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Never had he wanted to watch family members with such passive eyes, but today, it couldn’t be helped. Ataxia’s greeting made a stab at his feelings, but he swallowed it without allowing any of them to see his unhappiness. He was certain things would have been different, had he not been sent away to Freetown to spend the majority of his time in training. It was a choice he had tried to accept and appreciate, but never been able to. It hadn’t brought forth anything positive in the long run either, and it would be easy for the giant to become bitter about the matter if thoughts were to linger.
But it was becoming the past now, and time for mending had come. Pandemic couldn’t blame his siblings for not knowing him. What was important was that he knew that each and every one of them held a very special place in his heart – although none of them would ever reach the importance of Eris and Salvia. But, family truly mattered to the onyx canine, and he wished his current relationships with his siblings were different.
Wolfish ears twitched as his mother turned to address him directly, asking him to lead. Lead. Such a simple yet complex task. Pandemic wasn’t a thinker like his sister, but it would do. He knew the art of hunting, and although his experience could have been richer, he wasn’t bad. He was one big bundle of muscle, but he didn’t lack endurance either. A court nod was given to the woman he feverishly desired, and he wagged his blackened tail once before trotting on, shooting out his broad chest.
”Miqui, take far right,” the coyote could half-circle the thing, taking the path upwards the mountain. With height at his advantage, the coyote should be able to keep an eye on the old moose’s whereabouts and ensure that the animal was not allowed to flee back up along the steep terrain it probably had come from. ”Ataxia, you will come with me, taking the far left position.” There was a reason why this sibling was elected to come with him and not the red eyed coyote. Pandemic was somewhat simple, but he wasn’t blind. Known for being paranoid at times, he let his upper lip lift only slightly to reveal a sharp fang in Miqui’s direction. Big brother did not approve, and didn’t want the male to be alone with any of the females.
”You go behind,” he said, turning to peer at his mother and the remaining sibling. Perhaps having the role where it was least chance for forced chase would help the newly returned girl. Once they’d caught up with the moose, it was most likely that the three others would have to fall into heavy sprint to ensure the moose didn’t branch off and get away. They were likely to need most of the group to take it down. The male had of course placed himself strategically, quietly daydreaming of being the one to take down the old ragged herbivore and impressing the girls.
The man hesitated only slightly to see if anyone had the guts to voice complaints before they were off. The wolves were upwind at the moment, so the poor sod of a moose was probably still slowly trotting on towards its doom without a clue about the near future.
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