An SOS to the world [Vix]

[rii]

Look what she can do!

Kostya didn't pay any mind to the insistent mental tugging to lift his gaze from his current project. A piece of wood and and knife set in hand. He was whittling. How sad and pitiful things had become that he was trying to pass his time by hacking away at a branch.

Loooook. Loooooooook!

It didn't even look like anything. Although to be honestly Kostya didn't exactly have anything in mind starting out. Mirage had been helpful in supplying a number of interesting tales of what the stick could become. If only he didn't fail so hard at the task. Maybe he'd just sharpen it into a spear and throw it at something.

LOOK HERS LOOK NOW!

Wince, the green wherling lifted his head from where he was leaning up against a tree to view his young wher. Konstask, half crouched in preparation, gave a small tail flick as she waited to make sure she had his complete attention. Satisfied she had his eyes, the jade green sped off down the path toward the river. There she leapt on a fallen log, bounding down it's length to jump to a rock jutting out from the water. Another graceful, long jump brought her to the furthest boulder out in the river. A touch of unease stirred in Kostya's mind, but it was snuffed as soon as he saw the green pirouet around to regard him with a pose. Impressive, wasn't it.

"That's all well and grand darling – do you know how to swim?" Konstask's tail curled expressively over her body. Of course she knew. There was a definite pause in her response as Kostya's pale eyes narrowed on her dark green form. Konstask lowered her head a bit, making a show of looking at her claws as she pawed the boulder. What was swimming again?

Mirage, ever the tale-weaver, made a sudden broadcast of the image of drowning Konstask being swept away by the current. Urgent, urgent! Fatty wher in need of saving! Oh who would be the legendary herooo!?

[Avu]

“Go away.”

He pushed at Tekivisk’s muzzle to emphasize his point, curling a little tighter around his knees and scowling at the wher. A wind-up music box with the top popped open was sitting at his feet, the hand not wrapped tightly around his legs dropping to the little handle. Turning it drew only two tinkling notes before Tekivisk, fascinated by the little box, made of wood with metal pieces on the inside and painted a glossy navy blue with gold decorations, leaned forward again, nosing at the box and almost accidentally sending it tumbling right off the rock. Vix grabbed it, scowling a little more darkly, and thumped the heel of his hand lightly against Tekivisk’s shoulder.

“You break it, I swear you can stop thinking about sneaking into bed with me,” he warned, and Tekivisk obediently flopped onto her stomach next to the rock he was sitting on. Vix sighed, closing his eyes and shaking his head in irritation at himself; how far he’d come from just shoving Tekivisk out of his bed whenever she tried to climb in with him. Now it was more or less accepted that her presence in his already too-small cot was welcomed with grumbling that didn’t really mean anything, as was Rook’s. The blue Salamandyr was currently in Vix’s pocket, sleeping off his latest sugar rush – beautifully silent.

The broadcast startled Vix enough that he fumbled the music box, barely caught it.

By the time he looked up again, bewilderment obvious in his expression (drowning Konstask, what?), Tekivisk had already leapt to her feet with a bark of concern, and it washed over Vix in bright waves. Sister, sister – drowning!? (Where the image had come from wasn’t questioned, even though Tekivisk felt it wasn’t Konstask herself – did that matter?) The green took off without waiting for Vix, speeding down the path. Vix stared after her, mouth agape for a moment, before he hissed out a curse. It wasn’t like Tekivisk could swim.

Vix huffed, shoved the music box into his empty pocket – no need to squish Rook in his sleep – and then leapt off the rock, taking off after his wher. He nearly crashed right into her a minute later, given that she’d stopped dead the instant she saw Konstask safe and dry, her concern washing away and a cheerful relieved happiness replacing it. The young green crooned, wings flapping; her favorite sister was okay? Scared, she’d been; such a frightening broadcast…Tekivisk’s head tilted, the green’s eyes flushing curious shades. Why was her sister all the way out there?

Her handler, meanwhile, appraised the scene with narrowed eyes that eventually fell on Kostya. Who he may or may not have been avoiding as much as possible since…well, ever since Impression. Hard to do when they had lessons together and lived practically next door, but still: Waking up curled as close as he could possibly get to Kostya had been more than enough to mortify Vix for one lifetime. He nudged Tekivisk with his knee, pressing his lips together.

She could stay. Didn’t matter to him, as long as she eventually came home. But he – he was not sticking around. Vix turned, hooking his thumbs into the pockets of his pants, and started back towards his rock, where it was peaceful and there wasn’t a Kostya.

[rii]

"That's enough, Mirage." Kostya hummed to the little white curling around his ear. He lifted a hand, the motion itself looking as if he was brushing his hair when all he'd done was run a fingertip along the salamandyr's back. Please by the attention – and definite amusement coming from hers – Mirage ended her broadcast with a content blues swirling in her eyes.

The wherling was just stepping toward the river to call his weyr back to dry land when the sounds of the unexpected arrival detroured his attention. Oh loooook, Mirage slithered forward to Kostya's cheek to get a better look at the green pair. Someone had thought she was telling the truth. Wasn't that just oh-so-sweet of them to come racing to the rescue? Mirage's amusement danced merrily through all their minds.

Indeed. Kostya narrowed thoughtfully in Tekivix's direction with veiled interest. He hadn't bothered the other green wherling since the little incident in the infirmary. It didn't escape his notice that Vix had been taking more care to avoid him, and Kostya let him. Now, though, the weyrling had more or less fallen right into Kostya's lap and the blonde wasn't going to let him walk away so easily.

Konstask raised up on her back legs, barking a greeting at her fun little sister Tekivisk. What? Of course she was okay. It was that nasty worm that clung to hers. It told horrible stories – oh but watch! Konstask fell back down on all fours, crouching low with haunches wiggling to spring herself back onto a rock near to the shore. From there the log again to prance in along in elegant self-pride. Until a claw caught in the rotting wood, sending her to near face-plant into the ground. Managing to catch herself before such a disaster, Konstask quickly righted herself and bounded over to her sister, flopping down in a inviting, playful crouch. Her sister must tell her about the time she spent with her mentor. Did they do anything fun?

Clicking his tongue, Kostya observed the two greens a moment before taking off after Vix's retreating back with mental tug for Konstask to stay nearby and off the rocks. "Vix," Kostya called, not exactly expecting the name to make the other wherling pause. No, he was already taking the few long strides to catch up to the younger male. The familiar smile already in place. "As much as I enjoy watching two whers all the time," He spoke while matching pace at Vix's side. "You should stick around."

[Avu]

A worm?

Perplexed, Tekivisk tilted her head, but comprehension dawned quickly. ‘Worm’ – that was the name Vix called Rook sometimes when he was particularly irritated at the blue. She hadn’t known they could make pictures too, but that didn’t matter. Her upset vanished quickly, replaced by delight at the sight of her sister. Tekivisk scrambled a little closer, tail wagging as she watched Konstask obediently. The leap drew a bark from Tekivisk, the green happily scampering closer to Konstask so she could nuzzle her favorite (and only, but that was beside the point – Tekivisk was sure that even if she’d had more Konstask would still be her favorite) clutchsister.

She’d looked so pretty and graceful and oh, she wished she could do that – Tekivisk crooned, matching Konstask’s bow with her own, tail wagging, before she feinted playfully sideways and then leapt backwards, inviting a game of tag. Her mentor was scary, she added, though the bright shades in her eyes made it clear that the idea didn’t particularly bother her. Good teacher, he was, and she had a good time trying to hunt, but he wasn’t friendly, was all. Her mentor’d been better, she hoped?

Of course Tekivisk wouldn’t even register his leaving. Vix swallowed the sharp flicker of jealousy; how irrational was it that he was even slightly upset that his own wher wanted to play with another green? How pitiful. His shoulders jerked upwards slightly at the sound of his name being called, but if anything, Vix actually sped up, determined to put more distance (preferably half the Weyr) between himself and Kostya. It wasn’t that he even particularly disliked him anymore – which was, in itself, rather disturbing and a very large factor in Vix’s avoidance of the other greenhandler; he wasn’t used to liking anyone.

“You don’t have to watch ‘ki,” he replied, biting out the words, more sharply than he’d meant to, keeping his head bowed, eyes averted from Kostya. “She’ll come back to me. Eventually.” Vix’s eyes narrowed, flicking sideways briefly to the other. “Stop following me. Please.” The last word was added on as an afterthought, even though the entire phrase lacked any real distaste. He blamed Tekivisk for that, though, making him feel like he should like Kostya and whatever attention he received from him. And for making him feel like he should be playing with him. And possibly licking him, because, really, he was fairly certain he wouldn’t have come up with that in his own mind.

No, he was pretty sane, thank you very much.

[rii]

A warm, purr-like sound rumbled in Konstask chest as she stretched long in her playful arch. The delighted glow to her blue-green eyes told enough of how much Tekivisk's comments flattered – even if Konstask privately commented that it was simply fact what her sister said. It still pleased the jade green to a ridiculous level. She sent a modest brush of gratitude to her sister – before digging her claws into the dirt and springing after the other green without fail.

Hunting sounded fun. She didn't get to go hunting with her mentor, but when she learned she would go out with Tekivisk and they could hunt together. Bumping against Kostya's legs, Konstask put on a burst a speed to make an attempt at tackling Tekivisk from behind – only to miss and tumbled into the bushes. There she squirmed onto her belly, flattening down and peeking through the leaves. If Tekivisk came near the darker green would thusly launch an ambush attack!

Kostya watched the green dart by, teetered slightly toward Vix from the impact on the side of his leg. It brought a smile to his face none the less. His poor attempt at wood carving was tossed aside to be forgotten in light of much, much more interesting projects. "Ki, that's cute." The off-handed comment was followed with Kostya's pale eyes turning on to Vix. "I do have to watch her, because I doubt she knows how to swim any better than Konstask and playing out on the rocks was exactly what she wanted to do."

The teasing came out in a light tone that bared no form of bitterness of the times Kostya did find himself with two green whers. There was no doubt in him that his vain little green could convince her sister to try the same feat. A real drowning wher would not mark a good night. As a side, it was very possible that Kostya had been encouraging the whers to play together with a very particular reason in mind (the snuggling suggestion in the infirmary had worked out so nicely after all). So no, having Tekivisk around hardly bothered him.

Kostya's lids drooped, a dangerously amused smile lifting the corners of his lips. The older wherling quickened his stride, stepping in front of Tekivisk to bar the path. "If you stop walking away from me, I wouldn't have to follow you." Kostya canted his head to the side, the knife passing hands in plain view – done purposely for a reaction, again perhaps, but the blond showed no sign of paying mind to it. The blade found the sheath at his side. The belt itself loose around his waist – pants today because he had the luxury of dressing like a proper northern given the blessed change in weather. Konstask had been equally pleased to encourage him to wear the vest - tied snugly around his torso – over the shirt with long sleeves he had hemmed himself. Pesky vain mindmate, forcing him to take more heed to his own appearances. Never changing was the plain silver ring tied between leather strings settling almost tight around his neck.

"Some company every so often isn't going to kill you."

[Avu]

Hunting together. The idea appealed highly to Tekivisk. Delight flared through her eyes, the green barking in definite agreement; it was fun, so fun. It was like tag, only bigger. Her forequarters dipped, chest almost brushing the ground, before she sprang sideways after the other green, playfully. Because, no, apparently there was no ‘It’ – everyone was ‘It’, right? Mouth slightly agape in what could only be described as a wide smile, Tekivisk approached Konstask’s hiding place carefully, practically slinking on the ground in preparation to jump back or sideways or away, trying to see where her sister had disappeared to.

She wound around Vix’s legs in the process, tail sliding against his knees lightly, and huffed quietly at the bushes. Where aaaare you…Tekivisk nosed lightly at the foliage, managed to startle herself when it rustled more than she’d anticipated, and bounced backwards in paranoia. SiiiisterHers…Tekivisk flattened herself onto her belly, practically inching forward this time and trying to peek under the bushes. It didn’t work nearly as well as she’d hoped, but oh well.

It was getting increasingly difficult for Vix to be upset with Kostya. Which basically led to increasing frustration as well. How was he supposed to dislike someone when their wher made his so…obscenely happy? The little spurts and waves of joy that were coming from Tekivisk were all but forcibly lifting his mood. Definitely an odd feeling. Vix almost hesitated, a combination of feeling oddly generous to Kostya and the fact that Tekivisk playing on rocks scared him half to death, and then merely pressed his lips together, shrugging dismissively. Tekivisk wasn’t clumsy. She’d live. As for swimming…his stomach offered a nervous flip, Vix casting a brief glance in his green’s direction.

He almost ran into Kostya, caught himself a second before he did, and took a step backwards, scowling. Gaze dropped momentarily to the knife, and Vix just managed not to take another instinctive step away from it. “It might,” he retorted, more to be a brat than anything else. “Especially when it’s got a knife on hand. Besides, if you stop following me, I wouldn’t have to walk away.”

His arms crossed, chin rising in defiance. “I’ll watch them if you need to go somewhere,” he added, pointedly, and turned on his heel to stalk back to the spot where Kostya and Konstask had been originally. Maybe the distance from Tekivisk would help make him not so happy. Vix flopped down onto one of the fallen logs, sitting cross-legged, and then flicked his fingers at Kostya, crinkling his nose slightly. “Shoo, please.”

Yes, he was choosing to ignore that ‘company’ had probably meant human company and not that of whers. He had human company. His roommate counted, didn’t he?

[rii]

Konstask did her best to remain still as her sister approached the section of bush just aside from where she laid hidden. Only her tail tip defied her, flicking quickly back and forth in a growing anticipation. She shifted on her feet, angling herself to better launch the ambush. Closer, clooser. Head sinking ever lower to the ground, Konstask's hindquarters began to rise and twitch as she prepared to — pounce!

Bursting out of the brush, Konstask angled herself in a high jump to try and land on her sister. Whether she succeeded or not, as soon as Konstask was full on the ground again she took off at a sprint – barking joyfully all the while for Tekivisk to keep up.

Out of pure instinct, Kostya followed Vix's backward step with a forward one. A mix of his own predatory nature and the game Konstask was playing with her sister. Kostay didn't pay any mind to his own reaction, and even if he did notice he wouldn't care to reverse the action. The blond also didn't restrain himself from forming a feigned hurt expression in response to Vix's words. "You think I'd kill you?"

Would he? Perhaps.

Winter blue eyes slitted, the smile again spread shamelessly across his features. "You should be carrying a knife as well. Never know what you might run in to out here," Musical was the words, laughing in there own way because his eyes said it all – Vix might run into someone like him. Not the most dangerous thing to run in to during the night near the jungle's edge. Kostya humored himself that he nearly topped Vix's of list of things he didn't want to encounter. "Wherlings are too inexperienced to be much protection – unless it's that face eating one." Kostya blinked, looking thoughtful at the rabbit trailing notion. "I was surprised that girl lived, hm."

Shrugging, Kostya followed leisurely after Tekivix without a second thought – doing well not to childishly point out that Vix walked away well before Kostya made to follow (besides, he had not been following the other male for a good few months. So ungrateful). What could really be said – the younger handler's manners thoroughly entertained him. All huff-puff and defiant looks; so determined to be apart from everyone.

Plopping down on the log, Kostya opened his mouth to comment but found himself interrupted when his own wher climbed the log between the two handlers. Her entrance brief, as the jade green hopped down to duck below the other side and peek over for her sister. Kostya grunted, nudging the wher with his foot. Did she have to play right there – of course, how else would they be able to watch her?

Amused, Kostya's eyes flicked over to Tekivix. "Is it a strange concept, to you, to think someone wants your company?"

[Avu]

She caught sight of Konstask’s tail twitching an instant before the pounce, and leapt backwards – which only ensured that her sister actually did land right on top of her. Tekivisk yelped her surprise, though it was laced through with delight, as she bounced sideways, shook her head like a canine shedding water. It lasted only a minute, though, before the green scrambled to catch up with Konstask again, replying to her sister’s barks with her own cheerful croon. She would catch up, just wait and see. Her pace was made up almost entirely of long bounces rather than running; probably not really as effective. But fun. A lot of fun.

Had he just gotten lectured on safety by someone with a knife?

Vix was fairly certain there was some kind of hypocrisy lurking in there. Maybe. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t respond immediately, because what could he say? ‘Even if I had a knife, it wouldn’t do me any good’, how inspiring. True, of course. He’d never learned how to fight properly, Northern bred though he was. His father hadn’t cared enough to make him learn and he hadn’t cared enough to want to learn. Brilliant combination, right there. “I’ll keep that in mind next time I feel like using ‘ki as a weapon,” he responded sourly, eyeing Tekivisk. “I’ll borrow Disk instead.”

Face-eating wher. Bonded to the kid he’d met, once before, in the Archives or something, poking at some little wooden box, the design of which had been incorporated into his own trunk. Even if he could’ve liked that kid then, face-eating whers tended to change his opinions on people.

He scooted away slightly to give Konstask more room as the green leapt onto the log, followed shortly by Tekivisk, who, instead of bursting in between the two handlers, opted for a more roundabout path. The green bounced onto the log on Vix’s other side, and then leapt for her sister, barking cheerfully; see, she’d caught up, got her…she landed on Konstask’s other side, lowering her forequarters to the ground, tail wagging so hard her entire rump was wiggling slightly, and then pounced again.

“Honestly?” The question was faintly unexpected, although Vix was sure it wasn’t asked seriously. “Yes. I like being alone.” Hint, hint. He wriggled his hand into his pocket, pulling out the music box again, and flipped off the top to expose the inner workings again. Give him something else to focus on, at the very least. Poking at the mechanics of things was always oddly therapeutic. Frustrating sometimes, but still therapeutic. And if it allowed him to ignore Kostya? All the better.

[rii]

Kostya couldn't keep himself from analyzing Vix's words forward and back. Bitterness still about impressing to Tekivisk? – a glance down at the wrestling whers concluded that words rang empty in that department. Perhaps a subtle shot that Disk would provide a better defensive barrier than Tekivisk against him. Tch, Kostya would have no doubt his darling could lure the face-eating wher away if needed. She effected him through the bond, but the same went in reverse. Konstask was starting to pick up on his little pastime games of manipulation..

"Felines, and the like, Vix." Kostya decided to clarify while studying the box between Vix's hands. Staying on his end of the log. Even if it was only to curb his own temptations. Kostya was very comfortable with physical contact. Having the younger male intent on blocking him out in this fashion made Kostya want to present a situation where Vix would be wholly unable to ignore him. "Hold bred, only child – sheltered would be the term that comes to mind – intent on ignoring everyone, and everything around him by retreating into a world all his own."

It wasn't mockery, the tone too soft to be sharp like criticism. The look Kostya settled on Vix's was nothing short of studious. "Forgive me," The tone unapologetic, "for assuming that you are ill-prepared to go out into the jungle to blissfully be alone and space out to your heart's content." Not everyone expressed concern in the same fashion. Kostya wasn't going to admit – without motive – he'd be just a little sad disappointed if Vix went off and died.

All the while, ignorant of the handlers, Konstask laid out on her side and pawed the air in front of her sister. She flipped over to her feet, just in time to get pounced – and to flop back over on her side as she coiled playfully around her sister, gnawing harmlessly at Tekivisk's neck. Na-uh, she got her..

Kostya had shifted in position, dropping elbows to needs to momentarily bow his head and run fingers through his hair. Kinda sorta went off there a little, didn't he. Mm, it slipped.

[Avu]

The mention of felines didn’t bother him particularly, mainly due to the fact that Vix had a hard time imagining that anything that drastic would happen to him. (Although, if he thought about it, that kind of outlook was exactly what had landed him with Tekivisk.) He shrugged, using his thumb to press the wind-up handle of the music box, watching the wheels start to turn until a single musical note emerged from it. The motion of his hand stilled entirely as Kostya went on, though, and something twisted in the pit of his stomach because honestly, that came far too close to the truth for his liking. After a pause, he increased the pressure of his thumb, without paying the least bit of attention to the music or the box, though his eyes were still fixed on it, unseeing.

“Don’t psychoanalyze me,” he hissed, gaze flicking up to Kostya, and there was actual irritation in his tone for the first time. “You don’t even – why do you care? I don’t – ” He broke off, pressing his lips together briefly “ – we’re not friends, what does it matter?” He swallowed, barely managed to keep his gaze from flickering away from Kostya. The words might’ve been antagonistic if Vix hadn’t been actually curious (not that he’d ever admit it, of course). Nobody just cared, even if he was fairly certain – and why it rankled so much, he didn’t know – that Kostya was just bothering him for his own amusement. Or something.

Didn’t matter. Tekivisk cared, and Rook cared, because they had to care. Sure, they’d chosen him, but in the end, they cared because their lives were linked to his. Not because they just got up one day and felt like it. Vix’s thumb slipped off of the edge of the music box’s handle, and only after the music was gone did he realize it had even been playing at all.

Stupid. Real life didn’t come with a soundtrack.

Tekivisk was, as it were, much better at blocking out Vix than he was her. The green was still unconcerned with her handler, barking triumphantly as she braced herself against the ground in an attempt at pinning Konstask down. She growled playfully at the gnawing at her neck, shaking her head back and forth, before she buried her muzzle against Konstask, where neck met torso, and huffed out her breath. She got her – and then she was off of Konstask again, bouncing backwards lightly and wagging her tail. Now it was Konstask’s turn to catch her, yes?

[rii]

Kostya let one arm hang over a knee, shifting his chin to rest on the upturned palm of the other arm with knuckles loosely curled in to press against lips. Judging by Vix's reaction, the words had struck a nerve. Kostya regarded the younger wherling out of the corner of his eyes. Aloof in expression – at least the quietly mocking smile had faded – he listened to the metallic notes of the music box. Was it his imagination or did the song grow faster and faster due to Vix's irritation..

What he had said was fairly general – anyone could pick out those broad details about Vix if they only cared to look. Kostya, if wanted, could have done much worse. Psychoanalyzing to him would be to start listing off reasons why Vix refused to keep company, why he retreated into his own mind. Just prattle off a list of possibles and see which ones struck a cord. Picking apart people to see how they worked was just something that Kostya did – couldn't stop himself from doing it either.

Even now, the broken bits of phrases tossed his way, Kostya took apart as individual pieces to be later toyed with to find where they belonged in the puzzle of Vix's mind. It took a moment, but the light hearted smile returned and Kostya planted both hands on his knees. "Well I do, and you're just going to have to deal with that." He stood then, wiping off his pants front in back. "It's what happens when you are around other people. They start giving a damn whether you live or die."

Konstask's claws found the side of the log the two handlers occupied. She pulled herself along a short ways before rolling on to her feet and feinting a jump at Tekivisk – attempting to spur her sister into a run. Yes, yes. She would chase her and catch her. She would.

Growing bored of the idle moment, Mirage went between and appeared on the side of Tekivix's thumb. Her thing tail wrapped around the digit as she sent images to him... of him pushing the little handle. It made lovely music. Being a mute it intrigued her that the small box made such sounds. The images became more demanding – make it play, make it play.

[Avu]

That was not an answer.

Ignoring the voice in the back of his head that sounded suspiciously like a cross between Tekivisk and Rook that informed him, innocently, that it was too an answer, just not the one he’d wanted to hear, Vix scowled down at the music box again. And then jerked visibly in surprise with the arrival of the Salamandyr on his hand, finger twitching lightly. A faint frown furrowed his eyebrows, even as he obediently started winding up the music box again. Rook didn’t do that. (Of course, the blue bounced off of everything fast enough to look like he did it sometimes, but he didn’t.)

The music was still playing when he looked back up at Kostya, angry without really knowing why he was angry. It wasn’t normal to be angry after someone told you they wanted you alive. Objectively, he knew that. That didn’t exactly help the little flare of resentment, though.

“News to me,” and the mutter was a little more spiteful than he’d intended it to be. For a moment Vix watched the music box, the way the wheels turned and the little metallic music notes, before he added, a little more resigned and measured this time, “I don’t really care, just…could you not watch me?” Surely he’d been amusing himself well enough before the little white Salamandyr (funny, but he’d stopped thinking of Salamandyrs as brats as long as Rook wasn’t high off of sugar) had decided it would be a good idea to put out a false alarm.

“Like, at least let me pretend” – the word was emphasized by a little more pressure applied by his thumb, blurring over two notes before Vix caught himself – “that I’m alone? Sorry,” he added, almost sheepishly, to Mirage. Demanding little Salamandyr, but he kind of liked her. If only because she’d shown the slightest interest in his music box.

Tekivisk’s entire body tensed in the preparation to bolt as Konstask feinted in her direction, but she stayed a second after before she half-leapt and half-scrambled over the log between Vix and Kostya, forgetting that it was rude in her excitement. She fled to the river, galloped into the shallows, oblivious to the cold weather (the water was warmer, anyway), and then smacked her tail against the surface of the water to splash at Konstask. That wasn’t cheating, was it?

[rii]

Mirage's frill – the translucent skin the shade of the ichor inside – widened happily when Vix's complied. Her tiny claws braced against the lip of the box as she pulled herself up to peek her head inside to watch the winding gears. The sound, something she could never recreate in her stories, fascinated her. Thusly the little white set her head on top of her front paws and remained poised there as long as the music continued to play.

"I bet," Kostya returned the sarcasm, his tone a great deal more light and playful than the growl in Vix's words. A single step was taken toward the younger wherling, then Kostya simply.. hesitated. Of course his first reaction to Vix's request to not watch was to look at him. There was a small victory in those words; of the reluctant acceptance of company. Kostya allowed himself a half-smile.

After the two whers bounded over the log – Konstask hot on Tekivisk's tail – Kostya's weight swayed forward. His foot found the ground next to the log where Vix sat, drawing near as he doubled at the waist to momentarily crowd the younger male. One hand set on his own knee, Kostya's other hand raised to occupy the space just below Vix's chin. Electing not to touch the other, still, but the purpose was all the same – to force Vix's eyes off the music box and on to him.

"That's not how it works," Soft words, nearly whispered. Kostya canted his head to the side, examining Vix's expression with pale eyes. "I refuse to ignore you when I'm sitting right here. I'll do something better instead." Why anyone wanted to not even be acknowledged.. Kostya could only shake his head to that notion. He straightened, turned away and walked in the direction of the whers.

Konstask made a startled yelp upon getting the splash of water to the face. She leapted backwards, shaking her head vigorously before focusing against on Tekivisk. The game shifted, the tackle-tag now becoming a splash fight. Rearing up on back legs for height before coming down with both front legs to send a wave at her sister. Ha! This continued until a sharp whistle from Kostya made her pause. "Come on girls," His fingers raised to loosen the ties of his vest. "Let's go find some place to teach you two how to swim."

Mirage lifted her head to look in the direction of her mindmates, sending curious images to Vix – of him walking after the others. Why is music one not going?

[Avu]

Too close. Vix managed not to recoil purely out of instinct or stop moving entirely, even if the latter only scraped by because he kept pushing the handle on the music box. His gaze slid up to Kostya’s face, which was entirely too close for his liking, wary. The other greenwherling’s words had the wariness coming out further, although Vix refused to allow himself to look away. He stayed like that for a moment even after Kostya moved away, wetting his lips absently. His thumb slowed on the handle of the music box as he turned his head to follow the other wherhandler with his eyes.

What – was he going to do something to Tekivisk…?

And, okay, Vix hated to admit that even the thought of his green – considering Kostya hadn’t actually said her name or anything – would grab all of his attention so easily, but…well. It wasn’t like Tekivisk had any idea of even the concept of ‘worrying’, so someone had to do it for her, didn’t they? His eyes narrowed at the sight of Tekivisk drenched in water, using her tail to smack the surface of the river and swipe waves in Konstask’s direction.

She stopped at the whistle, head whipping around in Kostya’s direction. Her excitement at the idea of swimming was almost tangible; she barked once, scrambling towards the shore obediently. It seemed like the best place to learn to swim would be in the river, but that was okay. Tekivisk rubbed her head against Konstask’s shoulder in passing, half-sliding onto the shore, dripping water into the dirt and grass. So exciting, she couldn’t wait, was it hard?

Vix hesitated. Mirage’s images were enough to make up his mind, though. He muttered a curse, gently pulling the music box out from under the Salamandyr and snapping it shut. One hand curled under Mirage automatically (smaller than Rook, but the concept was the same, he hoped) as he stood, sliding the box into his pocket, and then slunk towards Kostya and the two whers. “’m not gonna let you drown ‘ki, even on accident,” he said. Excuse or not, though, point to Kostya. Vix decided to ignore that fact. Not important. “Where are we going?”

[rii]

Rumbling in delight, Konstask rubbed affectionately back along Tekivisk all too much like two cats twining with each other. Even her tail had adopted the care-free uplift, curling playfully through the air above her body. What started as a walk turned into a bouncing prance as she moved in front of her handler to be well within easy glance. Naturally she expected her sister – and everyone else – to be right behind her. It couldn't be that hard, sister. Konstask confidently commented. Like hunting, they just needed to learn. Ooh, then they could show all the others how well they could swim~

Kostya continued to walk, opening his vest as he went. It didn't bother him to leave Mirage behind. The little white liked to trail after people and return to him with stories. Trusted her well enough to stay out of dangerous situations (the little white having disappeared from Vix's palm to reappear on his shoulder instead). A good thing she did. Kostya was highly protective. No one needed to be enlightened to the extreme extent of his reaction to anyone seeking to hurt his mindmates or friends.

It came as a – not really a surprise, but Kostya didn't anticipate hearing the sullen footsteps catching up to him and the whers. He did well not to turn his head and fix a quizzical stare on the younger wherling. Here Kostya had been wordlessly offering to take the two whers and leave Vix alone for the time being; just because he didn't care to sit around ignoring Vix. Given Kostya was utterly incapable of out right ignoring someone's presence. He's liked to poke poke poke too much to see what ways he could make someone twist and turn for his own personal entertainment.

Oh.

Kostya's lips parted in an unmistakably amused smile. Apparently Vix thought he was going to kill Tekivisk to make the kid truly alone? How cute. Kostya couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled up from inside. Likely it was strange for him to feel flattered he made Vix nervous enough to worry about Tekivisk's well being. That, or it was a good enough excuse to tag along. To each their own.

"There's a swimming hole down yonder, likely made by someone's whim and the use of their dragon." The vest came off, flipping over one shoulder as Kostya began to pull the long sleeved one out from where it tucked into his pants. "Do you know how to swim?" The question was half teasing, but a line of seriousness wormed it's way into the words. Vix did seem a fair bit sheltered. "You know, in case you have to jump in to save little 'ki from me."