Malachai did not feel better, you'd think after the fight with the coyotes he'd have learned that lesson, getting into fights never made him feel better. He'd  not learn, somethings were constants and Malachai needing to hurt others to alleviate his own pain was one. But it never made him feel better, it just made him sore and tired. It just left him feeling empty, the emotional pain still a deep ache in his chest and now he also had physical pain... Great. He was plodding his way back to the Hallows, he still had every intention of taking Artorias up on his offer, but his movement was slow for now, his whole body sore and his wounds in particular giving him trouble. Fuck he hated this! What had he done to deserve this?

"Malachai Cain Klein"

Art by Cebochka

There was no need for the heavy woolen cloak in this climate, and so the nomad had stashed it away with the rest of his supplies while he investigated the surrounding areas. Dusty blond pelage blending with the surrounding arid landscape, he felt at ease plodding along. The swing of his narrow limbs and the subtle sway of his hips while he moved betrayed his arrogance, dared passersby to challenge him. He leapt over a fallen tree, exposing just a hint of his pink underbelly in the gap between his thigh and flank. Mismatched gaze trailed over the landscape, searching for something of note to draw his attention for the moment. At first, there was nothing. The idle ambiance of scrubland, dotted with massive trees and shrubs. But then- a flash of movement. A dark body, moving with a great deal of purpose. Slowly, for sure, but there was a drive behind each step that betrayed a destination. And so, off he went. The gilded godling trotted off towards his quarry, catching the scent of blood on the breeze for just a moment before its direction shifted. Oh? Wounded and searching for cover, no doubt. Pace slowing, he shook out his silky fur to add a bit of ruffled softness to his angular form. Lowered his head from its proud carriage to a more neutral one, and let his tail droop lazily between his thighs. Casual, nonthreatening. As he drew closer to the stranger, the unique colouration of the titanic male caught his eye. Subtle streaks of blue across a raven coloured coat, and the very end of his tail notably absent. "Afternoon, love." he greeted the man with a subtle flash of teeth that barely counted as a smile. "mind if I walk with you? I'm a bit lost." the words dripped from cinnamon jaws like honey, bearing a decidedly soft inflection. Best not to push his luck with a wounded animal of any kind. "speech!"

Malachai fully expected anyone who saw him in this state would probably leave him alone, if they didn't they were either incredibly ballsy or stupid... Probably both. So he wasn't really expecting the form that approached him. Especially one that he towered over. He kept his gaze, stony and cold, forwards. Not giving the man the time of day-

Until he spoke at least, and something... Something about it rubbed him the wrong way. He stopped his slow plod for a moment, turning mismatched gaze on the paler man and glared at him. It was the use of love, that was it. It was like somehow the man had find the exact pain point he was nursing. But he was sore already, hurt already and he wasn't eager to push his luck so he bit back his anger instead snorting at the man before rolling his eyes and turning back towards his destination. "Whatever you want." Maybe if he just kept it curt and didn't give the man much to work with he'd be left alone!

"Malachai Cain Klein"

Art by Cebochka