Uncle Johnny
He was growing more confident, slowly but surely, the safety of Abaven had calmed him considerably and Shaye’s constant support was helping him slowly. He had found it safe enough to venture out of the pack territory but had known better than to stray too far from his home. He paced through the soft grass, searching for one herb in particular that he could cultivate in his own garden. Comfrey was excellent for sensitive skin even though it had often been attributed to the name knitbone. He thought Vali might be in need of it and the thought of helping the pale woman gave him an odd sense of excitement.
He wondered if the woman had ever heard of the plant or its many uses or if it was something, he would know more about than her. That thought had given him pause. What if he did know more and he embarrassed her? What if she already had Comfrey and he was only wasting his time? He sat suddenly, confounded by his own uncertainty and let out a soft whine.
Spider you Toad |
The sun was just setting which painted a beautiful picture of purples and oranges within the sky. This meant it was time for the beast to make his appearance for the evening. Hannibal usually spent his time patrolling and wandering Erövrare territory to ensure it's safety up until Tyranis made his official claim. It gave the phantom something to do and thats really all he could ask for while being such an outsider within these lands. But today he was more keen on adventuring and perhaps meeting more. Hannibal figured the more faces he saw and the more conversations had the better, you never have too many connections. Thus, the beast slithered through the ruins with ease. Rubbing his pale bodice against fallen stone structures. The cool wind whirling through his thickening winter coat with ease.
Soon mismatched eyes fell upon a lanky Wolf that seemed to be investigating the earth for something. Maybe herbs or tracks? Hannibal took a moment to remain silent and observe this creature. There was not a dominant demeanor on the stranger it seemed, merely a Wolf on a mission. The partially-albino male grinned ever so slightly as he piped up. "Are you on a quest?" Hannibal continued to observe this long legged creature with fluttering lashes and a sickening smile. His two toned tail raised with mild dominance but something told the male that he had no reason to threaten this other being. They were several feet away and Hannibal made no move to close the distance, he did not wish to startle the stranger. This was his form of entertainment for the night after all.
The other male startled him and he jumped visibly before he wheeled around and dropped into a submissive crouch with his ears pinned and his tail tucked. “N-no s-s-s-sir.” He stuttered feebly, his voice pitched high with fear.“I w-w-w-was j-j-just l-looking f-f-for s-s-something.” He closed his eyes as he spoke, trying to force the stutter out of his voice but was ultimately unable to.
A small tremor rolled up his spine as he looked the male over, he was an albino like Vali but the way he carried himself was distinctly foreboding to the scrawny healer. He began to back away with a soft whine, the fur on his hackles standing on end with terror while his brother began to taunt him with laughter in his mind. He of course noticed that the male was attractive; his mismatched coloration reminding him of his sister to an extent, but that was secondary to the stranger being a potential threat to him. “Like he would want a whore like you anyway!” Toad roared and Spider closed his eyes tightly against the thought. “Not now.” He pleaded in an urgent whisper, his head turning away and baring his throat in the hopes that it would keep the bicolored male from noticing one of his stranger quirks.
Spider speaking You Speaking Toad's voice |
Stuttered speech filled the air not long after Hannibal made his presence known. Though, it was not the verbal response that struck him. This greyscale Wolf began to cower and even tremble. The thing began to submit without Hannibal having to move an inch. This reaction only caused for the albino's ego to inflate but a little pang of pity shot forth through the beast. It was evident this creature was riddled and by what he had no idea. Hannibal was no therapist and had no right to assume any sort of disorders or problems. Instead he would seem to almost ignore the reaction entirely as he took a few easy steps toward this stranger. He focused on the verbal response now, putting together those broken words and his smile returning not after long. "What are you looking for, little dove?" The male sought for eye contact but it seems the stranger had turned away slightly. Never the less Hannibal stopped his steps at about three tail lengths away. "Perhaps I could be of assistance." The phantom leaned downward slightly with lowering ears in order to perhaps level himself out with the crouched Wolf. The heathen's tail flicked high and mighty, showing his dominance but in a much less abrasive way.
He looked at the male, startled that he spoke to him so kindly and hesitantly met the male’s gaze with his speckled eyes as he drew closer before he looked away again. “Comfrey.” He said in a soft voice, his body language changing from being overly submissive to overly shy. “I-it has small, violet flowers, and l-l-long l-leaves.” He said and managed to glance at the male again, feeling his cheeks burn under the male’s pointed gaze.
He broke away suddenly, to put much needed distance between them, his ears still flat and his head low, but his wide eyes now held onto the stranger. He reminded Spider of a gull’s feather now that he had gotten a better look at him; crisp black markings over a white canvas. He turned his head away again, urging himself to focus and made a show of pawing through a clump of overgrown herbs at the base of a large stone.
Spider you Toad |
The greyscale male brought forth tid bits of explanation and Hannibal offered a tiny nod in respond. Comfrey.. The herb sounded familiar due to his mother being talented with herbs and gathering, her intellect was astounding. Though, he never got the chance to truly study under her due to his training with father. Thus, the word comfrey was nothing but a very distant twinge of familiarity. Soon the male moved away from Hannibal, putting some distance between them. The phantom did not blame with stranger, for all he knew Hannibal could have ill intentions. Which is rather possible for such a dark minded heathen, but upon this morning his mask was a bit more positive in tone. There was no reason to cause mischief with this stuttering boy, it seemed no matter what Hannibal could manage to leave a lasting impression.
Hannibal stood his ground, not wishing to close the distance and allowing the stranger to search for his flowers. A pale smile still graced his two-toned muzzle as he observed. Mismatch eyes took the form of the lanky fellow as more broken verbiage filled the air. Comfrey is good for the skin.. Interesting. Hannibal was riddled with skin issues. The sun burnt his pink flesh with ease causing for his upper back to scab rather often. This made the male reclusive and only showing his face in the later hours. Back home he had a servant who would rub aloe on his back and muzzle at the end of each long summer day. Few knew of his weakness, a King who could only lead at night? How horrid did that sound. Thus, he kept this ailment between blood and that singular servant.
The albino raised a brow in response as he tilted his curious cranium. "The skin you say?" The male lowered himself onto his rump, curling his black and white tail around his lower half. The beast leaned in towards the stranger to observe further. "Does one ingest Comfrey or is it made into some sort of solvent to be placed on the skin?" Despite his manipulative ways Hannibal was truly interested in what this oddball had to say. A herb of this nature could change Hannibal's way of life completely.
He glanced at him again before circling around the stone with his nose to the ground. “It can be made into a salve that goes on the skin, although it works better if you have aloe.” He said without a trace of his usual stutter. “You can also combine it with mint to treat muscle cramps.” He made a note to collect mint and aloe for his own garden later, then reminded himself that soon he may not have a garden or a den at all.
He pawed halfheartedly through another patch of herbs, suddenly crestfallen and then slowly drifted away from the stranger like a kite without a string. He should have never told Rhyme what he had done all those years ago and he chided himself endlessly for not knowing better, but Rhyme had been so calm and kind around him, how could he have resisted? Spider had trusted a handsome face and kind words to understand what had tormented him for so long, instead it was more than likely that all of Abaven knew that he was a murderer. He realized with a jolt that he had been staring silently at a patch of violets and shook his head with a soft whine before he turned and paced away. He needed to focus. His mind lingered on Rhyme; the subtly of his white markings, the color of his fur that reminded him so much of the wings of a magpie, and his piercing eyes that he couldn't quite place the color of...Eyes that looked at him so coldly just before their night came to an abrupt end.
He looked at the male cautiously then forced himself to look away. "W-w-what's y-y-your n-name?" He asked bashfully, feeling the fur on his cheeks rise with a warm blush.
Spider You Toad |
Hannibal's gaze remained locked on the boy before him with intense curiosity. Knowledge was everything, but mostly power. The more one knew about the world and people are them the further they would go on life. Luck was a figment of most's imagination. Something for someone to put their faith into in order to laze around with excuses as to why they do not prosper. Hannibal made it a point to make his own luck, forging his own path within this cruel dark world. Thus, as this oddball seamlessly explained comfrey the partially-albino beast remained silent and took in the information. A tiny nod could be seen, noting the fact that this greyscale being lacked the stutter he once had. Perhaps it was a nerve thing? Or maybe it just came in waves like an illness.
There was a deafening silence for a few moments as the stranger picked at the earth. A black and white brow was raised in response before the air was cut with more vocals, this time littered with broken verbiage. The stranger asked for a name and the behemoth happily obliged. "Hannibal Iber Klein." The male remained seated but lowered his head into a noble bow, a significant display of respect for this informative boy. It was obvious their demeanors differed tremendously. Hannibal was filled to the brim with confidence and this stranger barely showed signs of having any. Other then when he spoke of the herbs, it seemed. It made the albino feel powerful but he would not exert his dominance in a negative way. He did not know this fledgling's intentions and had no reason to make enemies with no backing of an army. Thus, Hannibal would kindly converse and exchange information with this stranger and perhaps enjoy it in the process. "And who are you?"
Gathering Herbs; Comfrey Round|1|2|3|4|
He felt his face flush instantly as the male bowed his head. Spider had never been treated so politely, especially not with the formality of a bow. Even if it was a simple gesture it meant everything to Spider, and now he could look at the other male in true, uninterrupted, earnest. He was beautiful, far more beautiful than any creature he had ever seen with sharp angular features and a build that suited only the best of dancers.
It took Spider a moment to realize Hannibal had asked him for his name and he left his enamored admiration with a noticeable jolt. “S-s-s-s-s-spider…” He said, feeling his face grow hotter as he reluctantly turned his head away. “You’re an old fuck what would he want with you?!”Toad demanded, and Spider instantly became crestfallen. Toad was right, he was much older than the other male and he began to wonder if his muzzle had already started to gray and if his eyes were beginning to dim.
“S-s-s-sorry.” He muttered quietly, with no real reason to need to apologize but feeling all the same like he had done something wrong. His attention focused on a stone a short distance away from where he was and spotted the distinct herb waving wistfully in the soft breeze. He rose silently, not bothering to see if the male was following him and began to dig out the plant’s roots. “You’re so stupid! What makes you think he’d be interested in a sniveling spineless faggot when he can have anyone?!” Spider closed his eyes against the assault, hoping to block it out and let out a small pained whine as he did. He realized then that Toad hadn't necessarily been referring to Hannibal, and his thoughts dejectedly drifted back to Rhyme. It wasn't fair. Spider speaking Toad's voice You |
They contrasted just as much as Hannibal's fur coloration, or lack there of. This stranger was bashful and Hannibal was just the opposite. Confidence seeped from every pore as he stared down at the sputtering male. It was evident the stranger was older then him, but for some reason there was a childish shyness and demeanor about him that the phantom could not shake. Yet, of course the male fed off his submissive behavior. Hannibal's desire to dominate anything and anyone was kicking at the surface was ease. "Spider. A unique name for a unique Wolf. Hannibal stared downward into the speckled eyes of this opposing Wolf with deep amusement. Spider turned away after he spoke, bashful as ever. The phantom raised a brow and leaned downward to get on his level, perhaps. The beast offered a lovely smile, exposing his pearly whites and pink lips. "It is of my greatest pleasure to meet you, Spider." His tones came forth with a low growl, resembling a deep purr that bubbled from his throat. Dominance leaked from his demeanor as he stared at this cowering Wolf.
A small apology left Spider's lips and Hannibal silently observed as the oddball moved away. Solemnly the stuttering stranger dug at some herbs, returning to his original mission. Hannibal watched with a little twist of a grimace. The male wanted to uplift this little oddball but perhaps his advances were doing just the opposite. The phantom was often known to be abrasive and a bit much, but he quickly shook the thoughts. Maybe he could just learn some more about the comfrey and bugger off when this stranger had enough of his pestering. With a quiet shrug Hannibal turned to follow Spider, the smile returning to his lips once again. Seemingly unfazed as ever. "I burn.. horribly when in direct sunlight for even just minutes at a time. My back and head are scarred and chapped at all times." His voice was deeper now, less seducing and more serious in manner. "Would this herb aid me?" Hannibal slowly walked towards Spider's rear, allowing his fur to ever so slightly brush past Spider's own as he moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with the older male. His mismatch gaze pointed downward at the herb, observing the harvesting.
Spider stood stalk straight, small shivers of electricity traveling up his spine as the male brushed against him “It will help the inflammation.” He said, the words spilling from his mouth only half aware that he had spoken. “It works best as a tea… with horsetail and…” He swallowed hard, urging himself not to look into the other male’s piercing eyes. But they were so close to each other.
Spider hadn’t been intimate with another male in almost a year, not since he had been taken by Shiloh, and before him it had been even longer. Shiloh had been his first lover, the person who could stand to touch him even if it was with his fangs and claws. It was pitiful in a way that he wasn’t aware of his own sexuality until he was almost 5 years old, Cricket had been two when she found Church and Toad had left their family long before he and his sister had, and more than likely found a mate. He had been alone for most of his life. He had hoped to end his loneliness in Abaven, but now he was just as alone as ever.
He turned his head to look at the male, his fur standing on end as he felt the wolf’s hot breath on his fur and slowly moved his head closer to the other male. This was wrong, he was going to be hurt again, but in that moment he simply didn’t care and was far too desperate to push the other male away any further than he already had.
Spider Toad |
Lust flickered within his abnormally pale eyes as two bodies ever so slightly brushed against one another. Sparks of electricity slithered along his form as they stood shoulder to shoulder. Spider's words entered his ears and the beast took note of the contents. Tea.. with Horsetail. The words had a ring of familiarity due to his mother's teachings. But, Hannibal was always far to intertwined with other things to truly take in what she had to say. The confidence of this partially albino monster was evident as he seamlessly closed the distance between the two. The urge to be close to another, especially such a unique creature such as Spider flowed through his body like a heatwave. Lust was this phantom's greatest flaw, it blinded him in way his body moved without any second thoughts.
Hannibal allowed his eyes to flick towards Spiders shamelessly, attempting to find eye contact. Lips curled into a delightful smile, his breath could be seen due to the chilled nature of day. "You are so incredibly intelligent." His eyes seemed to glisten with wonder. "A trait so unique to find in a Wolf." Hannibal's tone was luxurious, his words rolled off his tongue like silk. As Spider moved his head closer to Hannibal's the simple smile turned into a devious smirk. The albino male leaned into the other Wolf, allowing their forms to press together if Spider were to allow it. Hannibal moved his head to gently nuzzle into the side of Spider's own, inhaling the scent of this stranger's fur. A black and white tail was held high as a little growl of excitement was emitted. Hannibal moved his muzzled towards Spider's ear and attempted to pepper it in very gentle nips and licks. "I am so lucky as to have met you, little flower." His voice was a very light whisper.
Who knew what would come of tonight or the future for these two unique beings. Hannibal hadn't a care in the world, his eyes blind with yearning. Though, if Spider felt uncomfortable all he needed to do was pipe up and the beast would stop his prowl. Hannibal was not -that- forceful in nature and enjoys the art of persuasion and seduction rather then cruelties. Especially towards such a delicate creature.
Spider allowed the male to embrace him and caress him, lifting his chin to give the male better access to his neck his eyes fluttering closed as his deep voice rumbled against his ears. Spider had forgotten all about the comfrey and what had brought him to the steppe in the first place, his thoughts usually so destructive and degrading now focused solely on Hannibal and the kind words he offered him. He dreamed of a life with the other male, filled with praise and the promise of soft affection. Even then with their bodies intertwined he couldn’t fully convince himself it would be a reality but for once Spider existed entirely in the moment.
With shaking legs and skin still prickling with charged electricity Spider reluctantly slipped away from the male, then turned his head to beckon him to follow. Not out in the open where anyone could see them, some things were better done in privacy. Spider couldn’t help the candid smile that graced his lips as he walked unsteadily toward the cover of the nearby trees.
-Fade Out-
Spider speaking Toad's voice You |
Hannibal saw the change within Spider as his sweet nothings peppered his ears. The partially albino beast was a master of seduction with his long white lashes fluttering and those hips swaying. He may was well be a mistress of the night at this point but his own potential to do so much more stopped him from doing so. Thus, chance encounters like these in which he could wrap a Wolf around his mud caked claws so easily gave him a thrill nothing else could. Of course the phantom was not so cruel for he actually cared for Spider in those moments and was determined to treat him nicely. To instill confidence in him for any lover of Hannibal was to not be so openly self-conscious. Hannibal had not future plans for the two after tonight nor did he wish to dwell but the beast figured this one not be some measly one night stand. After all Hannibal was in need of this tea Spider spoke of.
Not after long the shy boy slipped away and for a moment Hannibal felt a pang of pain. Was he leaving so soon? But, as they connected eyes once again a devious grin fell upon pink lips and the warm beast followed with ease. Hannibal hadn't a care in the world when it came to such acts. He would have bedded in the open chanting to the world about his triumph. Yet, he would soften as he stared into this oddball's eyes and comply completely. There was no reason to be a jackass in those moments and he could easily get on Spider's level to make him comfortable. All these fuzzy feelings were odd for the phantom due to his usual manipulative nature. But, he succumbed to it all while following Spider into the thicket to enjoy himself.