The harsh of winter seemed to reign supreme among the peaks, the layers of snow and ice that clung to both the dead trees and earth seemed to solidify this. Yet it is all he has even known, accepting it. Today like most, he lingers outside near the den. The forms of his parents not to far away as he just enjoys the peace and silence. Finding a comfort in his lack of company despite them so near. Unlike his siblings he did not desire to leave, much to his mothers happiness. Though it was not to pacify her as well, there was just no motive to discover the outside world when he had everything he ever needed so close at hand. So he stays just to stay. It is when a rasped and lazy voice reaches his ears does he turn, sunset eyes lingering on the waking form of his mother who seemed to melt against his father. Ears perking at her words and a look of unease seems to settle in his eyes as a snort pushes it's way through. It is not that he disliked seeing them happy but these were his parents, he did not need to see their affection; it was weird and somewhat uncomfortable. When orange eyes clash with his own, he cannot stop the way his muscles tense. Only when he see's her gaze soften does he too fall lax, the brief aggression he had seen forcing his own to rise at the challenge yet knowing he would never react against her own. Turning away from her as he attempts to soothe his own, the instinct clawing at his chest yet denying it. At the rasped chuckle his ears fall back, hoping to muffle out her next words. A soft sigh escaping as he seems to snuff out whatever was said.

Yet it is the growl after that breeches his ears and forces him to react, tensing once more as his eyes slam back into the orange of his mother. A small rise in his lips as his teeth seem to glint in the winter sun. Reacting to her open aggression as his own seems to answer her. Only when her demand reaches his ears does he settle slightly. He is use to this, allows this from his mother. For it seemed to becoming a frequent thing where his sisters were involved. Mother disliked their absence and secretly he did too, for their times together were becoming less and less. Though he seemed to be handling it better than mother at least. Slowly does he rise from the snow, a rough shake takes his mass as if to wake his growing body. Moving to seek them out as she wished, though he pausing briefly at the please. A grunt is all he gives in return, for it was not needed. If anything he knew the torment his mother faced and was beginning to feed off it. Yet he cannot deny the soft tug at his heart for that one word, it's power was one he could not deny. Perhaps all the females in his life had learned this weakness he possessed, as a silent groan escapes his lips at that thought as he disappears into the white.

Slow and steady he moves, the weight he was beginning to put on has made him perfect this pace. Ears twitch and turn, listening for any sounds of his sibling nearby. As he goes to move around the trunk of a tree, the musical laughter of his older sister has him stopping. Sunset eyes automatically seeking her direction, as feet soon too follow. The closer he gets, the more his ears seem to perk and a sense of happiness seems to grow. Listening intently for the voice of Lailah and Liah even though his nose tells him they too are near. He cannot stop the way his rage seems to fall away at knowing they are near. Perhaps it was their personalities that seemed to counteract the aggression? Either way he did not care, as he makes one last turn and sunset eyes fall upon a bustling trio of limbs and fur as they played within the heaps of snow. His eyes softening momentarily at the sight, feeding off their joy when he himself had none to offer them.

His eyes linger over each, making sure they are not harmed despite their bliss. As he allows a rumble of air escape his lips, hoping to drawn their attention to him should they not have seen him arrive. Only when he knows they are looking does he jerk his head back to the direction of the den, the silent demand in his eyes knowing they would understand what he did not speak. Moving closer towards them, circling them. Hard eyes lingering over them as he leans down to nudge each one forward, yet it is the scents that cling to both Semele and Lailah that have him stilling and a snarl tearing from his lips. Despite it's aggressive nature they know there is nothing to fear from him, as he lowers to sniff intently at their coats. Two different males, one for each. Though the one clinging to Semele is familiar yet unknown. His lips curl up and a snort escapes. Knowing this needed to be fixed before they met up with mother. Briefly does he rub his coat along side the pair, hoping to diminish the scents. Only when it is faint does he seem pleased, glancing briefly at Liah in a hard stare as he double checks her own and when he finds no other, he nods satisfied. Turning back to both Semele and Lailah, raising a brow in silent question yet offering no words. A chuff of air escapes as he passes the trio yet not before offering a comforting touch, knowing he did not need to look back to know they were following. Hoping his attempt to disguise their previous whereabouts had not been in vain, after all that's what big brothers were for..

everett

THE SAINT WITHIN THE SINNER