"How pitiful."

He had observed the forms of the others, watched how they gazed around confusingly. It was almost amusing how their eyes widened upon realizing they were no longer confined within walls. No, they were free now, left to fend for themselves. They would be alone. There would be no more meals released to them, no more safety of the cages they adored so much. Predators existed now, as did starvation and death. It was a cruel move played by the humans, but truly, did anybody expect anything different?

Ears twitching, his nostrils expanded in irritation before he turned, lowering his cranium to quench his growing thirst once more. As his tongue was mere millimeters away from the cool liquid, the male felt a pressure on his body. It wasn't enough to knock him over entirely, but it was enough to cause him to stumble, managing only at the last second to position his legs in such a way that he caught himself from meeting the ground.

"The entire land, and yet you still manage to walk into me," he had spoken, lifting himself from his potential fall and resuming his stance. Poor thing, she looked confused, and perhaps even afraid. Another may reassure her, perhaps even pat her on the back, but he simply stared at her blankly. Even as she muttered a name not is, he still stared, not a single expression forming, until finally, he spoke once more.

"Do I look like an Ardor?" Bluntly, he shrugged his shoulders, turning away, that is, until she had spoken once more in the form of an apology. "Alright," was all he said in response. He couldn't bring himself to care, truly. Who was Ardor? Hell if he knew. He didn't know nor did he want to know. The last thing Erjon wanted was to insert himself into the middle of.. whatever this was. The next thing you'd know, he'd be forced to help everyone collect themselves. No, he needed her to leave so that he could figure out his own plan and-

"What are you doing?" Eyeing the female, he noted her eyes shifting from him to the floor multiple times. "Stop that," he grunted, leaning away with a look of disgust upon his features. "You look like a fool, flinging your eyes around like that." Lord, they needed more help than he initially thought.

Alright, he was done with this.

"If you expect to survive in the wild, you gotta do better then that." Lifting himself onto his paws, Erjon was prepared to leave. No goodbye, no glance, nothing. He would simply get up and saunter off. She'd be fine. She had a good size, looked strong. Hopefully she could catch a decent meal or two. She simply needed to figure it out.

However, before he had taken but a few steps, he had espied another approach him. A darker, smaller female whose ears were pinned and tail tucked neatly between her legs. "No, go away. Shoo," he huffed, chest puffing out in frustration. Gah, what did somebody have to do to get away around here? What about his presence said "approach me!" Staring once more, he watched this new female open her mouth, then shut it. "What are you, a fish? You got something to say, spit it out. What's wrong with the lot of you?" Truly, had nobody socialized before? Did nobody know how to act normal?

When words finally did leave her mouth, Erjon's muzzle scrunched up with distaste. No, he wasn't staying. His plan was to leave on his own and try to figure out the route to his own motherland, but these wolves. Pah, they were useless! The least.. the least he could do was bring them to the others. Perhaps he could group them as one, and that was it. He'd help them get started and then leave. After all, he couldn't risk any of them following him. He didn't want a shadow.

"I'll bring you both to the others. After that, leave me alone." Casting both a disgruntled look, he resumed his gait, expecting them to follow. "If you don't know what's happening by now, then I don't know what to tell you." He had begun, speaking to the smaller female. "Long story short, you got released, and now you have to survive. It's as simple as that, try not to die."

~~ Ardor ~~

Released Wolf || 6 Years || Male || Mentions: Erjon

After taking a breathing, collecting himself, and calming down, the gentle giant sat near an oak, quietly to himself, thinking of solutions to get out of this damn mess.

".."

Nothing.

Growling miserably, the canine's ears pinned back, annoyed with himself, and the current state of his situation. The smell of wolves were overwhelming. So many different species, both male and females, and god knows what else. None of it seemed familia-

"Cascade?"

A few distance away, he could see a female interacting with a large male, whom didn't seem interested in conversation nor in the female. But he knew that awkward stance when speaking to a stranger, let alone anyone. He knew it far too well. Amazed, and apalled, the male stood up, rising himself from the grass. Ardor began to walk over, slowly hearing the conversation with close ears. Unfortunately, he could only hear a few sections of certain sentences.~

"You look like a fool-" "If you expect to survive-" "No, go away. Shoo."

Calling his sister a fool? Giving her advice on survival? And believing they have the audacity to tell her to "shoo" like a peasent?

Please.

Grumbling, Ardor lifted his head high, walking over, his ears perked forward. He wasn't much taller than this other brute, but he was a good inch or two. Walking over, the large male huffed with a quiet snarl, appearing behind Cascade without his sibling noticing.

"Try not to die."

Deep within his throat, a loud rumble rolled up the Canine's chest, his back lips slightly curling upwards, revealing his canines. Ardor kept quiet, mostly, and snorted, his lips curling back down as he opened his jaw to speak, "I'd think it would be best to take your own advice. 'Try not to die.' Especially in the presence of someone whom can rip you in two." There was no anger, nor venom in Ardor's words, nor was there emotion. It was plain, but forceful. Ardor wasn't in the mood for fighting, but he was not in the mood to have himself nor Cas thrown around like a punching bag.

Glancing downwards to Cascade, he could see a surprised look on her face. Her eyes were lighting up, as if she wanted to leap up and hug him. But he knew better, why she was not doing so- as Cascade was never one to hug family, or show much love in front of others. Past issues.

Looking back to the male, "Now, if you could enlighten me as to what makes you think this dear wolf is a fool, I am quite eager to know as to why."

A series of nails had dug into the hare's corpse, pinning it to the ground as he gazed around. Who knew what type of wolves these strangers were. He certainly wouldn't settle for thieves. So, he took extra precautions revolving around his catch, his entire body weight resting upon it. He knew what the scent of blood could trigger in a hungry individual. He knew what the sight of a meal could cause, especially in such a season. Like a madman Aayan stood, hackles raised and lips peeled back to an invisible audience, just in case.

"I don't like any of this," he had snarled out, pausing when he realized he had become too invested in his act. Clearing his throat, he flattened his fur and met his uncle's eyes. "So it was humans." That scent earlier, of course it was. "Alright, we rule humans out, but what about the wolves? I mean, we don't even know how many there are! We stay, we can die. We move, we can die. How does one figure out what to do with such limited options?" Throwing a miniature tantrum, he whined his words out.

His whine then turned into a growl. "They may offer us a place?" It was clear Aayan had grown angered, even annoyed as he raised his head. "Uncle, don't forget what our last group did to us." A distasteful glance was sent towards the older male's way before fading. "I don't want any part of their group." It wasn't fair. Why did he and his uncle constantly have to struggle? First, their old pack, and now this? Why couldn't they be left in peace?

Sighing, Aayan's paw scratched against the ground, his nails digging into the ground before shaking his head when regarding the topic of the hare. While the term "son" had indeed caused the younger male's posture to melt slightly, and a twinkle had reappeared in his eye, he remained unfazed. "Don't do that," he began, shaking his head. "I'm not eating it. Either let it rot, or eat it, because I'm certainly not touching it." Stubbornness was one of Aayan's faults and strengths, even as he shifted away from the hare. "I'll catch myself another, just like I did today. Besides, I didn't catch it with myself in mind, so will you at least have some?"

"Please?"

Teetering, Aayan's hackles shot back up once more upon the mention of having an audience. Stiffening, his lips immediately peeled back, his body shifting towards his uncle in a slow manner. "Not even a few minutes, and already they infiltrate." It was clear there was hatred within Aayan, and how could their not be? He didn't trust others, he had long ago learned to only rely on his uncle and himself.

Staring at the male first, Aayan never tore his eyes away from his body. His guard was up, his posture clearly telling others that he meant no harm, but didn't wish to be approached. This male didn't seem to be any harm, but still, he remained weary. And after that male left, he shifted his attention onto the female. Silently he watched, his posture remaining still. However, it seemed his stance wasn't read well, for within moments, the female decided that it was best to approach, to which Aayan stepped slightly in front of his uncle, shielding him.

He knew his uncle could defend his own, but that didn't mean that Aayan wasn't cautious. Only a fool would attack both of them at once. So, even when she greeted them, Aayan did not respond, simply stared. "What do you want?" He asked, hare pressed beneath his paw. When she spoke next, he narrowed his eyes, risking a glance at his uncle with amusement. "Sure, sure, we're a pack," he finally spoke, turning back to the female. She didn't need to know that there was just the two of them, so, Aayan led her to believe that there were more. "Left your pack? Why, ain't that nice of you to share, Malice." He spoke in an almost mocking tone. He had noted that the stench of humans didn't filter around her, which led him to believe that she was a nomad. So be it, his decision would not change.

Staring, he watched as Malice remained standing there. "Well?" He spoke after much silence. "Why are you still here?"

«Vada»

Released| Female| Three years| Mentions: Erjon, Cascade, (ind) ardor (ind)

'Leave me alone...'

Those words echoed in her head. She was fed up now. "All I did was asked some questions, what was wrong with that?" She thought. Shaking her head, she let out a sigh. It was clear he wasn't particularly in a a bright mood, but that doesn't mean he has to be grumpy towards others. What a meanie. Vada could shake how the male seemed so indifferent from the current event. Moreover it looked like he didn't really care the whole situation to be honest. His level of confidence was admirable for Vada. Something she wished she had. She barely heard what he said as he spoke once more but the last part. She heard it clearly.

'Try not to die.'

What type of advice is that? There was no WAY she'd survive on her own, and just the thought of her traversing alone made her shudder. Vada was silently throwing a tantrum. She clawed at the ground as her tail lashed back and forth. She watched, as he got farther and farther away.

"Where is he going? What did he say about others?"

Oh right he must be talking about that small group of three she spotted earlier. Hopefully they have a better temperament. Eventually she followed after him, keeping up with his ever increasing pace.

She wanted to say something. She wanted him to know he was a snarky old grump. She knew he probably wouldn't care what she called him. But it never came out. Why? There was an interruption. A voice. Calling someone by the name Cascade.

Vada looked over towards the female. She had nearly forgotten about her having been so stuck up in her mind. "Cascade?" She didn't voice it the name she was assuming belonged to the she wolf. Her attention quickly turn towards yet another large wolf. He even appeared to be slightly larger than the pervious male.

Vada could only watch as things unfolded before her. Glancing from male to male as Ardor went on about what Erjon said. When it just about looked like the tense moment came to an end. It only proceeded to get worse. Vada didn't understand why Ardor's question made Erjon so irked. But those words Erjon spat out. Vada was taken aback.

She was considered a fool in his eyes.

Vada huffed loudly. She had just about enough of this wolf. She wanted nothing to do with him at all. Infact she regretted even coming in his presence. Hackles raised, she glared at Erjon, and before anyone spoke again. She spoke, her tone sharp, and fiery.

"You know what. I am a fool, a fool for even speaking to such a bleak and bitter thing like you. The audacity you have. I've simply done nothing wrong. Yeah maybe I was looking for some sense in all this. An answer. I was confused. But instead I got smacked with an icy brick. Humph! I'll be taking my leave now." Snarling, Loud thumbs can be heard as she stormed off.

Once there was enough distance between the trio and her, Vada came to a halt. Her ears flickered in annoyance. Never before had she ever snapped at anyone. She was always relatively calm. She sat down for sometime just to simmer down.

She just wanted a little time alone now.

Kairo - Released - Mentions: Others Indirectly

The box was uncomfortable. Rigid and cold with no give, Kairo had been sitting in it for what felt like days by now. Tucked in the far back of it with his tail between his legs in apprehension and fear, his eyes peered out of the little holes that provided ventilation. The smells were all wrong. Nothing was familiar. All he could sense was the exhaust of the vehicle by which he was being transported and the smell of those awful humans. Occasionally the holes would let in fresher scents of trees and plants, but nothing was familiar to him. However, he much preferred the scents of nature than anything else, so he had decided to focus on that instead. At least, he tried.

Being locked up in a box was hard to forget, especially when his rump was sore from sitting on the hard suface, always being bounced and tossed around without much traction when the vehicle hit a bump or took a turn. Kairo would give a growl or even a whine in protest, but it was all for nothing. All he could do was sit and wait for it to end. It wasn't like he had never been in a box like this before. On very rare occasions, maybe he had been. Just quick transfers from one enclosure to another. Though, those were usually brief and he lacked memory of them due to being put under for the process. But this time, he was wide awake.

Finally, the shuffling and motion was put to an end. His crate was unloaded from the truck, now being rolled somewhere. The scents of humans were stronger now, and he could hear them chatter among one another in their weird broken language. His ears were flat against his head, as if trying to block out the noise. But eventually, the crate stopped. A subtle click sounded, making his heart skip a beat. Then brash sunlight poured into his crate as the front door slid open, exposing him to the outside. A whole new world.

His eyes flickered back and forth, eyeing the mysterious place as if he had a choice. Box or outside. Only an idiot would choose to stay in the box any longer. The sound of humans had died off, but he still sensed them. They were close by... probably watching him. With a huff, he rose to his paws quickly, banging his head against the top of the crate as he did so too hastily. Oww.

He finally took a cautious step out of his box, peering around as he did so. Nothing was familiar. Kairo gave an unimpressed humph. Great. His balsam and minty scent was picked up in a breeze that caressed his brown pelt, a welcoming feeling. The canine peered back at his disgusting box, seeing no sign of the humans anywhere, but he still could sense their smells lingering. Gross. I should go before they change their bee-sized minds.

With his mind made up, he felt his adrenaline begin to slow. Any sign of fear was now erased as he focused on the task at hand. He had to be careful and observant. New land brought opportunities as well as threats. And if he was to navigate any of it, he needed his head on straight. He shook out his pelt, perking up his ears as he listened for anything of interest. It barely took him a second to zone in on a conversation not too far away. From what it sounded like, it was multiple voices. Wolves, for sure, by the smell of it. Friendly neighbors? A pack, perhaps? Or maybe foes? There was only one way to find out.

Kairo gave a final breath before he followed the sounds of voices, keeping his tail low, swaying near his heels and his head and ears perked up in an alert but harmless expression.