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]

I haven't figured that part out yet.

( he stayed a night or two with Emma, but that's not a long-term solution. he's been more worried about the wolf than finding a place to stay, which is perhaps not the most practical. )

[winces]

Oh my gosh, that's terrible!

[ she can't? let something like this happen?? ]

If you have no place to stay, then please — stay with me!

[dishearten]

You'd invite an absolute stranger to stay with you?

( he sounds doubtful, because... why, though. a part of him might never be used to thoughtful and well-meaning people. )

[winces]

[ olivia proceeds to look mildly abashed by the question, but she doesn't relent. ]

Um. Yes...? You're of ALASTAIR, aren't you? Doesn't that mean we're technically teammates?

[dishearten]

Ah... yes. I suppose we are.

( though he's not sure that means she owes him anything. )

Are you quite certain? I could use a place to stay for a few nights.

[winces]

[ that's not quite how olivia sees it, but she doesn't seem to find the need to explain. as if this were merely just How Things Are. ]

Oh yes, I'm very sure. It's the least I could do!

[dishearten]

I really appreciate it. I'll manage something to pay you back.

( it only seems fair. she's taking on risk by giving him shelter. )

[winces]

[ she waves a hand in the air. ]

Don't worry about that yet, [ she insists. ] It'll all sort itself out once you're comfortable and settled again.

[dishearten]

( he doesn't know when that will be and that seems like a very long time to take advantage of someone's hospitality but arguing would likely also be rude. )

Thank you.

( he means that. )

[winces]

[ the smile she gives in turn is quite genuine, calm. ]

It's the least I could do, [ she insists once more. ]

[dishearten]

Do you think you'd mind having my friend along as well?

( having a man in your room is bad enough. a man and a wolf has to be pretty intimidating. )

[winces]

[ there is a moment wherein olivia can only look confused. she glances about, as if trying to make sense of his words...

only for her to realize he'd been referring to the wolf all along. at that, she laughs lightly. ]

Oh, silly — of course! He was always welcome. I'd never separate family.

[dishearten]

He'd prefer to be outside, I'm sure, but until I know he's safe without me I want to keep him close.

( perhaps not all nights will have the wolf present, but at least the first few. as he gets used to his brother being with him again. )

Thank you. I'll find a way to make it up to you.

( and even if she insists he doesn't have to, well, he'll find a way anyway. )

[winces]

[ of course she's going to refuse! ]

Please, it's my pleasure. [ she gives him one last smile. ] Drop by any time you'd like, okay? I'm on the third floor, fourth room to the right. And if I don't happen to be home, I might just be at the market, so feel free to give me a call with this thing!

[dishearten]

I'll be by tonight. If you don't mind.

( he doesn't want to be there when she isn't... And he'd rather enjoy some freedom while he still can now that he's not in a jail cell. )

[winces]

I don't mind at all!

[ the more she can help, the better, really. ]

I'll see you then.