This had been the place where it all had begun.
In the midst of the reed-swaying sea that surrounded the glimmering lake, that was a spectacle of it's own. The water, crystal clear and refreshing, was adorned with delicate flowers and petals that simply floated on the surface. But below there was movement, that contrasted the surface calmness. Fish and tadpoles dashed at the bottom, busy and focused on not getting eaten by the other residents of the lake.

It had been in this very place that Galileo had met Bazi. They had met over a drink, with the sound of the quacking ducks rumbling in the background. In the very same way it was happening now.

The peppered male had not been here since that day, and though it felt like an eternity it looked the same. Small waves rippled throught the water as one of the ducks dipped its beak into the water, pulling out a small critter that was soon swallowed whole. He looked around thoughtfully, ignoring a group of ducks that eyed him suspiciously -- he was not there to hunt. Lately he hadn't been in the mood for that. Or for anything really.

Not only had nostalgia showed up at his door, but also the pain that maybe Bazi's decisions weren't any better than the former Alphess. She had driven out a good bunch, which had ultimately resulted not in the formation of one pack; two brand new pack had risen, and at the worst moment possible too. With Winter just around the corner, the last thing needed was competition.
Yet Bazi had not thought of that..

That made him wonder something. Had he ever thought of that?
Not of the new packs -- but of the possibility that the Creek would fumble after Fox's departure? She had been a rather lousy leader but she had kept the Creek standing for months. Was it the Creek's future condemmed since the day she left? Galileo didn't think so.

He hummed as one of the ducks splashed agaisnt the waterm landing softly in the middle of the lake.There was another thing he was wondering, one that pained him to even think. Had he ever thought that his child might've been better off without him? Now that he thought of it, he had never really said a proper goodbye. Finn was too young to understand that he would part forever. That night just a kiss in the forehead and a 'see ya bud' was all that was given.

Oh,how did he wished he could've changed that.

Though his last goodbye with his son hadn't been memorable or remotely meaningful, the one he had had with the male standing in front of him had been no better. Galileo stared back at the silver man, his amber eyes not betraying the internal battle inside his heart. Though the boy probably hadn't thought much of it, Galileo had meant every word said by the Otter Creek's edge.

It was both painfully disapointing and angering that while the male had come to seek advice from him that day, he had gone and done the opposite the old man had adviced him to. While being suposedy worried that his loyalties might be questioned the foolish youth had gone and proved their suspicions right. He had packed his bags and walked away, just as things began to look down.

Pitiful.
It was incredible that Galileo had been fooled by his little act --or what he now thought to be an act. The peppered male was still oblivious to the reason behind Bazi and Shadow's feud, and though he would've been greatly saddened by Bazi's irrational decision he would've also been angered by Shadow's defiant attitude.

"That's how you chose it" he barked, a dead-pan expression plastered on his aged face. Galileo didn't know much about packs but he did know that leaving the pack you pledged your heart to when things turned grim was the lowest of the low.

"I am in no mood to interrogate you, as long as you come in peace" he barked then, unsure of how the new Alpha viewed the Creek -- though foe was more suitable than friend, considering the time of the year.

Through out his life time, not many wolves had managed to earn the title of enemies. As a gentle and forgiving wolf there were few things that could infuriate him to the point of considering another wolf a threat. Though Shadow had lost the status of friend, he was not yet shoved into that selected list of enemies --but there was no doubt that in the end of this meeting that could be completely different.

The planned meeting with Bazi had not occurred yet, so Shadow's words about Danica created confusion in the old man. Of course he was not a stranger to same-sex relationships, though he had seen few through out his life he held no particular opinion about them. With a wary expression on his eyes, he chuffed softly, wanting to corroborate the legitimacy of that information before making a comment.

"If that were true, then what did that have to do with you? Why did you question Bazi but not Fox?" he accused, sensing that the silver man felt jealousy of the snow-draped Alphess. If it were true, he wouldn't have excused Bazi's actions, but as he still doubted Shadow's version he abstained from defending either side.

"I am sure you're leaving out a piece of the story, it that story is even true" he barked, imagining the male curling his lips back at Bazi and Scimitar. If there was a leader that deserved the shit Shadow had put Bazi through it was Fox, not the pale Alphess. Hadn't she been the one that drove out Jace and Ferdie for similar suspicions?

Even if Galileo could not deny that Danica had also been his first friend in the Creek, he knew that the strong bond between them could not excuse Shadow's fault. Even if he had not resisted the urge of fighting for her justice he could've done it through dialogue -- not acusations and razor edged words. The man was at least decent enough to admit that -- but what had been done could not be changed. Not by Bazi or by him.

They had both made mistakes, though in the older man's mind it
had been Shadow's which weighed more than Bazi's. Even if they had not fought, the chance of wanting to stay with the Sveijarns had always been present.

And though Shadow could not be punished for forming his own pack based on his ideals, it still pained Galileo that after having come to him in worries of his loyalty he had lurred some of the members of the Creek to far grounds. Had he turned his altercation with Bazi as an excuse to drive them away.

Though the silver male continued to assure his words were honest, there was not a bit of the peppered male's heart moved by his narration. He did not believe him, but he would no longer call him a lier. The benefit of the doubt was the only thing he deserved -- and that just because of their past friendship.

"What was said and done will remain in your mind and hers -- I wish an serene season for you and your pack; though we no longer share any type of relation know that I will not be the one to adress you or your pack with an insult as long as you do not do it either." he barked solemly while swishing his tail sideways.

Shadow was nothing more than a stranger now. Even if he was a common enemy for the wolves in the Creek, Galileo wouldn't even give him the priviledge of being that. After they parted ways, he would just become a hollow name stored in his mind. Hopefully the two packs would not come into conflict again-- if you aksed Galileo not seeing any of the Bypass' wolves again would be for the best.

The former Creek wolf returned the good wishes, which were recieved with a low chuff from the peppered male. He then tipped his head to look at the man, his amber eyes lingered on the new Alpha's face, wondering if he'd do a good job at it. Again he gave him the benefit of the doubt now, but he wouldnt give him the benefit of his company anymore.
With his tail waving indifferently behind his back he bid his former pack mate goodbye.