Moving On (Tagged)

[Blood]

Vile Chaos

Zeus;

The air seemed cleaner, fresher, and simply more breathable. Maybe it was because he was no longer down in that small clearing that had seemed to press so much weight on his chest. He was no longer chained down to anything, nothing was holding him back except a small love string that tied him to his sister and nephew. It wasn't a rope, just a small connection that was attached to his heart. They would always be connected to him, but he was no longer bound to anything down in that valley. He had left it all behind, and he was stepping onto higher ground, moving on to a new places.

Zeus glanced down at the wolf beside him, his larger strides forced him to slow down so that his friend could keep up. The slope wasn't that steep, but it was steep enough that you had to stop and catch your breath once in awhile. That wasn't a complaint though, the hillside was starting to bloom with the spring sunshine spreading its warmth and leaving patches of almost completed melted snow. It was gorgeous, and the smell of spring was in the air, adding to the feeling of newness that had lifted Zeus' spirit. He stopped his trek up the slop and turned back around to face the expanse of valley that stretched out to the horizon. With a slow deep inhale of fresh mountain air, Zeus closed his eyes and tilted his head towards the sky to soak up the warmth of the sun. He just wanted to live in the bliss and freedom of this moment forever, nothing to stop him, nothing that dragged him down with responsibility, but in the back of his head, he knew he couldn't do that. He knew that wasn't the purpose of his life. He knew there was more expected of him, more worth placed on his life to just live in his own pleasure. Would he submit to his own voice, or sacrifice for the greater purpose.

Zeus didn't want to deal with that right now, he wanted to welcome the spring with open paws.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

Yay, spring. A time of new beginnings after the dreadful end. When the blossoms bloom, and the pollen makes you sneeze. One more season until the long awaited summer, with its warm sun and aura of uncontrolled happiness. Oh, Rato can’t wait until summer. It was the warmest and the best of all the seasons, in the small boy’s opinion. The ability to soak in the amazing sun and sleep all day without a worry for prey is what he lived for. Naps and food. It was all that mattered to him, and he was convinced nothing will change his mind.

The two wolves had been walking for quite a while now, long enough for the season to change up on them. Rato personally tired of all the hiking, but to the spot Zeus said possessed the most heat mattered more than achy bones. And Rato didn’t mind the company, not one bit. The towering man was fun to be around, and talk to. He half expected the large man to pick up and leave when he had the chance. It made him feel something when he didn’t. But let’s not delve too deep into that right now.

“Spring is my second favorite season,” Rato commented conversationally. He found it easy to spit nonsense around Zeus for an odd reason. “care to guess my first?” He added with a a small smirk up at the larger man. Haha, it was summer. Obviously.

[Blood]

Zeus;

With his eyes closed and nose stuck into the wind, Zeus breathed in deadly, is chest expanding with the fresh air. He slowly let it out and relished in the peaceful sunny moment until it was interrupted by Rato’s voice. Maybe it was just the harsh scratchiness of it, or just that it cut him of from the peaceful silence that he was enjoying, but an annoyed glare made its way in the direction of the other wolf. Zeus was convinced that the only time Rato was silent was if he was sleeping, or dead. The crazy thought put a grin on the large male as he raised his brow to his friend’s question.

“Ooo, sounds like such a challenge.” Zeus cooed sarcastically. With Rato’s utter love of napping it was hard to not think of any other season but summer. “Hmm, pretty sure it’s winter.” He winked at Rato before turning away and trotting a little ways off. He hopped onto a rock half embedded in the side of the slope. He balanced on it before leaping to another slightly larger rock, his claws scraped against the stone making a chalky sound. His muscles activated as he sprung to yet another boulder that was much larger and much further away. His body arched through the air and he landed with a little skid onto the large flat surface of the rock. A satisfied smile lit his face as he walked a circle around the space before standing at the edge and looking down at Rato. His claws gripped the edge as he leaned out a bit, stretching his shoulders. He hadn’t done too much physical activities in awhile and it got him itching to climb another mountain or fight a bear.

“You look smaller than I remember.” Zeus teased as he let his tongue catch the fresh air with an open smile. “You going to join me up here or not?” He dropped his chest to the ground and stuck his rear into the sky, stretching his shoulders back the other way before he dropped his rump and took another deep breath as he lay down.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

His face scrunched up at Zeus's sarcasm. They both know the season is summer, because why not. It's sunny and warm and anywhere is a place to nap in summer if you try hard enough. He once fell asleep on a mound of rocks because the sun hit that spot just right and he was in no mood to move the rocks. "Haha," Rato replied before watching the large man climb the rocks.

Ooh, was he attractive. Nice and big, with muscles to make up for his own lack thereof. Rato almost didn't hear his friend call out, he was to distracted by appearances amongst other things. You know, that was the weird thing about himself. He was born a girl, which did NOT work out in his favor, and now he's gay? Strange, how the world chose to make him.

After recovering from that, he stuck a tongue out at the large man. "Oh really? Maybe I've just shrunk to the size of my namesake," He sneered before climbing up to sit beside Zeus. Climbing was actually one of the things he was good at. He grew up in the mountains, where the looming threat of causing an avalanche was evident. Here, it's just a couple of pebbles compared to home. It was kind of pitiful to look at. Plus, the view back at home was a lot better than this. It was measly in comparison, much like how he was compared to his friend. That didn't bother him much, though. People tend to underestimate how much of an annoyance he could be. Rato manages to even annoy himself enough, he just tunes his nasally voice out.

He stretched out his small bones before letting out a small yawn. Laying down near Zeus, Rato tilted his head towards his companion. What to talk about? "You know, now seems like the perfect time to take a nap," He commented before his navy eyes searched for Zeus's electric. "but I won't," That's as considerate as the scrawny man will be. Outwardly, at least. Rato's soul is a lot nicer than his tongue.

[Blood]

Zeus;

Zeus watched Rato who seemed transfixed by his little stunt act and it made the corners of his mouth sharpen a little bit more. Rato didn’t seem quite happy with the joke that Zeus threw at him because his little blue tongue stuck out at him which made the gray male laugh and let his own tongue hang out more. The kid was a master at playing with jokes, but he probably wasn’t used to being on the receiving end. He scowled at Zeus before trotting over and climbing up the boulder. Agile and lithe, Zeus watched his steps and was impressed with how light on his feet he was. He did say he was from a mountain region, so he was probably used to climbing rocks.

He came and took a seat next to Zeus and the larger male looked up at Rato with an expression that was teasing yet kind of flirty, “Not bad kid.” Rato stretched his slick body and lay down close to Zeus’ side. Zeus looked out at the beautiful landscape to keep from staring at the lean curves of his traveling companion. A cute little yawn came from Rato before he commented about naps, again. This made Zeus chuckle, “What a shame. Because that’s exactly what I was going to do.” He leaned over and shoved his shoulder at Rato to push him over before rolling over on his back and sticking his paws in the air. “I can’t imagine you’d turn down a nap.”

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

The man complimented Rato, which made him all fuzzy inside. That was against his character, so he was quick to put an end to it. He wasn't one to feel fuzzy things. He was the great and irritating rat, and no happy feelings will escape his snarky clutches. Plus, he was about 99% sure Zeus only thought of the scrawny boy as an annoying travel buddy and not anything more. It hurt, but Rato will manage. "Hmph," He only grunted in response.

The next statement from Zeus made the boy pause. The large man was going to take a nap? Oh my god, he felt like a proud hus— I mean father. Rato didn't let that show, though. Instead, his put on another mask of annoyance. Zeus bumped his shoulder before putting his paws in the air. Rato's own navy eyes zeroed in on the other man's face. "I was trying to be considerate and stay awake to chat, but I guess not," He commented before closing his eyes.

Most doubt how fast the rat can fall asleep, which is the wrong move. He can turn his brain on and off like an expert. But, to be honest, Rato kind of wanted Zeus to wake him up. He liked talking to him. That is the last time you'll ever hear he likes something more than napping.

Just for fun, though, the scrawny boy took his tail and whacked Zeus. He didn't know where he hit (his eyes were closed, remember?) but he hoped that was enough to get Zeus talking.

[Blood]

Zeus;

As expected, Rato didn’t take the compliment with a thank you, but instead a grumble. Honestly, Zeus was expecting more, maybe a sarcastic reply, but nope, just a grumble. Zeus looked over at his friend and found him staring straight into his own eyes. Rato made his case, but Zeus just rolled his eyes in disbelief. “Considerate? Since when did the Mighty Nap Lord hold conversation higher than a chance to nap?” Rato’s eyes closed, apparently he wasn’t waisting any time to start napping. Zeus gave another soft chuckle before rolling back over and standing up, he took a few steps in a half circle before finding a good spot and plopping down. He was facing the smaller wolf and one of his back paws touched Rato’s side. He glanced over at the sleeping male before closing his own eyes and sighing deeply. Their long travel had definitely taken more out of him than he had originally expected. He should probably get back to training. Could maybe teach the kid a few moves too to build up his strength and agility. That might be fun. They could find a river or body of water and brake some ice before it all melted away. Ice hopping was the best way to tone any muscle in the body, plus there was nothing like a fresh bath when it came to falling in the freezing cold water.

Zeus was in the middle of his sleepy day-dreaming when he felt a soft tap of Rato’s tail on his hip. One of his eyes peaked open to look at his “sleeping” companion, but there was no sign of intentionality on Rato’s face. Zeus still grinned and lifted his paw to trap the furry blue tail underneath it. He closed his eyes again and continued his day-dreaming until he fell asleep.

A chill breeze ruffled through Zeus’ fur and he drifted slowly out of his deep sleep. His electric blue eyes opened to find a beautiful dusk sky spread out above them with indigos and purples spiraled together creating a masterpiece. Several stars poked through the atmosphere and sparkled their greeting from their distant perches. Zeus raised his head and looked up, stretching his neck as his nose pointed to the crescent moon that gave off a very faint glow. Another breeze hit his face and the scent of coyote was evident. There was probably a pack nearby, the territory they were in wasn’t exactly claimed by wolves, so it would be free range for any other animals. Zeus was suddenly glad Rato was with him and not on his own. He looked down at the smaller wolf while he slept, and for the first time Zeus was able to appreciate the colors and design of his brown and blue pelt. His eyes traced the circles of ombré colors on his face and tail and a small smile crept at his lip.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

Yup, this is what he gets for trying to be nice. He was called Mighty Nap Lord, which he might take up on as his actual title. It described him perfectly, and no one will tell him otherwise, not even his friend. "Since he got someone to talk to," Rato countered, slightly nervous. Really, the only reason he took naps besides it was nice was because it filled the void of social interaction. He's been on his own for many seasons now, and he didn't want to waste this time to chat for once with a nap. He can always nap later. Zeus made sure of that when he yanked Rato out of his thoughts by trapping his tail with his paw before curling up beside him. The brush of their fur sent a fuzzy feeling through the scrawny male. He drifted off into sleep with a small, genuine smile on his face.

Another impressive skill Rato has was waking up on command. After experiencing a dream he'd rather not explore into he opened his eyes wide awake. The sky was a lavender purple, the stars waking up with him. Lifting his head groggily, he turned to see Zeus's electric eyes on him. They stood out in the dark sky, making the boy nervous for an unknown reason. So, he turned the energy on his companion. "And what are you looking at?" He asked, raising his head to look at Zeus, taking in his muscles and build. He stuck his tongue out, a sly smile matching the larger man's own. Standing up to stretch out his weary bones, he flicked an ear towards his buddy.

"Best nap I've ever had," He commented before looking up at the sky again. He didn't really catch the double meaning behind it, so he didn't blush (if he could) and act super awkward. He was just... Rato, himself.

[Blood]

Zeus;

A flutter of nervousness popped into Zeus' stomach when Rato woke up and caught him in his staring act. His dark blue eyes reflected the purple of the sky and Zeus tried to swallow the flutter away. He didn't want to make it obvious that he was nervous so he put on his cool face and jumped back into his sarcastic game to throw off the scent trail. "A tree. Uhh, you. Obviously." He made a little "duh" face at Rato while he was getting a tongue poked out at him. Zeus hoped that Rato didn't notice anything that would make him think that Zeus.... No, he didn't. How could he ever think that.

Rato was the first to stand and stretch, his full height was just a little taller than Zeus laying down. He was definitely a short boi. Zeus quickly turned away and stood up because of the close proximity they were still at and also because he couldn't keep a tight grip on his emotions with Rato's sleek form stretching in front of him. A few steps away Zeus violently shook out his fur and wagged his tail in the air, sending some dust and leaves falling to the ground. Shaking out his pelt helped clear his head too and he pranced to the edge of the boulder and looked out over the land that was sinking into darkness.

"It was very refreshing. Now are you ready to explore? I kinda want to chase down a coon or catch some cold fish in the oasis." Zeus breathed in a deep breath of the cool night air. It was still spring and the temperatures dropped significantly at night. They grass would be covered in frost by morning. "What do you think?" Zeus didn't bother to look behind him, but his ears were tilted to catch what Rato might say.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

Flattery wasn't the only thing boiling in his blood when Zeus confirmed his question. What Rato didn't know is that Zeus felt the exact same thing, the fuzzy and warm feeling whenever crap like that happened. "Well am I sexy or somethin'?" He asked, knowing full well that the answer was yes. It was like that song 'I'm sexy and I know it', and Rato knew it. He was just curious on how Zeus would answer the question. Did he think the lean male sexy? Or was he just the scrawny boy in his eyes? Rato would jump off this rock if the latter was true.

At the suggestion to do stuff, he groaned. "I think I want to climb some more. That really gets my blood pumping." He answered, throwing his ideas out there. To be honest, he wouldn't be mad if they hunted or did stuff normal Rato wouldn't do. It was with Zeus, and he was pretty cute. Of course, as a friend would say to another friend because Rato definitely didn't have—

Shut up, we all know you do. You're just afraid that he won't like you back. The rat caught up with the large man, studying his grey-turned-back fur in the dusk air. What a predicament this boy has caught himself in, hmm? "But I wouldn't mind doing anything else," He put out there, just to let Zeus know. His blue tail flicked towards him with a sly smile. Yeah, he probably wouldn't.

[Blood]

Zeus;

Caught very off guard, Zeus froze for a split second when Rato made that comment. Zeus tried so hard not to hesitate with his answer, but he wasn't exactly thinking fast enough. If he said no, 1) Rato seemed a little self-conscious and would probably be hurt, 2) Zeus would be lying because Rato did look pretty sexy in that particular lighting. However, if he said yes, then Rato would start assuming things that Zeus didn't want him to start assuming... because they were probably true. Well crap, there went two seconds of hesitantly staring at the other wolf with an expression that was mostly shock, because that comment seemed to come out of nowhere.

"Jeez kid! Whatever you say." Zeus shrugged it off and tried to look smooth about it. At least he felt okay with his answer, hopefully Rato was okay with it too.

"Climbing..." Zeus let the word tumble around in his head for a bit, "I could get behind that idea." He looked down at the short boi beside him and raised his chin and brow in curiosity. "Tell me about your climbing experience, amateur, pro? There seems to be a deeper root you're hinting at than just exercising." Zeus was very keen on remembering that Rato had mentioned growing up in the mountain region. "I mean if you want, we can start making out way along the boarders of the Barrens and to the White Wolf Mountain." Zeus' nose pointed out to the right along the horizon and it slowly followed the dark hills and peaks until it stopped at the tallest mountain that overshadowed most of the valley. The large gray male glanced down at his friend, "I'm sue we'd find plenty of adventure along the way." Zeus trailed off when his memory sprouted his past visits to the White Wolf Mountain and he could almost feel the scar on his right cheek being formed by the claw of Sheba. He was proud to wear it, but his stomach was a little less excited if he would visit her again.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

"Whatever you say," Okay, not the answer he wanted, but the one that'll have to do. Rato shrugged it off before the disappointment set in and eventually showed on his face. He didn't need Zeus to start jumping to conclusions before he could.

He was glad when Zeus agreed to climbing, since that's one of the only things he can do without showing how out of shape and scrawny he is. Behind the blue and brown fur is a mass of lean, yet small, muscles that really don't like the light of day. Before he could take off, however, his friend bombarded him with a question that Rato wasn't keen on answering. Oh well, he owed Zeus answers, and hopefully he'll get more information about the large man. "I ran away from home a little while back," Rato spat out before looking away, ashamed for one reason or another. He couldn't face his fears, so he ran. Not the most noble thing he's ever done.

"family didn't care for me, and I didn't care to much about them. So, I ridded them of their number one problem child. Me. I was climbing the mountains for season until I found this place," It wasn't easy talking about his mother and father, expecting something so much better than him. A princess of high royalty of sorts. Instead, they got him. What he didn't say is Rato didn't leave by choice; he wanted to grow up where he was born. Clearly, that's not where he belongs. Oh, how he wished he knew where that place was. Rato was just certain Zeus was somewhere in that equation, which scared him.

Huh, White Wolf Mountain, you say? Changing the subject before he could dwell on it more, Rato tilted his head. "White Wolf Mountain?" He echoed. "I dunno, it gives off this weird vibe," It made the boy suspicious of the pile of rock. Something was off about it, and he couldn't begin to imagine what. Little did he know, there was something magical about that place. Rato didn't believe in that crap. Guess he's in for a surprise.

[Blood]

Zeus;

Rato didn’t seem that upset about how Zeus responded, that or he just wasn’t showing how he actually felt about it. The next thing that Rato said was very unexpected. Zues laid his ears flat when he heard the shame in his friend’s voice and he looked down at his turned away face. Zeus didn’t mean for the hard truth to come out, but maybe Rato heard the question differently, or he was tired of carrying such a heavy weight on his chest without having anyone to tell it to. Knowing the sarcastic, constantly napping Rato that he was standing next to, it was hard to imagine he had any other friends to confide in about such a history. Zeus felt an appreciation for Rato, of all the wolves in the valley he had chosen him to trust with his deep and painful roots.

Zeus wasn’t the most sympathetic of wolves, that was his sister, but he was beginning to care about Rato in a different way than he had with any other wolf, so he softly encouraged the smaller wolf beside him, “Hey, it’s alright if you had a rough start. Our paths aren’t always smooth trodding, it’s how we learn from our mistakes that make us stronger and wiser.” Zeus was getting the itch that he should tell the story about his scar, but maybe that would be better along the way, so he leaned over and bumped Rato gently on the side and smiled. “I’d say your pretty much a pro climber then!”

Rato was quick to change the subject, he probably didn’t mean to get on the topic in the first place, so he was doing his best to steer it in another direction. He questioned the location Zeus had mentioned. He questioned White Wolf Mountain saying it felt odd. The large gray male was only a little concerned about this, but he pushed it in the back of his mind, he’d deal with it later. But exactly how should he introduce the aspect of magical wolf deities who ruled over their mortal existence. Obviously Rato was from a homeland far enough away to not have been influenced by magic at all... this would be interesting since Zeus has had actually interaction with Sheba, the White Wolf who rules over the neutral wolves. And he had the scar to prove it.

“Oh it’s definitely a weird place, but that makes it so much more adventurous!” Zeus taps his front paws twice before swiveling around and leaping off of the large bolder they had been perched on. The valley had fallen into darkness, but the moon and stars shone bright enough to illuminate the landscape around them. Night time exploring was Zeus’ favorite, there was always something more dangerous about the night, and it thrilled him. “Come one, lets head out! Climbing you said?” The male wolf hiked further up the hillside vista, but leading the way in the direction of White Wolf Mountain...

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

After Rato had poured out such a sensitive part of himself, he sort of expected the encouraging words from the larger male. It didn't make his heart flutter any less. He averted his eyes and instead focused on the expansive horizon as Zeus lectured him on mistakes, trying to feign nonchalance. "Pro climber, yeah." He quietly stated, wetting his maw with a cerulean tongue. That's the thing, though. Are you really a pro at anything if it was forced into your survival code against your will? The retrospective thoughts invaded his mind in place they haven't dared ventured before. It was certainly a first for Rato to doubt himself like this. Normally, he just accepts what's given to him, albeit in a not-at-all thankful way.

A lot of things were first for him in this strange valley with a strange giant choosing to walk beside him. He knew he didn't even deserve to live, his parents made that clear enough. But this, this was whole new territory of privilege he was keen on losing quite yet. Being the wolf his younger self would be jealous of feels really damn good.

He was glad Zeus hopped onto the change of subject, probably sensing the smaller boy's unease. He gleefully commented on how weird the mountain truly was, which made Rato's eyebrows shoot up questioningly. Adventure, you say? Count him out, normally. Adventure meant danger and that meant bruises and that meant pain and Rato didn't like pain. It hurt. But the monochromatic man in front of him seemed more excited than Rato thought imaginable for anyone in his presence. Another anomaly to uncover, he figured as he let out a groan. "Just because I said I was good at it doesn't mean I like it." Rato let out a dramatic, toothy, grin. He followed the other man into the direction of a large mountain in the distance, still snowcapped and waiting to be explored.

//unless you want to continue this thread, id call this a fade!