This is a portrait of a tortured you and I

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MALE - SIX - MATE: NONE - IMPRINT: NONE - NOWHERE

The softness of the soil beneath him at the edge of the shore, shifts and allows him to almost nestle into it's hold while seated. He has yet to admire the beauty around him, stuck on the image of the scarred one before him. He once was proud of them, wore them like a badge of honor. It made him desired, his cruelty was no secret; giving him tasks others would fear. Now though, now they are just a reminder of all the haunting things he has committed. All the teeth that rose against him and yet failed. Marking him but not owning him. Despite his guilt, he does no wish them gone. They are a reminder to him, of a life no longer desired. Forcing him to live with his mistakes and hoping he will in some way right the wrongs of his sins from here on out. To be free..

The humid summer air seems to push him, coaxing a hand at the back of his neck as he lowers, sniffing at the cool water below him. Blinking at the reflection that stares back. As tongue exits to lap at the liquid, cooling him despite the heavy weight of fur he carries the relief is almost instant, soothing his dry throat as he seems to guzzle at the necessity. What manners he knows all forgotten as he drenches his face in the pursuit. The tinkling scolding in his ear as he remembers what Orra thought of his cave man tendencies causes him to pause, for what was the proper way to drink water? His brow lifts almost puzzled, as he daintily tries to drink; losing more than swallowing. His huffs in agitation, rippling the water further as he lifts his head slightly tongue stuck out with the intent to drink until it is almost swallowed at the sight before him.

Had she seen that? Clearing his throat as he seems to sit a little taller, face dripping with water as watches the female across the river. She had yet to acknowledge him as of yet and instantly he almost sighs with relief, until eyes shift wide in shock as he watches the water lap at the silver legs that were undeniably bringing her to him.

His heart once dormant and only excited by the need for power now thrums a pattern against his chest with such force it rings in his ears, head shifts as eyes scan the surroundings. Maybe, she had spotted another? Yeah, surely that was it. But he finds no others, he shifts uneasily in his spot. Stirring the soft sand beneath him. For he isn't sure what to do, before he would have given into his darkness and now, well now he feels like an adolescent in the ways of speaking. Shyly does he look back, afraid she has disappeared and then again hoping she had. For this is his first interaction since that night. Orange eyes are locked with her own and he cannot help but watch her as she begins to drink yet again within the shallow middle of the river. Their eyes never breaking, as he almost timidly clears his throat as gruff words contradict the tone in his words. "Umm.. hello?.." He pauses, confusing himself with why he made his greeting into a question. The furrow of his brows are seen as he tilts his head slightly, "You're wet." He blinks, for that was not what he had meant to say. Stumbling, he struggles to fix this. "I- i mean you're getting wet.. standinginthewater.." The last words rush out in a breath, as he lowers his head finding the sand beneath him so utterly fascinating this moment as his cheeks seem to warm without the blush.

"Hey." Ahhh, there we go, finally did tongue find the word. Unsurprised by his ramblings, for this was normal. Although back home no one would have dared laughed at his timidness, lest they felt the need to be rid of their tongue. But he is not home and he is not that wolf anymore. He is just Jericho, no longer lost in the dark. As secretly he peeks up, wondering if she had left by now.