Firefly Ravine the north remembers

Despite the fact that he was up a creek without a paddle, Atshen did not panic. Instead, he wriggled to the best of his ability as his answer hung in the air and it was in his attempt to remove himself from the situation that an unexpected response arose. As quickly as the inquiry slipped into the conversation, Atshen halted his efforts in escaping as he peered up to the other wolf. Confusion ran rampant upon his young features, yet, he did not say anything. His confusion only furthered as the Kru willingly removed himself from his position on top to free the shadow. Slipping a pace away from where he had been brought down, Atshen kept his eyes on the pale wolf as he moved, as he did not know what to expect to come from the other.  He shook himself as he attempted to rid himself of both the gathered debris on his pelt and the creeping suspicion that gripped him uneasily. But as he moved Xan explained his disbelief further, and the statement caused Atshen to halt suddenly as he realized what Xan had realized. He looked to the warrior with disbelief for a moment, as if not believing he was related to such a skilled fighter. This occurrence was all much more different than when Xan's daughter had come to the borders-- after all, she had not proved herself of any worth in his eyes. But Xan? He had proved himself to be quite impressive in the young boy's eyes. 

"Xan." The shadow echoed, his tone thoughtful as if he were committing the name to memory. Had it been any other family member, Atshen would have turned tail without a care. But this? This was a sibling that rivaled his skill, and that could potentially teach him about fighting. He felt a sudden kinship with this wolf, a feeling that he had honestly never felt before. "You are impressive, brother," never being a wolf to compliment, Atshen found it odd to admire something in another. Somehow it felt right in light of the situation. He fell silent, watching the wolf before him carefully, and waiting for what would happen next.