@Mercury

Gunnar strode around the pack lands. Irritation in his stance, irritation that he was still a low ranking member. Irritation that he didn't know who killed his father. However, most of all was the irritation he felt that his brother was among them. His brother who left them, who had abandoned them. His brother who he had looked up too, now he was back and he expected answers and he would have them. Gunnar had been a push over as a child, however he wasn't anymore. Now he was a man, and he was well built for the most part. Granted yea he still needed trades, but he would get them, and he would prove his was the best son, the best brother, the best everything.

He growled and stopped moving, lifting his nose to the air he called out to his brother. He didn't request and audience, he demanded it. He didn't ask nicely, he told. He would have his answers and while he was at it, he would rip his brother a new one for leaving like he did. Leaving and not being there when they all needed him. Could Gunnar really say anything though? HE had left when his mother needed him most, but he had already made the plans. Perhaps it made him selfish, but frankly he didn't give a damn.

Reek, temporary Alpha while Saena was away, as the older male had introduced himself as upon Mercury's acceptance into Redtail Rise, had told that Gunnar was within the pack, though a few days had passed and Mercury had yet to see hide or hair of him, though he had been kept busy patrolling the borders, as was asked of him; so when the demand rose into the air, summoning him, Mercury paused, ears thrusting forth atop his skull. Lip curled slightly at the audacious behavior of his brother — further proving his belief that Gunnar thought he was better than him. Better than the bastard son, hence the belief that he had any right to blatantly demand anything of him. For a few moments, Mercury strongly considered ignoring it; almost did ignore it. After all, Reek had been adamant about Mercury proving himself and the smoky-black tyrant had every intention of seeing it through. Against his displeasure of having his presence be demanded, by his brother no less, Mercury scoffed softly and with an infuriated huff, he turned away from the borders with a kick, made more vicious than necessary, uprooting grass and earth to mark.

Mercury was agile naturally and found Gunnar quickly, his quick pace slowing as his tank-built brother came into view. A carbon copy of their mother but bigger, stockier. The fleet-of-foot skylark studied him across the distance, eyes hardened like imperial green glass around narrowed pupils. “Is this how you would greet your brother, then Tveir?” Mercury spat the number at him, unafraid to let Gunnar know that he did not appreciate being summoned like a disobedient hound dog. “I'm curious, shouldn't you be home licking Ragnar's feet?” Cruel? Yes, but Mercury had known how Gunnar had always strove to impress the Viking, and was surprised to find that he wasn't there being a complete kiss arse, not that Gunnar had needed to put forth the effort. He was always Thistle's favorite, and that left Mercury feeling bitter. He might have been the oldest, the first born but he'd always been treated like the middle child; and Gunnar's behavior at present did little to soothe the bitterness stewing in his heart.

Gunnar did not think he was better than anyone, as a matter of fact. He felt that he wasn't as good as anyone. He felt that he was actually not worth a lot of things. He didn't have any trades, he hadn't been able to save his father, his younger siblings wouldn't know him, and his litter mates had all left. His own real father couldn't even stand to be around them clearly. He shook his head, and simply waited for his brother. 

Gunnar turned his gaze when he heard feet coming towards him. The smoky black of his brother caused his heart to ache a bit. He had missed him, he had been able to push it down mostly, but still. Gunnar curled his lip just for a moment, I would have greeted you better Ein, had you not left without a word like a thief in the night. At the next words from his brother Gunnar's eyes went wide and then he flew at his brother. You bastard! He's fucking dead Gunnar didn't think that it wasn't fair. He didn't think of much anything, except for the fact, that he was angry and sad and his brother had just touched the hottest issue. Thistle had loved all her children, Gunnar had just always been with her. Mercury not so much. 

Gunnar growled and snapped at his brother, not really caring at the moment what his brother thought of him, or why. 

Mercury had hoped, vainly he saw now, that Gunnar would offer him more of a welcoming reception than the one he had been provided, not knowing that his brother had been bitter about Mercury leaving. His search had initially been for Gyda who had disappeared with Ragnar's priestess, and he had found her on her way back to Stavanger Bay. Back to the Teekon Wilds. He had sent word with her that he intended to keep going, to go to Odinn's Cove. Flightless Falcon's had not been a stop he had meant to make, stumbling across them in a rather unceremonious way, but he did not regret it. “That isn't my name,” He had entirely denounced everything that had made him a Viking, if he'd ever been considered one at all. Of course, Mercury understood that Gunnar was simply returning the favor, but it rubbed him wrong that Gunnar would call him that, call him Ein, when he knew Mercury wanted nothing to do with anything the Vikings. Sure, the heathens had been useful, their battle tactics unlike anything he'd ever witnessed: brutal and cunning in it's magnificence but he did not wish to be one. He hadn't wanted to be one even before he knew the truth of his birth. Of their birth.

“I went searching for Gyda and I found her! Did she not inform you and mother of my plans as I asked her too?” What exactly had been Gyda doing for the past six months? Mercury assumed she had stayed within Stavanger Bay, not knowing any different. It never once occurred to him that she would leave without properly saying goodbye to Thistle (or Ragnar), nor that she would not even see Gunnar. “Since when did you stop being the favorite child and leave Stavanger Bay?” Mercury inquired, not wanting to stop making the verbal blows. He should have, he knew. It was beginning to look like all of this might be a huge misunderstanding and that verbally sparring with his brother might only make things worse, but damn it all if Mercury wasn't ready to let loose all the months of anger and bitterness he'd kept coiled up tight. Too tight; and Gunnar had started it — or so that was how it appeared to Mercury.

Things had been good in the Cove and even better in Flightless Falcons with the family he belonged too, a direct tribute to his grandfather and Redleaf-DiSarinno patriarch, Aether. Gunnar's snarl made no sense to Mercury, who was more focused upon the fact that Gunnar had launched himself at him, teeth snapping close to his cheek. Fleet of foot, Mercury had dodged the full force of Gunnar's dive, though his brother's teeth scraped his cheek. Mercury felt the flesh split beneath Gunnar's sharp canine, felt the warmth of blood as it welled and spilled forth, staining the short smoky black hairs with crimson. “What are you talking about?” Mercury demanded, confused. “Stop attacking me you asshole, and tell me who is dead!” Did Gunnar think that them pummeling one another was going to magically put the knowledge into Mercury's head, because Mercury was prepared to tell him different.

[quote='Mercury' pid='114411' dateline='1432471535']
 


Gunnar growled, softly he knew very well that Ein wasn't his brother's name. That he had denounced everything that made him who and what he was. Who gave a fuck that his brother, had been left wondering what was wrong. Who cared that clearly their mother had felt terrible that she had let them down some how with their parentage. And who cared that Ragnar had taken them in, knowing they weren't his. Clearly Mercury didn't and it rubbed Gunnar the wrong way, it irritated him and it chafed, and most of all it hurt. Gunnar didn't care that Crete was his biological father, all he cared about was that he had been raised by man who had loved him anyway.


Gunnar laughed hollowly, Seriously, Mercury are you fucking serious! Of course she didn't tell us she never came back. Both of you just left cause your both so fucking self involved and selfish! What did you expect her to just come back and tell us everything? She already came back once with her tail between her legs and then she left again. And you, you you left and didn't tell us anything. Gunnar stared at his brother, tears pricking at his eyes and it made him angrier if at all possible. Gunnar snarled again and growled low, I was never the favorite child! We were all loved the same. You just didn't want to see it, neither one of you. Gunnar shook his head and turned his head away from his brother irritated.

Gunnar almost attacked him again, but Mercury's words closed through the haze for a moment and he stopped for a moment. He curled his lip again, and growled. Why does it matter? It's not like you care or ever have. Ragnar is dead Mercury, looks like you got what you wanted after all doesn't it. Gunnar knew his words probably hurt, but he didn't care. He was too irritated to care, and too grief stricken to worry all that much about it.

Mercury did not know that Gunnar felt betrayed by his denunciation of everything that was Ragnar's; and wouldn't have if because it had been Mercury's choice. He had never wanted to be a Viking, despite that he had only ever spoken Norse at first. It was more or less his native tongue and no matter how much of Ragnar's influence Mercury tried to erase, he could not erase everything. Mercury's ears slicked back to his skull at Gunnar's hollow laugh, though it was not the mirthless sound that caused Mercury's heart to fall to his stomach, but his words. That Gyda had never returned. A small whine simpered from the DiSarinno's lips at the consideration that something might have happened to the Viking Princess. He turned his head away from his brother, anger welling in the place of despair over his sister, the wound canted towards the sun so that Gunnar might admire his handiwork. “You talk about me and Gyda, but you're not in Stavanger Bay now, are you? We have all made our choices and not one of them is better than the other,” They were adults and better than this. “Gyda was supposed to return. She was heading back to Stavanger Bay when I found her,” He had found her. He had went after her when she went missing. Something he had seen no one else bother to do.

“Something must have happened to her,” He felt as if someone had stabbed him in the lungs, for that was the only conclusion he could come to: a grim one; and if he was right then it was his fault. His fault for not seeing her back home. She had insisted she could handle herself, and he had listened to her, choosing not to push the issue. “Your sister might be dead and all you can do is call her self centered? I don't remember you being such a prick, Tveir.” Once upon a time it would have upset Gunnar to think such a thing, but Mercury realized that he did not know the yearling that stood before him. In all fairness, Gunnar did not know Mercury, either. They had changed, drastically from the last time they had seen one another, for better or worse.

Hearing that Ragnar was dead came as a shock, one of icy cold water, because in some semblance Mercury did care. “I have always cared, Gunnar, I'm angry with them because I have a right to be. They lied to us! But it doesn't make me heartless.” No matter what Gunnar currently thought. “Did I ever claim that I wanted him dead? No. I didn't think anything could kill him.” Ragnar had always been immortal to him, something surreal and terrifying, too confident, intimidating and cunning to be claimed by death. Yet, Odin and his Valkyries had claimed him, taken him to Valhalla against Mercury's presumptions of Ragnar Lodbrok. “How is mother? How is she...” taking it; but Mercury couldn't make himself finish it. Maybe Gunnar didn't even know himself.

It was not the dununciation of the viking ways that had Gunnar up in arms. No it was the fact that his brother, basically spit on Ragnar, because he was pissed off because they didn't tell him right away that Ragnar was not his real dad. Gunnar had months, weeks even to come to the terms of Gyda's possible death. He should have realized that, before he threw it like a barb at his brother. He however, couldn't help it, and deep down. He hoped that she was fine, just living it up somewhere with Nerian. Gunnar heard the whimper and felt bad. He made a move to go forward and then stopped himself. He didn't think that Mercury would much want his comfort. He was angry sure, and hurt. But the fact of the matter was that Mercury was still his brother, once upon a time had been his best friend. Gunnar glared at him, No i'm not but at least I told them all and I said good bye. That's more than you or Gyda did Mercury, much more. I do not regret my decision. That place is cursed and I begged mom and everyone to come with me. None of them would. He shook his head.

Gunnar looked down, It's the way of life Mercury. But I refuse to believe something happened until I have proof. To me she is just living it up somewhere, and I hope to Gods I am right. Gunnar snarled again, I'm only a prick to those who deserve it Mercury. You abandoned us all! You did not say goodbye, or i'll be back or anything. Not even me, your own brother and at least I thought you as my best friend. So yea, maybe i'm a prick, but you are selfish, or at least you were. And you can't say you weren't. You had to throw a pity party, and pissy fit, and leave.

Gunnar growled again, They never lied Mercury, and if you would get your head out of your ass you would figure that out. Sure they never told us, but the minute you asked mom told the truth, she didn't hide it and anyone could of told us. Ragnar was just a better man and he raised us, fucking raised us despite the fact that we did not belong to him. Gunnar grew quiet and looked down, his ears slicked back to his skull. He was surprised that his brother had felt that way, that he had actually cared. Gunnar had thought he hadn't. A big, big miscommunication was what this was. Gunnar whined softly, She is not taking it well and I worry for our younger siblings. She is...well she is like she was when Nerian was around.

Mercury did not pretend to know why Gunnar was so upset with him — he had thought he'd make his intent to find Gyda while everyone else seemed eager to brush her disappearance under the rug very clear. Mercury hadn't waited around, hadn't sought out every wolf in the Bay to say goodbye because he had felt the pressure, the absence of time. The longer he delayed, the higher the chance of something happening to her. She might have been a Viking Princess but Gyda had always been docile. Fragile. “How long have you been gone? Was it before or after Ragnar died? How long do you think the Bay is going to be around with Ragnar gone?” Mercury wasn't saying anything against Thistle's ability to lead but he had always thought she hadn't wanted it. Ragnar had been the Bay's life blood, and without him he did not feel confident they would stand the blow of losing their Patriarch. Perhaps they would prove him wrong, but he held his doubts. The dark skylark kept it to himself, of course, these were not things he was so ready to share with his sensitive brother. “Nerian had bewitched Gyda, led her astray; and I left without telling everyone and their mother goodbye because I was afraid the longer I waited the more chance I would find only a corpse.” He didn't feel that he owed Gunnar any sort of explanation, especially when Gunnar was throwing the fact that he had said goodbye to everyone in his face. As if that made him high and mighty. “Since no one else seemed concerned about Gyda.” Mercury hadn't seen Thistle or Ragnar, or even Gunnar himself jump up in fright and worry about the girl.

“Don't you think it was selfish of you to leave mother with her babes? Was it before or after Ragnar had died?” Why couldn't Gunnar see that he was just like Mercury? To Mercury there was no difference, whether Gunnar said goodbye or not. Of course Thistle wouldn't have said anything. She wasn't the type of wolf to guilt Gunnar into staying even if she had really wanted Gunnar to stick around and help. Gunnar was a fool if he did not think that the Bay could have used his help. “Would she have ever told me if I hadn't asked? No. She wouldn't have. She would have had us believe he was our father,” Mercury bit down harshly upon his tongue to keep the rest of his words at bay. “I met our father, Gunnar. Our real father, Crete. He's not this evil villain that everyone would have us believe.” Of course, Mercury could say that because he'd spent time with Crete and the rest of the DiSarinno's, and had felt welcomed by them. Then again, Mercury had always been more of Crete (and as they would tell him, Aether) than he'd been Thistle, which was perhaps why he felt this way. Maybe Gunnar would have a different opinion if he'd met Crete.

“Maybe, but Crete didn't know. He didn't know about us. I'm not taking sides here, Gunnar, I'm just trying to lay it out on the table. Crete isn't perfect, but neither was Ragnar and you can't deny it. He wasn't a martyr.” Despite that his death might have made a martyr out of him. Calling Ragnar a better man was a stretch, and Gunnar had to know that. There was nothing good about the Viking, it was their nature, and Ragnar had always been adamant about it, not to be humble but honest. Mercury wasn't entirely surprised to hear that they had half siblings, but he did not know what to say. “They are Ragnarssons and daughter's; and mother is strong. They will survive.” He was confident of this, at the very least. He was not sure if the Bay could survive it, but he knew that his mother and half siblings would. 

“I don't want to fight with you, Gunnar,” Mercury admitted with a heavy sigh. In truth, he was exhausted. Exhausted from his travels, from all the anger and bitterness. He wanted to put it behind him. “If I hurt your feelings by leaving to search for Gyda by not saying goodbye I am sorry. That was never my intent. I worried for Gyda, and I know that out of the two of you it is her that needs my protection the most.” Physically speaking, Gunnar was stronger than Mercury. Broad to Mercury's sylphlike form. Bulk against Mercury's wiry muscles. Gunnar was brawn to Mercury's brains (not that Gunnar wasn't smart, because he was); and then there was Gyda all femme softness, dainty and fragile beauty. She had needed Mercury, and he had done what he felt he had too. Whether Gunnar agreed with him or not was entirely up to him and out of the dark skylark's paws.

Gunnar hadn't thought much of Gyda, because she was with Nerian. He hadn't worried, the priestess may have turned Gyda away from them, but she would not have allowed her to come to harm. That much he was certain of, or at least if she could help it anyway. Gunnar lowered his eyes at his brother, it didn't matter how long he had been gone. I had already made the plan to leave. I gave my word to Saena that I would join her, before Ragnar died. The bay will do fine. Mother has been leading it on her own for months as it was anyway. Ragnar stepped down to try and add more help to the pack rather than lead it. It will be fine and so will all of the pack members. Clearly Mercury hadn't known that their mother had been manning the bay on her own for months now as it were anyway. Gunnar growled again, Don't you dare try and assume you knew my mind Mercury. I was worried, but I also thought if she was with Nerian she would be okay. Just because Nerian had bewitched her, did not mean she wouldn't take care of her.


Gunnar stared at him for a moment and curled his lip. I never said he was a villain. However, any man that fucks a female and then leaves her, before he figures out the consequences, his not the best man. I don't really care who or what he is. As far as I am concerned, Ragnar was my father. You know funny thing I went to meet Peregrine, brother to Crete. And you know what he basically told me, nicely of course? Was to fuck off, that just because we shared blood was nothing. His sister though Osprey, I like her. Then he grew quiet and just simply looked at his brother.

I never said he was perfect and I never said Crete wasn't a good wolf. But he did leave mom after a quick bang and toss, regardless of how much hero worship you show for the arsehole. Gunnar didn't say anything else. Frankly he didn't give a rat's ass if Crete was not as bad as everyone said. He had abandoned their mother. Even if she hadn't been pregnant, it was really bad form to bang and leave. It was just downright shitty. Gunnar knew Ragnar wasn't exactly a good man, but he had done right by them. And by Viking code, he was a moral man at least. Their names are Jorunn, Floki, Ragna and Kaylan. Three boys and a girl. He offered out an olive branch.

Fine, past behind us? Gunnar didn't know what else to say. He didn't like to fight either, but he also didn't want his brother to think, that it was okay to just leave and never let him know. Maybe Gyda had needed him more than Gunnar, but it didn't make the smart any less.

It came to light that Gunnar had more faith in Stavanger Bay's survival than Mercury did, which was fine, they were not deigned to always agree with one another and neither should punish the other for their difference of opinion on things. Mercury's lip lifted with indignation when Gunnar growled at him once more, for the umpteenth time. Frankly, the dark skylark was growing tired of it, exasperated as he was with the whole situation. Gunnar had made it clear that he was upset with him, the continuous growls, to Mercury, were unnecessary. In truth, their anger was simply because they were butt hurt teenagers. Things happened and people left and lied and Mercury saw that adults accepted it and moved on. Holding grudges did nothing, especially for something so trivial — though this practice was by and far easier said then done. “But she wasn't with Nerian.” Mercury argued to his brother, whom just like everyone else, was still brushing her absence under the rug. “Nerian might have taken her but she had left the priestess a long time ago. You have more trust in the priestess than I ever did.” And this was not just because Ragnar had taken her as his second wife. Mercury hadn't cared what Ragnar had done, or chose to do. 

“Peregrine isn't Crete, Gunnar. You cannot judge a man by the words of his brother alone. That would be like saying because someone talks to me that you are just like me; we are starkly different, are we not?” In fact, there was little that was similar in them — the same of which went for Gyda. This was likely the origin of Mercury's black sheep feeling, when he'd been old enough to realize such things as differences. There was a bitter irony to Gunnar's words as he defended Ragnar against Crete, and Mercury couldn't help his mirthless laugh. “I suppose you have forgotten that Ragnar has done that himself. Or did you forget his bastard son? What about Tyrr? He injured him and then took him as a prisoner, and then made up an entire lie for his life.” Mercury wasn't so confident that the evidence he'd given Gunnar would cause the other boy to concede. Likely, Gunnar would have some excuse or defense lined up since he seemed to determined to keep Ragnar in (undeserved) martyrhood. 

“I don't worship Crete, neither do I see him as a hero,” Heroes were dead things and Mercury saw no sense in having one. “I gave him and the Redleaf-DiSarinno's of Flightless Falcons a chance and they welcomed me with open arms,” Albeit, so did Dagrun and the wolves of Odinn's Cove. Even Ragnar's younger brother, Vali though Mercury did not hold a high opinion of him. “Just as I gave Odinn's Cove a chance.” Mercury had not been sitting idle during the past six months as he split the time between the Cove and the Falcons. 

Mercury was silent when Gunnar offered what Mercury recognized to be an olive branch in the form of the names of their half siblings. There was no need to ask if they belonged to Ragnar, for he was confident that they did. “Yes, I would rather put our grievances behind us. These old wounds deserve to be healed.” The white flag of surrender was up, willingly, and offered with some measure of relief from the dark skylark.

Gunnar did not have faith in the Bay. As a matter of fact, he was determined that it was cursed. No he had faith in his mother. Gunnar curled his lip back. He really didn't care that Mercury didn't appreciate his growling. What did he expect? He left without so much as a word? To find Gyda yes, but then once he found her. Rather than return he continued on, and she was lost along the way. At least that is what Gunnar was figuring, truth be told he was having a hard time remembered when Gyda had come back the first time and left again. Gunnar frowned in thought, I don't know, she was nice to me mostly. A little strange, but okay. Gyda was not happy in the bay, any fool could see it. Just as you weren't, so maybe yea I didn't go running after her. But i figured, if she wasn't happy like you, then why make her stay? 

Gunnar smirked quickly, Clearly Then he grew quiet, he wasn't saying a word about Crete anymore. He had been curious about him, wanted to know about him. Other than that, he didn't give a crap about the man. He wasn't his father, sure he gave him life, but he wasn't there to watch it unfold, so whatever. Gunnar sighed, Mercury, for the last time. I know Ragnar was not perfect and I know he wasn't the nicest wolf, as a matter of fact, he was probably one of the most savage. However, he did right by us. That's all I'm saying, and most of the time not always he did right by mom.  I'm not trying to make it seem like he's a martyr or what have you. I am simply trying to point out, that he raised us and he didn't have too. He at least deserves some credit for that, and that is why I'm not all that concerned about Crete. He might be awesome, but I'm not curious anymore about him. 


Gunnar didn't say a word at first, but then he did dip his head. I'm happy you got to see both sides Mercury. I hope it helped to fill whatever void you had there. Then Gunnar stopped talking and just stood still. Though his stance was not as aggressive and his shoulders were a bit lower, and defeated than they had been. He didn't like to fight with family.


Gunnar shifted again and tilted his head. He leaned forward and nudged his brother, and gave a small lick to the wound he inflicted, if Mercury would allow. He had been angry and upset and he had felt, well still felt abandoned. But his brother was right, the past was the past at least for family.

Gunnar seemed determined, in Mercury's perspective at any rate, to entirely miss his point. It had nothing to do with Gyda being happy or unhappy at the Bay. It had everything to do with the fact that their adoptive father's second wife stole her off in the middle of the night without so much as a goodbye — from either of them. Perhaps that had only given Mercury cause for worry, but he had set out to find her. Which only made Gunnar's assumption that she didn't return because she hadn't been happy seem more wrong to Mercury. “She'd been heading back to the Bay when I caught up to her. She wanted to return,” And Mercury currently wanted to thwart the shit out of his brother for twisting everything to fit his reasons as to why Gyda and Mercury were selfish and Machiavellian villains. Perhaps it was not so bluntly, but that was certainly what Gunnar had done a good job making Mercury feel like, tearing him down by acting high and mighty and attacking him as he had. “But I won't look for her again. I don't think I want to know what happened to her,” because Mercury was, at present feeling very pessimistic and only the very worst of scenarios ran through his head in accordance. Writing her off as dead was a premature action, especially because he didn't know it for a fact, but if she was not in the Bay as she'd seemed so desperate to return to then what else could have happened to her?

“If mother would have told him she was pregnant he would have stayed,” And maybe everything would be so very different. “By claiming a second wife when he already had a wife? Is that doing right by her?” Mercury could feel himself growing more agitated as their conversation — argument, really, mostly about who was the better man by pitting Crete and Ragnar against one another — continued. “What if Nerian was pregnant? What if that was why she left so suddenly? Without so much as a word?” It occurred to Mercury suddenly, and he could not help but let the words slip free. It would make some semblance of sense, and Ragnar would have been able since Mercury and his siblings hadn't been his blood children. “After all, that was what Ragnar wanted Nerian for, wasn't it? To make him more sons.” His own sons, at that Mercury mentally added.

“I tried to ask Gyda but she would not say much,” And was generally unhelpful all around when Mercury had tried to pry. “Odinn's Cove and Flightless Falcons have changed me, especially the Redleaf-DiSarinno's. They are quite a family, quite a massive family, at that.” It was experiences that Mercury wouldn't exchange for the world. “They helped me find who I am and where I belong in this world.” Something that Mercury had struggled with for a very long time, previously. Mercury's shoulders tensed at Gunnar's nudge, half expecting his brother to tear into him again. They had came to something resembling a peaceful conclusion but the attack — unwarranted as far as Mercury could see — was not something he would so easily forget. Despite having only partially forgiven Gunnar, he allowed his brother to swipe his tongue against the wound. It did not make Mercury feel better, but if it helped to ease whatever Gunnar felt then the dark skylark wasn't about to put up his barricades.

Gunnar frowned trying to think, but he just couldn't remember. She did come back...but then she left again. He furrowed his brow trying in vain to remember and he just couldn't he expelled a sigh and a curse. Damn I can't remember when she came back. Were you there when she came back the first time? Gunnar looked down again, fighting the dull headache that threatened, headaches were becoming a nuisance. He hadn't meant to upset his brother as much as he did, he had just been hurt and angry and irritated.

Gunnar stared at his brother and shook his head, Uh mercury he never came back after the first time. When mom found out she was pregnant she hadn't seen him for weeks. So how could she have told someone, when she didn't even know what pack he was from? Gunnar shook his head a small smile on his mouth. Gunnar sighed, Hence why I said most of the time, most of the time. That was a shitty thing to do, to both of them. Well then I guess there's going to be more bastards out there aren't there? We could try and find them, but i doubt it and i'm pretty sure she wasn't. She didn't have her cycle or heat or whatever it's called again. And the first time he didn't do anything, because mom would have ripped his shit apart.


Gunnar studied the small cut and looked down, I can put something on that if you like Mercury. I'm sorry I hurt you. That was all he said and he made his lips tight.

Mercury's frown deepened as Gunnar appeared to struggle with his memories and the timelines in which Gyda fit into it. Eyes of imperial green studied his brother for a moment, contemplative. “It is alright, Gunnar,” Mercury spoke in a murmur, his voice softened with understanding. “I do not have a good feeling about things with Gyda but she is a woman grown now,” Those words were painful, though not nearly as painful as the realization that he was more or less giving up the search. He could not spend his entire life tracking down their sister. He was worried but he had to believe that she would be okay — wherever she was. “And you are grieving the loss of Ragnar.” He shouldn't have pushed, nor should he have fought against Gunnar. They had opposing views on who was their true father (not in terms of biology) and there wasn't really anything wrong with that. Gunnar loved Ragnar as a father and Mercury loved Crete as a father, having had the actual chance to meet him and spend time with him. 

“Crete is mute,” Mercury told his brother, not wanting to get into it all over again especially so soon after they had agreed to disagree and threw up their white flags. “So it wasn't like he could tell her.” Mercury at one point had hated Crete, too, having made up the wild accusation that he had just left. As it turned out his assumption was missing huge chunks in it's makeup. “Like you would know, if Nerian'd been on her heat cycle,” Mercury spoke with an amused and teasing snort. Unless, Gunnar had well kept secrets from Mercury regarding his intimate life. After all, they'd all been kids when Nerian had been around, and while the dark skylark couldn't speak for his brother he could say that he wouldn't have noticed enough to know the difference. At the time he'd known rudimentary basics of it; he had some experience in such things these days (Victoria is a little worried about that, tbh, lol) not a lot. Not as much as say, Ragnar, but he knew how to do it, and accordingly knew the difference between heat cycle and not heat cycle. “Maybe,” But Mercury wasn't so confident that Ragnar'd been the kind of man to do what anyone else wanted him to do. That was what Ragnar and Nerian had claimed anyway.

Mercury was drawn out of his thoughts when Gunnar spoke again, his eyes focusing upon his brother when Gunnar looked down. A heavy inhale was taken by Mercury who let it out after a few seconds of holding it. “No, it's ok. I need to keep up on what uncle Perseus taught me so my skills don't go rusty,” Mercury probably should have left Gunnar do it, but he wanted to do it himself. “It's as you said: I probably deserved it.” Mercury didn't really believe it but if it made Gunnar feel better about attacking his own kin, then hey, Mercury wasn't going to argue over it again.

Gunnar nodded his head where Gyda was concerned and said nothing more about it. He was fighting off the headache that was threatening to overtake his senses. He needed to get away from his brother right this minute. Not because he didn't love him, but because he did not want him to see him weak and pain filled. Gunnar smiled softly and nodded, Yes I suppose I am.


Gunnar chuckled and dipped his muzzle a small smile teasing the edges of his maw. You did deserve it, regardless of whether you think you did or not. He snorted gently and then looked up at the sky and back down again. He wanted to get away from his brother but also didn't want too. I need to do some herb gathering you want to come along?