The Wellspring alone {m}

Malien, as it turned out, didn’t have a response to the largely rhetorical question Arty’d posed. Something the wanderer found ever so slightly disappointed him, but he still chose to take the silence as an agreement. After all, almost everyone tended to be more vocal about things they disagreed with, rather than things they agreed with or approved of.

Maybe, someday, they really could think of something. Even if it was just like Yom-Yom. And apparently, now, Ali.

The soft chuckle that escaped the other was not lost on Arty, nor was the fact that he’d given pursuit. And now, instead of facing one another, they were side by side, and Arty had to cant his head to observe Malien as he offered another statement.

One that prompted his grin to broaden, as it was his turn now, to laugh. In truth, it sort of sounded like the title of a story that would be told to kids, and he could practically hear some old wolf asking the youth in the pack to gather around. It’s time to tell ya more about the adventures of Ali and Yom-Yom!

But that scene was going to stay locked in Artyom’s imagination only. ”I kinda.. like the sound of that. Just think of the things we could see. The fun we could have…” While he wasn’t sure he actually wanted company in the long term, nor what Malien had planned, it was pleasant to daydream for a time. This.. dance, or banter.. whatever it could be called, was enjoyable, especially in its relative innocence. It was nice to just spend time with someone in this way, without having to worry about basically anything.

Except for when it would end, he supposed. Hopefully not too soon.


--Art be crushin

Art is adorable and this has my full support

He- hmm... Malien has always been full of bad ideas and ill intent, causing disruption wherever he goes. He's used to getting the reactions he wants out of others, but only when he's looking for them. Arty laughs at his declaration, and he is surprised: anyone could hear that they were stupid names, but.. he guesses he'd said it in a kind way, like sarcasm without the edge. Because honestly, he thought it was silly and a little bit charming. Not entirely stupid.

It takes him a hot second to process all of that. He hadn't wanted anything in particular, had just been sort of stating his thoughts out loud...

Was it.. nice? Maybe. Ach, this is what happens when he lacks purpose: he starts doing stupid shit and thinking about things that ultimately are meaningless.

But there's dreams in Arty's words and the dreams match the ones in Malien's head. Sky's the limit in his company - at least here, at least now. He raises one brow as he peers at Arty. "It's got a certain charm to it," he agrees, wondering what constitutes as fun to the other. Hunting, playing, sightseeing, housewrecking, hellraising? He yawns briefly, in a rather futile attempt to hide the wicked smile creeping along his lips, but it's still there when he's closed his mouth. "So where do we start, hm?"

(This post was last modified: Jan 17, 2023, 02:06 PM by Malien.)

-- Arty be taking his shot so imma rate this post & thread title as mature - feel free to fade in your next! it’s been fun

Malien arched one brow, proclaiming the title had a certain charm. Like you, he wanted to say, but he settled for a little nod. ”It does. Just for us, maybe?” Like their nicknames, there was no reason anyone else had to know. Sometimes secrets were fun.

But then there was a smile. One that implied something sneaky. Possibly devious, or even wicked. An expression Arty found himself mirroring as the other posed a question.

Being this close to someone, someone that was undeniably attractive and not knowing if those feelings were shared was tough, almost excruciating. It always had been. But even if things hadn’t and didn’t always go the way Arty wanted them to, half of the fun was just in finding out. However, one always had to be prepared for the disappointment and potentially negative consequences that happened when they didn’t.

Worth the risk.

”Well.. it’s gettin’ late. We got the night to think it over.” He offered, with one more look at the darkening sky. Then, with a breath, dared to move closer. Enough to share touch and warmth. Maybe enough to temporarily forget everything else, if Malien would grant it. ”Speakin’ of sin, though…”

Just for us. It tickles that part of him which likes things being exclusive to him- special for him- secret for him. "Our little secret," he breathes in agreement. It also, very conveniently, served the purpose of not letting half the Lore go around and call him 'Ali' - it's Mal or Mally to you, thanks. (Unless you're Apple, in which case it's Lien.)

And besides... The wolf next to him doesn't really look (or act) like a 'Yom-Yom'. Arty's better. It's just got a hint of something regal, y'know?

Then.. then...

Call him naive, or any other adjective of your choice. Arty points out the time of day, and his most immediate reaction is: is there a problem with your night vision? Second thought is: are you scared of the dark? Because suddenly they were shoulder to shoulder, a faint press, fur compressing until there was barely anything between them.

Malien had expected adventure. Exploration. Following the rivers beyond the horizon, scaling the peaks and watching the world.

He had not expected... this.

Suddenly some things make a bit more sense.

Oh, he thinks to himself. There's not really anything else in his head, just: oh.

He's never actually done anything like this. It always just seemed to be this really-not-worth-it bog of issues you'd just get stuck in, buuuuuuuuuuuut-

It is tempting, alluring, and what is Malien, if not someone who goes for what tempts him?

[ Suggestive faaaade~ ]