Shasta! Now you have wasted a perfectly good hare! Even though winter is ended and the snow is melting, do you know how difficult it is to find one of those around here? Horizon rumbled quietly. Yes it had taken a tab bit of effort but the lady was entitled to do with it as she pleased. A strange as it was to think of it, the hare was Shasta’s and should she have felt the need to lash out at the bastard, well the hare was a perfect opportunity. And had the bastard been back in the royal court he wouldn’t have moved a hair, the coney would have hit Horizon and he would have had to take it. That was the life of a servant. Horizon knew that his life here in Blossom was more than any servant could have asked for. Most of them would have had their tongues ripped out by now and slowly piece by piece they would have been torn apart for each of their transgressions. The unnerving truth was that he meant that Farant would have torn him apart limb by limb had he not been so keen on the behaviors that kept him safe. And it came as no surprise to Horizon to hear Shasta’s words. And his brothers reaction… well that was less than smooth.

An awkward, heated silence fell over the trio and Horizon did everything to keep himself silent, and hopefully invisible. His mismatched orbs looked to the side, trying to avoid eye contact with either of the kalaks before him, but as he snuck a quick glance up his pools of chocolate and fire met Shasta’s. Her pools were depths of chocolate, and the bastard quickly became lost. He had avoided eye contact for most of his life and this sudden connection, well to say the least it was surprising and heartwarming. At least that was the only way he could describe the sudden heat in his chest, but it was lost as Akuji’s words ripped through the air, Fine Shasta, but when my Father comes to collect you, I hope you remember this day and that you would not listen to me. I pity you for the pain you will feel by his teeth, but your blood will no longer be upon my pads. Daddy won't be here to protect you any more from the horrors of the world. I have shielded you and all I ever wanted was to keep you safe, and this is how you repay me? And you, Horizon, you deserved everything Farant did to you. If you had stood up to him, showed some fucking initiative, maybe he would have put you in his army, but no you acted the part, being the dog that you are. Pitiful.

So taken aback by his brother’s words the bastard took a step back as if Akuji had physically clawed him across the face. It was not rage the built up inside of the herculean… no, he was hurt. Akuji had become Farant in the moment and Horizon was transported back to another time. A time that he would never have wanted to remember, and the bloody herculean fought with all his might to push away the horrid memories that threatened to break through his flood gates. Akuji, in one fail swoop, had managed to corrode away the walls that Horizon had meticulously built up over the years. It was for this reason the kalak hadn’t sought out companionship… at least not with those of his own kind… You’re making a fool of yourself, father. I do not need you, or this male, to protect me. I can take care of myself and defend myself, even from your own father. I do not need shielding, I am no longer a pup that needs protection. Besides, when did you ever shield me? You started training me from the moment mother left, I had no chance to be an innocent pup. And you are the pitiful one, not Horizon. At least he has the nerve to stand up to you and let me be myself, and not be controlling like you. And with that the monster was gone and Horizon’s demons along with him.

Blackened lids closed over fire and mud. Brows furrowed as he attempted to calm his nerves and regain a semi-normal stature. Though it was unlikely to happen… Horizon hadn’t been so verbally beaten before. The physical pain that Farant had inflicted was one thing, but Akuji had taken their sire’s tactics and turned them into mental warfare. Akuji had been the most lethal kalak among Farant’s army until his mind had shattered on its own accord. Those same effects seemed to still linger… Horizon’s auds flickered, Shasta had stayed behind. Her labored breathing had become stable and as he opened his eyes to the world around him again he found Shasta glancing towards him again. Horizon’s orbs darted to the side avoiding contact. He felt underneath her, his former servant mentality had started to surface. Sorry about my father. I’ve never seen him this way before and I don’t know what’s gotten into him. Did you mean what you said? This was his idea and not yours as well? Horizon took a deep breath trying to regain his composure. I came to Blossom Forest for a new start. Or at least as good as one could get. I’ve befriended only one wolf in this land and that would be Lady Ameira. Residing Alphess of Munashii Gekko. Shasta, my basis for meeting you was under the understanding that I would have a chance to meet you and befriend you. That was all I could have hoped for, I obviously misunderstood Akuji. I’m sorry to have dragged you into this… whatever this was.

Horizon stood up and shook out his fur, settling his rustled cape. I’m not sure of how to make any of this up to you, but if you would like I can take through Munashii maybe allow you a break before you return to Cold Summers. A small smile lifted his kissers slightly. The bastard felt terrible for the way things had gone down… he should have known Akuji had only meant to try and further his agenda… He stood aside to let Shasta by him if she took him on his offer. There’s a stream just inside the border if you’re thirsty or anything… Horizon’s voice tapered slightly, thinking it better not to bring up the coney or food of any kind. That topic seemed a tad bit sore at the moment.