He knew he'd been neglecting a few jobs around Jordheim and the Commune lately, but recently events had been dragging him away from his beloved home. The past week or so had been hectic- it seemed everything had just hit him all at once and he wasn't sure how to deal with it. It was also a ridiculous notion, because everything that had been coming up wasn't particularly significant. Hermes had injured his leg the other day because of his foolish behaviour around the new mare, Mai. As Saul understood it, the mare was far from the sweetness his stallion had been used to. Eirias had returned the day before yesterday, a tiny dead kitten in his talons. Saul had reprimanded the bird, but he was almost certain the gyrfalcon had ignored him.


With his life spiralling out of his control, at least for the moment, he hadn't been able to see anyone he'd wanted to. Every time he went to find Lilin, something else would crop up, or he'd been on border patrol. He'd picked up on the increase of Niernan's scent at the familiar circle and he was pleased that his cousin was helping to protect Vinátta. The young grey Stormbringer had returned to his house after a run towards the western edge of the lake. It hadn't escaped his notice that there was something going on over the other side of the lake.


Perched on a stool outside his front door, Saul balanced a rough bit of paper on his knee, a quill between his fingers. He was composing a letter to Eclipse, detailing all that had happened since he'd last seen her. He asked her how she was, whether she'd managed to find Liliana and if Grace had had her foal yet or not. He wondered where she'd settled and reinforced the idea that she was welcome in Vinátta any time she wanted. He was engrossed in his letter, trying not to puncture a whole through the paper and onto his leg. He'd have to locate Eirias soon and he sorely hoped the bird hadn't found any other unsuspecting feline babies to pick on.

Trying to keep from stabbing himself in the leg was a harder job than Saul expected- he managed to jab himself twice before he stopped with an irritated huff. It wasn't usually like him to become agitated, but the past week had him feeling restless. He was waiting for whatever it was next that was going to crop up that would take him away. The fact that he hadn't seen Lilin properly in that time frame either was beginning to show- he missed her even if she lived only a few hundred yards away. Just to hold her would be bliss right now and he allowed a scowl to trace across his lips. He didn't know where she was and he thought it might be a little odd to seek her out just for an embrace, but it would have been come much needed comfort.


His saviour came in a black and tan form, but in the wrong proportions. He wanted to believe the figure was Lilin, but it was simply impossible and he glanced up to see Niernan settling down on a tree stump not far away. His greeting was a surprise to the male- his usually happy and outgoing cousin sounded sulky and reserved. The softest quirk of his eyebrow was his only reaction for the moment as he rolled the paper up, holes in a few places and tied it before slipping the tube back in the door behind him and the quill and ink alongside.


Good afternoonn Niernan. Is everything okay? He asked, concerned that something might be wrong with the male. Straightening back up and leaning forward to rest his forearms on his thighs, hands clasped loosely together as he waited for a response from the man.

Leaning forward slightly onto his legs, green eyes found blue for just a second. In that moment, Saul could almost feel the tension between the two of them and it worried the Stormbringer. Niernan was an amiable and outgoing character and in their months living together they had never encountered anything that had caused tension like this. While both of them were calm and he could feel that the tension wasn't strong enough to elicit a real problem, it concerned the male to know that the tension was there at all. He felt his eyebrows tug down at his cousins answer, pulled so slowly from his lips that it appeared the dark Stormbringer was reluctant to give it at all. Niernan continued and his words once again confused the male- his previous words had been like digging a tooth out- painful and slow.


I'm glad you're well, Brother. A surprise? He enquired, his tone cautious but interested. It seemed he didn't have to wait long, because the pause his cousin took was short. Puzzlement crossed his face as the words came out and he cocked his head instinctively to the side. A secret? He cast his mind back, trying to think if he'd personally kept something from his cousin. Perhaps it wasn't about him... perhaps someone else was keeping secrets from him. Niernan asked him, clearly, if he had any idea what he was on about. The slow shake of his head was given, anxiety clear.


No Niernan... Who's been keeping secrets from you? He asked, genuinely puzzled about where this conversation was going. He waited, hoping Niernan would tell him what was going on.

Their encounter reminded him, if not a little strangely, of two circling cats. Perhaps a pair of mountain lions, pacing back and forth in front of each other, trying to spot a weakness, the twist of a paw that would be the start of the attack. Logically Saul knew that Niernan would not attack him, nor was there any danger in this conversation. But the blatant way with which the two of them danced around each other put Saul's back up and he tried to repress the urge to raise his hackles and assert some dominance over the situation. It was clearly something Niernan either felt very strongly about or he really thought Saul knew what was going on. It appeared he wasn't going to have to wait too long, because his dark cousin spoke up.



More confusion rolled over the male- Niernan had come here to talk about missing the rise of joiners. Saul shook his head, a silent way to tell his cousin that he still didn't understand. Niernan continued and for a moment, everything stilled. With the mention of the 'golden' Saul jolted, amusement lancing through his body. Gone was the confusion and anxiety- this was about Grace. Unable to stop the grin slipping over his lips, Saul listened as Niernan demanded why the information had been withheld. He raised a shoulder, his lips pursed in mock indifference.


You mean Grace? I wasn't aware you were that interested in her. Came Saul's nonchalant response, though he could tell that his cousin certainly was interested. I'm pleased she was a good surprise for you. He offered, unable to stop the chuckle that escaped his lips. As for Bran and Ciaran 'keeping' it from you... I'm sure they just forgot to mention it. He tried, his ears twitching and tail swinging softly behind him. Teasing Niernan had never been his intention, but it sure was fun.

Green eyes watched now, in amused interest, as the cogs turned in Niernan's head and he appeared to back peddle quickly. Saul's innocence was only half correct- Grace has asked when she'd joined Vinátta where Niernan lived and Saul had walked away without answering. It appeared to have come back to him now though, as Niernan looked almost mortified at what he'd done. This position was a strange one- he was Niernan's leader but he was also family and it often disgruntled the grey man to see his family in a submissive position, as Niernan had adopted almost straight away. Saul's answer seemed to soothe the wolf and the man offered a small smile to his misled cousin.


Of course, the outburst... or perhaps not an outburst, because Niernan had tried to make Saul guess and sweat out what he thought he'd done, revealed the depth of Niernan's feelings and Saul found himself a little shocked. Of course, it was his cousin's prerogative who he was interested in and Saul was pleased for him. His cousins accented words came, relieving Ciaran of responsibility. Of that Saul was grateful, the kitten was adorable most of the time even if half the pack were dubious about their feline friends. Niernan's apology was taken with a soft smile- he knew he was forgiven.


Its not an issue Niernan- now I understand the... depth of your feelings for Grace, I realise that I should have informed you. Saul admitted, still unable to keep a grin off his lips. He snorted softly at Niernan's next words, though he had no need to answer it. He didn't want to know what the two of them got up to, if anything. Still, his tail couldn't contain the happiness for his cousin and it moved in a happy sweeping motion... until Hollr's next words. It was perhaps his turn to blush, though he knew it was impossible for his heated cheeks to show on his fur. The embarrassed look on the young Virding's face was enough to tip Niernan off though.


I.. Uh... We're going good I think. I told her I loved her a while ago and she reciprocated. I don't really know where to go from here... He admitted, though he wasn't going to inform Niernan of their late night playtime not too long ago. With finished with a self-conscious shrug, wishing he could come clean with the rest of pack about him and Lilin. They had to establish some kind of relationship first before the revealed all anyway.

The tension that had been thick, cloying and altogether unwelcome between the two Stormbringers had dissipated, a fact that Saul was grateful for. He'd never had a problem like that with Niernan before- their conversations were always amiable and easy, even if the subject matter was a bit difficult to talk about. The young Virding felt his tail sway swiftly back and forth, relief washing through his body. He was, for the most part, grateful that the matter had been relatively trivial- he didn't know what he would have done if Niernan had come to him like that with something seriously wrong. Niernan's placating words were met with a wiry smile and Saul nodded softly- he couldn't admit that he'd deliberately refrained from informing Grace of Niernan's house, that would completely undermine his innocence in this situation.


His cousins next words reiterated that there was more to them than Saul realised and he did feel bad for not telling Niernan. Still, he couldn't help a full laugh at Niernan's barely concealed threat- the brothers would no doubt be found rolling around Jordheim until one of them called truce. He finished his laugh with a snort, a soft shake of his head given. Just don't hurt him too bad, I'm sure he had your... best interests at heart. Saul offered, though he knew that Niernan would never harm his brother. The pranks they pulled on each other were not aimed at actual bodily harm- it was just an accident if either of them truly injured themselves.



When it was his turn to squirm, Saul fought hard to remain the Alpha. He'd never been in a leadership role before and he was still finding it hard to reign in the more submissive part of him- he was trying hard to encourage the dominant side of his personality. He couldn't help his eyes sliding away from Niernan's however, an embarrassed snort escaping him at his cousins words. He nodded softly, agreeing that the two of them understood each others feelings. Of course, his cousin continued on and his words made Saul look up, alarm on his face. Did Niernan know? He couldn't have. A chuckle came from him, trying his best to act the male.



Well Niernan, I think I'm a bit more traditional than that. I guess we'll see where it takes us. He concluded, a decisive nod dropping his head for a moment. Feeling their conversation had perhaps come to an end, Saul took a breath and stood, stretching. Care to join me for a patrol? Saul asked, concentrating on his body for a moment and feeling the deliciously painful cracks as his bones shortened and rearranged themselves. He preferred running in this form and usually made his rounds on four legs. Giving his cousin a crooked grin, the young male took off towards the lake, hoping to beat the dark male there.