Supermassive Black Hole (Karolek)

[Bandersnatch]

Black, winding and foreboding as it was, Arnlan Autumns were dismal. The trees looked long since parted, their dark canopies barely being able to be made out. Underneath, the ground cover grew sparse and half-dead, small tufts of grass growing up at uncomfortable looking angles. It wouldn’t have been surprising if to some this was the literal stuff of nightmares. It certainly appeared far from welcoming.

But still, that grass supported a population of rabbits and small rodents, and all manner of creatures made their way into the territory somehow in the midst of summer and spring, when there grew a surprising variety of life. Even in the depths of winter, some saw it for its inner beauty.

The snow, Crow noted, was quickly building up again, and there was a shiver of cold to the air. The brown wolf was one of those with a fondness for the place, who perceived the wood to have some sort of life, a sentience. Treated with respect, Arnlan would look after you. It had for her, even as a pup and through the vast majority of her life. Even as she was, muzzle prematurely whitened and feeling just a little weariness tugging at her bones, here in this place she felt alive.

But it seemed like in recent times Arnlan had swallowed her whole. She’d spent days, weeks, months now just wandering, chasing rabbits. Last she had heard it wasn’t her duty to perform border patrols. She wondered after the pups that had been in her care (and there had been a great deal of them). Surely they had grown a great deal now, maybe she would barely recognise them. Or maybe they wouldn’t recognise her – it had been some time since she had crossed paths with anyone now.

As the thought of actively trying to hunt someone down crossed her mind, her ears automatically perked. There had been a noise. Probably. Maybe. Pale blue eyes flipped to the side, scrutinising the blank, dark gap between equally black tree trunks.
Nothing. But in Arnlan that could very well mean...

[Karolek]

...a menace was stalking the forest. If Karolek could indeed be considered a menace - he certainly seemed to find himself threatening, at any rate, though the general populace of the pack seemed to feel differently. So maybe he wasn't a giant, drooling, psychotic murder. But he was pretty sneaky. And that had to count for something, right? He hoped so, anyway. There needed to be more fearing of him going on in Arnlan, it seemed the perfect solution to the loyalty issue that Sofika had brought up. Not that he was taking that issue entirely seriously yet - it was impossible for him to take anything seriously.

But Sofika had seemed quite upset. It bothered him, though he'd never admit it, to see his twin in distress. Something had to be done! And that something, it just so happened, was busy wandering around and thinking about bunnies. He'd been watching Crow for a few moments, stalking her more like, with a crooked smile that very obviously meant that he was up to no good. This was the female who couldn't talk, he remembered, and was quite proud that was he was able to remember this. He was getting to know his people! Even if 'getting to know' essentially meant stalking.

As he watched, Crow suddenly became more alert...did she realize he was here? It was time to make his presence known, ideally in the most dramatic way possible. Wiggling his bottom a few times to prepare himself, Karolek leapt forward, rocketing out from the underbrush like a bat out of hell, straight toward the hapless Crow. Snow flew everywhere but fortunately (or unfortunately for Crow) he did not slip, and if she did not move out of the way in time then Karolek would crash right into her, tackling her to the ground and standing over her, tail wagging as if he hadn't just assaulted her. He was grinning now, tongue lolling out comically, but he said nothing.

Instead, he began chewing on her hair - which was almost as awesome as his - because that was far less rude than attempting to talk to someone who could not talk back. Of course.

[Bandersnatch]

Some niggling suspicion was confirmed – as bizarre as it seemed to predict the unpredictable.
Of course, it didn’t stop he inevitable. Crow stood gaping silently as Karolek, for now lacking the finesse his sister constantly held, made his dramatic appearance. Complete with slip-up.
For a shocked moment, Crow lay still, gasping for the air that had been knocked out of her lungs. It took another moment for her to register all that had just happened.

It had been quite some time since Crow had seen Karolek - though longer since she had seen Sofika. She was reminded of the great affection she held for both her Alphas as it washed over her. They, along with the lands under their care, were the closest things to parental figures that she could remember. It was funny in a strange sort of way, however, that as she could feel herself aging that they remained so... timeless. It was a good thing too, she couldn’t picture Arnlan without its Alphas. They were one and the same.

She didn’t need to speak. The way she wriggled about and the quick, rhythmic thump thump thump of her tail against snow was enough of a portrayal of her reaction. Coincidental as it was, she was well and truly pinned under the bulkier wolf. She could feel the tug at her mop of hair and humid, warm breath against the top of her head. Mouth wide open in silent laughing and huffing breaths, she wriggled harder in attempt to free her legs and shove defensively, playfully, at the shadowy figure on top of her.
Just because she was feeling older didn’t mean she had to act like it.

If she managed to free herself with enough success, she would lick Karolek’s chin in submissive but doting greeting. Otherwise she would attempt it anyway.