since returning home, Spider has been slowly investigating the many ways the Armada has changed in their absence. since Bas' ascension, it feels as though the pack is forever changing, its members shifting beneath their paws the moment they've managed to catch up. it's a little bewildering at times, but exciting, too. for all the misery of the past few seasons, Spider has always been an inherently sociable creature - truthfully, they like meeting new people, and keeping busy, and doing their part. keeping busy especially, as it takes their mind off the more...unsavoury elements they've yet to make complete peace with. this morning, however, Spider wakes feeling heavier than they have since meeting Bas' new litter. in all honesty, they've been doing a lot better since their stay in Hemlock, but sometimes it's as though they're powerless to the thoughts plaguing their mind. for one thing, they haven't entirely wrapped their head around Hazel's departure, or Ignita and Bas' relationship. and they'd be lying if they said it didn't sting how quickly the pair had copulated - not that Spider would trade those little brats for the world, now that they've met.

still, Spider needs a little breather today, something to tide them over. and thankfully, they have just the thing; stashed beneath their pillow for this very occasion. they hadn't done it very often since the Hallows' bonfire festival, not wanting to waste their stash and still a little unfamiliar with the stuff, but Spider makes their way to the entrance of the Col today and lights the joint, breathing in the earthen scent. they exhale, eyes falling closed as some of the tension seeps from their body. the morning sun crests the horizon, casting everything in a pale, buttery light. Spider takes another drag, eyes tracking its progression across the sky. for a moment, everything feels new in a way it hasn't since puphood.

"Araneae Fatalis"

Citadel was exploring the Col when a familiar scent caught his attention. Spider! That was their big sibling. The chance to spend some time with just him and Spider was too big to pass up. They were older and more experienced, and could probably show them all the cool exciting things to explore!

Not to mention he got more freedom when he was with an adult. He raced after the scent, chasing it with something that smelled a little odd, and made him sneeze right as he found his older sibling. He sneezed again, scratching at his nose. “Whatcha got Spider?” He asked


"Citadel Fatalis"

a young voice breaks into their thoughts, and Spider smiles on instinct, glancing down as their little brother approaches. stars, their young siblings are just so cute! who knew pups were so small?? “hiya, Cit! how’s it going, little man - oh shit!” they stare at the joint still clutched between their fingers with a jolt of alarm, glancing from it to Citadel’s expectant face and back again. “um…um…” Spider looks around wildly, panic mounting, then stubs the joint out on a nearby outcropping and squashes it underfoot. “ahaha…aha…let’s, um, go over here,” they suggest, shooing Cit further into the Col. they peer anxiously over their shoulder, half expectantly Bas’ gargantuan form to appear in their peripheral. “say, little man, why don’t we not mention this to your parents? hm?” their lips part in what is meant to be a cajoling smile, but it probably just makes them look slightly deranged.

"Araneae Fatalis"

Spider first greeted him with a smile, and then seemed to change their mind. Worry rippled across their face, startling Cit. He leaned back, not sure what he had done wrong until Spider suddenly pushed the smokey thing they were holding in the ground and squashed it. The fact that Spider hadn’t answered his question didn’t go unnoticed.

He let Spider shoo him on, though he looked back over his shoulder too. To where Spider had squished their… whatever it was. He tried to remember exactly where it was, so he could go back and investigate later. Just in case Spider wasn’t very forthcoming with answers.

“Ohhh, you want me to keep a secret.” Citadel said, suddenly lighting up with interest. “What’ll you pay for me to keep quiet?” Oh yeah, he was going to milk this for all it was worth.


"Citadel Fatalis"

Spider blinks, drawing up straight. they squint down into the kid’s face, dread mounting. oh, fuck, they’ve really landed in it this time. affecting a (rather genuine) gasp, Spider tuts disapprovingly and shakes their head. “now i know my sweet baby brother isn’t trying to blackmail his favourite sibling, is he?” for a moment they consider their options: try and distract him and hope he doesn’t bring it up again? make something up about what they’d been doing? tell Bas themselves before Cit can spill the beans?

yeah, absolutely no way they’re doing that last one. Spider sighs, scrubbing a hand down their face. “hmm…alright, you little rascal.” they sit down heavily, leaning back on their haunches, and cock a challenging brow. “what’re you want? sweets? a later bedtime?” what are kids even into these days?

"Araneae Fatalis"

Citadel perked up a little more, his attention fixated on the older wolf. “What’s blackmail?” he asked, intrigued by the tone of their voice, and the gasp. He felt like something interesting was happening, but he wasn’t entirely sure what.

What did he want? Honestly, he hadn’t thought he’d get this far. What did he want. He thought about it for less than two seconds before a light flicked on in his eyes. Oh!” he knew, he knew! His tail wiggled behind him and he pranced a little beside Spider, excited. “I want a trip. A trip outside the Armada!” He said with a little gasp on his own. He had no idea what Spider had been doing or why it mattered, so he had no idea how far he could push this.


"Citadel Fatalis"