Aridam

Male | 5 Years | Western Border Sentry| Mentions: Breksta ; Leviathan + Others Indirect

Ari more so sensed rather than heard the encroachment of his partner, Breksta. While it was true the pair had grown up together; done everything together, the dame had always managed to have an edge of silence. Had the large male not grown used to, fond of even, the ways of the equally dark she-wolf, he never would’ve known she was there until she was upon him. Despite years of training, while the male certainly wasn’t cumbersome or clunky, it was unreasonable to think a wolf his size could be as silent or light-footed as a Sentry such as Breksta.

Alas, Aridam gave his tail, or rather more so what remained of it, a partial wag in lieu of a greeting. He diligently brought himself, and therefore his peaceful stroll about camp, to a halt, his head held high as if he were subjecting himself to the inspection he was given by the obsidian dame. There was a look of mirth across his face, a glimmer of mild amusement to his amber eyes. “It takes work to look as good as I do, Breksta. Do you think I just look like this all the time? I need my beauty sleep- you could probably use some yourself.” The tease was easy coming from the wolf’s mouth, a wolffish grin curling his lips briefly. Ari liked to think that he was absolutely hilarious, so the stifled snicker that followed his words was expected, as cliche and ridiculous as it were. “And don’t get mad at me when you’re falling asleep at your post.”

It was easy to tell whenever the she-wolf was in a mood anything other than content; you could practically feel it in the air when she was sour or agitated. Especially after spending as much time as Aridam did with her, you learned to get used to it- so the male was confident she’d be out of the mood rut soon enough. It wasn’t like the dark wolf didn’t understand where she was coming from- he did. As much as he loved coming back to camp, as refreshing as it was to see familiar faces ice more, he almost preferred ‘living’ at the Western Border. Perhaps because he did spend so much of his life out there it was a large majority of what he knew, just he and Breksta, but it was a life he enjoyed. It came with its downsides, naturally, such as missing out on pack milestones or joyous occasions, but in all honesty that was a sacrifice the hulking male was willing to make. The solitude was gratifying, and it was a rewarding experience to feel as if you were contributing to the betterment of the park. Plus, as a Sentry, more often than not you missed out on the meager squabbles and disagreements, petty arguments, and all those waste of time.

Had Aridam been feeling himself anymore, he likely would’ve returned the nudge with a playful nip to the dame’s ear, but he was beginning to feel restless already so he settled for a brief nudge back with his nose before he started forwards again. He likely would’ve appreciated a few more mere moments of rest, but now that he was up he was more than ready to return to the endless forests. Even so, he kept his strides leisure, even a bit slower-paced than normal if only to poke dome annoyance at Breksta. The slight breeze about the woods felt glorious against his coat, so the male didn't mind taking his time even if Breksta would.

“Am I ready to go? Please, I’ve been waiting for you all morning.” Again, the tease was light-hearted, Ari evidently pleased with himself if the way he bobbed his head was anything to go by. A look around the camp, or what could be seen of it anyways, gave hint that it probably was a keen idea for them to leave now. There was a multitude of wolves mulling about, namely clustered around the boulder upon which held the new Alpha, Leviathan. It wasn’t really a secret or surprise how the large dark male felt about the exchange of power into different paws. Aridam was a creature of intense loyalty, as long as whoever was in charge took care and consideration he could care less. Of course, he found the whole situation rather odd- he was more so bound to tradition and had expected the previous Betas Vilho and Maeve to take command. Ari rather liked the pair; he had no qualms with them and they had always gotten along the few times they interacted. He knew what to expect from them.

Leviathan was another story. A new player in the game. He hadn’t been raised to hold a position of leadership, and so far it was likely to say the brown-hued male had made more bad impressions than good, more enemies than friends, but Ari was willing to give the kid a chance. It couldn’t be easy suddenly becoming Alpha of a pack, containing wolves who had less than polite ideas about you. Tensions had admittedly been high for the last week, as far as Aridam would tell anyways, and the Sentry, while admittedly curious to see how things would unfold, had begun to feel a budding bulb of anxiety deep in his chest. He’d just hope the tensions would subside before emotions escalated.

If the light breeze hadn't suddenly winded down, and if Aridam hadn't always been paranoid over every slight sound he heard, the male likely would be missed the extremely faint, clipped noise that funneled through his ears. He was pulled out of his pensive thoughts immediately, his large head shooting up from where it had hung comfortably. Aridam’s immediate reaction was to snap his head to the side, fixing Breksta with a serious yet confused glance. “Did you hear that?” His ears were on full alert, erect forwards as he took a second to see if anyone else present in camp heard the faint, howl-like noise. Ari had excellent auditory capabilities, yes, but the last thing he wanted to do was cause alarm and panic for no valid reason.

He could run. He could run fast. He still had energy left in him, and if he ran out, he'd have no choice but to make some more, however that worked. Orion was always fast. Granted, his legs were long and made him trip a lot, but he always managed to pick himself back up. This was different though. He wasn't running for his own life, but somebody else's. That, for some odd reason, made him more motivated. He could save someone by running fast.

"Is it much farther?" He asked, already beginning to break out into a run. He knew this female was worried. He knew that it was the same feeling that he had earlier when he watched his mother fight. This dame must feel awful. Orion couldn't be the cause of another death, he refused to be. So when he heard a yelp that he wasn't prepared for, panic struck him again. "Hurry? I can hurry," he finally squeaked, breaking out into a quicker run.

Orion ran. He sprinted. He moved as quickly as his legs and body allowed him to, and yet he was still too slow. He knew he was holding back the female. The only way he managed to get ahead of the enemies was by diving and running through parts of the forest only available to a creature of his size. He ran through bushes, under tree roots, through cracks of a boulder. But now? He couldn't keep up, and he wouldn't hold her back. "Tell me the way to your camp, and you go ahead," he offered. "I'll be behind you. I'll keep up from a distance. I'm very good with directions." That was all he could offer.

Orion couldn't be carried, nor could he keep up. It was either let the female go ahead, or, "I can also hide. I'm a good hider." Granted, he was found out last time he hid, but that was because he had no time. Now, he did. He could cozy his way into a tree, or settle in a hole. "You can come back for me," he added on. Even if the female didn't, he'd be safe. He was sure that he could manage alone, couldn't he? Sure, he didn't know how to hunt, but maybe he could learn. He was a quick learner as well.

Orion continued running, glimpsing at the female to let him know the best choice.

Akousa

Male||Four||Pack Member||Mentions:Cyre ,Eira, Kyomi, Takara

A few moments before, he had watched how she interacted with Enigma; polite and friendly with a hint of a smile here and there. And then of course Cyre and Takara got her full force of welcome, her stony features, or at least that's the face he was always shown, lighting up with slight heaves of laughter shaking her chest. Akousa had frowned then, wondering why he could never seem to catch her favour whenever he offered her curt but polite greetings when passing, eagerly flicking his gaze over his shoulder to perhaps catch a glimpse of approval on her face. But it never swayed, in fact her tail might twitch irritably as she leisurely walks away in turn. That's when it got him angry..frustrated even

Did she know his true motives? Is that why he always got the same reaction? Did she catch his quick stares sent her sister's way after he’d swiftly offer her a moment of kindness? Well everyone knows how close she and Takara are...How else could he get on the black female's good side if not by trying to befriend Eira? But all of his efforts were futile and he was a fool to ever think that would change so easily. He remembers sloppily falling to the ground, a fit of dust briefly pluming around him as he’d critically try to figure out the source of the light dame’s dislike for him. And now, sitting close to Takara but with keen eyes on Eira, he felt like he was close to the truth.

Twitching an ear as a raspy and yet warming voice disturbed his concentration, Akousa would shortly turn his head, a moments annoyance clouding his features until he met the eyes of the elder Cyre. He’d sweeten his gaze but then quickly prick his ears forward, feeling a soft chill trickle down his spine and eyes scissoring into his fur. The male shifted his stare back to Eira, though this time the female was looking right back at him, disgust, annoyance, anger, all of it, sparking within her amber gaze. “May I help you?” A phrase normally concocted with a welcoming, friendly undertone was laced with a stiffened annoyance, and if spoken words were visible, he believed there’d even be icicles attached at the bottom.

He winced once she shot her glare towards Takara, perhaps already making some type of signal that would suggest he’s truly a nuisance, swaying the darker dame to possibly see him out. That wouldn’t do would it? Parting his jaws to speak, whatever words he was about to emit were ultimately drowned out by her next set of frosty words, arousing a waver of his ears; partially folding backwards with false uncertainty. He wanted to allow his classic frightened, gloomy expression to settle in but it never made it, rather instead an awkward smirk, slightly annoyed, took over instead; eyes flickering around the bodies of each wolf. Why was she so loud?

“Welcome to the congregation, handsome.”

Hearing Cyre speak once more, he allowed his stiffened limbs to relax, flashing a thankful stare towards the older dame. “Thank you Cyre. At least someone gave me a greeting.” Noticing the subtle look in her warm gaze, he had to stifle a gentle shiver, aware of the females antics and yet still unable to completely deter the reactions of a pup whenever meeting such purposeful eyes. He liked Cyre. As far as he knew, everyone liked Cyre. Who wouldn’t? Shifting his attention towards Eira, Akousa would finally speak.

“Takara, I was thinking, no, wondering if you would be willing to share a meal with me after I return from todays hunt” Finishing with a hopeful stare returned to the other sister, Akousa would gently sway his tail, a soft smile caressing his features while his sunkissed paws pricked with acute nervousness. Whilst awaiting for a response, the male would avert his vision towards a small figure huddled beside Eira, and he’d give Kyomi a swift nod of acknowledgement unlike the bubbling wave of emotions nestled inside of him. He didn’t know what he was doing, calling her name like that earlier. What would he have even said? I hate you and your brats? Well he didn’t hate her, not even close. Perhaps he just wanted another chance to talk to her.. How silly of him.

With watchful eyes fixed on the pale figure of Eira for the fourth time, he’d sweep his gaze over her with half closed vision. Having obtained the real reason of her behavior towards him, he felt like he saw her in a whole new light.