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Lightbringer
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Plot (I believe that this is what we decided. Feel free to correct me) The remainders of a pack that survived a plague. Land Need description Links Discussion Sign Up |
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Lightbringer
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Character List Peony - Male - 3 years - played by Edera Acesco - Male - 4 years - played by Sir Froggington Choenyi - Female - 5 years - played by Sir Froggington Callidora - Female - 3 years - played by Tenebris Umbra Yalina - Female - 3 years - played by Tenebris Umbra Nekti - Male - 6 years 4 months - played by Freedom Neziton - Male - 4 years - played by Nez.ity Avis - Male - 4 years - played by Red Moon Ophir - Male - 1 year 8 months - played by queen. |
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Lightbringer
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| Acesco - Male - 4 years - Healer- Mentions: Yalina, Callidora Acesco's paws thrummed against the ground as he urgently ran. Back where his pack was staying, there were twenty sick and only six were well enough to help including him. Nobody would be able to find or recognize the herbs fast enough that were needed for healing purposes. He left them standing helpless completely clueless of how to give assistance without Acesco there. He hoped they had the sense to at least get drinks for those who were hot, but from their panicked expressions he didn't hold his breath. One of the most ill was his own mentor, Ghost. His ears were twitching fine tuning his location, as he made a beeline toward the most likely place to collect the plant he was looking for. He realized he should have called for someone to come with him to help him carry plants. He looked behind and wagged his tail as he realized that Nimbus his brother had followed. "I thought you might require assistance," Nimbus informed him. His tongue was lolling out from the exercise, and he was trying to look relaxed. However, Acesco knew him well enough to smell the fear and anxiety, and he noticed his brother's bristled tail. "Let's go then!" Acesco took off even faster. He began to snuffle around and found what he was looking for. He set his brother to look for more, but he had to leave. He had to make it back in time. Everyone's fever was only rising. If he wasn't able to get it down in time, something would happen and if they survived they would never be the same again. When he returned he knew he wouldn't be able to find enough of the herb for everyone. Maybe, just maybe if he saved Ghost, she could help save the rest of them. If his mentor was in charge no one would dare face her sharp tongue and die on her watch. He instructed the healthy to begin dragging wolves to the river. It was their only chance to keep them cool. However, he knew that these wolves were starving. Every single one of them hadn't had enough to eat. Everyone had a painful gnawing in their belly. Nobody had had time to go out to hunt. Occassionally, it happened when someone needed a break from caring for the sick. It was a balance that Acesco wasn't sure how to correct. He was going to have to start making choices. Who would get the meager supply of herbs? Would would the healthy drag to the creek? They didn't have the energy to take everyone. Who would he set a guard over, so that some predator didn't finish them off? He knew that sicknesses often chose those you wouldn't expect to survive, but he would have to use logic and choose. He had limited resources. He felt a knot weighing down in the pit of his stomach, and he had a hard time speaking as a ball tightened his throat. "Take this one, that one, this one is probably healthy. I think she might make it." He couldn't look at the elders, as he told the healthy to find a sheltered place to hide them. They weren't coming with them. There was no way they could survive. Even if they did, they wouldn't be able to help with the pack's survival. Acesco wished there was someone else to make these decisions. This was why he needed Ghost. She was so hardnosed. He was sure she would be able to do it. She had so much more experience. Acesco had become a healer to be useful and to help his pack. How was he helping? He began forcing the herbs through Ghost's teeth. Green juice spilled over staining her white snout green making it look like she had thrown up. His brother returned and he feverishly began to work on the others. One by one, he watchd the light go out of their eyes. All of a sudden his healthy helpers fell over. Ghost's breathing was barely visible. Then it stopped. He stared. He kept hoping. The still form began to darken, and he was confused. Ghost was white, but now the fur was a light gray like his own. He approached hesitantly, lifting one paw carefully at a time. He peered over, and howled at the waning moon. Nimbus! Why had Ghost turned into Nimbus? He began to back up his eyes wide displaying the whites. He was surprised to see one of the sick raise their head to look at him, but the eyes were dead. They were gone. They didn't care about Acesco. He ran and ran and ran. He had to get away. They were all dead. They were all beyond his help. He was twitching his ears trying to hear what was going on around him, as the dream faded. His legs jerked, and he jolted upright. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked twice. It was still rather dark although from the east a small purplish stain was beginning to spread. As his eyes roved over the area, he stiffened. The shapes surrounding him were unfamiliar, and it took a moment for his eyes to catch up. His nose quickly reassured him, as he could familiar scents nearby. There was a small group of wolves all curled in tight balls spread out yet close enough that you knew they were together. His ears were straining were unable to catch any sound, but he took comfort in the repetitive up down of their chests breathing. He sank back down and relaxed for a moment, letting reality seep in. Nimbus was gone. Ghost was gone. He was going to have to learn on his own. He had no one to protect him. He would have to protect his pack. Had Ghost morphed into Nimbus in the dream, because he believed she could have saved him? He had the remainder of his pack around him. He was not alone the way he had been in the dream. He tried to quietly arise and check on Yalina. However, he knew he had a tendency to think that undergrowth would be quieter than it actually was, and he stepped on things that looked wet and were actually crunchy. He might be the one who woke the pack this morning. He was the most worried about her health. She appeared rather frail in this lighting, and he was determined that he wouldn't lose her. Unlike his dream, there had been survivors. However, at one point those who had been healthy fell ill, and they traded places with the healthy again and again. At one point Acesco himself had become sick. Ghost had nursed him back to health, telling him that they were their pack's best hope. Ghost had encouraged Acesco's will to live, saying the pack needed him, yet he had been unable to save his mentor. His skills hadn't been enough. He ignored the fact that his mentor had been lucky to live long enough to teach him enough skills to be competent. After he had gotten well, his mentor got sick and died, and then his brother fell ill and was much weaker from exhaustion. It wasn't long after that, and the sickness resolved itself. Either they died or they walked away. No one would be able to run around that field again knowing that carrion birds would come to take their loved ones away or that their family had become apart of the ground. They were going to look for a new home without sickness. They were sure they could find the perfect place. Just as importantly, they needed to find more wolves to join with. They needed a pack to survive. He noted that Callidora was very close to her sister. He kept one eye on her as best as he could, knowing that she would be tense if she woke up to Acesco hovering over Yalina, and she had a tendency to snap. He prepared a pleasant expression and a friendly tone to say good morning if anyone awoke. He tried to carry herbs with him, but it was too hard, and he wasn't familiar with the areas they had traveled through to search for herbs. They hadn't figured out their rhythm yet, but this little group was hard to get along with. There were many stubborn personalities who wanted to be right, and none of these wolves had been the most senior. He could see how tense they got, if he stubbed a toe, and he wasn't sure why they still considered him valuable after so many had died. He constantly worried that they would decide he wasn't worth the prey they fed him, and sneak away while he was asleep, and then he would be truly alone for the first time in his life. | |
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Darkseeker
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Callidora Female || Three || Mentions: Yalina, Acesco It was a rough night for Yalina. Now, her sister's lithe frame lay alongside of her, so still, Callidora had to check throughout the morning to see if death had decided to steal her away. Everybody claimed her possessive, constantly checking and imposing upon Yalina's life. She could see it in surrounding eyes, judging her, scorning her, even before the plague hit. But nobody knew. Nobody understood what it was like to watch their own sister, still alive, yet lifeless, wither away day after day. Nobody understood what it was like watching the light fade from her eyes. It was Callidora who was supposed to go first, not Yalina. As the eldest sibling, it was her duty to fall first and succumb to death, not Yalina. Together, they had watched their family die off, one by one. They dealt with the loss and the pain. Each time another member fell, Callidora told herself it would be the last. She should have known it was a lie. First it was her mother, Noha. Her gentle, softspoken mother who often resembled Yalina. Both carried kindness in their hearts. Both stood proud, and tall, but that wasn't enough to keep her here. She had been one of the first to grow sickly, and had been one of the first to die. Next, it was her younger siblings, all but a few months old, their immunity weak and frail. It was only a matter of time before they went, only she didn't think it would be so soon. Only a few days after their mother, they were no longer, death having took them during their slumber. It was a gentle way to go. It was the way they deserved. It was her and Yalina's sister, Anisa, who departed afterwards. Unlike their mother and younger siblings, Anisa did not go without a fight. The sickness had hit her at full force, twisting and blackening her insides until death came as a release. It was a prolonged sickness, forcing her to wither and decay while she still breathed. By the end of her battle, Callidora didn't feel as much sorrow as she felt peace for her sister's death. Finally, it was their father, Chari, who caught it. Out of all of them, it was he who she least expected to grow ill. He was a stoic and sturdy individual. A true powerhouse, for it was he who Callidora and Yalina inherited their height from.. But even the strong must fall eventually. Like Anisa, he fought hard and long. He was desperate to live, not wishing to leave Callidora and Yalina alone in life. In the end, he, too, had lost his battle. Like the others. It was only her and Yalina left. For a moment, everything was stable.. until Yalina had caught it. The sickness was different for her. It was slow and unprogressive, taking a little piece of her at a time. It picked away at her bones, making her frail and scrawny. It weakened her, but one thing was different. Perhaps some god had heard Callidora's pleas one night, because death did not take Yalina. Even at her lowest, it did not come, but the aftermath of the sickness remained. Yalina, once tall and strong, now stood weakened and frail, her eyes no longer bright and her fur dull and ragged. There remained a certain brightness to her, but like her physical appearance, it, too, had dimmed. Callidora refused to lose another family member.. Refused to watch another take their last breath. Without Yalina, she would have nobody left in this world. She couldn't lose her. She forbid it. So, she would allow others to look down at her. She would allow them to call her possessive or not of sound mind for caring too deeply. Until they understood what it was like to lose everything and everyone, they had no right to judge her. Yalina was the only one left. After her, there was nobody. Not her mother, not her father, not Anisa nor her younger siblings. Nobody. "Shh, it'll be alright," she had hummed to Yalina throughout the night, trying to soothe her sister's coughs and fidgeting until she fell asleep. Callidora's slumber would last perhaps an hour before the hacking and sneezing began again, where she would speak those same words until Yalina fell asleep once more. It would repeat, each time Yalina's symptoms differed. By now, Callidora knew the most important: coughing, laboured breathes, spasms, vomiting, headaches. The list used to be worse, so it could only mean that her sister was improving. Right? Right? Callidora had been awake in the morning, watching her sister, though her tired eyes had given up on her, forcing her into a deep sleep full of snores. It was Yalina who awoke first, releasing a small gasp as her leg jolted. Noticing her older sister's sleeping frame, she refrained from wincing, her hind leg convulsing and her screams of agony turning into a mere hiss forced out between clenched teeth. The pain lingered, her leg hitting the ground for a few minutes until the pulsing died down into a mere ache. Even then, Yalina checked upon Callidora, hoping, praying, not to wake her. She deserved sleep. She deserved a bit of peace. So, when a figure hovered near, steps crunching upon the dirt ground, Yalina did everything in her ability to ensure they didn't awaken her sister. She shook her head in warning, facing Acesco and motioning to Callidora's slumbering body before offering him a kind smile.. But it was too late. Due to Yalina's state, Callidora was conditioned to awaken with the slightest sound, and within moments, the female's eyes flung open, her head shooting up. "Are you in pain?" She rasped out immediately, voice hoarse from speaking all night, ears flickering around as if twenty voices were speaking to her all at once. "Your head? Is it spasms again? A migraine? What time is it?" She continued, already beginning to stand before Yalina stopped her. "I'm fine, please, don't stand," came her response, to which Callidora stared at her before nodding firmly a singular time, releasing a deep sigh. It was then when Callidora's eyes settled upon the standing figure of Acesco, her muzzle already curling. "Trudge around a little louder, why don't you," she began, already ridiculing the poor healer, "I even heard you in my dreams, stomping about. Did he wake you, Yalina? Honestly, Acesco, you of all should know that she needs rest. You're the healer, aren't you?" Scoffing and throwing a mini tantrum, Yalina narrowed her eyes at Callidora before releasing a puff of breath. "He didn't wake me, my leg did. Besides, I wouldn't insult nor argue with the one wolf who understands sickness," she quipped, turning to him. "Isn't that right, Acesco?" Defending his honour against her sister's bitterness, Yalina threw him a friendly wink before grimacing again. "Is it your leg again?" Callidora asked, already on her paws and hovering. "No, I'm alright," Yalina responded, though her facial expressions said otherwise. On her hind leg went, beginning to pulse again in a spasm before finally settling down, to which Yalina released a sigh of relief. "I think that's the last one for now," she breathed, inhaling sharply, only to furrow her brows. "Don't look at me like that," she spoke to Callidora, who stared at her like a worried mother. "Sorry, I'm sorry," she mumbled in response, "let me help you up. Do you want to get up?" -- "I can do it myself. I'm perfectly capable of standing, thank you," but she wasn't. It took an ungodly amount of time to pick herself up, and even then, standing, Yalina stumbled to the side, Callidora catching her. "Perfectly fine? Lina, you need to stop straining yourself. You're weak as it is. One tumble, and it can set you back. Do you want to be set back, huh? For goodness sake, be more careful." Lecturing her younger sister, Callidora went on and on, her mouth flapping out words that Yalina had heard hundreds of times before. "And how is your day so far, Acesco?" She asked, interrupting Callidora and letting her sister's mouth hang open as she ignored her. "Have you found any of those herbs you've been looking for?" Clearing her throat, Yalina eased herself onto her haunches, observing at the healer while Callidora glared from the shadows. What a lovely start to the day. |
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Lightbringer
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| Acesco - Male - 4 years - Healer- Mentions: Yalina, Callidora, Choenyi Acesco froze when he saw Yalina's smile. He must've been too loud. It hurt to remember that he used to be a silent hunter, and now he bumbled along awkwardly. His snout opened to say something, but even asleep Callidora was faster. He wasn't sure the exact questions that were being asked, because Callidora was speaking too fast for him to guess. However, he could see that Yalina's protector hadn't noticed him yet. He wondered if he could quietly back up back to his own den space. His head cocked, as he was curious how loud she was. Who else would wake up? The healer could guess what Callidora was saying, as she turned her angry eyes upon him. He frowned wanting to tell her that she was speaking a lot for someone who had probably woken everyone else worrying over her sister. He wasn't bothered by Callidora's protectiveness, but he wasn't sure how she thought it would help her sister live. Constantly being on hand could possibly help, but the everlasting questions had to get on Yalina's nerves as much as it did anyone else. He would've rolled his eyes, but he didn't want to heighten any tensions that Yalina may be having. In a soft tone that was softer than a normal wolves speaking tone, he breathed, "You are talking a lot for someone who probably woke everyone else. I apologize for waking you. I was concerned." No one would be sympathetic about his dream and the dark mood it had cast. He spoke softer to compensate for his natural reaction to speak loudly. He was apologizing to them both, because it seemed that he had definitely awakened Callidora and probably Yalina. He let a slightly bemused smile steal across his face for a brief moment, as Yalina defended him from her sister. He wasn't sure if he agreed with her, but he didn't make any signs of disagreeing. Mildly, he pointed out, "I think I have as much of a right to check on Yalina as you do." His tail lifted slightly encouraged by her friendly wink. He cocked his head studying Yalina, and he realized from his previous observation that it was her leg that had awoken her. His mind had finally caught up with his eyes. Seeing that Callidora wouldn't allow Acesco to assist Yalina unless it was in his specific skill set, he sat there and observed. He knew that he had a hard time understanding his packmates, especially when they were describing their injuries, so he learned to watch them for signs. He let out a little huff of breath, as he remembered Nimbus constantly nudging him. It was a scene very similar to Callidora chivvying her younger sister. It was another older sibling being protective. Nimbus had kept on directing Acesco's attention to things that were making noise, that he hadn't noticed. His ability to communicate was much more accurate with his brother, so he had been an interpreter for a while until his most recent skill had revealed itself. He darted a glance to the rest of the pack, which he hadn't noticed that another one had awakened. Even from here he could see the disapproval dripping off of Choenyi. Her eyes were pinned upon his, and her mouth was moving. He guessed that she was complaining either about his lack of stealth or Callidora's lack of consideration for silence. Maybe she was annoyed about the earliness of the hour. She continued to lay there with her head propped up to see others. Deciding that he would ignore her for the moment, he turned back to Yalina his mouth open to ask her if that was really a good idea her trying to get up. However, he had to concentrate to understand the last part of her message. He almost told her the truth. He wanted to tell someone, but he reminded himself that she didn't need anything else to be concerned about and Callidora was fierce enough as it was. If she didn't have a use for him, she would stop trusting him. It would be the first step to becoming useless. What could he say? It had been a long time since he had slept that long. There had always been someone injured or sick who needed his attention in the middle of the night, but he didn't want to remind her of what this pack had lost. "I haven't had a chance to look today. I was going to check on you, so I know what to look for. I think it might be a good idea if Callidora and the others try to hunt, while Yalina and I search for herbs." Their success rate was low, and there were only a few hunters. However, something would have to be done about Yalina, and he would be moving at any pace that Yalina needed. She could be his ears just in case there was something out there. He was still a relatively fit fighter, as long he didn't need to be stealthy, so he could defend her as well as any singular wolf. Once he was done searching for herbs or the rest of them gave up hunting, they could continue traveling. (Choenyi's is a WIP coming soon) | |
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Darkseeker
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Yalina Female || Three || Mentions: Callidora, Acesco "Absolutely not." A hiss escaped Callidora, her figure now standing and casting a shadow upon her sister, who remained sitting, a tired look in her eyes. By now, the eldest had a certain flare in her eyes, one full of refusal and stubbornness as she faced off against the healer. "You want her to waste her energy searching for herbs? Yalina needs rest, not to go gallivanting around. What if she falls? What if she trips and hurts herself? What if a predator attacks? No, I refuse. She will remain put." Heaving after throwing her little tantrum, Callidora spluttered and spat, Acesco's earlier apology being of no use to her now. "Callidora, honestly," Yalina began, releasing an exhausted breath. "It's not as if I will be running a marathon. I'm sure Acesco will set a nice pace, besides, some fresh air will do me good." Her tone was light in comparison to her sister's, who growled and paced behind her. She looked like a storm itself from the way she thundered with anger, but most was paranoia over anything else. It was silent for a prolonged amount of time until Callidora halted, facing Acesco. "No," came her only reply, raising her head. "Yalina, will remain here. She had a rough night." Her eyes flashed over to Choenyi, whom had awaken most likely due to her tone. Ears pinning against her cranium for a moment with guilt, she shook it off, her ears perking once more and her eyes darkening. Yalina had her own voice, but she had long ago learned that arguing was of no use against her sister. It did nothing but waste her energy and her breath. Instead, she learned to talk it out. To try and convince Callidora to let her do things. "With you gone hunting, who will be left to watch over me? If I'm alone, who will be here to aid me if I'm in pain again? I believe it'll be best if I accompany Acesco." It was a low blow using her health as an excuse against her sister, but she needed to get out. Needed a moment without somebody hovering over her and worrying. While she knew Acesco, too, would watch over her, at least he offered some space in contrast to her sister, who sat watching like a hawk perched upon a branch. "If anything," Yalina continued, "I can sit beneath a tree and watch as Acesco gathers his herbs. I'm sure he'd also like some company, isn't that right?" Glancing to him, her eyes locked onto his whitened physique with a calm disposition. "You can help in your way, and I can do my best to help in mine." Turning to her sister, Yalina remained softspoken, not one to truly raise her voice without reason. She could see in Callidora's eyes that her words were considered. "I suppose I could try bringing you back something to eat.. That would help your health and your weight." Mumbling to herself, Callidora stared blankly before nodding thrice. Eyes resting upon the shrunken figure of her sister, she huffed. "Are you certain you'll be fine?" She asked, to which Yalina nodded softly. "I promise. You don't have to worry about me." If only she knew. A saddened look flashed across Callidora's eyes, a moment of silence passing before the eldest sister turned to the healer, tone hardening once more. "If anything, and I mean anything happens to her, you will be the first I visit." Threatening the healer was not a wise move on Callidora's part, but he needed to understand how her sister's health needed to be conserved. "The moment anything goes wrong, you howl for me. Is that understood? The moment." Like a mother, Callidora remained protective, possessive even, over Yalina. It was unhealthy at this point, but the relationship remained that way, and it would until Yalina healed. "Yes, yes, I'm sure Acesco knows." Releasing a sigh herself, Yalina eyed the healer. "I suppose you'll be my babysitter now," she halfheartedly joked, but in truth, she was entirely serious. How pathetic she must look being passed from wolf to wolf, watched like a pup. Even at that age, Yalina had more freedom than this. She couldn't even go on a walk without being followed and watched over. Could her dignity possibly fall any lower than this? "Alright, it's settled then," Callidora breathed. "I'm trusting you," she added on, staring at Acesco with a blank expression, allowing him to interpret the meaning behind her look. "Yalina." Turning to her sister, Callidora faced her. "You be careful." A pause. "Please." It was small moments like that which allowed Yalina to understand where her sister was coming from. She worried, Yalina knew that, but it was to the point where she herself felt like a prisoner in her own skin. "I promise, now go catch something big." Offering her sister a gentle smile, it was a surprise when it was matched with Callidora's own lopsided grin. It lasted all of two moments before her sister's expression fell into a frown once more as she eyed Acesco a final time. "Shall we?" Yalina spoke instead, taking a wobbly step towards him. |
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Lightbringer
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| Acesco - Male - 4 years - Healer Choenyi - Female - 5 years Choenyi heard paws crunching, and she jerked upright. They had been too exhausted to put up a watch, and it would be too easy for someone to sneak in. Nobody but another wolf should have the audacity to bother them, so she looked about for the expected form. The dim light glistened off of the hairy healer's light gray coat, and she easily recognized the two similarly furred bodies of the sisters. Growling quietly, she snuggled her snout into her fluffy fur determined to ignore the oblivious healer. When Callidora started up her noise, Choenyi’s head shot up again and she pinned the other female with the stink eye. Due to the nature of their argument, she doubted that she would be going back to sleep, so she jumped in. “Just because Acesco’s suggesting that Yalina is given any normal personal space doesn’t mean you have to rouse the rest of us. You are the worst brooding bitch I’ve ever met. Relax a little. Yalina is an adult wolf who is not your pup, and she is perfectly capable of asking for help." She wasn’t sure how Yalina could stand the constant proximity. Choenyi would have snapped by now. “If I were Yalina, you wouldn’t be getting close enough for me to snap.” “You are a healer. Butt out of our business,” Choenyi scoffed loudly. Acesco stared at her, considering what she had probably said. He stiffened as Callidora vented her stubbornness on him. Calmly, he spoke in a mild tone, trying to have the opposite effect of whatever Choenyi had said, “I have been a hunter warrior before, and I'd lik to think it’s not completely illogical, however, I understand if we are unwilling to separate ways. I thought it would be good to start a conversation on our plans for the immediate future. They can easily be adjusted, and there is no need for you to become so defensive.” He nodded at Yalina glad she was saying something in defense. From everyone’s reactions, he could see that it wasn’t total agreement with Callidora. “She needs to try to get up and walk. It’s good for her lungs to take a gentle stroll and move around. Otherwise she could get pneumonia.” He opened his snout and almost started to graphically describe the death that pneumonia caused could be much worse. He gave Yalina an apologetic look, realizing it wasn’t the wisest to give Callidora something else to worry about. As he looked at Choenyi and Callidora his face became smug. “We’ll go real nice and slow. I know I’ll have plenty of time, because it’ll take you a while to catch something. If we want a decent chance of having food, you are going to have to leave Yalina and me behind.” He was careful to phrase it so that it didn’t sound like Yalina was the burden that had to be cared for. He refrained from saying that he wanted to be doing something useful for his job, but that would be implying that Yalina was a burden. He had to swallow his pride. He noticed that she was speaking, so he silenced knowing that it was more likely that she would penetrate through Callidora’s stubbornness. “We will look out for each other.” Thoughts began to creep in and they were invasive and hard to ignore. What if he couldn’t take care of her? What if she fell off a cliff? His heartbeat sped up, and he resisted the urge to hassle, a sure sign of nervousness. A shaky sensation passed through his limbs although it wasn’t visible to anyone. What if she had an episode and he didn’t know how to help her? What if he couldn’t defend her from an enemy? He reminded himself that there were very few creatures that would tangle with them unless they were provoked. He had another thought; what if he disturbed a bee’s nest, and she couldn’t get away fast enough. Trying to keep his voice from cracking, he dipped his head once. “Of course.” In his head he finished, I wouldn't expect anything less." It was a passive allusion that he expected them to blame him if she died. He smiled weakly at Yalina. "You'll be my earout or lookout flows better. We'll watch out for each other." He nodded his head resolutely. "We probably need to get a headstart. At the mood your sister is in I wouldn't put it past her to catch something before I get a chance to locate a place to look for herbs." He moved to be beside her and made sure to match her slow shaky pace. "I smelled a creek nearby, and I thought we could check there. There will be some water for both of us, and there tends to be softer undergrowth like moss if you would like to lie down. There tends to be more shade and cool around there, which might be more pleasant. Sometimes you can even find sun warmed rocks. Their should be more of the herbs I am looking for around there. They tend to want to have a good source of water." He explained his reasoning. Choenyi took it upon herself to wake up the rest. She went to them and most of them were already awake, because of all the noise. "Don't know if you heard, but we're separating from Acesco and Yalina. They're going herbing, and we're going hunting." As the fit wolves gathered together, she looked around to make sure everyone was listening. "Callidora. I believe you would probably have better senses. You can be the spotter. Go and scout ahead for prey. We're mainly looking for something large like deer, but as you all know we can't pass on a smaller snack. You take one side and Nekti can take the other. I'll persistently pursue from behind, and we'll continue chasing until we catch it or we have to give up. If you see a place where we can corner the prey, obviously we will try to do that, and we'll come up with a different plan for anything besides deer. Everyone else just make sure the prey doesn't get away. I'm sure you can find a place." She looked everyone in the eye daring them to contradict the instructions just because she gave it to them. "Hrumph. Acesco could actually be useful in the next part, since he's on the larger side. We need someone to be the boulder. The largest wolf needs to grab the deer by the front. Some of us will latch on and try to drag it down, while others of us will snap at it's heels until we snap it's tendons or get a chance to latch on to something we can keep a hold of and drag it down. If we find a herd, look for one that has a weakness. Anyone got an issue?" | |
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Neutral
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Nekti // Male // 6 years, 4 months // Mentions: Callidora, Yalina, Acesco “Absolutely not.” Somebody was shouting. Or were they really shouting? Sometimes it seemed like everything was getting louder, and every simple remark grated on his nerves more than ever. But one thing was certain - he was awake, and what he had awoken to was Callidora chewing out Acesco yet again. Maybe the reason this kind of argument got under skin more than any other was that it reminded him too much of him and his mate, Udara. Of course, they never would have argued like that, not out in the open. They would rather have died than had other wolves party to their disagreements. They hid out in the bushes, around the riverbend, went on “hunting trips” just to have a place where they could raise their voices and nobody would notice. Hearing others argue gave Nekti something of a headache, but he just raised himself on his front legs, getting up as quickly as he could despite feeling that he could use a few more hours of sleep. Nekti purposefully tuned out from the conversation, not wanting to overhear anything personal or that might affect his judgment towards certain wolves. He licked down the fronts of his legs, a habit he’d had since he was a very young wolf, and he glanced at Yalina, a quick once-over to see if she had improved. He gave no reaction to her current state, and turned away as soon as she and Acesco made to leave their little encampment. He could see Choenyi moving towards everyone to wake them, and he moved away from her, somewhat to the outskirts of the group. But it seemed Choenyi had other ideas: she was going to keep them moving, keep them hunting and thriving. She was going to be the leader where no leader was to be found - and, perhaps, where no leader like her was wanted. Nekti simply moved towards her as she began speaking, though. He neither perked his ears nor turned his gaze towards her, so it was hard to tell if he was really listening or not. This wasn’t uncommon when he interacted with Choenyi - sometimes it was as though she were flitting along the edges of his awareness, hardly even a solid being.
“They’re going herbing, and we’re going hunting.” As if that was that. “You take one side and Nekti can take the other.” Fine, playing to Nekti’s strengths - or strengths he might have had in the past. Because of course he could keep up, of course he could maintain that pace as long as needed - but what if he couldn’t? Nekti pushed the thought from his head, though it certainly fought to stay. “Acesco could actually be useful in the next part.” If Nekti had been the kind to get indignant, he might have been here. Passive-aggressiveness was a cheap way to put other wolves down. “Anyone got an issue?” Nekti was quiet for rather longer than the other wolves, going over it in his head. Normally the pack would have spent hours or days following a herd, assessing them and stalking them into a panic. Normally, though, the circumstances were not so dire. “Perhaps,” said Nekti, his voice grizzled, “it would be better to know where we’re going before we assume we’ll be able to corner the prey just about anywhere.” He didn’t sound condescending, but the way he looked at Choenyi had a certain imperiousness to it. “For instance, we’ve traveled mostly north, which means the river must be close by. It was dry when we last saw it, so it’s likely still dry now. The sides aren’t too steep, so we could easily drive a herd into the dry riverbed. The stones at the bottom will make them lose their balance, they’ll have far less options for escape, and weeding out a young or sick animal should be easy. It shouldn’t take Callidora long to find a suitable spot on the riverbed.”
Nekti fell silent, letting the other wolves decide for themselves if they wanted to go with his idea or not. Some years ago he might have tried to influence them with a little more than logic, but those false smiles had left him forever - he no longer had the energy to spare to be kind to wolves just to get them to do what he wanted. He met Choenyi’s eyes, those light light brown eyes of hers that glinted with determination. Truth be told, he would rather have gone with Acesco and Yalina. Not because hunting had become hard for him, because it hadn’t. And not because he was worried about Acesco and Yalina out alone, because he trusted wolves to take care of themselves. He just preferred their company - they were some of the only remaining wolves that he could stand. Yalina was like a daughter to him, more so since her parents had died. He had been friends with them, and their deaths had hit him harder than his own mate’s had. He had seen a lot of wolves come and go, and sometimes he wondered how such good wolves could be dead when such horrible ones survived. He wasn’t glad that Udara had died, of course. He’s been with her - she was one of first to succumb to the illness. But sometimes when he woke up and he remembered that she was gone, he felt a wave of relief. He always felt guilty about it afterwards and he never would have told anyone, but it was there, gnawing at the back of his mind. She’s gone. She’s gone. |
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Darkseeker
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Callidora Female || Three || Mentions: Yalina, Acesco, Choenyi, Nekti Everything was fine, calmer, even, until the disgruntled figure of Choeyni appeared, unannounced and unwelcome, of course. The eldest sister's frame stiffened, her eyes locking onto the female with a form of distaste plastered in her expression. "Choeyni, how.. nice of you to visit." Pure sarcasm was laced in Callidora's tone, her tail flickering behind her in a rhythmic manner. "Thank you for your input, despite not recalling I asked for it," she added on, tone light, as if speaking to a mere child. Brooding bitch. Pah, she'll show her brooding bitch. A smile bewitched her muzzle, ears twitching to refrain from lashing out. "She is my sister, and I will care for her as I see fit. I don't need anybody telling me how I should act, certainly not somebody like you. I've cared for every family member I've had. Nobody bothered me then, and I don't expect anybody to bother me now." Choenyi was crossing the line, it was clear on Callidora's face. "Next time you decide to mosey on over here, don't." She held herself tall, but her eye twitching gave her frustration away. Yalina, having seen the minuscule twitch, butted in. "Enough, please. I can speak for myself." Releasing a deepened sigh, Yalina's gaze swept across both Choenyi and Callidora, practically pleading. "I am going on a walk." She declared, "and my mind is made up." If she were healthier, Yalina would have stamped her foot in determination. "Enough time has been wasted already. Both of you need to spend less time thinking about me and more about the group." Ears flickering, Callidora snapped away from Choenyi and onto her sister, opening her mouth to speak: "But, Yalina you-" "Shh." "Can I-" "Zip it." "Will you-" "No." The two stared at one another, Yalina with wide eyes, Callidora with narrow ones. "Fine," Callidora proceeded, only then listening to Acesco's words and releasing a snort. He was right in a sense. Walking would be good for her sister, especially some sunshine and- "Pneumonia?" Mouth falling open, Yalina watched as her sister's expression twisted into something of pure horror. "I didn't know that. Yalina, what if I gave you pneumonia?" -- "I don't have pneumonia. You didn't give me any, trust me," she responded. "What I will get is a headache if you don't go already." Offering a small joke, Yalina's smile fell when Callidora's face drooped. "I don't want to give you a headache," came her sister's response, tone almost saddened. For an instance, Yalina felt guilt swell up in her chest by the way her sister watched her. "I didn't mean it like that." An awkward silence passed before Callidora nodded a singular time, glancing at Acesco. Did she trust him? Not entirely, but it was enough to let him take Yalina out for a short while. "I'll try to bring something back," she repeated. She would never say such a thing aloud, but for a moment, her eyes almost flashed a thank you to Acesco before she watched Yalina depart. "Now, what do these herbs look like?" Callidora heard her sister ask as she walked off. "I do love the creek, and moss. Thank you." Listening for a moment, Callidora snorted once before focusing away from her sister, difficult as it was. She lingered in the back while what'shername decided to awaken the others, only deciding to break out into a forward trot when Nekti was spotted. They had an.. odd relationship, herself and the older male. While she tended to mind her own business around him, there were times where she sometimes observed him from a distance, eerie as it sounded. Nekti had been friends with her and Yalina's parents, and seeing him offered her a small ounce of comfort at times. Looking at him reminded her of them, but it also reminded her of what she lost. It was Yalina who was closer to him. It was Yalina who was closer to most. "Hm?" She suddenly spoke, head raising when she heard her name being uttered. Listening, Callidora's ear twitched. "Anybody got an issue?" "Yeah, I got one." A pause. "Who put you in charge?" Blinking, she glanced at Nekti, shrugging. "We were all thinking it." Regardless, Callidora would listen. She was far too burnt out to argue anymore, especially without hardly sleeping during the night and- well, perhaps not too tired, for even now, the female nearly scoffed. "Thank you for the generous reminder. Why don't you go ahead and tell me what deer look like again, just in case I forgot that, too." What type of lecture was this? Look for large prey, don't pass up on the small stuff. It was basic survival. Pure attitude was what Callidora was in the moment. Then again, most of her annoyance was fueled by the mere sight of Choenyi alone. After all, she often tried to match the female's wording and tone with her own. Staring at her, Callidora forced herself to place her mood behind her, beginning to focus, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. Yalina needed food, as did the others. She had no time for pettiness on her behalf. "I agree with Nekti," she finally spoke after a moment's silence. "Driving the herd into the riverbed also provides us with a better view. We can pick out the weaker ones easier as well." Releasing a heavy sigh, she proceeded. "We should decide who delivers the final blow while the other two follow. The last thing we need is a miscommunication during the hunt." Then, something completely out of character happened. Callidora actually turned to Choenyi and.. complimented her to show her determination and willingness to work together.. "It's a good plan. I believe it will work." There, that should do it. Without so much as a word of reply, the female began to move, trotting forward in the direction Nekti had suggested. |
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Neutral
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[Peony/Male/Three years/Mentions:Callidora] A thick silhouette slunk calmly between a dreary onslaught of trees; leaves opaque and flush together. Going as far as to drip before his eyes. The undergrowth wasn’t dense here, the males powerful paws proving victor as he trampled through the dark vegetation with ease. He could taste the sickness in the air, eliciting a revolted shudder and a bothered flick of the tongue before his jaws shut back down as a barrier. “Yuck.” He sure felt bad for the sorry sucker who possessed such a stench ; but like any other day, the male moved on without so much as a glance. Peony had been traversing by his lonesome for a good while now, batting playfully at pine needles and chasing down the birds who taunted him at morning. Josie had told him to stay put near the hilly fields but he hadn’t listened. He knew she’d be back to collect him later, just as she always did. The plague crashed through his clan like a boulder on an elevated cliffside. Leaving them weak, vulnerable, helpless. It irritated him at first, seeing everyone so shabby looking and in the dumps. But when that loser Tate returned from a short expedition, bathed in the ick, things started to look up. Everyone had begun to pay him more attention; grooming his tousled pelt, warming his belly with delectable treats, tending to his most silliest whims–it was great. Though there had been an inkling straddling his mind; debating whether or not the treatment came from the factor of dwindling males, or just him being a god. Probably the latter, no? Females like Wenlyn and Keyra flapped their eyelashes at him throughout the day, their tiny legs pumping up in a bolt whenever he chose to spontaneously dart into the wilderness. –Plunging themselves at his sides and cooing softly at him whenever he shrugged them off and called them plain. He knew he was more than beddable but did they have to be so desperate? Not that he would’ve given them a chance to begin with–they were much too small for his tastes. Speaking of tastes, recalling the way the old crones glanced expectantly at him after Tate's death was tortuous. They’d clear their throats and speak of “carrying on clan legacy” like it was his duty. No the hell it wasn’t. He’d eat dirt before listening to what those hags had to say. Peony shook the twigs from his honey stroked pelage, or at least he attempted to. His appearance usually consisted of some type of messy slop. He’d be carrying his own little universe atop his back and never know it; one can usually gather where he’s been just by looking at the verdure tangled in along his hackles. He’d always get chastised by prim Josie, getting chased around with her jaws snapping irascibly at his disheveled getup. She’d try to smooth down his fuzz and slap his head in a bow whenever The Crowned visited. He’d always growl whenever she shoved him around but she’d tick right back, if anything, slamming his head harder. That old bat–she’d better come fetch him soon. Peony leapt less than gracefully over a wide stump, glancing back and examining its fat girth. It reminded him of Vapor. Worthless and big. The male sated his muscles with a casual sprint, increasing his stroll into a speedy gallop which seduced a refreshing stroke in the fur by the flashing breeze. A curious insect fluttered relentlessly at his ears, its small wings casting a repeated vibrating rumble that would sour anyone's mood. So he halted, front paws dancing against the air as he leapt upwards like a feline towards some carrion strapped in a tree. His rival hummed in disapproval and shot against his flesh like lightning. “Ow!” He roared, swatting at his now airborne assailant with a paw. “You bastard, that heckin hurt!” He wished to spring into the hovering branches above and ambush the pest from there but he had become much too fat. –Despite the incessant plague, he had been fed well within his home. Now it was only a matter of time before it shrank into nothing but the dull ache of hunger. Peony collided softly against a tree, the tough spines of bark ripping deliciously against his pelt, his sting. It hurt at times but it was worth it. The scratch had managed to silence the painful itchiness better than his teeth could. The small male pressed on, jaws slackened and cherry pink tongue rolling out like a rug. Crisp spells of his breath puffed out along with his exhaust, paws slapping against the ground in a lazy, sloppy amble. Where the hell was all the water at? He was willing to duel a couple of chipmunks over a rain puddle at this point. His sense of direction cowered behind the thick folds of his mind, weak and shameful as if it didn’t even exist. –It barely did. He had to force it out only to give up a few minutes later when he saw the same pebble more than twice. So...Peony squared his shoulders, chest puffing and the brawn he obtained from his clan's famous battling arenas shining through. He was going to ask for directions. He was a bit wary of his size, by no means colossal. He couldn’t tower above his peers like they often did to him. He believed he got nerfed–for surely a tall Peony means a King Peony. But it's all right, there had to be some competition, right? He proceeded forth, every scent attempting to bypass him indiscreetly had been sucked into his nasal passages, registered, and then expelled in a drawled huff. It wasn’t until a certain odor pertaining to pine sap hit him like a truck did the male pause and dive behind a bed of thick brambles. He immediately began to rehearse an assortment of confronting words as the presence he sensed drove nearer and nearer; ears flickering impatiently against his skull. Who goes there. Reveal yourself! Hand over your water and possessions! Scram! Gimme your damn water! When the scent got so close it began to consume his mind like a piece of patch work, Peony leapt from his cover. Unfortunately, very unfortunately, he had judged his timing so poorly that he crashed into a furry flank, knocking the canid over in a winding roll that when they had finally stopped, he had to stamp his paws on either side of her head so as to keep himself upright. He was somewhat mortified but couldn’t stop the satisfaction of ending up on top from tugging at his lips. He had half a mind to begin his demands then and there but being in such a proximity had begun to gradually gross him out. So he pounced to the side, shaking his coat tersely before focusing his yellow vision back onto her. “Got any water, stranger?" |
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Winter 
Day 
