We Can't Find Common Ground

The thought of someone thinking that Lykos had no loyalty, that he did not care at all was something that rankled him - one of the few thoughts that could actually get a rise out of him now. Because even now, he did care, he was loyal, though in his own separate way. He did care for each and every member of his family, though he did not particularly like most of them. He would happily kill any who dared harm them, or had the potential of doing so (Vereux). He would also not go out of his way to hurt them. He didn't wish them harm. But now... he just didn't really want anything to do with them. His place was not with them. He should have realized that when they all disagreed about Imperium. His family was only loyal to themselves, and did not choose loyalty based off of anything else. If you were blood, they were loyal, regardless of the type of person you were - unless you disagreed.

It was a fault, he supposed, while at the same time a strength. He was different from that, and perhaps that was both his strength and weakness as well. He was loyal to those who earned it, whose belief he supported, and other similar factors. He couldn't even really word it himself. He still, to this day, felt a degree of loyalty for Imperium. Were Imperium to start again, he would be right back there with no doubt many of the older members of the pack.

Not that Imperium would likely ever be recreated. Lykos sighed, ears flicking back as he waited for Dragon. It had been quite a while, but Lykos waited anyway. He had a feeling his brother would show, even though it would likely take him a while. Why? Because it was Lykos, likely. Ah, well, he didn't much care. He was right, though, as he heard the crunch of snow behind him and his brother's scent finally reached his nose. Ah, so he was wrong about the direction. But he was aware of Dragon's presence, long before the shorter wolf spoke.

When he did, Lykos' eyes widened slightly with surprise. He kept his back to Dragon, though at the other's words, he turned his head over his shoulder, eyes flat and guarding the emotions within. "Could they?" The words came out surprisingly gentle, and held within them the doubt and bittersweetness the seemed to arise out of nowhere. "I do not believe they could. Perhaps in the past... but not now." Not without changing everything he held dear. Not without abandoning his beliefs. Not without abandoning those he held dear despite their mistakes. The words of his mother rang in his ears, and there would be nothing to change the conviction in her voice, and look in her eyes. Nothing could change the fact that because of where he was, he'd never be able to communicate with someone outside the family - because all that would lead to would be being accused of a traitor.

Dragon's question made him sigh heavily, and the man didn't answer immediately. When he did, it was after several long moments and his voice held a tone of weariness and regret to it. "To leave, Dragon. This is not my place anymore; this is not my home - if it ever was." He sounded more like his normal self then, instead of the apathetic shell he'd become. Regret, a hint of sorrow, especially on those last words that he uttered so softly. If it ever was. Lykos wondered that, if he ever truly belonged in Ivalice - or Talis, as it was now. Either way, it was in the open now... he just needed an answer.

"Lykos"