Private, 300+

It was a shot in the dark, but it would be foolish not to try. Layla’s words about the wolfen female that had saved the Dahlian’s life never strayed far from the young Alpha’s mind, and he figured he might as well build further on that bridge. If it couldn’t be repaired, you had to stand it, but he fiercely believed in the possibility of stable peace between Dahlia de Mai and the coyote clan. He remained cautious though, for he knew very well that it would not be safe to approach the clan’s borders regardless the errand. Was Bris still haunted by the red eyed hybrid?

Thoughts about the pale woman brought forth deep unhappiness within him. Most of all he wanted to draw clawed nails down through his face, but it was no use. The man knew that what had happened had been a mistake, and this only proved how ultimately he had managed to ruin things. His heart was flailing and he often fled from the pack lands these days and into the unclaimed territories. Freshly marked borders had revealed that there was a new pack around, but he had yet to seek out a member to fish up any information on it. He added it to his mental to-do list.

Halifax’s towering buildings hovered over him as he trotted relentlessly about in utter solitude. A hand rested on the bag he usually brought with him in the case of an emergency. It could easily obtain other object as well. Instead of scavenging the stores that already had been visited by canines, Conor made his way through various, empty apartments and brought with whatever he found of objects that could be of use. When finding two bottles of vodka he did not hesitate taking them straight away. He was not normally a drinker, but it could definitely help calm his nerves. It was a shame that he did not have any contacts so that he could obtain some proper joints. He could really have needed some.

--

The four legged horse was watched with interest as it appeared, wandering along the cracked pavement of a long dead society. Its face was most fascinating, but by the time the horse and its rider came within reasonable range, Conor knew with relative certainty that it was some kind of paint—or maybe, maybe a tattoo of a skull drawn over the horse’s features. Most fascinating indeed. Lavender sought out the canine seated upon the beast’s back, and found that he recognized it. When the two came closer, the scent of Inferni was unmistakable. The relationship between the two groups of canines was still not the best, but Conor personally believed that things were moving in the right direction.

A deep nod was given to the mounted canine, along with a fine smile placed on thin lips. He was positively surprised when the hybrid spoke his name. ”Yes, that is correct!” The male’s smile widened significantly. He remembered that odd meeting back in spring when he had happened to walk in on a little party in the middle of Halifax. It had been just after the end of the war, and there had been clan members there, but the atmosphere had been comfortable and relaxed. ”Cotl,” he breathed, remembering the other man well for his unique appearance and peculiar syndrome.

”Interesting mask you got there,” the Dahlian grinned, tilting his head. He had seen it used back then in spring as well. It had been quite a while since he had smoked a proper joint.

300+

The light tone between the two made the insecurities—if there had been any in the first place—settle well in his chest and evaporate. Inferni and Dahlia troubles were becoming the past along with the monster that had initiated both the wars. Now was a time for friendship, and he was pleased to see that Cotl had not forgotten about him. Perhaps there could have been reasons for dislike, but Conor made a point out of wiping the pages clean of dirt so that they could all start anew.

Conor too remembered the mask well from that day. Rurik had been the one to first introduce him to the mild narcotics, and it had quickly been discovered that there were many ways to smoke it. Cinnamon ears turned on the top of his caramel head as the man’s heavy accented voice rose. ”Really?” the Dahlian asked, puzzled by all the strange treasures canines managed to find here. Conor failed at understanding every word, as his knowledge of German was relatively restricted. However, he did believe he caught the essentials of what Cotl was saying.

A sly grin stretched across the wolf’s face as the dismounting wolf offered the mask. Strange how coincidences could fit so well to current desires. An appreciative nod was given to the shorter optime as he accepted the mask, putting it on. It was not made for canines, but for a species with a flatter face. However, it did its job magnificently, if he recalled correctly. A chuckle was given, muffled by the mask. ”Thanks.” Thumb moved against the small wheels on the lighter and produced a small flame, bringing it up to warm up the substance.

Had he been asked, Conor would probably have felt most comfortable with a more innocent joint. Last time had been a while ago, and he knew he was still considered a newbie of sorts. However, he tried the mask once before and had then been instructed how to use it. Vision was obscured with pale smoke and he inhaled deeply, trapping the lovely, acrid air within his lungs for a time. He registered the question that had been asked then, about Dahlia. Reluctant to take off the mask straight away before he had drawn in the majority of the sweet smelling smoke, he found it just as good to talk from within the visor. ”Very well, thank you.” There wasn’t much more to say, actually. Dahlia was doing very well.

”How about the clan?” Sucking in another deep breath, Cotl was finally fairly visible through the glasses. Keeping that last breath inside his lungs, the Dahlian gently removed the mask, feeling fingertips tingle wonderfully. ”I heard Gabriel finally took my father’s life.” Pale smoke rose with those words, but Conor was not a mourning son.

Soooo sorrry <3333 300+

He had seen it in Gabriel’s eyes. Inferni and Dahlia would never have warmth residing between them. Conor had accepted this without difficulties, for there was so much history between the two groups. In addition, he was Haku’s son, and this was something he could never change. Then again, here he stood with another member, and the tone was genuinely friendly between them. It made a difference. A strange longing was felt for the silver Russo male that had taken his boat and left the coast; Rurik had helped him in so many ways and it was a shame that he had not had the chance to get to know the man better.

The other chuckled at his words. Conor did not, but he did not find the man’s reaction insulting. Though, as the laughter drew out and words rose to assist it and inform the wolf that his father’s head was stuck on top of one of Inferni’s pikes, Conor felt an unfamiliar nausea lash at his abdomen. Haku had been wicked and cruel beyond belief, but.. if he dug into old and forgotten memories, he knew that not everything would be bad. The son believed that it was his father’s inner demons that eventually had destroyed him from within. More often than not, throughout his entire childhood, Haku had been cruel to his sons. But there were good memories too. Those were what the male remembered as he imagined a severed head on a stick.

”I don’t think so,” He replied, pushing his gaze away as the hybrid put the mask back on. There was more calm with the drug, and it was lovely considering the thoughts that wanted to be heart within his torn mind. Thankfully, he might be able to focus on other things. ”I’m scavenging.” he said without shame. This land was no man’s land, and the treasures that remained in the crumbling human city were free for all to take. As he had been offered the mask again, hands were busy, but he made a gesture with a wolfish muzzle; pointing toward his bag and the characteristic bulging forms of what could only be bottles. ”Things have been.. complicated recently, so your timing could not have been better. Certain substances help me relax...” What he needed was to find ways to relax and cope with what was going on with his life.

The wolf repeated the procedure with the mask, though this time his inhales were definitely deeper, for he did not wish to have certain images lingering within his conscious mind. The late monster did not deserve sympathetic thoughts.