Lykos was a ghost. Not literally, but he may as well be with how drifted from spot to spot, avoiding everyone and generally staying under the radar. He fended for himself through the pack, through the seasons, ever since... well, ever since everything went down between his mother and Mercy. When he was demoted to that of essentially a prisoner, and was not allowed to leave. Since he was not allowed to leave - and he held off on his challenge for his freedom - he simply... disappeared. There were many ways he could avoid others; it was quite simple to ignore everyone, especially since everyone ignored him.

It made him wonder that if this was just a reaction to his demotion, which was no doubt known, or if this reaction was around when he was Heir and he was simply oblivious. He'd certainly earned the ire and hatred of his siblings - and it had been obvious for quite a long time. Had others been harboring that same resentment? It was a curiosity to the silent wolf, who simply watched from the shadows. It bothered him that it might have been the case, but whenever he found himself pondering it further, he found himself utterly apathetic and uncaring. As if the emotions simply slipped from his head and left him with nothing but a shell, and then it no longer bothered him.

It was odd, how that happened, but Lykos also didn't question it - just as he didn't question no one seeking him out or anything during the two seasons he spent as this infernal prisoner. Two seasons, one of them where he aged into a full adult of two years. Now that was past, and it was now winter. Winter was probably not the brightest month for the young adult to attempt to leave the pack (again), but Lykos was beyond the point of care. He'd easily make it through; he had no doubt about that.

Despite the coldness in his heart and his eyes, he did hope he wouldn't have to fight for his freedom. He knew what had happened since becoming this prisoner; first and foremost, Vereux had died. Lykos still wasn't sure how he felt about that. He wouldn't lie to himself - he knew the feeling of relief when it hit him. He was glad, in a way, when Vereux had died. It was one less thread and one less danger, and less trouble, but at the same time Lykos just wished Vereux never existed at all, or at least had nothing to do with his mother. Then, perhaps, the problems wouldn't have arisen.

Something deep in him nagged that the problems would have arisen anyway, that they would have just found a different manner, and he sighed, shaking his head to clear it of the snow that started dusting the top of his head. Shortly after that, just recently, his mother abdicated as alpha - to Dragon. He'd heard that little speech from afar, deigning not to show up, but he'd lurked far enough away to listen without being noticed at all - the point. If he was not to be released, it was far too easy to set himself up for failure to be removed from the pack. However, he'd prefer to just leave of his own volition.

... Which meant dealing with the new alpha of Ivalice, Dragon. Lykos didn't know whether to laugh at that, or to be happy, or what - more often than not, his thoughts simply drifted along the lines of 'eh, whatever'. Indifference, even when he tried to be scornful. He just... did not care anymore. He was tired of this shit, and just wanted to leave.

Sighing again, Lykos stepped out further into the open, the moonlight hitting his pelt squarely even as he shook off more snow that was still being blown around by the slight wind. The air was frigid, but Lykos relished in the cold bite of it, finding the chill pleasurable and calming. He sat down in the snow, eyes focused in the direction that he figured Dragon was, though he was aware and alert to his surroundings; if his shorter brother decided to try some sort of sneaky action, it would not go unnoticed. First, though, Lykos had to call for Dragon. Tipping his head gently back, Lykos howled for Dragon. It was a gentle, mild call, one devoid of emotion and desiring only one thing - the presence of the alpha. It still managed to avoid sounding demanding, instead almost sounding callous - as if Lykos didn't quite completely care about whether or not Dragon showed up... and truly, Lykos didn't. If Dragon did not deign to respond, he'd simply take it as leave to exit the pack as he intended to two seasons prior.

"Lykos"

Oh, he had heard his brothers call. But just like Lykos, he couldn't give two fucks, so he took his time. His brother had yet to realize that all that had happened to him, had been his fault and nobody else's. Unless he did figure that out, and just refused to believe that anything was ever his fault. At one point, the cinnamon male had wanted to bond with his brother and forge a strong relationship as brothers should. But when he tried, Lykos never seemed to want that. So he'd given up and left his brother alone. Nobody else in the pack knew about Lykos' position either, except for him and Kharnage and his mother. And probably Gryphon, but he wasn't sure if his mom had told him and he hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him yet. Everyone had quickly realized (or at least the family noticed), that Lykos was an extremely selfish individual. He only cared about himself, and even since before he had been made Heir and acted like he was hot stuff, he didn't seem very...well, caring at all. He had opted to remain with a pack they weren't born in, that had ended up falling shortly after. His brother was never loyal nor caring towards the family. And if he was, then he had a strange way of showing it. But the brown male didn't think that his brother even felt loyal. The tone in his howl certainly said a lot. He wandered in the direction of his brothers call, though coming from behind since he had been patrolling the borders. He didn't particularly care what Lykos was calling for at the moment, but he had an idea of what it might be. Some time for the jerk to finally emerge from whatever hole he'd been hiding in, especially since they were set to move in the next couple days. But he supposed it would be better this way, because if his brother wanted nothing to do with them anymore, then it would be best for Lykos not to know where exactly they would be living. It would be one less thing for Lykos to betray them with. Sighing, he was confused with his thoughts about his brother...but he was feeling like with everything he'd been seeing with his own two eyes, how could he not believe what he saw, let alone heard? He had been a lot more optimistic and all too trusting, not really thinking that there could be anything wrong with his family. Yeah, his mom had her issues, but she had been through a shit ton of crap in her life. Then there was Kharnage who seemed to act like a butt all the time, but deep down Dragon knew he cared in his own weird way. Plus, he and Kharn had bonded a lot better together then either of them had with Lykos. Then Gryphon...he had his own quirks too. He seemed pretty solitary, but he also showed that he cared. He was very protective of their mom, more so then anyone else. But he seemed to act a silent guardian. That was how he saw them. And himself? He was still feeling his way around. Trying to figure out who he was. He felt he was steadily getting there. He sure as hell didn't follow blindly, and he knew how to think for himself. Often times he did act like he didn't know anything or maybe even oblivious to some things, but he always knew more then he really let on. He was calculating, smart. But preferred to outwardly show the opposite. It helped to throw off others who he didn't want to show his true self to. Mainly, it would serve to confuse his enemies and those he didn't trust. At last, his thoughts would cease a bit as his brother came into view. Lykos' back was to him, and he half thought about sneaking up and shoving him into the snow like they used to do. But he felt that Lykos would probably kill any potential fun vibe as always. And unlike others, he wasn't the type to resort to trickery. If it was a fight, then dragon preferred the face to face approach. But he wasn't aiming to fight. "Things could be different, you know." He didn't sound friendly, nor did he sound mean. He kept his tone neutral, though he truly believed in his mind that things could have gone differently, and they still could even now. But then again it was Lykos...did he even truly care? "What do you want?" "Speech"

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"

Ooc// as mentioned before, I'll start a new thread since this one fell so far behind and a bunch of stuff happened since I:

Could they? His brothers tone was...unsurprisingly, full of doubt. He didn't think that things could be fixed anymore, and that told Dragon that perhaps Lykos didn't very much care enough to even want to try. So instead of trying to convince him, he shrugged. "Then I guess not." His brother always seemed so...pessimistic. And it was how he had always been. And truth be told, it was no one else's fault but his. Granted...Kharnage was also pretty pessimistic, at least he talked about things that bothered him. Likewise, Dragon often found himself acting in a similar manner sometimes, despite his attempts at trying to see things in a better light, he often did fall into the same attitude as his brothers on occasion...he just...tried not to show it as much. Dragon couldn't understand why others chose to live without some sort of optimism, it's not like Lykos' life had been so horrible. Their mother had done everything she could to raise them on her own, without any help from the bastard that sired them. And even though shit had happened with his brothers...friend, or whatever Mercy was to him, he knew that it would have pained his mother to have to issue more punishment then she already had. Then again, Lykos' rank wasn't that bad anyway. He had gotten off easy in his opinion. But regardless, he knew their mother would have rather avoided it all. And that was why she had fallen into the sink hole she was in now. Not because she was inferior or because she felt like she wasn't an adequate leader, but because of the decisions she was so conflicted with. The fight inside between being an Alpha, and being a mother. That was why she had decided to retire. And he was glad she did. She deserved to relax and take time for herself. And if she ever did want to resume leadership again, he would gladly give her the position once more. But for now, he was the alpha. He had to make the decisions. There was never a right or wrong decision, or so he felt. It was a learning experience, and he knew he wasn't the first or last alpha in the world to have to make hard choices. Everything had a price. A consequence. And no matter what path was chosen, there would always be some form of conflict. Life was never easy...it didn't give the answers to everything, if at all. And when Lykos answered his question after several long moments, Dragon would in turn take his time to think. Unfortunately, it didn't seem like Lykos had learned anything. At least that's how Dragon felt. He remained unchanged. Not sorry at all for anything. Didn't even ask how mom was, or if she had healed okay. He pursed his lips when he thought about it, and the more he thought, the more he felt that his brother only really did care about himself. Or at least...he didn't care about any of them. It pained him that it seemed his brother didn't appear to feel otherwise, and it was one of the many reasons he was doubting his brother more and more. Lykos believed this had never been home. And it made him wonder then, why the hell his brother had shown up of his own accord? It's not like anyone forced him to join...he could have gone anywhere he pleased. But instead, he had come to join the pack, and that had been when shit hit the fan. All Lykos did was accuse their mother's late mate of so many things with no evidence. Refusing to let their mother be happy. It was as if Lykos didn't want anyone to be happy, if he wasn't happy. And those thoughts didn't sit well at all with Dragon "You really don't get it, do you? You really don't care..." That was what he had come to perceive, anyway. He eyed his brother, holding back a sigh. He didn't know what to do right now, and he certainly couldn't think about it now. Not when he had preparations to make for the journey to a new home. Slowly, he shook his head. "I don't have time for this right now. I've got preparations to make...we're set to leave soon, and whether or not you choose to come is on you. All you've done so far is hide away. Not even bothering to contribute since you've been here, or even having the decency to see if mom ever healed okay. Sorry, but until I feel like you've maybe...I dunno, learned to not act so selfish, then my answer is no." There. That was his answer for now. He wasn't doing any of it out of spite, or because he hated Lykos...deep down, he still loved him even when his larger sibling was being a complete asshole. They were brothers, that had to mean something, right? Dragon would turn to leave then, but before he walked away he half looked back towards his brother. "This has been more of a home then you think...I'm sorry if you feel otherwise. I'll revisit this after I've tended to the pack. And again...whether you choose to stay or follow is on you. I'm not going to drag you by the scruff." He wouldn't really wait for an answer, as his mind was more on the pack move. Now...he had to go and gather the pack together and finish any last minute preparations. And of course, he would revisit this like he said he would...and if Lykos chose not to follow, then he supposed he would have to come back. He had no doubt of course, that he would have to go out of his way to come back here and find his brother. -exit Dragon- "Speech"