as iron sharpens iron | open, newcomer

[wormwood.]

Everything stays, right where you left it.

But it still changes, ever so slightly, daily and nightly.

If there was one thing that seemed to be exceedingly clear to Aurum these days, it was that wild dogs, whether actual wild dogs or hyenas, disliked him very much. At least at first, anyways. Vathmos had certainly warmed up to him, and Snarl was coming around, and he hadn't really met Mrish, so he couldn't form an opinion there yet, but for the most part he was able to at least somewhat mellow out the instinctual barriers that existed between him and wild canines. However, it still made him feel a little shitty, seeing the way that Virgil tensed up and eyed him warily. He brushed it off quickly, taking a deep breath and shaking his head. He was going to explain, figuring everyone else was doing a rather pisspoor job of it, when Abathur came over, being his usual exceedingly smart and strange arachnid self. Aurum watched the male for a moment before he heard Eulogy, giving a simple flick of his ear in response. Usually he might've agreed, and said that it was shitty to be rude when you were intruding. He still somewhat did agree, deep down, but he could also see the fear in Virgil's eyes, and the way that her aura moved erratically if he focused hard enough to see it. He didn't know what exactly had happened to her in the past, but whatever it had been, it had been unpleasant. He could tell why she was staring... she was being defensive. She was expecting them to attack her, and was trying to figure out if she had any way out. He had seen that look in others before, and he subconsciously found himself pulling his wings back, getting smaller and less intimidating. He couldn't truly loom harmless, given the inherent danger that came with lion's and the sheer power he possessed beneath his thick coat, but he could at least try.

Unfortunately for him, it seemed as though being polite and welcoming would be more difficult than he thought. Vathmos soon emerged from the trees behind him, her whooping laugh reminding him that he had brought her out with him. He had been wondering why she hadn't come along with him, but it seemed he now had his answer. She had been watching. His ears flattened a little against his head when he heard her words, a soft sigh leaving him. He really did not want things to escalate into a fight right now. Looking between Eulogy and Vathmos, Aurum rumbled softly, "It's... it's alright. She hasn't made the best first impression, but not all of us do, right?" He managed a weak smile before he turned his attention back to Virgil, speaking calmly to her as he tilted his head to one side, "Like Abathur over there said, we're just concerned for your well being because we're caring. Tanglewood is always willing to take in newcomers who need it... and we're not just a society of cats, if you couldn't already tell. If you need a home. Something to eat... you could consider here." He didn't exactly know the specific details of why she disliked him, and certainly wouldn't have guessed it was because of his status as male, but either way, he was trying his best to smooth things out. Virgil obviously needed help, and just because she was a bit rude didn't mean she shouldn't get that help. If that was how they operated, they'd be down half their member base.

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