I'm so sorry I forgot about this aaahhhhhhh !
Also excuse the awfulness while I get back into writing Tine
The shadow was, physically, better— but the worst of the damage had yet to heal; her wounded pride had only festered with the circumstances. Time did not lessen the sting of being indebted to her brother. She avoided him when possible, though it was not as difficult as she had expected— and maybe hoped, but that knowledge was only hers.
Samaantine frequently found herself outside of the territory, restless as she was. It was coincidence, perhaps, that she lingered in the forest today. The shadow flicked an ear when she was suddenly aware of Samothes' approach, turning to greet him with a slightly affronted cant of her head. Why now?, she asked silently, eyes sharp. There had really been no chance of a warmer reception, but she told herself otherwise in this moment— he should have cared more. Really, though, it had been foolish to expect more from the disgrace. The childishly mean thought gave her pleasure, enough to face her brother passively for the moment. She said nothing, but waited patiently for whatever he had to say.
The shadow snorted softly, then turned her gaze from her brother. She entertained the thought of ignoring him— he would leave, or perhaps he would be angry with her. Either change would have been welcome. Ultimately, her lack of trust in Samothes won out; some part of her knew she still needed this pack, whether she liked it or not, and she would not put it past him to cast her out. So, she'd best not piss him off too much.
Better than I was, thank you,
Samaantine offered, tone flat but as polite as she could manage. And your...
She paused a beat as if thinking, never dropping the facade of civility though it was not as carefully crafted as usual. No part of her expected to fool Samothes— if she ever truly did, it would be the greatest disappointment yet. Feminine companion— I take it she is well?
he smiles indulgently. good that she's healing, and all that. her obvious attempt to bait him with mention of thelxiope earns nothing more than a slightly sharper upturning of the mouth. too easy. "she is," samothes agrees pleasantly. as if recalling something suddenly, the messeda boy tilts his head, expression thoughtful. "and, hm, what of your..." ahem, "male companion?"
of course he knows well enough engel has not been by the forest, and unless samaantine has snuck off to see him (doubtful) he suspects she has not spoken to him in some time. hell, for all he knows, she's all but forgotten him, but he's not gonna pass up the opportunity to rub her face in it a little anyway. it's too much fun.