,Wishing on a Shooting Star, :MB:

He walked close to his current companion, their packs current alpha. Blade was confident in his posture, although made sure he was clearly below Damean in rank. He knew they were almost there, especially since the other felt more excited, by the feel of the air around them. His path was nearby his leader's, but Blade would only be noticed by other wolves if they were actually looking for him. He was able to be overlooked by a casual glance, but perhaps not for the more observant eye. It was how he traveled. He was there, but he was like an ordinary wolf, nothing important.

He saw Exodus first, then Cinder. From his eyes, she appeared to be unharmed for the most part, but something seemed wrong about her. Still, for the life of him, he didn't know what, and there was a bit of concern in his eyes. That is... until Exodus growled at their appearance. He wasn't sure if it was mainly directed at him, Damean, or the fact they, as dark wolves, were there.

Then Damean was off again, probably heading for the wolf called Zelda. He silently followed. It was here they found out the true story, and suddenly, Blade had new orders. Without another thought or glance, he nodded sharply, turned, and ran. He ran as if Fenrir himself was chasing after him. Very quickly, he was out of these lands and heading towards the scent of Akiko...



Vaarak nodded at Braeden's question, "Yes, he's bringing meat." He watched her come towards him, shaky. He added, "We can stay here until you eat and get energy." He kept his voice on the gentle side, not wanting to accidently sound harsh and scare her.

Cinder

She had only shut her eyes for a moment and she felt the darkness come. Her eyes opened and Exodus was snarling in front of her and Link was now above her issuing a warning of her own. Her silver gaze followed the waves of tension to the source and was almost relieved when she saw none other than Damean Jager, she had thought Legend had returned. She saw the black devil and his escort and wondered if he had brought the whole pack down upon them for Legend's harm. But from what she could see it was the only one and she reached up and touched Link's foreleg with her small ebony nose. Please...her eyes begged...don't leave me, don't leave me. She looked to Exodus when Damean spoke and he hadn't even needed Exodus to tell him what had happened. Lucky for them the Dark King was not stupid by any means. Her gaze followed him as he ran to speak with Zelda and then Cinder could feel the tension rise in Link once more. She knew he wanted to be there to help protect his sister.

Cinder heard his whine and felt his gentle nose. She figured he wanted her in a den somewhere. She looked to him and saw the worry written in every hair. She wanted to issue the words "Go to Zelda, she needs you" but couldn't. Every fiber of her being wanted him here with her. She pushed herself to a stand, her pillars trembled but held firm. She paused. Cinder was trying to keep the emotions she felt at bay. The fear, the hopelessness, the violation. She stood silent for a moment and then swallowed. Silver jems sought out her love. She leaned into Link and rubbed her head on his shoulder, spreading his scent to her coat. His warmth, his scent, his whole being was a comfort. How she wanted him even though the scent of her heat was fast dissapearing. She was supposed to be his and his alone and Legend took it all away. A single tear crept from her silver eye and rolled down her ebony nose.


OOC: M"KAY KIPPERSNACK I FIXED IT

The dark hessian watched as the brute unknown to him stepped up. Thus, this was the Rodion. He didn't show any emotion as to what his son said about this brute and what he had done. The drake spoke and Damean stood there, stalk still, emtoionless listening to him speak of what happened. At the word rape Damean perked up and a loud growl erupted from his maw. He turned sharply and looked at Blade. "I knew it. Go back. Catch Akiko before she leaves. Do it now. Tell her what you've told me. Tell Jaded. Keep it quiet. Let Jaded and Akiko work out their own vision on it. That scum! You tell them to not feed him. It is my orders. If they think of doing otherwise then call me. Call me as fast as the blood spills from his pathetic hide." He felt his anger boil over, he felt his body shake like a volcanoe. He would erupt right here, infront of this new king, infront of the old alphaness. Damean held such a tone it would frighten even the most darkest of wolves. He nodded for Blade to leave now and he turned his body around at the snapping of twigs and saw Exodus walk up.

"Is it true...did he really...do this. On their lands. To her. To Cinder? And what they speak of, when you saved her before from him...is it true?" He knew it was before she even nodded, his head turned back to Rodion and Zelda before she could even finish her first nod. The dark hessian began to pace back and forth. The hair along his back stood on end and he went faster and faster, making a deep impact line of his paws in one single line as he went back and forth. "She's so innocent!" He growled and brought his paw up, smacking it into the tree before him and ripping off the bark. "Father..." His daughter's voice broke that thick cloud of anger and he turned sharply to her.

His heart was racing, and his eyes landed on her face, then flowed along the rest of her body. It broke right then, his heart shattered and he felt his shoulders slump forward as he stalked over and embraced her. He felt it back, he felt the hot tears from her eyes seep through his thick pelt and onto his skin. It burned, it stung of guilt. "I'm sorry..." He brought his head back and licked her between the eyes before nudging her again and then turned back to Rodion. His stance went back to alpha and he looked at him, his breathing becoming rougher as he thought of what to say. "Don't think me rude for this, but I assume you've only recently become alpha since Exodus has been here. So when I adress Zelda, don't take it too harshly." Damean looked at Rodion for only a moment before his eyes flicked to Zelda.

"You're brother has done a great deal of harm, and for that, I'm greatful, but I wish he would have done more. I don't care if you guys are light, neutral, dark...that's uncalled for" He sighed and looked over at Exodus then back to Zelda. "She doesn't belong with us. Exodus. We've spoken for quite some time, here and there, and she's more pure then dark, More Neutral then dark... I think the only darkness within her is the knowledge of her mother being a dark wolf, but it rules nothing in her stars. So for that, I must thank you for letting her live here." Then his eyes shifted to Rodion and he nodded, acknowledging him now as the alpha. "If it is still okay. I personally ask you for acceptence for her in these lands" Damean felt as if he were stepping down, and he felt himself calm down.

"There is just two issues within this matter. Cinder. And Petra, Zelda knows who she is." He sighed and looked in Exodus's eyes, then back to Rodion. "Cinder is a magnet for horrible happenings. But there has been a pack made between her and Jabbar for the training from Akiko to herself. I ask that you don't allow it. With me. I wont allow her to come back to Jabber, her or Exodus. Sorry... but Exodus, you're banned from Jabber" His head had turned back towards his daughter and he sighed then looked back to Rodion. "Then there is Petra. She is a dark wolf, but she's a dark neutral character in both our homes. She has love there, with Blade, but she has friends and close realtions with Midnight. She has safe passage within my lands, it's up to you for yours" Damean sighed and shook his head a little.

His blue orbs danced back up to Rodion. "In time of war... My own act and opinion between our lands is safe. I cannot attack your homelands or your wolves. It's a weird idea, of a pact between us, and if you don't agree I understand, but I cannot harm those of a pack that my pack are close to. I love Cinder as one of my own packmates, she will never come to harm by one of my own. She has now come to harm by my...stepson. I can't even call him that, he's nothing to me. He's...dead to my heart, my lands, my own thoughts, he is a beast" He growled again and then looked back up to Rodion. "I don't know where to stand, but this is where I stand. The wolves of my lands have history of problems with this pack. But history is between them and Shadow, their old alphaness. I am Damean, their new one, and I turn over a new leaf. It's time for change, and this is my beginning. What say you Rodion Alexander Belikov?" Damean's maw clamped shut and he stood there waiting. Zelda could tell him of the problems between the pack, but they are no more, not in his eyes. Damean Jager knew nothing of these problems, and that would be how it stayed.

He wanted an answer by word of Petra, he wanted word of Cinder, of his pact, of his ideas... There would be more to speak on if he got one answer, if not, then there would be no more to speak of, and he would leave on his own terms after thanking Link, asking for forgiveness from Cinder...he would have to speak with the both of them alone. They were attached at the hip, and he wouldn't allow them to be separated by different speaches between them. It was one inthe same, the pack could listen to all of this. It was then, that Damean knew what he had to do if Rodion accepted what he said. There were so many options here. He stated his... he suddenly felt guilty, he might be late to Jaded. He couldn't, he wouldn't, but he feared he would. The brush of his daughter made his feel strong, and she had limped over and stood next to him...

There was a cloud of darkness that followed him. It was his shadow that covered a mass amount of ground around him. It was the clouds that followed him from Jabbar. It was the saliva that dripped from his maw and landed on the ground. It was a deadly acid to other wolves. It burned their skin and casted them into hysteria. Atleast that's what the legends said about the dark king. His strides were regal, and they were fast. His blue orbs danced over to Blade and the excitment and tension in Damean could easily be felt from by his companion if he cared to notice. The blue iced orbs of a whelp, held in a king snapped forward again. The scent of the pack was stronger, they were getting closer, and he knew it, for the scent of his daughter and son was all about the place. He could smell Cinder too. There was something strange though, and amongst the packs scents of eachother came a wave of tension and remorse. Damean looked at Blade again, wondering if the brute felt this weird emotion himself...

Moments later Damean came from the brush. His head came first, it was held high, like a king, he was a king, he was a knight and a murderer. Damean Jager was the lord of darkness from the lands of Jabbar. His cold eyes locked on each wolf he could see. Zelda and an unknown bru were off a ways, he could see them in the brush. Then there was the scent of Exodus and Legend, though Legend's was vanishing. He would find Cinder Exodus first. He turned away, not caring if the wolves saw him, they could follow his lead. Damean walked towards the lake and spied Cinder. He could hear Exodus speaking and he decided to go round the water a ways. He sprinted through the brush knowing Blade would keep up. He stopped where he knew if he came out Cinder would see him first, and her companion Link. Then Exodus. The darkness stopped where he stood and he brought his body forth.

His eyes landed firstly on Cinder, there was something off, there was something wrong with this whole picture. Then his blue orbs danced to his daughter and his heart sank. Although Legend had a broken leg and wounds along his body, his daughter was more battered then her brother. Damean felt his lips curl back though as his eyes landed on Link. No. He had to compose himself. He stepped into the water, making enough noise they would hear him. It was Exodus's gaze he saw first and she looked horrified. He must have looked angry, for her body came outwards and she stepped infront of Cinder, lowering her head and growling at him.

She growled at him, and Blade. Her blood stained teeth were showing and she looked like a true monster. He'd be proud of her if it wasn't directed at him. He stopped a few feet of and brought his head head back in question. "You're brother comes home wounded and I come to see you for myself and this is how you greet me... Exodus..." He shook his black royal crown and looked at Blade. "Now Now, we haven't come here for any hostile action. I want to know why you attacked your brother... Or more the case of himself in a lie, why would he? Something seems...off" Damean looked at Cinder, then to Exodus. Then there was Link and he suddenly got it.

"Where is Zelda, is she still alphaness here?" Damean didn't even wait for an answer, he stepped up to the wolves and past them. He had seen Zelda. His body moved quickly and he brought himself into the brush. "Zelda!" he exclaimed coming up to her and the bru. "What the hell happened!" He wasn't trying to make any accusations, any assumptions, but he had a feeling... Cinder's scent was all over Legend. And Exodus... His ears pulled up and he looked at the brute, then back to Zelda. "Do I ask you, or someone else?" His words were blunt, he was in no mood for greetings, for hellos. This wasn't the time to be alpha to alpha, it was a time to be wolf to wolf. No packs, no allignment. He wanted this story from them. "Pures don't lie. And I believe I've been told a great deal of a lie" His eyes locked on Zelda now, not afraid to look at her, not through her, and he waited. He wanted to responce, now. From her, or the bru. From someone...

He looked at the smaller of the two, who appeared to understand, as he also wagged his tail, similar to his own. He was mainly concerned for the other, who still looked wary of him, and wondered if it was a good idea to take her to Zelda, where many of the others would be. He remembered being a little intimidated when he first arrived, but at least he knew these were pure lands. Plus, he had his brother with him. These two clearly didn't have that luxury of knowing who these wolves were. Maybe he could find his brother or Morgan first... They'd know what to do.

Then, Vaarak was surprised when she spoke. It made him wonder whether these were some of the limits to her speaking ability. Fragments of sentences? He tried to decipher them, knowing his brother would have been much quicker. So... Braeden was clearly her name. But the second part? It was quite hard to miss, even for a wolf like Vaarak, that she was malnourished, so he assumed that she wanted food. He said, "Our pack can get food for you while you get better." Smiling, pleased that he understood, he glanced around, wondering if anyone was in the area. He still wasn't that good at noticing others, but... he had the nagging feeling his father figure was closeby. Vaarak knew he could use Morgan's aid right now.

Fran smiled at Exodus, seeing her awaken. She didn't blame the other for sleeping. Cinder should be doing the same, too right now. Smiling at her comment about the bugs that could have eaten her, she replied, "It's no problem." There appeared to be no bleeding as Exodus got up, and she appeared calmer than earlier, which, so far, was a good sign.

She trailed behind, glancing around, but soon Exodus was running. She, lagged behind, wondering if she should help, but allowed her to catch it. She would only help if needed, but luckily, she didn't have to. Since it was planned to be shared with Cinder, Fran figured it was one of those things a wolf had to do by themselves. She smiled at Exodus' catch, saying, "If you're well enough to hunt that, I guess Balthier can relax a little." She added, "It looked as if he was worried about you earlier." Fran waited near the shore as Exodus joined Link and Cinder.

Looking at the exchange between them, her eyes focused on Cinder as she stepped out, wondering what their healer was thinking now, because he approved of Cinder washing up, else he'd be here also. Thinking of the healer, she wondered where his brother was, and what the rest of the pack was doing...

Cinder

The cool water was washing "His" scent away and she was grateful. Link's was right there before she could even ask and she leaned on him. His warmth was her security, she sighed and closed her eyes and concentrated on feeling Link's tongue on her head and ears. It felt good. She sighed heavily again and placed her face in the water for a moment letting it's cold fingers wash her face. She pulled her face out and looked up at Link, gratitude in her silver eyes. She rubbed her face in Link's coat and breathed "Thank you." If Link hadn't have been there...hadn't have been in Cinder's life..she didn't know what would have happened. She didn't think she would be breathing right now though. She loved him so much and now she felt that she was so dirty compared to him even now with her coat clean. Why was life so cruel?

Her silver eyes closed. She was so tired but one of her ash colored aud's flicked at the sound of someone entering the water. She looked up and saw Exodus and was glad the fem was alright. She had been Cinder's protector since Cinder had known her back in the lands of Jabbar. She saw the weak smile and the guilt written all over her. Cinder didn't understand why she would feel so, it wasn't Exodus that had been foolish, in heat, and ran to see someone who had made it obvious that he wanted her. Cinder had been so, so stupid. The thought made her throat go tight again and she held her breath to try and control the sobs that threatened to pour forth. She swallowed and heard Exodus invite her and Link to eat. The thought made her want to throw up but she knew that the two wolves that stood next to her now would insist on it so she gave a nod. Hopefully she wouldn't throw up again.

She turned around to leave the water and used Link as a support as she stepped from the fluid. Her tiny body felt so heavy as her paws sunk into the mud on the bank. She didn't have the energy to shake so she stood dripping water, her tail was limp and her ears lay back. Her torn body was protesting. The water had helped numb everything but now that she was out the tenderness and the throbbing came again. Not as bad as before, no...not nearly that bad but it was there, a reminder. She forced herself to step further up on the bank and then lay down at the break next to the dead pig. The pig was lucky she thought for a second. Dead not feeling any pain, she wondered if the pig had loved...it made her stomach turn. She looked at Link and shivered. She wanted him to curl his body around her. In reality she shouldn't have wanted any male near her, especially around her back, but that is all that Cinder wanted was Link's strong form moulded to hers.

She looked back to Exodus and whispered a "Thank you." She didn't even attempt to open the pig she would let Exodus or Link do that. Her body shivered again, she wasn't overly cold it was just her body trying to revive itself out of shock. Her eyelids grew heavy and she sighed, a slight whine escaping with it.

Exodus just felt her body ache. Her eyes were closed and sleep washed over her. She felt so comfortable despite the pain all on her body. She didn't know how long she had been asleep but when she woke up her eyes fluttered softly and she took a deep breath. "Hello There" She said softly, looking over at a bug that made it's way as fast as the little legs could carry it across the ground.

Another deep breath and a soft sigh she lifted her head with a sore neck. "Fran..." she whispered, turning her head to see the female still sitting there. "Thanks...for staying close by..." she gave a weak smile and pushed herself up on her front paws. "I think I'd be eaten by something if you weren't here. These bugs look hungry" she smiled and sat there looking outwards towards the forest.

Her gaze flickered towards a rabbit that was in the woods and she licked her lips. Her stomach growled and she nodded. "Shall we?" She looked at Fran and stood herself up. "I must stretch out the kinks anyways. Maybe it'll lead to a pig, their not that fast" She smirked. Fran would know why she wanted something slower to chase, she wouldn't be able to catch this rabbit and it didn't seem like enough to quench her hunger.

She started to limp walk, it started slow, working the kinks from her body. She felt the scabbed flesh stretch. There would be no more bleeding. "Maybe I can get enough to share with Cinder" she said aloud, and then she aimed for a bird. This would be good. Maybe a bird and a pig...she had to get something. She felt her body work faster and soon the rabbit was taking off and she quickened her limping run. The rabbit darted faster and faster and she pressed herself to keep up. It was a dream come true. There it was. Her mouth began to water and she quickened her pace. She felt that she was silent enough and she forced herself in as much of a sprint as she could manage.

The pig heard her, and it didn't move. How stupid. She got as much speed as she could and pounced. She felt the pig panic and it went to get away. She sunk her teeth into it's back and pulled him back. Despite her pain on her body, the hunger drove her. She killed it alone, and she looked back. She hadn't gone far at all. She dragged the pig back and smiled at Fran. "Guess I wasn't too broken" she began to drag the pig farther into the brush and found herself coming up to the scent of...s.e.x. She took a deep breath and stepped into the water leaving the pig at the break. "Cinder..." she said turning around to face her. "I have food, for us... Link, if you'd like some, there's enough..." there really was enough for four. She hoped Fran would join her. "But...Cinder I wanted you to eat something..." she gulped and tried to smile. Guilt was evident on her face. Exodus would be fine, she already felt better knowing she would eat something in a moment but Cinder... oh gosh...

Cinder

His presence was an instant comfort and his shoulder was her strength to lean on. She took full advantage of him and leaned into him, her whole one side moulded to his. A ragged breath came to her and she licked her lips. She felt so dirty, so unclean. She rubbed her head against Link. She had smelled his scent again, bile rose in her throat. Her stomach heaved and she stopped her forward motion. She stepped away just far enough from Link to maintain her balance and not throw up on him. Her gut forced past her lips once, twice and she shuddered. Saliva dripped from her maw and she clicked her teeth together. "I'm sorry Link." she whispered. She hated for him to see her in this state, she hated that something so precious was stolen from her. She wiped her mouth on her leg and stepped back toward her love.

She pressed forward, more urgent to get to the water. The edge came not too soon. She almost laughed at the sight of the motes dancing upon the current. Her mind teetered right now at this moment she stopped and recollected breathing in deep the scent of her beloved. She had to stay and endure for Link...she couldn't leave him and wander the chaotic relms of her mind. She took a deep breath and began to step into the water, it was cold and cleansing. The cold water numbed her pain and brought relief to her tattered and torn privacy. She gasped relief and almost collapsed. "Link..please." she begged him to enter the water with her to be her strength. Silver eyes looked up at him pleadingly. She wanted to submerge her whole body and rinse the taint from her. But she was afraid she wouldn't be able to bring her self to rise from the water's inviting depths if he wasnt' there.

((no problem))

Vaarak saw another canine behind the figure he originally saw. He tensed a little, but relaxed himself... that is... until the wounded looking wolf stood up, but didn't look very steady. A few seconds later, he almost reacted to a leap that was way off. Actually, he did react, but just by backing away a bit, especially after she tried again, but somehow it seemed weaker the second time.

He noticed her friend, or what he assumed to be her friend, try to stop her. He tilted his head, wondering why neither used words. They reminded him of Link, but... he was able to talk now, or at least, a little. These two, though, seemed a bit different than that. One seemed to understand him while the other didn't, or didn't seem to want to. He smiled, thinking he might be able to communicate through body language. So he wagged his tail in a friendly way, almost playful as he said, "Hi! My name is Vaarak!" Then he remembered their appearance and his ears drooped slightly in concern, saying, "I'm not going to hurt you. My brother's a healer, a very good one! You can meet our alphess. I'm sure she'll let you stay here." He didn't not yet know about the passing of leadership to Rodion.

Balthier was still preparing the poultice, as he wanted to make sure he added just enough of each property. As it wasn't a rush to treat the wounds that he could, he was able to make sure his mixture wouldn't sting as it was applied. Glancing up when he heard a noise, he noticed Cinder was in a sleep. It was clear it wasn't a pleasant one, though, but that wasn't for a healer to help. Especially not after what happened.

He heard her ask about Exodus and a wish to wash up. Since the question wasn't directed at him, he didn't answer. His eyes narrowed slightly in thought about the latter, though. The water would help clean out dirt... and wounds Cinder and Balthier himself would not think about allowing/trying to heal. He nodded his consent before voicing it out, "That's fine," before turning to Link. He addressed him, "Link. Are you going to take her back to the dens afterward? If so, I'll meet you there, and since it's just a poultice, I'm sure you can put that on without me being there. I'll give you instructions for the poultice when Cinder is finished and settled down again."

Cinder

Everything was dark and her mind was finally at peace. In the warm depths where Link's scent wrapped her like a cloak. Her body wasn't ravaged here and she slept deeply for quite some time. A light appeared in the dark, curious...Cinder thought and she tipped her head in wonder. She smiled. "Link?" she called out and moved toward the light. Her steps were light and bouncy and her tail held high. She was a beauty in that moment, thick was her scent of heat and the pulling of her loins called her to find Link quickly. "Link?" she purred and was at once in the forest..alone. A half smile lit her face thinking this was a game and she called out again. "Link?" The forest was quiet and her silent padfalls seemed to echo in her ears. An uneasiness befell her. And she swallowed....

Cinder lay there in deep slumber for the longest while. Links presence was a need for Cinder and he kept the dreams at bay for a while. Then her sleeping body began to twitch and a soft whine escaped her maw.

....Something was wrong. And she turned to leave this place and there he stood. The dark drake that was her misery. She lifted her lip and exposed her ivories. "NO!" He wouldn't hurt her...not again. He lunged for her and her body ached feeling torn and cut. Then Exodus appeared and the demon vanished. But Cinder's silver eyes saw her covered in blood and Link was gone....

Her body sobbed against Links and her lip twitched and a soft whisper of a name befell her maw. "Link.." Her ashy fur stood on end and she jolted awake. Her eyes full of pain and terror, blinded for a moment by the dream. "Link..Exodus!' she called and shuddered. Then she realized Link was next to her curled around her and she pushed her head into his side once more. Her breath was coming ragged as the nighmare had caused it so. She breathed deeply trying to calm herself and as she did she smelled "HIM" on her. The scent made her want to vomit and she rubbed her head back and forth compulsively in Link's fur. Tears creeped into the corners of her eyes and she looked into Link's. "Is Exodus okay?" she asked remembering the horrific image in her mind. Her mouth wanted to form apology after apology and spill them like a fountain out of her mouth. Would he ever want her after this? She shifted her body to move herself closer to Link but the pain in her torn privacy made her gasp. She was torn and a little blood leaked out. It was nothing that time wouldn't heal but right now she wanted two things. To rid herself of "his" scent and to have Link curled around her. One would think she wouldn't want any male near her back and this would be true for any male but Link in Cinder's mind. She felt if he was there no one else could hurt her.


She felt so dirty, so unclean, so tainted. She struggled to stand on weakened legs and the poppy was still fuzzing her head. "I need to wash....please...please." she said trying to keep panic from her voice. She had to get Legend's scent from her as if the very act of washing would wash the taint from her. "Someone please check Exodus...please." She trembled and looked at Link. "Help me to the water...please..." She asked softly. She didn't care if Bathier balked at the idea. She had to wash...NOW. A single tear rolled down her tiny black nose and her eyes tried to meet Link's own.

((I ish sleepy... so I might glaze over some parts of this post to keep it coherent.))

Vaarak returned to see Link comforting Cinder with Balthier hovering nearby, placing cobwebs on her wounds, and Exodus and Fran were gone. Zelda was talking with Rodion, but he still didn't see Morgan... or Tom. He wondered where they were- not that they couldn't take care of themselves.

Carefully coming up beside Balthier, he placed the plants, surprisingly with more webs, down and said, "Brother, here's what you want... or what I can find. I don't think some of these are the right plants..."

Balthier contained a sigh. He couldn't blame his brother for not knowing the herbs very well. Instead, he said, "It's ok. You haven't been trained as a healer. Even if you don't know how to use them, being able to identify the basics herbs as well as some more tricky ones is a great help, especially when I don't have enough time to search myself." He glanced at the state of his brother, making sure his younger brother didn't accidentally pick up a poisonous plant that was in the pile of herbs his brother brought... or in his mouth still...

Nothing seemed wrong, and his brother wasn't stubborn enough to not tell him if anything felt wrong with his stomach. Nodding, he said, "Take a break and relax; wander around. After all the traveling we did, you'd know how to get back here." Pausing, he said before Vaarak left, "Later, would you check in on Exodus? If anything major comes up, Fran would probably find me, but I'd also like to know how she's holding up."

Vaarak nodded and turned to leave. It felt nice to not have to focus on anything, since he wasn't used to doing so much yet. He broke into a light jog, getting into the mindset as if he were scouting, although it would have been more fun with his brother. Balthier always made up interesting scenarios to amuse him. He laughed lightly before continuing his exploration.

He found it quite enjoyable to finally settle down in a pack, despite being very far from his family's packlands. Perhaps after another summer or two passes, he'll finally realize what makes wandering so likable to Balthier. Perhaps his eye for interesting things kept the older brother moving. Vaarak loved his brother, although he could be very weird... he was confident, yet doesn't show off; quiet and calm, yet always finding time to play with Vaarak; a healer, yet willing to sneak into unfamiliar territory if something catches his eye to take. The pilfering only occured when they were still in their homeland and during the beginning of their travels after they left their home... according to Balthier himself.

He was never sure if his brother was truthful on that, but... he always did tell the truth unless he said he was joking afterwards... He did remember one time when he woke up in the morning, when he was much younger, and saw a small, shiny, circular object with four tiny holes and thin stingy material sticking out of them ((a button, btw. haha)). It was grasped in the jaws of his brother, who almost half-dragged him for quite some distance before they paused to rest. It was then Balthier taught him a bit about humans and to stay away from them, especially ones called hunters who camped out during the night. Still, his brother never really said anything horrible about them, just saying only the bad ones come out into wolf lands, but it's just safer to stay away from all of them and their civilizations.

He was just about to reminisce more, he caught the scent of an unfamiliar wolf. ((Time to see if Vaarak can handle controlling Braeden. Haha)) He wagged his tail, but stopped soon after, wondering if he should approach. He could call Zelda or...

Vaarak grinned, and walked ahead, pausing when he saw her collapsed, right next to the border. Perhaps he should take caution? He was a little scared to act, but he wanted to show his brother, even more so than he ever had, that he could take care of himself for sure. He took another step before calling out, "Hello? Are you ok?"