The fisherman fishes, the bakerman bakes

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Every day seemed to feel colder than the last, or maybe it was just the rain that did that. Once or twice he had caught cold dandruff falling from the clouds, but didn’t you need skin for dandruff? Did clouds have skin? Eugh, you know never mind he didn’t want to know that sounded disgusting and took away from how pretty they could be. Lately their mother had been leaving them to their own devices, something he seemed to like greatly, though surely some of their siblings would not agree.

Some of the younger ones were such cry babies or just annoying and clingy, he on the other hand would rather spend more time on his own away from prying eyes and the ever forming hold of his mother’s gaze. He wasn’t too sure why they had to spend so much time training. Nothing ever happened here. It was boringly peaceful, or so he believed. If there was something more exciting out there he wanted to see it.

It was still early in the day when the Elken colored boy slunk away from the den, some of their siblings still curled up fast asleep. He on the other hand wanted to see what laid beyond the meadows and woods. He knew of a mountain somewhere along the side of the range so maybe that would be his first target. Shortly into his venture though did a grey blotch spill across the lingering patches of white. Aldritch.

“What are you doing up already?” Edith or Warwick, sure, he excepted them to run off to find something cool, but Aldritch was one of the cry babies who usually clung to their mother’s hide for comfort and free food. It was pretty sad, or so he believed based on Remus’ reaction to the other kids when they were tasked with food. I mean, the rabbit was just laying there and they wanted to cry about how it wasn’t in their mouths instead? Vermillion probably asked mother to chew for her still too.

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Almost immediately did his brother turn, annoyance clear on his face as he glanced upon him with a glare and hid his activities with denial. Nothing huh? It looked like he was trying to attack the sky, though for what reason he couldn’t say. Seemed kinda silly. This white stuff didn’t hurt and they could easily stomp it under their paws even if it was kinda cold. “Nothin’. Just wasn’t expecting to see anyone else out here.” So defensive, yeesh.

It was true, his brother was considered cursed under the eyes of the high elk. A blight in their woods compared to his own fur or many of their siblings, but he was still…his brother. Even if it upset him that his siblings had to be looked down on by Him all while being connected, there was only a warning on his mother’s lips…he hadn’t…done anything yet. Yet. Maybe he could stop him from betraying the High Elk.

Just as quick as he had asked his simple question though, Aldritch would turn the question back to him with a bite to his tone. As he raised his head with a curled lip, Calhoun could feel his ears tilt back, sitting like horns of aggression much like his father unbeknownst to him. “Getting away from mother. What else? Aren’t you tired of being babied?” The high elk knew he was and he hadn’t even been the one crying in recent weeks. At some point his siblings had to feel ridiculous crying and begging all the time. Based on Aldritch’s reaction though…maybe he was starting to finally get it.

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Only more surprised by the continuously raising defensiveness, Calhoun tilted his head quick each way as he tried to assesses what the hell was biting Aldritch’s ass. He didn’t think he had done anything worth the grumpy attitude, at least not right now, so why was he being a stick in the mud. “Thats… fine??? I don’t care if you were here first I was just surprised you’re up already. Why are you so grouchy?”

Maybe he skipped breakfast, only the High Elk knew how crabby and aggressive they could all get when they didn’t have food. If Remus’ little tree training hadn’t proved that then he wasn’t sure what it would take to convince someone, but growing puppies didn’t exactly like being starved. “You aren’t making sense.” While he did like to believe he was a favorite amongst their large litter, that didn’t have anything to do with what he had asked or so he thought.

The plight on his brother’s mind was miles above his blessed head, but how would he ever understand. “You could be a favorite too ya know.” Maybe not in the same way as he or Warwick or even Edith, but so long as he picked up his shit then why not. He was grey and that was…troubling to him, but he hadn’t done anything yet. So that meant it wasn’t too late right? Maybe if he worked extra hard he could even get a blessed pelt like his more…favored siblings.

“If you try harder in our training that’s probably a good start.” Aldritch had been so quick to give up last time they were given a task and as a result he was forced to starve another day and go back at it the following morning. Taking a seat Calhoun let his rump slap down, a hind leg raising to scratch at the back of his head as a single eye squinted. “The High Elk would like your effort for sure.” Wasn’t that what made one…blessed? Doing well to please their god and supporting the family? If he was strong enough to protect the others then surely that would put him on a good path.

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Unknowingly he had just stabbed a bag weighted with sand, the contents pouring out vigorously as soon as the blade was removed. His brother turned snapped at him as he spewed on about favorites. “Fine, not the favorite, does it matter?” He never claimed that he would be number one. He knew that Aldritch wouldn't top him or their more blessed siblings, but that didn't mean he had to be a blight.

“At least you aren't white.” Mother said she would still love them even if they were, and some were, but they acted differently. Whimpy and weird and yet it was said to not be their fault. Predictions to come or...as he was starting to piece together...perhaps the faults of their parents. Mother skirted his questions, answering in ways that didn't feel like he was actually answered. He couldn't see a reason for her to avoid telling them. She had always answered their questions....still something felt different in his gut.

“So be something else. Whatever, just don't mope about it. The High Elk cares for his children so do whatever to prove you're loyal and it will be fine. It's only a sin after you've done it.” Whatever it was. Mother hadn't touched much on what would make one a sinner aside from harming the elk.

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An itch of annoyance crawled his spine as his brother continued to shout at him. Not the most becoming of a prince, but then again he never was one to look up to. It was only once he clearly tried to look down on him that his ears would fall back like horns accompanied by a curl on his lip. He might have lectured him, but he did not look down on him. Following his brother's example, he too would straighten his spine, head arching to ensure he was never looked down on.

“As you should.” For once it seemed they would come to an agreement. He too had taken notice of the discrepancies around their home, the flaws in their lessons, their mother, or so he believed at least. “Maybe it is best that you are not in Mother's graces.” Not because of his color, not for the plagued ink he spilled on their name, no. “She's not very consistent, is she?” Several times now he found himself wanting more only to be left with confusion at their mother's explanation. If only he could speak with the High Elk directly to answer his concerns...

Whatever. He wasn't going to stand around and be yelled at for doing literally nothing. He had only been trying to help, but instead, he was spat on. It wasn't he who cast a scorn gaze, nor him who ignored the plight of his siblings. Maybe their fur was ugly, but it was not their fault as far as he was concerned. Not yet. Having said what little left there was to say he turned on his heels to leave. “I am not your enemy, Brother.” Maybe next time he would remember that.

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So he had finally hit a chord or something to get his brother to stop spitting his hatred at him. Blame him for his colors all he wanted, it was neither's fault they looked the way they did. The High Elk had his plans...and their mother, her's. Calhoun huffed at his brother's question. There was no way he could have the answer, but Aldritch likely knew that.

“Wait and watch.” That's what they had been raised to do, hadn't it? Unfortunately, he saw what he saw and now he could not tell what he should trust. “I wouldn't share with anyone what you find. There's no telling who knows what and what might be fake.” and unlike he, his brother was more likely to receive ire for any mistake thanks to his fur.

Honestly, some might consider him a sinner for what he had just shared. Perhaps it would be seen as aiding a sinner with his sins...but something just wasn't quite right. Plus... at the end of the day, it was still his brother. He may have a set path of sins before him, but maybe he could help Aldritch stay in the High Elk's good graces. The boy's lips scrunched as he sat on his brother's words.

For a moment his thoughts drifted to the dream he had beneath the tree while he had been watching the herds, but he thought it was best he followed his own advice. No one had to know about his dream until he was certain what it meant. “I like watching them.” Reddened eyes stared blankly at the blanket of white between them. “Sometimes I note how they interact or how they look at us even though they're protected.”

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