Ever since their tangle of limbs and fang (and not the violent kind) Alduin has been thinking, thinking, thinking. Thinking of the man himself and the power they could wield. The agouti man is one that will die for something he cares about apparently, Alduin would take advantage of that, but not in a way that would intentionally force him to do so.
But the artifacts they could find — the ones that will take him that much closer to godlihood. Those are what he craves most. For now though, they must make it to the heartwood, establish a claim there once more and along the way there are definitely things to talk about.
So, as they walk, the skull is held loosely within his jaws. He moves close beside the other male, but when he speaks his voice is muffled due to his insatiable attachment to Banesteppe’s bone.
“Arashi,” He begins.
“what has become of Nyra? Why did you decide to leave her?”
He’s unaware of the sore spot he might’ve struck, but it is a simple question he thinks of. Nyra was a big part of his life growing up as well and now that Arashi is with Alduin instead it makes him wonder…
They walked. In silence, for a time. But it didn't last long. Alduin broke it too quickly.
Arashi.
He heard the name and instantaneously jerked his snout sideways. Do not call me that,
He spoke briskly; sharply. I have told you before, and I will not say again... Arashi is gone.
And as for the next who speaks this name, he will not be so kind.
And then there was the mention of Nyra, Fury. Another topic he loathes, yet this is not one he can evade so easily.
Fury, she called herself.
He began, finding the second name to be more familiar to his ear than the first. Her eldest child, Sovereign, was attacked by the red woman and her clan. Seeing no other way to save the pack, she took her own life, thinking that the rest of us could live.
But he didn't buy it. Not one bit. It was an escape. Yes, that was it! In reality, she only wished to escape the gruesome death that awaited her by the red people. And in doing so, she abandoned me. Thus, I have done the same.
And he would continue to do so.
The knee jerk reaction he gets from a changed man’s name is immediate. He’s being snapped at, but Alduin’s expression hardly changes — doesn’t change at all in fact.
Alduin continues though. “Then we shall find you a different name then — one fit for a god perhaps.” Though he remains drab, his rasping husky tone sounds almost playful — perhaps teasing at the other’s snapping words.
But when he continues, Alduin in put into silence once more. He speaks of Fury — yes he remembers her changing it to that, but old habits die hard apparently. Except he speaks of her child, Sovereign, who was but a ball of fat and fluff when Alduin last saw her at the Strath. She got attacked by the red woman — someone who Alduin is not familiar with.
His brows furrow immediately, but he continues looking forward and listening.
Only when he finds out that Nyra sacrificed herself to save the remainder of the pack from being hunted down does his expression change. A light wrinkle of his lips can be seen as Arashi speaks of his reasoning for following Alduin.
“Who is the red woman?” Is the only question he lets out, voice deep and ominous — vengeful.
A new name, he suggested. Yes— the sound of this was quite nice indeed!
Only one fit for a god,
He mused with a dark grin. How could he have any less?
The red woman. He thought hard. But the vengeful tone held by Alduin disrupted his thoughts greatly. Though, he didn't yet know if in a good way or bad.
I don't know who she is. Someone from Fury's past, I'm sure. She had many enemies then, and plenty that remain.
But maybe he didn't care to know. She was the past. This was the present. The right path to lead towards the future.
Alduin flicks his gaze over to the other man, witnessing the smirk upon his lips. “We’ll speak to the skull and see what he has to say about it.” He hums.
It’s easier to say that the skull has the answers then the walking entity that hangs on his shoulder all day does. For Banesteppe will give him a name — a more suitable one for the man he has yet to become.
Yet, Alduin’s condensed expression only worsens when the other gives him an another that is much less than what he wanted. It shows in the way he side eyes him again — a subtle irritation or heat present in his eyes.
“That’s not good enough. Would Sovereign know more?” He asks, tone clipped. “I’ll kill the red woman myself and all she holds dear.”
It’s what Nyra would’ve wanted…
The skull? They would seek the skull for a name? Hah! The agouti man tried his best not to laugh aloud. Clearly this object was sacred to Alduin, so he could do no such thing and risk disheartening him. If that was even possible—
But alas, it matters not where the name comes from. So long as it has no indication of the former, he could give two shits less.
Then he feels the burning gaze of the dark hound upon. A similar look is returned. I don't give a flying rat's ass if it's good enough,
He seethes in reply, lip curling slowly into a toothy grimace. You asked, and I told you what I know. So don't give me that bullshit.
Would Sovereign know more?
Hell if I know. Turning his head, he shrugged his shoulders dismissively.
Go ask her yourself, if you're just dying to know.::
I don't give a flying rat's ass if it's good enough,
That’s the first reply he gets. It has him side eyeing the other man with a look that could kill. One that’s dark and seeing just about over the bullshit the other man is about to spew before he even does it.
And yet, it keeps coming.
You asked, and I told you what I know. So don't give me that bullshit.
At that, Alduin’s lips wrinkle and a sliver of teeth show as he stops walking completely. At this point, he even drops the skull at his feet to truly glare at the other this time. He’s almost ready to interrupt him before the other continues.
Nothing changes. He dismisses him by telling the hellhound to ask Sovereign himself if he’s dying to know so bad.
That’s when a growl laces Alduin’s throat. He’s reminded of why he fought with this man the first time they met. Sure, Alduin took the dominance when he was flipped on his back not long before their coupling. Sure, there’s still an arousing heat in his belly when he thinks about their tangling of limbs. But Alduin is no man to be bitched around. Especially as he gets older and closer to reaching physical and sexual maturity, his testosterone only heightens. He was aggressive before, but he only sees it getting worse.
So he’d snap out at his companion who had already been lingering close enough to touch. He goes for the face, rather the cheek. Only enough to draw a pinch of blood and more just to check him if anything.
“Cut the attitude, piss-hound.” He’s growling. The deep, husky voice of his meaning business and sure to spark even more blood between them. “If they are enemies of Nyra, it’s likely they’re my enemies as well.” He would steel his expression, cold, unforgiving, and bloodthirsty. “We will kill them.”
Teeth snared against his cheek. He felt it, sharp like a razor. Blood then trickled, but the beast paid no mind.
Piss-hound. And when he heard it, a laugh bubbled from him. Never heard that one before,
He drawled, tone lightening ever so slightly. Stepping closer, the agouti man's shoulder drew along the other's. A kiss and make up scenario, if you will.
Alduin itched to kill the red woman and her people. If that's what you want so bad, then we will see them dead. But not yet.
It was too soon. Their numbers were still too slim. Once we get settled with our bunch, we can start thinkin' on it. Hell, maybe even find a few allies to help us. We'll need all the teeth we can get.
Alduin’s fiery gaze settles into something much more deadpan as the other man finds amusement in the insult he threw. Only then, does Ithax brush a muscled shoulder against his own. Alduin drops his gaze and rolls his eyes as he allows the man to do so. A type of apology the hellhound sees it to be…he’s reluctant to accept just because he’s petty enough, but does so anyhow.
Yet, without as much condescending humor, Ithax mentions the red woman once more. It makes Alduin hum in contemplation, a deep, short, rumbling sound deep within his chest.
“We know nothing of them it seems. Perhaps it will wait until time permits.” He follows. “I have more important things to find.”
The artifacts. That’s what he has to find.