[ P ] Don't forget where you came from

fangs out in the moonlight

He had heard whispers of a party, one hosted by the newly named Valther. Of course with that came the easy details who the new Lord was.Ebon lips tipped up in a smirk as soon as he learned of Mutt's new life. It had been far too long since he paid the boy a visit. So Odysseus waited for an invitation that never came. But Odysseus wasn't one to wait to be invited.

Walking up the steps to the manor, he threatened the servant at the door with a terrible evening and a lifetime of pain if he attempted to stop him. With wide eyes, the man ushered the shadowy wolf inside. Naturally charming, Odysseus moved about, smiling and laughing with guests. Some he already knew and they knew him well enough to play along. A too tight hand shake here and there kept everyone playing nice, regardless of his relationship with them.

But as the evening droned on, amethyst hues kept watch for the host of this party. Spotting the boy amongst the crowd was easy and Odysseus watch. How long would it take for Mutt to notice him? What he would think of this little surprise? Odysseus's eyes glittered with mischief that he hid behind a charming smile and silky words.

Patience was not often a virtue he possessed, but tonight, he had endless. He waited for Mutt to approach him, for the boy to take notice of the party crasher. Being here tonight had a few purposes. He had been curious as to what Mutt was up to, how his plans were unfolding. But he also dejected that Mutt seemed to have forgotten just who gave him the foothold, the skill, to get where he was. Annoyance flickered just under the surface. The only saving grace was Odysseus knew Mutt, he understood how the boy operated, and the common courtesys that were often lost on him. That didn't make him any less annoying though.

"speech"

code // art

Word of Cecil’s death flew swiftly upon the wings of corvids delivering their messages like little black winged reapers. The public offered gifts of condolences and praise for a man that they believed they knew, but it was only the illusion that he had allowed them to see, a pristine image that hid the rot that ran beneath. Valther sent out invitations to Cecil’s former allies and rivals, curious to see who would take the bait. Like scavengers they swarmed to pick apart Cecil’s leftovers and take advantage of his yearling heir’s supposed naivete. In one breath they spoke apologies for the loss of such a great man and with another they boasted about great opportunities that could build his capital, making sure to touch him with a parental paw and say how proud Cecil would be of him.

His mouth was dry by the time he pulled himself away from the crowd, having spoken far more than he was accustomed to. The young Lord Calyx indulged in a little wine to revive his spirits and give him the mental fortitude to endure what he knew would be a very long night. It was a pity there were no rogue party-goers to extend a leg and create a fountain of wine to spray all these boring old people. Little did he know that a wolf had entered the herd and was making himself quite comfortable among the sheep while the shepherd was busy. Brown eyes blinked once, then twice, but the hulking dark shape did not banish itself from his sight. With a purposeful stride he moved amongst his guests with the grace of a dancer until he was beside the party crasher. “Let’s speak in my office,” he told him, his now deeper adult tones holding a note of irritation.

He gave nod to his butler to take over his role as host as he led the way up to the second floor of the manor and opened the heavy oaken doors to Cecil’s former office that he had claimed for himself. With a sigh he took his place behind his desk and finally addressed the elephant or rather the Odysseus in the room. "What are you doing here?"

code: elyon | art: ashon

fangs out in the moonlight

Lets speak in my office.

Amethyst orbs cut to the boy immediately. Mutt might be on the cusp of adulthood, but killing one old man and inheriting his fortune hadn't yet made him a man anymore than the changing of the seasons. Odysseus didn't miss the note of irritation in Mutt's voice as he ripped him, not so subtly, from the party. Far more skilled at saving face that his supposed protege, he followed the earthen colored boy up a set of stairs and into an office.

Another mans cologne filled the air in the stuffy room, suggesting it had belonged to another, until recent. But Odysseus wasn't here to scope out Mutts new home. Instead, he tracked the growing teen as he crossed the room, watching each detail with veiled curiosity. A smirk began to creep across inky lips as Mutt took his place behind a large wooden desk before he spoke. What are you doing here?

It's a little early for your new title to be going to your head don't you think?" He mused, never did he miss a chance to poke at the boys nonexistent patience. That hadn't change just because he sported a fancy new title. But that wasn't to say there wasn't a hidden barb beneath his words. Odysseus had invested a great deal of time and effort in the surly teen, he liked to think they had developed a relationship over the seasons. Mutt would learn a valuable life lesson before Odysseus let him simply walk away.

There was also something Mutt didn't know. A card that Odysseus had kept long hidden, tucked so far up his sleeve, he never thought he'd use. But so much had changed this winter and so much was continuing to change. Stepping back into high society was an uphill battle, but one that he was subtly making with key figures that he already had in his pocket, for one reason or another. Instead of immediately coming forth with it, the shadowy wolf was biding his time, waiting to see just how many pegs Mutt needed to be knocked down.

"speech"

code // art

Mature for language

He waited for an answer, one that satisfied the irritation caused by his unexpected guest. None came. It seemed that Odysseus still didn't take him seriously and that was enough of an insult for him to stop playing nice. A slight twitch of his cheek and raise of his brow followed his words. If he wanted to play that game then Valther wasn't going to hold back either. “Not at all. My future’s bright. Unlike yours,” he said, brown eyes flashing with spiteful mirth. Cecil had taught him how to fight with his tongue rather than his fangs and he liked to think he was pretty good at holding his own. “Or do you really think love will save you in the end? A man with a dick as fickle as yours?” he continued his verbal barrage, leaning over his desk with two front paws. If it had been him he would have killed his lover before they could become a threat to him

“Now I hate repeating myself and I hate my time being wasted even more,” he stated firmly, once more awaiting an answer that would satisfy him. The unspoken ‘What are you doing here?’ lingered in the air between them and in the sharpness of his brown eyes. He was already annoyed that his door staff had failed to keep him out and that meant that he would have to replace them for that mistake.

code: elyon | art: ashon

fangs out in the moonlight

Amusement hung from the corners of his dark mouth. Mutt's first attempt at a jab was a joke at best. One thing had always been consistent with the boy, if it wasn't directly in front of him, he paid it no mind. It wasn't a huge surprise that Mutt was in the dark still, unaware of the hand Odysseus had really been dealt in life. So he let the teenager continue to dig his hole. And Mutt was all too good at that.

Or do you really think love will save you in the end?

Odysseus hid his temper behind a sneer. "Fickle or not, your new sister certainly didn't seem to mind." Making his way closer to Mutts desk, the older wolf didn't falter under the teens newly inflamed arrogance. Not even when Mutt pressed too far. Brazenly, Odysseus rose up, all but slamming his own forepaws down on the desk. Challenge flared in amethyst orbs. "Perhaps you've forgotten.' He mused. "I'm a much better friend than enemy." It was his one and only warning. He liked Mutt, had grown fond of the boy over their time together but the Barin wolf was nothing is not vicious. There'd be no hesitation in cutting the teen off at the knees.

"Now, if you're done..." With your tantrum "Maybe you'd like to discuss business." His eyes narrowed slightly, his patience for the petulant child waning. In truth, he didn't need Mutt for anything, but the boy did have a talent, he had proven himself useful, however unteachable he had been. Bloodied his paws more to secure his title had always been the plan for the boy, but keeping it was an entirely different ballgame, especially when it stood on the weak foundation of a fresh adoption. Eleanor had a stronger foothold as the old mans heir in the eyes of society, she had been around longer and she certainly was capable of causing problems. No matter how superior Mutt considered himself to be. Where Mutt was reckless, Odysseus was calculated, which made the boy a useful guard dog when pointed in the right direction. Together, they could both benefit, or they could both crash and burn.

"speech"

code // art

With a shiny new crown perched upon his brow and a throne to rule his new kingdom from, Valther wasn't keen on acting subordinate to Odysseus. He had clawed his way out of the dirt, torn nails and bloodied paws reaching up towards the sky and he’d be damned if he let anyone disrespect him in his own home, especially him. Dark brows rose incredulously when he claimed to have laid with Eleanor yet again proving to be a loose cannon where Valther's plans were concerned. “You’ve unnecessarily involved yourself in my business for the sake of your own pleasure,” Valther challenged him back, angered by how messy Odysseus’ involvement could have made things. “If there are any consequences from this liaison I will be taking care of them so you better not get attached,” he warned him, furious that there could be more little Calyxs running around and muddying the succession even further.

He scoffed at Odysseus' show of anger, looking up at him in utter disdain. He had crossed the line. “Friendships are mutually beneficial,” he pointed out, letting his words linger before he spoke again. “What can you offer me other than a cell besides yours in the dungeon?” Valther didn't hide his suspicion and scepticism. He had seen Odysseus become unwound by his feelings for an ordinary woman and that weakness had left him open to discovery.

“Deal with that lover of yours and then we can talk. I’m not risking my neck for a man with a target on his back,” he stated firmly, unwilling to budge on this matter. He didn't see any benefits to doing business with Odysseus when he had no idea if or when the woman would rat him out to the Imperials. It would be as good as signing his own death warrant.

code: elyon | art: ashon