:::not here for my _{confessionals:::}

The trim, black female regarded Malignus with a mixture of interest and apprehension, and he recognised her body tense up as he approached, her gaze locked onto him, muscles stiffening beneath a charcoal coat. He spoke, attempting to put her more at ease, but she simply grew more nervous, and he was genuinely perturbed. If he couldn't be convincing as an actor, even to a naïve pup, then why was he famous as one? He was thorough and smooth in his expression alterations when he wanted to be, and he portrayed lies through his eyes as easily as they slid from his lips. Older, wiser wolves may have possessed the foresight to see what he truly was, but younger ones were usually blissfully unaware. Ah well, a true test of his skills then?

Letting his expression fall to neutral, he began to lap at the water again, ignoring how the other backed away from him and refusing to follow her motion, even though his paws ached to pull him closer. The stranger remains stoic and steady, pretending with all her might to be courageous and on top of things, despite the fact that they both knew she was at his mercy. He was close enough to her that, if she ran, he would be able to catch up to her. He didn't move though, careful not to startle her further, and instead smiled sincerely her way, water dripping from his nose so that came across largely more comical than his usual, German-Shepard appearance would allow, “Oh dear, darling! Why would you say a thing like that? You are very beautiful, scars and all. I haven't seen many others wear red like you do either. Why do you doubt yourself so?” He cocked his head, as though genuinely curious, and twitched one ear. Her violet gaze remained locked on his pale yellow one and he blinked a few times – a subtle calming signal – before taking a single step backwards and out of her personal space. Yes, he knew just what dance to dance when it came to the girls, even those that played hard to get.

The nameless, ebony rook seemed truly set on leaving, and Malignus sighed theatrically, realising that he would have to play on her emotions to keep her from vanishing into the thickening night, “Dear lady, you aren't going to leave just yet are you? I believe that is quite rude, especially when you know my name and I don't know yours!” He winked at her, leaving out the subtle hint of menace he so desperately wanted to add, thinking that it may tip the scale and set her racing into the forest that no doubt beckoned her out of harm's way with leafy green arms. He glanced at it resentfully before looking up, playing at admiring the stars, “The heavens are glorious tonight, are they not? See how the stars dance for us, and their reflections play in the water? I would very much like to snap at them, just as I do with the glowing bugs that sometimes flutter in the grassland. Tell me, darling, have you ever tasted a glowing bug?” His grin broadened and he faced her again, his voice slow and accommodating. He hoped the whelp would fall for his bait hook, line and sinker. After all, he did prefer his ladies err on the darker side of life.