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 Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:49 am
Hunting makes comrades of the most unlikely companions, and by the time they had returned, laden with their bloodied feast, he was no longer so unwilling to look their guest in the eye. She was strong, a frightening power sheathed in her delicate motions, and Who was a thrall who thrummed to the pulse of power. He did not like what he knew Break meant to come any the more, but the frost had thawed somewhat. He slid his burden softly to the ground, and bowed an invitation.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:51 am
Break was very pleased, though he wasn't sure whether he was more pleased with the developments or himself for his impeccable judgment. Gaze shifting between the two, he neatly placed his share down, and let it wander off to nearby foliage.
"If you'll kindly excuse me," he said, slowly and deliberately, "I do believe I see a sprig of berries that would be perfect garnish for our feast. I will return." And without waiting for a response, he disappeared into darkness beyond.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:52 am
It took her all her self-control to resist a snide comment about his subtlety, and instead turned it into a wry grin at Who. "Thank you, she said as she inspected their catch. "That was the most fun I've had in ages, really. Is it always this exciting?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:52 am
”This expedition was enhanced by your contributions.” From any other buck it might have seemed flattery, but his snowdrift voice was completely solemn.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:53 am
"I was the real beneficiary, but I appreciate the sentiment." She tilted her head, red hair tumbling across her back once more. "You're a charmer, even without meaning to be. It's no wonder you've caught the attention of a buck like Break." Widow herself was not particularly subtle, and perhaps she was just a little tempted herself to tease such seriousness.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:57 am
He startled, just slightly, and turned his eyes aside. This was not a subject he felt he could discuss.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 2:59 am
And here she really had to smile and laugh, and stepped forward to nudge him gently in the shoulder. "He's taken quite a shine to you," she whispered softly with a cheeky wink. "I've known him for a while, but I've never known him so smitten...much less smitten enough to take occasional leave of his...activities. You know which I mean."
Widow moved away, now considerate, and noted to a buck who obviously knew little of flattery, "you're special, Who."
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:00 am
The mention of the absent’s ‘activities’ sent the most imperceptible shudder through his frame, and now he had to look to her, fix her gaze with his strange, dark eyes, and intone: “You are a much better Kin than he.”
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:01 am
She never tired of flattery, especially from one so earnest. She beamed, bowed delicately and paused mid-rise to look up at him intently.
"And yet you like him best." Widow said, purposefully.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:02 am
After that, he could not meet her eyes.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:03 am
" Still feeling shy?" Break remarked past several clusters of berries as he returned, hoofsteps steady and deliberate. * * * * * * *
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:07 am
The next morning, he stood again alone, at the highest point he could to look out upon the barren wildness of the fringes that he had once guarded so diligently. Just his own self, not even the owlcat and the crane that had beat their wings and paws with his hooves since near the beginning of his voluntary exile. His own self.
But his self was no longer his own.
She had been kind, far kinder than he could have expected of one with her gleaming edge and merciless venom. In another life, if she had sought him - wrought him - he might have bent to her might, Break or no. She had that strength. Her, he liked. But Break...
Who looked out upon the stark, skeletal branches of his once-beloved land and wondered how far he had fallen, how much further there was to fall.
...And what, perhaps, frightened him most about the whole affair was how he did not seem to long as much as he ought, to return to the way it used to be. His own self. Just.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:09 am
Soon he was no longer alone - a dark figure joined him at the summit, body sliding across the cold grey pelt with careless intimacy.
"How did it go?" Break asked, conversationally, as if he hadn’t known.
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2012 3:09 am
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