[ P ] Too Close for Comfort

Kestrel's ears turned to focus on the nearby birdsong whilst he tried to predict what Lorcan may try next. The sound was so beautiful... yet, something about it seemed different this time. It was like everything faded into the background, a sudden realisation sinking in; if anyone found out the truth, he may lose his precious freedom, and moments like these could become nothing more than a distant memory. He didn't want it to end like this.

Suddenly, Lorcan's words cut through his thoughts like a knife, dragging him back to reality. The larger wolf took a few steps closer, causing Kestrel to try to edge away a little. Glancing to one side, he could see that there weren't enough obstacles nearby for him to easily outmanoeuvre the other, so he didn't fancy his chances at running, but interrogation really didn't seem much better. When his half-blind gaze met Lorcan's amber eyes, he suddenly felt so... helpless. 'Deep breaths,' he thought, shifting his gaze to the ground. 'They can't prove it.' At least, he didn't think they could. Either way, panicking wasn't going to help him.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted yet again as Lorcan continued to speak, this time proposing an offer; he could get out of this by simply handing over half of what he had. Kestrel glanced up once more, suddenly a little confused. 'This was all just a ploy for free food...?' He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or aggrieved. Knowing the offer was a misuse of authority, part of him was reluctant to give in, but it was also a valuable opportunity that he may regret not taking. It felt like... blackmail. Looking down at the meat, Kestrel gave a short sigh, considering his options.

"So you are just a scavenger..," he commented, referring to his earlier accusation. As much as he didn't want to give anything up, he didn't want to risk the consequences of declining the offer, either. He took a couple of steps forwards, reaching down and tearing a chunk off the meat. After splitting it into rough halves, he carefully placed one of the chunks in front of Lorcan's paws. "Now will you leave me alone?"

The portions looked small on their own, but how much food he had left was the least of his concerns. He knew the other wolf could quite easily take it by force, so he felt lucky to be left with any at all. Besides, his freedom was worth far more to him than a few pieces of meat. He just hoped Lorcan would follow through with his end of the deal. Picking up his own share of the food, Kestrel took a couple of steps back, hoping to create a bit of distance. He still didn't want to let his guard down just yet.

This all is hardly worth the trouble. Before him is a hungry teenage boy who may or may not have stolen his breakfast, very likely just some urchin who knows no other way to survive. Even so, Lorcan reserves no pity for him, not enough to set him free without a price. So the brute strikes a deal, leveraging his status. There is nowhere to run, no easy escape routes, and by the look in the youth's eyes, he knows it just as well.

Surely he values his freedom over a few measly scraps, and in this moment, those scraps appeal much more to Lorcan than enforcing order. Rionnach's laws mean little to him, the Crown even less. He did not sign up out of passion or duty or honor, but out of a desperate need for purpose. A fruitless pursuit.

If he can't find what he needs to feel whole, he might as well at least fill his stomach.

The youth sighed and said, "So you are just a scavenger..."

"Not a scavenger, but an opportunist," stated Lorcan. He survived this long by taking when the opportunity presents itself. Before him is a ripe opportunity. Meeting that half-blind gaze, the brute's eyes narrow and his voice lowers, "Remember, I could take everything from you if I wanted." A fair warning to mind his tongue, if he wants to keep his freedom and his life. Lorcan felt he was being quite fair, generous even, but that could change as easily as the tides.

The boy does take the deal. He splits the meat into two and presents one of the halves to Lorcan. It isn't much, not at all. "Now will you leave me alone?" The words sound petulant to Lorcan's ears, which flick back in agitation.

Very well. If the whelp wants to whine, he can go hungry. A curl of the brute's lip reveals pronounced fangs. "Leave the rest of what you've got and get out of my sight," demands Lorcan. With a forward lunge and a snap of his jaws, he snarls, "Before I chew the sinew off your bones."

@Kestrel

he wears the smell of blood and death like a perfume
there is fire in his eyes and ice in his veins
he is a star, burning with the light of a thousand suns

Everything felt tense as Kestrel took a couple of steps back, carrying his share of the meat between his teeth. He was beginning to lose his patience, and it seemed likely he wasn't the only one, but all that was on his mind right now was taking what little food he had left and leaving this all behind. He decided to glance up to see if Lorcan was satisfied at last, but when he lifted his gaze, his ears suddenly dropped back with unease as he was instead met with a glimpse of large, pointed teeth. Perhaps he wouldn't be getting away quite so easily, after all...

It lasted for only a moment before Lorcan made his next demand, telling him to leave the rest of his meat and get out of sight. Before Kestrel could even react, the larger wolf lunged forwards, causing him to drop the meat and fall into a defensive stance, his eyes wide in fear. Powerful jaws snapped shut right in front of him, followed by a snarl and a threat that couldn't possibly be ignored. Kestrel gave a quick nod, wasting no time in scrambling away and making a run for the trees.

He didn't dare look back, his paws carrying him as fast as they could across the forest floor. The situation had escalated so quickly... he could hardly process it all. Now that his food was gone, it was likely he would go hungry tonight, but none of that mattered to him anymore; he just wanted to get away and find somewhere safe to hide where he could collect his thoughts. Wherever that may be, he wasn't about to stop until he was far beyond the reaches of Yorkshire.

(Exit)

(@Lorcan)