--

The monotonous lifestyle of his was quickly becoming a fading past, soon forgotten by the pace of the new choices he had decided to make. Building a dignified home up from abandoned ruins was not an easy task, but he learned as he went along, and kept an optimistic approach to the tasks he took on. He was not a different man than he had been mere months ago, but his choices would fool others because his agenda had taken an abrupt and bold turn. Every move made by the gilded Lykoi outcast was fueled by egoism, but this was true to every creature, and did not set him apart from others.

The sharp claws and the light weight of a crow rasped against his shoulders, and ebony wings brushed against one pale gold ear. Each blackened bird had its own personality, and this one in particular seemed more devoted than the rest of them. Lately, it had often found a place on his shoulder as he travelled through the lands, or jumped around on the hard stomped ground as he renovated the stone ruins of what would soon be his and China’s house. While never annoyed by this odd behavior, he thought he was starting to appreciate the crow’s company. It didn’t demand attention; it just seemed to enjoy staying within proximity.

Pale, almost ivory feet carried him along the borders of the thistle kingdom. Although the borders were boldly marked by the King and his Associate, his own scent was starting to make its claim along the invisible line. Not because he marked it to display dominance, but because he was becoming a known sight along these paths. With time, perhaps he could more effectively use his birds for scouting duties as well. The birds needed devotion and time, and he had yet to fully master their language of low speech. Everything took time, but there were no short cuts to success.

--

Ears swiveled on top of his dark blonde hair as a well familiar voice spoke his name. The unnamed crow on his shoulder cawked in impulsive response, as if returning the named greeting. Tlantli and Itachi were similar in certain ways, for both had fallen from the grace of their leaders. The blonde knew not why the mysterious shaman had stepped down from her rank, willingly or not. Their hierarchy insisted that he was above her in stature and rank, but Itachi was at most times blind to the ranks that separated the different individuals from each other. He had only to pay attention to those above and who expected increased, visible acknowledgement, but he did not demand anything from those under him. It was not his way.

”Tlantli,” the empty voice responded. He wasn’t surprised to see another canine by the border, but it was rare for him to encounter this woman in particular. Itachi was accustomed to avoiding the rest of Salsola, and it seemed a difficult habit to amend. He had to open for dialogue now, if he was to make a difference. Remaining a pale gold ghost would not do anymore. Social interaction remained somewhat awkward for him though, but as always, he cared little of what other individuals thought of him. All he had to do was to make certain to make an appearance every once and a while, and it would slowly but surely improve his standing. Or so he believed anyway.

”It’s been a while,” though it was not long since Salsola had shared a collective meal together. But he was not a social creature during those gatherings, and he had as usual barely uttered a word with another during the feast.

--

No thin smile rose to match hers, but it was not a conscious denial of subtle openness. While these two did not know each other particularly well, Tlantli would know him well enough to know of his characteristic stillness. Facial expression was softened stone, but still unmoving. Eyes of sunset hues peered at her though, and he offered an acknowledging nod at her statement after their greeting. What Tlantli thought to be a true talk, he did not know, but it had been some time since they had spoken under four eyes only.

He found her question most fitting, for his sincere answer had recently changed. ”I’m building a home in Borgata Colotl.” he revealed. If he wasn’t entirely mistaken, her own home was not far from the spot he had chosen, though his closest neighbor would be the Boss himself. ”I’ve chosen a location on the opposite side of Sirius’ den.” He knew not if the blonde Kimaris woman would care to know the location of his residence, but he wished to display an air of openness by sharing this with her. He was a very private luperci, and rarely shared any information unless it was relevant.

”I suppose I’m gifted at avoiding others, be it intentional or not,” he then continued, shrugging slightly, dark lips almost forming the hint of a curved line. Darkness was comfort and could be relied on. Had he not been gifted a flower that would wither without the light of the sun, he would have remained in the dark. Alas, it was not so. He had adjusted his life because it was necessary. ”What brings you out into daylight?” he asked, now expressing curiosity about her own situation. The near smile remained.

--

Whether his new home had a favored location was yet to be seen, but he’d chosen that over an empty den closer to the borders. His silver songbird was such a brittle creature. And though she had barely had the time to find the echo of her voice, he knew that she was more social than he, and would do better in a more crowded place than the desolate place he had lived in until recently. It was for her that he did all this, and everything that pleased her would please him.

She spoke of returning into the sunlight to escape the dark, but he quietly disagreed. Light was not necessary for every creature, and he knew he had been spawned by the dark. Had he managed to hold on to his solitude, he wouldn’t have been here today. Strange how the tides brought him to strange and slightly unfitting shores. But the Lykoi was not one to complain, and never would he speak a word to express initial wishes and desires that now were lost.

She spoke of family, and reminded him that in the eyes of Family traditions, he had been a failure for some time. ”Regardless, I beg forgiveness.” The cool, unmoving tone in his voice did not express apology, but the words were sincere enough. It was time to change, and there were many others he needed to treat differently from now on. ”But yes, Family is Family.” he repeated after her. ”You seem well,” A compliment was usually a sign of positivity and attention, wasn’t it? Nocturnal creatures seldom seemed at ease in the eyes of the sun, but currently he didn’t know exactly which darkness she spoke of.

--

A nod was given to the hay shaded woman, though there was little to no value to her words. He wasn’t at a stage where he cared about such shallow pleasantries. The Kimaris blood ran through his veins, but he had never been a family man, and although the word was used with purpose in Salsola as well, he didn’t find much meaning in it. He supposed he should make an effort to care, but it was difficult when one didn’t know how. But the least he could do was to attempt to pretend. At least the formal parts would be dealt with.

He was not aware of her new ties with another male. He pondered at how she chose her wording. A new mate, as if a new model had replaced an old, though he could not recall that she had an official partner in the past. But these were the disadvantages of exclusion; he knew not the existing relationships between members and the general working of the pack.

”Congratulations,” the male breathed, regardless. He was unable to find joy on her behalf, but supposed it was positive that members of Salsola found happiness in each other. ”I wish you both well.” And even if he didn’t, he knew he ought to. She was part of his family, after all. ”Who is the fortunate man?” he added, finding that it would be useful to know her partner’s name, at least.

--

Blonde ears flicked at the name, though without recognition. He knew only of one Ezekiel; the son of the man that sent him away from the clan where he had been born. He watched her smile, how her lips moved as she shared information so very willingly. Did this indicate that he and Tlantli Kimaris shared similar histories? Was that what all this was? The silver and rose blushed creature hiding within his home, was she there because no other female had appealed to him? Ears folded slightly with thought. What did it mean?

Her sigh brought back presence within red and purple shades. He couldn’t decide if she wished for his input on this. It would be wrong to speak of things he knew nothing of. The idea of promotion for retrieving a member and tying bonds seemed strange to him.

”I am not familiar with your circumstances,” the male stated, pale lids hooding his gloriously shaded eyes. ”Are you not content with your current standing in Salsola?” the question was innocent and without ulterior motives. Itachi was a demoted canine as well, but he remained relatively satisfied, and would do nothing to alter his situation if it hadn’t been for his mute songbird.

--

They were predators through design and revolution, and it was in their nature to chase and hunt after prey and dreams alike. He understood this, but was uncertain if he could be included in this way of life. But he was but a young student of life, and had only barely replaced indifference with what he thought to be contentment. He had begun to involve himself only because it was the right choice. Once he had been Protégé, and now he had fallen. It didn’t change who he was or what he wanted; a mere rank didn’t control his life.

”You are right,” he concluded, though did not share her opinion on the matter. He didn’t require things to change. He didn’t know what she wanted him to say. He had no confessions he needed to make. An inhale was spent in silence, and he looked at her, thinking that at this point, after having been in Salsola for so long, he should know this woman better. ”I don’t require much to create a zone of comfort that I can be content with.” he settled on, shrugging his shoulders slightly to add at least some change to his still form.

”Perhaps I lack commitment,” he pondered, knowing that this was the truth. But he knew he could learn to care.

--

”Why not?” he wondered, sincerely-- almost curiously. The blonde Lykoi did not know what greatness meant. It was his belief that it differed for each and every one of them. He did not care to rise, high and mighty, above others. He only wished to shield and nurture what he had. Was it not enough to be content? ”I do not lack anything,” he added, knowing that he had never been right. His hand had directed the weapon that had murdered his own father, and he had felt nothing. Well then, what purpose was it that she thought he could find?

It was unfortunate for the blonde Kimaris that she did not feel that she was permitted to reach her true potential here. There was almost an urge to advise her to move on and away from the pack, but he knew that he perceived the world very differently from others. ”Perhaps you need to give it time,” he suggested, aware that he didn’t really know what he was talking about. He didn’t know her offense. Had she made a graver error than he, it was possible the path to redemption didn’t even exist. This woman was fire, but he wasn’t the kind that melted in response to her touch.