-entirely subtle hint. If Brutal wants to come along - if he wants to be good for the pack - perhaps he should visit more with that pack, and impress more than one adolescent she-wolf with that softer side of his. Ikuna pauses a moment to let that sink in, then goes on. "I should finish my patrol. Was there anything else?"
The silence that slips in to linger between wolves exist as long as Ikuna allows it, though in no small part because Brutal would have it so. Who is he to dismiss a wolf of such rank, especially one whom he seeks to find favor with? Even if Ikuna still obviously struggles with the finer details and exhibiting the strong bearing of the rank he has been recently anointed, Brutal cannot help but appreciate the effort he puts forth in easing the momentary distance between them. Maybe, in time, Brutal might make use of his knowledge in leadership after all. Then might Ikuna, Alpha of Ute, be accused of the obnoxiously insufferable, poetic dignity and perfect poise by those who would know no better. The irony would bring a bemused smirk to replace the expression of grief, save that Brutal keeps his ambitions to himself and simply nods to the younger wolf's pointed remark, to which the hulking wolf does offer a gentle smile, "I am comfortable with the young, I taught my own to...." He shakes his head, once more dismissing the darker shadows of a life failed in order to give room for the promise of a future, even if it means making light of their passing. So instead, Brutal simply nods, offering up a gracious word. " Thank you, truly. I'll be sure to drop by from now on." Sucking in a breath, perhaps in resolve against the perpetual demons that threaten to overwhelm him in the moment, Brutal gives a almost urgent shake of his head, though for all the mental turmoil and confliction crashing through his defenses, the perfectly trained and stoic Brutal keeps his poise and simply utters a casual, "No." Then adding, in another reassuring breath, "Nothing else."
The abrupt silence on the matter of youngsters does not go unnoted, and Ikuna frowns at it. He doesn't press for details, though. Not now; perhaps later he'll ask for more of this wolf's story. Perhaps he won't. The thanks recieve a smile, though hardly an untroubled one, and he nods again at the lack of further questions. Ikuna, half-trained at best and making it up as he goes along, takes that poise at something like face value. "All right, then. I'll see you soon." It's a standard sort of farewell, if perhaps more formal in tone than it might usually be, and it's also a repetition of what he said before. With that, and a smile, Ikuna starts into motion again, a quicker pace now as he resumes his patrol - now, with new things to think about. Perhaps the same is true for Brutal.
While Ikuna does not press for details, neither does Brutal seem inclined to offer them. At least not now; maybe never. Rather, the massive shadow of a wolf is more inclined to avoid the topic, seen in the way he eagerly welcomes the young wolf's polite words of departure. Which in return, Brutal is prepared to proffer a near rehearsed dip of his large head in acknowledgment, even thoughtlessly agreeing to the promise of reuniting. However, it doesn't take long before his mind turns upon this concept of that meeting and what it might entail. Until next they meet. Will the young wolf be following through with his former pack mate's wishes? Though at this point, Brutal isn't sure who he needs to impress his intentions upon. It obvious Skahla has dumped the responsibility of a decision upon Ikuna, but whether or not Ikuna will accept that responsibility, and choose outside of his own initial impression, is yet to be known. But maybe Brutal need not worry of such things, maybe the Ute Alpha, young may he be, is still willing to pass a ruling based on observations to come, and not what has been. This distant hope alone brings the dark wolf to smile, even if vaguely, "Until when." Such are Brutal's parting words, distant and lingering, mistakenly dismissive and equally easy to misunderstand, so correctly do they escape his muzzle. It is as he would want though, choosing to let the figure of Ute's Alpha steadily disappear upon the darkening horizon, to fade into the uncertainty that is tomorrow, to stand alone and yet discover he must decide what shall become the fortunes of all. Until when. It is so much closer than either wolf could possibly, ever know...
| Ikuna, a male wolf (Ute Alpha) |
Wind-Blown Lowlands
==========================================================================
The days have passed like they always do, coming and going until they begin to blend together and only the change of the season can tell the passage of time. In years past, Brutal had only ever been vaguely aware of such passage, mostly out of indifference. Now, while no more observant than before, the reason is very different. The massive wolf has spent these last days of summer in a perpetual state of distraction, spent as lazy days in the cool of a shade tree and idle conversations that often fade into mummers of a mid day nap. However, there are days, such as this, when Brutal turns his thoughts upon unresolved matters and loose ends. He has searched for his brother many times by now, if just in the effort to find some confirmation that Grim has indeed gone away. But by the day's end, all he ever finds are old signs and a dead end trail. As for the unresolved matter, Brutal has a good idea where to find Ikuna, he just hasn't been up to the task. That is, the part after hunting him down. For whatever reason though, this evening finds Brutal's dark figure wandering thoughtfully down a worn path, heading out to where the vast sea of grassland breaks upon the tree-line of the denser forest. He's not exactly searching, but there remains a purpose to his saunter and a certain conviction burning behind his yellow eyes. A wolf seeking council.
The days have passed as they always do, but for Ikuna - a younger wolf, and one whose life has seen much upheaval of late - each day still has a freashness to it. He could, he imagines, count the days since - but he'd rather not, and so he doesn't. On this particular day, he's patrolled - as usual - and spent some time with Wachiwa's pups - also usual. Now it's time for his brief evening patrol - also usual, but there turns out to be something unusual along the way. Not wholly so; for he's caught Brutal's scent around, even sometimes followed it for a few moments, though not far enough to find the older wolf since... but he's not counting days. Suffice it to say that Brutal's presence is less familiar than some, more familiar than others, and when he finds it now - not merely the scent, but fresh enough to be the wolf himself - he moves himself to a rise along the other's approach, visible but silent. The silence is less choice, more a necessity from the flurry of his thoughts.
It doesn't take long for Brutal to take notice of distant movement, or rather catching sight of what is the younger wolf's back and ears, drifting and bobbing just behind the hill. However, the identity of that figure isn't known until Ikuna's path brings him to rise up to take the full shape of a wolf. But with his attention already alert and his gaze scrutinizing, Brutal quickly confirms the figure to be that of the somewhat elusive wolf. Not that Brutal can lay claim to being any less guilty of that, himself. And while Brutal's thoughts are fairly stasis and resolute, the massive male seems partial to silence himself, at least until he is his well within speaking distance. In fact, it isn't until he is nearly face to face with Ikuna -though his approach is more lateral than strait- that the older male's coarse voice is heard, oddly, in question. "May I walk with you?"
When two wolves walk different paths, it's hard for them to find each other, no matter whether they're stealthy or not. There are certainly those Ikuna has not eluded; Brutal has not been among them. The Ute alpha holds steady, letting the other approach him as he discovers how many of his thoughts he hasn't managed to work through up until actually seeing the larger wolf. It's enough to keep him thinking until Brutal speaks, and for a moment longer after the question before he nods. "Yes," he says, and starts in motion again, a leisurely walk-and-talk pace.
Despite whatever troubled waters still might stand between them, they are not so deep and turbulent that Brutal does not manage a genuinely pleased smile as Ikuna acquiesces his request. For Brutal's part, he retains no ill feelings in regards to past frustrations and minor disagreements with the wolf who's company he now joins, but this is not to say that a certain social-distance does not persist. The walking helps, if simply as a means to avoid feeding the beast of awkwardness by sitting and staring at each other. For Brutal though, the difficulty comes not because of past transgressions, but indecisiveness. It has since come to his knowledge that Skahla has passed his mantle to the young wolf. Not exactly surprising, hell, Brutal couldn't say he doesn't approve of the choice. And though the timing seemed a bit peculiar, if not down right suspicious, if it's one thing Brutal has learned, it is that nothing about this pack is ordinary. The problem is, Brutal now struggles with how to address the young alpha. As far as social preliminaries go, the massive wolf was practically force fed them from birth. But Brutal doesn't want to be correct. He wants to be personal. And so, with only a hint of hesitation and a mental strain to not fuss with etiquette, Brutal decides to just talk... "I hear you are Ute's new Alpha." he begins, speaking more in congratulatory than actually seeking confirmation, told by the way he simply continues, ambling along in pace the other wolf's stride. "You are a much stronger wolf than I could ever be, Ikuna." he says, casting a quick side glance before looking ahead once more, but only to gaze back at the images of his own past. "I am no brave warrior or noble wolf, despite what my brother may have had you believe, I'm sure. Truth is, I am a coward. A coward who has spent his days running from his own shame." He shakes his head slowly, dismissively, "It is no matter now. The thing is, you've surely done what I could not. Accept responsibility, even at the cost of what you want. Now that is a noble thing indeed." Slowing to a eventual halt, Brutal turns his scarred face to look upon Ikuna, his expression almost grievous, "Will they come back? Ahiga and your sister Tala?"
Ikuna nods to Brutal's comment on his new status, though he makes no effort to interrupt. As for his strength... the young alpha's muzzle curves at that, in something that isn't really a smile, and he lets out a slow breath rather than letting himself interrupt. By the end of it, it's a sigh, and he looks out ahead before turning his head to glance at Brutal as the other wolf continues. Responsibility. Desire. Nobility. Ikuna listens, though Brutal's words must be weighed against the philosophies of Ute that he's learned. Those are what have led him to take this role; the things he learned from his parents before their deaths, from Wachiwa, from Skahla and Askuwheteau. There's only one thing that he feels needs comment, during the discussion. "I have no great trust for your brother's words." Agreement, of sorts, with what Brutal says now - but it's also part of another issue. Of Brutal, Ikuna has heard both good reports and ill; of Grim, there have been no good reports. As for the question asked, Ikuna sighs again, and his gaze goes out to the horizon. "Perhaps," he says. After a moment, he corrects himself. "The last moon of summer is growing full. I asked them to return then; I think they will." Though perhaps not for long, which is the part, unspoken, that troubles him. His gaze returns to Brutal. "That is when we leave these lands. Will you or your brother wish to come with us?" These past days, Brutal and Grim have been guests by Skahla's say-so; Ikuna has made no move to reverse the decision... nor reaffirm it. Only to say he will make a decision - his decision - when the pack moves.
A grunt is give in correspondence to Ikuna's admittance, the sound implicating a understanding for the young wolf's hesitation to do otherwise, but there is also a more personal note captured in the simplicity of the wordless response, something of a regretful acceptance of truth. Brutal would love nothing more than to lay the blame on Grim for the necessity of the conditional terms laid out by the former alpha, but truly the fault is his own. Too long did he allow Grim the liberty of going unchecked, while he himself did little to apologize for his brother's bawdy behavior, himself caught up in a lust for blood or the release of it with his own death; which ever came first. But then something happened to change him. Althaea happened. Ute happened. Perhaps the Spirits that Wachiwa is forever searching to find, are not nearly so far away. To Ikuna's report and his thoughts upon Ute's currently wayward members, Brutal just gives a nod of acknowledgment. Though with the attached question, the hulking male takes a moment to consider his own answer, but even as he raises his voice in reply, there is a distinct uncertainty there. "I..wish to, yes." His head turns and yellow eyes seek to look up the face of the wolf next to him, "But only if my presence serves you and all members of your pack well. I may walk, talk, and look like a alpha, but I do not want that." His voice drops to a near whisper, distant, almost angry that he should even suffer the image. "I have never wanted it." Drawing in a breath, he doesn't seem to expect Ikuna to give some kind of definite word of acceptance or rebuttal to this confession, in fact, he seems to prefer the young wolf not to. He ensures this, at least for now, by turning to another matter. A grim matter. "As for my brother, I have told him to choose his own path. He no longer follows my lead. I have not seen Grim since that evening by the river."
Ikuna nods for Brutal's wish. He doesn't seem surprised by it, nor is the nod more than the acknowledgement. The rest of Brutal's desire provokes a somewhat keener interest; there's somewhat of surprise, somewhat of consideration. Ikuna has had his moments of not wanting to be an alpha as well - yet there was a time he desired it, and even when it pains him, he sees a good in it. So while he may have had the same emotions as Brutal, Ikuna can't quite say that he understands the other. Still, he listens. More food for his thoughts, and they are well-fed of late. For now, that carcass remains uneaten, as Brutal moves on swiftly to the matter of Grim. "Perhaps he is gone," says Ikuna, and though he tries to be even with his words - Grim is, after all, Brutal's sibling, as Tala is Ikuna's - he can't keep the relief out of his tone at the prospect of not having to deal with Grim any further; of not needing a confrontation to drive him away. The other matter... he does not return to now, though his expression is more on one of thought than dismissal.
And how could Brutal know of these things? How could he know what it feels like to desire to be alpha, to pine for a chance, the hope, to lead your pack -your family- toward a greater future? How could he know what it is to happily shoulder such a honor, a recognition of strength, but at the cost of sacrificing the selfish dreams of one for the greater dream of all? He could not. Because Brutal was never given the option to desire leadership. That role was handed to him at birth, even expected of him. On this subject, Ikuna would discover Grim to be a much more suitable conversationalist. But Grim is not here. And no matter the delicacy for which the Ute Alpha voices this point of fact, including the most probable explanation for it, Brutal cannot stifle the depths nor the grief of the frown that darkens the contours of his grizzled and scarred muzzle. "Perhaps..." is all that he manages to say, the words falling off his tongue in brotherly lament, but there remains something of a unspoken observation, a shifting of yellow eyes away from Ikuna and the choking of the words 'but still' stifled in his throat. Away does his gaze advert, away from giving up the truth. He won't say it, simply because he has heard that relief in the new Alpha's voice, the exhale of good riddance. Why trouble a already troubled mind? Maybe Grim is gone, for the good of them all. 'But still'...darkness lingers on the horizon. On his heart.
As Brutal looks away, so too does Ikuna, letting the dark-furred wolf have his moment of familial grief, for Ikuna ascribes it to nothing more nor less than that. There is the horizon; there it is his sister has gone to. At least Ikuna still has his pack, or what remains of it. The silence stretches on for some moment, until at last Ikuna clears his throat a little, a notifiction before he returns his gaze to Brutal. "As a guest," he says quietly, "You /are/ welcome to visit us at the den. Though I understand if you'd rather keep to the outside." Not everyone is good around puppies, after all - but to judge from his expression, the comment is meant as a not-entirely subtle hint. If Brutal wants to come along - if he wants to be good for the pack - perhaps he should visit more with that pack, and impress more than one adolescent she-wolf with that softer side of his. Ikuna pauses a moment to let that sink in, then goes on. "I should finish my patrol. Was there anything else?"
The silence that slips in to linger between wolves exist as long as Ikuna allows it, though in no small part because Brutal would have it so. Who is he to dismiss a wolf of such rank, especially one whom he seeks to find favor with? Even if Ikuna still obviously struggles with the finer details and exhibiting the strong bearing of the rank he has been recently anointed, Brutal cannot help but appreciate the effort he puts forth in easing the momentary distance between them. Maybe, in time, Brutal might make use of his knowledge in leadership after all. Then might Ikuna, Alpha of Ute, be accused of the obnoxiously insufferable, poetic dignity and perfect poise by those who would know no better. The irony would bring a bemused smirk to replace the expression of grief, save that Brutal keeps his ambitions to himself and simply nods to the younger wolf's pointed remark, to which the hulking wolf does offer a gentle smile, "I am comfortable with the young, I taught my own to...." He shakes his head, once more dismissing the darker shadows of a life failed in order to give room for the promise of a future, even if it means making light of their passing. So instead, Brutal simply nods, offering up a gracious word. " Thank you, truly. I'll be sure to drop by from now on." Sucking in a breath, perhaps in resolve against the perpetual demons that threaten to overwhelm him in the moment, Brutal gives a almost urgent shake of his head, though for all the mental turmoil and confliction crashing through his defenses, the perfectly trained and stoic Brutal keeps his poise and simply utters a casual, "No." Then adding, in another reassuring breath, "Nothing else."
The abrupt silence on the matter of youngsters does not go unnoted, and Ikuna frowns at it. He doesn't press for details, though. Not now; perhaps later he'll ask for more of this wolf's story. Perhaps he won't. The thanks recieve a smile, though hardly an untroubled one, and he nods again at the lack of further questions. Ikuna, half-trained at best and making it up as he goes along, takes that poise at something like face value. "All right, then. I'll see you soon." It's a standard sort of farewell, if perhaps more formal in tone than it might usually be, and it's also a repetition of what he said before. With that, and a smile, Ikuna starts into motion again, a quicker pace now as he resumes his patrol - now, with new things to think about. Perhaps the same is true for Brutal.
While Ikuna does not press for details, neither does Brutal seem inclined to offer them. At least not now; maybe never. Rather, the massive shadow of a wolf is more inclined to avoid the topic, seen in the way he eagerly welcomes the young wolf's polite words of departure. Which in return, Brutal is prepared to proffer a near rehearsed dip of his large head in acknowledgment, even thoughtlessly agreeing to the promise of reuniting. However, it doesn't take long before his mind turns upon this concept of that meeting and what it might entail. Until next they meet. Will the young wolf be following through with his former pack mate's wishes? Though at this point, Brutal isn't sure who he needs to impress his intentions upon. It obvious Skahla has dumped the responsibility of a decision upon Ikuna, but whether or not Ikuna will accept that responsibility, and choose outside of his own initial impression, is yet to be known. But maybe Brutal need not worry of such things, maybe the Ute Alpha, young may he be, is still willing to pass a ruling based on observations to come, and not what has been. This distant hope alone brings the dark wolf to smile, even if vaguely, "Until when." Such are Brutal's parting words, distant and lingering, mistakenly dismissive and equally easy to misunderstand, so correctly do they escape his muzzle. It is as he would want though, choosing to let the figure of Ute's Alpha steadily disappear upon the darkening horizon, to fade into the uncertainty that is tomorrow, to stand alone and yet discover he must decide what shall become the fortunes of all. Until when. It is so much closer than either wolf could possibly, ever know...