Greatwater Lake a bad penny always turns up

backdated about a week or so

Tarantula skulked back towards the lake without any fruit for his labor.

None of his family, not even those budding on dispersal age, had come back with him as he had intended; they feared the change or otherwise did not trust him to lead. His mistress did not speak -- did not seem to care for more than feasting and fighting -- so he did not inform her of the impromptu trip to bolster their numbers. His failure was his own.

His pelt carried the scents of many -- the scents of those who had refused him. But he also carried a great bird with him, a heron, for the pregnant matriarch. A gift, perhaps, to alleviate the hurt of his long absence. Something he would atone for as long as it took.

tags for reference!

Since his return, he was keenly watchful over @Zharille. 

When she wanted his company, he stayed close. When she didn't, he was sure to never be too far. And of course, when he had the spare time, he would spend time near @Nazli, keeping her company.

Often when she slept, he would lay as guard outside of the den, ensuring that none disturbed her. 

Usually, it was a silent, calming task. But today, when another approached, Khaba was a bit more hostile than usual. 

Standing immediately upon sight of them, his lips curled and his tail flagged. They would stop where they were, or he would stop them himself. He had no patience for games.

Following a prominent trail of his mistress to her densite, Tarantula came instead upon a dark, towering sentry. He stopped at the sight of the aggressive male, appearing confused at the reaction. The male dropped his catch and stilled his own tail, irritated at being rebuffed.

So many refusals had recently plagued him and this was now the straw that weighed heaviest upon the camel’s back. He made no sound, no threat, no advancement, but he was evidently not in the mood to suffer this intimidation with any sort of grace.

When they stopped, Khaba advanced a step, more-so like a lunge. 

Nostrils flared, and teeth nipped the air. 

Back up. The warning he tried to portray. 

While though in an extremely irritable mood, he no patience to fight with another. He hoped silently that this male would respect his demand and walk away. 

If not, Khaba would not be getting the peaceful day he sought after all.

Feeling as though he had as much of a right to return here as anyone who belonged in Zharille’s fold, Tarantula reacted defensively to the lunge instead of submitting. He snatched his muzzle away from the snapping of the other’s jaws before rounding to immediately react in kind. Tarantula snarled, baring his teeth in a strike that was intended to deter rather than to maim or draw blood.

He had not come here for a fight, but he did not respect the actions of this wolf and he had no qualms with returning fire.