ashes

It's been a long time since we've threaded, I believe! And I got to meandering a bit with this... but your post inspired me to do so. >_>

He had been lapping idly at a small stream when the summon rose up through the din of the Spine. It was distant, almost worth ignoring. A few weeks ago, Mordecai more than likely would have chosen to ignore it. But a lot had changed in those short few weeks, sometimes much too quickly for his liking. He had noticed the subtle changes in the way Ouroboros behaved now, but whether or not that was from his pressing into their leadership remained a strong unknown. Sitri was mobile again, at least somewhat; he had scented the scarred male in more than one pocket of land. Cara and Kaname were reclusive, but that had been their nature for more than just weeks now. Whatever they could have been plotting, Mordecai found he did not care.

They thrived, slowly.

He finished his drink before setting off towards the rough source he deemed the sound to have come from. It was low, throaty, but a strong summon at the same. And if he had it his way, he wanted to be the first to happen upon whoever it was that called. A certain proactiveness had erupted him in where his lack of engagement used to be. Almost as though he was proving to bodies long cold and in the ground that he too, could pick up where they had surely left off. The forests and inclines of the Spine opened up for him, and the steady stream of his thoughts did not depart until he had caught sight and smell of the canine who beckoned his approach. Mordecai drew in the scent of the ashen male, holding it as though he could ascertain something more of it. Nothing about it proclaimed something significant, barring the faint tinges of sea salt and brine.

He let out the breath with a huff, gathering himself as he closed in those few last steps between wariness and curiosity. Mordecai adopted his dominance in those same steps, bringing himself to a fuller height, projecting his claim. Its intent was not for intimidation so much as it were to denote his status; something in which time had allowed the tawny Ostrega to embrace more and more with ease. His greeting was wordless but kind; he simply assumed the other would know what to do. Mordecai was astute enough to tell that the wolf before him was not just a simple wanderer. They had something in common, and were seasoned travelers by simple air alone.