“Yeah?” He asked, his voice partly challenging, partly amused. He wondered what he could use to test out this theory of there's. See if they really would do as he asked. “I’m Strai” He said, realising that the black wolf was right. They hadn’t introduced themselves, had they? Not that he really gave a shit. But.. they had won. He could take his punishment.

“And you?” He asked, keeping on with the civil conversation stuff. Truth was, he wasn’t actually any good at it. He expected to trip up at any moment. But he was trying to keep his word. He glanced behind the wolf again, wondering where their giant Bas had gone. That wolf seemed to be content to leave them alone, at least for the moment.


"Speech"

Araneae smiles genuinely, glad to have a name to apply to the boy. “Strai,” they try out, letting the word roll across their tongue. “nice to meet you, Strai. i’m Spider.” they give a little faux-bow, head inclined with one paw pressed to their chest. then they bounce back to their feet, tail wagging wildly. “have you ever played tag? someone is ‘it’ and they have to run while the other chases them. then if you catch them, it’s your turn to be ‘it.’ we should play that!” this was gonna be so much fun! Araneae was gonna force this boy to have so much fun that he’ll find himself unable to hate them! that’s how that works, right? “speech”

Strai blinked at the black wolf. Still attempting to fulfil his side of the bargain. Although how on earth someone acts around a ‘friend’ he has no idea. “Ahhh, I get it… the eyes.” Strai commented on their name. He had seen that the bottom pair didn't blink, but other than that he wasn’t sure what to make of their strange markings.

“No, I’ve never played tag” he admitted, but luckily Spider was already explaining the rules. He could see how the game could come about. Both learning to chase, and to avoid, were useful skills. Alright, so this was like a lesson, right? He could do this. “I’ll start, ready?” he said, and moved towards the other wolf.


"Speech"

Araneae flashes a cheeky grin. "yup. eyeees." they waggle their brows and then make a dramatic face, scrunching up the eye markings with the movement. at Strai's agreement, they straighten up and give an excited wiggle; this surly boy was really going to play tag with them! how exciting! "okay," they concede, nodding eagerly. "on the count of three! one...two...tag, you're it!" it was generally customary to tap the person on the shoulder, therefore 'tagging' them, but Araneae figures the boy wouldn't appreciate that - so instead they just shoot off through the trees, utilising their smaller build to weave through the undergrowth. hopefully Bas wouldn't worry that they'd disappeared for a little bit. “speech”

Spider was quick to jump into game mode. This kid was wild and strange to Strai. So energetic and excitable, quick to fight, and quicker to play. Strange. But he had made a deal, and he had lost. He had to pay up. When Spider raced off into the woods, Strai shot out after them.

He wasn’t familiar with the terrain, not like it was home. But he had evaded a bear through them only the day before. It gave him some idea of the lay of the land. When Spider shot through an opening in a dense layer of undergrowth, Strai knew the path would take them right. So he moved that way, going around the undergrowth, through the trees, and there was Spider. He was grinning now, the thrill of the chase catching up with him. He leaned forward and swatted at Spider’s back leg. “It!” He yelled as he veered off course.

"Speech"

they’re wiggling beneath upturned tree roots and around spiky bushes, wincing as their fur is pulled in every which way. thistles and nettles get caught in their pelt, and by the time Astraios catches up them, they look faintly…deranged. Araneae squeals as they feel Astraios graze their back leg, skidding to a halt mid-stride so abruptly that they kick up a cloud of dust. they’re grinning, though, and panting as they turn sharply and charge after the boy. they’re quick on their feet, but he’s larger than them and can cover a lot more ground with his big long legs. at least, that’s their reasoning for why they quickly lose him amidst the undergrowth, scowling to themselves as they skid to a halt. their breath comes out in quick, choppy pants - and they stand there pouting with half the forest entangled in their fur, looking comically disappointed in themselves. ”aw, dammit!” “speech”