Blackfeather Woods I'm colder than the weather in winter

@Atshen- takes place in the Web and such boop!

Safely she spun her dreams in a corner she had found - alone, unlike most. With her family she did not belong, she felt, for mother had yet to do anything with her. Things were not going well at all with their family, she felt, but no one seemed to mind. Astrid did mind. With the pile of potato-ish potatoes, she was afraid of her position and place beside her Forest King who she still hated for leaving her. So far, the wolves she disliked greatly outnumbered the ones she did - Abraxas and the strange, slender man with the weird patches on his body were the only two that she could get along with. Damien she ignored until he would beg for her forgiveness - but so far, that had not worked out for either of them.

Her eyes almost seemed to light up when she was awakened from her slumber. It had to be the pitter-patter of the leaking web or the cold numbing her paws - the snoring of someone or her unconscious noting something off. Surely it was one, and not much more. In the dark, she had no way of knowing what time of day it was - the only light she could see were from the many glow-worms. Their blue-greenish glow that was cast on the walls and that bounced off her eyes almost entrancingly were the only colour that she wished to see for now. No one and nothing else - just her and her thoughts.

Much like Astrid, Atshen had kept to himself within the web. He had spent a great deal of his time attempting to navigate the web and familiarize himself with the maze. He did not know when he and the rest of the wolves would return to the surface, but, Atshen felt that in the meanwhile he might as well learn the tangle. Through learning, perhaps he could use it to his advantage. 

The gentle luminescent glow lit his path as he advanced blindly and he continued without a word. It was in this exploring that he suddenly came across his sister's scent. Pausing suddenly, not five feet where she had made her nest. His molten eyes glistened in the dark and he halted, wondering if she had caught wind of him yet.

Astrid, also, had taken the time given to her to explore the Web - something that had been quite enjoyable for a while. It was rare for her to find pleasure in anything that did not involve biting, scratching or any other way of bringing physical pain to another - but it was true. She also enjoyed running, though running in the tunnels was not such a smart idea. One ear flicked to the side at the sound of footsteps - and she was quick to rise on all fours.

Squinting to see better in the dark, nose flaring and tongue gently rubbing her front teeth she went ahead to investigate. Hello? She called out before scenting her brother. Brother? Called she again, a slight smirk now painting her young features in an even more unsettling way.

Frozen on the spot, Atshen felt an uncharacteristic panic rise from within. He was unsure of just what to do now, as the thought of another interaction with Astrid made his skin crawl, so instead of answering he quietly began to turn around, hoping that she would not make any more advances.

She had played these chase games with Keelut long before this unnatural weather had come to take away their usual home, so she was not unsettled by the thought of chasing her big brother down. She'd find him, let him bask in her glory for a moment before returning to her resting place. Surely he was doing this for pure fun; he was her secret lover, after all; and she carried his scars with just as much pride as she wore her star-kissed pelt.

And so, she started her chase. Quick, small feet carried her almost silently through the tunnel they had found themselves in - sniffing in her brother's scent with an eerie smile. I'll get you, brother - your heart, body, soul and mind. Not today, not tomorrow, just someday.

It was in his attempted retreat that he heard Astrid as she stood and started the chase. Despite his best intentions of trying to slip away, it seemed as if the Spiderling had failed miserably in doing so. Feeling both his heart and steps quicken, the raven-haired boy fled. 

His eyes scanned forward in an attempt to find a tunnel to slip into, as he was painfully unaware that his star-kissed sibling was following him by scent, and soon enough he caught sight of it. Taking a sharp right into the tunnel, Atshen bolted on light feet hoping that his attempts in escape would be as discreet as possible. 

Little did Atshen know was that this new tunnel had no escapes and he would soon be trapped at a dead end.

Tension swelled up, and she quickened her pace. She'd get him - she'd get him eventually, she knew. She was almost running when she noticed the path splitting in two. For a moment did she linger - did she sniff the air and ground before finding out he had tried to escape through the second tunnel. She grimaced, eyes glimmering with a victorious twinkle as she followed him.

Sneaky, sneaky brother. You have to know better than to turn away from your only sister.

He wasn't sure of how he would get rid of his sister, especially after their previous encounter. Unlike the others, who fell to his attacks, Astrid seemed to enjoy it. Finding himself at a loss, and finding himself panicked by her fetish, Atshen drove himself down the tunnel that would seal his fate in this interaction. When he found the end of the tunnel, the child's heart sunk in his chest and he turned quickly to face the Apprentice who followed him. Despite the dread he felt, Atshen pulled himself to full height and stood his ground at the dead end. 

Atshen knew that he now would have to deal with her and it was with this realization that Atshen promised himself that he would do anything to drive her away. His perspective on his speckled sibling had changed drastically in their last meeting, and he wasn't about to start whatever she had begun last time. 

 A ruff growl rumbled in the pit of his throat in way of a warning and he stiffened, unsure of what would come when she discovered that he was trapped.

Even as her silencer, Astrid did not follow the wishes of her brother. To be honest, she only followed her own command, which sometimes told her to do what the other wanted so she did not have to deal with a talking-to. But her brother couldn't hurt her if he did not wish to please her - something she knew would drive him up the wall any day now. He was quite the pain-inflicting hooligan if one were to ask the speckled Nyx, but that was probably how he had gotten into the highest tier at such a young age. Nyx was disappointed in her mother for not arranging something with her too, but she liked it better this way; she'd grow strong in this mindless puppy tier and then show them what they had missed all this time.

When she found her brother, it was obvious that he was trapped; the light of the glow-worms reflecting on the damp wall behind him, making this encounter all the more dangerously beautiful. Astrid smiled at his growl, almost expecting him to go for her neck and kill her right then and there, but he did not move. Disappointing.

What's the matter, brother? She asked in a sickeningly sweet tone.

His sister's question slithered into the air, her tone as sweet as a honeycomb. He shuddered at it, feeling powerless despite his ranking and strength. How was it that Astrid was able to manipulate him so much? After all, in the test of force, he would always come out on top. But in the battle of wits? Astrid ran laps around him in that aspect. 

It was at that moment that Atshen's mind ran rampant as he attempted to think of anything that he could do at that moment. What was he to do now? Attacking would only indulge his speckled sibling's innermost desires. Running would prove he was a coward. He hesitated, his eyes seeking the outline of her form, and then a sudden, final thought came to mind: death. 

His gaze darkened at this conclusion he stalked a pace forward as he pulled himself to full height. Not offering his sister any verbal indication of his presence, Atshen leaped, aiming to grasp her jugular with his mouth.

She saw conflict behind his fiery eyes and she then knew she had succeeded in winning this mind game. Her brother was good at hurting, but like a moth or a butterfly; Astrid could confuse her prey better than any other. But, she hadn't gotten her mercenary trade for nothing. Her quite nimble body and reflexes could get her out of danger if she so wished; but that was rarely the case. With the tiniest of smirks did she let her question hang in the air, the dripping of the tunnel system and her excited breathing the only things she could hear.

As he tried to tower above her physically, she was in on his game. He either wanted a pass for his stupidity or make sure there were no witnesses who had seen him make this mistake. Nyx's body shifted and as soon as her brother went and tried to harm her, she rammed her shoulder into the wall to dodge. The pain she had inflicted on herself felt as good as ever, but she was not about to go nuts about it like before - no, she could use this joy she got out of pain to get out of harm's way.

Assuming Atshen had missed and leaped right around her, she turned calmly - enchantingly. Your sister asked you a question... She told him, not the slightest bit of anger for what he had tried to do present in her youthful voice.

Astrid slipped successfully to this side, avoiding any damage from her sibling. Feeling an innate sense of rage spark, Atshen let out a growl he landed heavily onto the ground. The Silencer was unsure of how she had so easily evaded his advance, but, he did not take the time to dwell on it. Instead, Atshen turned quickly so that he could face her again, all while the dark hairs upon his shoulders spiked. 

Astrid would not get a reply from Atshen that day. Instead, her words would be met with force. Doing just this, as quickly as he had launched himself before, Atshen sprang into action hoping to grab onto her so that he could bring her down to the ground.

Why he was so angry with her, was a mystery to the speckled Nyx. He had been the one to run, and he should've known: anyone who runs is followed. Not even the Silencer, no matter how he got the title, could flee from that. Astrid had just been the stalker, and it was his fault - all this was his fault! But Astrid knew better than to rage. Rage made blind - rage crippled, and she needn't have those things at this point if Atshen was trying what she thought he was.

As she turned, her brother had fallen which gave her some peace. He was still the dumb, big one she had kept him for. It did not take him long to rage and rise - Astrid seeing the glowing light reflect on his black hackles. He was angry while she was calmness itself; not afraid to lose her everything here. Mother didn't love her, father didn't love her, her brothers didn't love her and Damien didn't love her. She lived for herself and truly; she only needed her own love. It was no surprise that her hot-headed sibling launched himself again, despite being given an out by his speckled sister, and Astrid was quick to smash her body against the wall again like before.

A stone that was sticking out scratched her shoulder and gave her a decent cut. Blood now spilled from the little Nyx, but she did not care. Whether Atshen was dodged or not would she utter these words; Why do you hate me, brother? Why do you all? Why must you do this? This does not make you a leader...

In a manner that was almost humorously characteristic of the Silencer, Atshen managed to miss Astrid again. How she had evaded him was a mystery to the simple-minded child, but he did not dwell upon this. Instead, as he landed heavily on the ground, he was met with the words that she offered. It was as the dust settled that a smile slithered upon his lips. 

"You've done this to yourself, sister," he said as dust settled around him in the wake of his landing. He turned then, pulling himself to full height. Regardless of what she said, he did not appreciate how she took a jab at his ranking. Whether she liked his actions or not he was still her leader and demanded a certain amount of respect. In his mind, she was not respecting his authority. 

"Your actions have done this," he took a step forward as he spoke, "-- namely your pleasure in me attacking you." His tone turned hateful at this, and his tail lashed as he looked to her. Feeling no need to explain himself further, as he was not comfortable on the topic at hand, Atshen persued her once more, hoping to ram her shoulder with his own so that she would be crushed into the wall.

She did not remember wronging any of her brothers; she had cared for them, unlike their parents. She was ready to defend them, stand by their side and fight to the death with them if need be. She considered  them closer to friends than anyone else, and this is how she was repaid. It really was no wonder how she had turned to herself - how she had given up pretending anyone cared about her or her problems. For a moment did she think what would change if she were to be killed right then and there. Atshen would get promoted further for killing, Keelut would snicker at her dead corpse while Abraxas would silently stare. She could see them - she could feel their prying eyes in her back, even though there was nothing but the tunnel system that kept them all trapped but safe from the cold.

She barely noticed Atshen stumbling and missing her again and her smile wavered. His wounds didn't hurt the way she liked it - her defence mechanism was anything but emotionally guarded. What had she done? Was it bad asking for just the slightest sliver of well deserved attention? Was it bad asking for her mother to care - for her dad to talk to her and comfort her? Her nose wrinkled but her hackles stayed down as she locked her gaze upon the damp ground. She silently but her lip, rolling the muscles between her sharp teeth. Her brother did not deserve to see her cry - did not deserve the role he was playing as.

Her tail gracefully swept high in the air as he approached unlike before, his words tearing open her emotional wounds even further. Yes, she was a drama queen, but never had she wronged anyone just yet. She let him ram her into the wall as she had done so a few times already, feeling her new flesh wound pressured against an uneven surface and she gritted her teeth. The rocks moved in and out, driving her mad as it truly hurt bit felt so good. You are a disgrace, brother. She told him calmly, though some anger had slipped into her youthful voice. You are not - and will never be my superior. You are nothing but a brute - Ipik. She felt no shame letting the love for her brother wither and die. She held no care for him anymore, and he would be foolish to think she would ever support him in his life again.

Though Atshen was usually not easily affected by words, what Astrid said caused a foreign pain to sting within his chest. Focusing on it for a brief moment, Atshen looked from his sibling and to his chest, all the while continuing his assault. What was this feeling that he felt? Remorse? Pain? He could not pinpoint it, nor did he have the capacity to comprehend what he was feeling. Instead of contemplating his confusion, he used his confusion as fuel to drive the last of his attacks on her.

His heart was worn on his sleeve at that moment-- his eyes shining dully in light of what had been exchanged. "If you defy me then you also defy mother and the rest of the Brotherhood," he warned in a low growl, his tail lashing as he looked to her.

She did not care anymore how she hurt her brother. It had been a game at first, at least to her, but Atshen had his ways of ruining the fun. Just because mother actually liked him didn't mean he was anything special. Mother was not nice, at least not to her, so why would she even want her attention - her approval? Because you are lonely - said a small whisper inside her brilliant mind, but she ignored it.

She was not bothered by his words anymore. The last bit of compassion for his lost, hate filled soul had vanished. So be it that she offended him - so be it that she defied them all. They had wronged her one too many times, and she held no good will for them anymore. Not even Abraxas, who had tried to understand, held a place in her heart anymore. But then, just the tiniest of smiles crept upon her stunning, young face.

You are just a boy, Atshen. She told him. You are merely the spawn of something bigger. Accept your place beside me, equal, or go the rest of your life without me. She continued.

be my brother by mind, heart and soul no more and leave my vessel alone. She ordered him, finally pushing against his weight that held her trapped against the wall.

He watched her carefully, his eyes tracing her every move. He felt his heart freeze as a smile crept onto her lips, and he waited for what she had to say. When all was said and done, Atshen stepped back and nodded, agreeing with his sibling for the first time that he could recall. It was as this happened that he felt a sudden jerk from his side and he was pushed by Astrid. Not sure how to take it all in, the child frowned even thought this was what he had wanted all along-- to be left alone. 

"So be it," he grumbled after some time, taking a step away from her. "Leave me alone and I will do the same for you." 

Deep in her heart, it pained her to leave her ex-brother in this state of confusion and loneliness. But then, she remembered all had done the same to her. She had to learn that it was, apparently, everyone for oneself in these lands - no exceptions. No longer would she let others even dare to come close to her heart and any niceness that came from anyone but herself would for now be perceived as just a method to take away her strength. This, surely, would help her in life. She could figure it out alone, but she doubted any of her siblings could with their small, primitive brains.

As soon as she was freed, looking upon Atshen as he said his words without even the slightest sliver of remorse, doubt, anger or sadness - she stuck her nose regally in the air, closing both eyes as she turned away. Yes, so be it. She repeated calmly - tonelessly. For a moment did she linger, checking her wound caused by the rocks and the rough push of Atshen before deciding that as long as she kept it clean, she could do whatever.

She then retreated - aiming to go straight back to her resting place among the glowing crawlers that treated her the same as her whole family; like she didn't exist.

He watched his sister after the deal had been done, his body stiff in anticipation of any antics she might pull. But nothing happened. Instead, she withdrew eventually. He watched on, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. When he deemed that the coast was clear and the speckled Nyx would not return, Atshen settled onto the ground, satisfied with what had occurred, even with his moment of vulnerability.