300+
Haven had not been lying to him when he said that things would change when he grew up. He understood more, but much of what he knew and felt was not pleasant. It was as if part of him had died, what had been alive in him when he was a pup, and there was no way to salvage it. He saw much more of the world, but it was an entirely different view than before. Beauty was harder to find, and it took much more effort to experience fun to the extent that he had when he was younger.
The faces of his family were even different to him, because he was able to see more of them. That part was not entirely bad, but as he gazed at his oldest littermate a sadness swept over him like a frigid wave. Nothing between them would ever be the same as when they had been carefree, playful pups. Oak felt as if he had to get to know his brothers all over again, so much were they all changing.
Oak nodded grimly at Alder's soft response, for it perfectly depicted what had happened to their childhood friend. There was something especially horrendous about the death of someone with many years of life ahead, and it still shocked Oak whenever he thought about it.
They did not have to speak of it anymore. The tragedy had passed, and it would do no good to let its memory fester. Oak stood still as Alder studied his healing headwound, brow furrowing with interest at his brother's words. I never thought about it, he said honestly. He had not considered gaining a scar from the fall, but it was possible. The wound had bled profusely, cut into his flesh deeply, so a scar was definitely possible. Maybe. It would be cool. The young wolf loved the idea of having a scar because it would make him a bit more unique, and of course because he would look tougher. Although, there was nothing tough about falling out of a tree.
How've you been? he asked casually, but with intense curiosity in his dark eyes. He doubted Alder would give him too many details about his new life, and Oak was not really after that. He simply wished to know what it was like for his brother now.
.oak09a b {font-weight:bold; color:#f5a951; letter-spacing:1px; }
.oak09a-ooc {font-style:italic; padding:0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size:12px; color:#251d1e; text-align:center;}
.oak09a p {text-indent:0px; padding:5px 12px; margin:0px;}
.oak09a {margin:0 auto; width:375px; background-color:#513f40; background-image:url(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/ ... oak09a.png); background-position:bottom center; background-repeat:no-repeat; border:1px solid #f7e4cc; padding: 0px 0px 210px 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size:12px; color:#251d1e; letter-spacing:.3px; word-spacing:.8px; line-height:12px; text-align:justify;}
.oak09a-border1 {width:377px; border:1px solid #1c1f20; margin:0 auto;}
.oak09a-line1 {width:351px; border-bottom:1px dotted #3c343e; margin:0 auto 5px auto;}
</style>
[/html]