Oliver Burton

A sulking pout found Abigail's content features, entirely put off by the logic that sprouted from the alpha. It hardly seemed to dampen her spirits, content to use her own term anyways. Even within the living room of the alpha, Oliver was nothing but business composure. After all, in some ways this too was like a business transaction, Oliver sat in that arm chair just like he would in the top floor of his building. Abigail was the contrasting force within that room. Her vivacious spirit hardly skipped a singular beat as she seemed to watch the two men with such eager watchfulness. Even though her attention span was a short lived thing. Maybe it was the fire that calmed her? Oliver had to admit that even he enjoyed the sound of its crackling in the background, the warmth that radiated within the room that no mere furnace could truly achieve as Frost unveiled his story, even if in its shortened form. Abigail leaned in to listen and even Oliver himself had to admit his own willingness to hear that tale.

It caught the english businessman off guard even though it hardly showed upon the hard unemotive lines upon his face, a flicker of understanding somehow pushed through. He had to admit he was impressed with his honesty. Even if such a tale was fashioned to accommodate the innocent young woman in the room. Facts were something the ice Bear could trust. Oliver uttered his own thoughts on the matter, commenting on fate and odds. Frost seemed amused by that assessment all the same, that sound, however brief, broke apart the stillness within that room followed by a firm nod of agreement. However, there was always a price, a balance to be had for luck. Frost admitted, in his recollection of such horrific memories was his loss of sight of one eye. Oliver was nearly surprised that he would offer such candidness to another male even though he would have eventually come to the conclusion of it in time. How did he lose that eye? He was certain there was a tale. Oliver could not help that subtle twitch of his own lips at the amusing dry humour. "Maybe that is why we get two chances with most things. Although it's the parts of us that there is only one.... Those we must be careful over.. " Of course, he did not elaborate, he suspected the stallion could piece together that easily enough while Abigail puzzled over that very thing. "The one who caused you to lose it... they received worse?"

However, Oliver was always one to direct, to cut to the chase. After all, it was why they were here and while getting the know the stallion was important, those key questions were no less important at all. There were so few things untarnished in this world. The were-bear could not help but have a weakness for them.

Oliver was appreciative of that answer. Simple. To the point. No flowery art of misdirection. Simply an answer. Yes.. No. If it was not honesty that Oliver could find respect in and he did, it was directness. He had no interest in silver tongued serpents that he so often had to keep one step ahead of in business. Abigail seemed to be hanging off every word, although the look upon her face betrayed the active thoughts that had probably raced through her mind. It was a wonder she remained so silent. In fact it was the most silent he had ever witnessed the girl.

Frost was quick to appease the hyperdrive minded panda that she would hardly have to fight. Even though self-defence was important to at least learn. The young woman was quick to show her 'menacing' claws and yet how easy it would be for someone to take advantage of the poor girl. Perhaps a pack that could look out for her was a good thing. Oliver knew that he could not be that force.Oliver teasing the girl.After all, he had still not forgotten she had chased off nearly every good fish in the immediate area. He could hardly imagine her defending herself from some.... Attacker. The thought seemed to bring an unsavoury feeling. No.. this pack, so long as it had its freedoms, was a good thing for the young woman. At least in his opinion. Abigail was quick to interject! Arguing that she had been a wonderful fish finder. She might have found the fish and chased away every last one in the immediate vicinity... She hadn't caught a single one! Yet he would allow her this tangent... when abruptly she questioned the alpha's name.

However, Abigail's place here seemed no longer in question... at least as far as Oliver's concerns went. So long as the woman wished to join. It was his own decision that produced a wariness within him. He refused to bring his own baggage upon a pack. Frost did not know these men and their reach even though he suspected he understood. He would have no idea what he signed up for. Oliver in his own blunt opinion was.. A liability to any pack. It was why he chose to remain on his own, the man hardly knew a life beyond it.. To protect himself with money and a hard earned status was growing more feeble by the day. If anything it complicated things. It helped at least in some respect. Being able to hire people to keep an ear out. To hire protection for his sister and if only he was not so stubborn to use it on himself. It was effective to an extent and yet it was only a matter of time for a slip up. Oliver surprised himself by explaining this tale to the alpha he had just met. He didn't have to by any means... his priority was Abigail's safety for this visit and yet..

He could offer something of use. Finances... were easy for the Polar Bear. How he knew that a place like this.... With its people would certainly have its cost even though he appeared, at least outwardly, to be doing quite well. That level nutmeg stare met the unusual eyes of Frost. The stallion offered agreeance and nothing more. For once he hardly saw.... Abigail's movement. This topic seemed to draw his attention wholly upon Frost for the moment. He was surprised by the other man's thoughtful words... It was rare that anyone had anything of value to offer him. What could he not buy himself? What could he not earn himself? Frost... seemed to possess a different angle, a connection he had never considered before.

A frown appeared upon his features, his dark brows knitted together. He had a point. Oliver parted his lips in order to respond. That business demenour still present even though by now, even if there was a growing ease. There were no hidden agendas between them, only honesty. That accented voice only getting out a single syllable, entirely unaware of the woman to all but launched herself at him. Her small body crashed into his as she sat upon him, her arms wrapped around his neck... in an overzealous hug. His careful demenour slipped into a look of undeviated surprise.

The woman was a monkey! How tightly she squeezed him that he was sure the life could nearly be wrung out of him. Felled by a small panda! Who would have thought. Oliver allowed a singular arm to pat her back. He honestly didn't know what to do with this hug and yet.... How it served to alleviate any last of the remaining tension within that room. Abigail was truly sunshine to illuminate darkness, her rays permeating even the darkest clouds, he was sure of it. A resigned sigh drew from his lips before she abruptly lept off him. Not even the stoic Frost was safe either.

He was next.

Oliver could hardly help that low, short lived chuckle that escaped him. A rare, usually unused sound yet suiting to him all the same. "It would appear no one is safe from Miss Abigail." He rose a singular hand, case and point. He observed the alpha's expression. Was it as shocked as his own? Or perhaps with a harem of women he was used to such unbidden affection! Before Oliver could get another word in.... Before either dominant men could even control the situation as either of them normally would Abigail agilely sprung to her feet, hands upon her hips. For a moment it was like.. Abigail was the alpha and both men had no choice but to listen. Oliver passed an amused glance to the white haired stallion, with a look of sheer bafflement. She at last! Responded to Frost's invitation.

For as gentle natured as Abigail was, she ordered those men around like it was nothing. She was hardly intimidated at all! She enforced that she was to join Frost's pack with such unwavering certainty. Oh that stallion was going to have his hands full! However, it was soon that Abigail honed all her attention upon Oliver with equal vigor and bossiness. He found it amusing and oddly endearing. Who ever dared to boss him around?! Part of him knew he would miss the girl and yet she would be better for it... It wasn't often that he was left without words or a clear indication of what to do. He admitted that a small part of him enjoyed being someone's bestie best. Even if the hardened man would never admit to it. What had gotten into him? He was acting like a boy and not a man!

"Frost. I agree to your offer of help... we can figure out the logistics at a later date..I... do appreciate it. Although, I can't say that I am used to it. But I would be a fool to allow pride to get in the way." His accented voice rang clear.... He saw what he was doing. The alpha clearly did not want anything held over his head.. However, he refused to be blinded with the prospects of hope. That complete faith Abigail had in the Stallion could not... be mirrored by the skeptical businessman. However, the fact that he was willing to try... spoke mountains. "Perhaps... we can come to another agreement. If only... just to keep an eye on the girl." Who was he fooling now? Ah, to be swayed by the boisterous and endearing panda that could sway anyone with those large eyes.... Perhaps now, the decision.... Was with Frost. All eyes were upon the violet eyed man then. But the panda was right about one thing.. He did have neat eyes.

How this was not how he expected this to go and yet was that not how life usually worked?