Redhawk Caldera I bet they've never had a broken heart

HEY BROTHER

A lot had happened since Fig's last visit, and with everything, Fennec found herself drawn towards visiting home.  She really needed his stupid voice right now.  Fennec had only scouted this way once or twice in the past few weeks, so it took her a bit to get there.  She'd been neglecting the community garden idea in favor of a den (which she now regretted after the disaster of an ordeal that had become).

Finally, though, she scented the familiar border on the breeze and followed it to where the slope began to rise.  Here she stopped and lifted her muzzle to call.  She could have gone further, but she remembered some brief details of the description of this place, and it didn't seem exactly... friendly... to someone who couldn't see where she was going.  

Maybe @Figment could give her the tour, and maybe she could hang here for a couple days until she got her shit sorted.  She wasn't much feeling being alone right now.

WC: 166

Between escorting Cinder to find Wraen and then Reyes to find the Frosthawks, Fig had been a very busy boy. He was pleased that his offer to contribute more to the pack wasn't being disregarded, but it did begin to make him wonder more about what his schedule would be like when and if he ever became a leader of his own pack. As he paced the borders that day, still feeling weary from his travels, he came to the conclusion that there was likely to be a lot of exhaustion in his future. Might as well get used to it now.

His ears perked at the familiar voice that rang across the Caldera, shortly followed by a wag of his tail. He finished marking the rock he'd spent an inordinate amount of time inspecting before cantering off to answer the summons. It didn't take him too long to find his sister along the borders. He came to her with a smile, and a playful little growl. "Halt there, witch," Fig commanded, obviously in jest, "Keep your curses to yourself and you might just live another day." He paused, "If you're alive at all... Are witches undead? Are you a zombie witch? Is that a thing?"

Fig really never let her down, did he?  He immediately greeted her in a way that put a smile on her face, or at least as much of one as Fennec usually got to.  Like I'd tell you!  If I keep you guessing, you'll never find out my weakness.  She trotted up and gave him an expression that was meant to be witch-like.  I suppose I can keep my curses... for nowww.  

Then she laughed.  You sure you don't have anyone needing cursed, though?  I could use the practice.  There was a bit of a pleading note behind that, just a tidge.  She knew there was no way Fig would ever really be able to provide that, but she had to playfully ask.  Her own list was growing by the day, it felt like.

WC: 134

Fig couldn't help but give her a deadpan look as she mentioned that he'd never discover her weakness. A look that she didn't see due to her most obvious weakness. He decided to let it go and simply smirked a moment later as she gave him a witch-y look and continued.

He took a moment to consider her question before answering. "I just can't think of anyone," Fig replied with a sigh, "I'm just not as vindictive as you are." He smiled again, but his mind was on that tiny hint in her tone that suggested she really did have some vengeance she wanted to impart. Which was interesting. "Unless you can curse someone with something positive," he added, "Y'know, warm up the weather a bit or give us good fortune in our next hunt."

Fennec didn't think Fig was capable of coming up with something worse than nothing, but he did love to prove her wrong.  There's no such thing as a positive curse, numbskull.  She replied with a heavy disapproval.  And that will definitely cost you, because at least a vindictive curse would be fun.  Come on now.

Anyway, if you don't have anyone, what's been going on lately?  Couldn't be anything interesting, but she was here to catch up and to hear about him.  I figured I'd come by and make you return the tour favor.  She hadn't exactly given him a tour when he visited - Meerkat took care of that with far more enthusiasm than she could ever muster - but he could manage.

WC: 122

"Well, clearly we don't have a good witch on our hands here, do we," was Fig's only retort as she expressed her preference for evil curses and vengeance. Once again, he wondered about this mood of hers, but didn't comment. He'd let things play out and see where they went. Perhaps she was just feeling homesick and it made her grumpy. Fenn never had handled the blues very well.

"Well, a lot, but I think you know of some," Fig answered, gesturing with his muzzle in acceptance of her request for a tour, "Maia is still here, still recovering from her injury. Did dad tell you she was attacked, or just that she was hurt?" The thought made him pause and sniff at the air, searching for any foreign scents that might have come their way while he was distracted by his conversation with Fennec. There were none, but he resolved to keep his guard up better.

Not in the least.  Fennec made a small noise of agreement, but she let the conversation roll on to the more day to day affairs.  Normally she didn't care about small talk, but today she was all about it.

Wait, really?  She asked, suddenly ten times more interested.  If he had, she'd missed it!  Shit, where?  Who?  Dad just said Eljay needed herbs, he definitely left off that part.  How dare he?  Something this wild happens and he just lets it pass?  Oh damn if there was a murderer running around the wilds, that was a trip.  Or maybe some kind of monster? Even better.

WC: 105

Fig went ahead and let his gaze scan across the territory as they walked, leaving his subtle ways of guiding Fenn along to instinct. He'd adopted the habit of gently bumping her hip or brushing her shoulder to direct her at a very early age. Doing so now was second nature to him, so much that he likely did it to other wolves when he walked with them. I should write that in more often.

"It was just South of the territory, in the Woods that stretches across our borders there," Fig explained, "Guess he acted all friendly, then just went after her for no reason. It's pure luck that we'd relocated here not long before it happened, otherwise who knows what condition Maia would be in now without Eljay to take care of her."

Yeah, lucky.  It was clear that Fennec was almost too interested in what had happened up until those words, which were delivered distractedly.  Her mind was on whatever had done the attacking in those woods.  Monster?  Demon? Ghost?. She might have to go take a peek.

Compared to that, the Glen has been a snooze fest.  Fennec complained (good-naturedly, for once).  Just gardening and taking care of what's-is-name, some badger dad found me.  Fennec thought of him though and couldn't help but smile a little deviously.  He'll come in handy, though.  Did i tell you I have an apprentice?

WC: 99

Fennec was clearly distracted, another fact that Figment stored away for safekeeping. He attributed it towards the mood she was in that she'd hinted at with their earlier banter, not realizing she was just musing about ghosts and ghouls. He was definitely being overly sensitive to her, in spite of the fact that he was somewhat aware of his penchant for doing that with her.

He listened to her commentary with interest. It might not be as exciting to her as an attack on one of their own, but he was still intrigued. "A badger?" Fig asked, glancing over at her, "And an apprentice? Doesn't sound like a snooze fest to me, but go on."

The badger is a snooze-fest.  He's napping now probably.  She'd left him in Bramblepoint, sleeping away near the gardens.  But the apprentice definitely isn't.  Fennec's grin took on a mischievous glint.

I have her convinced that she can become a witch like me.  All it takes is talking to birds and learning their names.  She cackled, then gave her brother a light nudge.  I keep waiting for her to question it but she's so easy, it's great.

WC: 77

Fig thought back to when he’d tried to find a companion for his sister. He’d tried talking to birds for a while, but none has ever seemed to interested in him. He wondered how this badger had come to befriend her, or vice versa. But, he was more intrigued by this apprentice she was apparently messing with.

”Birds are not easy to engage in conversation,” Fig commented with a smirk, ”You must be a witch if you can do it. Who is this girl, anyway? Another alpha?”

Nah.  She's the Moonspear healer's daughter.  I'm betting she won't get it done, but who knows?  She's super talkative.  Maybe she'd talk their wings off and then they'd have no choice.

She felt a little better thinking about what a blast some of the other aspects of living in the Glen had been.  As far as places went, it was by far her favorite so far.  Too bad someone had to be weird about shit and put a damper on it.

You need to find yourself one of them.  I mean, you have options.  Fennec snorted, imagining Prim following Fig around and actually patrolling.  Maybe not the best options.  Quetzal was a hell raiser, she might be good for him.  Alyx?  Eh, depended.  Fig needed an apprentice he could actually order around and something told her Alyx wouldn't have it.

Well, at least it wasn't a wolf in leadership this time. Fig smirked at his sister as she explained. "Super talkative? Sounds just like your kind of people," he commented idly, trying to see if she might share how annoying she found the girl. Perhaps that was why Fennec was messing with her. He could see that being the case.

"An apprentice for me?" Fig questioned, quirking a brow at her, "There's a scary thought. I don't know how good I'd be at something like that." He paused for a moment, contemplating. The topic had brought his mind to his potential future as a leader of his own pack. Would Fenn laugh at him if he told her the conversations he'd had with Towhee and Phox? Probably.

"Mom actually came up with an even crazier suggestion than that," he added slowly, "She thinks I ought to branch out and lead my own pack one day, like Osiris did with the Glen."

Right.  Honestly, though, the girl reminded her a tidge too much of Meerkat for her to feel okay really casting any shade at her.  She'd poke fun at either, of course, but without her usual vigor or creativity.  Still, she gave Figment a look that clearly spelled out a long, drawn out uh huh.

Oh wow, that was crazy.  And... surprising.  Fennec mulled it over for a minute, keeping her reaction mostly to herself to the news.  She didn't hate the idea of Figment leading, but she did hate that he'd gotten the word and not her.  Even if she was at the Glen now.  Y'know,  Osiris has a brother that got passed over for leadership.  I told him he should try and take it.  She said with a small smirk.  Kinda an obvious hint, but it got the feeling across without being too pointed.  Why's that crazy?  Much as she might be ruffled at Towhee for not letting her in on this little plan, she did want to hear more about why he didn't think it would happen.  Sure, he was boring, but he was exactly like Osiris in that.

Fig was surprised by his sister's reaction. She made a joke, which was not surprising, but then asked him why Towhee's idea was crazy. He glanced sidelong at her, quirking a brow in an expression of confusion that she couldn't see. Did she seriously not think it was utterly absurd?

"Well, because... I mean," he stumbled, trying to find the right words, "It's... me." Those were not the right words, so he wracked his brain to come up with something more clear. He tried to imagine himself in Towhee's place, or in Osiris's place. That picture still looked so strange to him, regardless of how often he forced himself to think of it. "I just can't imagine anyone ever following me like they do mom and dad," he said finally.

Fennec huffed.  Yeah, it's you. She retorted, trying to sort out what he was getting at.  She didn't know what exactly he thought was so hard about getting wolves to follow him.  It wasn't like Osiris had to do much.  She thought back to her conversation with Atlas.

I think you give leaders too much credit.  It isn't like everyone else is just trailing behind you.  And even if they did, you have practice.  She said with a little snort of laughter.  He'd never had a problem leading her around.

Even idiots can lead, so I think you'd be fine.  Fennec finished with a smirk and a tail wave. She didn't specify, though she didn't actually think he was an idiot.  He was her brother, and while she might be bothered if he was somehow turned into her parents' true hope for a legacy or whatever bullshit, she was definitely going to support him.

It took Fig a moment to realize what she was talking about, but he smiled when it clicked. Of course, he'd been leading Fenn around since she'd lost her sight when they were children. To be fair, though, it had formerly been he who had followed her before that had happened. He thought of the day she'd lead him away from the den when they'd been told not to leave it. She'd gotten him into so much trouble back then. Was it messed up that he missed it?

"I suppose. I just picture myself giving orders and everyone rolling their eyes and going about their business," he told her, narrating a daydream he had more often than he ought, "Perhaps I'll need to find myself some muscle to do the enforcing for me." He bumped his shoulder against hers, wondering if that was a job she'd jump at.

I mean, I guess, if you are actually giving orders. Fennec replied, fighting the urge to roll her eyes right now (in a sense).  But how often does mom hand out orders?  She and Osiris really didn't.  They didn't have to.

Her brother was a dummy sometimes, so of course he didn't pay attention to what leading was.  Too up in his own head and the ways things could go wrong, as usual.  If you are lookin to be a dictator, hell yes, I will back you up.  I'll just threaten to curse anyone who won't get in line, easy.  She smiled impishly, then made a playful nab for his ear.  One that likely missed, since she'd impulsively failed to prep for aiming.

"Good point..." Fig replied, considering. He couldn't remember the last time he or anyone had really been ordered to do something. Asked, sure. But never had it felt like a demand. Though again, that was Towhee. When she made a request, you just did it without a second though. Would he have that same power?

He smirked at her excitement over the potential for him to become a dictator. That was definitely hard to see, though her enthusiastic involvement in such a regime was not. He glanced sidelong at her attempt to grab at his ear, keeping his pace steady as he knew it would result in her falling against his shoulder. When the inevitable happened, he turned to nip at her muzzle, thus enciting some playtime. His future as an alpha or dictator or whatever else could be on hold for a while--it was time to just be a pup with his sister again for a little while.

cool to wrap here? :)

She fell in eagerly with him and gave back (nearly) as good as she got.  There would hardly ever be a day when she wasn't down for a wrestle with her brother.

It wasn't the happiest of thoughts, having to choose a path in a future where he, their parents, and Bronco and Meerkat were all spread wide across multiple areas.  But there was something cool too about having so many options, and she really did hope one day he made it.  As far as she could tell, he'd make a pretty kick-ass leader, even if he was kinda a square and a pushover.