Where the wild dogs play
The boy was obviously shaken. It wasn't that you thought you'd see something like in your life. His sick mother fighting a strong and scary man in front of him. His missing father showing up and vanishing once more. He and his siblings were orphans now practically. Rivaxorus shivered as he placed his paws into the sand. Tail flicking behind him - now he wasn't really sure where he was supposed to be. His pack didn't exist anymore. He was used to them moving but not them just not being there. Even his aunt Avalon had been taken from him. Riv swallowed as he settled himself onto his stomach. Maybe he needed to think for a moment. He could live with uncle Leo but - what about his siblings. He didn't want to lose them.
The boy was shocked immensely. Normally calm and composed, carefree and out of the box. Always trying to think of a new way to solve a solution. However how was once supposed to feel in a situation like this. If it were up to him he'd curl into a ball and cry. They just weren't coming though, he was shivering but it was that settling in his head. For now - he just needed some time to think about things.
Xephyris hadn't seen this child since he was just a tiny thing in the north, where Arian's litter had been born. He paused, wondering how he should approach, if he should approach. Not wanting to think on it, he pressed forward, approaching the boy. He cleared his throat lightly, trying to straighten himself out and stand squarely. "It's all a lot to take in... I'd been hoping to meet your mother again, after all, she had been my President at one time, and quite a tolerant lady I must say," he muttered in a low tone of voice, "I don't think you'd remember me... my name is Xephyris. I belonged to Sonticus when you were just born, shortly before we all moved to the West." He couldn't begin to bring any comfort to the situation, he wasn't any good at that kind of stuff anyways. Still, he needed to connect with wolves he knew, no matter how strange it was for him to focus on getting along instead of making enemies.
"Why'd you come back? Sonticus doesn't exist anymore. My mom and dad are gone." Rivaxorus was curious. He wasn't sure what to do now, but he would figure it out. It's what he did, he figured things out rather then letting them sort themselves out. Maybe that's what made him different from his parents. He wasn't full of anxiety on the outside. However he was in a mourning state as it was.
Rivaxorus would ask him why he'd come around, and it stumped him for a moment. He couldn't say why he was drawn back. It was more a feeling than a thought. He hadn't planned it, but it had just happened. "I'm not fully certain," he said in a gruff tone, uncomfortable trying to share what he was thinking or feeling, but he had sought out the boy for a reason, not to remain completely closed off to interaction, "I wanted to see how the pack is doing. I have no family in these lands... I may live within the darker spectrum of things, and I prefer a harsher lifestyle, but..." He went quiet, not knowing what to say next. He didn't want to reveal too much, not yet. Maybe he could change the direction of the conversation. "What will you do now?" he asked, "Where do you belong now, if Sonticus is no more?"
"If you don't have a family, and Hellstrom has fallen. Maybe you could stay a while." The boy flicked his tail. "I could try to make it worth your while. Be part of a pack again - or another. At least maybe me and my siblings could keep you some sort of company. I know some wolves hate not being in a pack no matter how much another can frustrate them." he was no heir anymore. No need to feel the strain of needing to have everyone look up to him. However, Rivaxorus would never stop feeling like a figurehead for a majority of his life. Perhaps his mother had been using him for her own gain.
"Well, I don't know what else to do," he admitted, silver eyes glancing at the ground and ears flicking back awkwardly. At least he'd have something to do. Someone to be around for the winter. Even if he wasn't necessarily needed, he could try to make something of himself for now. Maybe he'd find his purpose, or get closer to it. "I think I'd like that," he said with a nod to the boy, "Nothing turned out the way I expected. Maybe this is a new opportunity." It was unfortunate that an opportunity was arising at the expense of a loss. But alas, this was how life went.
"Wanna take a walk? Maybe hunt together." Rivaxorus gestured towards the path on the plains. They could talk more, or they could simply do what wolves did. The young mind was still able to mold to his own ability. However the more and more he started getting out. The sooner he was starting to find out that his young age was meant to be enjoyed and he wasn't really enjoying it the way he was supposed to be. As whatever would happen - he'd deal with it when it came.
When the boy suggested they take a walk, or even hunt something together, Xeph nodded. It would be a good way to take their minds off of things, and perhaps even take out their frustrations. Fill their bellies and keep themselves from falling into the trap of sorrow. With winter progressing and each day getting colder, they needed to keep up their strength. "Let's see what prey we can find," he agreed with a nod, "Perhaps afterward there will be more to say. If not... then we will rest. And tomorrow will bring new challenges." He nodded to Rivaxorus. He wondered how much experience the boy had, how much training had been done since Xeph had left for Hellstrom. He would find out soon, and he would try to help where he could, but if things went well perhaps he would not be needed at all.