A Cheery Beginning

[.swift]

BAYLIN
Wanna be the one you run to when you need a shoulder
I ain't a soldier but I'm here to take a stand

Understandably, Justice took his time answering Baylin's question. Patiently, the older male waited and let the younger wolf think about his answer. Finally he answered, and Baylin nodded, acknowledging his words. With a kind smile, Baylin replied. "I see. There is more to what you just said then you might think. Running away doesn't make you a coward, despite what others might say. It's about understanding your own limits. If you know you don't have the strength or the skill to fend off an aggressor, the best thing you could do is flee. Holding your ground in a hopeless situation will do nothing for you but get you hurt or killed." Pausing for a brief moment, Baylin let the silver wolf have time to process what he just said before continuing.

"Being versed in the ways of healing is a good skill to have as well. It's such an underrated art, few understand how important is. When your on your own especially, it's important to know how to keep yourself healthy or how to heal your wounds should you get hurt. Just imagine what would happen if you didn't--" Caught up in his lecture, the mocha-hued wolf didn't realize how much he was talking. But his train of thought was interpreted when his pupil suddenly darted away. Mildly alarmed, the large male's ears shot forward and amber eyes focused intently on the silver wolf, unsure what was happening.

A smile softened the old vagabond's concerned expression when he realized what it was. The cherry trees weren't quite ready to give it up just yet. One tiny blossom drifted in the air, and Justice was enamored by it. The kid just seemed so delighted to see it. "I'm impressed. This late in the season I would have thought they were no longer blooming." Baylin commented offhandedly, not wanting to break Justice's joy.

WORDS! 311
TAGS! Justice
NOTES! ----
Because We Can lyrics © Bon Jovi

[lighttogekiss]

Justice continued to be infatuated with the cherry blossom for a minute or so before walking back over to Baylin, still balancing the bloom on his snout.

"Well, I don't think... I've ever actually.. run from a fight.. really..I mean.. I have always.. run.. Not away.. from wolves.. just from." Justice thinks of the many times he ran in the forest, not stopping until he was exhausted. Justice always ran faster that the wolves in his pack, despite his size, but Justice never cared about that. Justice ran to escape life, rather than death.

Justice then processed what Baylin said about healing. Just imagine what would happen if you didn't--Justice cringe again at the thought of blood. Justice thinks back to the day he saw his father kill that pup.. Every speck of joy fled from Justice's body when he saw that picture.

Justice tried to change the topic that wasn't even being discussed. "Umm.. Mis..I mean..M..M..." Justice shook his head. "Baylin. What about..you?" Justice didn't really know what he meant to ask. His question could have meant many things. He could have been asking about healing, running, skills in general, or even, if Justice thought hard enough, Baylin in general. Justice didn't clarify himself; he just sat in front of the larger wolf playing with the pink trinket that fell from the sky.

[.swift]

BAYLIN
Wanna be the one you run to when you need a shoulder
I ain't a soldier but I'm here to take a stand

The old male took amusement in watching the younger one play with the little blossom. It has been a long while since Baylin has met anyone who has expressed such innocence. He had almost forgotten that such purity still existed. It was very refreshing for the large male, and he was content to sit and watch the silver wolf bounce around with his little cherry blossom. He had about as much fun watching Justice play as Justice seemed to as he played. Even as he returned to continue his conversation with Baylin, the little wolf enjoyed his blossom.

So he had been listening. Baylin was afraid that he might have missed what he had said after the distraction. He told him how he didn't just run away from fights, he ran away from wolves in general. "Well, you didn't run away from something. That should count for something, right?" The mocha-colored wolf answered encouragingly.

As innocent as Justice seemed to be, there was some complexity to the little wolf. Again Baylin saw inner conflict rise up in his eyes as he reflected over the lecture. There was something, or perhaps multiple somethings that inflicted the poor fellow. Baylin could tell just by watching him. He wanted to help, but he didn't want to force him to say anything he didn't want to. Forcing him would only inflict more pain upon him, and he didn't want to do that. He wanted to help. If only he knew more of the little guy's history.

As he pondered about that, Justice came out with a related, but seemingly random question directed at him. Baylin was caught off guard. "Baylin. What about..you?" He blinked at the younger wolf for a moment before he finally realized that he had been asked a question. "Wha...? Oh. Well, what about me?" He asked, not really sure what else to say.

WORDS! 314
TAGS! Justice
NOTES! Sorry if it's not a lot to work with. I'm still kinda tired.
Because We Can lyrics © Bon Jovi

[lighttogekiss]

When Justice heard Baylin's more positive reply, he realized that there truly were some out there..who care.

Justice looks to Baylin, beginning to speak, awkwardly, even for him.

"Umm.. well..Uh.What do I mean...Umm..-- well..Uhh..what..are your skills..I guess.."

Justice felt strange asking such a question, although..his intonation did not give the quality of a question.

Justice looks to Baylin and gives a smile; Justice doesn't know why, but he feels very happy to be here. Mr. Baylin...

[.swift]

BAYLIN
Wanna be the one you run to when you need a shoulder
I ain't a soldier but I'm here to take a stand

"Right, of course." The older male chuckled, feeling silly for not being able to figure out what Justice was asking. The young wolf had to explain himself, and he really didn't sound to confident in doing so. Baylin almost felt bad for making him explain when he should have been able to figure it out on his own. Shaking his head, the wolf then slipped into a quiet state of thought, contemplating his own strengths. What were the brown male's strengths? He had never really thought about it.

He was an average hunter, a decent fighter, and he was not a distance runner. He was strong, sensible, consoling, a leader. Were those his strengths? They were such everyday habits for the old wolf that he hardly consider them skills. He would feel like he was bragging if he said these things too...

He felt the silence growing, and was beginning to feel uncomfortable about it. He felt obligated to say something. Opening his maw, he sputtered a bit. "Um...well..." He never realized how hard it was to say what your skills were until now. "I'm not much of a runner, I suppose I could start by saying. I'm more of a fighter really. I mean, I don't like to fight, but when it comes down to fight of flight I'd rather hold my ground. I was taught to find diplomatic solutions to problems by my father, and I guess I could say I'm pretty good at it." He shrugged, trailing off before he began rambling.

WORDS! 256
TAGS! Justice
NOTES! Gah, It's been so long...I need to get back into playing for this guy. Sorry if it sounds a bit off, I'm not real sure where to go with it.
Because We Can lyrics © Bon Jovi