"WILLS UNBENDING, FAITH UNENDING" ✟ bio ── there isn't much that snownose doesn't love about dragonsbane. the smallest flaw will be romanticized, loved wholly and never forgotten... even if bane tends to forget what it important himself. it is with this song of love and warmth in the heart that snownose will approach his lover - "dragonsbane!" they offer more an exclamation of surprise than it is one of adoration or affection. "i know you are capable of yet much, but you are not immune to the cold or snow, mine love.

"i acknowledge i asked to meet at the starpool, yes -" though he chides, amusement laces his tone - "yet you should still be mindful of the temperature and weather." snownose will set their picnic basket down, sliding their head out from inside the handle. the fur blanket laid atop the basket, intended to lay their food and drink upon, they snatch up in their jaw. with a quick movement will they spread it across the shoulders of dragonsbane, nudging it into place. "see: isn't that better?"

careful movements, deliberate so that nothing spills, see snownose laying out their mug, cups, and a basket of sweet breads. "it's hot chocolate. it's still warm," they offer, a smile playing on the lips as they pour bane a cup. their own is poured in turn, and then snownose settles in underneath the blanket beside bane, flank to flank. affectionate, they rest their head against his shoulder and offer him a  contented sigh.

"i apologize if i kept you waiting overlong, beloved," snownose begins after a moment to cuddle. "'twas an ordeal in and of itself to make the chocolate to begin with. but it's neither here nor there. how've you faired this day, my star?" they'll shift in their spot, reaching up to affectionately offer a nibble to the side of dragonsbane's cheek.

a familiar voice falls upon his ears, though he does not grant them any sort of due acknowledgement of his gaze so much as snapping upwards from where it lingers. from any distance could he recognize snownose, be it their voice, their scent... even just the unique swagger of their footsteps thumping softly underfoot. (or perhaps it just be the realization that wherever bane went, the other was not far behind. their almost constant presence in his wake a custom in his life. something that the dog would never admit brings the comfort of certainty.) "the wind doesn't bite as hard as mine enemy. i will survive just as i always have." a dry response grating off his tongue, followed by a visible displeasure as snownose sets their basket down and pulls out a blanket that soon finds it's way draped across bane's shoulders. "i have borne enough winters without being amounted to as a whelp." while annoyance brims from his lips, dragonsbane has made no effort to shed the blanket off of his back. while he would never admit it, the warmth that wraps around his body is a reluctantly welcomed feeling. because of this, there is no remark aside from a scowl to answer snow's question.

the silence further grows as snownose lays out the contents of their basket, filling up warm cups of chocolate; something that even somebody as bitter as he could not deny was a treat in and of itself. and if they had been anybody else, bane would have had naught to do with this manner of passing time. especially as snow begins worming their way up underneath the blanket, chilled fur brushing up against his own as they sit together, side by side, flank on flank. teeth gently nibble at his face, to which the hound tilts his head away, cheeks warm and flushed. though snownose could try his patience, he could never bare to bring up arms against them. nor could he find it within himself to admit that he enjoyed their presence against him and the gentle touch shared between them. and so it was only natural that without much thought or consideration, he speaks once more to change the subject more along to his liking. "i pray trust you've brought me out here to do more meaningful things than pour lukewarm milk and bore me with banter." a statement more than it was a question, as he casts a scowl towards snow.

"WILLS UNBENDING, FAITH UNENDING" ✟ bio ── their display of love is met with dragonsbane's typical displeased attitude... and snownose expected as much. he did not much anticipate an enthusiastic welcome - such is the way of their lover. they guilt him not for it, and harbor no less feeling for him. it is just the way he is, and snownose is content with that. bane shows his love for snow in that he allows snow to readily curl up at his side and dote upon him anytime they please. (though, snow does need admit that they would very much appreciate even so much as a thank you in response to a favor; a you, too to follow up a profession of affection. maybe someday, bane will get there.)

snownose is too caught up in thought (he would look nice in pearl - it would bring out his eyes. diamond isn't too overdone for a statement of promise? not that he would wear it, of course —) when dragonsbane speaks up in an attempt to change the subject - snow starts, though they quickly regain their composure. "why, no, not particularly," he flatly offers. "and it's not lukewarm, mon ange — that defeats the purpose of it warming you up. it will be if you do not drink it.

"and besides! all this time, i assumed you had — daresay — enjoyed my companionship! surely i do not bore you so much that you do not wish to be with me any longer?" their words chip at annoyance, but snow offers up a genuine smile and chuckle.

they fall silent and sigh after a moment, allowing their breath to billow out before them in the cold. "you read, sometimes, as an open book that only i can decipher..." snownose begins, furrowing an imaginary brow as they look for the right words. "... but on some pages, my resources are limited to the wrong key." and to this, snow knows (haha) that dragonsbane is going to next open his mouth to incredulously retort, so they quickly aim to shut him up: "you seem so... forlorn at all times. so hopelessly angry. should i not weasel my way in, i doubt you would give me the time of day." even as they speak their last sentence, snownose briefly wonders if they really, truly think that. "will you speak to me, please? i promise you, it will do you some good." they're not sure that they wholly hide the plea placed in their words.

if his words have upset the other, bane does not give it so much as a passing thought. if they had enough qualms, then they would leave him. they would not plan meetings such as now, and sit huddled underneath a warm hide together with chocolate and breads. snow knows what to expect, and they deal with bane despite the rough edges. and for that, he sees little reason to change his mannerisms; what purpose was there if what they had now worked? it may not be the most prudent mindset there was when it came to relationships with anybody at claw, but it was his. relationships aren’t the most important things that he has to worry about.

snownose startles beside him, and bane casts them a glance from a side-eye. and then he lets out a small sigh of his own. snow just keeps talking, hardly giving him much of a chance to get a word in if so desired. to say that he enjoyed their companionship would be that of a stretch (or so bane believes to be true should he have to be vocal about it. he does not allow himself to admit that he enjoys their presence, sitting and listening to them speak even if his mind races elsewhere at times). ”if i did not wish to be with you, you would not have the chance to wonder.” a thought that wavers on his brain, but he does not speak it. he has a difficulty finding a way to word it without…. well, indirectly stating that he cares about them and enjoys their company. and so wordless, bane remains silent, allowing them to go on deeper. though, he almost wishes he hadn’t when snownose’s words grow more serious, laced with concern and an honest plea. perhaps hot chocolate was an easier conversation to carry, but it’s bane’s own fault for squandering it.

as expected, he opens his mouth to retort, and he closes it as he isn’t granted the opportunity to speak. he has no intentions or desires to talk about his feelings. there’s nothing to talk about (or so he believes to be true). instead, he merely dipping his head down to take an irritated sip of his drink. ”by the-“ words cut off from a hiss. it’s not lukewarm, and it burns at the roof of his mouth. though bane absolutely deserves it coming to him. his face grows just as hot as the drink, snapping over his shoulder and away from snownose’s soon-to-be prying eyes. he can all but hear their worries and concerns for him playing in his mind, fretting over him hurting himself. making sure that he is alright. taking responsibility for the chocolate being too hot. he simmers in place for a moment, all before rising up to his feet and shaking the blanket up off of his back. his turn cutting off snownose before they have the chance to speak up.

”i don’t need you coddling me.” he doesn’t yell or snap, but his voice rumbles in indignation, pacing back and forth before them. ”i have nothing i have need to speak of, mutt. have i made that clear enough? i don’t want it too getting lost in translation.” he finds no pleasure in hurting snownose. after all, they show him a kindness and love that nobody else has. but, there is no pleasure either in reliving the past or in getting these feelings off of his chest and into the open. dragonsbane slows down his pacing, hesitantly coming to a stop. ”besides, do tell how i am to speak such matters with a scorched tongue. little wonder that your plan was bound to backfire.” words trailed off with another sigh.

DRAGONSBANE - SILKEN WINDHOUND - COTC - BIO - TAGS - TRACKER - WRITTEN BY DOFFERZ

"WILLS UNBENDING, FAITH UNENDING" ✟ bio ── snownose initially finds minor displeasure in that dragonsbane seems to ignore them, choosing to busy himself with a sip of his drink. a good enough excuse, they suppose — maybe bane just doesn't want to talk. and they're fine with that; they don't want to pry where they are not welcomed. they just wish that, even if he doesn't want to talk, bane would say at least that much. but snownose is quickly thrown off their guard as bane reels back from his drink with clear irritancy. puzzled and worried, they reach out a careful paw, and then realize. they knew that the cocoa was hot, but they didn't realize it was still that hot: they've been talking too much to taste it for themself.

"oh, buttercup," afforded on gentle yet worried tone. dragonsbane looks deliberately in the complete opposite direction, and his avoidance instantly is of worry to snownose. "starlight, i am so, so s-" rudely is snownose then interrupted as bane shakes away the blanket and stands, leaving snow just a little colder and much lonelier.

they allow bane the space to speak, watching with pale eyes as they pace to and fro. and then he settles to a stop, a sigh upon exasperated tongue, and snownose very carefully weighs his next action. they are accustomed to bane's innate aggressiveness (for lacking a better term), sure. they are not used to that being directed back directly at them. to it snownose resists the urge to show indignance back; are you through with throwing your fit? or if you detest me so much, then why not leave? or if your tongue is so sore, why do you berate me still so? and more, all pressing to be said. but snow holds their tongue. nothing is to be aptly solved by treating bane's attitude with one of their own.

"bane." grounding, level, firm. snownose sets bane with a grim look, but sadness pulls gently at the features. "don't be so upset. i apologize for pressing." and snow sighs, allowing the gaze to drop as they slump. "i just don't like to see you so... upset - and i'm sure you like even less to experience it." snow shakes their head, exasperated. "i am sorry, truly. it is none of my business. but i do very much love you, mon cher." a shake of the head. snownose will pause a moment, and then pat the spot beside of them once more with their tail. "come, sit. i like not seeing you upset." they feel like a broken record. what else can they say to seem genuine?

there is little that he can say. snownose's words fall upon his ears. it's not what they say as much as it is them saying it, and how. while bane finds no qualms in speaking the blunt of his mind, there is little to no pleasure in directing his temper towards the one who treats him right. always has snownose been there for him, and always have they worked with and navigated him through near... everything. and he knows for them he owes respite. a task far easier in a spoken word than it was to execute. "i am not upset, i am..." words trail off in a moment's thought, ushered from his lips before the dog has the chance to fully think it over. he is what? perturbed? forlorned? no, they do not sound good from the mouth, and so bane picks his next words carefully. ttt111 "tired." fair typical response. unique as it is genuine, despite yet harboring enough truth to sooth his mind, and to tell himself that he was not fibbing (he does not desire to shower snownose with lies, else they falter. he is unsure how either of them could take to a relationship webbed with deception).  he tires of many things, traveling deeper than the amount of hours he shuts his eyes at night. an unplesent situation he has wormed his way into, but it is he who had opened his mouth and situated himself here.

"still your tongue, have i not told you to cease the apologetics?" bane's feelings and emotions are a hot mess that even he can not sort. "you'll be apologizing should the sun not rise, or the stars not shine." he mulls over the words, turning his gaze upon snownose and letting it rest. he knows that snow is wont to please, and even he can see it as admirable as it is infuriating at times. little a moment's hesitation rest between the other beckoning him forth and dragonsbane reclaiming his spot prior (he does not consider worming his way underneath the blanket, but he does gently press himself against it and snownose, leering a gaze). "if it bothers you so, speak. you will never get anywhere should you mute at the touch of resistance." it is a mindswt that bane has carried for many years now, though unlike snow, he cares little of perception. should he be beloathed at the price of ambition, so be it. nothing is earned without sacrifice. should snow care so greatly about bane's feelings, then they should be willing to stay adamant, even at the cost of inevitable backlash. this is how he see it work, and until they grow spine, the hound will say naught. he only does this out of love, to see them to (what he believes to be that of) fruition, even if they share not the same outlook and mindset on life. mayhaps another time.

psychologies aside, dragonsbane reaches down, mounding a small pile of snow against the body of his mug to cool it further. his mouth truly does hurt, tongue and roof numb and out of place. he licks his lips in annoyance mixed with that of discomfort, resisting the urge to press it against the snow in and of itself to cool. "should i had not known better, i'd believe it to be a taste akin to fire; by halone's fury it be what i deserve. now come, what matters did you want to suggest? be it by no surprise i'd suffer through boredom ere..." he says no more, shrugging as if the movement were to embody the whole prior 'talk about your feelings with me' therapedic scenario. it is the closest to an apology that snow is going to be able to muster up from him. he makes an effort to care, no matter how meager it may be.

DRAGONSBANE - SILKEN WINDHOUND - COTC - BIO - TAGS - TRACKER - WRITTEN BY DOFFERZ

"WILLS UNBENDING, FAITH UNENDING" ✟ bio ── a silence falls, moderately uncomfortable and absolutely uncouth. snownose seeks to find his words, but finds that they almost immediately deem that which is in mind unfit to say. dragonsbane settles back down against them, the edge taken off of his prior words and a deliberate gentleness taken in his actions — yet to it, snownose does little more than sigh through the nose. they take another moment to consider his words, humming a low note in thought to show that they are yet still paying attention. another brief sigh, and snownose will aim to rest his head against dragonsbane's shoulder, namesake nose tucking underneath his jaw.

after a moment persevere of thought, they feel they've found their words: "i would apologize if you shot the moon from the sky," they offer him on their typical humored tone. "i would be sorry that it displeased you, and that i could not do something prior to make you happy once more." a chuckle, in good humor. though the position is a stretch, snownose offers up to bane a smile that touches gently all their features. "that is, in layman's terms, how i feel about you. you are my world." a gentle nuzzle of the nose against bane's chin.

but snownose will sober, allowing the smile to slip from their face. "being cross and unending in your actions will find you nowhere but miserable. changing my approach should i hit a barrier does not mean that i am giving into your stubbornness." but they falter, allowing a smile and chuckle once more. "you will get nowhere profitable via brute force. someday, you may yet understand, my sunshine." it sounds a touch backhanded, yet they do not mean it as so; snownose is more introspective than anything.

but that is neither here nor there. snownose next touches back on the more pressing topic at hand, on quiet tongue: "and you deserve not a mouthful of flame, and i do apologize should i have made you think so." again, wanting to take responsibility for what they feel is wholly their fault, and not simply a miscommunication. "a kiss might yet take the sting away." and they laugh, cheerful and inoffensive as they press further into dragonsbane's side. "i jest, really," snownose next offers, anticipating bane's response of incredulousness. "though, i would not be opposed..." they trail off, a hypothetical wink and nudge.

but they sober once more, allowing further consideration of bane's final sentiment. "i do mean what i said prior," snow offers, a careful nuzzle once more against their lover, "that talking about what occupies your thoughts will do you some good. ... i have my suspicions, but i cannot read your mind much more than you allow me." bane might find it of some contention should snow bring up that they, too will experience any particularly distressing nightmare or emotion. not as vivid, sure, but they're served the most important details. "but all in all, your comfort it what is of the utmost importance to me. if you wish not to talk, then i once more apologize for prying."

snownose takes a long time to reply, and bane can not help but wonder what is going through their head. what thoughts are bouncing around; what to say weighed upon each hand. (part of him hopes that snow will say something sharp and full of retort, though he knows them better than that. he knows that it will not happen, and he is not too sure of why he wishes it in the first place; perhaps to 'strengthen' them, or perhaps just to see if snow were capable of such actions. not that he would care; bane would let any harsh words slip off his back like water on a duck. it is merely a morbidly curious thought that worms its way into his brain.) though, when his partner finally speaks, it is none the line: poetic and full of love. "how do they do it?" he cannot help but wonder. how is it that snownose can remain so levelheaded and firm in their decisions, as though there was nothing to it. truth be told, it almost pisses him off. they are lucky that bane was filled with such affection for them... somewhere in there.

"hush now, your words are near to make me retch." sickeningly sweet and romantic. bah! though even dragonsbane cannot help but scoff good-heartedly at it all. "if i am your world, than i must question the standards in which you have set for yourself." (it is not too far fetched: such strong feelings for a dog who cannot even bathe was enough to make anybody wonder if there was brain or thistle nestled up there.) he does not shy away from snow's touch, allowing his chin to rest against their nose (just barely does he sink into the touch, relaxing his weight just gently upon them). it comes as no shock that snow finds opposition in his train of thought; it was to be expected. thus followed by the chimes of them practically begging for a kiss. it is foolish to think that bane would oblige such requests. he accepts the nuzzles and the subtle touch, surely that is meaning enough, right? to this he shakes his head, remaining silent on the matter (he does not want to outwardly say no, nor does he have any desire to perform the action. it leaves him in a stalemate that he wished did not exist. sometimes trying not to be an asshole was harder than it was to speak his mind. perhaps in time he will grant snow the kiss they so desperately crave.) "such stubbornness does not falter so easily. think as you may, it be only of your loss. only you can protect yourself; singing songs and making merry does not spin the world round, nor does it protect you from those deaf to reason."

"now i beg you dearest to close your mouth and steady your tongue. do not speak." he turns his head to look down upon snownose, coming to a conclusion in his thoughts. he is not sure how comfortable he is this decision, but it is the least that he owes a friend. "i beseech you listen: when the time is right, i shall speak. that time is not now. speak of it again, mutt, and you will be hosting a lavish outing for one." that time may be a week from now. it may be years from now. for all that he knows, the moment may never be right before one of them  be whisked away. these conditions he does not bring up to snownose, lest they complain about it being slight of hand. he knows snow can pick up on what he is feeling, just as bane can do so with them. sometimes this knowledge all but drives him up a cliff; his problems are his own to handle, and his thoughts intended to remain personal. but when snow comes running, all that it means is that they care... for that bane is grateful. though.... in his own times and in his own way perhaps. "comprendre?" his voice humored, yet dry. almost mocking.

DRAGONSBANE - SILKEN WINDHOUND - COTC - BIO - TAGS - TRACKER - WRITTEN BY DOFFERZ

"WILLS UNBENDING, FAITH UNENDING" ✟ bio ── sorz this is weak \\

all is quiet on the western front. each party has spoken his peace in turn. dragonsbane begging snownose's silence while he speaks is something which snow is happy to oblige, a soft hum to show that he is listening. the shift in tone, though, prays for a more somber attitude — snow withdraws from where they've tucked their nose beneath bane's jaw and looks him in the eye. though snownose remains stoic and listens, there's an urge to combat bane's words as he speaks them. "surely, you think more of yourself? think more of the world?" echos in the mind, a twinge of sadness pulling at the features.

when bane does finish, snownose does little more than offer him a slow and understanding nod. contemplative, they will avert the gaze, then: "awe... your 'dearest'." they know full well that was not what dragonsbane meant. their specialty is getting under his skin, and they mean to exercise that to the best of their ability whenever presented the opportunity.

but snownose averts the pale gaze once more, face falling back grim. "no, i will stop playing with you," they offer. a sigh, and they'll continue: "i understand. and you are well within your right." a moment to ponder, to draw their tongue over the lip in thought, then next snownose will fit dragonsbane with an uncharacteristic hard and steady stare. "what say you if i made you speak to me? hmm?" snownose swallows, not quite sure the response they're anticipating. "i get the feeling that you yourself do not even know what you're so apprehensive of revisiting."

snownose will allow his words to set, festering like a wound. they know that's going to sting, and they know they're not going to get the most favorable of responses. "lest you forget, your soul twines with mine. i can pick apart your mind and memory any time i so wish." not that they would, especially not without dragonsbane specifically requesting they do so. and so they deem that they've done enough, have stood their ground too long and made their point well. "... no, my apologies. i do not intend to do that, nor anything of the sort." gently will they aim to press their nose into bane's shoulder, a sigh upon the breath. "i will always be here when you are ready. always."

leave it to snownose to listen to him speak, and linger upon the hidden adorations, even though the words not be directed in such a manner. "take it as you will if it so pleases, though you know full well my intention." he does not completely disregard their observation, though he does nothing to extend further upon it. it is snow's coming words and actions that bother and raise the slightest bit of concern. an off handed comment that lays heavily upon his conscience. chances are, snow likely could easily dive into his memories and pick out the information that they so desired spoken. if they tried, they could very much likely pick apart the thoughts that are running through his head at present.

(he knows full well what he has pushed down repressed into the depths of his memories, stifled and muted thoughts replaced with that of the burning ambition that now drives his actions and clouds his thoughts. memories that he begrudgingly relives in his sleep, clouding his mind, making him jump so much as a cloud's shadow suddenly fall down upon him. what will snownose think of him should he bring these thoughts to light? how could he face them with the truth that fear and foreboding drive his every move, thought, and word. there is nothing more that he wishes then to show them that he is strong; that he can withstand the rage of turmoil that heaves itself upon him. how could he face them and tell him that he too is naught more than that of a scared, forgotten pup? motherless and alone. afraid to accept the warm embrace of a friend and a lover ere he lose them too.)

for a while, dragonsbane is unsure of how to answer. he does not even know what to think. what to make of the comment, so out of character from their lips. (it is true he has unconsciously wished for snownose to snap at him, to react with hostility out of sheer curiosity wondering whether or not that they even could. it is nothing to that of what he has received in actuality.) however, as moments pass on, the pieces (whether or not they were deliberately intended in such a manner) begin to fall into place, and the gears in his head turn. "now don't you see that some manners are best handled through a course of direct action?" he pauses for a moment to think. he is speaking as soon as the words come to his head, though his thoughts yet run sluggishly. once more has snownose apologized, but bane casts it aside, lingering on the statement just prior. "is that what you desire now? to take control of what you can not obtain through mere pleasantries?" bane allows his gaze to remain locked onto snownose's, intense and unwavering. had he not already been seated beside them, he would surely be up in their business.

"i will not stop you." a statement as cold as it was inviting. "i shall handle no ill thoughts should you do so, nor shall i conceal anything from you. is that not what you so fervently desire? the truth?" he is testing them, quite obviously. almost begging for snownose to reach out and take it for themself. bane is a soul of action, not of diplomacy or of patience. he has made it no secret that he finds disagreement in the way that the other handles their problems, through words and gentle persuasion. though he does not desire for his business to be known nor his struggles common knowledge to the one he can not (and, loathing to admit, does not desire to) escape, he will not hide should snow come to accept such views and methods of execution. after all, they were right: bane is all but an open book. all that they have to do is reach step forwards and grasp the right key for themself. and so he sits, watching snownose with expectance, and a morbid inquiry. 

DRAGONSBANE - SILKEN WINDHOUND - COTC - BIO - TAGS - TRACKER - WRITTEN BY DOFFERZ