Yo B)) You haven't seen me write all that much on here, have you? Other than role-plays, of course. But today, I'm going to be writing a little bonus chapter! About Marlekk, there's something I think I want to reveal with you ;"D - "Marlekk, how was the patrol?" Enaeze asked the beta of the Winter Wolf pack, who shook out his fur from the gently oncoming snow. "Fine," Marlekk replied, his voice husky. "Not that much…there were quite the snow drifts though. It snowed a lot overnight, even Glacies struggled through the snow." "Hm…impressive." Enaeze looked out into the distance where some trees were standing. "Anything else that would be worth telling me?" "…Nope, I don't think so. It all seemed pretty normal to me." "Alright then. Nothing else is coming up it seems, after those two cats came in." "Oh yeah, that's right…I was going to ask you, what were you guys discussing in your den? All I know is that they were going on some sort of…I don't know, adventure or something." Enaeze paused for a moment and hesitated, to Marlekk's slight surprise. "…Something I'd probably like to talk to you about in private," he finally said. "Alone because I don't want to worry the rest of the pack…" That sentence alone sent some sort of shock through his chest, but he tried to contain that surprise. "Were they coming to…warn us or something? No, that can't be right…they didn't know us, did they?" Marlekk guessed. "No, of course not. But…never mind, I'll tell you later. It's complicated." The alpha turned back to Marlekk, smiling. "Give yourself a little break, I understand moving through those snow drifts could've been tiring." Marlekk nodded, dashing off to the place in the camp where he liked, just right at the base of a few snow-covered rocks. As he lay down there he began to observe the rest of the pack, pups chasing each other, a few other wolves chatting here and there, and so on. A few wolves eyed him, and he gave them a smile, but one gave him a narrow glare-like look then bounded off with the others, and Marlekk let his smile dissipate. 'They'll never get used to me, will they?' he thought, crossing his front paws and looking away. But his attention was brought back when he heard footsteps trampling in the snow coming his direction. Looking up, he saw the only wolf with a bandana trotting towards him, despite her injured leg. "Hey, Otoko," he said, hoping she wouldn't turn him down this time. "Hey," she replied. "Snowy, huh?" "Yeah. It was a little hard to navigate through all of it, that's for sure." "So you're just chilling here?" She winked, and he couldn't resist an eyeroll. "That was terrible, you know that?" he informed her. "I do know, thank you," she said. He couldn't find any words to continue their conversation, so he stayed silent, and she did too. The wind blew through their fur, throwing the snow more in their faces, though it wasn't like it bothered him; he was a Winter Wolf, after all. 'Except…' "What're you thinking about?" Otoko suddenly asked. "Oh! Uh…" Marlekk was stung out of his thoughts, and couldn't find anything to answer with without revealing his secret to her; unlike everybody else, she was unsuspecting. He didn't want to ruin that. "Uh? Is that what you were thinking about?" She nudged him playfully, and he couldn't help but stifle a small laugh. "Well, not exactly, if you know what I mean, it's just…" "…You can tell me, you know. I don't mind." She looked over at him curiously, seriously, and concernedly all at the same time. He almost couldn't resist… "…I'll tell you another time, I…don't think I'm ready yet," he replied, nearly clawing himself for saying those words as he felt worse by the moment. "Oh…alright." She sounded disappointed, but understanding lifted her voice. Finally, he couldn't take it. He had to talk to someone about this. It was bothering him for a while, and he had to get it out with someone. The only wolf he could think of though was Enaeze; he was the only one who knew. So he got up- a little abruptly- and started off towards Enaeze's den. "Where you going?" Otoko asked, not getting up to follow him. "Just…to talk to Enaeze," he replied stiffly. "Why? Just out of curiosity." "There's…something I want to talk to him about…you know?" He could sense the suspiciousness growing around her, but she answered, "Alright, go ahead. I can't stop you anyway." * When he took one step inside Enaeze's den, Enaeze said- like he knew he was out there without even looking, which was quite common, "Yes, Marlekk?" "I just…want to talk to you," Marlekk said slightly timidly. "About what?" Enaeze turned from facing the wall to Marlekk. "The patrol?" "No, it's…you know." "Oh…that." Marlekk padded a bit closer cautiously then sat down. "I get the feeling everyone's judging me…just because…" "You're not a real Winter Wolf?" Those words shocked the air and he tensed, looking away. "…Y-yeah."
Enaeze sighed without annoyance, more like it was to calm the air around them. "Well, for one thing, everyone's gonna have to know at some point, right? And some wolves already suspect it," he began. "You know that's not exactly helping," Marlekk reminded. "Well, to be completely honest, you weren't really good at comforting anyone." "That's true. But I'm trying to help you, so could you give me a chance?" There was a joking tone in Enaeze's voice which mixed in with his sort-of-trying-to-be empathetic tone as well. Marlekk didn't answer, which he hoped meant, 'Go on.' "I understand you struggled with trying to fit in with the other wolves, your size and tail gave some of it away a little bit. But do you want to know something?" "Uh…sure?" Enaeze crept a little closer until he was about inches away from Marlekk's nose. "You are one of the most capable dogs I have ever met, and I've met a lot in my time," he murmured lowly. "When I saw you in that storm that one night when you were little, I knew you would make a great pack member one day. And look at you! Beta of the Winter Wolf pack. I can see potential in you, Marlekk. It doesn't matter what the other wolves think. That doesn't change your strength and abilities. Besides, there's one thing that's so impressive about you." "Wh…what?" "That you're a dog. Everyone else here is a wolf. And you're doing all the other things that they're doing, if not more. Do you see now?" Marlekk only blinked, unable to move anything else except his eyes for a few moments until he managed, "Uh…thanks, I guess? You mean all of that?" "Wh- of course I do, why would I lie to you?" Enaeze suddenly turned incredulous and looked down at Marlekk, surprised. "Tell me, have I ever lied to you, ever?" "No…" "Exactly. And what purpose does that serve me?" "…I don't know?" "Fine then. But the point is, you don't have to be discouraged by the fact that you 'aren't a real wolf'. In fact, take it as a compliment by all the things that you CAN do while still being a dog. Okay? Don't let them get to you." Enaeze put a paw on Marlekk's shoulder, and Marlekk looked up into his ice-blue eyes, processing what he was just told all at once. He took a few moments to do this, until he said, "…Alright. I won't." "You won't what?" A playful smirk twitched at the corner of Enaeze's mouth. "I- you know what I mean." "No I don't." "Stop playing dumb with me! You know what I'm saying!" "How do you know I'm playing dumb?" "It's pretty darn obvious!" "What do you mean though? Come on, obey me. You're not the leader here, I am." Marlekk groaned loudly, and instead Enaeze pushed him with his paw. "Kidding. Now, you may go back out now. Get some food. Play in the snow. Don't care. But I'd like you to organize another patrol, in case some other newcomers think it's okay to trespass on our terrain." "Yes, Enaeze." And he bounded out, his heart lifted a few more inches than it was since the day started. - And that is it! That's my writing for you B)) And if you're wondering why Enaeze called Marlekk a wolf in Ch 6, it's because he just wanted to protect Marlekk's little secret there. Like I said, I wanted to get a few projects out before I go on my break. This is one of them. Expect one more and then I'm gone. :") Credits: Art: me Coding: me OCs: Marlekk, Enaeze, Otoko - Otoko belongs to @Xx-AutumnBreeze-xX Writing: me Apparently smiling isn't a word now? ;"D
