Broken Boulder i can't tell if the want justifies the need

alarian is missing, of all things. of all things! delight's paws are full enough with the children (who, blessedly, seem to be bouncing back from his and queenie's mistakes), let alone keeping track of his -- of the governor's healing and apparent death wish. and it's not like he can just go after him either -- in his absence the chancellor is the leader, and while the sanctuary mostly keeps itself together, he's not so irresponsible as to drop everything and chase after the boy he.. to chase after a boy.

at first he is anxious and concerned, but as time ticks by, that worry turns to frustration and finally to a slow seething anger at alarian's selfishness. how dare he -- when he has a pack, responsibilities, when he and delight ... ?

he's made his way to the other boy's den with half a mind to wait there until he shows back up. it turns out he does not have to wait long, sitting like a statue amongst the collected herbs, watching the sun slowly sink on the horzion when alarian returns.

"alarian," delight says, his voice a low hiss, dripping promise of emotion neverbefore seen -- his body does not know anger, hardly wears it well, and yet it has settled on him now underneath shedding skin.

and night comes to bracken sanctuary.