❛ UNBOUND

         AT FIRST HE SAID NOTHING, just stared for a minute or two before breaking the lock between their gazes, opting to examine a deep tear down his upper-arm instead.  ❝ No one looks like that when they’re ‘FINE,’ but whatever, ❞  Fenrir noted, perhaps the slightest hint in his voice that he MIGHT care  ( if only for a second ).  The wound on his arm had stopped bleeding a while ago, still a NASTY thing wide enough that it would scar if not tended to with proper care — a good cleanse and stitches could do the trick, but he didn’t seem too CONCERNED.  ❝ I suppose I’m not surprised that you’re so SENSITIVE about someone seeing you in this state. Why does it even matter?  Do you consider it a sign of WEAKNESS? ❞  He pulled his tattered, bloody shirt over his head, then carelessly tossed it onto the floor, inspecting his chest for further lacerations.  ❝ Where I’m from, WAR herself weeps gold — one time she told me that tears were the body’s rain, that from PAIN comes growth. Take that as you will. ❞  If asked if he were trying to be encouraging or consoling, the wolf would surely argue that he offered the sentiment SELFISHLY, just for peace and quiet.

         ❝ WHAT NEXT?  Are you going to make us BFF bracelets?  Give me a break. ❞  He didn’t like what he considered a half-assed CORRELATION, the assumption that aligned with the views of the GODS who condemned him when he was just a pup — everyday he fought to prove them WRONG, hoped to make their ignorance apparent. Shuffling in his seat, thoughts of the ÆSIR disintegrating already, he pulled at the shirt decorating his broad physique.  ❝ Seems like you’re quick to jump to INACCURATE conclusions, ❞  Fenrir retorted, then let the fabric go,  ❝ Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to judge a book by its cover?  You fooled YOURSELF. ❞  It was like he purposefully made his company UNDESIRABLE, using rudeness and rancor as repellant — the wolf’s way of SPARING those around him, by warding them away.  ❝ Fascinating. You must be so PROUD. ❞  Should he care about her feats?  ❝ Instead of this little attempt at BONDING, or whatever it is you’re trying to do, can we discuss what’s ACTUALLY important?  You’re worried about hunters, I’m NOT — We can stay in this city or continue on to somewhere else. DECIDE. ❞  

         ❝ I’ll tell you a single fact and that’s it — I have TWO SONS, Hati and Sköll. One chases Máni, the moon, and the other chases Sól, the sun. In other words, I haven’t seen them in a very, VERY long time. ❞  Even if he’d tried, masking the SORROW in his voice would have been impossible.  ❝ Enough about me. I’m sure you’re DYING to talk about yourself, so you mays well get to it, REFR. ❞  

         ❝ NO — I’M BEING REALISTIC. ❞  His gaze followed the circular motion of her hand and he breathed in, lungs filling with a mix of too many scents to count, then exhaled — just one method of achieving a CALMER mind, though it only worked every so often. With that done, Fenrir was SETTLED again, but still just a spark away from giving in to his true nature  ( LIKE ALWAYS ).  ❝ You’re not going to lose anything, ❞  he huffed, ready to scoot out of the booth that accentuated his large stature,  ❝ If they show up, they’ll be torn to SHREDS before you can blink. Remember who you’re with. ❞  For a second the wolf looked SMUG, just a glimpse at his fatal flaw — pride.  ❝ So come on, let’s go. You can continue your YAPPING while we walk. ❞