The chill of winter seems to stain his lungs, releasing a plume of his breath as he exhales. Sunset eyes blinking carefully against the falling flakes. A sharp flick of his ear reveals the silence that surrounds him. No longer can he hear the laughter of his sisters, nor the harsh rasps of his mother; he is utterly alone. This was a rare moment for the adolescent, for it was not often he chose to leave their company yet he feels no guilt at this, just a sense of loss by those that are familiar. With a rough snort he pushes away his thoughts as large feet begin to move forward, flattening the layers of snow that stand before him. An unsettling sense of curiosity sending him through the peaks, as if to finally uncover the land that he called home. Better late than never, correct?

The slow and steady pace allows him to let eyes to linger of the landscape that seems so new to him. Taking in the way the trees seemed to hug the incline around him, from the rocks that seemed to be forever perched among the frozen soil. Ears bend and move as they listen to the wild around him, accepting the sounds it gives and silences. It is almost a peaceful moment for him, something he had never yet experienced. Surrounded by his mothers aggression; his own feeds off of it, lingers in it and grows. Though it is accepted, his family understanding because they have learned it from mother and his own is defaulted. Perhaps it is why he stays close to them, they understand even when he does not. Give and take. A balance. A sudden shift in the snow below his feet has his thoughts evaporating. A harsh growl tearing from his throat as he slides slightly before pushing his weight further down and coming to a stop so close to the borders. The shock of the scents has his head jerking up and sunset eyes blinking. Gently does his head tilt at this, unsure why this holds his attention. Some were faint and some were recent. The telling scents of Jericho and Daenerys seem to douse the others. Yet there is one that is close and yet not. A twitch of his lips reveal his teeth as he licks dangerously along them. Eyes dart to the sides wondering if he should just leave or investigate.

Another drag of air into his lungs seems to answer this for him as his body and instincts take over despite his minds lack of agreement. The scruff at his neck begins to rise as he scents with each step. Like hide and seek, the various growls that escapes seem to give away his proximity to whatever it was that he sought until a chilling sound rolls from his lips. Movement is frozen, hard eyes lingering at what lay ahead. For there nestled in the snow, a thin layer built upon their back was someone new. He did not like new things. He tenses, more than ready to turn and leave, yet the darker needs gifted from his mother decline this thought. Though it was new it was here and here was home.

Silent. Now standing above the stranger, eyes blinking at her with unknown intent. It is but another adolescent. A girl. For a brief moment her slight stature reminds him of his sister and his eyes soften at this. A rasped grunt escapes him as he moves around her, lowering his head down as jaws part and teeth move to grasp her scruff. He is not one for words nor patience and for some reason he feels the need to make this decision on his own without asking. Only when he knows his hold is steady and gentle does he move. For a moment the added weight of another throws him off, he had never really touched anyone except for his sisters and he had never carried them. And now that he has her he is not really sure what to do with her, he just moves with no intent. Carrying her past the borders and into the peaks, where hopefully someone will take her. All the while a grumbling growl is breathed upon her neck. Hoping this did not look as awkward as he thought it appeared to be.

everett

THE SAINT WITHIN THE SINNER