What had drawn such a short yet decorated creature to these lands? The scribbled on scrap of paper in his hands. Or well hand since he really didn't need two with which to carry it. Bruder, gehend auf ein Schiff nach Kanada. The script might not be legible to some but Marik could read it perfectly. It had been straight to the point. It didn't give details or anything like that. But that was his brother. That was the love of his life, not literally though a certain decoration would beg to differ, the only one in his family that he could stand being around. It didn't matter that Cotl had been outcasted while he became his father's prince. Mark had excelled well enough in the tasks that were tossed his way by his Meister but the boy didn't have enough mind to care. He knew how judgmental his family was, and his Meister to a lesser degree. Marik knew he would have been shipped off as well if his Vater found out that his friends were just friends but that he had physical relations with the males he hung around. And he could imagine how upset his Sire would be if he learned that the scars lining his body weren't from fights and training at all but were all the marks of lovemaking. After all he was a lover and not a fighter. Not that his body showed signs of that. Even his Meister had left behind a few marks once Marik convinced him to just close his eyes and he would never be able to tell the difference. Physical contact was like an addiction to him. But don't worry he isn't about to boo hoo about how his father was never there for him. Marik could care less about the guy. Just tossing out his cherished older brother over something that couldn't be helped. He looked up to the few minutes older sibling. And it was to find him that Marik had thrown away his life back home without a word as to his departure.


"Bruder." It was the only thing spoken in that deep and accented voice. A voice made for seduction. Not that he was intending upon seducing the body that he was calling for. Or not calling since the name was spoken so only he could hear. Which would make sense since he was the only one around at the current moment. The ferryman had left after swearing that this was where Cotl had been dropped off. Not that Marik had taken him at his word exactly. He never exactly trusted the word of a stranger. A hand reached up so that claws could scratch at a new mark that had been made against his shoulder. Hey now, it had been a long trip! You can't blame him. And well, it had been enjoyed after the other had gotten over the surprise of the coupling.


Bi-colored eyes stared up the shoreline that stretched out before him as a hand was ran through his short and spiky locks. "Fuck, I need to get laid." Words were muttered out even though it hadn't been that long ago that such a thing had happened, given the freshness of the mark on his shoulder. His steps took him towards where a glint of bleached white caught his eye. And when he saw just what it was he couldn't help but laugh, a deep and hearty chortle. "Well hello there doll face. Fancy meeting someone like you here, jah?" No, he wasn't entirely deranged and realized he was speaking to a canine skull that had been bleached by the sun. Still it didn't hinder the flow of words as he plucked it from its pike and held up so that he could stare into the empty eyes sockets as fingertips of his other hand lovingly caressed the extremely well defined cheekbone. "Ich would say you can lay off the diet now sweetheart. Winter is here, time to pack on a few pounds dearest." He simply had no trouble at all entertaining himself should he have to. And that was should... Cradling the skull in his hands still he sent up a howl. It really would be a pity if no one was home after such a splendid welcome mat had been laid out. Though while he was waiting he returned his attention to the skull. "So... how about you showing me the sights after we get ourselves acquainted a bit more?" Words were spoken with a seductive grin and a raised eyebrow. I swear, he really isn't off his rocker.

The response had come quicker than expected. The welcome wagon had arrived and knew him...? Jah, it would seem so. Or at least knew of him. Had his Cotl been weaving those webs again? Not that he exactly minded. He actually got along mighty well with his brother even if it might not show at times. There had been gruff words between them on occasions but never had actual heart been put in them. So either Cotl had been talking or this handsome gent was staring, rather impolitely if I may say so, between his legs. Ah ha, that tattoo on his thigh had always warranted explanation. It was what happened when you passed out while Cotl decided he wanted to draw. His bruder was the reason that he was so decorated.


The skull was place back atop its spike as attention was turned to the golden Adonis. "Both, though Cotl won't give me the more. I've told him time and again if he would just close his eyes he wouldn't be able to tell the difference." The words were spoken without a hint of hesitation at all. He didn't even try to hide the implied flirting either. Not that Marik was ashamed. Unlike his prude of a brother he was unbiased. He got his attention from wherever he could. And well he was being a good boy and staying on his side of the fence and keeping hands off. It was difficult but he was managing.


And then he was saved by a mounted presence. Or maybe it could be seen as interrupted should the response have been a receptive one. But either way he returned his brother's embrace, even if his own could be seen as almost unbrotherly. His hands had dipped lower than a blood relative's should, very nearly cupping the slightly taller and slightly older male's rear. It was done purposely. Done for show. Done because he knew Cotl wouldn't like it and it would rile him up a bit. Marik had no shame at all. Besides, it was his way of getting Cotl back for making him seem forever incestuous.


"Gut to meet you Anselm." He grinned and winked. And then just to ice the cake he let his bi-colored eyes slowly caress the body of the newly met male in an appraising way. Marik wasn't shy, though he was hoping to embarrass his brother a bit. It was just how they were. How they got along. Marik continued to try to spite Cotl but it was always done in a good natured fashion. With Cotl's question he held up the slip of paper that had been clutched in his hand the entire time. His brother should recognize it since he left it. "That was a long trip and you should make it up to me, bruder." With the words he gave Cotl a look that implied more than it should.

Hey, Anselm had asked him if he wanted more. That meant Marik had to explain he wasn't getting that more. At least not from the name that had been mentioned. The other really should have phrased the question differently. Not hat he knew to. But still, the guy knew Marik's brother. Some forethought should have been placed in at least. He might not share his brother's genetic tick but he had his own sort of issues. Not that he would say he did. Just like his brother he didn't bring up what other's thought off about him in conversation. Or well, the condition itself wasn't spoken of.


Marik figured he was being respectful enough. He was looking but wasn't touching. Wasn't that the rule? Look but don't touch? And well, it was with appreciation. So at least he wasn't staring that the higher ranked male as if he smelled rancid or something. Though perhaps it looked more like he was eyeing a large piece of meat that he wanted to eat (though that thought had come to mind). But his slightly older brother's words had him dismissing that thought. But that didn't mean he didn't look disappointed. If Cotl said Anselm was off limits then Anselm was off limits. And it was a pity too.


But then that tone in Cotl's voice had him looking sharply up at his elder. That good natured and joking mood had quickly vanished as he snatched back the slip of paper and tore it up before letting it fall to the beach. His action seemed to have have come unprovoked. And his words to his sibling even more so. "Fuck you. I don't have to stay, I can go home. I didn't get shipped off." To others the words would seem uncalled for. But Cotl would be used to the sudden mood shifts. He knew the words weren't to be taken to heart even if they had been meant to sting. He didn't know why he did it. Why his mood would change without much in the way of provocation but it did. And as he did when the shifts took place he started to walk away, back tracing his steps. Which meant he had turned and headed directly for the water, seeming to have forgotten that he had arrived on a boat and he couldn't walk away the way he had come.

Actually if Cotl hadn't showed up then Marik would have probably flirted and hinted a little more and if not getting a favorable response he would have been on his merry little way again. He understood what no meant, most of the time. But what was wrong with talking? Not everyone opened up to the idea on the first mentioning. Some took a little convincing. But that mostly came when Marik was desperate. He was generally happy enough to let others know that he was interested and if they weren't then so be it. He wouldn't pressure even if it might come up in conversation time and time again. Like how he continued to reference Cotl even though he knew nothing would ever come of it. It was just what made Marik who he was.


Anselm had no worries. Marik wasn't a threat. All of Marik's scars were love marks. Besides, he was turning his back to the packlands rather than trying to infiltrate. The only one to be harmed would be Marik, the outsider, as he walked straight into the sea. His mood shift didn't allow him to strike out against others. At least nothing more than a mix of stinging words before he walked away. Yep, the boy walked away from fights. Though the fights generally happened only with his brother and not so much with anyone else. It would seem that Cotl was the only one that could get under his skin. But then again Cotl was the only one that could soothe him, that knew the right words and touches to use.


He paid no mind to Anselm leaving. It didn't matter to him. Even his brother's words didn't hit the mark at first. Even the sappy speech didn't have him stopping at first. True it wasn't in his brother to randomly blurt out something like that. But more like he couldn't have imagined his brother ever having any good times at all back in Germany. His sibling had been disowned by practically the entire family. Only Marik had been the one to slip out to continue to see him, not that Marik had been letting anyone know that was where he had been going. If he told he would have been kept from going. So it wasn't shame but the desire to spend time with his brother that kept it a secret.


The touch to his arm had him stilling rather than proceeding into the sea but it didn't remove the tenseness from his body. "A swastika." The request came without hesitation. So what if others viewed it badly? It was actually a sign of well being. He knew his brother would understand that. Which was why he wanted it. His body finally relaxed as the arms wrapped around his waist and held him close. "I'll stay." He promised quietly and placed a hand lightly on top of the arms that clutched to him. There was no hint of teasing and toying in the touch but simply the reassurance that he wouldn't leave his brother all alone.

His brother's words had flipped that emotional switch again. But he wasn't upset, or well he wasn't angry anymore. He didn't grow tense again but grew limper. Sure, his brother's had been meant to reassure him but they broke him down. His brother was accepted? And here he had thought he was coming to save his littermate. But Cotl didn't need saving at all. Didn't need him. Now he was the awkward and out of place brother. And if the tradition of the awkward brother held then he would be the one to be outcasted. He would be the one to be sent away and shipped off. His promise was worthless. Silent tears slipped on his cheeks. Here he had thought his brother was all alone and he had come along to be his savior. But no, he was just the kid brother tagging along behind his big brother.


His head had bowed as his hair was ruffled. But with how short he kept it there was no possible way it could ever be messed up. His father had insisted on the short hair and he had just kept up with it. "Right here." He choked out the words, having grabbed for his brother hand to place it right in the middle of his chest. Right beneath his throat. As with the rest of his brother's artwork he would wear it proudly where everyone could see. And if they couldn't understand the meaning then that was their ignorance. Besides, it would be like a parting gift from his brother. That boat ride had taken too long and he was late in getting here. His brother didn't need a knight on a white horse. Actually he already had his own horse.


He finally lifted his head as the horse was introduced. It didn't dispel the sullen mood. No, these moods lasted longer than flashes of anger. These were harder to get rid of. And luckily they didn't come about too often. Marik eased himself from Cotl's embrace so that he could slowly make his way over to the horse. The small boy kept it in mind to stay on the respectful side of the fence as he reached a hand out towards the large beast. "Einfach, Maschine einfach." If he knew his brother as well as he thought he did then he figured that the horse would have been accustomed to German. To Marik this was like a test of worth. If the horse didn't like him then he didn't belong.


His large ears twitched as Cotl howled. He didn't understand what it was for but he didn't focus on it. Instead he was watching the horse. Waiting on Maschine's reaction as he held his hand out towards him. He waited to see if the stallion would be curious or just snub him. Marik viewed Maschine as his replacement. Would he be allowed a pace back into his brother's life?