Something Wicked

A burning sensation akin to fire spread through the tall brute’s chest, the mere sight of this witch being in his den a revolting one, enough to make his stomach twist in disgust. Not even a drop of interest in aiding whatever scam this woman came to him with could be found in his mind, as whatever it was she had deserved it. Regardless of the circumstances, the severity, or the cause. Perhaps it was heartless to think such things. But of all things that he did, he could proudly say that showing sympathy or kindness towards the equally heartless was not one of them.

His gaze narrowed even further at her words, flicking down just for a moment at the leg that she lifted in his direction, more out of curiosity than anything else, as the stench of blood was strong. Indeed something had given this broad a piece of its mind, which he understood completely, though he couldn’t help but wonder…

His eyes lifted to meet hers once more, his body unmoving from where he stood. “Attacked…or self-inflicted…?” There was a trace of something as he spoke the last part, perhaps irritation, perhaps amusement, it was hard to tell. And while the question was asked mostly out of spite, it was also asked out of a desire to get a peek into that pit of a mind she had; with any luck, maybe she knew just how pathetic of a wolf she was and also felt that she deserved such things, just as he did. Though, and he would never admit it, it could also be considered a genuine question to the problem, as knowing whether this was caused by some other creature that could potentially carry diseases, or if it was merely a temper tantrum gone wrong, could hold the answer as to how to get rid of her- er, it, the wound that is.

kaz

Neither his face nor body showed any sign of this, but he almost felt a chuckle coming on. "Quite the contrary." He hadn't forgotten himself at all, that was one thing he never allowed himself to do. He was the Avant Garde Healer of the Au'Dar. He had earned his position fairly and through his own intelligence, memory, and talents. Others had tried and failed, where he did not. Sure, the pack had more than just himself as healers, but he knew his value. And whether this conniving "Centurion" thought so or not, he knew she couldn't be rid of him, else she doom herself and the pack more than she already had just by being within their presence.

As she spoke her questions, a small smirk poked at a corner of his maw. Sometimes the lack of understanding in the ways of his career was quite amusing, especially when it came from one who viewed themselves as almighty. But his moment of satisfaction faded and he blinked once slowly, her questions finding unsympathetic ears.

"Yes, actually, it does." His voice hid none of the 'obviously' tone it contained, though he felt his previous smirk return at the thought that of course she wouldn't know. When he spoke once more, there was an almost sarcastic note ever present. "It would be quite the shame for the pack tyrant to fall at the clutches of infection or disease rather than some other actually noteworthy cause."

His eyes flicked downward to the wound once more, noting the fact that even as they spoke the blood continued to flow. He found it quite ironic that the same wolf who had murdered their previous Leader could easily fall victim to the binds of something as slow and pitiful as blood loss or infection. Without his help, anyway. Or she could go to some other less experienced healer. How entertaining it could be to watch some other young wolf only worsen her condition on…accident.

kaz

No words could describe how satisfying it was watching as the rage began to consume the she-wolf from the inside out. It was beyond gratifying to know that if infection didn’t kill her first, perhaps her own internal flame would finish her instead. And with a woman like this, he had no doubt that anger truly could kill.

He could see that his words were doing just as he intended, and those intentions were quite clear from the start. Of all things he could be and was, Hollow was not a liar. In his eyes, there was no reason to pretend as though you do or don’t care for someone when truly you felt the opposite, and such things could be said in this case far more than any other. Akala was nothing more than a bitchy outcast with a superiority complex who went to the extreme to get what she wanted. And that was just how he would treat her, as he would never accept someone like that as his leader.

As she lowered her bleeding paw back to the ground, he watched those resentful eyes burn into his, her voice hushed and full of animosity. Despite the clear meaning behind her words, the healer’s only reaction was the further narrowing of his eyes. She could threaten him all she wished, as her fangs could pierce her own skin deeper than her words could ever cut him.

“No. As it is, any wolf with a semblance of capability could still function, therefore your case isn’t special. Though, you would be surprised just how quickly infection can spread from the leg to the heart…if not properly taken care of.” The dark brute shifted his stance just slightly, reaching down with a paw and hooking a few leaves from one of his piles, lifting them closer to his sights and examining them. “Considering my position, I am quite confident in my ability to treat open wounds and prevent them from festering.” Pale golden hues flicked back to the femme, almost challenging. “But should you prefer, I could fetch some Apprentices to aid you. I’m sure they would be thrilled to put their amateur skills on display for their dear Centurion.” The final word was spoken sharply as a blade of grass, but the word felt wrong. It did not belong, nor did she.

kaz

There was something almost gratifying in bringing the bitch before him to such enmity. In the short period of time since the murderer had taken the heading of the pack by force, as far as he had seen, there were few who had truly stood up to her. There were some who sent disapproving looks her way, there were some who disobeyed her orders, and there were some who avoided her like the unpredictable rabid that she was. But he hadn’t recalled any moments in which another wolf had fully stood up to her, face to face, and opposed her faux royalness. Admittedly his actions towards her were partially for his own satisfaction, but there was also a perhaps “calling” of duty in which he knew must. If his packmates would not defend the honor and the ways in which the Au’Dar had lived for countless generations, than he would do so himself.

But, as fun as mocking the she-wolf for his own amusement and watching her unbridled ego grow bruised was, even the Healer had his own limits, and it seemed as though both beasts were reaching such points. The dark brute was sure that if he spent much more time in the presence of filth, he may himself begin to rot. The urge to simply flick his paw and shoo the femme away grew with every moment, which he was quite sure would only infuriate her further. Though, as tempting as such a sight was, her words struck a nerve, his lips beginning to curl just as hers had and his voice lowering to a deep snarl.

“Perhaps true loyalty is a foreign concept to you, but my pack is-”

“Uhh…..H-Hollow?......Is….this a b-bad time…?” Soft-hued honey eyes glanced just passed Akala, finding a young face peeking just behind her backside into the den. The small brown and tan male had an expression formed of confusion, uncertainty, and vibrant fear, one that caused the black and white wolf’s maw to return to its neutral state, lips uncurled and fangs put away. Hardened honey eyes stared at the young Apprentice for a few moments, his mind tossing between scolding the runt for his interruption and remaining silent. A deep but mostly quiet sigh blew from his nostrils, the irritation of all of it still ever present. Finch, a young and mostly new Healer, had a knack for always showing up at a bad time, no matter what the situation. While others at times found it amusing. Hollow found it troubling, almost annoying. Not enough to snap at the boy, though. Not this time, as perhaps his timing was more convenient than he cared to admit.

No words were spoken, Finch’s eyes flicking back and forth between Akala, the really scary Centurion, and Hollow, the just as scary lead Healer. Of course he had to show up while two of the pack’s powerhouses were at odds.

“I uh…I can…g-go…” The boy began to turn, but Hollow’s eyes closed and he spoke.

“At ease, Apprentice Finch.” The dark male considered, eyes remaining closed for a few moments. When they opened once more, his gaze was still hardened in a combination of fury and frustration, but he allowed his tone to return to a more professional state. “Services are needed. You are to oversee this task and learn from it.”

Though hesitant, the small brown and tan male lowered himself, slinking further into the den closer to Hollow to get a better angle, avoiding the gaze of the opposing she-wolf at all costs.

Hollow leaned forward just slightly, hooking the bloodied wrist of the femme with his own paw and lifting it to inspect it closer. He did not once look at her, for she herself deserved no more of his direct attention. He located the points in which he could only presume her own fangs had penetrated through the skin and allowed the calculations to flow naturally, considering what he had in storage and what is best for such wounds. He let go of the paw gruffly, turning and padding just a couple steps away to his neat shelf of herbs, glancing briefly over what he had before grabbing various plants, as well as shuffling a paw through a relatively jumbled up clump of cobwebs. When he returned, herbs in maw and a single paw lifted, wrapped in sticky webs, he stared at the she-wolf with an expectant glare.


kaz