[ P ] Us and Them

Running
against the wind

Níl luibh ná leigheas in aghaidh an bháis.


His mother’s words swirled within his skull. She had always been a wise wolfess, folksy and rustic – a true Highlander, even if she didn’t look the part with her white fur. Finch certainly didn’t look much like the ‘traditional’ Highlander, himself.


Blythe had always used the ancient phrases of their ancestors to teach Finch and his brother lessons. When he was still a kid, Finch had thought they were funny, nothing more than old words from long-dead wolves. But now he was older, and the words rang different in his consciousness:


Níl luibh ná leigheas in aghaidh an bháis.


He walked on large paws, almost an adult… again. Hopefully this time, it would stick. He knew the meaning of the words, but had never considered their depth, their true meaning. But war was coming. Any day now, the conflicts would begin. Would they all happen in the southern lands? Or would the brutality spread to the Highlands. The cause was just and noble, and Finch was prepared for whatever came next.


He spoke the words out loud to no one and to nothing: ”Níl luibh ná leigheas in aghaidh an bháis. And then, he uttered the phrase once more -- or rather, it's meaning, in a sinister voice: “There’s no remedy or cure against death.”


@Gwydion

Gwydion Kinnaird

It had been some time since he'd seen Finch. He was just coming back from checking in on his mother at home and he'd spotted the other male walking through the woods. He didn't catch what he'd muttered, but he'd heard the familiar voice and quickly moved to greet his friend. "Finch!" he said gleefully, his tail wagging in the air. He paused a moment as he realized it didn't seem like Finch was in the best of moods. "Hey, what's up?" he asked curiously.

Was he still upset about his aging dilemma or was it something else? Gwydion impatiently waited for an answer as he looked his friend over.

Whatever it was, hopefully Gwydion could help. He had his own problems right now with a sick mother and wayward siblings but that didn't mean he didn't have time for other things.

@Finch

template © bean

Lost to his thoughts, he didn’t pay much attention to where he was going, or who might be near. The boy looked up with the sudden jerk of his head as another approached, Finch scarcely noticing the excitement his friend displayed upon their random meeting. His face remained serious and severe. ”Gwydion.”

There was no simple answer to the question posed — Finch scarcely understood what was happening, himself, only that it was a big deal. With a grumbling, low voice, he said, ”I overheard others speaking of a protest in the Mainlands,” he scoffed. ”My mother wants to go, wants me to go.” The look on Finch’s face suggested he was not entirely enthusiastic about this idea, and the huge wolf shifted his weight where he stood. ”What do you know of it?“

Gwydion Kinnaird

Gwydion stilled as Finch spoke his name so seriously. His tail stopped wagging and he watched him cautiously for a second; he was definitely upset about something and the fox-like boy didn't have to wait for long to figure out what it was. Apparently there was to be a protest in the Mainlands and his mother was going, wanted him to go too... Gwydion's ears perked a little and he thought perhaps that could be fun and maybe he'd show up if he were feeling particularly bored. He didn't know much about politics but wouldn't it be funny to see his brother's face if he were there, having to sit by and watch while the people spoke their truths? The thought was amusing to him to say in the least and so he decided in that moment he would attend...

"No, I hadn't heard of it until just now... are you thinking of going? I will, just to see what it's all about." he said.

@Finch

template © bean

Running
against the wind

"No, I hadn't heard of it until just now... are you thinking of going? I will, just to see what it's all about." Gwydion spoke with a youthful nonchalance that Finch found frustrating, and he did nothing to hide this from his stern countenance. How could Gwydon be so unconcerned? His features hardened, and his sapphire sights turned sharply away from Gwydion, into the gnarled branches overhead. ”I hardly see the point in attending,” he offered curtly.


The enormous brute stood with muscles taut, as if he were prepared to defend himself if any attacker should be watching in that moment; the male was looking particularly wild. He was frustrated that his mother wanted to go at all, and Finch snorted, tail flicking in irritation. ”I don’t want to be anywhere near those Mainlanders.” He spoke the final word with obvious derision. ”Trying to reason with them is like trying to reason with a boulder. Waste of time. Protesting is not how this will end,” he stated ominously.



@“gwydion”

Gwydion Kinnaird

Finch didn't see the point in attending and frankly, Gwydion didn't either but he was mildly interested in seeing how it all played out. He'd never been to a protest before so why not start now? His ears flicked back as Finch continued, saying he didn't want to be anywhere near the Mainlanders and that protesting would not be how it ended. He wasn't sure what the other male meant by that but it seemed rather ominous. "O-Okay, well you definitely don't have to go if you don't want to." he said. It wasn't like anyone was forcing him to.

It was weird, his friend seemed like a completely different person right now. The first time they'd met he'd been more... spunky and playful, since he'd failed to age last year he'd been in a sort of mood that Gwydion could not explain. He was brooding, serious... not fun at all. The fox-colored boy hummed softly and shrugged his shoulders. "Well... I should head out. Don't have too much fun without me," he said a little uneasily. With that, he turned and trotted back off into the forest from whence he came.

[ gwydion exits ]

@Finch

template © bean

Running
against the wind

Blue eyes were still narrowed as Gwydion seemed to stumble over his words. There was obvious tension between the two boys, despite the time they had spent working together in the forest, ridding the wealthy of their bounty. ”I’m not,” he muttered stubbornly, glaring harshly at the dirt before his forepaws.


Moments later, Gwydion found an excuse to leave Finch to his brooding. Perhaps this was for the best. Clearly, Gwydion did not understand what was at stake. His sights lifted from the earth to watch the the other’s departure. His gaze softened into a frown, and Finch shook his head ruefully. ”Be careful out there,” he said in a hushed voice, perhaps too quietly for his friend to even hear as he left the scene.


[exit]


@Gwydion