Night had fallen on the plains as massive paws carried the giant wolf over the brushy grass. Again he?d seek out the answers to his questions, he wanted private communion with the goddess, he did not wish to go through their oracle with these issues. They were too personal and much to fresh to think of speaking to her. Though he knew that she was the voice, he still felt embarrassment of his questions and would keep them quietly to himself as he had the last year. He could feel them eating away at him, tearing at his resolve, but still Shai would hold fast. She would speak to him and answer his questions, she had to. Bright eyes would reach up to the stars that were starting to appear from the great blanket of night sky. Many mysteries were laid out before the confused man, and though he would try and process the world before him, answers would not come to him. Frustrated he would walk along the plains, his mind occupied with the deep thoughts of the world. Still frustration would be evident within him as his tail would lash back and forth, the beads upon his tail clashing to emphasize his feeling. "Yoruban" "English"

Skah Adeyemi

She was asleep in one of her many dens thst she had scattered throughout these lands. Unlike the pack the oracle traveled white regularly, going where she felt most connected with the goddess and Skah had long ago suggested they start making dens for her to stay in should she tire and need to rest rather then trekking all the way back to camp with the pack.he had left her to rest, traveling only a short distance to try and see if he could find a meal for her for when she awoke. But it seemed the goddess had other plans. He had not gone very far before a familiar yet haunting scent would reach him causing the behemoth to freeze. It had been some time since he had seen his brother alone and for a moment terror griped him. He had not seen his brother since Skah had been appointed oracles protector and not Shai, had seen his brother breifly at their mothers funeral but Skah's time was rarely his own.

It was almost comical to see the massive male tremble, looking to and fro as if debating whether he should turn and run. Skah had met his younger siblings, spent time with his aunt but Shai... Skah had spent his youth wanting to be his older brother, following him around and copying his every move to the point where Skah had no doubt Shai was done with him. Shai had barely even agreed to let Skah participate in the ceremonies for oracles protector and yet. Somehow here they were. Slowly the black and while male would descend, aqua eyes cautious as bone pierced ears folded to his skull. Unlike his brother Skah chose to wear his fabric only on occasion, only when ceremonies were held. They had found that cloth together... It held a lot of memories... "Shai..." Skah's voice was a deep baritone, a low rumble as he approched his brother from behind. Despite Skah's rank he still felt like the kid brother around Shai, still felt young and like he was trying to fill shoes too large for himself.

"Speaking"

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At one time the pair of brothers had seemed inseparable, both learning together. Skah had been so much smaller than him, that?s how it had been since they were born. Then when Skah had shown an interest in becoming the oracles guardian it was like he?d shot up overnight. Both boys had grown into massive beings. He?d tried not to blame the brother he loved for the loss of his dream, still he?d become scarce around his litter mate. It was hard to keep himself composed around the wolf, even though he knew he was only chosen because he was the better choice it was difficult for Shai. His whole life he?d trained for that position.. The loss of their mother did not help his self control either. He?d been incredibly close to the woman, and still he had trouble finding love in his heart for her last children. The reason she was gone. He?d found himself mostly alone, their father would not be consoled and their aunt had taken up the care of his younger siblings. With Skah as the oracle?s protector and the other adults disposed Shai had become reclusive. Many many hours he had sat in meditation, he?d fast, and disappear for days at a time. No one had noticed though. Now, a year after her death, his tribe would come back into his life. He?d found his center, even if his questions were still yet unanswered. As his thoughts would be occupied by the fast, his eyes searching the heavens for the answers, he had not noticed his brother appear behind him. The sound of his name would rip his focus back to the earth and Skah behind him. Quickly turning he?d face his similar looking litter mate, there was little emotion on his face as bright eyes would lay upon the marked wolf?s features. "Skah," he?d say, in an equally deep voice. His tail had ceased its movement, and the heavy beads that hung from his tail would rest on the ground. Skah never seemed to wear his regularly, but Shai wore them daily. Silence would fall over him as he awaited his brother?s words expectantly. He hadn?t talked to him in a year, why had he chosen now to seek him out? "Yoruban" "English"

Skah Adeyemi

There was an uncertainty in the big male, he wasn't entirely sure how to act around his big brother anymore. Everything had changed between them, he could honestly say there was not a single thing that left them able to relate to one another. Other then maybe the cloth they wore and the feathers they had once gathered together. It was hard to look at Shai, hard to be around him but Skah would attempt to gulp down those emotions, would attempt to swallow them and bury them in some dark corner where they could never be reached. "It's been a while..." What should he be saying? He felt like some awkward small talk should be no big deal between brothers but he struggled. He felt like a child again, shifting his paws uncomfortably as he looked around as if trying to look for clues as to what he could say in his surroundings. "How? Have you been?" He would ask, forcing himself to bring his gaze back to this brother.

"Speaking"

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Shak would make it obvious that he knew exactly how different their relationship was from what it once had been. Silently the two would face each other for a long moment between the sound of voices. Shai would stand tall, but his head was in line with his spine instead of holding it high above his shoulders. As the man would stare at his brother he?d wonder why it was that he?d taken to not wearing the items they?d found together. One more reminder of how distanced they were now? Finally a few words would fall from his lips, stating the obvious and Shai would find himself looking away. Obviously not impressed with his now distant brother?s choice of words. He wouldn?t offer an answer to the seemingly rhetorical question, his gaze continuing to search the horizon before him as a question would be posed. He?d sigh, bright eyes returning to the space between them just as Skah?s did, the words were slow coming, just as uncertain really as the other brother had been. He?d meet his almost twin?s eyes, wanted to show him just how much warmth they?d lost since the last they?d met together. Really that should have been enough of an answer, as his vocals would refuse to emit any sound. A deep breath would filter through his lungs as quietly he would answer Skah, "Alive," though only one word would leave his lips there were so many more he wished to spew out. To chastise the boy that for so long had been his shadow. He couldn?t though, because had the roles been reversed he would be doing the same thing. His life was for the goddess now. "Yoruban" "English"

Skah Adeyemi

It was hard, it was awkward and he could't help but resent Shai a bit for not at least trying a bit. Skah was at least trying, almost failingly so but at least there was a bit of a effort put in. Skah went from feeling dejected and sorrowful to feeling defiant and angry to something akin to rejected. Aqua eyes would turn slowly, looking around the ground and then to the skyline, really anywhere except his brothers lantern gaze. His eyes would follow the line of the beads attacked the the fabric strung through Shai's tail. He remembered finding the fabric, working so hard to tie to together with the beads and then putting it on each other. Skah had never pinpointed why he had stopped wearing his so often, had never really thought into it all too much but as they stood there facing each other Skah was forced to confront all these things that he had left behind when he had taken his brother dream job from him. Shai would allow one word to drip from his lips and it was like a slap to the face. Ears would fold to his skull and he would sigh, averting his gaze for a moment. "I'm sorry I haven't been around much." He mumbled softly, looking down at his paws before snapping his gaze back up towards his brother and staring at him. It was the first time he had made eye contact with anyone in a long time and for once he would hold it. There was nothing there, nothing in his gaze as he stared at his brother. He didn't know what to say, he didn't know what he could do to make this better. There was nothing. He didn't deserve his brothers forgiveness but he also didn't really deserve his hatred? Did he? Did they hate each other?

"Speaking"

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The tension that hung in the air was almost more than Shai could bear, he was not a wolf who dealt with his anger very well. He didn?t know what to do with himself or how to express the feelings that raged in his stomach. He?d prayed about them every day, and yet he?d not yet forgiven the deed. Was it warranted? Absolutely not, but he would not let go, he had let it fester, and now here it was and here they were. Strangers now. Then there was an apology. Another sigh would leave his marked lips as his gaze would fall to the ground beside his brother?s form. He knew he didn?t hate his litter mate. He knew that he should harbor ill will towards him or the circumstances, but so badly he wished to blame someone. The next words were hard, but very much needed. "It?s not.. your fault, Skah." They were reluctant to come out, but they would as best Shai could allow. He?d feel his guts twist as though the words were particularly painful. "I?m sorry I never sought you out." Surely, he felt the same great pang of loss when their mother passed. They could have mourned together, like what was supposed to happen. But he hadn?t, and now the wound would fester. Breath would gush from his lips as a breeze would suddenly appear as if from nowhere, wrapping its tendrils around Shai?s long fur and beaded scarves. At a distance the sound of thunder would interrupt their words. "Yoruban" "English"

Skah Adeyemi

The tension could have been cut with a knife it hung so thickly in the air, Skah felt awkward and out of place. He felt unwanted and discarded in a world where he really felt like Shai was all he had left. Well he had his job too, he felt like he had been married to his job for far too long. Especially one he had never really intended to get. Shai had been the one to train for it, had been the one who was the most likely to get the job and yet? Here they were. He felt awkward, he felt awful, felt guilty and most of all he felt lost. He had lost everything all at once, he had gained a new job, lost his brother then shortly after he had lost his mother. But Shai had lost the same things? He had also lost his dream because of Skah... Really how could Skah blame him? But then wounds would slip from Shai's lips that Skah had never expected to hear. Eyes would snap wide and ears would fold to his skull. It wasn't his fault? He was sorry? Tension fled his shoulders all of a sudden and they sagged heavily as if they no longer had to support some great weight.

He would sigh now, this time a much less weighed down sound as he looked to the ground. This time his gaze was thoughtful, not simply moving away to avoid his brother's gaze. They had never had to talk like this before? "It's just as much my fault? i should have been there more for you. After? Her..." His voice got progressively softer before it faded away completely and his eyes closed. He hadn't talked about her really since her death. Every once and a while the oracle would mention her, pray for her but really. He had not taken any time for himself to think about it. "I hope you know? If you ever need anything I will be here for you." His eyes would open again and he would force a weak smile. He remembered when he used to smile a lot, when they used to smile a lot. Back when they used to adventure and frolic. Funny how people changed.

"Speaking"

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Bright eyes were still averted as the words left his mouth, he would not immediately catch the change in his brother?s stature. Relief would fall off the other man?s shoulders, as the sigh trickled from his lips once more Shai?s bright gaze would fall upon the tall form. He?d let himself watch as the apology would be dissipated and they would both bear the guilt of the tearing of their relationship. The sound of the wind would whisk the words away as both sons would mourn her together for just a moment. Both would close their eyes and take just a fraction of time to hold her memory close. Then it was over. Skah?s words would once again fill his mind as the dark midnight wolf would open his sunny gaze to behold his little brother once more. He wouldn?t miss the smile that rested on his features, and slowly Shai would come to mirror that emotion. Those same thoughts would filter in his mind as inadvertently the good times they were together would explode into his head. Sadness would fill his heart, their relationship had taken a big turn today, but they?d never have what once was again. "You too, Skah." Though even before this day the same had been true. No matter what had happened between them he?d always be there for his brother. Still, he wasn?t sure how close he was ready to be yet. Finding the months nearly alone had been ingrained into him. After such an emotional encounter he wished to retreat and once again be on his own. "You should probably get back to the Aika, that storm is going to come in quick." He?d motion towards the towering black clouds that had begun to black out the night sky. Shai would turn around once more, where he stood before his brother?s appearance. Looking back over his shoulder he?d say, "It was good talking to you, brother." His features would turn back towards the clouds, his sturdy legs bracing themselves as he prepared to take on the storm. "Yoruban" "English"