He continues to watch her warily almost, dark eyes resting with discontent against her own, assured that he has done something...wrong somehow. He is a creature of habit, given to learn near entirely though action alone and as such has continued to play such 'games' with her in the same manner as she has led him to believe they are played, having never seen fit to correct him before, her actions just as rough and urgent and animalistic as his own, assuring Tobias that this is entirely how such things are done and yet her sudden desire to no longer allow him to play with her is given to grate dangerously against his mind, believing himself to be at fault. Perhaps, in some regards- he is. He does not understand the nature of their relationship, mind perceiving only the affection he has for his pack mate, his sister, there bond made all the more firm through there continued coupling and indeed the young man has simply learned to associate such a connection with their continued 'play'. He is protective of her, affectionate towards her- made more so in both regards perhaps through there more intimate moments, oblivious to the fact that such a game....should mean more. His knowledge of relationships is limited entirely to Birdie's explanation, the girl never having mentioned 'friends with benefits' and as such the young man has no ability to see why such a game should ever end. He likes being with her, adores these moments beyond all, has been given an entirely new appreciation of Nadya through such things and indeed...were it not for another woman, a quiet, curly-haired creature whom had managed to earn her own place beside him perhaps whatever it is he has in place of true emotion may have been content to respond entirely to Nadya alone. If not for Birdie...his choice of mate would have been so very clear.

His head moves to tilt slightly, rolling onto his own side now to better regard the woman, her words...confusing though she hardly means them to be, his mind simply cannot perceive her words, cannot find the logic in between that which Birdie has taught to him, his mind a jumble between friend and pack-mate and sister and girlfriend and mate, unable to place Nadya within any category as he continues to stare almost blankly towards her. That she does not want to play the game because he is not...mate...because it is not right only seems to further confuse him, insecurity of a sorts seeming to find it's place upon his youthful features, watching her from beneath locks of untamed ebony hair still damp from the water as his fingers brush against the grass and earth.

"We cannot...play...because I...am not...mate?"

This fractured sense of understanding manages to find some place within his often jumbled mind, seeking some sort of assurance from her that he is correct and yet he is noticeably displeased still, agitation beginning to mark each line of his frame as he very near scowls towards her now. He simply does not understand the nature of relationships in general, simply desires to keep playing such a game with her. He likes it. Has come to learn to very near crave it and indeed he never has handled being told no particularly well. A growl of sorts manages to find place within his throat, teasing at his vocal chords as his gaze returns to her equally dark one, his next words...unique perhaps and yet his cunning mind has already begun to turn once more.

"Does Naddy....have other....mate?"

Some part of his fractured thoughts have perhaps seized upon what has not been implied, the boy holding some belief perhaps that his companion has found a mate for herself, disapproval very near bleeding from him in this moment as he eyes her. He...understands, perhaps, why she no longer desires to play the game and yet this hardly means he is willing to accept it, confused as to why such a thing had been allowed before and yet...was now no longer so, frustration agitating his mind as the woman beside him shifts, her teeth biting playfully at his elbow though he hardly responds to her game, nor her suggestion to hunt- her change simply triggering his own as the man gives way to the leopard, glorious gold and black pelt replacing his previously naked form. That long spotted tail lashes slightly in agitation, the male standing abruptly, heavy paws slamming at the ground as he stalks away from the panther in some form of...miniature and childish outburst.

Girls are...stupid.

He is upset with her, he does not want to be denied this game he so enjoys, cannot understand why he had been allowed to play and now is not, is agitated at the thought she may have found a mate that is...not himself and yet he cannot seem to understand his relationship with Birdie perhaps, contradicts such things. He cannot perceive his own emotions, much less those of others and as such perhaps cannot understand the confusion that stirs within him in response to Nadya- such confusion resulting in frustration and agitation as he moves to sit deliberately with his back to her. Evidently determined to now ignore her entirely like a petulant toddler throwing a tantrum. He wants to have Nadya, he wants to have Birdie and he wants to have sex- that he is not allowed all three has clearly not occurred to him- resulting in his present mood.

madness, as you know, is like gravity: all it takes is a little push