Pah, how dare they even entertain the idea?

“After you”

He slunk from Jades flank, purposefully avoiding his brother's smug gaze; boring a ridiculous hole at his fuzzed head. Shut up. A haughty scowl paired well with his inward remark, tail fixed in an agitated lash whilst dark blond eyes scribbled furiously upon the image before him “Look at those two. Disgusting.” At the mumbled confrontation, Jade flicked his vision, observing the simple sight of his elder brother being anything but courteous to Atelia, the object of his “affections” “It's a wonder why she’s still around.” Jade replied, playing along with Kenze’s ideals, for he knew that if he did, the probability of another spar wouldn’t be so blank on the horizon. “She doesn’t suit us, and she never will.” His anger, although it had begun to subside, crackled with intensity, recalling the faint moment the dame had looked down at him simply, offering a mutter of respite for his own… “fear”. Did she really think he was scared? Jairo was wrong too, his mindless brother. --Chasing after a female who didn’t even care. She possessed all the wrong qualities, all the terrible ones. And now they were supposed to escort her to the geysers like a couple of peasants. His paws fell light and nimble against the terrain as they walked, ears numbing to the insufferable squeaks of his brother's pride.

“I’m her favorite Jairo. Maybe you should take lessons from me” The eldest scoffed, swinging his vision towards the rear and pricking his ears with feigned acknowledgment. “And I’m her rude, self-absorbed male. If you read between the lines, you can tell she was flirting. But of course, you wouldn’t know that, chump.” Kenze gaped, stomping forward with a brisk brush against Jade’s side. “How can he just subject himself to that!?” He muttered in frustration, eyes latching onto the feminine footfalls of the dame at Jairo’s side, briefly contemplating an initiated swipe at her furry ankles. Perhaps witnessing some overbearing clumsiness would deter his sibling from pursuing such a bore. But the plan hadn’t clicked, rather his own brother, bumping roughly against his shoulder and eliciting a moment of fierce competition which rose near ghostly from the gaunt plains. “Guess what.” Jade toyed, the two older failing to falter--rather continuing about the set path that had been memorized days before. “What?” The opposed replied, teeth clacking and tongue flicking the intruding blades of herbage from his gums. “I’m gonna beat that evil right out of you, here and now.” Evil? Kenze snarled. “I’d like to see you try.”

“Ignore them” A low voice pooled about the soothed atmosphere, the rapid rustling of bush and reverberating growls causing none but a sniff to exfoliate the males content disposition. And as they progressed across the vivid topography, he eventually chilled the silence, taking a long, greedy look at the maiden at his side. “You’re pretty, you know.” His claws etched into the influential soil, vegetation shuddering in imaginative anticipation whilst the clouding, moist vapor of the skies had begun to cease; blocked sunlight dribbling through with additional haste.

“But you should smile more.”

Back at the pummeled thickets, the two yearlings fought with aggression, enhanced lunges and claws tearing chunks of feeble coat from each other's bodies. “You’re losing” The smaller almost quipped, stationed in a momentary pause which had the both of their chests inflating with a multitude of heaves. “Get better. I want to tear your throat out while you’re at your best.”

“Damn, calm down before I actually take this seriously.” Jade reeled. And yet before either of them could dart and collide, there came a slip, Kenze’s slip. His paw slammed carelessly against a slick stone, and before anything could properly register, the yearling found himself crawling silently from a ludic stream, behind wetted and shoulders spiking with humiliation. “Let's just head back.” The male sighed, paws thudding soundly against the ground in a refined leap. “Depends, you still got some evil in ya?” Kenze flinched. “I'm not evil.” Nothing more was said, the two brothers tumbling against each other's sides as they bounded from the crumbling dip, crumbs of dirt cascading down to meet the ripped and torn arena; now abandoned. I’m not evil. --“I’m just trying to protect us.” Jade gyrated, gazing at his sibling with a curious spark. “That's Jairo’s job. Not yours. He knows what he’s doing.” Annoyed, Kenze countered, head slumping in an attempt to tether his nostrils to the fluctuating scent of the others. “That wasn’t supposed to be said out loud. Forget it.” There came a crack of silence, their brown pelage dusting softly against the other whilst ears swiveled to the rhythmic scrape of shifting claws. “He’s gonna leave us, you know.” It was sudden, a hideous declaration had departed from the yearling's angular snout, prompting a look of mystification to marinate the bold features that was his brother, shoulders squared in what would be defiance. “Have you knocked your head against a rock? He’d never leave us.” But the dangerous glare that Kenze had shared with him caused a cautious tightening of his jaw. “No, no, no. You don’t understand, do you? Once Jairo gets a mate, it's game over. We’ll be casted out to fend for ourselves. He’ll abandon us just like Vuma and Reed. Just like he did with Hale.”

Jade puffed, eyes drawn slowly about his quivering surroundings. --They were set about an open field, sauntering about the winding edges of a cliff side; crane one's neck a bit and the foggy rock and grass yards below would goad their gaze maliciously. One tumble and you’ll be taking a nice, breezy trip to your watery grave. With the precarious mood his brother was in right now, there would be no chance in hell he’d fall victim to some impulsive desire of an angered shove..so before he readied a hesitant response, Jade crawled a few feet to his right. I’m not evil. Kenze eyed his wary sibling, chest smoked with an assortment of unruly feelings. “You shouldn’t speak of Hale so much. And plus, Mom and Father had died ages ago.” -- “Even if that's true, there was still hope for our sisters.” At that, Jade paused, stealing a moment of stilling silence with a lengthy, fixed stare on his rattled brother. It took none but three seconds for a whimsical expression to cross his face, tail wagging concurrent to shifting jowls. “Have we switched roles? You’re acting like me right now.” He yipped. “Anyways, Jairo and Atelia are right there, let's continue this conversation later.”

He was a fool to think he could confide in Jade. And now, scurrying up to the eldests swaying tail, he simply gazed afar, head risen and chest jutted in a fancily manner, legs pumping against the ground with his arrogant scowl to match. “Why’re we always in the back?” He had decided to pitch in, vocals coated in a purposeful whine and lips dripped with a widened frown. Their conversation had gone on long enough, and not once was he included. So fuck it, he included himself. He always will. “You think you could lead the way? Be my guest, cause we might be lost.” With twitching nostrils, Jairo breathed, swinging his vision until it had eventually steadied on his yearling brother. “And no Jade, you cannot tell Atelia your poem. It's highly inappropriate.” A head bunted roughly against his shoulder. “Inappropriate? That's you! I would never!--Atelia don’t listen to him, it's not even about you.”

“Hey, who said Atelia had anything to do with it?” The eldest snickered softly, flicking his vision onto the hot, fizzling frame that was his younger sibling. “For shame” Kenze interjected, though his expression remained unmarked with bountiful amusement, rather chilled with a petulant lour. And just as the yearling was about to glide forward, finally taking Jairo up on his offer, they halted at a dip, a colossal one. Below was a colorful, moist view of a couple of geysers, the surrounding ground gloved in vibrant blue and jaded red, a bit of yellow played as a thin ring around the surface. One had its crust shapened into a lazy tube, plumes of hot steam evicted from its scary depths.

“Finally, we’re here.” Kenze was the first to speak, ushering the others from the edge before taking the very seat, amber gaze leaking coolly about the broad and petite frames, own tongue lapping anxiously at his lips and nose. “Now while we wait…” Jairo yawned and slid onto his side, foreleg outstretched and head slapped against the warm soil with contentment; light breeze showering their coats with a multitude of appreciative sweeps.

“...Let's play a game.”-- “A game? Cool.”

“Whatever, as long as your huge head isn’t in the way of the shot..Ya know what? Scoot over. I don’t wanna risk it.”

...I’m not evil.

“But you should smile more.”

There was yet to be any clues as to why he said the things he did, --now trampling the rather pathetic looking undergrowth until dispersing from the shading pines overhead. They had clambered upon a steep rise, eventually letting their careful paws kiss the rigid edges of a fogged cliff side. At her frosted reply, Jairo shrugged, vision somewhat perking at her watered tease. He allowed his slumped tail to begin a furl of calm affront, gaze scissoring into her own with an amber glare. “I’m still waiting for that wonder joke you must be hiding in the folds of your nape.” Upon veiled realization, he’d then add.-- “--Is what Kenze would say, so say your thanks that you’ve got the nice brother and let's move on.” Damn, he was kinda bad at this. But he couldn’t help it, neither the “clumsy” clash on the shoulder as he feigned a sporadic trip of the paws. “Sorry, it's bumpy here.” Now that they were alone..oh how many plans he wished to toy with, put into play; starting with more contact. What was it? The more you touch them the better their temperament goes.--But that doesn’t sound very right does it? Either way, he knew that accomplishing a feat of comfortable interaction would be a very delicious treat. So that's what he’d do, he’d get her familiar to his touch and his touch alone. And it wouldn’t hurt to send her home with his scent clinging to her fur. Nah, that’d be great. And he already found himself smiling content at the thought.

“Eh, it depends. Your presence must be upsetting.” He steered himself further away from the edge, clattering stone none but a resounding echo beneath their paws. “Just let em duke it out. They’re big boys.” But the second pair of thudding limbs and sweeps of active tails against shifting thighs had his head rotate, ears pricked forward and slick against the tottering breeze. “Oh, they’re back.” He connected eyes with Kenze, met with a low cast over sharp eyes, but yet again, the male had simply gated it aside. He must’ve lost. His legs continued to swing, limp cloaked over with his own tenacity. That would be a problem. If his body continued to fail, he’d certainly be attracting less ladies and a lot more arrogant danger. --Like a curious, bordering pack of wolves looking to test their hatchling fangs out on a wandering competitor. His leg would be a rumbling cry of weakness, and already it had prompted a nervous, inward shudder of anticipation. Perhaps he should skip over lesson four and go down to six. There was always that, yea?

“Do you often bring everyone you meet to these geysers?”

He stiffened, head beginning a slow rise from previous sunken shoulders. “How’d you know?” He only teased, face dimpling a cheeky surface. And he took another few glances at the athletic muscle which shifted timelessly about her appendages. It was good that she was strong. That meant durable, resilient. Almost everything he was looking for, almost. “I’ll let you know my little secrets when you decide to stay.” And let me court you. But he didn’t bother elaborating, for he could almost foresee the look of unamusement. As they made lengthy headway, they proceeded with caution, or at least he did; the little bob of excitement Atelia had displayed had not gone unnoticed. A brisk form of a taunt had foamed at his very jaws, but he gulped it back, deciding against it with the flapping gums of Jade tying him down. “I have no idea.” The male had responded, shaking the heavy yearling from his flank and jostling forward in a casual lurch. “How do you not know what the geysers look like?” He didn’t care for that particular question, swallowing simplistically before continuing on in his own quietude. That could be a story for another day. He merely flicked an ear at Atelia’s statement, pressing forward in an attempt to somewhat oversee what laid ahead for them. He has been pretty distracted. So the fact that they might be lost would be a pretty possible reality. Didn’t help that the rabbit from earlier had begun to dissipate, the chilly claws of hunger clutching his insides with little mercy.

He trekked, they trekked, little minglings initiated, one she had momentarily become engrossed with. He swayed from her swatting paw, pelage quickly undulated in a thick shake before bounding forward. And just as Jade were about to recite his trashy poem, they halted. The beasts of nature had steam which drifted leisurely into the open ether, moisturizing the darkening skies much to its gratitude.

“Finally, we’re here.”

“Thank you for bringing me”

Jairo perked at that. It was almost refreshing to hear. And as he seated himself onto the softer thinnings of grass, he’d smoothly reply, tone honeyed but eyes alight with indifference. “You wanna know how you can repay me?” He crashed onto the ground, lazily lapping at his chosen front leg before finally allowing his head to succumb to the earthy soil beneath. “Lay--” He stopped short, eyeing his lanky sibling with a minor cluster of irritation blanketing his chest. But eventually, he shrugged it off, going as far as to rest behind shut eyes and mumbling an approving response to the..game the yearling so wished to play. What a drag. After a short few heartbeats of silence, his eyes fluttered open, head balanced upon his outstretched limb and lips peeling in an annoyed sneer. “Well get on with it.” Kenze blinked, cocking his head in what would be agreement. “Right, as you wish.” He gazed around a bit, chest puffed against the whipping, warm breeze. “Tattle or Skedaddle.” The male had finally announced. Jade chuckled, lowering onto his belly until his hind legs clipped comfortably against his sides. “That game..alright. Let's do this. Jairo, Tattle or--”

“To the extreme.” Kenze snipped, giving his brother a long look. “And since we have a foreigner here, I might as well explain the rules. It's only polite.” Jairo yawned once more, burying his head beneath his own paws. ..Tired. “Now I’m sure you know what the word tattle means. If someone asks you “Tattle or Skedaddle” --and you choose tattle, then you must reveal a secret. Any secret. Choose skedaddle then you have to do whatever the other wolf wants you to do in that moment. You have to. And if you refuse, we all get to nip you on the tail once.”

“I always choose skedaddle. It's the most fun.” Jade nearly snorted, coat patched with chummy leaves and stems from his previous roll around the muck. “Oh, but I advise that you don’t this time around. We each only get six tattles, and six skedaddles. If you use up all of your skedaddles, you’ll have to reveal six secrets in a row, and vice versa. And if you want more in stock, you have to do one big skedaddle. Doesn’t matter what it is, if you want more tattles or so, you have to do it.” Kenze finished, a small smile breaching his lips; revealing pointed incisors. “I’ll start us off…” He hadn’t bothered to confirm whether or not Atelia understood; confined excitement eating at his eyes. And when Jairo heard his name called, he gruffly ignored it, even shifting his head in a chuffing turn. “C’mon Jairo, you gotta play.” Jade crowed, nudging the large male by the nose. Kenze just sat, rather expectant, calm even, blazing eyes a mere trigger for the eldest’s eventual rise. “Fine. But only because I kinda want to be awake for the geyser.” He grumbled half heartedly. And once Jade circled about triumphantly, Jairo concentrated, choosing his option with relaxed ease as yet another yawn stretched his jowls.

“Tattle.”

The two quieted, curious stares impaling him through the fur. He eyed Atelia somewhat smugly, relatively unconcerned about the prospect of victory. He always ends up winning after all. “Hmm...Atelia, sorry sweetheart but you’re not the first one.” There was a moment of shock; rippling between the two yearling brothers until their jaws fell in a small gasp. “--Jade’s had many other crushes before you. He’s a player.” Jairo finished, casting a simple glance at his siblings with an inquiring spark. “What?”

“N-nothing. And who’s to say I have a crush on her!?” Jade confronted, head slumping to the ground and wide paws flopped over until they had folded his ears. He stunk of humiliation. Kenze collected himself, throat clearing and shoulders squared considerably. Jairo only hummed, sliding onto his back and letting his pasty paws fall lazily against his chest. “Tattle or Skedaddle baby bro.”

“Me?”

“No, the other one.”

“M-me?”

“Yes.”

Jade stretched, avoiding a particular, feminine gaze. And he eventually spoke, eyes edged with subtle vengeance. “Tattle.” His brother laughed softly, a rather pleasant chuckle for his odd looking expression. “This is great.” Kenze’s stare would trickle onto the female, the maiden surrounded by a bunch of dudes, the sore thumb. And he’d gift her a rather inquisitive squint of the eye, something other than a hardened scowl--for the moment.

“You’re gonna love this game.”

"..stay."

Those were the words that had escaped his mouth.

"I'll let you know my secrets when you decide to stay."

She had refrained from answering. Was she not clear with her actions? Had she not proven that she was devoted to Naeva and Nakoa? She could never leave them, not when they knew so little about survival. Surely he knew that. If she did, she would forever wake up questioning whether her brother and his mate were still alive. She had nothing but devotion and loyalty to them. Atelia was theirs. They had helped raise her while struggling on their own. Yes, often Naeva wouldn't show it, but she cared, they both did. It was a difficult world. She didn't blame them for their words of strictness. They couldn't lose one another.

Yes, Jairo strengthened her own survival. She would thrive alongside of him, but to leave her family? The thought never entered her mind. It never would, not until she knew that they would be alright. The guilt would overcome her, and she feared that she would learn to resent the brothers if she left with them.

Silence was the best answer to that statement.

Now, sitting there, her cheeks being caressed by a soft breeze, Atelia couldn't help but feel an odd sense of contentment in the moment, but the guilt remained. While Naeva and Nakoa were off ensuring the best possible survival for her and their future family, she was off.. gallivanting with her new friends. She deserved a break though, did she not? A small time away from her family before returning? She was doing this for them, wasn't she? She had learned of a new hunting spot because of Jairo.. But it wasn't Naeva and Nakoa that she helped feed. Was that not wrong? Was that not a form of betrayal? Then again, Naeva did inflict harm upon the brothers and was the sole cause of their hunger due to Jairo's damaged leg, and yet, it felt wrong.

"I fear.." She began, eyes blank and fixated on pure nothingness ahead before trailing off. Her mind had narrowed, shaking off whatever she originally planned to speak. She couldn't confide in Jairo nor the others, not so early in their friendship. It was a friendship, wasn't it? Or were they simply acquaintances? Regardless, it wasn't right on both ends. Rather, she clamped her lips together tightly, and, as if robotically, she lowered herself to her stomach, head positioned upon the paw closest to her: Jairo's.

It was a sense of comfort she was after, the guilt having overcome her for a brief moment. Just a simple touch that lasted all but a few seconds before fidgeting away, her attention having focused upon this game. "Tattle or Skedaddle," she repeated, moreso restated, the name giving away the main rules of what she assumed the game had: speak, or face a consequence. She was given confirmation from Kenze over what exactly the game was, which made sense in her mind. Well, all of it did besides the little foreigner snippet. Atelia would let it slide. Perhaps it would allow him to release some anger he felt towards her.

"Makes sense." She had to admit, the female felt an odd sense of nerves taking over. It wasn't as if she had secrets to hide, they were simply parts of her life she wished not to relive. Though, she supposed if she desired to remain learning, she had to partake in the game. In truth, she couldn't help but doubt. The brothers must know most things about one another, so was this not a ploy to uncover who she was? Then again, it was to help her learn about them in return. Regardless, she would humour them. Besides, she wished to know what deep, dark secrets the trio hid.

Nodding her head along with any words spoken, she felt like a pup being taught. "Six secrets in a row?" She spoke. By now, she must have sounded like a crow, mimicking and repeating any words she heard. It was simply for herself to remember, nothing more. "I'm ready," she chirped, ears perked and mouth slightly agape, though tone slightly hesitant. It seemed as if she weren't the only one, for even Jairo lay there, oddly lifeless and, well, a bore. Did that mean he had things to hide? Oh, her mind was whirring a mile a minute. What secret would she expose? What could she possibly tell about herself? It couldn't be anything too revealing, of course, but it needed to be enough and.. and..

Her heart stopped for when she was stared at. For a moment, she believed that she would be picked, though soon released a breath she didn't know she was holding when Jairo's name was called instead. Good riddance. This should be interesting. The female herself leaned in closer in curiosity, only for her body to tense up at the mention of her name.

Not the first one?

Her eyes shifted to Kenze and Jade, who radiated shock. Was there something they weren't telling her? What did that mean? "Not the first one." Was this a secret they didn't expect to be exposed? It was only until his sentence concluded did she let out a small "ah" in realization, only to be filled with awkwardness. Jade? A crush on her? "Why, that's very flattering." An awkward smile graced her muzzle, though her eyes spoke something else. They bore into Jairo, cursing him for putting her in such an awkward position. "Well, at least he has game. If you only listened to him properly with the fireweed earlier, you may have been more successful." in winning me over, was the remainder of that sentence, but she knew Jairo would catch on. Besides, she wanted to defend Jade's honour. It was the least she could do. He was kind to her after all.

"Whee.." She mocked with a snort, making a joke out of his earlier wording. There was no hostility in her tone, nothing but calmness. She meant no harm with her teasing. She deserved to jab at him, after all, he had been doing it to her all day. However, she felt as if she would suffer for those words, only to release yet another sigh of relief when it was not her picked next.

Kenze's eyes narrowing at her somehow made her feel worse.

Something told her he was going to reveal something she didn't wish to know.

How she hoped she was wrong.

A comforting gust whistled softly in his twitching ears, eyes fixed in a simple nictate whilst he simply drank in the tantalizing smells that came with the flush of wind. He could still feel the shift of fur sat on his paw; flesh slightly warmed by the previous chin that had rested atop it. And the fact that it was not his own, nor his brothers bulbed a feeling of begrudging contentment inside his chest. Now Jairo only observed as his young brother spoke, shoulders rolling back and head bobbed with determined confidence. Of course Jade had chosen tattle, it was only normal.--who wouldn’t want to exact revenge? It was what Atelia declared that had him spike with irritation. Concurrent to her statement, the male rocked to his stomach; a quick abrupt movement which matched the gritting light in his eyes. “Oh you have no idea what kinda game I got sweetheart.” He grinned halfheartedly, though it was less of normal content and more so calmly vexed. What a brave girl. “You’re kinda cute when you’re being mean.” He only scoffed, crashing onto his side despite his raised head. He knew what he was doing. He saw how she reacted to the reveal of Jades admiration; awkward hinges basing her small smile. So surely calling her attractive under such circumstances would evoke something interesting, –if not anger of course.

“If you guys are done flirting, I’d like to tell my tattle now.” Jade commented, eyes a feigned cold and head turned with buffering affront. “Hmph.” He glanced around before continuing. “Jairo’s got fleas.” At that, the eldest sneered, head swaying with disapproval. “Oh please, we all got fleas you chump. Or at least it's only a matter of time. You’re so predictable. I knew you were going to say some dumb shit like that.” The yearling growled at his rival, low and curt, paws smoothly thudding in addition until he was aggressively splayed across his brother's lying figure. –Forelegs hanging over his shoulder and stomach flush against Jairos back. It felt as if he were a leech. “Now Jairo’s got mange.” Although he didn’t particularly care for Jade's impish ploy, the eldest still rose; the yearling sliding from his broad shoulders and then bouncing to his paws a heartbeat later. There came a spark in Jairo’s gaze, and then the twitch of Jade’s paw. Then the chase was on. When he saw his younger sibling bolt, instinctually, he tore after him, jaws widened in a fierce grin. Normally he was good with this crap–looking after himself, but certainly not today. Although there was a slight wobble in his sprint the male successfully toppled his brother's frame with none but a swipe at his ankle, Jade’s snout wrinkled in loose dirt and mud, and then it became all the more apparent when his swiveling ears caused a minnie avalanche to tumble from its breeze sucked crevices.

“Pwah! Does that taste good? All that dirt in your mouth.” He toyed cheekily, batting the yearlings head down with a swift paw. Simultaneously, Jade hacked up the soil tainting his throat, stomach rolling in a disgusted retch. And before he could even consider an amused spectation, Kenze strolled firmly at his side, nudging him back towards the presence of rumbling geysers with an angered hiss. But he wasn’t bothered–Kenze was always angry. So when they had returned, he easily welcomed the soothing feeling of gravity; flopping over and letting the gale tug at his legs. He was closer to Atelia this time around, none but a roll would be able to close the interval. So of course he rolled. “If you move away you’re a coyote licker.” He stationed his head atop his paws, directing his gaze towards his punier little brother. Briefly that is, because the stamping of Jades paws caught his attention far faster. “You just puked up your dinner, breakfast, and lunch.”

“Breakfast and lunch?” The male had queried, to which Jairo replied. “Yea, I don’t feel like hunting tomorrow.” The skies darkened considerably, nothing but bright dots baring their fangs in an occasional shimmer. And before the two could continue their baseless mingling any further, Kenze interjected, tail flapping frustratingly against his thighs. “The game. It's your turn in the game Jade.” There was a gruff look exchanged between the two younger before Jade eventually straightened. “Jairo, tattle or skedaddle.”

“Oh come on. This isn’t a one x one.” The eldest would sigh, ignoring Kenze’s critical snares. “Skedaddle.”

“I want you to…eat that patch of grass over there!” In response, the male would only roll his eyes, lifting with creaking brawn before padding past the arch of neighboring stone and advancing upon the blades of green Jade so wished for him to consume. And he did. No problem. No problem at..all. “Mmh, tasty.” He lapped almost squeamishly at his jaws before he resumed his earlier position at Atelias side. Then, speaking over the not so subtle snickering of the reveling yearling, the male added. “Tattle or Skedaddle Kenze.” Quickly, he received a response. “Skedaddle.” Amber eyes glinted with excitement, though just as fleeting as it had appeared, it deadened just the same. “Go jump in a lake.” Ah yes, one must not forget the…indifference that was Jairo. “Well…as you can see..there are no lakes he-”

“Go find one.” Immediately Kenze stiffened, vision pelting down on his own like hail against one's flank. “Alright alright, before you murder me in my sleep–How about you just go fetch me a snack, something to wash this horrid taste down my throat.” Once the yearling reluctantly obliged, he sank into the soil, lips parted and tongue lolled out in breathy pants. “The fuck did I eat? Poison?” He turned to Jade. “Did you poison me?” With an offended gasp, the younger countered. “No! I need you alive for food. That’d be of no benefit for me.” And dammit that was a good sell. There's no way that little glutton wouldn’t mingle in food with the factor of his own life. Within a moment of composure, Jairo would shift back to the maiden at his flank, head risen and orange vision leaking coolly onto her own. “So when do I gotta take you home?” His tone was candied, eyes slanted but lips almost peeled in a smirk that he knew she’d hate. “Don’t wanna get another leg broken, do I?” A dreary looking rodent slumped at his paws, tossed from Kenze’s capable jaws. And although it looked less than appetizing, he still wolfed it down, eyeing the dame rather cheekily. “You didn’t think I’d share did you? How embarrassing.” He rose in a brief stretch, joints popping in a satisfying crack which had his ears fluttering reflexively. “Alright, who’s next?” His brother smirked, scruff fanning out unruly due to his steadied shake. “Atelia.”

“Tattle or Skedaddle.”

As Kenze began whatever antagonizing comment he had stowed away beneath his tongue, Jairo huffed, tail waving similar to a banner immersed in a strong breeze. He subconsciously picked at his pelt, hind leg shifting in a quick movement to scratch the folds behind his ear. She really did seem unsettled at the prospect of fleas. And of course he hadn’t cared much for earlier accusations, but when your interest takes the other side in the controversy, how could he not feel a bit self-conscious? Nonetheless, the male blanked his face, briefly recalling the short moment she had engaged in a sort of..banter with him. That had to count for something, right? Damn, had he remembered it being this hard? It's come to a point where he’s felt happy about being called an elk. And then there's the little factor of time. How long could she keep this up/–The little front she’s been displaying recently; acting as if she’s not interested. Hah, at first he simply complied with her wishes, but now it's become tiring. He fixed his gaze on her, vision deadening with impatience. How long is she gonna play hard to get? So when she eventually revealed her tattle after a bout of tripping words, he almost jerked to his paws, gaze crackling inquisitively.

“Three lives lost?” He nearly sighed, head waved in what would be a knowing shake before he advanced further upon her petite frame. “How interesting.” He declared, a minor grin snaking its way across his jowls. “ Is that why you’re acting so stubborn?” Amber eyes lightened in sync with the mocking laughter that rumbled soundly from Kenze’s jaws. Jade merely slunk to his stomach, stifling himself from joining in. “So you lost a wolf or two, so what? You don’t have to pretend that you have any actual ties to thing number one and two.” He chuckled breezily, his own ego egging him on. “You don’t have to pretend like you’re not interested.” Confidently, the male flicked a paw gently against her shoulder as some sort of solace, shortly after, turning to his two brothers whilst the night enshrouded his shaded pelage. “Anyways, I choose tattle. And just to get this over and done with– I’ve got plenty of personal experience when it comes to survival.. Though that isn’t much of a secret, is it?” His eyes glinted lackadaisically, voice honeyed and sporting a flirtatious ghost. One of the yearlings, Kenze, seemed to be ripping at the grassy flora with excitement, hackles raised with bristled anticipation. Jairo only rolled his eyes at this, shoulders high in a shrug as his siblings name rang casually from his parted jaws. “Your turn Kenze.”

The yearling toggled to his paws, unsteady gaze tweaking between Jairo and Atelia that struck the male curious. “You’re making this too easy.” Kenze purred, eyeing the maiden with cunning wit. At that, the eldest snorted, flicking the dust off his claws only for it to later embed into the loose, inviting earth seconds later. “Speaking of losses….I say Jairo knows a lot more about that topic than he lets on.” He later adds after a fierce, but edgy glare. “That was a tattle by the way.” His brother stared at him, vision steady and all the more unnerving. “What’re you on about baby bro.” He said as a comment of dismissal, tassel whipping at his hips cautiously. After an unanswered, tense silence partook of the calm air, he turned towards Atelia, seating himself with gathering assertiveness. “S’all right. He’s probably throwing some sort of tantrum again.” A sudden whine from Jade elicited perked ears, prompting a shift of head and then bored eyes which began to analyze the skinny yearling's seething features. “Don’t do it dude.”

But he did it anyway, or at least Jairo thought he did. “Tantrum?” He spat. “The only tantrum I’ve seen is you acting like a weak fool whenever that girl over there speaks like I care for her opinion.” The eldest blinked, breath exhaled and smooth in contrast to the heated padding of his paws as he advanced on his brother in a slow slink. But a body halted at his claws, Jade’s figure cowering before him with ears pinned tightly against his skull, his gaze held something similar to entreatment and determination. And it became clear that he wouldn’t allow Jairo to pass without some sort of confrontation. So the eldest sighed, glancing up at the fury that was Kenze and uttering none but two phrases. “You wanna say that again, or are you finished?” But Kenze smirked, feathering the soil with a tracing nail. What's this? “Come to collect your pound of flesh?” Much softer he added. “Just like you did to her?” His innards nearly stilled, none but the flickering of his ear casted as movement outside of the rushing wind. “That was also a tattle” Jade would swerve towards his grinning sibling, eyes not only confused, but terribly nervous to boot. “That's not how the game works–” – “It is now. I pick myself..again.” His eyes flit towards Atelia with interest. “Did you know Jairo had a mate?”

A warning growl erupted from the male, and he’d attempt to bypass Jade only to be stopped again by his submissive form. “She won’t care about that. That was a long time ago.” Jairo spoke, head no longer raised, but slung low with lips curled and eyes which were smoked with menace. “But I think she’d be glad to know what you did to her.” The yearling declared rather curtly, blinking softly in tune with his hum of words. This time Jairo stiffened, growls coming to a halt and something much more sinister bouncing carelessly about his vision. “I pick myself.” He almost smirked, head cocked with feigned serenity. “You threaten me foolishly but seem to forget what you said to Reed the day they left.” At that, Jade perked, fumbling his paws from his head and lifting his body with hesitant curiosity. “Mhm.” He continued without any falter. “Told him not to bother coming back. And you wonder why he didn't. Even took mother with him.” Kenze scoffed. “Oh please, they’d never leave their children over something like that.” But it was too late. Jade had already stumbled to the side, eyes switching with conflicted emotions; limbs taut with stress. Jairo didn’t bother comforting his sibling, not at this moment anyway. With his passage way open, he slid towards the brown furred yearling, relishing the way he immediately tilted away from him with uncertainty. So Jairo sat in front of him at a close proximity, daring him to say more. But the brave idiot squeaked it out anyways, despite his slight shrink, he sought the gaze of Atelia who stood only a foot away. And being reminded of her presence, her witnessing all of this crap, he felt his chest burn...with rage.

“She trusted you and you betrayed her in the worst way.” Jairo shoved him with a strong bunt of his head. Kenze collapsed but quickly scrambled to his paws.

“You proclaimed how in love you both were, how you’d never harm her.”

Push

“So she finally led you to her den a few weeks later”

Shove

“We could all smell it, her pups who whined eagerly for their mother.”

Growl

He paused for a moment, picking himself up for the fifth time and allowing a shaky grin to stain his lips. “And you killed them.” Not knowing what else to say, Jairo snarled, flinching back towards Atelia and demanding her to stay put with none but a glance. “So?” He uttered bitterly after meeting his brother’s eyes

“So?” Kenze bit at air.

“So you murdered her family! Worst of all, you did it behind her back. And the worst, worst, worst of all, you had me and Jade join in.” He chuckled lowly. “Tell her why you did it.” Jairo tried to interrupt but Kenze screamed. “Tell her why!” So slowly, he gazed back at Atelia, an unreadable expression eating at his features. “I wanted her for myself.” Kenze threw himself at Jairo’s side. “Still interested? –Or should I add in something else. There's a lot more where that came from.” He scowled, projecting his emotions and attention onto the outsider, Atelia.

“Oh! And guess what his little pet name for her was. Sweetheart. So I guess you’re next.” This time, Jairo simply could not contain himself, the pent up fury he had slid to the back of his throat became overstocked. Really overstocked. So he leapt at his younger sibling. Before Jade could guide him away, before he had to witness another arrogant smirk at his lips, and before he could see Atelia cowering away in disgust. Kenze yelped in surprise, head thudding against the ground with rough contact. He could tell the yearling expected him to stop there, but he swiped his claws quick across his face in anger. And when Kenze’s eyes eventually opened, blinking away the blood, a moment of fear enveloped his previous sneer, his everything. “Leave.” Jairo uttered, tone a display of wintry, quiet wrath. “But-”

“Go.”

“But Jairo–”

“Leave now!” The male roared, baring his fangs with wild eyes. So his brother scrambled frantically to his paws, dashing off into the canopied trees ahead; tail brushing his underbelly with fright. Afterwards, Jairo wasted no time in snatching Jade by the nape, snapping him out of his daze and beckoning for him to follow. But before he completely left the scene, he sauntered up to the dame, so close that if he blew a hard breath, it’d reach her nose within a second. “You’re of no use to me now. But just for the hell of it, I’ll keep in touch.” His voice held no warmth, no light hearted tease, if anything it resembled getting slapped with a brick. He’d slink away before she could react with tooth or claw; he knew her well enough to guess. And if she chose to proceed with words, he wouldn’t hear her, just the thrumming of his own heart. And as he and the silent Jade dispersed into the opposite tree line, right on time, the geyser erupted, rumbling softly as if nature was angry at his decision, his treatment.

But why should he care?