The weather was getting colder - quickly. Codeine's coat had gotten thicker for winter though, and the arctic hybrid didn't flinch at the frigid temperatures, or even at the constant snow that seemed to litter the northern lands. Codeine had unfortunately, gotten used to Alacritia's colder regions, because he had been looking for his sister. "I know you're here damn it." The yearling grumbled, his tail flicking behind him in annoyance. His steel colored eyes were narrowed, his lips curled into a nearly constant scowl. It bothered him that he had let his family wander away from him like this, it pissed him off that he had let the mother that he cared for so much vanish - he was supposed to be keeping an eye on her, on Artemis, on Ares... but they were gone.


At the moment anyways.


The male had reached his full height, but was a touch on the slimmer side. Thankfully he had taught himself to hunt, or rather, to kill at a young age so he hadn't starved even though he was on his own. His lips and coat were stained with blood - but it had dried, it had been days since his last kill. He was itching for a hunt, but it would have to wait. Because earlier that morning he had caught a hint of his sibling's scent. Artemis was nearby... and he was determined to track her down. He was angry with her, of course - she had let this happen too... but initially all he wanted was to reunite with his kind. She was family, and family was absolute. It was everything - and he would not let them live separated like this anymore.


Once he found her she was stuck with him.


With that in mind he would tip his head back and let loose a howl. A call for his dear family that just so happened to be nearby. If she heard it she would come - and if not, he would keep trying to track her down the hard way.

set before the war,

A distraction surfaced in the form of a summoning howl for the Elysius, extracting the hellion from the premises of Amenti?s domain without a moment?s hesitation. Curiosity struck her core as she pondered the reason behind the desire for conference among the elite combatants of her broken family, confusion enveloping her all the more due to the fact that she could not recognize the one who had beckoned them. Regardless, she swiftly departed from the frozen vessel she and her pack resided within, robust appendages carrying her at a rapid gait in the direction that the summon had emanated from, assuming that the meeting would not take place too far off from where she was currently situated due to the intense volume of the howl. Immaculate poise was maintained as she maneuvered, taking precautions just in case her mother should happen to make an appearance at the meeting; but such was doubted. Mother was occupied with attending to the new editions of their family, so her presence was unlikely ? but that did not mean someone else from her bloodline would not judge her, if they managed to show at all. A vague expression settled across her porcelain countenance as she approached the silhouetted form of a canine slightly smaller than she, curiosity continuing to fluctuate within her as her nostrils quivered to inhale the scent lacing the unknown?s form, evidently familiar but still unidentifiable. Once she had navigated a bit closer to the masculine creature, details more pronounced due to their closer proximity, the phantom child immediately halted in her step, mismatched gaze lingering upon his metallic out of sheer surprise. ?Codeine?? she managed after a prolonged moment of silence, eyes narrowing in disbelief as they traversed his physique, uncertain as to if this male was truly the brother that had abandoned her many months ago.

He would wait, each breath fogging the air before him while he anticipated. Would she hear? Would she show? Codeine didn't like being anxious, it was more in his nature to rush forward head first not to stand and watch. And yet he would not be left without an answer for long - she would make haste in her appearance, and although the minutes ticked by, they were only that - minutes. The first thing that the male noticed, was just how much she had grown in his absence. Ears twitched, and his muzzle crinkled into some awkward expression as he realized that Artemis was now larger than he was. She had grown into herself, and grown further than he, even by a miniscule amount, it was something that she had surpassed him in.


His thoughts quickly went beyond her appearance though, looking over the girl, wanting to confirm that she was alright. That she was not hurt, that he had not failed her in his absence. As she spoke his name, he would release a sigh through his nostrils, controlled, but honestly he couldn't help but bask in the familiarity. She was still the same sister that he stalked and sparred with and wanted to protect. A rival and an ally and a princess to the brute she was standing before, he would faintly grin in response. "Artemis. You smell like a pack." Had she found a new family? His eyes would grow darker for a moment, thoughts of her abandoning them, betraying their kin in a way that even he had not. He would tear anyone she held closer limb from limb... the male's lips twitched with mal intent at the thought.


"I'm sorry for loosing track of you." But he hadn't replaced her, it was never even a thought that crossed his mind. Although there was a part of him that dreaded what could be his sister not needing him anymore, he would push it aside and take the time to be glad that she was once again within his sights. "Where the hell have you been?" There was fondness in the statement despite its lack of poise. His lips would curl into something of a smile, and he would step toward Artemis in an attempt to close the gap between them and brush against her shoulder before plopping down beside her if she so let him. She was family, and although the white brute wasn't what one would consider touchy - she was one of the few that he would admit that he wanted to keep.


Sentiment though, was not something that Codeine was experienced with, or cared to become more acquainted with in the first place - and it would seem his bad attitude would grow to be a part of his charm. A graceful creature, was something that Codeine seemed to be the opposite of. Laughable, considering his father was some off breed of angel.

Conflicting emotions battled for prominence within her twisted mind as her hardened gaze lingered upon that of her brother?s, confused as to whether she should feel gracious with their reunion or angered by the fact that they had even had to reunite with one another after spending such a long period of time apart. There had never been a doubt that her lost sibling had died ? no, her family would not just drop dead of their own accord ? so there was no reason to rush forward and embrace him, instead choosing to remain rigid in her posture, unwavering from the spot she had rooted herself to as the titan scrutinized her developed physique. The wraith would allow her own pupils to devour his form simultaneously, satisfaction breaching her as she acknowledged the evident strength he harbored by the thick padding of his musculature that he had lacked as a mere child when she had last seen him ? surely his strength would contest her own now. She would expect the theory to be tested in due time, but for now, the bloodshed would remain nonexistent until her brother had adequately explained himself for leaving her side ? their family?s side when he was needed most. His contented sigh would bring her attention back upon his facial features, hardened gaze softening as the faintest trace of a grin tugged at the brute?s lips but countenance failing to portray the same emotion in favor of its typical vagueness. Triangular ears would careen forward to catch his words as he commented on her scent, skull minutely bobbing in confirmation of the statement in regard to her allegiance. ?I do,? the babe spoke confidently, brows furrowing slightly as she registered the anger that appeared to have consumed him upon his realization. ?I?m starting small, brother, you see?? she added quickly, attempting to quell his discontent with an explanation. ?First a soldier, an ally to the queen,? she paused then, a small smirk enveloping her porcelain features before continuing, ?And then a traitor as I thieve her crown and leave her as naught but a mangled corpse.? Arrogance was thick in her tones but she knew the capabilities of her masked Empress, and they did not number at many. He would apologize for his absence then and she would succumb to silence once more, emotions draining from her facial features as she pondered over whether or not her sibling was worthy of her forgiveness. ?I?ve been with mother as you should have been ? as Ares should have been,? she responded to his question pointedly, bitterness lacing her tones as she mentioned their disloyal brother who was likely in the company of Devya rather than his own flesh and blood. All sense of distress would vacate her interior, however, as her brother maneuvered closer to where she stood, brushing lightly against her shoulder without her stiffening at his touch before dropping to his haunches beside her. The babe would hesitate for no more than a moment before attempting to press her nose against his flesh, signifying that he was within her good graces once more as she solidified their bond. No more would he leave her side and no more would she leave his ? it was how it should have been all along.

She was so proud of her pack, and those two words were nearly enough to drag a snarl away from his bared teeth - but as she continued, quickly adding onto her words and explaining, he found himself understanding. His sister was like him - raised in a similar fashion, constantly aiming higher, reaching for greater things, and perhaps trying to impress the mother that had instilled this ambition within them. Starting small He would roll the question over within his own mind - he didn't like living beneath anyone but Morphine or perhaps one of his siblings. It was the only way he knew how to live in terms of packs. Yet Artemis had tried something new - an approach that he wasn't sure whether he could stomach.

She was learning from the inside.

Her confidence drew a smirk from his kissers, her plan was one that he couldn't help but find interest in. Curiosity piqued, he would eye her with a mischief laden glance, before nodding. There was no longer doubt in her loyalty, she had not joined a stranger's legion, she was simply setting up the cards to create her own. If she managed to take the bitch's crown, he would be there beside her - being subservient was not something that Codeine was particularly interested in, but aiding his sister as Queen would provide him with more than being a rogue did. More than joining one of these awful packs that resided in Alacritia ever could.

The silence was not particularly heavy, but he found himself on edge, waiting for her response. Would she forgive him quickly? Or would he find himself proving his own worth? She had been trying to seize their family a kingdom, while he had done nothing of value. Although emotion was not something that he dealt with often, shame prickled idly at the back of his head. He would have to do more if he was going to bear his surname with pride. Yet as he moved to sit beside her she would not push him away or bristle at his touch. Words would not be what bound them again, but a subtle action that he would take a bit of pride in.

It was good to have Artemis back. He would not be fool enough to leave her again.

"This poor bitch will never know what hit her." He would say, and although his words were crude, they were spoken with confidence toward his sibling. There was underlying jealousy, of course - she had outgrown him, and quite possibly outsmarted him... but he trusted her, and wanted to see her prevail - for both of their sake and their mother's. "Ares left?" He didn't remember as much of the boy as he did Artemis, but he did not expect that they both would wander off. Neither male had been their for their mother or sister like they should have. It left a bitter taste in Codeine's mouth. "Where did he run off to?"

"And how's mother?" After she lost Tortuga he had not known what to do or say, and perhaps giving the woman any sort of space had been what started his wandering enough to lose sight of her. Perhaps instead of Queenie's throne, they should be going after their birthright. Tortuga was rightly theirs.

this took too long, sorry bb :c

Pupils refused to waver from her brother?s pallid countenance, yearning for a trace of approval to manifest upon his facial features in regard to the devised plot she had relayed to him. Blackened heart began to drum vehemently against her chest as she awaited his response, desiring only to appease he who shared the blood that coursed through her very veins as was her purpose in life, placing his satisfaction many tiers above her own despite the fact that they had only just reunited after a lengthy separation. Although her ambition was great and her urge for power too intense to disregard, it was only because of the best interest of her blood-relatives that she strove to thieve the empire of the masked queen; they were royalty and they deserved to bask in the limelight that she intended to obtain and share equally among those who possessed every iota of her loyalty. As the only full-blooded sibling left within her good graces, Codeine?s positive judgment on the plan was imperative and would either put her plans into motion or cause the wraith to discard the very idea in favor of the next; something would have to be done to sate her family?s growing needs and she would be the one to grant their wishes ? no matter what it took. Mischief gleamed behind metallic depths and the wraith breathed out a sigh of relief, a smirk tugging at her lips to mirror the expression that had captivated her sibling?s visage, reveling in the tacit approval of the brute as she reclined upon her hindquarters, elongated tail snaking forth to drape around her hips. The confidence her sibling harbored towards her capabilities would fuel the phantom child with pride, ever-expanding ego inflating as the titan assured her of her impending success, offering him a single nod of agreement before he questioned their brother?s whereabouts. Attitude would noticeably shift to discomfort and her stance would tense as her thoughts drifted back towards Ares, upper lip minutely twitching with unmasked disgust. ?Ares did not just leave,? she informed her sibling harshly, mismatched gaze descending to her paws before she began her summarized explanation. ?He abandoned us in favor of another ? in favor of our traitorous father and his pathetic excuse for a..for a girlfriend,? she practically choked, tones pronouncing her disbelief with the situation. Sluggishly, she allowed her gaze to travel back to her sibling?s own, hoping to have ensnared the entirety of his attention before further divulging into the topic at hand. ?Devya ? she?s a fucking cunt, Codeine, really. A while back, she found me, she insulted our family; but never again?? An arrogant smirk extended across her velvet lips: ?I beat her. I proved her incompetence. Ares showed up, made me get off of her before I could break her jaw to ensure she never said a word against us again?but he sided with her, and he left with her, and he left me.? It was then that her amusement dissipated into a frown, a shake of her skull given to rid her features of all emotions, as if the shake would rid her of the memory of her brother?s traitorous actions. A sigh cascaded from her lips and she shrugged her shoulders back, loosening up as she attempted to push the thought of her other brother towards the back of her twisted mind. ?Mother is recovering ? there are four others who share our blood and name in the south,? she informed her sibling after a prolonged period of silence, a faint smile manifesting upon her features at the thought of her younger half-siblings. Perhaps they would prove to be more loyal than their wayward brother; one could only hope.

Ares had committed a crime more heinous than he? Artemis's mood would immediately shift to that of annoyance, of bitterness, she had truly been betrayed. Listening to her, the boy was left to put some pieces together himself. Such as their father being a traitor, that was a big one, he had never really disliked the guy, what could he have done to break his nearly neutral bond with his children and their mother? Yet it would seem that Artemis was more interested in telling him about Ares's horrible girlfriend. Honestly the boy was struggling not to laugh - a complete cunt huh? Who would have thought... yet he would hold his tongue and keep the mischief from flickering past his gaze. The yearling's dark lips would pull into a frown though, when she mentioned this Devya girl insulting their family.

An enemy to them all then, no wonder she was upset.

He was proud, as Artemis spoke of her truimph over the bitch, speaking against their bloodline was not something that he took lightly either. Breaking her jaw seemed an extreme punishment, but one that his sister had deemed necessary at that moment. He would not leave her for it like Ares had - he was not quite soft enough. Unfortunately he was not to the point of misunderstanding, and could understand why the boy had left Artemis after that. She had hurt something that he had claimed as his, of course he would be upset with his sister. "More siblings? She really is doing her part in making this family stronger." They were his flesh and blood, one of the few that would get any sort of strike with him opposed to just being marked as enemies and struck down or forgotten. "Hopefully they won't turn out soft too."

He would pause a moment, thoughts of his sibling swimming through his mind before he picked his words. "Ares chose her over family, but he'll regret it. I say the bitch leaves him sooner than later." Blood was thicker than underdeveloped hormones after all. "He'll come back to us." Us - their family, he and his mother and the little siblings that they had to care for. With both Seraphim and Ares gone, it left him as the only grown male within their family - he had more of a duty than he had thought first coming back. The ivory brute would carry it with pride, would stand beside his family and proudly bear his family name - it was what his mother wanted and what they deserved, after all.