Strength could be such a subjective thing, but Tal nodded earnestly in agreement. "We will," he said with more confidence than experience perhaps warranted. "We've got our General back, yeah?" He grinned mischievously up at the big warrior, relaxed enough to tease Deimos a little before talk turned to more morose futures that didn't bear dwelling on.
Death was a part of life in Halo; that didn't bother Tal. But condemning his companion to that sort of madness after he'd passed... The young man shivered and then shook himself like one of his dogs to throw off the unaccustomed melancholy with a fierce scowl. Boreal crooned, a bass rumble, and bumped her head against his ribs encouragingly.
The suggestion to race was met with an eager relief for the freedom of the wind and snow and Tal nodded enthusiastically. "You're on!" he agreed, a fierce grin lighting up his features to chase away the lingering ghosts of lost companions. He whistled sharply and Bell barked in answer, chivvying the other dogs up as Boreal bounded over to help nudge the team into a semblance of order and help Tal unwind those who'd tangled their lines during the rest.
In a short time, the dogs were ready and Tal packed up the snow hook and raised the brake, hupping the sled around to point back towards home. "Ready when you are!" he called to the General, waiting for the signal to start the run back to the Citadel, laughing into the biting wind as he and the team raced towards the finish line with Deimos and their companions.
Death was a part of life in Halo; that didn't bother Tal. But condemning his companion to that sort of madness after he'd passed... The young man shivered and then shook himself like one of his dogs to throw off the unaccustomed melancholy with a fierce scowl. Boreal crooned, a bass rumble, and bumped her head against his ribs encouragingly.
The suggestion to race was met with an eager relief for the freedom of the wind and snow and Tal nodded enthusiastically. "You're on!" he agreed, a fierce grin lighting up his features to chase away the lingering ghosts of lost companions. He whistled sharply and Bell barked in answer, chivvying the other dogs up as Boreal bounded over to help nudge the team into a semblance of order and help Tal unwind those who'd tangled their lines during the rest.
In a short time, the dogs were ready and Tal packed up the snow hook and raised the brake, hupping the sled around to point back towards home. "Ready when you are!" he called to the General, waiting for the signal to start the run back to the Citadel, laughing into the biting wind as he and the team raced towards the finish line with Deimos and their companions.
