Meadowlark Prairie Codex

WC: 945

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The icy-eyed male prowled forward to investigate the fox Bruges had shown him, and Bruges watched him as he did. There was a calm, cool air about this fellow that Bruges liked. He didn't seem to have the ego or the bravado that males sometimes put on when they were in the presence of another male- as though they were meant to out-masculine each other. If that was even such a thing. Bruges was fully aware of the fact that he was not a typical image for a male, nor was he a picture of strength- but he had his assets, so his confidence sprang from within a sort of comfort that he felt in living in his own skin. He thought he looked damn fine, and had a fair amount of confidence in his ability to survive, and that was enough. He didn't need to be Mr. Bigshot with all the bulk and muscles in the world- and he doubted that all females even found that particularly attractive. The fine fellow before him was quite a looker- he was in good condition, which was part of the reason he was so confident that the male was a pack wolf. But he also sported a handsome, unique pelt, and eyes that blazed so brightly, set like a jeweller's prized sapphires on a dark sheet of flawless velvet. But as bright as his eyes were, they were calm; stark, but steady. The fact that he didn't get ruffled or shy away when Bruges had approached was another good sign; this guy didn't feel threatened, which was excellent. That was one of the last things that Bruges wanted.

He smiled and shook his head when he was asked why he had killed it. ”I ambushed it, so I didn't have much time to get a good look at anything but its dark rear end,” He admitted. How was he to know, after all, that the fox had the same chest marking as he? He would have eaten it, likely, had Wintersband not arrived and startled him- though the coincidental similarities still would have concerned him a bit. Ambrose would have undoubtedly laughed at him, had he been caught shying away from eating his fox doppelganger, but luckily, Ambrose wasn't there. His brother would take any opportunity to belittle him, just as he would do the same to his younger brother. ”I'm not a terribly superstitious wolf, but...To eat one's own lookalike seems a little...Dark,” He continued with a chuckle. He wanted the dark male to feel at ease taking the fox from him, and to convince him that Bruges really didn't want it. He shrugged one silky, soft shoulder. ”I can catch something else later,” He said casually...After all, he wanted to seem capable, which he knew he was- so the fact that he was simply stating the truth gave weight to his words.

There was a tangible darkness to the way Wintersbane spoke about his pack...So he assumed immediately that strangers were not treated kindly if they strayed too close to the borders. Niamh had insisted that her packmates would treat strangers the same way- either attacking them or chasing them away- but Colt had demonstrated otherwise by greeting him casually and allowing him to stay quite near the borders without question. Then again, Colt was an exception, given the fact that he'd been pursuing Niamh at the time, and he probably just wanted to make a good impression. It didn't seem to matter, in the end...They were mates now, and Niamh hadn't even consulted him on the matter. He was lightly offended- but he'd prove to her that he was worth something, and that he cared about her. This was his chance now, as long as he had met the right wolf, and come to the right place. He had a feeling- a small, nagging feeling- that he'd struck gold. And given how charismatic and charming this fellow was, Bruges couldn't help but feel like it wouldn't be too hard to get in his good graces. He'd already offered him a tribute, of course, and he didn't seem to be put off by the way Bruges admired him. Perhaps there was a bit of mutual attraction- but he didn't want to test those water yet, lest he should put the man off by an advance that was unwelcome- as tempting as it was.

When Wintersbane gave him another chance to rescind his offering, he tilted his head to the side and bowed it slightly. ”All yours,” He drawled, almost affectionately. ”Though, I might have something else to add in, as a tribute,” He said, his voice softening slightly. He would have continued, but his attention was drawn past his handsome counterpart and to a female who came to his side. He felt a bit of dismay, and wondered if his chances of charming the male were gone...The two obviously knew each other, though he couldn't exactly tell how intimate they were. The female- thin, pale, and with a tiredness on her features which spoke of stress, though the gaze he gave her was warm and non-judgemental. Bruges had become very adept at hiding his thoughts behind his handsome, welcoming features. He dipped his head, greeting her as one would a higher ranked wolf, his tail swinging softly between his hocks. ”Well hello,” He greeted, his tone still eversweet. His gaze wandered back to the male, whom he offered a somewhat rogueish grin. ”You're sure I'm not too close to your pack's boundaries?” He teased lightly, even though this was exactly what he hoped for, as long as these were the wolves he'd been searching for.

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