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Full Circle | EBC RPWord Count: 5645Silas, Everest & Mary | MostlyMoose Warrick & Malone | @Zincwolf ** Each link below is apart of the progression of the story! Please give it a read if you haven't already! Summary: After the events of Eye for an Eye, Everest has gone mute for the duration of the aftermath. Between heartfelt talks with his Sister, Sabah & the General comfort of his family... Ev has had no immediate poking and prodding albeit One Incident concerning Pons. However, once Shabeel issued the two males their punishments for the fight.... things only got worse. , It was about time he spoke up. Mentions: Marlone Kids, Sabah, Raijin, Cham @Rain847 @Nyther-oh @InTheDappledRain @Zincwolf EP to Mary & Malone, Everest "St-Stop it Silas..." Those three words rang endlessly in the young cats mind as he quickly raced back to camp, heart in his throat as emotions flooded his mind. He had been silent for nearly 2 weeks by this point, but his silence wasn't benefitting everyone like he thought it would. Silent as he kept every little detail to himself in fear of screwing everything up. If they knew what he knew, the little snowys world might've just crumbled at the seams. It was too much, too destructive to let out. It would ruin everything. So Everest simply didn't speak at all. There would be no slip ups if he never opened his mouth again, thats all there was to it. But he couldn't take it any longer. Something had to be said. Day to day poking and prodding with the defeated snow leopard is what made his mind. He would never see his uncle the same way - all he saw now was a cruel and devious cat who spent his days now making Malones a living hell. He was done. The day had started to slow, and cats every which way started to appear left and right as patrols returned home for the evening. Oranges and purples began to paint the sky, leaving no trace of that beautiful blue canvas any longer. So with little legs, and more confidence than the mutt had ever carried, Everest busted through the vines that dangled at the entrance of their family den. Tears grew pregnant at his eyes, and while his voice was croaky and hoarse... It finally emerged. "Don't be mad at Malone anymore.." Warrick Warrick paused his slow digging at the den's walls, still looking a little bit cramped in the already wide space. With the cubs growing up fast to be mostly like their mother, and the occasional addition of his apprentice to the mix, the den was getting very small very fast. He'd been in the process of fixing that, rocks outside the den and rocks inside it too as he used them to help support the earth as he dug and expanded, mud streaked up his forelegs and smearing crumbly and brown on his cream chest. He blinked in confusion, and turned slightly, the shiny new golden additions to his chain gleaming in the weak streams of sunlight that managed to peak through as the vines were disturbed by his son's entrance. Compared to the other dull grey-silver colour of he majority of the chainlinks, it was clear the golden ones were much newer.When the name of his ex childhood friend crossed his ears though, Warrick's eyes reflexively narrowed slightly without his knowledge. Words, however, escaped him. "Whats wrong?" he asked, about the only thing he could grasp in his head to actually say as he turned around to face him properly. "What happened?"Mary & Everest Mary by this point had also caught wind of the sudden bolt in sooty fur, craning her neck as she closed up shop for the night. Her goodbyes to Raijin were cut short and her paws hastily carried her across the courtyard in hopes to reach her son quicker. He had been mute these days now, and several conversations with War made the pair fairly concerned for the little snowy. She just prayed he would open up when he was ready -- and that day might've been just then. So swiveling his head around, Maryanne was soon at his heels - Pushing past the lichen to get a better view of the scene that was unraveling before her. "Is everything okay?- Warrick what happened?" Everest, now with a full audience, let his ears fall as well as the tears he'd been holding back. He didn't cry. It was a trait him and Harper shared, as terrible as it was, but it was a time now that he did. Soft and slow tears streaked down his cheeks as all the frustration and upsetness bubbled up within him. ".. You can't be mad at Malone... Not anymore" He simply repeated, voice cracked and raw as he spoke. Mary could only exchange looks with the Tiguar mutt, concern lacing her features as her son carried on. "He didn't do it."Warrick Warrick blinked slowly at him, taking a moment to let it all sink in, confused. Mind reeling that not only was he talking, but he was talking about the incident. Slowly, he wiped what mud he could off of himself, cursing himself for having the thought earlier to keep himself busy today instead of stressing over Everest. Mud or not though, his boy needed him, and he shifted to crouch down almost so he didn't bang his head on the low ceiling. "Everest..." he whispered, gently putting a wide paw over his back. Leaving whether or not he wanted to be closer to him up to Everest himself, not wanting to smother him, it breaking his heart. But he'd grown and learned with these cubs, what was best for them. Most of the time his parenting techniques were based off of talking problems gently through, trouble shooting, or just bundling them up and telling them stories. Or in the case of his more touch-sensitive kids when they were upset, letting them come to him. Neither were an option, so the latter was it. "What do you mean he didn't do it...? Shh... its okay" Everest & Mary "He - he didn't wanna fight - Uncle Si did" It was all he needed to say by that point. A sob wracked his little body as Warrick pulled him in, letting as many tears as his ducts would allow pour from his now tightly shut eyes. "I'm sorry.. I- I'm sorry-" Everest let anxiety riddle his words, choking on the truth. All he could do was apologize. Over and over for everything. For worrying everyone, for letting Malone be treated like this for as long as he had -- for Allowing Silas to walk around this Empire taking as many jabs as he could at the snow leopard. He was sorry for it all. Mary watched as Warrick took to the situation like a duck to water, knowing just the thing to do in a time like this. If it weren't for the severity of the issue, more attention would've been paid to this fact -- but deep down utmost love and adoration swelled for the tiger mutt, pleased with his role as a father. But of course, the matter required her presence and without a second thought - She was right there with them, giving him lots of love and support as she hushed reassurance into his ears in an attempt to get him to calm down, to breathe. However... that didn't change the fact that the words he spoke.. It made her stomach drop. It was clear to her and Warrick that a fight occurred between the two gladiators, but the reasons why are what left the couple completely at a loss. Silas' insistently unbearable attitude had been their only sign, and it painted her Ex as the villain - once again. Too disappointed to speak to him before whilst also giving him space, Mary had only attempted to chew information out of him once before, and it went about as well as one would imagine. But now? Her mind was fogged and her heart hurt with guilt. Guilt for all parties involved.Warrick Warrick gave her a look over the top of Everest's head. One that showed he had similar thoughts to her, if only fogged by his own mixed emotions on it all He doubted the relationship between himself and Malone could ever be truly healed. But that didn't mean he was cold entirely towards him. Mary had hammered that out of him early on, and because the seed of hatred never took root, it kept his empathy intact. Kept him true to himself, and not absorbed in the anger. He'd believed Silas without a shred of hesitation. And for that, he felt... awful. Right now. Hadn't even given Malone the benefit of the doubt internally. Even with his brother's track record, he believed him entirely. Like Mary though, he knew now was not the time, and he instead focused his everything onto Everest. "Hey, its alright... its okay... you're just a kid, Ev. You weren't meant to be involved at all, so its alright. None of this is your fault, so theres no reason to be sorry, okay...? You're alright, and so is Malone..." he tried to soothEverest & Mary Lip quivering, Everest nuzzled into Warricks neck, absorbing each and every ounce of his thick tiger fur for his own comfort. He hiccupped and sniffled, but it was slowly starting to repress the more his parents spoke. Soft and gentle, their words made a worlds difference. Made him feel ok, and safe. At home with all that had happened - Made him feel like things might not be so broken despite all that he knew, and what he had yet to say.. for now all he could do was sniffle and wriggle into his dad frame, completely engulfed with love and care. That was until Warrick started on about Malone. Even the tiniest of phrase caught his full attention, and suddenly he was back to hyperventilating in a poor attempt to catch his breath and speak. "No- Dad.." He started, the name effortlessly rolling off his tongue even after everything had unraveled. "He's not okay.. He-he...Silas isn't right to him.. He's not- He's not alright""And- And I didn't, I didn't say nothing to stop it-" Everest choked again, tears soaked now into his fathers tan chest. Mary let Warrick handle the situation then, feeling a prick ... no, a flood of emotions ranging from concerned to anger overcome her, blood boiling with anxiousness as her paws tingled with uncertainty. Whatever happened that day, had continued to happen - The things that were left unsaid and unexplained, had been playing out before their very eyes and it made her insides squirm as her son continued to spew his confession, the truth. "I-.. I have to go take care of something..." Maryanne murmured, deciding to interject after several quiet moments, trusting that her mate would continue to handle the situation with grace and elegance for their son. She nosed Warrick at his temple and gave Everest a swift lick goodbye. She had heard enough, and needed to know the full truth. "Everest my love, stay with your dad.. Everythings gonna be okay.. Momma will make sure of it."Warrick "Hey- Hey, shh... shh its okay" he breathed, gently kneading his back with his paws as he shifted onto his haunches to cuddle him properly with both forelegs, tugging his mottled, spotty body against his belly, using his tail to balance him. It was a peculiar thing, but, its something Warrick had done since he was a cub, sitting on his backlegs like that. For such a big guy, his balance was pretty good now. It came in good use at times like this. He started to groom the top of his head, silently nodding towards Mary as he heard her speak. "See? Your Ma's gonna go talk to him, okay...? She'll fix it" he murmured gently. "Its not your fault. Its never been your fault. You're only young, and this is- this is a mess. You're okay... she'll be back later. I know for a fact that Malone doesn't, and will never, blame you Eve" Mary Although it was hesitant, Maryanne couldnt have been more sure about an objective than she was then. For likely the first time in 9 months, the lioness found herself actively looking for Malone - the last time she had done that it resulted in their separation and more importantly her induced labor. The thought made her shutter… so much had changed. How did it all happen so fast? It wasn’t too terribly long before she caught his scent trail- Simply following her sons from before he raced back home. She had a feeling he wouldn’t have been far from the crime scene itself. ”Malone?” She called out, crickets now drowning out the silence that once inhabited the clearing.Malone Surprisingly, it wasn't too far from the spot she'd caught him pacing in the morning of the incident with Silas. From his original pacing area on the very boarder of the camp, the den was only a short few steps deeper into a thicket that had grown in the newly turned earth from the landslide, making it curve almost horizontally over a large rocky crevice half submerged in the earth. A tiny cave that most larger cats would struggle a little bit to be able to squeeze into, cats like Warrick were definitely out the question, but. Malone, being a snowy and somewhat thinner then he really should've been at his age could do it with ease. It was probably why he picked it in the first place. Hidden, and those that he didn't want to find him would really want to get in to even try. And, unfortunately, one of them had taken up the challenge easily. The thicket was heavily disturbed now, broken twigs and leaves scattered around the packed earth at the mouth of the den, tufts of tan and black fur that stank of Silas, old and new, caught on the surviving thorns from where it had caught the tiger mutt on his travels. Fresh scuffle marks were on the floor, as well as what looks like a mildly shredded scrap of herb-laden bandage was discarded at the mouth as well. It also smelled strongly of Silas and Malone, under the herb scent. The grey fur stuck to it indicated it was probably originally the snowleopard's, too. No blood, though. Fresh, at least. Malone himself was tucked at the back of the den, licking his recently exposed injured paw, laid out on his side and trying to just breathe past the fresh aches in his chest.He wasn't planning on going to see Chamomile again for a new dressing. He'd already gone a few times now and he was getting the feeling he was starting to look disrespectful, and he didn't want that on his plate too. He'd blamed the thorns at this den for the missing scraps of cloth and leaves. 'Thorns' wasn't too much of a lie, after all. He was so engrossed in his task and his thoughts, he didn't notice Mary once again his door.Mary Tucked away in the part of camp not many would have even noticed, Mary found herself standing beside the brambles that barricaded the Snow leopard inside. Immediately she was hit with the nauseating musk of Silas, not before noticing the disturbed dirt and rocks where a tussle or two had taken place. For a den so out of sight… of course nobody caught wind of the behavior he was exhibiting. It was just hidden enough. It made her heart hurt, pangs of concern and worry throbbing as she paced. She had missed so much.. Peering her head over the bushes, Maryanne tried again - Noting now the definite presence of the patrol captain as she saw his tail. ”Malone- We need to talk..” She stated, speaking up more so than the last attempt to catch his attention.Malone The visible tail immediately bristled at Mary's voice, puffing up, before it was tugged slowly back into the den and out of sight. There was silence, for a long moment. True enough, besides the crickets. Then his hoarse voice broke the building tension as he finally spoke. "... You'll probably fit" he murmured. A quiet, tired invitation to enter his space. He'd known this was coming as Everest had ran. He'd hoped he'd stay quiet about it, but... he'd known better. He didn't want to explain. He didn't want to talk about it. He just wanted to sleep, and then get back to work, and pretend none of it had ever happened. But, here was Mary. And once again he had to make a choice. And, once again. Everest's wellbeing, would probably win out over his own.Mary She was starting to wonder if pushing her way inside the den wouldve been more efficient than waiting as the time slowly passed… but then he spoke and anxiety settled in her belly. At first she wasn’t entirely sure how to go about getting inside, but if theres a will theres a way and sure enough she found it. The whole situation was foreign, paws heavy with thought. Regardless, she pushes through. And she was going to get to the bottom of all this nonsense. ”Why didn’t you tell me?” Mary started, ears back. Her voice wasn’t angry, or upset just… concerned. It was stern and concerned.Malone "Didn't tell you what?" he asked after another pregnant pause, not looking at her. He'd hidden his paw under his other leg before she came in, but it didn't stop him looking in rough shape. His face had healed faster then was expected, but it still required poultices, making his fur sticky and awkward looking so flat against his head. The full extent of the scar was easy to see now, scoring across his previously untouched face in ugly, uneven patterns until it twisted at his muzzle and scored one long line down his throat, thinner there, tapering. Most of the damage was between his eyes and over his nose. If Silas had twisted just slightly to the right... Malone might've also been half blinded. He had at least been groomed, if he'd not done it himself, and from how he was laying it was better to assume the former. Even breathing seemed to make him wince occasionally, and his eyes looked dazed from pain relief. Besides the landslide, he looked in his worst shape, even if he was slowly getting better Mary ”The truth Mallow.” Mary knew good and well he was aware of the incident she was referring too, and it made things all the more difficult. He looked awful. He let this go on, and for what? ”He came to your defense today. You’d be proud of him.” She commented, shuffling a little closer ”My gods, Malone… I don’t understand-“ Mary was truly at a loss for words. ”Why?”Malone Malone's ears shifted at that nugget of information. He had a feeling he might have. Clenching his jaw a little tighter, and resting his chin on his paws a little awkwardly to avoid pressing on the healing chunk taken out of it, he sighed through his teeth. He didn't want to talk about it. It was obvious from his long pauses, and his stubborn, hooded stare at the bare stone wall of the den, at the armour he'd not worn for a long time now, not able to wear it. Anywhere but Mary herself. He'd kept Mary's neckbrace. He'd removed it from his main armour a long time ago, but. He'd never gotten rid of it. Just hid it away here. He gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and hesitantly, he spoke again. "Silas told him, Mary" he breathed. May as well get the worst part out the way, if he had to talk about it at all. "... He told him I'm his father. In one of the most spiteful ways, to get back at me for standing up to him over how he was treating Everest." Mary Out of all the reasons he could've given, Mary wasn't quite prepared to hear what she did. She watched him, scanning his features as he finished his statements... and she was silent. Silent because she wasn't sure how to process it all. Process the wounds the snow leopard endured, his face now scarred beyond repair as a constant reminder of that damn day. That same damn day she encouraged him to go after their son out of fear of what Silas might've been telling him, or allowing him to do. I guess something bad was going to happen, Malone or not. Mary slowly observed him, brows creasing in thought and worry as more time passed. He was a broken shell of a cat she used to know. Bruised and battered, as he took on a silent role of shame. What he was protecting, Mare wasn't all too sure... even then. "...He knows?" It was the smallest voice Mary could've conjured, dread pooling in her belly more and more by the second. "I- I need to know how this happened, Mallow..." She was practically begging him by this point, screaming inside for the full story. Why would he do that? Why would that stupid, lanky bastard do that to her baby -- why would he jeopardize EVERYTHING just to get a jab in. There was always a jab.Malone His only reaction was another soft flick of his ears. Emotions left unsaid and unacknowledged betrayed by the subconscious motion of his dark ears. One of them looked nicked. Fresh. He swallowed a little thickly at the begging tone. It seemed to be the thing that finally broke him, after all. Another pause. Before he took a tentatively slow, deep breath, and let it out in a winced rush as he expanded his chest a bit too much, cursing under his exhale as he closed his eyes. Twinges. They were better. Getting slowly, slowly better- "I don't know what happened before I showed up. But he'd taken Everest to the lake, and not shown him how to get there by himself. They didn't stop for scenting, or tracking, or... anything, by the way their prints read. Everest's were rushed and all over the place, and Silas' strides were broad and long. I have... I'm pretty sure it was to try and teach him to swim, after rushing him along. I heard him mumbling about his father before I heard Everest shout in pain, so I rushed over..." He shifted uncomfortably. Reflecting that this had probably been the most he'd spoken to her in almost a full year. Maybe the most he'd spoke all in one go since then too, to anybody, besides maybe giving his reports to Shabeel. "Turned out he'd twisted his ankle pretty bad on a root trying to keep up with him. Silas was trying to get him to stand up and 'walk it off like a man'. I told him no. He didn't like that"Mary "You came to his rescue-" Mary interjected, leaning in to catch every detail the snowy dribbled from his words. It pained her to see him the way he was, pained her to see him recluse and unchecked by a soul in the empire. Who's been there for him? Who's had his back, and checked on his wounds. Who had been comforting him and washing the backs of his ears where he couldn't reach... Malone was in terrible shape, and he needed someone drastically... yet he still came and showed up when he was needed. By this point, Maryanne had pretty much filled the gaps in to complete the full story - Silas likely didn't appreciate handing the responsibility over. She knew good and well how that mouth breather behaved. He might've been Warricks brother, but he was nothing but a bad influence in her eyes. She tolerated Si in doses, but pulled the plug on anything that would effect her children. Mary shuffled, reaching a paw out to gently graze at his toes, hoping to get a better look at some of his open injuries. Her movements were slow, and calculated - like stalking an elk in the midst of fall. The smallest of disturbances could throw the whole operation. "Why did you protect him- Malone why didn't you speak up?" Her questions where aimed towards Silas, still unsure of his motives with letting the mongrel take a win for nothing.Malone Normally, Malone's claws would've come out from his own anxiety over being touched when he was like this. But he was too tired. Tired of fighting it. He let her touch him, and after a few gentle nudges from the lion mutt, Malone's injured paw slowly was revealed as he pulled it free of the uncomfortable position it had been in before. It wasn't bad, it was still half healed, but it shouldn't be uncovered yet "What good would saying anything have done, Mary?" he murmured, quiet. Then he scoffed. "Tearing your family apart even more then I already had? No. Everest wasn't talking... so I didn't say anything either. He wasn't supposed to know. But he found out anyway because of me. Saying anything would mean the rest of the cubs found out too, and it fit the narrative better for me to be the bad guy, so I just... I shut up. He's Warrick's brother, and their uncle. He has more of a right to be there then I do, even if he is a piece of mouse shit" he spat Mary "Is that what you think this is?" Maryanne felt her heart skip a beat as he explain himself, unsure how to even go about unpacking it all. "You don't have to be the bad guy in this narrative Malone- Rather you like it or not you're apart of these kids lives, and they don't need to have this image of you being.. this - this... tainted mystery." She paused, ears pinned now before she concluded her thoughts. "You're not the bad guy Mallow. You never were." Mary couldn't help but just... chuckle - nervously but... still. "You are these kids fascination. Everest? You wouldn't believe how many times I'd heard him talking to Sabah about how much he wants to get to know you- These kids - our kids..." She swallowed, shaking her head lightly "I forgive you..."Malone He swallowed at that, staring at her, time crawling to a halt as he felt his body freeze in a mixture of fear and surprise. "I attacked him, Mary." he stated, voice low. "It... it was the same thing as you. He shoved me. And I lost it. You can't forgive me, because I've not- I've not fixed it. Me."Mary "No, Malone you defended yourself and you protected Everest, does that not count for anything?" Mary corrected him, brows furrowed as he tried to backtrack. "I see it, I see your attempts - I saw it that day" She chided, grasping at whatever claim she could make. To prove her point. "I saw it the night of the Gathering- I just.." She faltered. "Mal...""Healing takes time... trust me I know." Mary started, unsure if wading into this water was for the best or not. "I'm allowed to forgive you, because I'm still recovering myself -- Nobody is truly 'fixed' after things like this happen- and Malone something did happen.""We can't change the past, but we can change the future- and I see that you're trying. But your trying, alone and...." She stammered "...It's hard to walk, when your legs are gone."Malone He blinked at her dumbly at that last statement. The fear and anxiety that was building up in his scraggly little body stuttering in itself at how... dumb that analogy was. It threw him for a loop. Despite the situation, and despite the feelings raging through him, he couldn't help a nervous little scoff. Finding it funny. Relaxing, a tiny bit. Then he was back to being somewhat serious again. "Try telling Warrick that" he added. "F... Forgiving me isn't going to change his mind on where I stand. And I don't blame him. And... me being around? Thats going to confuse your kids even more. What if it makes them hate him, because he 'lied' to them?" It wasn't much. Just a glimmer. But he betrayed himself then - showed he still somewhat cared about War, even a little bit. After what had happened between the three of them.Mary She about cuffed him around the ears the more he opened up - feeling a twinge of embarrassment as he dismissed her claims and said more dumb things. Perhaps Silas gave him a pinch of brain damage, at least that was the excuse she was hanging onto for the moment. "Warrick respects my final say, despite how he feels about the situation." Mary finally responded, noting his hesitance to stirring with the balance of their little family. His words came from a place of caring, - maybe for Warrick,, maybe for the kids... possibly both. "This truth was going to come out sooner or later, and that's for us to handle - but for gods sake Malone I'm not asking you to be their dad." Mary replied, feeling a pang of hurt as the words slipped out. It was all still very sensitive to talk about, and even after everything it didn't stop her some nights from wondering how things might've turned out had she not run into him that day. Would things have turned out alright in the end? After talking with him tonight, she knew for a fact deep down that... regardless of what happened, he was still a good cat - and definitely would've made a great dad. "You don't have to do this alone, Mallow."Malone Malone visibly winced at the nickname, it hitting deep in a spot he hadn't realized was still there after all this time. The old nickname.. He grit his teeth. "I know you're not asking me to be their dad..." he murmured. "And I don't think I could, even if I tried. But.." He sighed. "Fine" he finally gave in. He didn't have the energy to fight it anymore. Fight wanting to have at least a tiny, tiny fraction of the friendship they had before. Comfort of not being on his own anymore. Glancing towards her, he slowly blinked his green eye her way as he mumbled "Whats the next step, Bug..?"Mary "The next step is, I'm gonna take that scrawny bastards other eye" Mary growled, almost playfully but... mostly in disgust. A twinge hit her where it hurts at the old name though. Too many good memories were associated with that name. She was glad it hadn't been tainted in the fray of their end. But... she was going to set things straight. She had to -- Things needed to be fixed and ... fixing was what she did best. A shudder hit the lion mutts breath, shakily inhaling in thought after what seemed like a year long conversation. It had been about that really, a year in the making. "I don't... I dont know for sure, but It'll work out- I know that much." Mary paused, and gently touched her nose to his shoulder, a sign of comfort and affection. "We'll get through this."Malone He didnt flinch at her touch, staying still and serene. If anything, he hesitated. Like he wanted to say something, but wasnt quite brave enough too. The emptiness of his den began to claw at him. The darkness that had once been a comfort, a companion, now felt... heavy. He didn't want to be alone. "Would... you stay...? For a little longer...?" He croaked. Quiet. He doubted shed say yes and felt pathetic for even asking but. He asked anyway. Just in case. He looked at the wall. Tense. Waiting for her inevitable answer and trying to control his breathing. Her touch hadn't hurt. Not like that last time. Not even remotely.Mary It was quiet. Quiet, and dark and solemn, and Mary could only flatten her ears as he broke the silence once more. It was a step in the right direction. No more seclusion. No more urban legends about the elusive Patrol captain who haunts the damp side of camp. No more drowning. He would be okay. Things - would be okay. Maryanne looked back outside then, half hoping to see Warrick in a time like this to get his nod of approval... but she knew he trusted her. He knew, why she came up here, and he knew that.. hopefully - He would have nothing to worry about. This wasn't a matter of romantic affairs. This was a situation that concerned a friend, who wasn't doing well. Mary simply had to trust her gut, and trust that Warrick would understand. So, having already made up her mind.. She simply scooted closer and rested her head along his back. "I'll stay for however long you need me too." She murmured, giving gentle grooming strokes along his shoulders where mats and dried blood had resonated. I'll fix you up. Just let me take care of itMalone He felt his claws press into the hard packed floor slightly as he felt her grooming him, not expecting that in the slightest, but. It was more out of surprise, then pain or resistance. He let the silence fall again in the den, and just closed his eyes, listening to her rasping movements and her soft, familiar breaths breaking the lonely silence of his den. The breath he let trickle out his nose felt sour. Final. Letting out whatever emotions and pain lingered, and in his next inhale, fostered the growth of a tentative little flame of hope in its place. Things... would be okay. Finally.

EP to Maryanne
Zincwolf for Mallow

Description
Full Circle | EBC RPWord Count: 5645Silas, Everest & Mary | MostlyMoose Warrick & Malone | @Zincwolf ** Each link below is apart of the progression of the story! Please give it a read if you haven't already! Summary: After the events of Eye for an Eye, Everest has gone mute for the duration of the aftermath. Between heartfelt talks with his Sister, Sabah & the General comfort of his family... Ev has had no immediate poking and prodding albeit One Incident concerning Pons. However, once Shabeel issued the two males their punishments for the fight.... things only got worse. , It was about time he spoke up. Mentions: Marlone Kids, Sabah, Raijin, Cham @Rain847 @Nyther-oh @InTheDappledRain @Zincwolf EP to Mary & Malone, Everest "St-Stop it Silas..." Those three words rang endlessly in the young cats mind as he quickly raced back to camp, heart in his throat as emotions flooded his mind. He had been silent for nearly 2 weeks by this point, but his silence wasn't benefitting everyone like he thought it would. Silent as he kept every little detail to himself in fear of screwing everything up. If they knew what he knew, the little snowys world might've just crumbled at the seams. It was too much, too destructive to let out. It would ruin everything. So Everest simply didn't speak at all. There would be no slip ups if he never opened his mouth again, thats all there was to it. But he couldn't take it any longer. Something had to be said. Day to day poking and prodding with the defeated snow leopard is what made his mind. He would never see his uncle the same way - all he saw now was a cruel and devious cat who spent his days now making Malones a living hell. He was done. The day had started to slow, and cats every which way started to appear left and right as patrols returned home for the evening. Oranges and purples began to paint the sky, leaving no trace of that beautiful blue canvas any longer. So with little legs, and more confidence than the mutt had ever carried, Everest busted through the vines that dangled at the entrance of their family den. Tears grew pregnant at his eyes, and while his voice was croaky and hoarse... It finally emerged. "Don't be mad at Malone anymore.." Warrick Warrick paused his slow digging at the den's walls, still looking a little bit cramped in the already wide space. With the cubs growing up fast to be mostly like their mother, and the occasional addition of his apprentice to the mix, the den was getting very small very fast. He'd been in the process of fixing that, rocks outside the den and rocks inside it too as he used them to help support the earth as he dug and expanded, mud streaked up his forelegs and smearing crumbly and brown on his cream chest. He blinked in confusion, and turned slightly, the shiny new golden additions to his chain gleaming in the weak streams of sunlight that managed to peak through as the vines were disturbed by his son's entrance. Compared to the other dull grey-silver colour of he majority of the chainlinks, it was clear the golden ones were much newer.When the name of his ex childhood friend crossed his ears though, Warrick's eyes reflexively narrowed slightly without his knowledge. Words, however, escaped him. "Whats wrong?" he asked, about the only thing he could grasp in his head to actually say as he turned around to face him properly. "What happened?"Mary & Everest Mary by this point had also caught wind of the sudden bolt in sooty fur, craning her neck as she closed up shop for the night. Her goodbyes to Raijin were cut short and her paws hastily carried her across the courtyard in hopes to reach her son quicker. He had been mute these days now, and several conversations with War made the pair fairly concerned for the little snowy. She just prayed he would open up when he was ready -- and that day might've been just then. So swiveling his head around, Maryanne was soon at his heels - Pushing past the lichen to get a better view of the scene that was unraveling before her. "Is everything okay?- Warrick what happened?" Everest, now with a full audience, let his ears fall as well as the tears he'd been holding back. He didn't cry. It was a trait him and Harper shared, as terrible as it was, but it was a time now that he did. Soft and slow tears streaked down his cheeks as all the frustration and upsetness bubbled up within him. ".. You can't be mad at Malone... Not anymore" He simply repeated, voice cracked and raw as he spoke. Mary could only exchange looks with the Tiguar mutt, concern lacing her features as her son carried on. "He didn't do it."Warrick Warrick blinked slowly at him, taking a moment to let it all sink in, confused. Mind reeling that not only was he talking, but he was talking about the incident. Slowly, he wiped what mud he could off of himself, cursing himself for having the thought earlier to keep himself busy today instead of stressing over Everest. Mud or not though, his boy needed him, and he shifted to crouch down almost so he didn't bang his head on the low ceiling. "Everest..." he whispered, gently putting a wide paw over his back. Leaving whether or not he wanted to be closer to him up to Everest himself, not wanting to smother him, it breaking his heart. But he'd grown and learned with these cubs, what was best for them. Most of the time his parenting techniques were based off of talking problems gently through, trouble shooting, or just bundling them up and telling them stories. Or in the case of his more touch-sensitive kids when they were upset, letting them come to him. Neither were an option, so the latter was it. "What do you mean he didn't do it...? Shh... its okay" Everest & Mary "He - he didn't wanna fight - Uncle Si did" It was all he needed to say by that point. A sob wracked his little body as Warrick pulled him in, letting as many tears as his ducts would allow pour from his now tightly shut eyes. "I'm sorry.. I- I'm sorry-" Everest let anxiety riddle his words, choking on the truth. All he could do was apologize. Over and over for everything. For worrying everyone, for letting Malone be treated like this for as long as he had -- for Allowing Silas to walk around this Empire taking as many jabs as he could at the snow leopard. He was sorry for it all. Mary watched as Warrick took to the situation like a duck to water, knowing just the thing to do in a time like this. If it weren't for the severity of the issue, more attention would've been paid to this fact -- but deep down utmost love and adoration swelled for the tiger mutt, pleased with his role as a father. But of course, the matter required her presence and without a second thought - She was right there with them, giving him lots of love and support as she hushed reassurance into his ears in an attempt to get him to calm down, to breathe. However... that didn't change the fact that the words he spoke.. It made her stomach drop. It was clear to her and Warrick that a fight occurred between the two gladiators, but the reasons why are what left the couple completely at a loss. Silas' insistently unbearable attitude had been their only sign, and it painted her Ex as the villain - once again. Too disappointed to speak to him before whilst also giving him space, Mary had only attempted to chew information out of him once before, and it went about as well as one would imagine. But now? Her mind was fogged and her heart hurt with guilt. Guilt for all parties involved.Warrick Warrick gave her a look over the top of Everest's head. One that showed he had similar thoughts to her, if only fogged by his own mixed emotions on it all He doubted the relationship between himself and Malone could ever be truly healed. But that didn't mean he was cold entirely towards him. Mary had hammered that out of him early on, and because the seed of hatred never took root, it kept his empathy intact. Kept him true to himself, and not absorbed in the anger. He'd believed Silas without a shred of hesitation. And for that, he felt... awful. Right now. Hadn't even given Malone the benefit of the doubt internally. Even with his brother's track record, he believed him entirely. Like Mary though, he knew now was not the time, and he instead focused his everything onto Everest. "Hey, its alright... its okay... you're just a kid, Ev. You weren't meant to be involved at all, so its alright. None of this is your fault, so theres no reason to be sorry, okay...? You're alright, and so is Malone..." he tried to soothEverest & Mary Lip quivering, Everest nuzzled into Warricks neck, absorbing each and every ounce of his thick tiger fur for his own comfort. He hiccupped and sniffled, but it was slowly starting to repress the more his parents spoke. Soft and gentle, their words made a worlds difference. Made him feel ok, and safe. At home with all that had happened - Made him feel like things might not be so broken despite all that he knew, and what he had yet to say.. for now all he could do was sniffle and wriggle into his dad frame, completely engulfed with love and care. That was until Warrick started on about Malone. Even the tiniest of phrase caught his full attention, and suddenly he was back to hyperventilating in a poor attempt to catch his breath and speak. "No- Dad.." He started, the name effortlessly rolling off his tongue even after everything had unraveled. "He's not okay.. He-he...Silas isn't right to him.. He's not- He's not alright""And- And I didn't, I didn't say nothing to stop it-" Everest choked again, tears soaked now into his fathers tan chest. Mary let Warrick handle the situation then, feeling a prick ... no, a flood of emotions ranging from concerned to anger overcome her, blood boiling with anxiousness as her paws tingled with uncertainty. Whatever happened that day, had continued to happen - The things that were left unsaid and unexplained, had been playing out before their very eyes and it made her insides squirm as her son continued to spew his confession, the truth. "I-.. I have to go take care of something..." Maryanne murmured, deciding to interject after several quiet moments, trusting that her mate would continue to handle the situation with grace and elegance for their son. She nosed Warrick at his temple and gave Everest a swift lick goodbye. She had heard enough, and needed to know the full truth. "Everest my love, stay with your dad.. Everythings gonna be okay.. Momma will make sure of it."Warrick "Hey- Hey, shh... shh its okay" he breathed, gently kneading his back with his paws as he shifted onto his haunches to cuddle him properly with both forelegs, tugging his mottled, spotty body against his belly, using his tail to balance him. It was a peculiar thing, but, its something Warrick had done since he was a cub, sitting on his backlegs like that. For such a big guy, his balance was pretty good now. It came in good use at times like this. He started to groom the top of his head, silently nodding towards Mary as he heard her speak. "See? Your Ma's gonna go talk to him, okay...? She'll fix it" he murmured gently. "Its not your fault. Its never been your fault. You're only young, and this is- this is a mess. You're okay... she'll be back later. I know for a fact that Malone doesn't, and will never, blame you Eve" Mary Although it was hesitant, Maryanne couldnt have been more sure about an objective than she was then. For likely the first time in 9 months, the lioness found herself actively looking for Malone - the last time she had done that it resulted in their separation and more importantly her induced labor. The thought made her shutter… so much had changed. How did it all happen so fast? It wasn’t too terribly long before she caught his scent trail- Simply following her sons from before he raced back home. She had a feeling he wouldn’t have been far from the crime scene itself. ”Malone?” She called out, crickets now drowning out the silence that once inhabited the clearing.Malone Surprisingly, it wasn't too far from the spot she'd caught him pacing in the morning of the incident with Silas. From his original pacing area on the very boarder of the camp, the den was only a short few steps deeper into a thicket that had grown in the newly turned earth from the landslide, making it curve almost horizontally over a large rocky crevice half submerged in the earth. A tiny cave that most larger cats would struggle a little bit to be able to squeeze into, cats like Warrick were definitely out the question, but. Malone, being a snowy and somewhat thinner then he really should've been at his age could do it with ease. It was probably why he picked it in the first place. Hidden, and those that he didn't want to find him would really want to get in to even try. And, unfortunately, one of them had taken up the challenge easily. The thicket was heavily disturbed now, broken twigs and leaves scattered around the packed earth at the mouth of the den, tufts of tan and black fur that stank of Silas, old and new, caught on the surviving thorns from where it had caught the tiger mutt on his travels. Fresh scuffle marks were on the floor, as well as what looks like a mildly shredded scrap of herb-laden bandage was discarded at the mouth as well. It also smelled strongly of Silas and Malone, under the herb scent. The grey fur stuck to it indicated it was probably originally the snowleopard's, too. No blood, though. Fresh, at least. Malone himself was tucked at the back of the den, licking his recently exposed injured paw, laid out on his side and trying to just breathe past the fresh aches in his chest.He wasn't planning on going to see Chamomile again for a new dressing. He'd already gone a few times now and he was getting the feeling he was starting to look disrespectful, and he didn't want that on his plate too. He'd blamed the thorns at this den for the missing scraps of cloth and leaves. 'Thorns' wasn't too much of a lie, after all. He was so engrossed in his task and his thoughts, he didn't notice Mary once again his door.Mary Tucked away in the part of camp not many would have even noticed, Mary found herself standing beside the brambles that barricaded the Snow leopard inside. Immediately she was hit with the nauseating musk of Silas, not before noticing the disturbed dirt and rocks where a tussle or two had taken place. For a den so out of sight… of course nobody caught wind of the behavior he was exhibiting. It was just hidden enough. It made her heart hurt, pangs of concern and worry throbbing as she paced. She had missed so much.. Peering her head over the bushes, Maryanne tried again - Noting now the definite presence of the patrol captain as she saw his tail. ”Malone- We need to talk..” She stated, speaking up more so than the last attempt to catch his attention.Malone The visible tail immediately bristled at Mary's voice, puffing up, before it was tugged slowly back into the den and out of sight. There was silence, for a long moment. True enough, besides the crickets. Then his hoarse voice broke the building tension as he finally spoke. "... You'll probably fit" he murmured. A quiet, tired invitation to enter his space. He'd known this was coming as Everest had ran. He'd hoped he'd stay quiet about it, but... he'd known better. He didn't want to explain. He didn't want to talk about it. He just wanted to sleep, and then get back to work, and pretend none of it had ever happened. But, here was Mary. And once again he had to make a choice. And, once again. Everest's wellbeing, would probably win out over his own.Mary She was starting to wonder if pushing her way inside the den wouldve been more efficient than waiting as the time slowly passed… but then he spoke and anxiety settled in her belly. At first she wasn’t entirely sure how to go about getting inside, but if theres a will theres a way and sure enough she found it. The whole situation was foreign, paws heavy with thought. Regardless, she pushes through. And she was going to get to the bottom of all this nonsense. ”Why didn’t you tell me?” Mary started, ears back. Her voice wasn’t angry, or upset just… concerned. It was stern and concerned.Malone "Didn't tell you what?" he asked after another pregnant pause, not looking at her. He'd hidden his paw under his other leg before she came in, but it didn't stop him looking in rough shape. His face had healed faster then was expected, but it still required poultices, making his fur sticky and awkward looking so flat against his head. The full extent of the scar was easy to see now, scoring across his previously untouched face in ugly, uneven patterns until it twisted at his muzzle and scored one long line down his throat, thinner there, tapering. Most of the damage was between his eyes and over his nose. If Silas had twisted just slightly to the right... Malone might've also been half blinded. He had at least been groomed, if he'd not done it himself, and from how he was laying it was better to assume the former. Even breathing seemed to make him wince occasionally, and his eyes looked dazed from pain relief. Besides the landslide, he looked in his worst shape, even if he was slowly getting better Mary ”The truth Mallow.” Mary knew good and well he was aware of the incident she was referring too, and it made things all the more difficult. He looked awful. He let this go on, and for what? ”He came to your defense today. You’d be proud of him.” She commented, shuffling a little closer ”My gods, Malone… I don’t understand-“ Mary was truly at a loss for words. ”Why?”Malone Malone's ears shifted at that nugget of information. He had a feeling he might have. Clenching his jaw a little tighter, and resting his chin on his paws a little awkwardly to avoid pressing on the healing chunk taken out of it, he sighed through his teeth. He didn't want to talk about it. It was obvious from his long pauses, and his stubborn, hooded stare at the bare stone wall of the den, at the armour he'd not worn for a long time now, not able to wear it. Anywhere but Mary herself. He'd kept Mary's neckbrace. He'd removed it from his main armour a long time ago, but. He'd never gotten rid of it. Just hid it away here. He gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and hesitantly, he spoke again. "Silas told him, Mary" he breathed. May as well get the worst part out the way, if he had to talk about it at all. "... He told him I'm his father. In one of the most spiteful ways, to get back at me for standing up to him over how he was treating Everest." Mary Out of all the reasons he could've given, Mary wasn't quite prepared to hear what she did. She watched him, scanning his features as he finished his statements... and she was silent. Silent because she wasn't sure how to process it all. Process the wounds the snow leopard endured, his face now scarred beyond repair as a constant reminder of that damn day. That same damn day she encouraged him to go after their son out of fear of what Silas might've been telling him, or allowing him to do. I guess something bad was going to happen, Malone or not. Mary slowly observed him, brows creasing in thought and worry as more time passed. He was a broken shell of a cat she used to know. Bruised and battered, as he took on a silent role of shame. What he was protecting, Mare wasn't all too sure... even then. "...He knows?" It was the smallest voice Mary could've conjured, dread pooling in her belly more and more by the second. "I- I need to know how this happened, Mallow..." She was practically begging him by this point, screaming inside for the full story. Why would he do that? Why would that stupid, lanky bastard do that to her baby -- why would he jeopardize EVERYTHING just to get a jab in. There was always a jab.Malone His only reaction was another soft flick of his ears. Emotions left unsaid and unacknowledged betrayed by the subconscious motion of his dark ears. One of them looked nicked. Fresh. He swallowed a little thickly at the begging tone. It seemed to be the thing that finally broke him, after all. Another pause. Before he took a tentatively slow, deep breath, and let it out in a winced rush as he expanded his chest a bit too much, cursing under his exhale as he closed his eyes. Twinges. They were better. Getting slowly, slowly better- "I don't know what happened before I showed up. But he'd taken Everest to the lake, and not shown him how to get there by himself. They didn't stop for scenting, or tracking, or... anything, by the way their prints read. Everest's were rushed and all over the place, and Silas' strides were broad and long. I have... I'm pretty sure it was to try and teach him to swim, after rushing him along. I heard him mumbling about his father before I heard Everest shout in pain, so I rushed over..." He shifted uncomfortably. Reflecting that this had probably been the most he'd spoken to her in almost a full year. Maybe the most he'd spoke all in one go since then too, to anybody, besides maybe giving his reports to Shabeel. "Turned out he'd twisted his ankle pretty bad on a root trying to keep up with him. Silas was trying to get him to stand up and 'walk it off like a man'. I told him no. He didn't like that"Mary "You came to his rescue-" Mary interjected, leaning in to catch every detail the snowy dribbled from his words. It pained her to see him the way he was, pained her to see him recluse and unchecked by a soul in the empire. Who's been there for him? Who's had his back, and checked on his wounds. Who had been comforting him and washing the backs of his ears where he couldn't reach... Malone was in terrible shape, and he needed someone drastically... yet he still came and showed up when he was needed. By this point, Maryanne had pretty much filled the gaps in to complete the full story - Silas likely didn't appreciate handing the responsibility over. She knew good and well how that mouth breather behaved. He might've been Warricks brother, but he was nothing but a bad influence in her eyes. She tolerated Si in doses, but pulled the plug on anything that would effect her children. Mary shuffled, reaching a paw out to gently graze at his toes, hoping to get a better look at some of his open injuries. Her movements were slow, and calculated - like stalking an elk in the midst of fall. The smallest of disturbances could throw the whole operation. "Why did you protect him- Malone why didn't you speak up?" Her questions where aimed towards Silas, still unsure of his motives with letting the mongrel take a win for nothing.Malone Normally, Malone's claws would've come out from his own anxiety over being touched when he was like this. But he was too tired. Tired of fighting it. He let her touch him, and after a few gentle nudges from the lion mutt, Malone's injured paw slowly was revealed as he pulled it free of the uncomfortable position it had been in before. It wasn't bad, it was still half healed, but it shouldn't be uncovered yet "What good would saying anything have done, Mary?" he murmured, quiet. Then he scoffed. "Tearing your family apart even more then I already had? No. Everest wasn't talking... so I didn't say anything either. He wasn't supposed to know. But he found out anyway because of me. Saying anything would mean the rest of the cubs found out too, and it fit the narrative better for me to be the bad guy, so I just... I shut up. He's Warrick's brother, and their uncle. He has more of a right to be there then I do, even if he is a piece of mouse shit" he spat Mary "Is that what you think this is?" Maryanne felt her heart skip a beat as he explain himself, unsure how to even go about unpacking it all. "You don't have to be the bad guy in this narrative Malone- Rather you like it or not you're apart of these kids lives, and they don't need to have this image of you being.. this - this... tainted mystery." She paused, ears pinned now before she concluded her thoughts. "You're not the bad guy Mallow. You never were." Mary couldn't help but just... chuckle - nervously but... still. "You are these kids fascination. Everest? You wouldn't believe how many times I'd heard him talking to Sabah about how much he wants to get to know you- These kids - our kids..." She swallowed, shaking her head lightly "I forgive you..."Malone He swallowed at that, staring at her, time crawling to a halt as he felt his body freeze in a mixture of fear and surprise. "I attacked him, Mary." he stated, voice low. "It... it was the same thing as you. He shoved me. And I lost it. You can't forgive me, because I've not- I've not fixed it. Me."Mary "No, Malone you defended yourself and you protected Everest, does that not count for anything?" Mary corrected him, brows furrowed as he tried to backtrack. "I see it, I see your attempts - I saw it that day" She chided, grasping at whatever claim she could make. To prove her point. "I saw it the night of the Gathering- I just.." She faltered. "Mal...""Healing takes time... trust me I know." Mary started, unsure if wading into this water was for the best or not. "I'm allowed to forgive you, because I'm still recovering myself -- Nobody is truly 'fixed' after things like this happen- and Malone something did happen.""We can't change the past, but we can change the future- and I see that you're trying. But your trying, alone and...." She stammered "...It's hard to walk, when your legs are gone."Malone He blinked at her dumbly at that last statement. The fear and anxiety that was building up in his scraggly little body stuttering in itself at how... dumb that analogy was. It threw him for a loop. Despite the situation, and despite the feelings raging through him, he couldn't help a nervous little scoff. Finding it funny. Relaxing, a tiny bit. Then he was back to being somewhat serious again. "Try telling Warrick that" he added. "F... Forgiving me isn't going to change his mind on where I stand. And I don't blame him. And... me being around? Thats going to confuse your kids even more. What if it makes them hate him, because he 'lied' to them?" It wasn't much. Just a glimmer. But he betrayed himself then - showed he still somewhat cared about War, even a little bit. After what had happened between the three of them.Mary She about cuffed him around the ears the more he opened up - feeling a twinge of embarrassment as he dismissed her claims and said more dumb things. Perhaps Silas gave him a pinch of brain damage, at least that was the excuse she was hanging onto for the moment. "Warrick respects my final say, despite how he feels about the situation." Mary finally responded, noting his hesitance to stirring with the balance of their little family. His words came from a place of caring, - maybe for Warrick,, maybe for the kids... possibly both. "This truth was going to come out sooner or later, and that's for us to handle - but for gods sake Malone I'm not asking you to be their dad." Mary replied, feeling a pang of hurt as the words slipped out. It was all still very sensitive to talk about, and even after everything it didn't stop her some nights from wondering how things might've turned out had she not run into him that day. Would things have turned out alright in the end? After talking with him tonight, she knew for a fact deep down that... regardless of what happened, he was still a good cat - and definitely would've made a great dad. "You don't have to do this alone, Mallow."Malone Malone visibly winced at the nickname, it hitting deep in a spot he hadn't realized was still there after all this time. The old nickname.. He grit his teeth. "I know you're not asking me to be their dad..." he murmured. "And I don't think I could, even if I tried. But.." He sighed. "Fine" he finally gave in. He didn't have the energy to fight it anymore. Fight wanting to have at least a tiny, tiny fraction of the friendship they had before. Comfort of not being on his own anymore. Glancing towards her, he slowly blinked his green eye her way as he mumbled "Whats the next step, Bug..?"Mary "The next step is, I'm gonna take that scrawny bastards other eye" Mary growled, almost playfully but... mostly in disgust. A twinge hit her where it hurts at the old name though. Too many good memories were associated with that name. She was glad it hadn't been tainted in the fray of their end. But... she was going to set things straight. She had to -- Things needed to be fixed and ... fixing was what she did best. A shudder hit the lion mutts breath, shakily inhaling in thought after what seemed like a year long conversation. It had been about that really, a year in the making. "I don't... I dont know for sure, but It'll work out- I know that much." Mary paused, and gently touched her nose to his shoulder, a sign of comfort and affection. "We'll get through this."Malone He didnt flinch at her touch, staying still and serene. If anything, he hesitated. Like he wanted to say something, but wasnt quite brave enough too. The emptiness of his den began to claw at him. The darkness that had once been a comfort, a companion, now felt... heavy. He didn't want to be alone. "Would... you stay...? For a little longer...?" He croaked. Quiet. He doubted shed say yes and felt pathetic for even asking but. He asked anyway. Just in case. He looked at the wall. Tense. Waiting for her inevitable answer and trying to control his breathing. Her touch hadn't hurt. Not like that last time. Not even remotely.Mary It was quiet. Quiet, and dark and solemn, and Mary could only flatten her ears as he broke the silence once more. It was a step in the right direction. No more seclusion. No more urban legends about the elusive Patrol captain who haunts the damp side of camp. No more drowning. He would be okay. Things - would be okay. Maryanne looked back outside then, half hoping to see Warrick in a time like this to get his nod of approval... but she knew he trusted her. He knew, why she came up here, and he knew that.. hopefully - He would have nothing to worry about. This wasn't a matter of romantic affairs. This was a situation that concerned a friend, who wasn't doing well. Mary simply had to trust her gut, and trust that Warrick would understand. So, having already made up her mind.. She simply scooted closer and rested her head along his back. "I'll stay for however long you need me too." She murmured, giving gentle grooming strokes along his shoulders where mats and dried blood had resonated. I'll fix you up. Just let me take care of itMalone He felt his claws press into the hard packed floor slightly as he felt her grooming him, not expecting that in the slightest, but. It was more out of surprise, then pain or resistance. He let the silence fall again in the den, and just closed his eyes, listening to her rasping movements and her soft, familiar breaths breaking the lonely silence of his den. The breath he let trickle out his nose felt sour. Final. Letting out whatever emotions and pain lingered, and in his next inhale, fostered the growth of a tentative little flame of hope in its place. Things... would be okay. Finally.

EP to Maryanne
Zincwolf for Mallow