ORIGIN - on the beach at night

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The feeling was mutual; not wanting to force a conversation, that is.

So, the orthoclase was forced to take Dread at his word—"I DON'T CARE,"—and do its best to move on. It was halfway-tempted to turn for the cliffs and their overgrowth. Instead, hooked claws curled fruitlessly into the sand; every single particle gave way, rather than offering resistance.

Perhaps, it was for the best that it wasn't reminded of its own weakness.

"I understand," it huffed, languidly following the dragon's line of sight. There was hardly a way for it to get up there (and good on him for that tactical advantage) and, so, it didn't fret too much about meandering too close for Dread's liking. Alpha stared up at him, again after the moment. Its chin dipped in a single nod.

Concerningly, an arm buckled, and the monster made a far-too-late grab at steadying itself. It stumbled a few steps, and stuck its quills up. Rather than stopping again, Alpha continued to pace—edging further and further away from the conversation.

The motion had been unintentional, at first, but "ARE YOU SAD?" sent its heart fluttering and limbs straining. It lifted its head upwards and straightened up. "I'm fine," was its well-practiced and -rehearsed response. It could stumble over an answer for any other question, but this one? This one, it had in the bag, up its sleeve—like some sort of trick card.

Someday, that trick wouldn't work.

In the meantime, Orthoclase-Alpha stared a hole through Dread's figure while it padded further and further down the beach; a sort of very protracted exit, if you will. Or, really, an unsubtle hint dropped that it was ready to go. Not once did it turn its back, though—it watched every movement of tooth and claw, wing and tail.

It'd watch until the massive beast left—then, it would take its own leave. Rather than try again with the ocean, it scoured the cliffs for some sort of crevasse, and tightly huddled up in it. The encounter did not keep it from falling asleep.

@Dread
actually, let me edit this into an exit rather than posting three sentences of "alpha leaves"--

Dread studied the Orthoclase a moment longer, debating whether to remind it for a third time--just in case--that his stuff was his and... stuff. He also debated warning it off Haven's nest, and den, but it seemed unlikely that Alpha could climb like that.

In the end, as it edged away, he just watched it; but his mind was already straying to fat, juicy fish or deer. The faint, stray thought that maybe Alpha had again hurt Svartis--that maybe that's why it was slinking off--crossed his mind, and for a moment ember eyes narrowed, but it seemed unlikely enough that he dismissed it a moment later.

Instead of speaking--there was nothing left to say--he turned, wings beating powerfully to lift him swiftly back up and away, rising on the warm air to sweep out over the sea. He let out a single roar, as he departed--not a threat, not even really directed toward anyone in particular; just a loud and screeching declaration that he (Dread, the dragon), existed and called this place home.

@Orthoclase-Alpha
exit Dread

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