Serris really didn’t feel the need to explain himself. Not even in his mind, much less verbally to any living thing. Things were brewing in his pack that he wasn’t sure he completely liked. A stranger scent, one laden with the perfume of Aurora Borealis, assaulted the borders, and Aindreas had suddenly run off with the newcomer girl, for what he wasn’t sure, although he had some guesses. And what of the brute he had just recently finished dealing with? He seemed like a strong one, a beast with ample strength to command a decent rank and support the pack, but what he lacked a bit of what wit and patience, although both he could make some small allowances for considering the situation. And his sister, the lass who had so suddenly run off with one of his own? How would it affect the pack dynamics to have a pair of siblings quarrelling about within the territory? Did he even trust their relationship? Serris was plagued with questions and budding thoughts, seeds of worry that had been forever sown deep into his mind. And now a new event blossomed.
In truth, he had given up on Devil’s Angel. The mysterious young lass who was so attached to this land, as if she were a ghost, damned to live within the borders. The valkyrie who had always been around, first to meetings. The vixen he was to give the position of Gamma to. Her sudden disappearance caused Serris much worry, both for her and within himself as well. Had he not lived up to her expectations? Was she simply waiting for his fall and a new leader to rise? Had he caused this, unintentionally? But Serris could never voice these concerns, not even to gentle Kobato who had also recently abandoned the borders. Had she left for the same reason Devil’s Angel had left? There were only questions, their answers floating just out of view, dipping between the branches.
So when her dirtied scent reached his nares the dark regal couldn’t help himself from doing a bit of a double-take. Although emotions began to war within his chest, he still knew he had to go nonetheless, greet her where she sat at the borders. And to do what... Welcome her? Drive her away? Scold her, comfort her? A deep sigh escaped his ebon maw, disturbing the fine hairs below his nose. He had not signed up for this kind of mushy bullshit. He guessed he wouldn’t put too much thought into it though. He’d walk up to the borders, take a look at her, analyze her scent and the adventures it surely held. She had been gone for quite some time, afterall. And if some other member reached her first, how would he react then? He wasn’t sure if he particularly wanted anyone else to show up. And not for reasons that some would guess. She was his first real pack member, afterall, and there was something there that couldn’t handle distractions.
Charcoal paws grew more reluctant as they drew closer to their destination. Why was he wary of this meeting? It was times like this that the brute truly hated himself. He closed his eyes, clenched them, tried to block out everything, both inside and out. His body would know the way. It was only when he was a stride from the border did the male open his portals. And what they found... was not all too encouraging. The lass lay, waiting, stoic, but her condition and her perfume betrayed her wishes. It was obvious she had been hurt and was still in pain. How long ago, though? And how? From what? From whom? He felt his spheres narrow slightly, protective. This was one of his, afterall, and it was just duty to protect her. And he had failed.
But the question soon arose of why she was returning to the pack in the first place. He did not want to be cynical, but those black fingers stroked his fur nonetheless. In the state she was in, was she simply coming for protection and healing? Crawling back home to recharge before deserting them once again? Of course, her motives were probably much more pure than that, but Serris never could be too sure. He padded over near the lass, looking down at her silhouette, his face emotionless. His hinds lowered to the terra, banner wrapping around one flank. His maw opened slightly, lyrics waiting at the back of his tongue. But no words came. His muzzle promptly shut, aqua stargazers, glancing to the side for a brief moment. How could he say anything when he was so torn apart within? Was this weakness? Was caring weakness? No, certainly not. His stare returned. “I do not believe it is right for me to speak first in this situation,” he said simply .There was nothing more he could do.
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