Ilias had drifted his way home, almost as if he were in a daze.
Normally, his meticulously groomed pelt was his pride, but today didn't seem like a day to get all gussy'd up. His tail had been stuck hiding underneath his haunches all day, and his ears felt as if something was forcing them to stay flat against his skull. There's no way he could think about looking nice when so much else was going on. Trudging his way through the clumps of dirt and mud had stained his paws a ghastly brown color, he could only imagine how bad the other packmates felt. Those who dug their Queen's grave... Their paws probably felt a lot heavier than his.
He tried not to think about it too hard. He already had the shivers from the chill in the air, he didn't need to shiver thinking about the others. The wolf shuffled his way into the den, barely finding the energy to shake himself dry. The den felt so much warmer than the outside, uplifting Ilias very slightly.
Nobody else was here, except Var.
Ilias was sure that if he went deeper within the den, he would find a lively wolf somewhere. He peeked around, looking for anything, anyone else. He would settle for a nursing mother and her cubs, even. He sniffed around, rather forcefully, as if deluding himself from accepting what he knew:
Nobody else was here, except Var.
Hesitantly, the hound settled down in a dry spot nearby his giant comrade, letting out an equally giant sigh.
"It's a terrible day for rain..."
He glanced over at Var, perking one ear slightly, hoping for some kind of reaction.
Ilias had known Var his whole life. Even if they weren't particularly close, he'd always been with the pack. Watching the beast's pelt dim to the color it was always left a sinking feeling in his chest. Var was always so radiant, but his poor soul looked like a black hole, spreading its darkness outward and absorbing all light. Ilias had seen him lose his sheen once or twice, but... Had it ever gotten this dark? Maybe... He could use a distraction. Best to keep his distance for now.
"Do you ever think the Gods feel guilty for their actions?"
Ilias paused, hoping that his hook had taken.
