Post by Pavane on Oct 3, 2012 0:10:40 GMT -5
---Woodland Clearing - Ikuna, Tala, Kurux, Ahiga---
Ute has come to a new territory, and Winter has come to Ute. Just last winter, Ikuna was bouncing around the snowfields of the hill and playing games. This winter, the young alpha has little enough of smiling, let alone games. He's been out on a morning patrol, and now he trudges back to the clearing that's supposed to be Ute's gathering spot. The midday sun is just barely enough to warm things up, here in the chill of winter.
Tala is not very happy with the open area of the clearing, though she is there tucked down into a area that has bushes to cover her somewhat. Her physical wounds are slowly healing, the mental injuries though will take time to heal. A ear slowly flicks forward, a faint snuffle escapes her as she takes in a breath. Once she catches whom it is, she at least relaxes somewhat, her eyes open slightly, her gaze flicking one way and then another before she catches sight of Ikuna some distance away.
As he reaches the clearing, Ikuna takes a look around. The snow is crossed with various wolf-paws, both adult and the smaller ones of the two juvenile wolfdogs with the pack. Tracks, and scents, but no other... ah, no, there is another wolf here at the moment. "Hey," he says, and slowly, cautiously, he pads over toward his sister, dropping to the snow a small distance away.
Tala ears perk slightly at the voice, she shifts backwards a bit within the bushes and lets her gaze settle against her brother. She watches him quietly, her jaw tensing and her eyes soon close tightly. "Did you find anything?" Over the past few days she's been talking more, but still she isn't like her normal self, which may never fully come back after all this crazy.
Ikuna rolls slightly onto his side, letting his gaze wander across the forest around. He shakes his head. "Not much. There's deer scent to the north, but they've gone now. Nobody else except the small prey."
It's middle of the day and the small pack has been staying out here in the new area, the new 'home' as it was. At the moment Tala is curled up under some bushes with Ikuna now all that far away, the two are talking. Well Ikuna mostly is and Tala is listening it seems. Her physical wounds have starts to heal, its the mental ones that will certainly take longer.
Kurux has been bored bored bored. Life has seemed so much less exciting than now that the dog business is over. Though the last time he spoke to Althaea he did catch an interesting bit of information that he has shared with no one. Althaea had told him that the dog that Ikuna had killed had been his father. This left him feeling a bit stunned and pretty resentful. He hasn't addressed the matter with Ikuna nor will he likely ever do so. Perhaps one day...but that day is far off. He presently is seated somewhere not too terribly far away from where Ikuna and Tala are but not really with them either. There has got to be more to life than this. There needs to be more excitement.
Ikuna's hardly talking about anything exciting. Hunting possibilities, small prey... before long, in fact, he trails off into silence, lowering his head to his paws and simply resting.
Ahiga has been about. Around and about. Not really here, but not really gone, either. Granted, he was gone for a short period. Gone seeking revenge. Gone fighting through the flames of his own thoughts. But even with his rage, his hunt for the white dog did not last long, for even though being away is all he thought he wanted, he'd found it hard to keep himself away. And so he's here, on what little fringes there are in these new lands. Ahiga walks with his head in line with his shoulders, ears splayed back, and eyes focused ahead of him. It's cold, but he's warm from a hunt. From his jaws, a white hare dangles limp, patches of red marring is fluffy coat.
Tala doesn't much care in the talk of the prey, or even the excitement that Kurux may be looking for. A ear slowly perks as more movement is caught but she doesn't try and move as she stays put in her 'den' of bushes as it were.
Kurux gets to his paws. He isn't going to just sit here doing nothing. He is now old enough to realize why everyone alawys looked at him funny or in Ahiga's case disliked him. He can't help what he is and has a stubborn pride in it. He's not an either or...he's a both and. He has the strength and the power that the dogs gave him, and the cunning of a wolf. As far as he is convinced he is the best of both worlds. He spots Ahiga but pays him little attention. Not only is he simply an irritant, but he let Tala get hurt. As he walks over toward where Tala and Ikuna are resting he makes sure to hold his tail just a bit higher than Ahiga. When he reaches the little 'den' he pokes his head under the bushes, "Can I come in?" he asks, rather politely for him. He flashes Tala a gentle smile. He is sorry that she was hurt....really.
Ikuna looks up at Ahiga's approach, and nods to him. He gives a little tilt of his head, as if pointing out Tala... and then he hears Kurux, and he looks over that way, pushing himself up to his paws. He doesn't say anything... yet.
Ahiga pauses, already narrowed eyes narrowing more at the sight of the half breed. He bristles involuntarily. Mostly because of Kurux. Somewhat because of the thoughts that the sight of Kurux brings forth. His grip upon the rabbit tightens, sinking his teeth into the flesh further as he watches the dog approach and speak to the bush. His ears flick backwards now, momentarily indecisive. He couldn't care less about Kurux's posturing. He knows exactly where that mutt could stick that curly tail of his. But Tala...that's different. Guilt is still what dominates him. His eyes shift to Ikuna, and a silent breath is exhaled before he too moves towards the bushes, his hare-filled mouth keeping him quiet for the time being.
Tala doesn't blame Ahiga for what happened, everyone else might but she doesn't and never will. A ear twitches to the movement, her tired gaze turns towards Kurux and she watches him quietly. Her jaw tenses and she takes in a faint breath. "Alright." Is offered with a faint murmur to the young wolf...canine... what can she possible say that he is? Is this her future? It is possible. Her shoulders slump more, steely gaze looking out over the area until she takes sight of Ahiga some distance off and moving closer. She watches him, wanting him to be near her but at the same time she remembers how he acted with Chewy when she was back and her head lowers into the ground and her eyes close tightly for a few moments.
Kurux comes into the little area under the bush and lowers himself to the ground so that he can face Tala. Granted he's young but he has already put a few things together and it makes him sad. Sad for Tala...not so much for Ahiga, but sad for her. She was always nice to him and played with him when he was smaller, even if she was a bit strict. In a very real was she was something like a second mother before she vanished. Now that his real mother is ...absent...he wants to rekindle her friendship. He continues to give her a kind smile and lowers his tail to a more submissive position for her, which is saying something for him because it takes effort, "Not all dogs are bad." he says simply. In the moment he idenfies more with his dog kin than his wolf kin, "Now that you are here you will be safe. I will protect you." He would too...he's not small, in fact he has grown to be very large and strong for his age, and no doubt will be very large when he is full grown.
Ikuna continues his silent watching, and if there's a slight frown, it's unclear who it's for.
For a lingering moment, Ahiga's eyes hold Tala's, and he freezes in midstep, a paw hanging in the air. For a second, there's a wild thought to turn and run. To flee and find someplace to be where the spotlight of blame and disgrace cannot find him...even if it is a fact that the one putting the most blame is himself. But Kurux's continued presence and closeness keeps him rooted, and his spoken words rekindles the on again, off again flame of anger. Not all dogs are bad? He moves forward now, pace brisk and ears pressed forward as he approaches the bush, Tala, and her new self claimed protector. The hare is dropped, revealing a bloody maw. "Step off."
Tala hears Kurux and is quiet for a few long moment. "Your not a dog Kurux." This is said with a soft murmur. "I do not blame Ahiga, an no one else should either. Especially if I do not." She gets a feeling she knows where Kurux is going with this, even if he will not say the words. There is pain in her heart, her body aches, almost as if she knows Ahiga wants to turn an run from the mere sight of her. How can they ever go back to how it was before all this? No matter Kurux's parents, Tala is still huge in size next to him, but then her parents was not small wolves. The mighty can fall as she has. She hears Ahiga, her steel blue gaze lifts slowly and settle upon him, for the moment he at least hasn't ran off.
Kurux lifts his head to look coldly at Ahiga, "Or what? You'll hurt me to show how strong you are? I think everyone knows just how strong you are." His comment could be taken several different ways, but given his deadpan delivery its anyone's guess, "Tala needs quiet rest..." he continues. He has to bite his tongue not to tell Ahiga to step off...he's really good at doing that. He offers a pained look to Tala as of to say, 'Can you believe this guy?' But thats the extent of it at the moment. He's learned that sometimes warring with words can be just as effective as ripping and tearing, "But Tala...I am." he says just as softly, "Thats how I'm treated...and how I look."
Now Ikuna steps forward, and it's with a slight bristle of his ruff. "Kurux," he says. "If someone is treating you badly because of your parentage, you should tell me. You are a member of this pack, regardless of your appearance. You should be treated with respect. However." He takes another step closer, giving the wolfdog a stare. "You /also/ need to treat others with respect. It is not your place to speak for Tala, and there is a great deal you do not understand about what has happened to her and Ahiga. Your wish to defend Tala is noble, but it is up to her to accept... and I'm not happy to hear you speak that way to Ahiga."
Ahiga hears her, but he can't bring himself to believe her. How could she not blame him? If it wasn't for him, they wouldnt've been away for so long in the first place. Or away at all. How could she not blame him when with each day that passes, the loathing that he feels for himself grows so sickenly strong? His jaw tightens a little, and he rakes his brain for something to say to her. Anything. It feels like centuries have passed since they last talked. Last laughed together. Anything,
Ahiga ... And then there's Kurux's voice, sharply dashing any attempts he may have had. Initially, there's anger. A baring of teeth accompanied with a snarl. But then, uncharacteristically, it begins to die, though the hatred in his eyes does not. That was a low blow, but now is not the time to fight. His eyes don't seek Tala's again, and they glance away from Ikuna as he interjects. He turns around after and moves away without further word.
Tala does not blame Ahiga and she never will, and that is the full truth so help anyone think otherwise. She blinks and just looks at Kurux, she watches the canine a moment and she slowly shifts, pulling herself up onto her paws. A low growl escapes her, muscles tensing and while it hurts to move but is moving quickly. Her jaws snap at the air right in front of Kurux while a snarl escapes her. An if Kurux doesn't move he is about to have one angrey she wolf after him one way or another. "Ahiga is my /mate/, I trust him fully, and I love him with all my being. Do you understand that Kurux?" She states with a thin tone, lip quivering and fangs clearly seen. "What I need is for everyone to not blame him, what I need is my family to get along. But it seems that is /too/ much to ask for." Her form quivers, her front leg is half buckling. "As for how others treat you, it is not for what you are but for how you act. Looks mean nothing, and until you learn that you are still a pup." Her gaze turns towards Ahiga watching him a few moments, she is seeking his gaze now.
Kurux is not really sure what to do about this. The fact of the matter from his perspective is that Ahiga has done exactly what Tala and Ikuna have said that no one does. He simply responded in kind to Ahiga's comment to him...nothing more. He wasn't doing anything to anyone and it was Ahiga who picked a fight with him. Adults are so unfair, and are full of double standards that they don't keep themselves. Hypocrites all. He was just trying to be nice and help. He sighs and gets to his paws, "I was only trying to help....and I think you both know how much Ahiga doens't blame me for how I look..." With that he begins to walk away. Forget this whole thing, "This isn't fair..." he says mostly to himself as he walks away.
Ikuna glances to Ahiga as he departs, and it's with a slight frown and dip of his head. He doesn't pursue the other wolf, however; instead, he looks to his sister. "Tala. Enough. He's a /pup/." There's an emphasis on that word, reminding her of what she just said, and then he looks back to the pup in question. "Ahiga treated you no different than he would have a young wolf imposing on his mate and insulting him. Ahiga has said worse than that to /me/." It's even true. "We /all/ have things to work on." He doesn't follow Kurux, either; nor does he try to call back either of those leaving. Ute's Alpha may be playing peacemaker, but it seems walking away in opposite directions is good enough for him. As they both depart, Ikuna looks back to Tala, and he sighs as he lowers his muzzle slightly.
Kurux pages, "No one has been picking on him recently thankfully...its more just general angst on his part. He is sort of an orphan and has developed something of a me against the world philosophy." to you.
One of these days soon, Ahiga will have to start trusting in himself as much as Tala still does. But that day is not today. Even as he gives pause as she still claims him as her mate. Even as she pleads for fingers not to be pointed. He grimaces, glad that his back is turned. She shouldn't be doing that. He should be. He should be advocating for her, and she should by enjoying the hare he brought while resting in peace, not playing peacekeeper. "I'm sorry," he says in a voice that doesn't carry. Too soft to be heard. Sorry for a lot of things. Kurux will have to be dealt with later, for Ahiga can't stay. Tala is safe here with Ikuna. The rest of the pack is taken care of. He needs to walk and get rid of the desire to murder a certain half breed... And so, that's what he does.
Tala swallows slightly as she watches Ahiga stop, an then... continue onwards. Her head lowers, ears pressing back and a shake breath escapes her. She slowly shifts and sinks down to the ground, head pressed between her forepaws while she lays there. "I know Ikuna..." This said with a soft murmur heard while her eyes close tight for a few moments. The thought of eating doesn't even cross her mind, even though the smell of the hare is caught, it actually mak her stick to her stomach to some degree.
Kurux moves away from the group in the opposite direction of Ahiga. Yes there has to be more to life than this. Once he is what he believes to be a far enough distance away to not be heard he lowers himself to the ground and rests his head on his paws and cries none too softly. His hopes of rekindling his friendship with Tala seem to be pretty well dashed now. Its left him feeling strangely vulnerable and he hates it, but for now he allows himself this emotional outlet because he has no idea what else to do.
Ikuna steps over to pick up the hare and bring it closer to Tala, setting it down there. He doesn't demand she eat, just... makes sure it's there for when she's ready. After that, he lifts his muzzle to nose at her cheek with the slow, careful motion of making sure she's entirely aware of his position and given the fullest of chances to move away if she doesn't want the touch. He's even mostly learned not to cringe, the times when she does. Things shouldn't be this hard, but they are, and so... he deals with them. After that, he pads away again, lowering himself once more to the snow and watching the forest's edge.
Tala swallows once more and lifts her gaze to watch Ikuna, her gaze lingering on his a moment and she takes in a soft breath before she shifts and lets her eyes close. Sleep is going to come quickly, the hare will be eatten just not at the moment it seems. There will be much to talk about later that is for sure.
Ute has come to a new territory, and Winter has come to Ute. Just last winter, Ikuna was bouncing around the snowfields of the hill and playing games. This winter, the young alpha has little enough of smiling, let alone games. He's been out on a morning patrol, and now he trudges back to the clearing that's supposed to be Ute's gathering spot. The midday sun is just barely enough to warm things up, here in the chill of winter.
Tala is not very happy with the open area of the clearing, though she is there tucked down into a area that has bushes to cover her somewhat. Her physical wounds are slowly healing, the mental injuries though will take time to heal. A ear slowly flicks forward, a faint snuffle escapes her as she takes in a breath. Once she catches whom it is, she at least relaxes somewhat, her eyes open slightly, her gaze flicking one way and then another before she catches sight of Ikuna some distance away.
As he reaches the clearing, Ikuna takes a look around. The snow is crossed with various wolf-paws, both adult and the smaller ones of the two juvenile wolfdogs with the pack. Tracks, and scents, but no other... ah, no, there is another wolf here at the moment. "Hey," he says, and slowly, cautiously, he pads over toward his sister, dropping to the snow a small distance away.
Tala ears perk slightly at the voice, she shifts backwards a bit within the bushes and lets her gaze settle against her brother. She watches him quietly, her jaw tensing and her eyes soon close tightly. "Did you find anything?" Over the past few days she's been talking more, but still she isn't like her normal self, which may never fully come back after all this crazy.
Ikuna rolls slightly onto his side, letting his gaze wander across the forest around. He shakes his head. "Not much. There's deer scent to the north, but they've gone now. Nobody else except the small prey."
It's middle of the day and the small pack has been staying out here in the new area, the new 'home' as it was. At the moment Tala is curled up under some bushes with Ikuna now all that far away, the two are talking. Well Ikuna mostly is and Tala is listening it seems. Her physical wounds have starts to heal, its the mental ones that will certainly take longer.
Kurux has been bored bored bored. Life has seemed so much less exciting than now that the dog business is over. Though the last time he spoke to Althaea he did catch an interesting bit of information that he has shared with no one. Althaea had told him that the dog that Ikuna had killed had been his father. This left him feeling a bit stunned and pretty resentful. He hasn't addressed the matter with Ikuna nor will he likely ever do so. Perhaps one day...but that day is far off. He presently is seated somewhere not too terribly far away from where Ikuna and Tala are but not really with them either. There has got to be more to life than this. There needs to be more excitement.
Ikuna's hardly talking about anything exciting. Hunting possibilities, small prey... before long, in fact, he trails off into silence, lowering his head to his paws and simply resting.
Ahiga has been about. Around and about. Not really here, but not really gone, either. Granted, he was gone for a short period. Gone seeking revenge. Gone fighting through the flames of his own thoughts. But even with his rage, his hunt for the white dog did not last long, for even though being away is all he thought he wanted, he'd found it hard to keep himself away. And so he's here, on what little fringes there are in these new lands. Ahiga walks with his head in line with his shoulders, ears splayed back, and eyes focused ahead of him. It's cold, but he's warm from a hunt. From his jaws, a white hare dangles limp, patches of red marring is fluffy coat.
Tala doesn't much care in the talk of the prey, or even the excitement that Kurux may be looking for. A ear slowly perks as more movement is caught but she doesn't try and move as she stays put in her 'den' of bushes as it were.
Kurux gets to his paws. He isn't going to just sit here doing nothing. He is now old enough to realize why everyone alawys looked at him funny or in Ahiga's case disliked him. He can't help what he is and has a stubborn pride in it. He's not an either or...he's a both and. He has the strength and the power that the dogs gave him, and the cunning of a wolf. As far as he is convinced he is the best of both worlds. He spots Ahiga but pays him little attention. Not only is he simply an irritant, but he let Tala get hurt. As he walks over toward where Tala and Ikuna are resting he makes sure to hold his tail just a bit higher than Ahiga. When he reaches the little 'den' he pokes his head under the bushes, "Can I come in?" he asks, rather politely for him. He flashes Tala a gentle smile. He is sorry that she was hurt....really.
Ikuna looks up at Ahiga's approach, and nods to him. He gives a little tilt of his head, as if pointing out Tala... and then he hears Kurux, and he looks over that way, pushing himself up to his paws. He doesn't say anything... yet.
Ahiga pauses, already narrowed eyes narrowing more at the sight of the half breed. He bristles involuntarily. Mostly because of Kurux. Somewhat because of the thoughts that the sight of Kurux brings forth. His grip upon the rabbit tightens, sinking his teeth into the flesh further as he watches the dog approach and speak to the bush. His ears flick backwards now, momentarily indecisive. He couldn't care less about Kurux's posturing. He knows exactly where that mutt could stick that curly tail of his. But Tala...that's different. Guilt is still what dominates him. His eyes shift to Ikuna, and a silent breath is exhaled before he too moves towards the bushes, his hare-filled mouth keeping him quiet for the time being.
Tala doesn't blame Ahiga for what happened, everyone else might but she doesn't and never will. A ear twitches to the movement, her tired gaze turns towards Kurux and she watches him quietly. Her jaw tenses and she takes in a faint breath. "Alright." Is offered with a faint murmur to the young wolf...canine... what can she possible say that he is? Is this her future? It is possible. Her shoulders slump more, steely gaze looking out over the area until she takes sight of Ahiga some distance off and moving closer. She watches him, wanting him to be near her but at the same time she remembers how he acted with Chewy when she was back and her head lowers into the ground and her eyes close tightly for a few moments.
Kurux comes into the little area under the bush and lowers himself to the ground so that he can face Tala. Granted he's young but he has already put a few things together and it makes him sad. Sad for Tala...not so much for Ahiga, but sad for her. She was always nice to him and played with him when he was smaller, even if she was a bit strict. In a very real was she was something like a second mother before she vanished. Now that his real mother is ...absent...he wants to rekindle her friendship. He continues to give her a kind smile and lowers his tail to a more submissive position for her, which is saying something for him because it takes effort, "Not all dogs are bad." he says simply. In the moment he idenfies more with his dog kin than his wolf kin, "Now that you are here you will be safe. I will protect you." He would too...he's not small, in fact he has grown to be very large and strong for his age, and no doubt will be very large when he is full grown.
Ikuna continues his silent watching, and if there's a slight frown, it's unclear who it's for.
For a lingering moment, Ahiga's eyes hold Tala's, and he freezes in midstep, a paw hanging in the air. For a second, there's a wild thought to turn and run. To flee and find someplace to be where the spotlight of blame and disgrace cannot find him...even if it is a fact that the one putting the most blame is himself. But Kurux's continued presence and closeness keeps him rooted, and his spoken words rekindles the on again, off again flame of anger. Not all dogs are bad? He moves forward now, pace brisk and ears pressed forward as he approaches the bush, Tala, and her new self claimed protector. The hare is dropped, revealing a bloody maw. "Step off."
Tala hears Kurux and is quiet for a few long moment. "Your not a dog Kurux." This is said with a soft murmur. "I do not blame Ahiga, an no one else should either. Especially if I do not." She gets a feeling she knows where Kurux is going with this, even if he will not say the words. There is pain in her heart, her body aches, almost as if she knows Ahiga wants to turn an run from the mere sight of her. How can they ever go back to how it was before all this? No matter Kurux's parents, Tala is still huge in size next to him, but then her parents was not small wolves. The mighty can fall as she has. She hears Ahiga, her steel blue gaze lifts slowly and settle upon him, for the moment he at least hasn't ran off.
Kurux lifts his head to look coldly at Ahiga, "Or what? You'll hurt me to show how strong you are? I think everyone knows just how strong you are." His comment could be taken several different ways, but given his deadpan delivery its anyone's guess, "Tala needs quiet rest..." he continues. He has to bite his tongue not to tell Ahiga to step off...he's really good at doing that. He offers a pained look to Tala as of to say, 'Can you believe this guy?' But thats the extent of it at the moment. He's learned that sometimes warring with words can be just as effective as ripping and tearing, "But Tala...I am." he says just as softly, "Thats how I'm treated...and how I look."
Now Ikuna steps forward, and it's with a slight bristle of his ruff. "Kurux," he says. "If someone is treating you badly because of your parentage, you should tell me. You are a member of this pack, regardless of your appearance. You should be treated with respect. However." He takes another step closer, giving the wolfdog a stare. "You /also/ need to treat others with respect. It is not your place to speak for Tala, and there is a great deal you do not understand about what has happened to her and Ahiga. Your wish to defend Tala is noble, but it is up to her to accept... and I'm not happy to hear you speak that way to Ahiga."
Ahiga hears her, but he can't bring himself to believe her. How could she not blame him? If it wasn't for him, they wouldnt've been away for so long in the first place. Or away at all. How could she not blame him when with each day that passes, the loathing that he feels for himself grows so sickenly strong? His jaw tightens a little, and he rakes his brain for something to say to her. Anything. It feels like centuries have passed since they last talked. Last laughed together. Anything,
Ahiga ... And then there's Kurux's voice, sharply dashing any attempts he may have had. Initially, there's anger. A baring of teeth accompanied with a snarl. But then, uncharacteristically, it begins to die, though the hatred in his eyes does not. That was a low blow, but now is not the time to fight. His eyes don't seek Tala's again, and they glance away from Ikuna as he interjects. He turns around after and moves away without further word.
Tala does not blame Ahiga and she never will, and that is the full truth so help anyone think otherwise. She blinks and just looks at Kurux, she watches the canine a moment and she slowly shifts, pulling herself up onto her paws. A low growl escapes her, muscles tensing and while it hurts to move but is moving quickly. Her jaws snap at the air right in front of Kurux while a snarl escapes her. An if Kurux doesn't move he is about to have one angrey she wolf after him one way or another. "Ahiga is my /mate/, I trust him fully, and I love him with all my being. Do you understand that Kurux?" She states with a thin tone, lip quivering and fangs clearly seen. "What I need is for everyone to not blame him, what I need is my family to get along. But it seems that is /too/ much to ask for." Her form quivers, her front leg is half buckling. "As for how others treat you, it is not for what you are but for how you act. Looks mean nothing, and until you learn that you are still a pup." Her gaze turns towards Ahiga watching him a few moments, she is seeking his gaze now.
Kurux is not really sure what to do about this. The fact of the matter from his perspective is that Ahiga has done exactly what Tala and Ikuna have said that no one does. He simply responded in kind to Ahiga's comment to him...nothing more. He wasn't doing anything to anyone and it was Ahiga who picked a fight with him. Adults are so unfair, and are full of double standards that they don't keep themselves. Hypocrites all. He was just trying to be nice and help. He sighs and gets to his paws, "I was only trying to help....and I think you both know how much Ahiga doens't blame me for how I look..." With that he begins to walk away. Forget this whole thing, "This isn't fair..." he says mostly to himself as he walks away.
Ikuna glances to Ahiga as he departs, and it's with a slight frown and dip of his head. He doesn't pursue the other wolf, however; instead, he looks to his sister. "Tala. Enough. He's a /pup/." There's an emphasis on that word, reminding her of what she just said, and then he looks back to the pup in question. "Ahiga treated you no different than he would have a young wolf imposing on his mate and insulting him. Ahiga has said worse than that to /me/." It's even true. "We /all/ have things to work on." He doesn't follow Kurux, either; nor does he try to call back either of those leaving. Ute's Alpha may be playing peacemaker, but it seems walking away in opposite directions is good enough for him. As they both depart, Ikuna looks back to Tala, and he sighs as he lowers his muzzle slightly.
Kurux pages, "No one has been picking on him recently thankfully...its more just general angst on his part. He is sort of an orphan and has developed something of a me against the world philosophy." to you.
One of these days soon, Ahiga will have to start trusting in himself as much as Tala still does. But that day is not today. Even as he gives pause as she still claims him as her mate. Even as she pleads for fingers not to be pointed. He grimaces, glad that his back is turned. She shouldn't be doing that. He should be. He should be advocating for her, and she should by enjoying the hare he brought while resting in peace, not playing peacekeeper. "I'm sorry," he says in a voice that doesn't carry. Too soft to be heard. Sorry for a lot of things. Kurux will have to be dealt with later, for Ahiga can't stay. Tala is safe here with Ikuna. The rest of the pack is taken care of. He needs to walk and get rid of the desire to murder a certain half breed... And so, that's what he does.
Tala swallows slightly as she watches Ahiga stop, an then... continue onwards. Her head lowers, ears pressing back and a shake breath escapes her. She slowly shifts and sinks down to the ground, head pressed between her forepaws while she lays there. "I know Ikuna..." This said with a soft murmur heard while her eyes close tight for a few moments. The thought of eating doesn't even cross her mind, even though the smell of the hare is caught, it actually mak her stick to her stomach to some degree.
Kurux moves away from the group in the opposite direction of Ahiga. Yes there has to be more to life than this. Once he is what he believes to be a far enough distance away to not be heard he lowers himself to the ground and rests his head on his paws and cries none too softly. His hopes of rekindling his friendship with Tala seem to be pretty well dashed now. Its left him feeling strangely vulnerable and he hates it, but for now he allows himself this emotional outlet because he has no idea what else to do.
Ikuna steps over to pick up the hare and bring it closer to Tala, setting it down there. He doesn't demand she eat, just... makes sure it's there for when she's ready. After that, he lifts his muzzle to nose at her cheek with the slow, careful motion of making sure she's entirely aware of his position and given the fullest of chances to move away if she doesn't want the touch. He's even mostly learned not to cringe, the times when she does. Things shouldn't be this hard, but they are, and so... he deals with them. After that, he pads away again, lowering himself once more to the snow and watching the forest's edge.
Tala swallows once more and lifts her gaze to watch Ikuna, her gaze lingering on his a moment and she takes in a soft breath before she shifts and lets her eyes close. Sleep is going to come quickly, the hare will be eatten just not at the moment it seems. There will be much to talk about later that is for sure.