TOGETHER AS ONE + mandatory meeting

[DIRT]

AND HE LAPS UP THE VICE LIKE A WOLF IN THE NIGHT

Dirt cared little for all of this, really. He did, however, appreciate the welcome. He stood silently, off to the side, away from everyone else. Was it because he knew himself to be repulsive, or was it that the clan itself shifted around to avoid him, like oil over water? Bright orange eyes watched as Kydobi explained the new ritual to them all, his ears listening intently. Surviving in the desert for at least a week, bringing home cleaned bones to be worn as jewelry. Dirt did like the sound of that, at the very least.

The beast watches as Atticus (little broken child, newly scarred, reeking of mother's milk) approaches the panther on command, as he receives a cord around his neck. As Sweeney is called up, and she begins asking questions, about multiple children surviving together in that harsh desert, of teamwork, of being unable to survive on her own. He grins, yellowed teeth just barely revealing themselves behind his black lips. Another example of The Pitt becoming weak? Or was it simply a little girl in over her head?

And Dirt is reminded very quickly, why he doesn't like children. Too chatty, too many questions. Their youth outweighed anything profound they had to add to a conversation, with minds so simple and gullible and easy to manipulate.

And yet... he is also reminded, exactly why he wants one. Not one of his own, but one to make his own. It was so very easy, you see, to break a young child's heart. But for now, he simply watches, waiting at the sidelines. His eyes focused first on Sweeney, and then drifted slowly through the crowd, to the children among those gathered here. Perhaps one day, he would snap one up. But not today. Today, he would be good, and he would wait his turn.

He looks then, to Kydobi, awaiting his response. Eagerly waiting his opportunity to prove himself.

code by spacexual