(no subject)

[politestpirate]

It has not started snowing- yet.

Fall in Scotland is dreary, cold and damp.

Finn was talking to another teenager in the bar, so Wellard had slipped out the back door. With any luck, they will be able to get that tarp-roof up over the work area, so they can keep working on the ship during the winter. Not like it can keep the cold away, but hopefully the snow off. There were a few last measurements to get before trying to get the proper supplies, so once outside, Wellard headed for the woods, towards the 'ship yard'.

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[wolflord_andain]

There are pawprints on the damp ground.

One set goes out into the forest.

One set returns toward the bar--though that set does not stay wolf-tracks for long.

And there is Galadan at the end of them, winter-grey eyes fixed on Wellard.

He is not wary, merely--watchful.

The boy has been defensive, before.

And this time, of course, Wellard is alive.

Interesting.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Wellard would like to think of it as being more 'careful', than defensive.

And while he is a sailor (and ship builder), and not a ranger, some prints and things are easy to put together. He glances at the marks on the ground, then up to Galadan, pausing on the path.

"... Hello, Galadan."

Thankfully the idea that Galadan may be a werewolf is not affecting whatever Wellard's opinion of him may be.

[wolflord_andain]

"Young Mister Wellard, is it not?"

Galadan's tone is coolly polite.

He's good at that.

"Your fortunes seem to have changed since last we spoke. Shall I offer congratulations?"

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Leave it to Galadan to remind Wellard of his manners. His jaw clenches momentarily, and he nods.

"Yes, thank you. Though I didn't know that was something anyone would be able to tell, just by looking at me."

[wolflord_andain]

"Not anyone--not here, at the least."

Galadan smiles faintly.

"But I am Wolflord of the andain, and some things I cannot fail to notice."

Like the smell of a living body versus that of the Milliways dead.

Just as one example.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"Wolflord." Carefully, with another glance to the tracks on the ground. "That makes sense."

Taking a deep breath, he looks back up to Galadan. "Yes, I'm alive again. And paid for it, and didn't deal with any gods for it. Even if I certainly didn't plan for anything of the sort."

Maybe a bit curt, but Wellard does not want any assumptions from Galadan.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan's eyebrows go up.

"I made no accusations, Mister Wellard. Your world is far enough from my own that I care little for such gods as may walk it."

He smiles, this time with a few teeth.

"And had you dealt with the gods of my world, I would smell them on you. Family knows its own, after all."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"Who knows all of the ones that may be hidden away on my world, Mister Galadan-"

Not God, but gods. Even if they could be bound as Calypso was, and had their weaknesses.

"But Davy Jones is- wasn't. And I certainly wouldn't speak for him if that was the case, even." Wellard smiles wryly.

"So perhaps its good that we are from different worlds with different gods, then."

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan inclines his head, if only slightly.

"As you say, Mister Wellard."

His smile this time is small, and wry.

"You may, perhaps, count yourself lucky that the gods do not concern themselves overmuch in your affairs."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"Perhaps so. I'd imagine it would be a complicated thing at the best of times, and at the worst of times..."

("Now... don' tell me you di'n't enjoy it at the time, hmm?")

"Probably not good." Dry, before looking at Galadan, considering.

"Do you have interest in people's affairs in that manner?"

[wolflord_andain]

"No more than any other ruler, I should imagine."

Galadan has, after all, rarely needed to lie.

"Insofar as the andain will permit themselves to be ruled."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Wellard bites his lip, and shakes his head.

"Not with the andain," Said with the care of someone using the word for the first time, "or even with other gods. I mean with humans, mortals."

Mary.

[wolflord_andain]

"On occasion."

Galadan's smile twists.

"Or do you imagine I have no interest in the lives of those I consider friends?"

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"I would hope so- it's rather what you're supposed to do with your friends, and let them do the same in return." A bit dryly, but he pauses.

Evil certainly would not be concerned about such things, unless it is all a front- which certainly has been done before. Especially to Mary. But how can you tell who is sincere, and who is not?

Biting his lip, Wellard looks at Galadan warily. "You mean it? That you are no longer working for the Dark, and that you won't hurt Mary- that you even care about her? I- I don't want to see her hurt like that again, with Mrs Rowlands and then you, so I am hoping-"

He takes a deep breath.

"I am hoping that it is true."

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan raises one eyebrow, winter-grey eyes cool and assessing as he watches Wellard.

"I doubt it will give you ease, but you may trust that those who seek harm to Mary shall have to deal with me."

He smiles.

With teeth.

There are many reasons why Galadan is called Wolflord, after all.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Wellard is far from arguing those reasons.

His lips twitch in a humorless smile, and he raises an eyebrow. "Most people wouldn't find that exactly reassuring."

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan's eyebrow remains raised.

"And do you seek to be most people?"

That is interesting in its own way.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Wellard slowly shakes his head. "I think I gave up the chance of that before I arrived at Milliways." Wryly.

And Milliways only kept helping with that.

[wolflord_andain]

"Then you may, I suppose, choose to feel reassured."

Though little will change whether he does or not.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"Some, at least. But I think its better to be reassured to some degree, and have hope that its true, than not."

He looks back up to Galadan, smiling faintly.

"Since you did care enough to say so, afterall."

[wolflord_andain]

"Some things I take no pains to hide, Mister Wellard."

Galadan's voice is very dry.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"So I see." Quietly, and carefully.

Mary's friend or not, it is still never a smart idea to tease a wolf. Your first mistake could be your last.

Now, to just figure out how to carefully segue away from this topic...

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan merely smiles.

Wellard does seem to learn quickly.

It is--

Fortunate.

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

He has managed to survive this far, at least. Even with the set back of dying, once.

Part of that is learning when to quit while he is ahead- or even just alive. Wellard glances down the path, then back to Galadan.

"I probably shouldn't bother you for any longer, sir."

[wolflord_andain]

"I shall take care not to keep you from your own business, then."

And, with what may be a slight nod, Galadan steps around Wellard and heads for the bar.

He has work to be getting back to.