She is so… different. Sure of herself now instead of when in her younger years; and yet then she had been blinded by the misconceptions of his home and those he shared it with. Perhaps in their time apart, when they had time to grow and learn, she had evolved from that child who leaned on the opinions of others and had truly found herself.

He stood there in silence as she spoke so solemnly, his name appearing as a ghastly breath from her lips that nearly made his skin shiver beneath the thick pelage that covered it. It had been so long since he had heard his name from the tongue of another. Even hearing it from his own sisters’ had been a strange thing indeed. But Dessa was not blood – she was different.

Malum cherished the rekindled relationships with his siblings now that they have all found one another again – despite the bitterness that still lays within his soul – although he finds that he is yearning to divulge such inner thoughts to no one else except his old friend. It is only she, whom he believes, that he can speak to on such a level without worry. ”Can we talk?” his voice comes out in smooth, even tones as he dares to approach further beneath the willow branches. His past and his pain has been bottled up for so long that he is unsure if any of it can even be released but he is willing to try. That is all that he can do to alleviate this pressure that builds within his cranium.

He moves so quietly to lay within her presence, reclining down into a laying position so that his body is slightly curved and forepaws are pointed toward her own. The winter breeze threatens to bite at them through the branches as they sway like tiny dancers but his coat is too thick for such things. And so his attention remains innately upon her warm toned eyes. ”Years have felt like… centuries.” he begins as he muses upon the past and present. ”I have so much I want to let go of but I find it so very difficult to do so.” a sigh is breathed after his words as he builds up the bravery to unlock each gate that holds back the flood of emotions.

Why does he even think that she cares to listen to his woes? He has been vanished from her life just as much as she has been from his. It is entirely too likely that Malum has retained any value within her desire for company or social interactions. Much less the overwhelming duty of listening to one express their thoughts and feelings. But he feels trapped and his breaking point is felt just upon the cusp of his life. He must tell her – or anyone for that matter – before he shatters.

life of five years | of lurid & jumanji | saved by elara | promised to none | lost soul