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 Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 8:50 am
Life, it had been so harsh that at times Pumpkin had not wanted to live it. Still resilience beat in her chest more then the sound of any heartbeat. She had picked herself up and moved on through many lonely days and nights. Now she lived beside the river, part of it was dammed up by beavers long ago and the water trickled through slowly like grains of sand through an hourglass.
She shook herself off and sighed, Pumpkin was meant for a life alone, she had once thrived in a pack. Now with every day spent alone she missed that life enough to make her brave enough to accept company either male or female. Though she was quite cautious of males she welcomed females and protected them as if they were her own kin.
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 7:15 pm
Marley knew of nomads in this territory, he'd had many pass through in his pack lands as well, when he had a pack to rule. They moved aimlessly, like passing winds, coming and going with the seasons change; they were homeless and unwanted but carefree and flamboyant. To him, these creatures, who were either too proud to fall under the guidance of a leader or too cowardly to ask permission were a lot like the dirt he trekked on now. They were all of the same mold, and he'd walk over them without even knowing it. They smelled funny, different funny not just rancid or putrid; they were outsiders and loners. They were weak and unruly and unpredictable, Marley at one time hated the traveling few who came to his pack in search of a safe haven or food, but now as he had progressively became one, under no control of his own he was beginning to understand.
The lives he lost would never avenge the lives he took, and the backlash of karma would sting for quite some time but nothing could hurt more than having nothing to do. No one to control, no wars to arouse; no pack to lead. The three brothers he'd grown to fancy, those who ruled along side him as his very close right hands had long since disappeared, and faintly dissipated in his memories. The mate he had and the stories they shared seemed to also vanish; his head had become cold and bare, his heart beating simply because it had to and his body functioned only to keep him moving forward.
As a nomad himself now, Marley walked on along the sandy beach-miniature, the smell of another peaking his curiosity. The sight of an orange pelt pleased him; his approach was silent and calculating.
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 10:31 am
Pumpkin lifted her head and sniffed curiously, at first her nose only picked up the silt of the earth. Slowly her ears pricked as well and she stood curious, company? Her hackled raised a bit, a male...still even the company of the gender that had wronged her and her pack was welcome to one who had spent so long alone.
The green vine markings on her fur rustled with a slight breeze and she stood to shake off her sharp yellow eyes turning towards the direction of this newcomer. She had been told that the patches of black on her face often made her expressions seem frightening or strange, and so she looked on without emotion.
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 2:46 pm
“Hello there!”
The length that separated them was shortened as the male came up, and then stopped short of five feet from the orange she-wolf. Marley caught her lifeless gaze with two, emerald eyes squinted in what looked to be some smirk; his tail was held high and stiff, however, the hackles lining the back of his neck ridged. He had become acquainted with the system of making quick friends, in order to coax them into his pack, now it was second nature to have his guarded wall up, as well as front a kind of kindness he normally did not have.
He didn’t even want to be kind, really, he had no need to be but he fell into the routine without realizing, and figured it too late to catch himself now. His features stayed placid, as he looked to the orange pelt, sizing the female up from claw to ear tip. He’d seen things like this before; the way her fur was arranged, she almost looked some vegetable or fruit, if only because a vine-like cord of fur ran down her nape. And unlike what she figured, Marley was not fazed by the coloration on her eyes, but was instead intrigued and almost attracted to the dark, triangular shadows. Attracted, used loosely.
The jewelry he had clacked as he had walked, and was now just beginning to sway and stiffen back into place. He held a refined posture; decades of practice gave him the opportunity to as well as the right. To Marley, he stood as if he were important, and hoped others saw it that way as well. Tilting his head slightly, his patience grew thin and his purposeful silence was soon to be ended. He spoke again, strongly.
“My name is Marley, and it is none of my business to ask, nor would I care if you did not answer me but; is there a reason to be glum on a day like this?”
The braids on his chin, as well as the elongated hair on the top of his head dangled sideways in his tilted glance.
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 4:18 pm
Pumpkin was startled by his friendly tone, her eyes slowly narrowed as she watched the male. She could just barely sense that this kindness was not genuine, perhaps somewhat, but the male was in no mood to coddle her.
"Marley, I'm Pumpkin Pie, but you can just call me Pumpkin...it's been a long time since I've had any company at all...that alone is reason enough for one to ignore the beauty of the day." Her voice was harsh, though there was a lonely undertone that spoke of a time when the females voice was probably soft and kind.
"The life of a lone does not suit me, nor should it suit any wolf...but my pack has long since been destroyed, and no worthy alpha has ever crossed my path." She snorted softly. "And what gives you cause to be cheerful on this day...or is it that males simply take the world in stride?" Her voice was tinged with anger at the word male, clearly she had some issue with his gender.
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 5:25 pm
Ick. Marley thought, raising a brow as Pumpkin spoke.
She was far too confident in him, a stranger, to offer so much of her history. No matter how brief, it was enough for any wolf to understand and take advantage of, and the latter was what Marley always insisted upon doing. She would continue, and speak of leadership and packs, but worked his gears and made him cringe the most was her comment on being a 'Lone.'
Marley was a 'Lone', in a technical sense but he did not care about being alone. Pumpkin, on the other hand, looked to be miserable in her state of solitude; the subtle mention of it in her tone giving him all kinds of reassurance. He waved his tail to and fro for a moment, after she had finished speaking, and had asked her question of him, before letting some more of her words sink in.
It hadn't occurred to him, till now, that being 'a lone' in these woods would hurt some but more so benefit others. It was what leaders looked for as they recruited; the wandering strays, who belonged to no one but desired more than anything to belong. But along side this, and something a bit more important to the male, was that he had been an alpha at one time and he had been in the situation where recruiting was his main priority...this forest, it would seem, had so many of these single wolves who wanted, if not needed a place of refuge; to be able to persuade and coax them into his cult would give him a sense of empowerment once more...the excitement in his eyes seemed to kindle again.
His toes flexed as he stretched slightly, drawing his chin to his chest and shutting his eyes tightly. He had no sure fire plan yet, but to start it off he'd respond to this females questions, and her gestures. Righting himself, Marley coiled his tail high against his back, a compassionate, strong gaze held fast to Pumpkins inquisitive one.
"Indeed, Pumpkin, Males are known to live a carefree life..." He humored her dissatisfaction with the gender, continuing, "But there are many of us who are tortured, and endure just as much as you females. It is not to say we have it harder, or easier, but equal. I am a lone wolf now as well, and I've lost many things that I cared dear for. I do not need company, I don't strive for it nor do I welcome it when the opportunity comes." He chuckled, dishearteningly. "But you are correct; a life alone should not be spent by no creature.
There is a time and place for everything, fate draws the opportunities be them good or bad. We have both run into bad luck, it would seem; Tell me, why do you think no company has come your way till now?”
Trust in me, Marley thought, beckoning, Trust in me sweet Pumpkin Pie. Be the tool to ignite my fire once again.
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 8:54 pm
Pumpkin considered his words curiously he hardly seemed discouraged by them, nor offended which was probably a good thing. She sighed and shook her head her tone softening slightly.
"Forgive my snappishness...I know that not...ALL males are...wicked. I suppose I've had no company because this part of the river is quite useless, dammed up as it is. Most wolves seem to be content in a pack, I have yet to find one..." She frowned.
"Perhaps I'm simply not...friendly enough." She looked at him curious on his opinion. "and You Marley? Are you a tortured male or a carefree one?"
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Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 10:13 pm
Marley figured he would be tactful in his attack to claim Pumpkin as his first member.
Or we’ll say acquaintance, since he still had much to dwell over whether or not he’d consider starting something…as big as his thoughts churned.
He figured she would be easy to influence, seeing how eager she was to share her troubles with him. All he'd have to do would be to let her break down those barriers all creatures had and let him in, trusting Marley with whatever broken pieces of her life were left.
Pitiful as she was, or appeared to be, Marley knew there was a strong wolf beneath all the whining. He could see it in her stare, the emotionless gaze she had as they stumbled upon one another was all too real; whatever drama had come into her life, Marley intended to use it to reel her in. And there was no doubt in his mind that he couldn't do it.
Her tolerance of him seemed to ease, and Marley looked on proud from his standing. His pleasure stemmed from her compliance, but to keep up the charade he would have to sustain his friendly demeanor; a task in itself.
He would start with her final words, “Is there a way to just live?” he replied, thoughtfully, “To neither be in pain or untroubled, but to just be? No need to answer that, actually, since I know it is possible. I am there, now, living in this middle lane; A bit of a purgatory but it gets me through the nights and allows me to propel forward, in a sense.” His ears shot back, their rounded tips folding over slightly. To this he ended this rant, and started up to the top of her speaking, the apology first in line.
“All is forgiven, by the by. It is easy to let events in your past reflect how future ones will turn out. If no one could better understand it, you could count on me to be able to.” Carefully, Marley tested his grounds, gesturing with his head toward her, his thick coat shaking as he did so. “You seem friendly enough to me; can’t say those patches around your eyes couldn’t scare away a few friendlier faces.” He paused again to gesture, all of which done and asked if he could come a bit closer. Oh the distance, he figured he’d tell her if she asked why, I’m so hard of hearing at times, it would benefit both of us if I sat just a few inches closer.
Not so slick on that one, but either way…hopefully she just wouldn’t ask and let him proceed with his motions.
”Don’t fret though, I’m perfectly sane of mind and find those markings nothing but fur. Their actually quite interesting to look at, in the case of beauty.” This was so difficult for him; the words spoken were nearly strangled by his relentless pride. He wagged his tail to dismiss the reluctance, speaking again with the same tone, “Your Company would like to take a seat, if you don’t mind.”
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 10:52 am
Pumpkin slowly sat down herself and nodded at him, he was closer now and she struggled not to bare her fangs at his proximity. Males...how they set her on edge, the memory of masculine scents all around her beloved pack, a destruction made for lust. She pushed away the painful memories and forced herself to relax, she needed to be calm now.
Still her ears folded back slightly and she looked at him curiously a long moment. There it was again, that tingling sensation down her spine that told her this male was using a facade. He was trying so hard to be friendly and to what purpose she wondered.
"Beauty?" She grimaced and snorted. "Beauty is a curse for most females, they are seen only from the exterior and never for what lies beneath their fur. And you, and handsome male one might say, how could you ever know if a female truly appreciated your character? Or if she only appreciated your hide?"
Her tone was harsh again, confused by the male before her, was he speaking to her because he too was lonely or did he have some ulterior motive. There was something in his posture that reminded her of leadership, perhaps he had once been a leader. How much harder must it be to be alone after having had so many to follow you, then to be alone after always having someone to follow?
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 5:10 pm
“Thank you,” he retorted, settling a bit closer to her.
From here, like from a few steps away, Marley could see the orange in her fur rustle, the deep green vines on her neck quiver along with the rest of her and those black-framed eyes watch in suspicion.
Marley could read her uncertainty. It even surfaced with her words; incising statements that were said with perhaps more vigor than was needed for the current conversation but, he figured he understood some underlying pain she was enduring with his presence, and settled for simply making her as uncomfortable as possible rather than addressing her concerns outfront.
Marley really meant no harm, physically anyways…
Drawing in a breath, he let the female finish before responding to her statements, a crease forming in between his brows. “You have it so twisted, Pumpkin.
His tone had changed from the original, companionate, one he had before. Now he spoke with a new purpose, a perverse context that might or might not be caught by the female…it wouldn’t matter. She would understand where his hatred, his cruelty, and his manic stemmed; he saw it in her eyes that she would.
“Beauty a curse? Foolish words! Being born beautiful, strong, and intelligent are tools for success; for leadership, for survival. Do the male birds not flash their colorful feathers to the females, in hopes of catching their eye? And do those females not look for the most exotic and exquisite of plumage? Trusting in others personality, in what they say they are like will only get you as far as they want you to be.” He paused, that same disheartened crease still settled between those brows.
"Even the weakest of wolves who have beauty on their side are stronger than any hideous leader. Do not get me wrong, strength is essential; but could you not deter a deformed male alpha from killing you by swaying his thoughts with your body language, and even a few, wise remarks?” His tail swayed, and he tilted his head slightly, showing her the profile of his streamlined face, chuckling softly.
With a sigh, he remarked "I was an alpha once, and the members of my pack stayed for my wits, but joined for my charm. I’ve held alliances with the cruelest of leaders and deadliest of individuals…but only because I could outsmart them long enough to keep the charade going."
His eyes had been locked on hers since the moment he said hello, and even now stayed on that golden gaze like flies to trash. As his voice died out, and his speech closing, there was a raging impluse burning within him. He could no longer resist pushing himself onto her, enticing her with whatever craftiness he could muster; he had made up his mind to befriend her now, and resume the process of pursuading her at a later date. If there was ever a time to strike now would be it, though her stance was a far cry from friendly. “You may say what you like about beauty, but know that you indeed share in whatever meaning it holds. You have endured pains I can not imagine; I rock the same boat. Tell me, do you hear it? The sound of Misery, wanting its company?”
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 6:51 pm
"Then let me be your company, I have followed good alphas, with good intentions, but never have I followed one who knows what suffering is, what it is to be alone. If you earn my trust I shall never betray you, it is in my blood, just as the mantle of leadership no doubt flows in your veins."
She looked at the male with her eyes narrowed, she had so many reasons for her offer. She was curious about this male, she wanted to know if his gender could ever really be trusted for anything. She longed to once again follow another, to have a family a pack at her side and a leader to turn to.
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 8:55 pm
Marley’s jaw slacked slightly in disbelief as she complied with great haste to his indirect suggestions. She was so quick to jump on the bandwagon, had he not found the perfect start to his master plan? Such an easy picking, Pumpkin was; like watching a wounded animal flail about and beg to be captured, she had already seemed to engulf herself in his text and indulgently, Marley responded with a hefty laugh.
“We shall be great friends.” His laughter continued, the tone brought down a notch. “You shall trust in me, as you trust in yourself. I will provide for you, Pumpkin. My plans are not yet set in stone, whether I decide to lead again or simply go about my business of getting old. I will not share these moments alone, however, Pumpkin. I thank you.” His nose dipped in a bow.
Cranium raised again, Marley grinned charmingly, the long black mane tossed to the side neatly.
”I do not have a home here, in these forests yet. Would it be alright if I stayed with you? If not for a short time.”
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:04 am
"Friends..." Pumpkin repeated softly the word heavy on her tongue. Did she even want his friendship? Perhaps if he would pull the mask away, she could tell his words were a charming facade.
"I think that it would be easier to trust you, and my choice to follow you, if you would dispense with your act of niceties. I am not a female to woo to your side when I am already willingly on it. Come I will show you to the den..."
She moved to the side not yet willing to expose her back to this male. The den was an abandoned bear cave, the scent was all around but faded greatly over time.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:05 pm
There was a tone she held, an essence she had that made Marley sigh. It was cute that she let her fear of trusting to easy be known, little weaknesses he would keep in the back of his head for later. She didn't have to come right out and say it for him to be aware, but it helped.
With a tilt of his head just a bit further, the male smiled with some sincerity and watched the female step aside, letting him walk up to her side and proceed to the dens placing.
“Whatever it takes.” His words were crisp, and with a wink he felt accomplished.
Marley would be like a pandemic, a scourge that would spread through the masses, or at least that was what he banked on.
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Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 5:27 pm
Pumpkin had to snort softly at his statement, she had a feeling he never gave up, one of those stubborn males that caused trouble. Still she let him enter the den, still was strangely willing to stay by his side. Perhaps she had been alone too long, known the ache of fighting to find your place and never having one.
She slowly moved to lay down her back against one of the den walls, she watched him a long moment before speaking. "We'll hunt come morning..." She slowly rested her head on her paws and slowly closed her eyes completing the grim mask that was features on her face. Her breathing didn't even though, as she reamained awake still untrusting...but trust like so many things came with time.
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