Haunted Wood well it’s a mad world, it made me crazy

@Santiago Arcos

conquest obviously wouldn't be coming home anytime soon. famine didn't understand why they hadn't gone looking for her yet, but he knew that the adults would be upset if he went on his own. because he wasn't old enough yet to understand rebellion, famine trudged defeatedly through the territory to await his sister's return.

The monochromatic wolf sidles alongside their borders. Unintentionally, he’s wandered further inward and entertains himself with intriguing thoughts to keep his mind from complete boredom. 

Then something moving catches his eye. His first thought being Yes, something to eat. then as he trots closer he realizes that it’s another pup. The other females pup, the ones Serem now takes care of. He’s seen them but actually never interacted with them directly. So, with dad mode activated, he walks up to the young male with a wicked smile on his maw.

“Now, why’re you all the way out here?” He asks with a short chuckle. “Getting into trouble?” He asks with a cocked brow and a tilt of his head.

famine's breath hitched in his throat the larger male approached. he hadn't seen this one before, and although he smelled like home, the child knew better than to trust someone without food. after a moment's consideration, he huffed and continued walking, grumbling to the man: finin' my connie. 

maybe the adults had been wrong. maybe conquest wasn't missing at all, but had been hiding somewhere within the territory. if that were the case, then it would be famine's job to find her, right?

Santiago’s grin slightly falters at the mention of the stolen pup. “We’re all looking for her.” He comments back to the younger. “You,” He punctuates the word by stepping in front of him, blocking his walking path. “will get stolen or maybe even eaten being out here all by yourself.” Then he grins again, dipping his head down to the pups level. “Why don’t you come on a patrol with me? Maybe I can teach you to fight. Maybe hunt.” He offers pleasantly. Trying to convince the stubborn boy to give up his fruitless search.

suddenly, famine wasn't in charge anymore. he had someone staring down at him and saying mean things that he couldn't quite understand. equally frustrated and afraid, the child looked upward at santiago, his menacing frown waning. 

but he was head-strong, and it would take more than intimidation to change his mind. famine drew in a deep breath and stuck out his tongue, blowing a raspberry in the mean man's direction.

only two months old, famine was heavy enough to actually stomp. he continued walking with heavy steps, now all the more determined to find his conquest.

Santi grins when that little tongue pokes out and he shakes his head side to side. What a little shithead. He says to himself as he watches the pup start stomping off. He doesn’t even know what to do now. He can’t pick him up since the pup is actually quite big for his age and he feels like he’d hurt him if he tried picking him up by the scruff. So Santi hops in front of him again except this time he dips his shoulders in a play bow. One of his heavy paws come out to bat at the pup playfully. “Fight me, kid.” He grunts our with a smile on his face.

santiago dipped down into a familiar position. famine recognized this as an invitation to play, but he really wasn't in the mood. however, he did have some pent up aggression to release...

after really thinking about the offer, famine's tail began to wag. he tilted his head and asked: bahooga?, a butchered attempt to ask, vamos a jugar? without awaiting a response, the child bounced forward with teeth aiming for an ear.

His guess at what the boy said was as good as any. For he had no clue what that meant. To be safe all he answers back with is an enthusiastic “Si.” 

Santi sighs with a grin when finally the stubborn boy ounces at him, small needle like teeth start chewing on his already ruined ear. It smarts a little and Santi goes to swipe at the pup with his right paw. The movement cause the clumsy pup to plop over onto his side and Santi began an attack of little nibbles on his ribs and belly.

santiago's relentless tickling brought about furious giggles. although frustrated by the compromising position, famine couldn't help but at laugh. he wriggled against his opponent's pin until enough freedom was found to plant his second attack. this time, rather than going for an ear, famine stood onto hindlegs and leapt for santiago's side.

Santi might just be embarrassed if someone were to stumble upon himself playing with this pup. Although he’s played with Serem’s before and it’s no different, he just feels soft. The big bad wolf Santi has gotten soft. He almost disgusts himself sometimes. Yet he knows it’s better to change than stay the way he used to be, so he tries to welcome the warm feeling he gets in his chest when he decides he likes things. It’s hard but doable and even though this little guy was mildly frustrating earlier Santi does enjoy playing with the pups.

So as Famine runs to his side and attacks him he allows himself to roll over onto his back and play his back legs out comfortably. Not saying anything, just straight out playing dead, even though something tells him the little bugger won’t give a care in the world if Santi had play died.

ha! he called. santiago rolled over into submission, completely still and silent. famine stood there for a moment, working to catch his breath, while he awaited the adult's revival. 

but santi didn't get back up. he continued lying there, similar to the rabbit which valour had once caught. was he dead, too? famine hoped so, because death meant food and he was feeling kinda hungry.

having already mourned his loss, famine opened his mouth and bit down on the man's flanks without the care he'd had before. this time, he was looking for blood.

Santi hadn’t even been looking at the pup so when he gets an absolutely vicious bite to his hind leg he jumps. “Fucking ow.” He rumbles more to himself as he rolls to his side and cranes his neck down to grab the male by the scruff of his neck.

As he pulls the other towards his chest he’s sure he pulls out fur with it. He holds him in with massive paws and strong arms. “You tried to eat me you little shithead.” He chuckles down to the pup. “¿Tienes hambre?” He asks the pup with a smile still on his face.

famine leapt backward with an alarmed shout. he turned to run away, but was swiftly grabbed by the scruff and pulled forcefully to santiago's side. the stinging of fur being pulled from the root continued even after the grip was released.

he turned to santi with angry gaze. he'd chosen to play dead, so this was his fault! famine would have argued with santiago, were it not for the mention of his (constant) hunger.

his tail began beating eagerly against the dirt. famine nodded his head with a bright smile, humming an excited tune.

Santiago laughs when the pup has the grumpiest look he’s ever seen on his face. This pup is a little firecracker. He thinks as he gazes upon the other. “Then let’s hunt.” He sounds out. “I’ll try and teach you.”

Santi crouches into a stalking position and sits there waiting to see if the younger will copy him. He gazes a round and looks to the base of the trees, he knows there’s always a bunch of squirrels  around here. Or at least something.

Then just out of the corner of his eye he sees something moving. Luckily it’s a squirrel nibbling on something at the base of a tree around fifteen feet away. He pokes the pup with his nose and points him to the squirrel. “That’s what we’re gonna eat.” He whispers.

things were happening too quickly for famine to process. one minute, he was playing; the next, his playmate had died and been revived. now they were hunting? famine didn't have much of a concept for hunting, but he knew that it normally meant food which was enough motivation.

he watched santiago approach before standing to follow closely behind. famine tracked the man's line of vision, spotting the squirrel only a short distance away. santi whispered, so el gordito did the same, asking some nonsensical question with baby babble.

they were gonna eat that thing? but it was still moving! famine was disgusted for only a short moment before his instincts kicked in.

Santi is pleasantly surprised when the boy listens to him and copies his exact move. Maybe we’re actually getting somewhere. Passes Santi’s mind as he continues stalking towards the unsuspecting squirrel. Now Santi knows that he’s food motivated, he’s going to be able to work with him better.

He stalks forward just a few more feet and dashes to the squirrel. It gets about four feet up the tree before the monochromatic wolf snatches it from the mossy, bark it holds onto. He drop his front paws to the ground once the squirrel is in his mouth and shakes his head vigorously. Eventually the squirrel eventually succumbs to its wounds.

Grinning with the squirrel settled between his jaws, he trots back to the pup. “Now come back to the den and I’ll give it to ya.” The squirrel muffles his sentence but he starts slowly walking back towards the dens, expecting the boy to follow.

no, he protested, nuh-uh. famine enjoyed the momentary distraction, but he had important things to do. why couldn't they eat it here, where he could keep looking? he (really, really) didn't want to turn down santiago's offer, but conquest needed him.

famine took another look at the squirrel and allowed a trail of slobber to drip from his mouth. it did look good; he took one step forward, then stepped back with a whine. and before santi could make more demands, he turned to walk away.

Santiago raises a brow at the younger when he can see him beginning to contemplate his decision whether or not to follow. Then his smile drops when the pup ends up turning around and walking away anyway. He’s got some sass. Is all Santi can think. Some determination too. 

Walking up to the pup he drops the squirrel in front of him. “Comer.” He says to him simply. “What can I do to make you come back?” He asks gently with a smirk. He’s mildly contemplating just picking him up and bringing him back.

we can fade this! feel free to have santi grab famine, if you want LOL

well, famine didn't have any trouble respecting that command. he rushed to grab the dropped squirrel, holding it tightly in his mouth as he replied: finin' connie. and when he did find her, then they would eat the squirrel together. 

famine didn't need santi. he'd gone off on adventures plenty of times before, so why would this time be any different? the boy turned to walk away, meal still between his jaws.

Haha awesome that’s exactly what he’s gonna do! ;D I love him! He’s gonna be a riot when he gets to be a teenager!

Santi rolls his ivory hues and sighs dramatically. Can he really watch after the bunch of pups when Serem goes off to look for Conquest? He’s not so sure of his ability to be a father at the moment. Too afraid of hurting them he’s trying to keep his temper from rising and continues to be gentle with them, even if he doesn’t want to be.

So he chuckles and his usual smirk comes to play. “Alright then, let’s go back home.” He concludes as he walks to rank over the pup and wrap jaws gently around the pups scruff and shoulders. 

He’s a big boy and the weight Santi carries almost brings him fear of hurting the pup. And if he hurt the pup, Serem would most definitely hurt him. So on they go, back to the grotto.