Silver Creek keep watch; take heart

Well.. some liberties were taken with the assumption of my own character so now I'm just rolling with this. Marked P, but AW for any SC wolf, but primarily for @Casmir . Taken only hours after this thread, while Rowan is with BD.

He had watched her, perplexed, as she drifted from his presence. The swarthy wolf had risen, following after her -- he had not allowed sleep to encumber him, and when Rowan's paws made their way towards the direction of Donnelaith, he had trailed after her, silently, a wraith in the night. When she skirted past his home, and towards the ocean, that was when the wolf's pacing slowed -- clearly, she held no intention of accepting his company, and from the looks of it, seeking out Silver Creek and Casmir.
 
Once more, Rowan proved that family wasn't what she truly sought, despite her insistence that it was.
 
But while it would have been easy to turn home and seek Deirdre, he could not -- not yet. His brother had heard the news, but was unaware now that Rowan was displaced, and so, with a quiet growl loosed in to the night, the eldest Mayfair made his way to the direction of Silver Creek, feeling the ache of his paws and the fatigue lull at him.
 
He did not know where the Creek lie -- not truly. He was unfamiliar with the region, but as the sun rose to the sky, and the birds christened the morning with their song, the wolf considered himself close. Only when he came upon borders and caught the scent of Casmir did he halt, and tipping his muzzle up, the dark wolf called to his brother. There was news to be given -- but little did he know that Casmir had gleaned it elsewhere, and his own anger broiled from it.

i hope an indy cameo is okay! once cas shows up feel free to PP her <3

it was fair to say that since that strange wolf had arrived at the borders, indra had been watched like a hawk under fire. she wasn' sure why the adults were suddenly so conservative,  and it had proven nearly impossible to shake any of them off of her trail for too long. guiltily indra took the liberty of taking advantage of one of laurel's many dramatic and explosive tantrums over the matter, and while the adults were preoccupied tamping the fire that was laurel's outcry, indra had slipped towards the borders.

she had not meant to serve as a greeter, but as she heard someone call for casmir she felt her curiosity get the better of her. she didn't recognize the wolf, but something about him seemed similar to casmir -- he was the only other wolf indra knew that shared casmir's coloring. "oi!" the child exclaimed, though she did not approach.

fucking Constantine.

Cas had returned only the night before, and lifted his head with a growling grunt from where he had been catching a midafternoon nap beneath some ferns. the weariness of travel still clung to him -- his tail lashed against the ground, but the dark Gamma was soon stretched and moving in that direction, his gaze hardening as muzziness cleared from his eyes.

Indra was there; Cas peered around for Reek before motioning the girl to his side and regarding his brother coldly. he said nothing for a long moment, merely stepped forward with the dominance his rank bestowed. "Constantine." 

was this even his brother? someone who would turn out their baby sibs to possible die? Cas didn't know. "where is Rowan?" he inquired, his tones revealing a slight bit of the anger roiling within. wherever she was, she had better be alive.

His greeter was quite unexpected, and as the cherub girl called to him, his gaze fell fast upon her. Youthful innocence stood before him, and despite the fatigue that clung to him now, Constantine could feel the trace of a smile upon his lips before he lowered himself with sweeping respect to the girl, his forelimbs bowed down before him. "You must be the lady of these lands, hm?" His tone was soft, but before he could request her assistance on asking his brothers whereabouts, Casmir came forward, sweeping up to the girl in quite a display of dominance and absolute fury.

It emanated from him, and the moment he was met with a cold demand on where Rowan was, Constantine could already connect the dots that somehow, Casmir knew the Mayfair woman was no longer in their ranks. And he was clearly unimpressed by it.

"I don't know. We agreed to travel here and she took off in the middle of the night.. she skirted around Donnelaith and to the shore. She seemed intent on being alone, so I came here to inform you." He paused then, rising slowly yet remaining neutral in his posture. He had never garnered submission from his brother on their borders, and would not submit to him here in turn.

Connie rose, and made as if to leave, but Cas wasn't done. "hey!" he shouted, completely forgetting about Indra for a second. his limbs, trembling with anger, carried him forward. "Connie!" he didn't want submission, he wanted to know what the actual fuck his brother and Aria had been thinking. "Rowan is carrying our baby sibs. Donnelaith is their home, and you all ... you all just threw her out. i don't get it. care to explain?"

he was talking to Connie's face, running his mouth, but he couldn't stop. he never could stop once he got started. "Aria couldn't even give me a reason, except that she is scared of Mayfairs, i guess. but you! you know better!"

shadow-posted eb, sorry! feel free to skip indra though if you guys spree <3

she had only met a handful of strangers before, and none so similar to casmir as constantine. she was about to second-guess her bold decision to hail him -- that was until he smoothly played to her inner fancies. having never been exposed to flattery before (and lacking the experience to refute it) a compliment was all it took to send the girl into a fit of blushing giggles. indra was about to bashfully issue rejoinder when casmir stormed her, quite literally -- and she had never seen him so cold.

instantly the child withered into a red puddle at his feet, expecting some sort of barbed admonishment. she didn't even dare look up from the ground, though she was curious to know what this wolf had done to gain casmir's disfavor.

Oops, think we had a miscommunication -- Constantine just stood up from his play bow, he's not trying to walk away.. sorry! <3

An ear flickered as Casmir blasted him -- from the rage that emanated like a perfect storm from his brother, the swarthy wolf gathered his words were far tamer than he wanted them to be, and Constantine wondered if it was because his brother was simply scoping the situation out first, or if it was because of the little red pup huddled at his feet, now seemingly terrified.
 
He blew out a breath, considering his thoughts as they pieced together, and for the moment, the twin shook his head. "Honestly, Casmir? I don't know. I found out from Aria -- Rowan didn't bother to tell me or Eilidh. She says it's because Aria threw her out before she could, and yet she had time to tell Deirdre, and you -- she had time to tell you, and you don't even live in Donnelaith." His words were quieter, his eyes studying his brother as Casmir had veered closer.
 
"This is what I do know. I know Rowan came to our pack, and dad didn't accept her right away. He turned her away, because he didn't seem to trust her.. And now he's dead. And I find out from Aria that my father was fu.. with another woman." Quickly, he glanced to Indra, hushing his language.  "A woman he barely knew. And now she's claiming she's pregnant with his pups." He blinked then, feeling the fatigue weigh heavily on him. "Aria had to tell me. Aria had my back. And so after she told me, we went to find Deirdre to tell her -- because I stupidly thought Rowan wouldn't discuss such huge news to the charge Eilidh and I care for.. and Aria changed her mind before we got there. I don't know why." He snorted then, his gaze drifting back to the girl before turning back to Casmir. "But I don't disagree with her. And while I'm not saying it's right -- at least she has a better chance here. She's still with family if she can be accepted here." Except he didn't know where the hell she had houdini'ed off too. "Stuff's happening at Donnelaith, Cas.. I don't know what to do, okay?"

oops! i edited! sorry!

Cas, like a bad father, didn't even notice Indra until halfway into Constantine's spiel. by then the fight had gone out of him, leaving his body like steam from an open oven door, and he slumped to the ground. it was then that he reached out a broad paw and nudged Indy gently, giving her an apologetic look. he was so explosive; what the fuck was wrong with him?

and what did Connie even mean? his golden eyes searched his brother's face; his brow furrowed, and he sighed. it still wasn't a good enough reason to throw Rowan out on her ass, but it looked like there were other things at play here, things he hadn't considered. "what's going on, Connie?" he asked in a quiet, apologetic tone.

His indignation still burned, despite his brother's softening gaze – Casmir’s reaction had shook him – his ebony twin feeling the urgency to chastise him like he was a child. How the hell did Casmir know? And as far as Constantine was concerned – he had not thrown her out. She had been asked to leave, and to ensure she was fine, Constantine had gone with her.. and then she had left him behind without a word.
 
He studied his brother, feeling his own form remain stiff – never before had the brothers fought like this, and Constantine was now determined to make this visit as short as he could. Screw Casmir.
 
“Dad’s dead,” he offered flatly, not trying to deflect the situation from the poor girl who had happened upon them. “Dad’s dead, Eilidh won't talk to anyone, Aria feels like a stand in, and Deirdre isn’t helping the situation.” He paused then, giving his head a quick shake. “Did you know some band of wolves claimed the bay right at our doorstep? Deirdre encouraged them too – she made an alliance for Donnelaith with them, and didn’t bother to even tell Aria or Osprey. Now we have to go meet them – and hope to hell they aren’t trying to play upon her innocence and trust in absolutely anything that moves.” He snorted then, taking a pace back. What was the point in telling Casmir this? “Do you know how Aria found out? One of their wolves called us at the borders and expected us to escort her through to her home as a short cut – this was after I told Deirdre she needed to tell our leaders what was happening. She hadn’t even bothered.” He sighed then, his eyes casting more clearly upon his brother. “And now there’s Rowan.” Finished with his tirade, he wanted to sink further down in to himself – but he would not be stopping here. He needed to get home – because apparently, informing Casmir about what had happened had been a fruitless point.. and somehow the other Mayfair had come to his own thoughts and conclusion.

Emboldened by youth, and because he felt as if his brother was now using him as a doormat, he could not help but add bitterly. “Thanks for the vote of confidence, by the way, Casmir.”

dad's dead. the words stung Casmir almost as much as Connie's tone did, but he was immediately back on guard. how was any of that Rowan's fault. it seemed like Dee had been making some trouble -- she was pretty pure, and with that came inexperience. okay, so Dee had fucked up. he continued to listen to Constantine's explanation, still not understanding what the hell any of this had to do with Rowan, and now more convinced than ever that she was a scapegoat for all that had gone on.

"hey," he shot back. "last time i saw you all, everything was hunky dory. the next time i see you, we're fighting. cut me some slack. you were gone for literal ages." he gave a sharp breath. "Dee screwed up. she did. but did anyone ask her why she did that? not that there's an excuse, but .. she always has her own reasons for doing stuff like that, you know," he muttered. "can we start over, Connie? please? i'm sorry. i'm so ... fucking pissed at dad, you know? that he would do this and then ... i dunno. it feels like Rowan is getting punished for it. like she makes a mistake and pays for it not only because she got knocked up but because she gets kicked out of her home. and that's not cool. like ... it's not her fault. none of this is her fault."

He stared at his brother, holding back a quiet growl as Casmir threw his absence in his face – of course he did. “I don’t know what your version of hunky dory is, but the last time I saw you, we talked about how dad was dead and Emaleth had disappeared. How was any of that fine?” He paused then, his own eyes narrowing. “As for being gone – guess what, Casmir? I’m home now. I'm the one who held our sisters through our grief. I'm the one who was there for them during our darkest time. And you’re the one that left. So I don’t think you get to hold that against me.”
 
His twin insisted on a start over – a fine idea, had Constantine now not been riled. The Mayfair shut his eyes, blowing out a breath as he attempted to maintain his composure, trying to reel down his own rising voice. “Deirdre already explained. She’d been too busy restoring herbs. She will always be a healer first – it’s her nature. But you don’t understand, Casmir. Right after this stranger wanted to be escorted through our lands and Aria learned of their existence, this Bay wolf changed her tune when Aria offered to escort her and then meet her leader – she doubled back, insisting that we meet him on neutral grounds instead of their border. Apparently Deirdre’s alliance is a one way street.” None of it boded well with him, and with a snort, the dark yearling offered the true reason: “Deirdre places her trust so easily upon others, and there’s nothing I can do to stop her from getting herself hurt.”
 
He fell to silence, considering Casmir’s words on Rowan and their father – and completely disagreeing with him. Casmir claimed to be mad at their father, and yet it certainly seemed like the ones he blamed for the entire situation was Aria and Constantine himself. “What do you mean none of this is her fault? Dad wouldn’t do anything without her consent, Cas. Of course this is partly her fault.”

Cas had wanted to start the fuck over, but Connie was holding tinder to wildfire and expecting it not to catch. "that's fucked up, Constantine," he growled in a low, cold voice, eyes burning into that of his twin. "you have no goddamn idea what the fuck happened when you were gone, what i went through, what Donnelaith went through. who i lost. so don't you ever fucking pretend like i didn't do my fair share for our family."

he was fully enraged now, his teeth aching to thresh Connie into submission, but it wouldn't do any good. fighting would only feel okay for a moment, and then he'd feel dumb as shit, and guilty to boot. so the boy steeled himself through the rest of his brother's diatribe. "so don't meet them," he spat back. "if a pack around here treated the Creek like that'd, I'd tell them to go fuck themselves."

once more, he had forgotten little Indra and her wide ears, surely listening to all of this. "Rowan was in heat. did you know that? do you even know what that does to a person? sure. dad should have not gone there, but don't blame her for something she couldn't even help." he fell silent then, his gaze still hard. they were never going to agree, and while it made his mouth taste bitter, that was that.

"Rowan can come stay here. so can Dee, if she's causing that much trouble at home. you and i both know she'll never leave, but she's welcome here. and so are our baby sibs, for as long as they live. i know Spring will let them stay here." his lips twitched. "you should probably leave. i won't be back to Donnelaith." so you don't have to worry about ever seeing me again.

Casmir failed to see any point he made – the fact that his twin had tried to shove his own absence in his face when he was living the example of it currently, and Constantine’s eyes flashed in anger as the two instead continued to butt heads with one another.
 
He also failed to hear that Deirdre had made the alliance in the first place – and to tell this other pack off would also be an offense to her. No, his brother did not hear him, and Constantine would not repeat himself.
 
Instead, his twin raged on about how the entirety of the situation lay in their father. Rowan was the perfect angel in his eyes, and again, the Mayfair kept silent now – he had spoken his piece, and his twin had not deterred his mind. If anything, he only fueled him to believe the decision to escort her from the lands had been more justified.
 
“So what, Casmir. That’s it? You’re mad at me and now you’re never coming home again? Not even to see our sisters? We're through, now?” He pulled his muzzle up then, giving his head a shake. “Fine. Whatever. But don’t you even fucking dare try to hold my concern for Deirdre over my head and pretend I’m saying she’s a hassle or trouble. You know damn well she belongs in Donnelaith and if you don’t know that I wouldn’t do anything for her or our sisters than your ignorance is on you.” He paused then, his eyes flashing once more as he ground out in finality. “I guess I made the mistake of telling you my worries and thinking you'd care.”

Connie had spoken enough, and running his mouth was enough to make Cas consider attacking his brother -- again. but he said nothing, letting the raise of his hackles and the curling-back of his lips a clear message to the other to get the fuck out. if he needed to see Eelay and Dee, he'd call for them outside Donnelaith, but Connie didn't need to know that. he took a step forward with his tail flagging behind his hips, single ear swiveling forward and eyes pinned on the other wolf, who was now a stranger to him for all he fucking cared.

Casmir answered with a vibrant snarl, and Constantine’s own lips curled up in disgust. The silence was all the confirmation he needed – after one fight, Casmir had decided they were no longer twins. No longer brothers. The hurt from that alone was what pulled him away – never before had he thought to simply sever ties with anyone simply because he had not agreed with them, and the fact his brother could so with complete ease made him realize he had not known Casmir at all – and now he was almost certain he did not want to.
 
With his own snarl ebbing from his lips, the stocky wolf pulled away, holding back any other words that threatened to push forward. They were done here – and with that, Constantine made the journey back to Donnelaith.

all you have is your fire