Danger Zone

Starling really had some terrible luck. Perhaps it was because of all the clover he picked for his stores. He barely got a foot before Bass had set his sights on him, and in the time it took for him to battle the overwhelming need to flee, his father was upon up. He stared up at his father, who wasn't all that much taller than him, really. But in that moment, Starling had never felt smaller. His gaze was wide, almost afraid as Bass growled, and he knew he was in trouble. He felt like a child again, slinking towards the ground under the angry beast that was his father. It wasn't like Starling got in trouble often. Sure as a kid he had been a curious fellow, but he hadn't left the packlands untill he was old enough, and normally he was accompanied by someone be it sibling or pack mate. He had probably been the most diligent about the snakes outside of Finch who had hardly left his den, and while his siblings were playing Starling was learning. He didn't get in trouble often, but this felt like a whip lashing at his poor insecurities over and over again. He felt his own eyes well up, watching as the emotion flit around his father's eyes before he had turned away.

Captured? Well, that hadn't necessarily crossed his mind. But now that it was out there, hanging in the air above him, he couldn't believe he had never thought of that. He hadn't been there for any of the celebrations, infact he had hung outside of Imperium for the feast, speaking quickly with Angel before going away again. He had even spent most of his time up in the North, where his father was least likely to go. It made sense, and the guilt and regret that crashed into him at the thought was nearly breathtaking. He dropped his precious plants in the mud, ears pulling back and chin lifting a bit to look up at his father. His own tears filled his eyes before he, too, looked away.

"Non potevo tornare a casa..." He whispered in a heart breaking voice, his chin dipping towards the mud as he tried to look as small as possible. "Ho deluso tutti voi...e Abaven ho fallito..." His voice was pitched, tight in his throat as he tried to take another step back, away from his father and his disappointment and his own regret. "I-I'm s-so s-s-sorry.." He whimpered in his imperfect voice, shifting back another step, leaving the herbs he had collected between them, to become soggy and useless in the mud.

"Burn Baby Burn" || "Bruciare Bambino Bruciare"