Standing firm, he let her lean against him, use his nearness in any way she needed to. He was careful to keep his breathing even, determined not to scare her or pressure her for anything in her time of despair. Her gentle touch though, was new and a treasure to him. He held it within himself and used the feeling to continue to paint the ever developing picture of his Imprint in his mind. From the snarls and the fury he could see the softness and caring within her as well. The uncertainty he felt pouring from her, coupled with the fear and the sadness. As much as he yearned to reach out and wipe the pain away, he knew she needed to feel this and this was what made her real.

He felt her body move away from him and his disappointment dissipated in a single breath. The walls surrounding her went up again so strong he could feel them in his own chest. Patient as ever, he merely sat beside them, respecting they were there and understanding their purpose. It was not for him to break down these shields, or strike at the brick that kept her from him. As much as she was his, she still was not. To show his deference to her, he settled himself on the ground, a comfortable laying position where he would not have to move or shift or be aware of rocks in the ground. He could focus on her and her words.

Grey head nodded solemnly, unseeing gaze on the ground before him. I do. No one had to say the words. The pain she had felt could have only been one thing. Vasily’s love for her family and blood was true and pure. He did not need to know specifically who, but someone of her family had murdered. He remembered the feeling and the scent of Vitaliya watching him… Vasily’s question sank into him, rolling over his thoughts again and again. He did not doubt his sister had something to do with this, but he did not know what it was. Being the cause of death for another was something he could not stand beside his sister for, but without knowing a reason he could not completely condemn her either. In the case of Vasily and her family there were growing wounds on both sides. Myrhh could only see this spiraling out of control. He knew she watched him as he left for her. I believe she did. Though to what extent, and why, I do not know. He reached for something, anything he could say. Nothing could justify what Vitaliya may or may not have done and he knew the guilt would rest upon him as well. She is not the sister I know, and not the one I remember. Something has changed in her. Turning his face from the ground, he pointed at her, the longing in his features entirely different from the longing he had felt moments before. Please, Vasily. I beg of you to be careful. I know you can fight and I won’t stop you, but there is something different going on here. A madness he could not put his paws on. Taken aback by himself, he leaned slightly away and returned his sightless gaze to the ground. He would not admit his worry to her, the perceived weakness in such a feeling would only upset her further. Myrhh sighed into the dirt, resigning himself to his fates. I will not harm her. But for you, I will do what I can to stop this senselessness.