ᴜsᴇʀɴᴀᴍᴇ: ʜᴜɴᴛsᴍᴀɴ (VIDEO)

[dishearten]

( graham doesn't like using the video feature much, so mostly he avoids it. people might recognize his username, though, he hasn't been silent on the network that connects members of ALISTAIR. in fact now that he's a fugitive he has a bit too much time to flip through messages, though that's neither here nor there.

still, the fact he's using it means he does so with a purpose. after Sakura encountered him in the woods, he doesn't see a better way to get his message to everyone that needs to hear it. hopefully the townsfolk themselves will just stay away, and his brother is clever enough to stay clear of people that might hurt him. he's smart and wary of humans, it doesn't seem impossible he'll manage on it's own. it just feels dangerous to leave him out on his own without trying to assure people the wolf is not a threat. )

A friend of mine came from home. I hear that happens on occasion.

( Graham tilts his pendant enough to capture the wolf in the feed, just long enough for the details to be picked up. a vibrant red eye, white and gray fur. a little too friendly with a human, one could argue, as the wolf is looking up at him with an open-mouth grin, much like a dog. )

He's not a threat to humans. He'll more than likely run if you get too close to him, but all the same. If you see him, don't hurt him. He won't hurt you unless you threaten him.

( the wolf still has instincts enough that he will fight if he feels he has to for survival. being so close to a human has tempered many of his wilder instincts, yet the wolf is still and will always be a wolf. )

If you hurt him despite this message I promise you'll regret it.

( there's a steel edge to that threat that is very sincere. Graham was a better man than the Hunstman ever claimed to boast, and the wolf is about all the family he's ever had. if someone is bold enough to try and harm him (or worse), they'll have a dedicated hunter after them, and a ruthless one at that.

with that the video feed closes. if there are questions, they'll likely be answered via text. )

Comments

[dishearten]

Thank you.

( anyone that appreciates the wolf is someone that immediately endears themselves to the huntsman. there's not much in this world or the next he cares for more. )

Usually he would, unless he knows them already, but... I'm not sure.

( the wolf wasn't frightened of Emma, though he supposes Emma was not likely to hurt him. )

[spacegirl]

There's only one way to find out.

[Both eyebrows arch and she gives a little nod, as if he's invited her to meet his wolf friend. He hasn't, but he seems amicable to the idea and she's assertive enough to get him to meet up with her she figures.]

Think it's important to know for sure, in a place where new recruits pop up at random.

[dishearten]

( well, he can't argue that she's quite definitive, can he? and she's not wrong, it'd be good to learn. )

He wouldn't run as long as I was there. We'd have to do it carefully. You're really not uncertain about meeting a wolf?

( obviously he won't be far, but still. despite how tame the wolf looks now, he's not used to humans not being afraid. )

[spacegirl]

[She quickly debates if she should pretend to be even remotely afraid. After what she's recently faced, she finds her definition of fear has been slightly skewed from the average person's. So her eyes shift this way and then that, and then her lips purse together awkwardly.]

I'm really not, no. Uncertain, I mean. I'm really, completely certain that I'd like to meet a wolf. I'm not afraid, if that's what you're worried about. You're not, why should I be?

[dishearten]

Well, I know him better than you do.

( he supposes people with no experience with wild animals surely have no reason not to be at least a little afraid. afraid isn't a bad thing, it's fear turning into hatred that is the problem. )

He won't hurt you. He might run from you. I don't mean to offend, but I hope that he does.

( he might be able to rest easier if he knew the wolf would avoid humans when he is not around. )

[spacegirl]

[She's not surprised by what he says, although her eyes widen a little. It reminds her of something she said about the Doctor, a long time ago, where she said she hopes that he runs away instead of engaging with people that may harm him. So she understands the sentiment.]

Where should I meet you? We can find out in a matter of seconds whether or not he runs.

[dishearten]

( he's been out in the woods longer than he should already, but this is worth lingering for. he'd like to know how his brother fares... if he should try to keep him inside for his own safety. )

Can you meet me now? I can meet you near the edge of the forest.

[spacegirl]

Be there in a mo'.

[She doubts he needs to tell him this, but -]

Don't wander off, not til after I get there.

to action;

[dishearten]

I won't.

( she can be sure of that. he's too determined to make sure the wolf will be safe, he'll risk a little more time out for that.

so he makes his way to the outside of the forest, his brother left a few paces down the trail. the wolf isn't always good at staying where he's told to, but hopefully in this instance he will show enough patience for them to test his skittishness. Graham has to keep the cloak he's bought up to hide his face, he's still a fugitive. it's only when he sees a familiar face coming toward him that he knocks it down. )

You know, all this and I never asked your name.

( that was odd of him, he realizes, after the fact. without a heart he realizes many things after the fact. )

[spacegirl]

I thought we were keeping up the mystery.

[She teases a bit as she approaches, smiling slightly to try and put him more at ease. She stops a good distance away from him at first, not sure if he'll be uncomfortable with her moving in too close. But after she initially speaks, she steps in closer.]

I'm Clara. Clara Oswald, if you're looking to be formal, but I hate my surname so just Clara'll do.

[And oh - she has a mouth on her. She probably should inform him of that, but she thinks he'll be able to pick up on it easily. Her smile turns more warm as she makes brief eye contact with him, but it's short lived, before she's leaning off to the side in an attempt to try and look for his wolf friend.]

[dishearten]

Not quite.

( he was just perhaps a little too determined to protect his brother, the rest had rather fallen by the wayside. he doesn't have a problem with giving his name, even though it's the one the curse gave him. he'd offer a handshake if timing weren't of the essence. they need to move quickly or the wolf is likely to try and find him or wander off to do as he pleases. )

Graham. And you're not the only one, so Clara is fine.

( whatever attachment he has to Graham, none exists for Humbert. he's not even sure what it means. )

He should be just down the path. I told him to stay, but he doesn't always listen when he doesn't want to. ( the wolf is quite tame, but that doesn't make him any less of a wolf. he has his own ideas and motivations. ) I'll stay here, but I won't be far. ( he doesn't think she needs to be afraid, it's just a reassurance. )

[spacegirl]

Yeah?

[She glances up at him, smiling in excitement. She doesn't need him there with her, but it's a comfort to know that he is, just in case his wolf is frightened by her.]

I'm used to men who won't listen when they ought to. Think I can handle an animal that does it too.

[And with that, she makes her way down the path, slow and steady. She's excited and wants to run, but knows that would frighten a wolf away. So she stays calm and doesn't let her eagerness get the best of her, so that she can keep a clear head.]

Hello?

[She keeps her voice soft, soothing. As if she's going to hold a conversation with the wolf.]

I've brought you something. You'll have to come out to see it.

[She teaches teenagers. She's not above using bribery where it's needed. In this case, the form of bribery is food.]

[dishearten]

( Graham even manages a slightly strained smile at that. not listening does seem to run through the gender, though he's known plenty of women that don't care to listen, either. he keeps his place as she wanders down the trail, not wanting to be too close and give the wolf confidence he shouldn't have.

he wasn't running from strangers in storybrooke, and he needs to be if he's going to manage on his own.

as for the wolf, he didn't run off when he was left behind, sitting with ears up and alert as he waited. it's safe to say the wolf hears clara far before she sees him, and he's on all fours before she's close enough to properly spot him.

the wolf keeps his ears low and flat, though there isn't a snarl. just a moment of hesitation before he slinks deeper into the trees. not a run, just intentional distance. )