Asriel's paw had been true to aim, the blunt of his claws having landed their aim on Shem's nose with a snort of surprise and a huff of amusement. It was reward, he supposed, for having been clever with his sneak, a reminder that every hunt had the risk of failure or injury. Well, such is what they said. He had yet to see his brother rewarded with anything other than meat and satisfaction though, he had to admit, Asriel did not seem so pleased as he pulled himself out of his dilemma and into the snow. It made Shem's brow twitch but only in a way that might hint at his surprise of his brother having buried the hole to which his eyes had now roamed. Of all his skills, he had become most adept at his misdirection. "I was hunting but my prey escaped the trap," he teased with a snaggled grin, "And you, brother? Have you been planting kisses on the winter berries?" He motioned towards his muzzle then, at the hint of crimson that lingered on his brother's lip. His grin broadened but he ushered it away as he scooted beside his brother, following Asriel's suit and placing more snow over the hole with a pat of his paws, his best effort to diguise the makeshift grave entirely. Whatever was down there would not last long and, Shem believed, it'd make the perfect place to bury a secret. "Such a cosy den," he considered with a final pat of his paw across the snow, "whoever is asleep in there must be comfortable now that it is dark and quiet." He shrugged, sly and coy as he pulled away, turned to his brother now with a tilt of his head. Shem had no clue on whether or not his brother had chased anything down the hole and yet, he enjoyed the game of it, the playful intention behind his makeshift burial. It's what they ought to have done for Moteuh, no? It meant everybody had a hope even if they kept it hidden and quiet. |