’Just rip his eyes out and be done with it! If WE had done things MY way…’ the beast within continued to harp, fighting to gain control of the sterling stallion’s concentration. It grated on his nerves to hear the monster’s voice and it took nearly all his power to refrain from grinding out a sharp retort along the lines of shut the hell up. Not only would the wolf have some form of snarky remark or two that only he could hear, but it would surely end whatever positive attempts he had made so far in regaining at least a bit of his home back. If only he had never left.

Temblor meets him, his muscular neck curling inward to exchange breaths. Ashen nostrils flare as Annubis inhales a deep unfamiliar breath of the taller stallion and exhales a short blast of his own. Raven tipped ears twitch as the gray steed takes a step backwards to once again place space between them, a motion that causes his own golden eyes to glitter with delight. It was of course nothing to write home about, but it was a victory his proud young ego could not help but to claim. A smug grin tugs the corners of his ashen labrums upwards in the beginnings of an impish grin, things were so far working out quite nicely.

However the momentary progress he felt like he had been making comes to a screeching halt. Temblor’s response is delivered smoothly and without any hint of animosity or vengeance. Were the roles reversed and he put in the gray percheron’s position, he too would turn down the offer presented by a stranger; probably with a lot less tact and civility than what Temblor displayed now. He was still young after all. Despite his attempt to flaunt his authority, the silver buckskin knew he had none. Hell, he never had really. Anger flares its ugly head in the backward turn of his small ears as they flatten against the obsidian curls of his tattered mane. Yellow gold eyes narrow as for a moment Annubis remains silent, attempting to control his temper in hopes of preventing a straight out childish tantrum. (he was good at that, ask Hyacinth)

The languid demeanor with which Temblor addresses him does little to soothe the beast and Annubis twitches the end of his tail against his hocks in response. It was a generous offer in all honesty. It was full within Temblor’s rights to chase him off paradise’s herd lands empty handed. It would make hunting down Vihar and Hyacinth easier especially if he was unable to locate them himself. Of course he doubted either mare might come running back to him with nearly as much eagerness as Rae had just done, but it was still a better option than nothing at all. Forcing a mask of indifference onto his face, Annubis lifts his gaze to meet Temblor, a fake smile plastered on his whiskered lips. ”That is a generous offer Temblor, I thank you for it..” he murmurs, his tones graveled and stung.

Temblor colors his decline with words of praise but they fall on deaf ears. Annubis is no idiot. Prideful and brash, but not a complete idiot. Temblor was simply trying to play nice; a tactical move if he ever saw one. Inclining his head slightly in acknowledgement, the sterling stallion huffs a warm breath in an attempt to cool his boiling blood. But his patience only goes so very far. When Temblor suggests Rae remain with him on the beach while he searches for his missing mates, Annubis lifts his head proudly, the venom clear in his gaze as his shoulders roll. ”I don’t care what she does! Have her for all I care, she isn’t mine anyway. Maybe leaving her with you might teach father a lesson if he ever shows his face here again.” he snaps angrily, his thick tail switching audible against his hip as he shoulders past Temblor. ”Consider her a gift.” he growls, dropping his head and pressing on towards the overgrown paths that he knew so well.