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 Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 12:52 pm
January 109
One.
The voice rang clear in his head even as Alister dropped to one knee, eyes narrowed and fixed on the targets before him. Oh how he hated that voice. A simple lure of boundless pleasure and comfort...all a lie. How many times had he fallen for that trick as a child? A seductive little lie woven by family that was supposed to be a comfort to a distressed child.
Two. Sit straighter boy! You behave enough like a doll to know how to sit like one!
The bullet tore from the gun, hitting the clay disk dead center and shattering it. Oh how he really really hated that voice. Cooing, coy...seductive. Deceitful little liar, that's all that woman had been, a deceitful little liar. He'd told her that once, the regret had been instant. A brisk slap that had left him with a bruise to remind him just why his cousins feared their mother so much. But no...he didn't fear the woman...he loathed her, despised every fibre of her being, and to be frank hoped she died a miserable, lonely death.
Three! Glare at me all you like! You'll learn to play that violin just like you learned to dance.
Absolute loathing, a rapid succession of cracks rang out but Alister wasn't even focused on the targets anymore. A dark little room in the family house stuck with a woman who could aptly be called the spawn of evil. Dance and play. Dance and play. Move like a child's doll, no mind, no soul. Just dance and play and sacrifice your freedom all for the sadistic joy of a demented woman.
The empty click of his gun drew his attention back to the present and he stared down at empty pistol for a moment before rising and rolling his shoulders to relieve the tension. His family...no...not his family, just the family he'd been born into, the family he was associated with the moment he stepped into the city. Son of a farmer and a councilman's daughter, nephew of that...witch, the unwanted only child of that wretched family. Oh he would not be sorry to see them dead...at all.
Dark thoughts Alister dearest. Dark memories you shouldn't be bothering with at this time. That woman is as good as dead since...she died, and your parents aren't much better. Curling her tail around her the dark wolf tilted her head at her rider and gave a soft sigh. It was always a bad sign when Alister got in this sort of mood. Normally she would have calmly told him to go and find someone who could match him temper but not today. Today...something felt off, and while it would be easy to pry into his head and find out just what had managed to work him into such a frenzy, Twilight stretched and gave a faint yawn, it wasn't worth being shot at.
Stretching again, she rose calmly moving to curl around the man. Feeling Alister's head drop against her shoulder as he heaved a sigh, the black wolf gave a faint smile nudging him with her nose. Care to talk about it? Voice low and tail swaying she chuckled at the brief grunt that escaped her rider. I'll take that as a no then.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:50 pm
Riya stood in the doorway to her office, staring blankly at the mountains of paper piled neatly in every corner and against the entirety of the walls within the small room. Her desk could not be seen, probably hiding behind and under another neat stack of paperwork that she would be buried in for the rest of her career. Either Karayan was lazy and didn't want to deal with the work himself or... no, that was the only explanation there was.
With a heavy sigh, Riya turned back around the way she had come, slamming the door closed behind her as she stalked back out towards the training field. Having come back from paying an official visit to Shizuka, the new Lieutenant had been hoping to relax for the rest of the day. A morning with her matron was tiring enough, but when Shizuka was in Captain mode, the stress was a hundred times. All the information the former Captain had thrown onto the young woman would have been impossible for anyone else to remember clearly; but being raised by the crazy Captain, Riya had been taught and trained for such vigorous mental work.
Pulling the long black coat tightly around her slender frame, Riya walked aimlessly through the training fields, nodding at salutes from privates and apprentices. She carefully examined their tactics and techniques, pausing here and there to offer advice to the young ones, before continuing on to quietly observe from the sidelines.
Reaching Alister, she paused and watched him for a few minutes, impressed by his degree of accuracy even when he seemed to be paying little attention. Normally she wouldn't have stopped by him at all since she knew he was a highly experienced officer, but his name had come up as a potential candidate for the Sergeant openings. As such, she had been keeping a close eye on him and a few others, as per Karayan's requests.
But when he stopped, Riya wondered if she should approach, though she couldn't really think of anything to say to the older man. And he seemed to be lost in his own little world, nestled comfortably in his wolf's dark fur, and she knew better than to bother a wolfrider in such a state.
So she glanced away to continue on her observations.
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SilverStarrSapphire Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:10 pm
Ears flicking Twilight lifted her head and looked over her shoulder, still very much aware of the fingers drifting through her fur and moving in soothing circles. Theraphy for the human, not that she would dare say it didn't feel good. Shaking herself to remove the faint layer of snow that had settled over her back much to Alister's temporary annoyance, Twilight gave a yawn and stretched sitting up.
The Lieutenant's about. A gentle nudge of the nose on the man's shoulder and Twilight heard nothing but silence for a moment before Alister's head rose slowly. He looked tired...very very tired. She's moving off you know...so you could go back to relaxing...or go back to your room and sleep, since you obviously need it.
A steady tightening of Alister's fingers in her fur made the black wolf wince but she said nothing as he quietly drew himself to his feet and pulled a salute. Too stiff, too...doll-like for her liking. Pure pain in that stance, pure pain that he'd never expose the source of...not even to her. Not like there were any secrets that he could hide from her.
Slow steady motions, all carefully rehearsed. On your feet, back straight, salute the higher ups as they passed. If you got lucky they would continue on, if not then there'd be more formalities until finally someone left. Vaguely Alister heard the wolf at his side give a soft huff and he felt the gentle probbing as she poked and prodded picking apart his thoughts and leaving him with something akin to a headache.
I'd appreciate if you didn't do that.
Hrm...I'll think about that next time...maybe. Chuckling Twilight's tail wagged and she gave a wolfish grin at the mental growl from Alister.
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 1:05 pm
Sudden movement in the corner of her peripheral vision caught the Lieutenant's attention and she turned her head slightly, catching Alister's salute just before she had been about to move away. With a mental sigh, Riya realized that now she had been spotted and acknowledged, she may as well start a conversation. Both Shizuka and Karayan had told her to talk with potential Sergeants whenever she had the chance - now she had no excuse not to do so since Alister was up and at the ready. Bummer.
Nodding curtly, she walked over and stopped far enough to allow the pair some personal space, something that some other men of this fort had to learn. Riya relaxed her shoulders and clasped her hands behind her back, a sign for Alister to drop the formalities, one that most of the wolfriders had learned to recognize within the last month. "Good day, Alister. Twilight," she greeted the wolf as well with a nod in the canine's direction.
"Looking good out there," Riya commented honestly, glancing briefly at the scattered pieces of the disks that lay strewn across the field. Turning her attention back to Alister, she raised a slight eyebrow as his tired look. Even for one as unobservant as her, she could see the weight on his shoulders - but from what, she had no idea and she wasn't one to pry either. "But you should also take advantage of the winter to relax," she suggested. After all, it wouldn't do if all the wolfriders were too tired or stressed out to work properly come spring.
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SilverStarrSapphire Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:03 pm
"Good day Lieutenant Riya." Alister returned the greeting dropping into a more relaxed stance. The wolf beside him gave a soft rumble of acknowledgment her tail wagging faintly in greeting.
There was a mental nudge from the wolf and Alister almost huffed at her deciding it was not worth getting into an argument with her...again about his lack of proper sleeping habits. Besides he really didn't need to have a wolf telling him when to sleep. The suggestion from the lieutenant however brought something of a ghost of a smile to his face.
"Ah, I've been relaxing more than usual really." not a complete lie really, he had been relaxing more than normal. Compliments of that bloody woman, Calla of course.
Not relaxing...doing other things. the wolf whispered with a grin enjoying the huff from her rider.
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Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:29 pm
Riya crossed her arms casually as she studied Alister, though her observations proved futile. The Lieutenant wasn't exactly a pro at reading people since she found it to be a waste of time, yet being the hypocrite that she was, she tried to do it anyway. Maybe she should hunt down Adrian one day and ask him how he reads people so well... on second thought, boosting the Drill Sergeant's ego might not be the best idea.
"So I've heard," she offered a sly grin at his comment. Everyone in the fort knew Twilight had recently mated with a wolf from New Eve, but what was more interesting was the rumor going around that the two riders had gotten involved too. Riya always tried to act like she was above the usual flow of gossip, but in truth, she liked knowing all the facts. And she wanted to know if the rumor was based on truth. "Been relaxing a little too much, perhaps?"
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SilverStarrSapphire Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 5:56 pm
The sly grin sent a weary chill down Alister's spine and he not so calmly mentally squashed the uneasy feeling, while keeping his face as impassive as possible. Why didn't it surprise him that there were rumors flying around the fort? Rumors were always flying around the fort most of which he disregarded of course...when rumors involved him he tended to get a little annoyed...that wasn't to say some of the...things that were said didn't amuse him. Rumors simply got old, quickly. "Perhaps." Caution, was a thing he'd never wasted and never intended to, especially when it came to dealing with his superiors.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 10:29 am
Riya studied Alister casually as he answered cryptically, not sure whether he was simply keeping his privacy or exercising caution for whatever reason. Either way, she wasn't going to give up that easily - curiousity was one of her flaws. A suggestive look crossed her face as she continued to lightly tease the man. "Ah, so something did happen."
A small smile crossed her features, before dropping as Riya glanced around the training field. The pace seemed to be slow and lazy today, and it would probably be a good idea to pick up the pace soon. But that wasn't her territory as Karayan was in charge of training.
"Done any training on wolfback?" she asked, glancing at Alister. If he was up for it, Riya definitely could use some practice. Where was that wolf of hers anyway?
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SilverStarrSapphire Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 1:25 pm
There was a delicate quirk of one eyebrow before giving into the slightly wicked smile that crossed his face. "Now why would you assume such a thing?" There was a lightly amused tone to his voice as he mused over the bits and pieces of the rumors that he'd managed to overhear. The same thing had never been said twice, especially not after he'd been found to be 'casually drifting past'.
Tilting his head lightly to one side, he considered the question before finally answering. "Not recently, unfortunately." Admittedly he hadn't done much training besides firearms, and that had been on the ground with Twilight either looking on or off somewhere wandering the fort and the fields.
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Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2009 2:05 pm
Riya hid the smile that creeped on her face as she pretended to glance away, looking at nothing in particular in the distance. Most of the time, when someone failed to deny something but simply avoided a direct answer, it was probably because they didn't want to give themselves away. But in the process, Alister had pretty much confirmed her suspicions. However, it was none of her business, so she dropped the issue.
Tilting her head towards him, she raised an eyebrow at the man's affirmation. The problem with not scheduling any training sessions was that move wolfriders didn't see the necessity to train with their partners and often went about their own business. Or more often, Riya had seen humans train while the wolves lazed about beside them with nothing better to do.
Are you insulting the way I train my pack?
Glancing around, Riya saw the Alpha female approaching them from around the corner. The Lieutenant turned to Alister. "Up for some training on wolfback with me, then?'
While you humans are sleeping on your lazy backs in the night, I've been taking the pack out to the woods, Stardust replied haughtily as she walked leisurely up to the group, ears raised and tail erect as she eyed Twilight.
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SilverStarrSapphire Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:58 pm
Alister knew he'd sealed his fate but really, after the first wave of rumors that had followed him around during his first year he could honestly care less about what the bored people in the fort said about him and his pleasures. Hearing the question he considered it for a moment before coming to a decision. "I'd be honored." Giving a slight bow to first Riya and then the approaching alpha.
Twilight had been listening to the humans and their bantering idly and she'd near dosed off. That is until the final bit of confirmation came from her rider proceeded only by a new voice. Eyes flicking open, she found herself staring at Stardust.
Ears flicking back, Twilight's tail tucked down and between her legs as she sunk low to the ground her underside brushing the ground. Alpha. She said softly directing her eyes downward as she waited in complete submission.
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Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:03 pm
Stardust quietly acknowledged the submission from the Gamma with nothing more than a relaxation of her own posture, ears now flickering towards the humans. The Alpha seemed to consider what they had planned, contemplating whether or not she wanted to participate. The pack had just been out the night before and she did not think she wanted to run around again, much less with a wolf on her pack. But Riya was looking at her expectantly...
Indeed, Riya had nodded and smiled at Alister's acceptance, before turning to look at the wolf that had approached. At first the Lieutenant thought the Alpha had come to join them based on what the training she had in my mind, but a deeper look told her differently. Riya narrowed her eyes at the wolf - Stardust refused to allow her to ride?
Stardust sat down haughtily, looking down at her human in what could only be described as challenge. Climb on me if you dare.
Riya stomped one foot irritably, knowing that she could not budge the Alpha in such a stubborn state. Stardust had been becoming rather difficult the last few days and she blamed it on the hormones. The Lieutenant glanced over at Alister. "I have a better idea. How about you and Twilight ride, and use Stardust as a target?"
The Alpha growled. You wouldn't dare, she growled at her human and Twilight, eyeing the other wolf with a glare.
Riya smirked.
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SilverStarrSapphire Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 8:54 am
Watching the exchange with an increasing amount of amusement Alister barely stifled a chuckle when Riya resorted to stomping. Stardust was being difficult, which when it came to the wolves..it was understandable. The suggestion however killed whatever slivers of amusement he'd been feeling.
"A...target?" One glance at the alpha female and Alister was seriously questioning his acceptance of the training. "I don't think that would be...wise." He was choosing his words carefully. Wolves were, as far as he was concerned, more dangerous than humans. At least as far as most wolves went.
Relaxing slightly Twilight's moment of relief was short lived as she found Stardust glaring at her. "Believe me Alpha...I have no intention of aiding them with such actions." As if to emphasis her point she moved away from Alister. Better to save her hide than to allow the humans their amusement. From the guarded way Alister was regarding Riya...he seemed to be of a similar mindset.
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:44 am
If Riya had a gun, she would've shot Stardust already... and then shot Alister for disagreeing with her. Not the she blamed him, as nobody in their right mind would openly attack a wolf if they valued their lives. But still, he could've humored her at least! Riya huffed and crossed her legs, glaring between her wolf and the man.
Stardust eyed Twilight with a dark look before deciding the Gamma was smart enough to keep to her word. Humans are so stupid, the Alpha commented with a meaningful look at her human.
Riya stuck her tongue out at her wolf.
"Then I suppose I have no choice but to ride with you," she decided with a firm nod of the head, looking over at Alister. Riya wasn't really serious, since she would never get on another wolf unless her guts were spilling out and Stardust was otherwise indisposed. But she gave the man a serious look anyways, curiously wondering if he would accept.
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SilverStarrSapphire Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:34 pm
Something was telling Alister that he would have been better off staying silent, especially after the glare from Riya. Though when he considered it, he would risk Riya's wrath, the worst the woman could do was shoot him. Stardust had fangs, and claws...and when standing on the business end of such appendages...they hurt. Heavens knew he had enough scars from Twilight's wrath, he didn't need to add the wrath of the alpha as well.
Giving a soft laugh, Twilight nodded slightly. Yes they are. she said softly tail swaying as she let her gaze move from Stardust to the humans for a moment. Oh they could be extremely stupid especially when it dealt with wolves.
Starring at the woman in near disbelief, he tensed and heard a mental growl from Twilight. "If you wish...though I doubt Twilight is going to allow us near her in that regard." he said with a slight shrug hearing the wolf growl into the back of his mind again for emphasis.
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