God, why was he back here? He should've known better. The quiet days of a wanderer were weighing on him like stones... He was a dumbass, that much was true, but he knew a good thing when he saw it. The Teekon was where he belonged... or so he hoped. He'd followed the stars and sent his songs upon the wind to try and find whatever was left of those that had cared for him when he'd been small. He chuckled. Well, he wasn't small anymore. Despite his diet of scraps and the occasional successful hunt with other loners, the young boy had grown into a juggernaut.

Everywhere he went, all he could see was how things used to be. How the wilderness shifted, when one was gone for just a blink, just a season or two. But there was one thing he had to know. He clung to a memory like a child to a toy, knowing that he'd one day outgrow it. Perhaps he already had - perhaps she was gone. Not that the answer mattered.

He found the tree of that day, though this time met it under starlight. He leaned against it, in the same manner as before. And waited for @Mintaka - or perhaps he waited for her not to show up.

His eyes drifted to the heavens. He believed in nothing that was up there, and yet he felt so small underneath a cloak of stars so grand. Sure, he'd probably scare the mice into their holes and the birds to the highest branches of their tree, but he was nothing compared to the mountains that in turn cowered in the presence of the sky. It was all the more reason to pretend to be grand - to be almighty.

His lids fluttered upon hearing something - someone - approach. He held his breath unintentionally, a lighter speck growing closer and turning into a young girl. Even under the moonlight, with her eyes now more gentle in colour than he remembered them, he recognized her. He shook his "mane" in a bad-boy-like fashion, staring briefly into the distance again. He wasn't sure whether the recognition was mutual, so he hoped to clue her in.

Not really - but you wouldn't understand. His voice was now a low rumble - not precisely as how he'd imagined as a boy, but much more soothing than the croaky sounds of puberty. He smirked then, giving her a little side-eye. Surely, a drug-dealing-skater-boy wasn't that easy to forget.

He followed her movements carefully. Was he dreaming? He had had a lack of sleep for some time now as nightmares swirled around in his mind. If this was a dream, it could very well be the best one he'd ever had. He rumbled a soft chuckle as they both recalled their first meeting. At least she hadn't forgotten him - that would've been a cruel joke. Then again, the world only played cruel jokes on him.

It's good to see you again, Minty. He said, perhaps the most genuine words he'd ever spoken directly towards her. He shifted his body, satisfying an itch he didn't know he had with the bark of the tree, then sitting down with a soft hmf. Even better to not see Mi-rawr again. He smirked. Who knows, perhaps if her family hadn't come running, she would've gone with him to lands unknown. Not that he was great at convincing others to stick with him willingly. He wore them down, like soft pencils writing on sandpaper.

She lit up the dark night and warmed the chilling autumn winds with the way she spoke. He'd never met anyone quite like her before, so full of genuine emotion. It was kind of daunting in a way, for someone like him. Though he vowed to never speak of his time outside the wilderness again, the scars still lingered and stung in ways that kept him from something like love or caring. He'd not met the nicest wolves on his travels, far from it. Had it not been for his brute strength, he probably would've met his demise out there.

He cleared his throat, unfamiliar with this kind of interaction. So, you're still cooped up in that place, hm? He asked, suppressing his distaste for her seemingly controlling home.  She'd been sheltered as much as he had been abandoned - two halves of the same cursed coin. He was glad he never accepted the invitation. Who knows what they would have twisted him into.

The only one he still saw as family was Abaddon, but he'd left him behind too. Of course, it'd been his own dumb fault, not that he'd ever admit to such a truth. The only one that hadn't straight up abandoned him just yet was Minty, but his affections were fragile. One more rejection and the boy would light up from the inside, burning everything to the ground with him.

He pulled up his nose and scoffed. Why would you wanna impress someone like that? He asked. He shook his head with a soft tsk. He hadn't liked being born half of an orphan, a fawn stuck in the mud. He hadn't liked growing up quickly and dealing with his big brother's bullshit when they'd been travelling together. But he knew for damn sure that if anyone had kept him from going where he wanted or tried to supervise him at the age Minty was - she did look a little younger than him - he would've packed his bags and gone his own way. You don't need her to be proud of you - not if you already know you're amazing. He rumbled nearly angrily.

Look. He said all seriously, really getting agitated now. He looked the other way to hide this, but it was clear as day in his voice. He wasn't angry at Minty, more at what those wolves had made her believe. Fuck everyone that you have to work for to have them show you the affection you deserve. His ear flicked. Her perked up when she mentioned not being amazing and talking about herself, openly, digging her own grave. He spun where he stood, making his way over to her.

He looked her in the eyes, fire burning in the silver of his eyes. Don't you ever say that again. He warned, looking down at her. He worried for a moment, thinking he might scare her more than anything like this, and so decided to back off a little and avert his gaze. Minty, you're the best person I've ever met. Why stay with those - those stuck-up dipshits when you could be - when you already are so much more?

He'd never sought the approval of anyone, as far as he remembered. Quite the opposite really; he sought their boundaries, the ways he could tick them off without trying. Yeah, he was good at getting his ass kicked. He kind of liked being defiant that way - his whole Loner status was one he carried with pride instead of fear, like Minty. He didn't understand why it was hard for her to leave; he'd never been attached to something, someone. Still, his brows raised with worry, empathy perhaps. It felt foreign. He didn't like it at all, but this was for Minty damnit (that's what he told himself at least, but it was also very much selfish of him to convince her of leaving like this, knowing she'd never be able to go back).

Sometimes, alone is better. He sighed, cooling off due to the somber atmosphere. I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for someone I'm not. Perhaps that's why he hadn't sought a home - a pack. He huffed, straightening his back awkwardly. And you wouldn't be alone, y'know? I could, potentially, stick with you - if you want. He said in an annoyed manner. God, he felt really uncomfortable offering this, but secretly it was what he wanted. You could say he was a bit of a tsundere.

Heh, yeah. He answered smugly, grinning. Sure as Hell not gonna stay here. He added, giving a quick glance about the Terrace. As much as it was beautiful in the gentle glow of night, Almight never stuck to one place for long. He didn't like the boundaries of a territory - that wolves in the area might recognize him or, god forbid, Minty and drag them both before her mother.

You ever been beyond this place? Say... to those mountains over there? He said, pointing with his muzzle to the peaks that were only barely visible above numerous obstacles. Who knows what's behind them... He breathed in awe. He wanted to see it - see it all, but most importantly, he wanted Minty to see it.

Though his spirit lifted and a genuine smile appeared as she stated she'd rather leave with him, both those positives were wiped by her next tidbit of emotional baggage. He pondered for a moment, seeking her gaze. She seemed serious, but he had a bad rep around here. Once he was spotted by one of those crazy family members of hers, he'd be toast. He sighed long, and slow.

Three sun falls. That's when I'll go - I can't stay in one place for long. His ear flicked in fake annoyance and he offered her a smile. He wondered then, if Mintaka would really show up around that time. He wanted to say he didn't care whether she'd accompany him or not, as he'd made it this far on his own, but a part of him - a very selfish part - almost needed this to work out.

See you then. He rumbled, hoping and wishing she'd really come then. He almost didn't allow himself the luxury of hoping for things anymore. He assumed the worst of wolves, because that's what they usually showed him. Minty was only slightly better than what he'd come to know, thus he clung to it... He wondered if she knew that she had the power to shatter him so easily.