oath of silence

Oh, he got an answer. A high squeak that might've given the bird a run for her efforts. Was it possible for Iarlaith's brows to raise higher? Because they did. They definitely did. It didn't sound comfortable, the noise the kid made. It didn't look comfortable. "All right, all right, I get it, kid. Faulty set of pipes, eh?" Iarlaith winced, the little half-smile turning into a contrite little grin instead. He huffed the previous thought away. No wonder the kid was so quiet. "I was just messing with you, anyway."

This time when Iarlaith settled down on his haunches he stayed seated. His eyes twinkled however, any contrition vanishing under a snide grin. "Well. No wonder the bird was so chatty," his eyes slid to her again as he chuckled amicably. His tail swept languidly behind him, disturbing the snow in a near-perfect arc. For all the boy stood proud, Iarlaith could only imagine what it was like, being silent while your playmates grew up around you. No wolfsong, no playful banter. Just… silence. His lip quirked again, "I guess she has to make up for you."