Doomed and Determined Snippets

Meet Zephyr's parents

    "Better the runt and mongrel, then the bitch in heat, no?" One second, he was standing beside Zephyr, there something coppery in his mouth and oh that would be the floor. There's something that sounds like his name being called, but at the moment he couldn't quite find it in himself to care. Zerxes was sure that he wasn't thinking, leaving himself to instinct more than logic. How's this for stopping thinking Uncle? I'm not thinking, I'm acting. There was a resounding smack, as he was sure his fist collided with some part of Verendus' face. As soon as the other man backed up just a smidge, Zerxes used that moment to kick him off, watching the smaller man go failing back on his back. As soon as the weight was off him, Zerxes sprung to his feet, teeth bared in that snarl he'd wanted to give earlier.

    There's a moment where he takes a step forward, and to the outside eye, one could see the resemblance to a large predator. It was more stalking something the intent to hurt, and the moment Verendus was standing again, Zerxes had him pressed back against the closest wall. There was a small bit of pride in his chest when he took in the discoloration and small cut probably from one of Zerxes' many rings, on the left side of his face.

    "A better man might have just left," Zerxes hissed quietly, feeling the eyes that weighed heavily on his shoulders. Verendus was still looking too...pompous, in Zerxes opinion. "Unlucky for you, I am not one of them." There's a beat, and then he's slamming a fist into Verendus stomach. It was almost like seeing double for a second, not seeing Verendus, but his own father staring at him, judging. It sets his teeth on edge, and even as the other man slumps down the wall there's a need to hit him again-

    "Zerxes!" Where was he again? He blinks, turning to take in the sight of her, Frightened. Scared. Of you? He glances around the room once, twice, and there's a nagging thought in the back of his mind. Had he been the cause of this? Standing behind Zephyr, he could see Daevaris coming through the doorway, jaw clenched, but it wasn't her disapproval or Murvenvu's that followed in after her, it was the look in Zephyr's eyes. The air seems still, quiet. There's something stirring and he's not sure what it is.

     Daevaris places one hand on Zephyr's shoulder, through her eyes are still staring straight at him, what she must see of me now? An almost mocking laugh leaves him, and he's striding out the now open doorway. He needs to get out, getaway. What is it his mother used to tell him? Who knows anymore. The streets are surprisingly empty, but it gives him time to breathe. Time to think. This is what happens when he doesn't think, he does something stupid. Stupid leads to something worse.

    There's a low growl and then he's kicking rocks down the walkway, watching them skid down the path. He really was a monster at this point, wasn't he? You can't dress something up and expect it to act opposite of it's instincts. It's at this point, he picks the nearest alleyway, pushing his back against the way and sliding down it. Now, what did he do? He couldn't go back there and he was sure nothing more than a fight waiting for him back at the inn.

     When had life gotten so complicated?

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    "Instead of going back and talking to her," Zerxes jerks, head snapping up, but he doesn't relax at the sight of his Uncle. One shoulder is leaned against the wall, face nonchalant, there's a lazy sway of his tail. Zerxes knew better. "You chose to sit in some alleyway with gods know what lying about." This is where I get murdered and no finds the body. Comes the thought, Murvenvu's voice is to quiet, too...normal.

    He doesn't respond, eyes turning back towards the ground. What could he say? Sorry didn't seem to be appropriate at the moment. What was left after that? 'Sorry I punched your dad twice?' There's movement off to the side, then a fist curling into the collar of his shirt. Zerxes lets out a grunt as he's lifted onto his feet and pressed against the same wall he was just leaning against.