Trick lay on the ridge, his ridge, somewhere to the side of The Keep. It was here he had met Teagan for the first time, someone who he now viewed as his only friend. He never had a friend before... This couldn't go well. Teagan would be thrown away like everyone else in his life that had tried breaking down his walls. No one would get to him. He was Trick, god damn it! If he couldn't be happy, no one could!

He turned in his sleep, eyes flickering open once in a while, his panting soft and steady yet trembling with fear. It was a nightmare again, but this one was new. Normally, they were about how his family-his real- family was murdered by the thing that now called himself his father. But that night, they were about the Marauders. It was about all of them, even Kunkun, weakened by the famine. They were at war, and Trick could only look. His dream self's eyes lingered on the fiery pelt of his dream gay lover, fighting one of the wolves who Trick thought to be the enemy. "No!" Trick called out as he saw Grace running for her life but fall over with that limp of hers. This was chaos, the thing he loved, why was he crying again? 

In reality, he was only mumbling nonsense, but in his dream he was shouting for them to fight. He tried to get down the ridge he was standing on, watching them fight underneath him in a place that closely resembled hell. But the more he tried to go down, the higher the ridge became. He risked it all and leaped down, and that was the moment he awoke.

Panting, he opened his now dull green eyes, looking around. He was here, the marauders were, everything was well. He could see it was already morning, but he felt no desire to get up. Instead, he pulled himself up in a sitting position and stared at his petite paws that had helped cure so many ill travelers. He didn't care, did he?

Trick was always aware of his surroundings, he had learned from his past mistakes. Mental breakdown or not, he needed to know what was around him at all time. If he didn't, a bone would be thrown at him again, or he could get squished again by the huge bullies- just like at home. Sleeping was enough time to not be wary. Never again would he be bullied. Not here- where he was so high in the hierarchy that only Teagan, Warbone and Tavi could truly approach him without respect. He had earned his place here, more so than perhaps even Tavi.

The flash of tan and honey did not go unnoticed, for it kinda stood out in the weak light of morning and the fresh color of new greenery. No one could hide from him for long, but it was the fear of the one hiding perhaps having seen how stressed he was that set him on edge. Who goes there? He called out in that honey voice of his. His handsome face looked around, forgetting the horrible nightmare he had just had. 

If he had known that he was talking to an innocent little kid, perhaps he had forgotten about the presence all together. But the flash had been so quick, that Trick really couldn't have seen who it was- or even what it was. It was too light for a normal rabbit and too small to be Nova Rose. Never had he intended to threaten an innocent soul, for he knew how even the smallest hateful comment thrown at such a being could scar and shape it to become a coward. Or perhaps it would turn out just like him- scared, misunderstood, but pure evil.

But when the young'un showed itself, his squinting, scanning eyes turned into ones of surprise. He immediately felt bad, just a little, for shouting at the kid. He turned toward it, his emerald eyes falling onto the stuttering and shivering body. He did not know the child, or perhaps only vaguely, so he wondered if it was a trespasser. If so, where were its parents? Surely it wasn't, right?

Just another sign that Tavi really didn't know how to rule. Sooner or later, Trick would have to take over. I don't recall ever meeting you. He chuffed, his tone softer, more honey-like than before. I'm sorry, I am not keen on wolves sneaking up on me. Surely you do not like it either.

Trick was afraid he might have been too harsh on the sneaking being all together. Threatening someone with poison was quite a scary thing if one did not know how to vomit it out. He wouldn't have done it to a kid, he figured. Well, maybe to Tam to prevent him from taking over once he was old enough. That was how he worked, and the only one that suspected something was Kunkun.

Don't sweat it. He purred sweetly. After all, the little one had successfully distracted him from his nightmare. Why hide from a sound? He questioned. Sounds inside a pack territory could only ever be a trespasser, food, or your own packmate. And the chance of it being a trespasser with Trick and Teagan's fine border work was small. Why so afraid, little one? He questioned again. 

Trick hadn't meant to look like he was pointing out her flaws or put her in the spotlight -for that was his place ;)-. He was only curious of how this small one had already developed a fear that was hard to live with. Running from sounds was good for prey animals, not for fierce predators like the marauders, and he assumed this little one was a "marauder". Of course, none of the new recruits would ever be true marauders, not for real. They had not lived under the rule of the great warrior Warbone, and therefore Trick found himself to be more superior than the lot of them. Even Kunik, despite him hating her, was a true marauder.

How can you run from an unknown sound without having reasons to do so? He questioned. He raised his eyebrow, jumping down from the ridge in a flexible, smooth move. There is nothing to fear as long as you are under the protection of the true marauders. He said with a meant sweet smile, tipping his head comically to the right. Or is it the marauders themselves that scare you?

Trick squinted at her answer. She was partly right, no one could predict the future. But that was the fun in life, right? Was she afraid of him? A worried look found it's way onto his handsome, still quite youthful, face, despite his knowledge. He needed to cheer this kid up, badly. He wanted to offer the pups something he never had, a comforting paw to catch them when they fall. But would he be able to, now that he was truly against the new recruits? But what had their kids done? They only got dragged around. Perhaps, with some luck, the little ones could become true marauders.

He smiled and took a few cautious steps toward the tawny being that had not lifted her head up ever since they had began talking. A respectable distance away from the girl, he sat down, hoping she would not run and hide in fear again. Can I tell you a secret? He asked with a charming smile.

Trick knew himself he couldn't be trusted, so it wasn't a thought that worried him when approaching the small female. Why he was actually trying to help her, was a mystery to both the pup and himself. He supposed he could see a little bit of himself in her, and didn't want her to end up as a scaredy-cat. Or perhaps it was because he knew he couldn't have children with Teagan, if he ever wanted them. Would he even be a good father?

Her cringing did not stop him from getting closer, and he was lucky he wasn't a large wolf like Warbone or Stark, for he assumed that would only scare the kid more. He smiled as she looked up, his green eyes representing that he could be trusted, but that smile faded when the small one's face drooped again. He lay down, his head resting on his forepaws, his tail slowly wagging from side to side as he looked at her.

Everyone is a little afraid all the time. He told her in a warm voice. Even the ones that don't show it. He murmured in an even lower tone. So don't sweat it, little one. You'll soon find something, a passion, that will make you forget you are afraid.

Their eyes met for some brief seconds before his gaze rested on the top of her little head again. For a young kid, he couldn't deny that she was pretty. He dearly hoped she would soon realize that herself, so that she perhaps wouldn't be so shy anymore. But whatever he tried, he couldn't come through to the kid, it seemed. Oh well, he just hoped that his moments with her had not been a waste of time and that she at least considered his words.

before we depart, I would like to add that I think you are already quite brave. He complimented her, for he seemed to have an aura that scared most young females away. He smiled at her before rising up to his feet, and bowing, even though he doubted she would look up again. Until we meet again. He purred, turning with a graceful movement of his tail and body, and he lept onto the ridge again to enter the Crook. Perhaps Grace or Teagan would be up already.