Moonspear split stones

dirge met the flaring yearling neutrally, a rather impressing thing, considering how indignant arcturus appeared. it was one thing for a rift to grow in the family of his own family's actions (father in particular) -- but he could not abide to watching an outsider come in and push their teetering balance right over the edge, either.

because at the end of the day, that's what dirge was, wasn't it? arcturus' gaze hardened and then he immediately felt guilty: this was hydra's mate, her chosen... he was not an outsider any longer, so why did he look at him that way? maybe it was because dirge was being dissident, and raking the piping hot flames of a fire arcturus just wished to see put out.

dirge explained his reasonings and all it earned from the yearling was a bewildered stare. "why, though?" why throw more fuel to the fire? he didn't get it -- weren't these adults? they were all acting so childish -- even arcturus could see there was little virtue in instigating the fury of your packmates. "we are supposed to be a family." arcturus added, softly -- was he the only one around here with a collected and cool head? (unlikely)

he was only slightly mollified by dirge's mention of seeking him out. arcturus wished to know the man well, and someday maybe he would -- but he couldn't deal with more instigation, not when things were already so unstable. "you won't get a chance to know me better if you're dead." arcturus added quietly, shaking his head; part of it was in jest, but he had a very real fear of charon's fuse, and knew that if push came to shove he would be forced always to take his father's side.