His first patrol as an Insomniac, the splattered monochromatic male opted to wake early after a restful sleep beneath the stars. The sun had yet to peek over the horizon, earning his skin a bit of chill as the dew clung to the grass, wetting his paws. It was pretty early for anyone to be up, but considering what kind of wolves lived in this pack, he doubted the time of day or night hardly mattered for them. It was an odd group here from what he'd observed from afar, anyway. He made his way to the Northern end, opting to start there and making his way around. Perhaps, if he was lucky, he'd run into someone else that would end up accompanying him.

It took a number of minutes, but he made it in due time. He had gotten used to the morning chill, and his paws were practically soaked through from the wet grasses, but it didn't bother him anymore. He didn't rush his patrol, but instead, moved at a leisurely pace so as to enjoy the morning as he waited for the sun to rise.

"Speech"

Enyo moved through the rippling grasses with a quiet gait. Each step was measured, her heavy paws making only the faintest sound against the dew-laden earth. Like her brother, she had an easy and restful night, not once had she been bothered by familial duties and so she rested thoroughly. The early morning air clung to her thick fur, promising a humid day to come. The summer here was not as temperate and mild as back home. She had heard rumors of land further south experiencing quite the opposite change in weather. With frost and frozen lakes... Enyo couldn't imagine such a contrast.

Her silver-blue and icy-blue eyes scanned the horizon with keen intelligence, catching sight of Kronos moving at a relaxed pace ahead of her. A flicker of pride stirred in her chest as she observed him; he was a finely crafted specimen of their bloodline, every inch the Dunamis prince with his chiseled features and striking coat. But as always, that pride was tinged with the faint, gnawing envy that had long since taken root in her heart. The threat of him surpassing her all because of his sex. It was inevitable, knowing that her place as 2nd in power could easily be taken with time. Regardless, she held pride in all her brothers.

Her head was held high, posture commanding as if the very ground beneath her feet was hers to rule. When she finally spoke, her voice was thick and velvety, carrying a weight of authority that demanded attention.

"Kronos," she greeted, her tone cool and measured. "It seems you've decided to greet the day before the sun itself. Admirable. Do you mind if I accompany you? I have yet to explore this area as detailed as I prefer." She let the words hang in the air, her sharp gaze assessing him.

Enyo’s eyes flickered to the horizon, the sun had not even threatened to show itself yet. Was it early in the morning or late at night? "The Dance Floor of the Gods," she mused, her voice softening slightly as she took in the vast, empty plains. "A fitting name, though I wonder if the gods themselves would find this heat as intolerable as we do." It was a soft attempt at a joke, perhaps to lighten the mood a little. Nothing the Dunamis couldn't handle, especially with the trails their father made them endure... A little humidity and heat would hardly have an effect on their performances. However, there was no need to be so serious in this moment between two siblings. Besides, she hadn't had a one-on-one with her brother in quite a while. It would be good to catch up.

She paused, the corners of her mouth twitching into the faintest of smirks as she returned her gaze to Kronos. "Shall we make this patrol worth our time, little brother? The gods may be watching, but it’s the wolves on this earth who truly matter." She would offer him one more quip before awaiting his response.

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

He was enjoying the silence of the pre-dawn morning, the crickets chirping slowly lulling into quietness as dawn approached slowly, but steadily. The day ahead promised to be warm what with the change of the season over the lands. Glancing up at the still darkened sky that the sun had not dared to touch just yet. He could see the stars twinkling bright above the lands. It was peaceful, and he would prefer it no other way. Though of course, the peace wouldn't last forever, as Enyo appeared on the horizon. She approached him, and his attention turned to her as she greeted him and asked if she could join him. "Wasn't expecting anyone else to be up so early. But yes, you are welcome to join me. I figured I'd get a head start on an early morning patrol and see what these lands have to offer before the chaos of the day comes around. Two birds, one stone." He mused. Of course, he didn't miss her sharp, assessing gaze. One he returned with impassiveness, of course. She might have been bigger and older than him, but he was smarter. More cunning. But he wouldn't let that show. Keep them always guessing.

He motioned for her to follow as he continued on his path near the border, noting a herd of slumbering deer scattered in the distance. Perhaps a hunt is in order for the hunters... He thought to himself, his gaze further sweeping the land. He noted every well-worn footpath he saw. The grasses that looked like they were beginning to wilt. No doubt from the intense heat that had recently begun to bear down on them. The trees that were scattered around, though sparse. Which meant shade here would be hard to come by without some competition, so it was likely the majority of the pack would be sheltering from it within the Gorge. And then his attention was diverted back to Enyo as she mused about the Plain they were in. "I imagine so. Summer's only just begun and already it feels unbearable," He grimaced. He hoped it was just a fluke and that it would only last for a few days. But just in case, they would need to prepare, he was sure.

His sister would suddenly come to a stop, and he walked a few paces before he realized it. Turning to find her smirking a bit, his brow cocked up in question. "Hm? What did you have in mind?" It was...strange, to see her like this. Usually she was all business. Was she about to turn this into a training exercise as well?

"Speech"

Enyo often woke up early in empty hours such as these. Not because she was a natural early bird, nor was it because of the strict regimen she held herself to. No, it was because it seemed these were the only times she was free from her duties. Free to walk, and show some humanity. Free to not have to be a representation of Dunamis excellence. Oftentimes, she spent twilight in peaceful solace. Confiding in Foberos and relaxing. Watching the deer lumber around.

She knew how Kronos saw her. A hardass, a brute, predictable. But she was much more than that, and she enjoyed occasionally reminding her siblings of it. There was a mission to be done, she had to be rough. Stern. Harsh. There were eyes on all of them but there were many expecting her to fall behind due to her sex. There was no way she could even begin to consider or articulate the pressure she felt daily to Kronos. Was Kronos yet another set of eyes assuming he was better than her? It would be safer to assume so.

"I'm often awake at these times. It seems to be the only time I have to myself before familial duties take over my day." She answered in a low, modulated tone.

"This summer has proven quite harsh. The humidity sinks deep into my coat. By the end of most days, I must bathe twice as long to even begin to feel clean. Although it isn't much of a problem outside of the feeling." she remarked, "I do not have anything in mind for now. Let us walk and patrol."

She stepped forward, her massive frame commanding the space between them. Her gaze swept over the slumbering herd of deer in the distance. The only slightly cool, there was a suffocating and still promise of humidity but Enyo hardly seemed to notice. The heat was just another challenge, another thing to overcome, and she relished the idea of enduring what others might wilt under.

"Look at them," she said, her voice low as her eyes lingered on the deer, vulnerable and unaware of the two wolves watching from the border. "They sleep, unaware of the predators that lurk nearby. They trust their numbers and their sense of safety in the herd. But safety," her gaze snapped back to Kronos, intense and calculating, "is an illusion. One wrong move, and they fall. Just like any wolf who grows complacent. This land, Boreas, is full of complacent wolves."

Enyo turned her head slightly, regarding her younger brother with a raised brow, "We are the predators lurking near. I just hope we do not stay here for too long. I wish to carve our place in this land from our endeavors... Not off the back of another in power. Do you have any plans in mind? What do you think of our endeavors?" Her words hung heavy in the air, but there was no cruelty in her voice, only the cold pragmatism that came with being a Dunamis. The unrelenting desire to be better, to be more.




"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

"I'm often awake at these times. It seems to be the only time I have to myself before familial duties take over my day." Hm...well he would've never guessed that. It seemed all she did was familial duties. Both her and Erebos. While he understood there were certain expectations of them, he also knew the importance of relaxing and just being every once in a while. At her mention of the summer heat, he had to agree with that. He nodded along, gaze lifting to the morning sky. It was cool still, but as the day went on, he was sure the humid heat would return once again...and the next day...and the day after that. He didn't like it. "Mm...I must agree with you there." He wrinkled his nose at the thought of the heat that would continue to come.

He followed her, resuming the patrol he had begun that morning. Her gaze shifted to the deer in the near distance. Comparing them to the complacent wolves of the lands. He hadn't met many yet, but perhaps she had. He wasn't sure. He was skeptical about that remark, however. "I've yet to meet many others. Perhaps some are, but not all. It would do us well to remember that. Just because we don't see those in plain view that are like us, doesn't mean they aren't lurking around." There was a vast number of wolves out there. Many packs that they had yet to come into contact with. He was very aware that there could be others with ideals similar to their own..."The same can be said for us, however. One wrong move and we might very well find ourselves in a position that could have been avoided." He mused.

"Ah, but not everything can be avoided. Tread with caution...but also don't be afraid." He nodded to himself. Life was an enigma. A bad situation may very well end up working out well in the end. But on the other side of the coin, a good situation could end up bad. There was no telling what life would throw at someone, after all. Not everything could be predicted. Erebos, for instance, was careful. But sometimes being too careful wasn't a good thing. Likewise, neither was being reckless. As for Kronos? He enjoyed life's mysteries. And although he did his best to think everything out, that also took the fun out of life.

They walked along the borders. He marked what needed strengthening, keeping a lookout just beyond for any signs of potential threats, but so far, there was none. Good. Not that Insomnia couldn't handle it. After all, there were a few...odd ones here. Very much different than what he was used to, of course. But hey, it added character. "We are the predators lurking near. I just hope we do not stay here for too long. I wish to carve our place in this land from our endeavors... Not off the back of another in power. Do you have any plans in mind? What do you think of our endeavors?"

He cocked an ear toward her as he continued along the border. Humming in thought. "Medusa and her brood are odd ones. She carved her own path after a series of unfortunate events. Created what she did not have before. In time, we will do the same. But...not everything should be rushed. She has done us a great favor by allowing us to live here as we plan our next move." As for plans? He couldn't say he had anything in mind for the long term. "My plans? Getting to know the lands and the wolves in it. Deciding who might be worth the trouble, and who could be a threat. We've a lot of responsibility and expectation upon our shoulders...we would do well to think and plan carefully, and not make enemies of those who could very well tear us down. Even if our name gets out there, and we gain a following, loyalty is often split. Especially if another turns out stronger and has a better foothold."

"Speech"

Enyo listened quietly, taking in the subtle undercurrent of his words. He was careful, thoughtful even. Traits she admired but knew could also lead to indecision. His musings about wolves lurking with similar ideals were valid, but there was a softness in the way he approached it. Kronos had always been the thinker, the one to consider every angle, while she preferred a more direct approach. The world was not seized by those who thought, it was taken by those who had the strength to act. Still, she could appreciate his perspective even if it was different from hers.

When he mentioned Medusa, a low chuckle escaped her. "Odd is one word for it," she said, her voice laced with dry amusement. "But Medusa has done what many can’t. And not just survived, she’s thrived, in her strange way. That’s not something to overlook. We owe her for this foothold, true. Regardless of what we do or where we want to go, it is Erebros who dictates everything" For better or worse. Her gaze flicked back to the horizon, sharp and calculating. "And when we do, it will be bigger, better. Insomnia might be an ally now, but I have no intention of relying on anyone else for long." It wasn't as if she or any of them had a choice in the matter.

She turned her head toward him, her intense eyes locking onto his. "You’re right that not everything should be rushed, but there’s a difference between careful planning and hesitation. You speak of loyalty, of not making enemies, but here’s the truth... everyone’s a potential enemy, Kronos. Everyone who isn't us is below us. They are not bound by blood the way we are. The moment they see our strength and our ambition, they will look for ways to tear us down. They will be threatened. Weaker spirits always are. It’s not a matter of if but when. We must be prepared, always."

Enyo’s steps slowed, her massive frame pausing mid-stride as she shifted her gaze back to the herd of deer. "I’m not suggesting we act recklessly or rush into alliances or war, but hesitation is dangerous. Just as dangerous as a hastily made alliance. Or just as foolish as thinking we, as grand as we are designed, are capable of blending in. Waiting too long for the right moment, that’s when others strike. Not out of fear, but out of control. We shape the board, not the other way around."

Her tail flicked, a gesture of impatience. "We can’t afford to think small. And right now, Kronos, your plans are too small. Getting to know the wolves? Deciding who’s worth the trouble?" She scoffed lightly. "That’s all well and good, but don’t forget the bigger picture. Our name should be feared, not just known. Strength, power that’s how you gain true loyalty. Not by tiptoeing around, trying to figure out who might be useful. In the end, when your allies are dead and your enemies come charging on our door, it will all dwindle to one thing. War." She would look into his eyes, the icy fire burning behind them with intensity, "And when, not if, but when that happens brother. You will be thankful you have me."

Enyo took a step closer to him, her voice lowering, but it carried a heavy weight of authority. "We will rise, Kronos. Together. Caution has its place, yes. But we aren’t here just to blend in. We’re here to dominate. Remember that."

With that, she turned her gaze forward, resuming their patrol. The sharp lines of her face softened slightly as she added, almost as an afterthought, "And if life throws us a novelties or two along the way, all the better. You can enjoy it. But don't let it distract you from what we’re here to do."

They were on a mission. Do not get caught in the webs of mingling with the lesser. The fact Kronos even believed that others could tear them down.... they were Dunamis. Boreas was a lake. Every action, every word, every choice, everything they did would ripple and eventually make waves throughout the land.

And if the wolves that were here before them tried to snuff them out or even threatened them, then perhaps they weren't as foolish as she believed.

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN