Ruin hadn't strayed far from home ever since Ma had caught her up on that cliff. It went without saying that the shadow loved her Ma very very much, but sometimes she couldn't help but feel as though she didn't want Ruin to have fun, that she wanted her to be sweet and well behaved like little Suspense. Or to be joined at the hip like her big brothers. Well maybe Ruin didn't want to blend in with the others, it sounded like a lot of work for little gain and whilst the pretence could be fun for a while she knew it would get old fast. Like all pups her attention span wasn't the longest, any act that didn't have a big pay off wasn't worth the effort. It was all about the prize, the accomplishment and satisfaction of a scheme well done or a lie convincingly told. Her parents might want her to pretend to be better but she just couldn't do that for them, she'd do things her way or not at all.

With this in mind, Ruin trotted along the beach, her tail hanging limp and still as she watched the ocean with calculating mismatched eyes. It was quiet, with only the croaking of gulls and the hissing of the waves to keep her company, and that just wouldn't do. A lie formed in her mind, one she couldn't hold back.

"Hellllp!!" She cried, her voice lined with panic as she darted back and forth on the spot.

The sound was a sound Hirundo wasn't accustomed to hearing, a wolf speaking. Often they just bit and asked questions later, but Hirundo was never around to answer those questions. Her ears perked, swiveling towards the sound. She moved forward without thinking, no rush to her leisure pace. Her companion sat nestled in the juncture of her neck and ribcage and had not startled at the noise. He was perhaps used to such sounds by now.

The mare continued towards the water, her head turning slowly as she scanned the shore. A distant black dot was wiggling around. Perhaps the source of such a strange sound. She found it only proper to continue on, considering the dot looked relatively harmless. Slowly, the woman approached. Her nostrils flared at the scent of the sea as well as the subtle scent of a canine. Her dramatic lashes fluttered over her cheeks as she paused to take a deep inhale, collecting her thoughts. The golden mare then pressed on, her gait its usual calm walk.

She was in no rush to save something that would probably eat her at any given chance.

Haiku wasn’t often without his brother beside him, having him at his shoulder was as natural as breathing. Their parents were pretty adamant about creating independence within them and they were made to separate every few days. He would go with one of their parents or big sisters while Senryu went with someone else. Today the young twin was following Ruin. She seemed to get more trouble than the double team of her brothers did so Haiku knew that wherever she wound up she was going to find fun.

He heard his sister’s call for help before he saw the threat and the little boy raced forward onto the beach. He bared his teeth and his quill like whiskers frilled out from his face. He growled a deep puppy growl as he reached Ruin and his blue and lavender eyes fell on the massive horse coming their way. He’d never seen a horse before, but he supposed she looked a lot like the deer that made Abaven home despite the wolves that preyed upon them.

”Leave my sister alone!” He growled, hackles raising like his tiny body could do anything to the graceful beast before them.

Ruin had intended to lie, to claim that she'd seen a wolf in the water struggling to stay afloat buuuut this was a whole lot better. She turned, dropping all pretence of fear and concern, her gaze cold and detached as she eyed the golden creature, all tall with long spindly legs. And yet here it was, walking around her home like it owned the place, as though it hadn't just strolled into wolf territory. Just by sight and smell she knew it wasn't one of them, that it didn't belong here. And frankly the way it get plodding towards her in no hurry at all annoyed the Cavaliere-Klein, tempting her to indulge in her darker sense of mischief.Ruin didn't know about hunting but she knew that wolves ate animals with hooves, from a distance she'd seen her sisters drag down deer and rip into them, sending red stuff splatting against the ground. Did this animal think it was above such a fate? Or maybe she wanted to be eaten too, if so Ruin reckoned she could help make that happen.

Her brother-not sure which one- arrived on the scene, quills and teeth bared as though he stood a chance against the towering beast. Ruin really appreciated the sentiment and with her shaky, uncertain expression back in place she stepped close and nuzzled her head against his shoulder, grateful for his company. They were family, he belonged here and Ruin wanted him by her side. In him she found strength and an easy lie slipped from her lips.

"It's okay, I think she wanna stay for dinner." Her gaze was cunning and sharp, wondering if she could trick the beast into filling their bellies later. If nothing it would get her to leave, to run and never come back.

The mare stopped, peering down her curved nose at the two little blobs of fur and mischief. Her nostrils flared at the realization that there was no one in need of help. She simply watched in silence, long ears flicking forward in peaked interest. It wasn't often she sought to help wolves, but pups, she could make an exception. Hirundo had learned early on that in this land, there was no room for her kind. Her peaceful ways were not forgotten, but if you want to survive, you have to be ready to fight. The mare had picked the worst time to travel to this land, deep in the winter, where food was scarce. She was often the victim of tracking and chasing, wounds and bite marks marring her pelt for weeks. But now, the mare had learned.

But clearly not enough, her mind straying, drawn by the scent of wolf-pup and seawater. The mare had missed the territory ques, but it mattered naught. Her ears perked at the sound of the voice that had screamed "help" so casually moments ago. Her lips curled in a smile that looked more like a snarl--intentionally mocking the wolves' strange facial expressions. She had never understood the need for such things. Just speak.

She paused, eyes closing as she debated responding or not. The mare decided she would leave soon. Pups never were unattended for long. Her companion seemed to agree, the crow fluttering up to land on her nose, cawing at her vehemently.

"Depends," she spoke, her warm voice strangely cold," I much prefer bobcat to wolf pup. Besides, neither of you look fit enough for more than a snack." Her eyes finally reopened, her head turning so she could peer down at their forms without Nihil obstructing her view.

Ruin offered him physical confidence as she leaned against his shoulder in silent support against the towering monster and her crow. Prose cracked in irritation, the young raven wasn’t a fan of crows. Haiku tried to look as intimidating as possible but that wasn’t such a successful look on the fluffy boy. He may have laughed at his sisters words had he not been concentrating so hard on the interloper. His white tipped tail lashed as he lowered himself by bending his joints in anticipation, still sure to bear his teeth.

Surprisingly the creature answered Ruin’s invitation but she made it sound like she was going to be the one eating them. Haiku didn’t like the sound of that but he wouldn’t let his fright show. Bright blue and lavender eyes never left her as he became more uncertain about her place in the food chain. ”J..Just try it!” His voice wavered, only hinting at how nervous teh horse was really making him. Any second now he’d muster the courage to charge her. Any.. second..

Ruin watched, observed, with keen interest as the strange creature stood there and weighed up her words. Not a drop of fear coursed through her veins, as thus far the world hadn't proven to be a scary place. Ma spoke of danger and strangers who might do her harm but they were out of sight and mind to the little Cavaliere-Klein, vague concepts it would take her a while to grasp. She knew though that animals with long and spindly legs were skittish, even fleeing at the mere scent of a wolf, so she couldn't help but wonder what it would take to scare this creature, what buttons she and her brother would need to press...It sounded like a fun game, one that could be aided along with the clever use of a lie or two.

Only that the stranger said she could easily eat them if she so chose. That might have been the truth, since not everyone was a liar like Ruin, but her whole plan would fall apart if that was the case.

"Yeah?" She asked, ignoring the icy chill of the strangers voice. Instead Ruin leaned against her brother, urging him to keep calm and follow her lead."Show us your teeth!" She ordered, calling the strangers bluff as she gnashed hers together, showing off her stubby canines. Still sharp enough to cut but not all that deep just yet. Not that they'd do much against a creature that made even her big brother seem tiny, but it was worth a shot. "Or else!"