Blacktail Deer Plateau [j] the night's watch

Peregrine’s called echoed in the distance, and caught Crete staring at him, doubting Peregrine’s confidence, causing his brother to blurt out ’what’ in response. Crete’s brows furrowed, and then rose in a questioning manner, as if asking Peregrine to explain his overstated confidence to Crete. Peregrine, whether he noticed Crete’s inquiring expression, or simply felt the need to explain, launched into an explanation that began with Peregrine’s whole hearted belief that Crete would be accepted, and went on to explain that despite Peregrine’s attitude at the time of his meeting with Hawkeye, she had accepted Peregrine without a second glance. Which, was measurably surprising if Peregrine had truly been an, as he put it, “asshat” to her upon their first meeting. If Crete had been in her place (providing they were in an alternate universe and Crete could speak and Perry wasn’t his brother) he probably would have told him to get an attitude check before he came back, if he came back at all. However, Crete was all but immune to his brother’s vulgarity, having been raised by March Owl, who of his parents had always been the more crass of the two. Crete could hardly remember a time he’d ever heard Aether curse (not to say it didn’t happen - just that it was rare).

Maybe she’s just hot for you, Perry, Crete thought with a partially amused, and partially teasing grin tugging at the edges of his face, though this quickly morphed into a crude sneer when Peregrine announced his theory that Hawkeye would take anything with male genitalia. Which had somehow turned into a joke about Crete’s male genitalia and his apparent non-lack thereof. Crete rolled his eyes at his brother’s vulgar humor, shaking his head though, as if it were infectious and Crete couldn’t help himself, he was smirking all the same. Leave it to Peregrine to find the crudest version of “what you lack… you make up for in…”. As it was there usually was some enhancement given in a different part of the body (typically senses, Crete knew) if you were missing one. Though being mute could hardly be considered a sense - if he had abilities elsewhere he failed to see them. Of course, maybe it was something he was so used too that he didn’t even notice there was a difference between him and a “normal” wolf. Which was likely the case.

Peregrine’s suggestion, and following question regarding the last time Crete had eaten, brought to his attention that he was, indeed, hungry. As if on some kind of silent cue his stomach let out a soft grumble, adhering to Crete’s sheepish expression. He had eaten the previous night before he had bedded down. As tempting as it was, at the same time, Crete did not want Peregrine to think that he had to coddle and babysit him. Beyond being suffocating to Crete, it would get boring to Peregrine. Crete shook his head attempting to communicate that he could hunt for himself and Peregrine didn’t need to break into the caches. ‘It’s ok, I can take care of it later.’ Besides, it wasn’t as if Crete was starving to death and would perish at any given moment or anything.

table by houkie