Ravensblood Forest i saw the creature deep inside

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The feral Cathán draws in a deep breath as he paces around the pond, burning amber gaze observing the ethereal, stardust blue that sparks to life as the surface of the water is rippled by the gentle breeze that blows through the small clearing, whipping his wind-swept white tipped cape hairs against the grain. A low grumble emits from the dirtied white of his throat as he studies the marvel. It was an average pond during the day but now, when the moon is high in the sky and darkness has stolen over the bloodied sequoias of Teaghlaigh the pond had transformed into something mystical. The Commander does not trust it and this is only because he does not know what to make of it. He can not deduce why it is changed or how. He circles it as if it is a prey, head bowed and the glint of his eyes fierce as he sniffs at the air and detects nothing out of the ordinary. He is perplexed and it frustrates him. As being labeled as associate annoys him. Associate. He is a Commander and the feral Cathán does not settle with the demotion well. The queen has made it clear why they are placed as they are: but that does not mean he has to agree or like it.

He knows trouble brews for Teaghlaigh but as an Associate it is none of his business — things that the queen should not have divulged to them — and he does not trouble himself with the politics or it’s defense. Let the soft coywolf king fumble for a bit. Perhaps some humiliation will be good for the soft-hearted Ceannasach. Let his back be stabbed before the Commader comes to his rescue, since he seems so keen on keeping traitors within his ranks and close to him. A huff tears itself from his lips, deep and louder than he has intended. His curiosity over the bioluminescent pond has quickly weaned and he is left …wanting. He wants to seek out @Conan, wants to lose himself in the familiarity, in the gravity of his brother but even as he desires to seek him out Declan reclines back upon his haunches instead, brooding with the intention of letting the sparks of bioluminescent pond mesmerize him.

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Conan had been out and about, exploring this new territory to which he called his home. The giant sequoias actually confused him a bit, and he didn't like the way they liked to bleed onto his coat. He found himself grooming his fur far more often now that he lived here, for every time he brushed against a sappy tree in accident, he felt sticky. He'd learned quickly to stay clear of the bloodier trees, but still the golden ooze managed to tarnish his silky slate fur.

He had been thinking about the problems that Teaghlaigh was facing; traitors, attackers, and pups on the horizon. He didn't mind the idea of pups much, he'd always loved them, but the fact that they were being born into this pack that was facing so many difficulties troubled him. And he didn't like the idea of being caught in the middle of a war. He would fight with the Family of course, but why should he? All of this was caused by traitors, who should've been thrown out anyway. It wasn't fair to those members of Teaghlaigh who were faithful. There was much he wanted to say, to change and help his new Family, but he was only an Associate and it wasn't his place. And Conan hated being silenced.

As he wandered and wondered, the boy came along a moonlit pond, which flowed oddly in the light. Pushing away his thoughts of politics and troubles, the boy focused on the now. He trotted forwards, his ears perked with curiosity as he neared the pond's edge. He carefully stuck his nose in the water, pulling it out quickly with the sudden fear that the water might be poisoned. He looked down at his black tipped nose, his honey amber eyes wide, only to find it was normal. No harm done. With that relief, he bent back down to lap at the glowing water and it tasted no different than normal water.

Suddenly, he became aware that he wasn't alone. He looked up across the pond and noticed it was Declan. He was used to his brother's presence that he'd hardly noticed him there, probably watching from the moment Conan stuck his nose in the water. He was glad to see him brother, it made him feel safe to know that not everything was different. A playful grin lit his face and his tail began to wag. Without a word, Conan backed up and took a running start towards the water, then plunged in, attempting to splash his brother with as much water as he could.

Sorry it's so long <3

it was a delightful read, as always! <3

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Declan heard the sound of Conan’s footfalls upon the earth, his ears perking and cupping forth: each time his brother’s weight hit the ground was like a beat of a war drum in time with his heart which increased in speed as the more sociable Cathan drew nearer. Conan does not notice him and the feral Commander takes utter advantage of his brother’s cluelessness. He thinks of sneaking around and play (of course) attacking him from behind but his devious plan is stalled as the wicked Commander’s eyes rove his brother with a temporary hunger that is ravenous that tempers and dies as soon as it strikes him. His brother looks particularly handsome: well groomed (although Declan wonders if his brother might yet groom himself bald living in Teaghlaigh) and touched by the moon’s beams that filtered through the break of green canopy that the small clearing offered. Concern furrowed Declan’s brow and he stretched his muzzle forth — though they were quite a distance away from one another — as he watches Conan drink from the bioluminescent pond. His ears slick back upon his head, lips and whiskers tremble as he stops breathing afraid that Conan will begin to foam at the mouth and vomit the water he consumed. That was most mild of scenarios that flew through Declan’s brain but he tempers and quiets them as he observes Conan, ghosting towards his brother though the pond remains between them. Relief washes over him when nothing appears to change.

Except that Conan notices him. Declan’s upper lip curls as he catches his brother’s playful grin. It makes him breathless. It makes him worry. And Declan is never sure which is the more powerful. He has no time to react as Conan backs up and flings himself in the water. Declan turns his head away and closes his eyes against the splash his brother makes as the bioluminescent water glows as it soaks his face, chest and his white tipped cape hairs. It is not big enough to drench the feral Commander entirely but it is enough. His muzzle glows with the mystical algae, as does every where the water has splashed upon him and it ripples and glows to life around Conan where he disrupts it’s calm. A low, displeased huff leaves Declan’s lips as he wonders for how long he will glow where the algae touches him. His burning amber gaze moves sharply to his brother. Are you happy now?.

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<3!!!

Conan surfaced from the pond, covered in algae. He hadn't completely thought over the consequences of his actions, and now he was due for a good grooming, however that could wait. He stood now, his head just above the surface of the water he looked over at his brother, who was decently drenched. Conan wasn't completely satisfied, and as his brother was complaining with his chuffs and glares, Conan was already planning a second attack. He'd always loved playing with Declan, even though his brother could be a bit of a square at times.

Aww come on Declan! I'm just having fun, come on the water's great. He said, treading towards him slowly. With one swipe, he sent a wave of water in his brother's direction. His taunts were made to coax Declan, in hope that his brother would jump in. A wrestling match in the water would prove a challenge, but Conan was feeling playful, and he wanted to think about something other than troubling thoughts.

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Conan tries to coax him, tries to manipulate him to get what he wants. It is a clever attempt but the feral Commander holds true to his dour demeanor. The unspoken challenge hangs in the air, so palpable that Declan can almost taste it. It tempts him as his brother gives his taunts life as they, too, hang in the air. Conan sends a wave of water in Declan’s direction, soaking his front again. The feral Commander’s eyelids flutter for a moment as his ears slick back to smooth against his skull. He pushes himself to his paws and makes a slow circuit around the pond. There are certainly issues they must address. Important issues. Though as it always went Conan would do much of the speaking. Declan would grunt, grumble and huff, occasionally parting his lips to speak when he desires his opinion to be heard. They needed to talk about traitors and Ceannasach’s soft treatment of them. They needed to speak about what they were going to do about it because Declan Cathán only followed the strongest, the dominate, the elite and when they ceased to be those things it caused …complications.

His burning gaze moves over his brother’s form like a lover’s caress: how a married man might touch his mistress: he knows it is wrong and yet it is the fact that the apple is forbidden that only makes him want it more. Without warning Declan launches himself into the pond, his jaws agape as his head breaks the surface of the water that illuminates and glows alive near his brother with the intention of grabbing onto an ear to tug. The pond is not deep. Declan stands comfortably in it with the water lapping just over his shoulders. It is silly to give into Conan’s desire to play and yet it is what his brother wants thus Declan gives into it. Just this once.

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Declan, pouted and grunted and grumbled, and for a moment Conan thought he actually wasn't going to join him in the pond. But moments after he'd reached that conclusion, there was a monumental splash and suddenly his brother was there tugging at his ear. Conan yelped in surprise, ducking under the water in an attempt to remove Declan. When he emerged again, a huge grin had lit his face. This was what Teaghlaigh was missing, why it hadn't become home. Where was the fun in this place? A good wrestle in the water was good for Conan, it reminded him of when they were young, and it made the trees of Teaghlaigh seem more familiar.

As his brother was still holding onto his ear, Conan, with a low grumble, launched himself into his brother, hoping to push him over backwards.

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Conan’s yelp was one of surprise not pain but it for a moment Declan confuses the two with wild eyes, his pupils dilated as he almost lets go. His heart is in his throat for a moment, afraid that he has hurt his brother. It vanishes as quickly as it rises as Conan attempts to duck under the water and Declan is enticed to continue with their water wrestle (it was too bad it wasn’t mud). The feral Commander releases his brother’s ear as Conan rushes at him. Their bodies collide as Declan attempts to deflect his brother’s attempt to topple him over. He throws his weight forward with a snarl and a snap as he tries to recollect his balance which is knocked off in the water by his brother. It has been some time since they last sparred in the water and Declan forgets that he has to move differently. It is long enough to give Conan the upper hand as Declan’s body flushes with heat and adrenaline as he tries to remember how to battle in the water.

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Conan's tactic worked, and Declan let go of his ear. Even better than that, his brother started to lose his balance, clearly the watery battlefield wasn't helping him. Conan took that moment to gain the upper hand, he lunged forwards, held back a little by the resistance of the water, but they were close enough for his attack to hit. He pushed Declan over backwards, a laugh on his lips. He usually wasn't the one winning in spars like this, Declan almost always had him down. Just to make it more interesting, instead of pouncing on top of his brother, he trudged through the water and jumped on shore.

He stood at the water's edge preparing to run if his brother chased him. His silvery blue coat dropped down through his honey layer and off the ivory hairs of his underside. He breathed heavily, all of his muscles expanding and contracting with every breath. He ran his salmon pink tongue over his lips as he waits for Declan to chase.