[ peter gives the other boy a few days after the moon, a little while to process what happened and how he feels about it. but when he doesn't hear from dylan, he goes out searching. not anywhere near where others are--if peter has the right measure of dylan, he won't be where other people are. that still leaves plenty of area to cover, but the forests are peter's territory, and the snow on the ground makes tracking even easier.
when he finds the other werewolf, he doesn't sneak up, lets his boots crunch in the snow before he sits down beside the other boy and lights up a cigarette without saying a word, inhaling deeply before blowing the smoke up and away. not a rude smoker, at least, letting the cigarette hang lazily downwind between fingertips emerging from fingerless gloves. his posture is calm and slouchy, breathing even, as though neither the cold nor the situation is unusual or bothersome in the slightest. ]
Hey. You found a good spot. Nice and quiet out here.
[ Dylan doesn't stir from his position when he hears the crunch of boots. He can smell it's Peter before Peter even settles down and the thought of that twists his stomach some. How fucking weird that people have a scent and he can recognize said scents. Hands (both of them because look, ma, he's got two hands) are wrapped around his knees as he sits there in the snow. Hypothermia? Can't get it now. Nothing can kill him now, minus silver. So he'd gone where he would be most alone.
It would have worked too if there wasn't another pesky werewolf who could track him down. Dylan doesn't look at him, chin on his knees. ]
Yeah. No one was supposed to find me....for. A while.
[ His eyes lower and then he reaches over with his regrown hand to pluck Peter's cigarette away and bring it to his lips. Dylan doesn't smoke on the regular, but he will in social situations. Shame that it isn't weed. He could really go for some weed right now. With the drag taken, he passes the cig back to its rightful owner. ]
You come to bring me back to society? Tell me I'm not some kind of twisted monster who lost an entire night of his life? Give me some positive, bullshit peptalk to make me feel better that I didn't kill anyone that night?
[ peter takes his cig back as though it was never stolen in the first place. he's taken off his rings in deference to dylan's silver allergy, even though his fingers are covered, and he rubs the base of his left ring finger absently. ]
None of the above. Thought I'd come find a friend who's having a shit time, cause I get why it all fucking sucks, at least kinda. I've got this two year gap in my memory that's sorta like the one he has from the other night. The only thing that helped was other people deciding I wasn't allowed to waste a perfectly good second chance just because I'd fucked the first one up spectacularly.
[ He turns and glances at Peter after his explanation. God. Two whole years, he said. Lost himself for two whole years. Here, Dylan's depressed about a single night. Though less for the night and more what it means for the rest of his life. His hand swipes at the bridge of his nose and he looks up at the starry night. Land of endless night up here in Wintermute. ]
I haven't. I didn't bother trying. Not so sure I can wrap my brain around changing into another creature right now. I don't even know where to begin. You know what you're changing into. What if my familiar form is just...what I turned into already? Only I can do it at will? Who wants that?
[ peter raises an eyebrow, turning to dylan. he's kind of relieved to skip over those blank two years and how he ended up there. ]
Familiars are always animals, so it couldn't be your werewolf thing. They can be weird animals, but they're still animals. I've seen a wolf running around who looks more like he's a chunk of furry night sky, but he's still a wolf. Percy turns into an...eagle, I think? Some kind of raptor, I've only seen it a couple times. Makes sense, anyway, he's a sharpshooter. It's a personality thing, I think--I turn into my wolf because it's part of who I am as a person. But if I tried real hard I could probably be something else. Maybe a cat, I'm a lazyass like that. Anyway, you keep your human mind, some people can even talk. The people who chill up at Baba Yaga could probably tell you more about that, I figured it out by accident on my own, but that's where the magic folks hang out.
[ another drag on the cigarette, and then he holds it out a bit toward dylan, inviting him to share. ]
Which full moon? Last one, I stayed with you. Usually I go out into the forest and run, or let Caleb use me as a backrest until I need to go change back. He's seen it, but it's messy both directions, I always change outside.
[ When the cigarette is offered his way again, Dylan takes it and pulls a sharp drag. Sharp enough to hurt and irritate and elicit a mild cough. And then the irritation is gone. Any discomfort he feels is mended by the fucking curse. With the mood he's in, it's enough to get self-destructive -- to push at the edge of immortality without a single fucking care about his well being. Why else would he be here in the cold without a coat? He's trying to feel alive. Any way possible.
Dylan hands the cigarette back, his lips pursing. The Baba Yaga stuff he'll explore later. In the meantime, he flinches. ]
[ Dylan had been every bit as rowdy as he feared -- growling and fighting and trying to break the chains. Perhaps the only thing that did calm him down was the presence of another wolf. When Peter was there, Dylan actually settled and curled up and slept -- perhaps conceding to another alpha or perhaps simply taking comfort in Peter's presence. Or maybe there was something of Dylan inside of the beast deep down. Maybe he knew Peter's scent and knew he didn't want to hurt him. Whatever the case, Dylan didn't remember it now. ]
I thought you were gonna be out. Howling at the moon or whatever.
[ peter had assumed that dylan knew he was there, given how he'd reacted, and he watches him in silence for a moment before leaning enough to bump their shoulders. ]
I told you I'd be there, so I was there. And yeah, wouldn't really call you a werewolf, but y'know, to each world its own. You chilled out when I was there. Stopped freaking out and settled down. Took a nice nap, actually. There was no mayhem after I poked my nose in. Came up and sat with you, even, once you settled and the rest figured you weren't gonna try and hurt anyone anymore. Caleb fussed a bit, but he trusts me to know what I'm about.
So from here, seems like you did pretty good to me. Nobody got hurt, and my wolf chills yours out for whatever reason. Maybe I'm just a chill kinda guy. You don't remember at all?
[ In the midst of all the depression that followed his transformation, this bit of information gives him an inkling of hope. He glances over at Peter in awe and then belatedly returns his cigarette to him since it's merely sitting there, burning away in his fingers. So there's something about Peter that can keep the worst of his impulses at bay -- that can keep him from hurting others. Maybe the monster inside of him can be controlled after all.
He looks away from Peter and swipes his forearm across his eyes. Dylan isn't necessarily someone who cries very easily. When he's afraid, yes. But he's not the sort to be moved to tears. Yet, fuck it all if this doesn't move him in some way. ]
Fuck. Sorry. Um.
[ He sniffles, swallows the emotion and glances toward a snowdrift. ]
I don't remember any of it. But knowing you could reach me in that state makes me feel like...maybe I'm not entirely lost, yanno? Maybe there's something of me in there. And that it's a real fucking good thing I met you.
[ Dylan reaches out to clasp Peter's free hand, clutching it in both of his as he pleads. ]
So I say this, without a single lick of pride -- I need your help. To figure this out. To get to a point where maybe I don't need to be chained. To regain control of my fucking life. I don't think I can do this without you, Peter...
[ peter lets dylan turn away to hide his tears, but it's not like he was going to comment on them regardless. he's not immune to the powers of a good cry. ]
You're not lost, you just don't know where you are yet. Know that sounds like bullshit, but so does lots of life. Even a vargulf doesn't lose themselves entirely, even if they're not quite there, either. If you'd really, really wanted to hurt someone, you'd have found a way. But you didn't.
[ there's no hesitation as he squeezes dylan's hand, holding the cigarette loosely in the corner of his mouth to put his other hand on top of the hands clutching his own. ]
Course I'm gonna help you. What do you think I've been doing? [ the chuckle he gives sounds almost...shy? embarrassed? clearly not mocking, at least. ] I'm not a hero, Dylan. I'm just a guy who gets wolfy on a regular basis and knows just enough shit to get in trouble and usually mostly out again. But we'll figure it out, okay? We'll figure it out.
[ Actually, he's doing pretty well in Gen Z terms. Who says 'hi, how are you' anymore? ]
well that all depends on the context are you talking about the day? or are you talking about someone called you/asked you to be their valentine? or you talking about the little cards you give out in school with corny little phrases?
there's also the massacre. we talking about the massacre?
i'd question anyone who would celebrate the massacre so no, it's probably the holiday and it's a holiday made for romance
couples are expected to get chocolates or flowers or sometimes both for their partner people either love the holiday or hate it for couples? it's great for singles? it's just a reminder that they're alone
but some people use it as an excuse to throw parties like this tony guy sooooo you're probably expected to bring a +1, right? i'll go with you if you want! so long as it's not on the 5th, i'm free and can do you this solid
[ Oh....that question breaks his heart a little. The one about having chocolate all the time back home. Chocolate is probably a commodity in a war-ravaged world. Dylan's going to definitely have to get Eren a box of chocolates! The good kind, not the cheapo shit they sell in the drugstore. Spoil him in style. And speaking of style... ]
semi-formal, huh? let's go shopping! i can help you pick something out. by the time i'm done with you, you'll look 🔥🔥🔥
but yeah the 5th i got an unfortunate date with a full moon and a dungeon
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
shortly after the full moon
when he finds the other werewolf, he doesn't sneak up, lets his boots crunch in the snow before he sits down beside the other boy and lights up a cigarette without saying a word, inhaling deeply before blowing the smoke up and away. not a rude smoker, at least, letting the cigarette hang lazily downwind between fingertips emerging from fingerless gloves. his posture is calm and slouchy, breathing even, as though neither the cold nor the situation is unusual or bothersome in the slightest. ]
Hey. You found a good spot. Nice and quiet out here.
no subject
It would have worked too if there wasn't another pesky werewolf who could track him down. Dylan doesn't look at him, chin on his knees. ]
Yeah. No one was supposed to find me....for. A while.
[ His eyes lower and then he reaches over with his regrown hand to pluck Peter's cigarette away and bring it to his lips. Dylan doesn't smoke on the regular, but he will in social situations. Shame that it isn't weed. He could really go for some weed right now. With the drag taken, he passes the cig back to its rightful owner. ]
You come to bring me back to society? Tell me I'm not some kind of twisted monster who lost an entire night of his life? Give me some positive, bullshit peptalk to make me feel better that I didn't kill anyone that night?
no subject
None of the above. Thought I'd come find a friend who's having a shit time, cause I get why it all fucking sucks, at least kinda. I've got this two year gap in my memory that's sorta like the one he has from the other night. The only thing that helped was other people deciding I wasn't allowed to waste a perfectly good second chance just because I'd fucked the first one up spectacularly.
[ he takes another drag of the cigarette. ]
You figure out the familiar transformation?
no subject
I haven't. I didn't bother trying. Not so sure I can wrap my brain around changing into another creature right now. I don't even know where to begin. You know what you're changing into. What if my familiar form is just...what I turned into already? Only I can do it at will? Who wants that?
[ A pause as he looks toward Peter again. ]
Where did you go on the night of the full moon?
no subject
Familiars are always animals, so it couldn't be your werewolf thing. They can be weird animals, but they're still animals. I've seen a wolf running around who looks more like he's a chunk of furry night sky, but he's still a wolf. Percy turns into an...eagle, I think? Some kind of raptor, I've only seen it a couple times. Makes sense, anyway, he's a sharpshooter. It's a personality thing, I think--I turn into my wolf because it's part of who I am as a person. But if I tried real hard I could probably be something else. Maybe a cat, I'm a lazyass like that. Anyway, you keep your human mind, some people can even talk. The people who chill up at Baba Yaga could probably tell you more about that, I figured it out by accident on my own, but that's where the magic folks hang out.
[ another drag on the cigarette, and then he holds it out a bit toward dylan, inviting him to share. ]
Which full moon? Last one, I stayed with you. Usually I go out into the forest and run, or let Caleb use me as a backrest until I need to go change back. He's seen it, but it's messy both directions, I always change outside.
no subject
Dylan hands the cigarette back, his lips pursing. The Baba Yaga stuff he'll explore later. In the meantime, he flinches. ]
Oh. So you saw it then.
[ Dylan had been every bit as rowdy as he feared -- growling and fighting and trying to break the chains. Perhaps the only thing that did calm him down was the presence of another wolf. When Peter was there, Dylan actually settled and curled up and slept -- perhaps conceding to another alpha or perhaps simply taking comfort in Peter's presence. Or maybe there was something of Dylan inside of the beast deep down. Maybe he knew Peter's scent and knew he didn't want to hurt him. Whatever the case, Dylan didn't remember it now. ]
I thought you were gonna be out. Howling at the moon or whatever.
no subject
I told you I'd be there, so I was there. And yeah, wouldn't really call you a werewolf, but y'know, to each world its own. You chilled out when I was there. Stopped freaking out and settled down. Took a nice nap, actually. There was no mayhem after I poked my nose in. Came up and sat with you, even, once you settled and the rest figured you weren't gonna try and hurt anyone anymore. Caleb fussed a bit, but he trusts me to know what I'm about.
So from here, seems like you did pretty good to me. Nobody got hurt, and my wolf chills yours out for whatever reason. Maybe I'm just a chill kinda guy. You don't remember at all?
no subject
He looks away from Peter and swipes his forearm across his eyes. Dylan isn't necessarily someone who cries very easily. When he's afraid, yes. But he's not the sort to be moved to tears. Yet, fuck it all if this doesn't move him in some way. ]
Fuck. Sorry. Um.
[ He sniffles, swallows the emotion and glances toward a snowdrift. ]
I don't remember any of it. But knowing you could reach me in that state makes me feel like...maybe I'm not entirely lost, yanno? Maybe there's something of me in there. And that it's a real fucking good thing I met you.
[ Dylan reaches out to clasp Peter's free hand, clutching it in both of his as he pleads. ]
So I say this, without a single lick of pride -- I need your help. To figure this out. To get to a point where maybe I don't need to be chained. To regain control of my fucking life. I don't think I can do this without you, Peter...
no subject
You're not lost, you just don't know where you are yet. Know that sounds like bullshit, but so does lots of life. Even a vargulf doesn't lose themselves entirely, even if they're not quite there, either. If you'd really, really wanted to hurt someone, you'd have found a way. But you didn't.
[ there's no hesitation as he squeezes dylan's hand, holding the cigarette loosely in the corner of his mouth to put his other hand on top of the hands clutching his own. ]
Course I'm gonna help you. What do you think I've been doing? [ the chuckle he gives sounds almost...shy? embarrassed? clearly not mocking, at least. ] I'm not a hero, Dylan. I'm just a guy who gets wolfy on a regular basis and knows just enough shit to get in trouble and usually mostly out again. But we'll figure it out, okay? We'll figure it out.
text;
[ Absolutely no idea how to start a conversation like a normal person, as usual. ]
no subject
well that all depends on the context
are you talking about the day?
or are you talking about someone called you/asked you to be their valentine?
or you talking about the little cards you give out in school with corny little phrases?
there's also the massacre. we talking about the massacre?
no subject
[ Of course that's the first thing he asks about. ]
I got an invite from Tony to a Valentine party. Obviously we don't have whatever that is at home.
Tony doesn't seem like the kind of person to celebrate a massacre. It must be something else right?
no subject
so no, it's probably the holiday
and it's a holiday made for romance
couples are expected to get chocolates or flowers or sometimes both for their partner
people either love the holiday or hate it
for couples? it's great
for singles? it's just a reminder that they're alone
but some people use it as an excuse to throw parties like this tony guy
sooooo you're probably expected to bring a +1, right?
i'll go with you if you want!
so long as it's not on the 5th, i'm free and can do you this solid
no subject
[ Eren might be pro-massacre in a sense but he's not happy about it happening. ]
Chocolate is amazing. You really just have it all the time where you're from? I don't know if we have it at all in my world.
[ They probably do somewhere; he's just never seen it or had it before now. They sure as hell don't on his island. ]
I don't know if I'm expected to bring someone but it would feel weird to go alone. It's the 11th. It says "semi formal."
You can't go on the 5th because of the wolf thing?
no subject
semi-formal, huh?
let's go shopping!
i can help you pick something out.
by the time i'm done with you, you'll look 🔥🔥🔥
but yeah
the 5th i got an unfortunate date with a full moon and a dungeon
no subject
[ Which is extremely obvious if you ever just look at him. ]
Is there really nothing you can do to learn to have some control when you're a monster? You just have to be stuck in a dungeon?