†
Temblor observes the way Annubis shifts to block his path to the mare. Had he come across Sonorae before her 'pack' leader's arrival, perhaps this would incite the Percheron's temper— but he has no claim on the fleabitten mare, and the longer she looks at him the more his gut churns. Her stare as she nods is tentative, white-eyed as she tries to blend in with the foliage, like she expects an explosion of rage directed at her at any moment. He hasn't erupted like that in years, and when he did it was miles away from here. She can't possibly know, and yet, her wariness feels to him like an accusation. Shame burns through his belly, acidic. He tamps down his memories with a firm mental shove and resolutely looks away from her, focusing on the stallion who shakes out his mane as if to dispel the tension hanging thick as humidity between the three of them.
He's confident, Temblor will give him that, and articulate despite a few pauses as he lays out his proposition. When he steps forward to extend his nose Temblor moves likewise to meet him, dappled neck arched and muzzle tucked as he comes chest to chest with Annubis to trade scents. Wisdom, or folly to allow this male to linger in his home? It's obvious he means to remain here one way or another, and Temblor finds himself sizing up the silver buckskin as if they are preparing to square up on the battlefield. Though the native stallion is shorter, he looks healthy and strong and will no doubt be fleet of foot through this haphazard mass of plants and trees. Having grown up here and raised his own family besides, there is also that motive to consider: Annubis has a generations-deep stake in Paradise that goes beyond Temblor's own newly-rooted pride.
He can appreciate, too, the silver buckskin's arrogance. No doubt he comes across equally cock-sure to Annubis, which must surely eventually lead to the butting of heads, something Temblor anticipates with competitive relish. Some of his strongest friendships began with a friendly rivalry, and he is hopeful he will find a similar —though not too similar, he thinks darkly— camaraderie among the stallions he encounters on these islands.
Temblor backs up a bit, just to put enough space between them so he is no longer crowding the other, and considers the suggested compromise. While it would be nice to agree to the arrangement Annubis suggests, the dappled stallion is loathe to share his territory with another male. If his rejection of that means they must come to blows, so be it. Unfortunate though it is that he has apparently usurped Annubis's home out from under the family's conspicuously absent feet, Temblor is determined not to lose this first block in the foundation of his own ambitions without a fight.
He turns one ear toward the mare in case she has anything to add as this discussion continues, replying to Annubis smoothly, "I have no need of a navigator, nor will I share my territory with another stallion— I've done it once, with disastrous results," he adds with a rueful shake of his head. "It is nothing personal. Nor do I covet your herd, Annubis." He glances at the thick canopy overhead. He arrived here around mid-morning, apparently just before the silver buckskin's own return— how that must grate! "You may seek your kin until sundown tomorrow. Should I find you have not departed by that time with the dignity that befits a wolf, I will chase you from my land like a mongrel. Are we clear?" He levels his dark gaze at Annubis to be sure there is no misunderstanding.
"I am happy to begin to build the trust between us. You're clearly intelligent, and I admire your dedication to your herd. There are too few men these days who so cherish their families; if only such compassion were commonplace, were our circumstances reversed." He is being quite generous, he feels, but his tone brooks no argument. Temblor leads Paradise, now, and these are the terms he sets. "Should I encounter any of your kin after you have left here, I will inform them of your return to the islands. You have only to let me know where to direct them, once you've found a berth, and I will see to it that they are safely returned to your diligent care."
His eyes flicker over Sonorae. "The lady and I will remain at the beach until you have finished," he concludes. "As part of the first exercise in building trust."
TEMBLOR
& swallows you whole
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