Emberwood you shot me pretty good

set after this!

colt took @Dagur marston back to where he and the rest of the gang had decided to hole up, caves along the mountain-base. he sniffed the air, then let out a sharp howl for @Reno and @Sadey.
"he ain't talk none. don't belong to nobody either, i reckon," colt said when they'd come up. "but he caught that hare fair an' square, first try too." he was making a case for the kid, who he hoped would maintain that odd quiet.

The Big Man made a call.

Marston settled down with his rabbit, that was now a bitter further tattered despite its already half-eaten state. He remained in that seat position along the shadow of The Big Man.

A low half-growl half-snort at those who arrived. Wary and protective.

Of the rabbit and of The Big Man.

Sadey eyed the boy as she moved into sight. Her side scar though it was mostly healed, made her fur look strange, and pulled up tight. It would be worse after her winter fur left. They would see it then. The scars she bore for her pack mates. 

The whelp had the nerve to growl and she growled right back. Mind yer manners child, or i'll box yer ears.

Then she met Colt's gaze unflinching, and though she wanted to question why he brought strays. She stayed her tongue. She knew the loss of the red bird lay heavy on him, and he blamed himself. In this regard she wouldn't press for once. She knew the feeling well of losing someone you loved, and no matter how much Colt argued. She was no fool. She saw the writing on the wall.

"hell now, sadey, ain't no call fer that. he's a good'un." colt jerked his muzzle toward the kid. "an' yew, settle down. these our kin."
he ran his tongue along the ridges of his teeth.
"been callin' 'im marston. ain't that a good name, sadey?" the crimson eyes lit with mirth.

He did not grow timid, but he did grown disinterested. A lazy flick of an ear as he settled down on his stomach now.

Minded his own with his rabbit.

Occasionally he glanced to The Big Man as he waited for his next cue.

The child needs to learn respect, Colt. Especially for a peaceful existence among us. Am I wrong?

She huffed and shifted, limping as she moved. She imagined she always would. Her body felt a bit lopsided. And her ribs were far from healed. That would take some time, even if the outside had knitted back together.

Well it's something. Suits him I suppose. What's he know?

"knows enough, sadey." hunting. fishing. stalking.
only thing he didn't know was killing.
but for a kid raised in the gang, that came soon enough. "yer not wrong. marston'll learn."
his voice was filled with darkness. he gestured sharply for the boy to follow, the three of them pushing deeper into shadow.

He needed no second prompting. Already the figure of a well trained shadow.

The boy popped up at once. Adopted whatever stance it was that The Big Man took and was prepared to follow after him.

It was all he ever needed.

Ole COlt was starting to piss Sadey off. After she'd given most of her flesh for his fling of gf. She had done all he asked, followed him loyalty be damned. And he treated he thusly when he got a new little tag along. See this was why her and Ole Colt had never seen eye to eye. Sadey was wild, reckless, mean, but she was fair too.

Colt he was just mean and ornery. Angry.