Nocturne Summit New Bohemia

They looked at each other, exchanged glances, examined each other's wounds as though somehow they were a representative of their own, and just felt and accepted the feelings that came as they did. Cicero still felt the pulsing pain in his leg, but the one in his neck was starting to take over now; the one that reminded him of the white wolf.

There was no need to ask her if it felt good, because he could read on her face that she was relieved. A dangerous sport, perhaps, to dabble in the emotions of others; it was proven once more for illusive they were and how even Cicero knew not everything about them.

Though he remained on the ground Cicero relaxed, no longer feeling in danger. While she had unleashed her unmitigated rage upon him Cicero had thought that maybe he had made a mistake that would cost him dearly, but now he was pleased with the outcome of this encounter. He hoped that he had given her a feeling of control back that he himself yearned for, a feeling that she could defeat a foe were it needed, rather than accepting they would take what they wanted from her. He had once stood upon that bridge himself, the fight or acceptance one, and he hoped she now knew never to choose acceptance when you could fight. No matter how small you were, you could always fight.

Perhaps part of his reasons were selfish, perhaps he just wanted the pain. But Cicero liked to think that he wanted to help. After a long soulful silence in which both just stared, Cicero finally spoke again. "We are free and in control. No one can take that what we refuse to give." There was a double meaning to his words where he himself was concerned; he was part of 'we', and he was in control nevertheless, not the dark shadow that loomed over.

Cicero felt the urge to share his name, but he did not know if she would want for it. Perhaps it was better this way, to simply remain anonymous, but yet he felt as though he needed more of this. Not with her, specifically, but in general, and she was, so far, the only wolf that understood the why of it -- to a degree.