Snake-oil salesman

@kipling

The mountain seemed taller as he climbed, the occasional plateau smaller and the incline steeper. The wound on his hind leg had quiet ended to a dull ache now, but still slowed him as he climbed. Why he was even going through the effort was anyone's guess, he wasn't even sure. The animosity he felt inside had broiled to a full blown hatred at the authors of his discontent. Maybe it was a sense of honour, or the need to cast a final glance on the burden that plagues the mountain and essentially dismiss them with his own word, on his own terms. His thoughts travelled back to the dark woods and the still mysterious female that beckoned him there. The strange glowing tendrils of the caves, the ominous foreboding of the woods themselves. He'd felt invigorated and was already itching to get back. The sun began to reach its zenith whilst he was lost in thoughts of exploring the caverns, he crossed the initial borders of his former home. Now was the time to wrap up loose ends, wheat coloured eyes looked around as he headed for the place he expected to find Kipling. If he was leaving, he wanted a keepsake. Speech thoughts

To say it caught her off-guard would have been an understatement. She left her den casually, to enjoy the commodities the mountain home offered her, when she suddenly felt a chill drip down her spine. She couldn’t understand why at first she was so uncomfortable, it seemed silly, nothing was out of place around her. Yet this feeling plagued her, and she hesitantly plucked around her home. Then came the crunch on travel, and her tail flagged when she became attune to the sound of someone heading her way. She would have never considered it was Fang, and he appeared to making his way towards her in the distance, her eyes widened with a thrill of shock.

At first she nearly considered forgetting the sight and leaping away, to take-off and flee the confrontation entirely. Internally she denied that it was fear that made her regard the option, but it lingered there that she was loathed to see him. She that thought that with his long time absent from the mountain, he’d been truly gone for good out of life. It wasn’t to be, but she refused herself the easy route of avoiding him. Though she loathed to do so, she would face him. And so she pulled her expression into a well-practiced mask of calm, and regarded him silently as he approached.

It didn't take the hybrid long to traverse the mountainside toward Kipling's hiding hole, though he made no effort to hasten his arrival. Of course she'd already exited her den and was standing there as he approached, almost as if she were waiting for him. A sly grin spread over his face that held no humour or joy, it was a reaction to the satisfaction of her being so punctual for his meeting. When he finally arrived within a few quick steps of the female he cooed Did you miss me so much you waited up? He did his best impression of a sweet voice, something one would call to a lover. Of course it was dripping with sarcasm, and probably malice. The half-breed had half expected her to flee, as opposed to standing fast on his approach, he shrugged off the mild disappointment at the lost opportunity of running her down, she probably felt confident after their last little episode. He waited until he was almost in touching distance of Kipling before speaking once more. I've come back to settle a few accounts, Figured I'd start with you. His voice still cooed the words, this time lacking the sarcasm that lingered a moment before. He half expected her to retaliate in some unpredictable, even violent way. Though he hoped she'd at least hang around for him to tease a little longer. Speech thoughts

At first she doesn’t look at him, won’t even lift her gaze to meet his feet. Her eyes wander elsewhere, as if the scenery is more interesting. Though really, she much rather be somewhere else. And it’s obvious in her posture, and if by some sudden action she’ll flee down the mountain’s slope without warning. But Kipling remains poised to meet him, even as he ventures closer with hot sarcasm which makes her upturn her muzzle, a weak frown pulling on her muzzle even as she refuses to look at him—just from her the corner of her eye. A pinch of guilt accompanies her, but she silently fans another flame, she’s simply too proud to own up to her own actions.

“Why?” She spits the question out, and the action is so abrupt her muzzle swings suddenly so that her eyes catch his. A familiar frustration cuts through her prissy act, because Fang has become master of making her bubble over with only a few words. “What did you come back here for? You’re not staying. So...” She scoffs—this whole meeting is ridiculous to her. How is he still even apart of this pack? Who allowed him the cross the borders? At this point, she feels she shouldn’t be forced to confront him. And she’s angry, but it’s not at Fang, because throughout this whole endeavor there’s been that prick of doubt. She knew better, she pushed Fang when obviously she wasn’t up for it, it was her fault—she knew, but she’d never admit it out loud.

The averted gaze would have been a moment to spark pride in the male, it was usually an indication of subordinate behaviour but this time it only helped to rob Fang of his imagined victory. Why? A momentary flicker of anger seized the hybrid, didn't he just explain that? Did I fucking stutter? When their eyes met the male did his best to hold her stare for as long as possible. The normally sharp tongued female was being surprisingly evasive and it was ruining all his fun. He took another step toward her dropping his head in an attempt to meet her eyes again. I Figured we had a score to settle. One way or another. He explained, his voice losing all hints of sarcasm, though the last few words were cooed at her once again. He wasn't entirely certain what he intended to do with the female, or why he sort her out. She'd been on his mind, he assumed it was because of the still paining wound on his hind-leg. And here she was practically cowering before him. He wasn't sure why but he knew he didn't like it, all his imagined plans of taking a chunk of her with him off the mountain seemed to ebb away. He was a softy at heart after all. Besides, I want to know if I tasted good. A broad smile spread over his features, suddenly attempting to lighten the mood. Speech thoughts

“Can you just fucking chill for a sec?!” She echoed quickly after his outburst, her own temper flaring in response to his own. In hindsight she probably should have elaborated further, but then again he was lacking in details as well. And it just served to irritate her. That’s what Fang did; irritate her to the point where she lost her cool. It was enough though, as he sought to find her eyes against her eyes again her gaze stayed steady on his face, and begrudgingly she heard him out. No matter how much she wanted to sigh and roll her eyes. Which she eventually did at his last remark.

“You taste like ass—which wasn’t really a shocker.” Her own familiar coo pressing back into her voice and mocking his own. Shaking her head, Kipling paused in thought, “I don’t see what score you’re talking about. I mean you got me way way back when I trespassed and I got you later for being a total dick. So, even’s even right?” Struggling to justify it, but piecing it together in her mind and laying it out quite firmly.

A snicker escaped when she answered her, the irritation a moment before gone entirely. The amused expression slowly faded when she summed up their brief history before him. A single long breath escaped, she seemed to be fading over the main point of the altercation and playing on the ends. So we'll just ignore the part where you kicked me whilst I was down, Saying those things about Red, Dick move. His words were flat, almost matter-o-fact in their tone. It was almost history to the hybrid, and besides, what did it matter? He shook his head for a moment before tilting it at the female, a single step was taken toward her once more. Assuming she didn't retreat they'd be mere inches apart. But I guess you're right, that's all done. There's also the fact maybe I just wanted to take another taste of you. The words escaping in an almost hushed whisper. But if you'd rather I just go, I suppose I could be persuaded. The Hybrid braced himself for any sort of response for his forward notions. Was he just trying to piss her off? Speech thoughts

Kipling squinted, as if trying to remember those facts that Fang had taken to pointing out. Of course, they were there and she was all too aware of them—blatant reminders which threatened to crash her mood entirely. If he was waiting for her to own up to her mistakes though, he would be sorely disappointed. All she offered in reply was a shrug. Though she didn’t have the guile to deny it to his face, Kipling also didn’t offer any apology in return. If anything her silence was an attempt to sweep it under the rug and keep it there, she didn’t want to talk about it anymore, not to herself, or Ferdie or Fang. Let it die in the past where it stayed.

And then she almost considered changing the subject back, his bold advances leaving her speechless for a long stretch. She stayed still, staring at him for a moment with wide near expectant eyes. Then broke into a wide grin, stifling laughter, “Yeah, the thing about guilt trips is that they really don’t get me in the mood.” She retorted when she could not longer keep up the charade of interest. Distancing herself once more with a single step backwards, her brow crinkled and she waited to if he had any other options she might consider taking up.

When she finally let out laughter and stepped back, Fang did the same. Was worth a shot right? He lifted his head once again a smirk pulling at his lips when he decided he might as well fill her in. Well, guilt tripping wasn't really what I was trying to do, but if you feel guilty. Shrugging with that statement, Truth be told, I've found another place. Has a distinct lack of Vain wanker. Even if I don't have the thrill of an impending attack from yours truly. I came to just let the giant d-bag know I was leaving, might watch him beg me to stay some more. Truth was he had no intention of visiting Ferdie, he was just using a lame excuse for the shot-down Kipling had so expertly executed a moment ago but whilst he was here, he might have to go piss on a border or two, maybe shit in Ferdie's den. The possibilities were endless. But yes, I will be leaving, and most likely not coming back. Unless you ask politely He cooed at her once more. Just because today was a no, tomorrow could be a different story. not bloody likely though, right? Speech thoughts

Another long beat, this one of disbelief, eyes widening before she again burst into laughter—more fitful, where she had to shake her head to compose herself. “You’re kidding!” She exclaimed, finding the thought of Ferdie begging Fang to stay ridiculous but more-so than anything desperate and thus hilarious. She had respected the alpha to some extent, out of obligation and perhaps she’d been climbing the slope of loyalty, but even so it had been declining. Put off by Ferdie’s selfishness when it came to her aiding Erika and the new family. Though that no longer seemed a problem—and then it clicked, Fang didn’t know. He couldn’t have, since he’d been absent as well.

When she calmed down, she sighed and informed him, “You might be out of luck. He hasn’t been spotted on the mountain for awhile... the pack’s worried.” She spoke the last part softly, eyeing the area; apprehensive that another Sunspire wolf could overhear them, and be insulted by Kipling’s lack of bereavement on their alpha’s disappearance. “Maybe he went after you.” She suggested, cracking another grin, “Pretty sure with the way he swoons over you he’d lift up that tail.” Because she couldn’t forget how she attempted to actually do something useful, and Ferdie made it a point to switch the subject back to Fang. As if this annoying hybrid was the center of the Sunspire universe.

“But I figured—yeah—you were going somewhere else.” Lifting her nose and rejecting his cooing with a slight narrow of her eyes.

He couldn't but let out a small chuckle, simply shaking his head in the negative when she questioned him. It was a pretty laughable event when he had begged and pleaded for him. Fang's amusement was halted when she informed him that Ferdie had infact been absent. Worried about celebrating early? He added with a huff before she spoke of the alphas infatuation for himself. For a moment Fang was caught between disgust and amusement, of course it sort of made sense, though he didn't really like that idea. Here's hoping he fell down a crevice. The hybrid watched Kipling, her eyes narrowing at his attempted affections. You could at least pretend you care, you know. After all he did climb back up the mountain to. ..talk? Rub it in her face? He wasn't quite sure. Speech thoughts

“Well aren’t you just coldhearted.” She exclaimed pointedly, impressed at the amount of loathing Fang freely admitted about their leader now. She’d had her suspicions in the past, but to have him passionately proving them now right in front of her was something else entirely. She didn’t share the shame drive; really hers was one of apathy. She’d stay with the mountain for however long it suited it her, and like Fang if things didn’t work out, Kipling would have no qualms about finding greener pastures. Still, it was strange how familiar faces seemed to be drifting from the mountain in such a short amount of time. Had she been a little more humble, perhaps in an alternate universe she might have tried to cajole the hybrid to reconsider—if only for the familiarity of his company.

Through her eyes didn’t widen, her smirk did and she tilted her head in response, “Why? Can’t you tell? I’m ecstatic.” She answered coyly, “About you finding a place… away from here.” And while that may have been mostly true a few moment’s before, it wasn’t quite genuine now. She’d been (thought she denied it) frightened at first that he’d returned for a piece of her hide, but to have settled now between them, there was a wisp—however small it was—that Kipling would pine for his amusement. “But honestly don’t act so sentimental, obviously you know where to find me when you miss me.”