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Lightbringer
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Kodu, that was a name. He could feel the power radiate from just the name. But it was all Kodak could do but stifle a laugh. Nikolai looked like a pup who was overexctingly showing his father the new invention (stick) he had just found. But it wasn't until Lidiya gave him a slight nudge that Kodak made his way over to the Alpha, looking back only to see if Lidiya was following. He didn't want to have to go through all of that again. He made his way over and did a full on bow, something Kodak had never done before. He never bowed to his brother, who would do that? But his chest brushed the dirt and his muzzle touched as well. The first bow he had ever done. After a moment, Kodu told him to raise his head. And Kodak did so without even thinking. "You must be Alpha Kodu. I am Kodak of the Eastern Mountain Pack, and this is Lidiya from Grey Hill. We come to seek refuge from our packs." At that Kodak slightly bowed again. Kodu smiled. "We never say no to a wolf in need." He said, but stopped suddenly as he smelt the female. She was in heat, and none of the other females had in his pack yet. Interesting. "We will talk about this more in depth in a bit." He motioned to Nikolai, "Take these two to the extra storage den. They have had a long journey if they have come all the way from Eastern. They need some rest. I assume you both are to be staying in the same den I suppose?" He asked this question directly to Lidiya, the female. He had no clue no clue connection. But he had once helped that refugee from Eastern once. The current medic. Ana. |
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Neutral
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Lidiya stiffened slightly under the male's gaze, like she consistently had ever since they got into this area. It was a natural thing for them to do when they realized what exactly she was in, she reasoned to herself. But then it didn't make it any less irritating and didn't make her want to tear out their throats any less. "I... that will be acceptable for now." She still couldn't entirely believe that the alpha - Kodu - had accepted them that quickly, but who knew? Maybe the Alpha was just that good, unlike Cooper. Although it wasn't like she had a lot of experience with good Alphas. All she had known was Cooper her entire life. She didn't want to infringe too much on their hospitality, and she'd take what they were offered. Even if she had to sleep next to Kodak - which honestly wasn't that bad, even though she was still a bit mad at him - for what reason, she couldn't elaborate. She just was, for a bit. She bowed with thanks to the alpha - Kodu - before following Nikolai's wagging tail through the camp, with the other wolves staring at the two of them. Out of curiosity, not hostility, for once. It felt... refreshing. Although that didn't make it any less of a temptation for her snap at every single male that looked at her with interest as they caught her pheromones. --- Nikolai nodded dutifully, before turning back to Kodak and Lidiya. Tail wagging happily, he trotted through the camp, tracing routes he'd walked thousands of times before he stopped outside the empty den. It was rather solid, but they just hadn't had a use for it for quite a while. It was just... there, per se. Not really doing much but just there in case they needed it. Nikolai poked his head in at the dark interior before standing back and nodding at Kodak and Lidiya. "This is it. Not much but you're welcome to rest for a bit before coming out and introducing yourself to the rest of the pack."
"Does that sound alright?" |
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Lightbringer
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Kodak followed suit with Lidiya, nodding again in thanks to Kodu and then followed behind Lidiya. He had become used to Lidiya's new scent, and even though it might send his emotions into overdrive, and made him want to feel her touch. He had accepted that she wasn't ready, and therefore didn't react. But the other males cast their gazes over and all of them rested on her. He could see the hungry looks in their eyes, and if he ever caught someone staring, he'd give a silent snarl, and they would turn their gaze somewhere else. Once Nikolai had finished bringing them to the den. It wasn't the largest den, but they would probably wind up touching, which personally Kodak wouldn't mind. But they would fit. Kodak nodded to Nikolai, and gave another nod of thanks before making his way into the den. He did his normal ritual, turning three times before plopping down on the ground, sending up a small dust cloud, and for the first time and the last two days, he smiled. This would be a good place, and even better new home. His paw pads had started to ache, and noe that he was lying down, they ached a little more. But Kodak could feel coziness filling him, which distracted him from the aching. "Lidiya," he asked, momentarily forgetting about their argument, "what do you think about the Alpha? The pack?" He said this all with a smile, his tail wagging slowly back in forth in happiness. |
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Neutral
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Lidiya relaxed onto the ground with a greatful sigh too, not really caring that Kodak was there. They now had somewhere to be - one that wasn't just running like they had been for the past few days, or a terrible alpha like she understood she must have had. Who was also her father. She... didn't want to think about that. "I mean... it's definitely much better than what we were previously under." She looked outside at the afternoon light shining in. "I like it." She had barely seen that much of the pack, but she was at least comfortable here, and in pack territories she'd be shielded... from her father. Try as she might, she couldn't forget that little fact. It was a little safe haven for the two of them, something to hide from everything that was following them. Lidiya tried to enjoy it while it lasted, before their past literally caught up with them. She wanted to just stay here forever and not worry about it - but that wasn't a thing. Unable to relax fully, however, for some reason - that wasn't because of their past catching up to them - she got up, and out of the den, not really minding if Kodak followed or not (she actually did care quite a lot, but that thought was banished) and looked around briefly before Nikolai wandered back up, tail sweeping happily. --- "Alpha's going to call a meeting later to introduce you to the rest of the pack. No worries, it's nothing too bad," Nikolai hurriedly added after seeing Lidiya suddenly twitch with nerves, "just so that we all recognise your scent and vice versa. We don't want to mistake you for some other wolf, after all." Not that we could, given pretty much every male in the camp can smell your pheromones and want to act on it. Honestly, Nikolai wasn't entirely sure how everyone had done exactly that. Behind Nikolai's overplayful exterior, he had a more than stable head, and he knew from past observations that males would go beyond everything when females were in heat - and here was one completely unrelated female popping up right at the right time, almost as if by magic at perfect timing. Whatever their reason was - and Nikolai knew that he'd get it out of them eventually - for being here, Nikolai could definitely guess that the big dominant male was probably one of the main detractions from every single unmated wolf in camp from flocking to this white female like they always did with all the available females in camp. Despite said female said she wasn't with the male - Kodak - Nikolai had his doubts. He could only observe and figure out what exactly was going on there too. But there was still some things that didn't sit right with him. Why would a young female leave her pack during prime breeding time? Usually that was when almost no females left their dens for they were preparing to mate and have a litter. And the big, dominant male that had snarled and pushed enough dominance at every single male who had smelt Lidiya's pheromones and tried slowly approaching to back down. Like he had already claimed her and marked her, despite her refusal. What was he all about? Even from their brief encounters, Nikolai could tell he was someone to be reckoned with. Probably even alpha or beta material with his dominance and size. What was he doing with a female in heat, out in them middle of nowhere? It didn't sit right with Nikolai, but there was precious little he could do about it. He could probably say that Kodu might catch on eventually, and figure something out. And he'd be stalking nearby to figure it out. But right now he was all smile and fun. Conversation with Lidiya complete, he trotted to his next job - pretty much being the guy behind the scenes who made sure everything ran smoothly. In this case, now he was somewhat proudly making sure that the two newcomers - that he had found, he thought with a bit of pride, even though he didn't really do much, and it was more luck than skill - were alright. "Ana?" Nikolai poked his head into her den curiously. She was sitting in her den, messing with... whatever that was, like she always seemed to do. "There's some newcomers, coming from the southeast. You might want to check them over, make sure they're not severely injured and trying to put up a strong face or something." He pulled a bit of a face before withdrawing his head and trotting away. |
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Lightbringer
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Kodak smiled at her answer. Maybe they would stay here. Hopefully forever. Together. But even as he said those words, he knew that some part of them were untrue. She didn't want to be with him, and by the looks of it she was momentarily distracted, as ever since they walked into the Plumrose River camp, she seemed to have nothing but a smile on her face. And that may have been the reason he smiled in the first place. They stayed in the den for a bit, relishing the peace that now surrounded them. No more running, and a chance to start a new life. From the bottom his brain replied, and he realized he would have to work himself up the rankings. But like all male Pride, he thought he could do it rather easily. Lidiya rose, and exited the den, catching him slightly off guard, but he too followed suit. He wasn't going to let her out of his sight until she was out of heat. He saw how the males had looked at her, and even though they weren't mates and they weren't even courting, jealousy surged through him, and if any of them even attempted at it, whatever the consequences, he would not hesitate to rip rip throats out. As he exited the den, he noticed the Nikolai had just finished a conversation with Lidiya. It must not have been anything important, but curiousity surged through him anyway. What were they speaking about? Him? The pack? He quickly shook his head. They weren't speaking about you, right? He joined Lidiya's side as they made their way to center rock. Where he presumably thought they would Make the announcement. He subconsciously was keeping tabs on that Nikolai, watching him as he poked his head into what he had thought was the medics den. And after a quick word and an expression that seemed to justify his question, he left. As Lidiya and Kodak made their way to the rock, it was when they were only a few feet in front of it when Kodak glanced at the medics den again, Curiousity surging through him again. And that's when he stopped dead in his tracks. A hardened gaze stating at the gray and black she wolf that had just walked out, carrying a small thing of herbs, and when she too saw him, the herbs immediately fell from her mouth, as he blue eyes took on a look of shock. He could see her mouth his name slowly and silently, and he slightly nodded his head back, his gaze transfixed on her. He could sense Lidiya tense behind him, but he pushed her from his mind. There was the first live of his life, who had fled for reasons he didn't know, standing in front of him. Ana. |
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Neutral
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Lidiya felt Kodak brush her side as he came out of their - den? Was it theirs now? - and she briefly looked at him before looking away. "Nikolai said later in the afternoon Alpha Kodu will be getting the pack together so that they can recognize our scents." Which was solid enough, and Lidiya hadn't had anything against it. That was when she felt Kodak freeze. She tensed, looking for what exactly had made Kodak do exactly that before realizing... it was a she-wolf. Correction - the she-wolf that seemed to be the healer, judging from the herbs on the floor in front of her. Lidiya felt a slight surge in anxiety as she looked between Kodak standing right next to her, for once completely oblivious to her presence and instead looked completely transfixed by the she-wolf. And there was her first stab of jealousy. Casting her gaze over to the she-wolf, she seemed to be completely transfixed too. Jealousy stab number two. A bad feeling started in her stomach, and she resisted the sudden urge to vomit, looking between the two of them. Just like that, it seemed, she had lost Kodak, her brain told her. She couldn't remember if Kodak had ever probably looked at her like that. (He likely had, but that fact had conveniently slipped away from her.) She couldn't take it. At all. The way Kodak was looking at that she-wolf (which she instinctively immediately hated) like that, how he had forgotten she was here. Refusing to look at either of them, her heart feeling as if it was torn wide open, she left the two of them without a backward glance or caring. Even though she did care a lot. --- And from behind a rock, Nikolai watched the proceedings interestedly. How... Kodak, the male, was looking at Ana like those love on first sight troupes. How Lidiya's expression looked - quietly and softly shocked and betrayed. What kind of web had the two of them woven to get to this point? And what would be the consequences for the rest of the pack? Nikolai didn't know, but he swore to himself he'd figure out. Somehow. |
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Lightbringer
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Kodak couldn't believe it. After two years. She was back. Well not back, but here. "Ana?" She called softly. Couldn't believing that she was standing here in front of him. With that she took a small step forward, Kodak didn't move, not stepping forward, not backing away either. She took another tentative step, before slowly walking up to his side. She seemed in the same daze as him though. As she neared him, she looked into his eyes, and that was when he smelt her scent. The honey smell that he had been so used to for his whole life. Could this really be her? Ana seemed to be asking the same question. Now she stood right in front of him, and she touched her muzzle to his neck. Kodak made no move. She slowly rubbed her muzzle, head and neck against his and his body relaxed in comfort. He hadn't known this touch in forever. Lidiya hadn't once treated him like this. And then that's when his mind fleeted to Lidiya. Oh no. He quickly turned his head, Ana seeming to have not taken any notice. Lidiya was walking away, her movements slow. Oh no. He backed away from Ana, who looked up at him in confusion. "Kodak?" She asked questionablely. He shook his head. Then turned and ran off, his emotions conflicting. Ana was here the whole time. Lidiya walking away. How Ana's touch had made him feel. Lidiya snapping at him. How Ana loved him, and how Lidiya didn't. He closed his eyes. What would he do? "Lidiya!" He called out, running after her, catching up quickly. "Lidiya." He said again, his voice packed in emotion. "It's not what you think." He said nearing her side. "Its.." He turned back, seeing Ana staring off in his direction. "It's a long story. Which I feel.." He hesitated again. "I feel you need to know." As he finished, he shrunk away barely, knowing Lidiya he was about to get a stern talking to. |
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Neutral
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Lidiya didn't know what to think. How Kodak had looked at her like that. How... how... ... she didn't want to think about it. But all that she could think about was that exact thing. "... it's not what I think it is?" Lidiya' voice, although slightly wobbly, had a quiet, emotional strength to it. And it definitely had barb to it, which leaked into her voice. In Lidiya's head, all that there was was a pit that she had fallen into. That pit had jealousy, anger, rejection, and pretty much everything she was feeling right now. Needless to say, she wasn't really happy with Kodak at the moment. "So, do enlighten me then, Kodak. What do you think I think it is? And why should I believe you over what I just saw?" Lidiya did not care what Kodak thought of her words and actions. She was feeling too much to care at the moment. The way that she-wolf had looked at Kodak like he was her entire world, and the way Kodak had looked back - more than he had ever given her. And now... here they were. Kodak trying to explain away something that Lidiya had seen with her own eyes. She felt somewhat betrayed. More than a little heartbroken. And really, really jealous. Although she'd never admit it, ever, that was exactly what she was feeling. "Leave me alone." She hadn't ever said words with such venom in them. Not to anyone. "Go hang out with that she-wolf if you like her that much, and would choose her over me." She practically spat those words out before leaving Kodak behind her, unwilling to let Kodak see her composure collapse and for him to see what she really felt when she had seen that she-wolf. |
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Lightbringer
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Why couldn't she just hear him out for once. If she had been in his paws, she probably would have done the same thing. Anger welled in his chest. He wanted just to yell at her You never wanted me in the first place, All you have done was push me away! But Kodak couldn't say that. He didn't want to chase her away. But he would not let her keep running over him like this. He ran to her side. She could run all she wanted, even if he was still technically wounded , he would still be able to catch her. "Lidiya you will hear me out on this. And you will listen." He growled clearly angry. Then he began his story, "Lidiya, back at my old pack, when I was two years old..." He paused, hating to admit it, "I fell in love with one of my pack mates. Ana." He paused, letting it sink in. "She was everything to me. We had it going good. After courting for three months, one day, she was gone." More emotion than he thought poured out in the last sentence. "She was gone. I had thought that she had been taken away, killed even. It broke me." He paused again, looking at the ground. "But when I asked around, I went to he best friend, Hokka. It turned out that she had run away. Left me under her own power." He looked away. "Lidiya. I loved her. But she abandoned me. She was the only thing I had left at that pack. My mother had died. My father had been killed. And Njord. Yoy know about him. How would you feel, if what at the moment was the love of your life, leave. And then two years later, in another pack, you found them?" He bowed his head again, the words pouring out before he could stop them. "I never courted since. I never wanted to find anyone. Because I was scared they were going to leave me again. Like she did. But then you came along." He paused, looking into her eyes. "You are my second chance. And I wouldn't want it to be any other way. You could never be like her. O know it in my heart." He paused again. "But if you don't want me. Us." He paused again. "I will leave. But it's your choice." |
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Neutral
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Lidiya was silent for a moment, digesting what Kodak had said. What he'd implied about her. Most of all, really, what she felt. And the truth and emotion behind Kodak's words. Just because she was angry didn't mean she couldn't think, after all. The first thought that she really had was that she didn't want Kodak to leave, not really. She was still angry at him, but she still didn't want Kodak to leave. The second thought she had was about that she-wolf. What did Kodak say her name was? Ana.
Even as Lidiya's jealously spiked at the mention of her being Kodak's first love, she still couldn't help feeling bad at how she seemed to have treated him. She wouldn't have done anything like that, ever. Lidiya doubted any wolf would if they were truly wishing to stay with them. The third thought she had was that Kodak was right. His reasoning made sense. Still. She said she had needed time, but did she really? All she really had wanted to do was try outrun the feelings that were catching up to her. They were too dangerous. Not something she'd ever properly thought about before, and even more precarious now that she was in heat. But did she care? Kodak certainly didn't. Why should she? Kodak's threat - well, it was more of an offer, but Lidiya still felt it as a threat - to leave her made her realize what exactly Kodak was offering. It wasn't an offer she wanted to take, either, no matter how angry she might have been at Kodak. Coming to a stop, she sat down and looked at Kodak. "Kodak, I..." she trailed off, before trying again. "Kodak, I... I don't want you to leave." She looked down, somewhat embarrassed. "I don't even know why I'm angry at you anymore, really. I could blame it on my heat, and being really sensitive from that, but..." she let it trail off again. She was doing a terrible job at making speeches. "You know what I felt when I saw you look at Ana like that?" she asked softly. "I thought, in all my selfishness, that I wanted that too." She couldn't look at Kodak. There was a rawness in her voice as she continued, "I do want you. I... like I said this morning. I just need some time to process it all." This was her first time. Made worse by her heat. She just needed a bit of space and time. "Please." She finally looked up at Kodak, afraid of what she'd see there. How terribly her speech might have gone compared to his. |
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Spring Month: 1 
Day 
Heavy Rain
