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                     Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:18 am 
 
 
                        
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			            He was heartbroken. Completely and utterly heartbroken and with each step that he took Gizmo could feel himself dying ever so slowly. His friends had long gone, perhaps they were dead, perhaps they had simply forgotten him, but either way they were not coming back. He had never forgotten them for he had loved them, every single one. Lera who had been a mother to him. Haku who had been both brother and father. Then there was Kam-Kam and Noke, the pair who he had seen only briefly before they had been chased from the lands. Perhaps he was getting what he deserved. Maybe he hadn't been a good enough friend to them.
 But the worst was yet to come.
 
 For only a few days ago a tremendous storm had hit. He had been out hunting with Remiel when it had happened, teaching the pup to catch rabbits and though he had been unsuccessful in this venture he was sure that he would pick it up in no time. After all, Gizmo was a master at catching the 'long-ears' and he took great pride in that skill. The storm had come out of nowhere, the wolves failing to notice the gathering of clouds above them as they worked and it was only when the wind picked up that they realised what lay above them.
 
 The wind howled with the strength of a thousand wolves and the rain had lanced down at them, each drop a spear to their bodies and when finally the storm drew back Gizmo and Remiel were soaked through and through, trembling and afraid as they lay in the undergrowth, expecting to meet their doom. They had wasted no time in returning to the den but when they got their they were not met by wagging tails and bright eyes. No. In fact the den was empty and bare. There was no comforting wolves living there and suddenly the world darkened as if a black veil had been draped over his eyes.
 
 Aeria was gone. The love of Gizmo's life and dearest, dearest friend. But worse still was the fact that his three other pups had gone missing too. Marble-furred Snitch who was always so happy and content. Rand who bore the pelt of his father...and Kaya, poor blind Kaya who would never see the light of day.
 
 He had pined for days, becoming weaker and weaker until he could barely stand and if he had been alone death's jaws surely would have snapped around him and dragged him to the underworld.
 
 It was Remiel alone who had saved him from his fate, for in his eyes he saw a grief that mirrored his own and finally Gizmo realised that if he were to give up then Remiel would have no one. His heart had clenched with guilt and with that realisation Gizmo vowed to protect his son until he died.
 
 They had left the Riverside Packlands soon after, for the place no longer held any love or comfort. It was a dead land full of memories that caused pain. For though he had spent some of the happiest days in his life there he knew it was home no longer. It was time to discover a new place, a place where they could be safe, a place where they could start anew.
 
 Father. Rem spoke up from where he loped beside the adult wolf. He had grown a lot since he had first been born and Gizmo could already tell that adolescence would soon be upon him. Thick fur had started to grow on him making him seem rounder and more puffier than he had been in his gangly pup form. His large ears swivelled and his golden eyes shone with apprehension.
 
 It was clear the young male was still grieving for the loss of his mother and siblings but in his heart he had hope that they had not become victims to the storm, that maybe they were safe somewhere and just waiting to be found.
 
 Are we almost there? My legs hurt.
 
 Gizmo chuckles, though the sound wasn't as happy as it had once been. Gizmo think yes. He replied, lowering his nose to nudge his son affectionately across the shoulder. He knew what they were searching for though he was not quite sure why. Instinct had led him this way, a little voice in the back of his mind saying that the path led to a future and to hope.
 
 We go see ocean, yes. Watch sunset. He wanted to look upon the band of water he had heard stories about, and he knew that just beyond the forest lay what he had been searching for. The problem was that as they moved through the forest Gizmo became more and more aware of the presence of other wolves in the area. Scents had been left to mar the trees and ground as clear signals that others roamed the area, others who might be territorial.
 
 Gizmo was a nervous, submissive sort when it came to danger, he would never rise up to fight or bare his fangs. He was not weak however, in fact Gizmo's short and stock body mean he would probably be quite tough. But the fact was that Gizmo was a runt and he had always thought himself beneath his fellow peers whether he meant to or not. Move quietly. he whispers to his son, other wolves here.
 
 
 His son nodded, clamping his mouth shut despite his urge to talk. He adored his father and would never disobey him, but sometimes his hyperactive tendencies got in the way and he was naughty even though he hadn't meant to be. His tail wagged but as the sky grew darker he began to grow fearful. He did not know this place and even the trees here seemed scary. The grass beneath his paws seemed to make too much noise and instinctively he moved closer to his father's side, whimpering softly.
 
 A lick to his nose quietened the sound but he did not calm down completely, not until the trees began to thin out and give way to a short stretch of land that finally led them to the ocean. The sound of waves was delightful to his ears and unable to keep down his excitement he gave a small yip  and charged off. His paws thundered against the ground as he went, moving with an almost clumsy gait despite his growth.
 
 The salty water greeted his paws as he splashed across the sand and down to the water's edge. There he skittered about in the frothing waves, his playfulness a joy for Gizmo to see. Water was healing and as the adult loped over to join his son the feel of it lapping at his legs was gentle and soothing.
 
 If only Aeria had been here to enjoy this.
 
 His heart jittered but he shook it away and made to pounce onto his son. It was here that the two wolves played, nipping and rolling until they were soaked, covered in sand and completely tired. It was here that the sun set and here that they were greeted with the most bronzed and beautiful sky they had ever seen.
 
 And it was here where their new life would begin.
 
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                     Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:19 am 
 
 
                        
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			                A bit further down the long stretch of beach, a large black wolf  rested somewhat precariously on a mount of sand and rock. His head, although rather broad, sloped downward in an interesting manner which seemed to reflect a kind of snobbish imperialism- although at the moment, it was half tilted downwards, and the heaviness of the brow was beginning to show his age more then anything. His attentions were directed to a small and gangly grey female, who along the edge of the rocky dune and shore was hitting the task of hunting sand crabs.
 He didn’t really know what was odder. The fact that the blind wolf was actually catching the sand crabs, or the fact that he had been watching her attempt this for the past hour. It was a silly display of her prodding around with her paws, lowering her head to the sand, and then jerking it back with a light shriek when her nose actually hit a crab. From there, she danced around it, before making numerous half attempts at biting the creature- whom on more then one occasion had probably already figured out the game and burrowed into the earth. For the few that did remain, she grabbed and made a dramatic series of flailing, before daintily picking out what little meat she could get. Of course- the crabs were winning about as often as she was, and there was a slight pinkish tint to her muzzle.
 
 Phib concluded for the umpteenth time, that he probably would never quite understand her. But it was good to relax. After the whole incident, his back leg had been throbbing him terribly. If he walked he had a feeling it would take some stoicism not to limp; so at best, he kept off of it.
 
 But like many things in the old king’s life- Fate oftenly had a different idea for him then what he’d like. In the distance he heard a kind of happy yelping- and haphazardly he glanced down to Amélie.
 
 “Did you say something?” He questioned, shifting his tail.
 
 The seer looked upwards, lifting her paw. There was a crab in her mouth, and her wide eyes blinked questioningly. That was, until the crab fought back, and she gave a sharp yelp and went back to trying to capture it again. Phib decided he’d take it as a no.
 
 Again the noise.
 
 He was a cautious creature, and slowly he rose to his feet, ignoring the light throb of pain. The fading sun was bright that afternoon, and he had to squint to be able to see past the orange hue. In the distance- there were two creatures running about in some kind of play, but from where he was they looked almost like ants. Their shadows were big- and from them he noted one of them must have been an adult.
 
 Phib gave a concerned glance to his leg, and hopped down from the dune- deciding that he’d go see what was about.
 
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                     Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 12:18 pm 
 
 
                        
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			            Too engrossed in keeping his ears from being nipped by the playful antics of his hyperacive son Gizmo did not notice the approaching wolf until it was too late.
 With the alpha's approach came his scent, catching on a playful sea breeze that wafted past both father and son. The splotched white and brown wolf gave his son a nudge with the flat of his skull and raised his head to gaze in the direction of the stranger. He was instantly on edge, aware now that they were probably going to get into trouble. He knew of territorial males who would fight before speaking and he was always afraid of meeting one of these.
 
 He was not built for fighting, short, stocky with well-toned muscle on his legs. He was small for a male and was often no larger than an average female. By looking at the two one could tell that when Remiel was older he would be the guardian, the protector, the one who would keep his father from danger.
 
 The two had become inseperable since their loss and they were fiercely protective of one another.
 
 Rem! Gizmo's voice was unusually tense as he tried to grab the pup's attention.
 
 The little wolf had noticed the approaching black wolf and despite the fact his father was tense he had decided not to let it bother him. As far as he could see the wolf came alone and as long as they outnumbered him they would be okay. Or so he believed.
 
 S'okay pop, he probably don't want no troubles. He gave another small yip, wagged his tail and dashed forward in an attempt to tackle his father to the ground.
 
 It was only when he heard his father's warning growl that he finally ceased his playful antics and lay on his belly in the sand. His deep eyes - so like his mother's - watched as the black wolf approached, lapping in his form. His nose twitched wildly as he caught the scent of the stranger and his two, large ears swung around to focus upon the male.
 
 This male was a LOT bigger than his father!
 
 Satisfied that his son was calm the adult male moved to put himself between the stranger and his pup. Yet despite this protective move his head was low, ears flattened and his tail moved to curl between his hind legs. It was clear from his posture that he meant no harm.
 
 Hello. His voice was soft but luckily for wolves, their hearing was far more exceptional than that of us humans.
 
 Then with the greeting said the petite male gave a low whine and took a small step back.
 
 He did not want a fight - that much was clear.
 
 As his father stepped back Remiel found the tip of his tail brushing past his nose and with a small squeak he leapt back and gave a tremendous sneeze. He had a sensitive nose! Then with the curiosity that was not unusual for an inexperienced pup the youngster crept forward so that he peered up at the dark wolf from between his father's forepaws, his body shadowed by Gizmo's.
 
 He's a big wolf!
 
 His maw parted, tongue lolling as he gazed up with the most curious of expressons. The shadows of the fading light dulled his brown-orange and cream fur so that it became a haze of autumn.
 
 Then ignoring his father's warning look he continued;
 
 Who're you?
 
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                     Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 4:07 pm 
 
 
                        
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			                Although the black wolf had a reputation for being cautious, he did know when to lax the reigns. A stray straggler was much more concerning then a vagabond male and child- particularly when they seemed so engrossed in the play that he was unseen until the very last moment. As he approached, he felt a kind of odd feeling in his chest. No one could ever say he had been a good father. He admitted that he shunned Gareth- even his other sons. Sayid- he didn’t even know what had happened to him once his mother had decided to leave with the boy. But he had raised Thallen. 
 It was so hard to remember him as an adult. Was it terrible to think that his dead son was already fading from his memory? Or had resigned itself to just another face he had known in his vast life? But he remembered the boy- tussled black fur and his own green eyes. They had always resembled one another, although before he had gone Thallen sported more scars then even Phib had. He had been a wonderful fighter and a gentle creature- if not somewhat clumsy.
 
 They had never played together; he had always thought it was blatantly unmasculine. Now sometimes he wondered.
 
 The pup approached him first, and given the shrinking nature of the other male, he amiably adressed the child with a light nod of his head. “That would be the question.” The black creature spoke. “I am Phib.” Years of being well known in the old country made him less apt to introduce himself as alpha. It was his hope not to be taken for the egotist he oftenly was- and perhaps let his own being do the talking for him.
 
 Of course- just as he was pleased with his posture and stance; he was roughly jolted from behind. With an agitated glance he turned towards the small grey female, who had rammed him from behind and now shyly peeked out with his tail plastered across her face. With a groan he turned back, and the seer stepped to the side, grinning pleasantly.
 
 “Hee- sorry Phib.” He shook his head in response, and she took that as a dismissal- although, whether she saw it or not was up to question. “Gizmo!” The female chirped, and began to wriggle.
 
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                     Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 8:42 am 
 
 
                        
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			            Remiel took a small step forwards, raising his head and tipping his ears up to regard the elder male through awe-lit eyes. The distinguishment between him and Gizmo was obvious through apeparance and scent. 
 He wiggled and gave a small chuffing sound, taking yet another step so that he stood in front of his father.
 
 Phib? The pup finally repeated with a questioning look, that's a strange name. I'm Remiel and this is my fa--"
 
 It was then that the grey female made her surprising appearance and Rem's jaws snapped shut as he gazed questioningly between the newcomer and his father. They knew one another?
 
 Until the moment the little female had approached Gizmo had remained quiet, for now content to let his son do the introductions. Out of them both, Remiel handled his words far better than he did despite the fact he was far younger.
 
 His eyes fixed upon the female who moved into view and suddenly his eyes lit with recognition.
 
 He knew that face!
 
 Amélie! His tail began it's furious wagging and beaming with renewed joy the small male finally seemed to come out of his shell. There was nothing more comforting than a familiar face.
 
 Amélie live here? Live here with...Mister Phib? His eyes flickered nervously back to the large male.
 
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                     Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:30 pm 
 
 
                        
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			                Amélie scampered forward, hoping the slight pink crab wounds on her muzzle would not deflect the male from her. She grinned and neatly placed a few excited kisses on his jaw, her tail tucking under her body in silly puppy submission. She probably made more then a few seers mentally disgruntled.
 “Yes!” She smiled, her bright hazy eyes brightening. “I am being of living here, yes? With Mister Phib- this is a long way for you to be out?” She questioned, although there was a sadness forming in her chest as she already formulated the answer through her gentle, and almost undetectable connection to the wolves around her.
 
 Her eyes turned towards the child. They were something that always caused a sad mixture of happiness in her- but this time, she forwent the sadness, and focused only on the excitement. “Your son, yes? I am Amélie.” She explained, wriggling. He was a big child! Surely only just growing into adolescence.
 
 Phib watched the meeting with a slight reservation. It was not the first time Amélie’s friends had come to their lands- although he had to admit, there was some level of faint jealousy around some of her male friends. It wasn’t that he suspected her of anything. He simply had a habit of not trusting other people. But from the looks of it, the nervous male didn’t seem to be anything more then shy father- and from what Phib knew of Amélie’s friends, they usually only came lurking when they had hit dire straights. The grey female seemed to leave a kind of impression- and he certainly could contest to that.
 
 “Gizmo,” he remarked, taking in the name. “I am Phib.” It was obvious the male already knew his name- but, he felt it might have been rude to take his introduced to the child to be more worthy then the introduction to the adult. He was not the wolf to look down on those who cowered or worried- no matter what Gareth seemed to think.
 
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                     Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 3:46 am 
 
 
                        
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			            Gizmo's eyes brightened and for the moment he gave up his submissive posture. If this dark wof knew someone like this little female he couldn't be a bad wolf, right? The grey wolf had reminded him a lot of his adoptive mother the day he had met her and he had never forgotten their meeting.
 This be pretty place. Gizmo continued, his tail never ceasing to wag as she moved forward to place wolf-kisses on his jaw. He gave a small yip in return and only calmed when she touched on a more important matter.
 
 Why he was here so far from home.
 
 His eyes then shifted from her smiling face to gaze upon his son, a look of affection and love clearly reflected in his golden eyes. He was growing up so well even if he was a bit hyperactive. He couldn't say anything more however, not when his grief had slithered back into place.
 
 Seeing his father struggling with words Remiel decided it was time for him to act once more. And with a sharp nod he turned his eyes first to the male and then to Amélie.
 
 "Yup, he's my father, good to meet'cha!" He liked the look of this new female for she acted much different than his mother had. In fact she reminded Rem of an overgrown puppy, a playmate, someone who could be like a sister to him. His heart clenched as he thought of poor blind Kaya, the sister he had loved so dearly and had lost in such a devastating fashion. Maybe someone had picked her up and was taking care of her?
 
 For a moment he was quiet and then he snapped back to attention, tail wagging slowly to cover up his solemn thoughts.
 
 We don't have a home no mores. It was almost completely torn up in a storm that hit a few moons back so we decided to come find a new home--and the ocean! His ears drooped as he tried to tackle the next part, but even well-worded Remiel could not find a way to tell of the loss of his family.
 
 This was where Gizmo picked up the reigns and began to explain of what they had been through.
 
 Home gone. Others gone too. He lowered his head and turned his eyes up to gaze at them sorrowfully, storm kill trees, anger river. Storm take away Gizmo's mate. Take away daughter, steal sons. Rem and Gizmo all that left.
 
 He did not know what had happened to the handful of other members in the pack but he assumed that when they found the leading family missing that they would disperse and continue on with their new lives.
 
 He had no care for his old pack anymore and he didn't want to look back into the past. He wanted to forget, wanted to find new friends, new family and a new home to share with them all.
 
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                     Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:14 am 
 
 
                        
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			                Although the reflected memories from the two had already began piecing together in her mind, Amélie made a sharp peep up surprise when both Gizmo and his son relayed what had happen to their family. A sadness hollowed in her chest, and she lowered her eyes softly. Tragedy– it just went around and around... she was glad to see the boy though. Would it be possible for a father to survive a loss like that alone?
 Amélie was wordless for a moment, but Phib nodded his head reflectively. “It’s one thing to loose family to others who you can blame and another to blame a faceless earth.”  Storms crossed their land frequently thanks to the oceanic location; but luckily, he had worked out various areas around the packlands for others to take shelter in. Speaking of which- the pack was growing, and he’d need to get someone to make more near the new borders.
 
 “You are welcome here if you need a place to stay.” The old king spoke again, before pulling somewhat inward to ponder his own sons. He’d lost so many- did they deserve more mourning then he had given them? [Which had been none?]
 
 Amélie pulled herself alongside Gizmo- fumbling for a moment because at close range her mind had problems guiding her eyes. “I am very glad you are okay...” She spoke, and flattened her ears.
 
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                     Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:39 am 
 
 
                        
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			            You hear that pop? We can stay here! Rem seemed particularly happy about this, mostly because he had been desperate to meet others outside of their little pack. Finally he was going to be given a chance to do so in this beautiful and strange land.
 Are you the alpha wolf Phib? Rem questioned, he had never had to be submissive to anyone before, not with his father running their old pack. The concept would be unusual for him at first but he was a quick learner and it was about time he understood the rankings of a true pack.
 
 Up until now he had led a sheltered life, but now he would truly be able to prove himself.
 
 Gizmo smiled mildly at his son, eyes glazed over with a soft sheen of tears.
 
 A soft whimper escaped from his parted maw as the wolfess pulled up alongside him and with a small movement he lay his head across her back, feeling the warmth of her body as a great comfort - as a pup would with it's mother.
 
 Oh how he wished Lera was here!
 
 Not storm fault, no. Gizmo's own fault. He not there to protect family, not there to keep safe. For in his heart Gizmo hated himself for paying no attention to the shift in weather or for his family back at the den.
 
 It may as well have been his own claws stained with their blood.
 
 Remiel whined and took a step away from his father to stand beside Phib. He too blamed himself for what happened, for distracting his father at a time when he should have been back at the den with his family.
 
 His ears drooped and his long snout pointed towards the ground in despair.
 
 We stay here pop? He could tell from his father's look that if they were welcomed they would indeed stay.
 
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                     Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 10:00 am 
 
 
                        
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			                Phib turned his head downwards to the speaking pup. He had quite a mouth on him- but in his eyes, that wasn’t really a bad thing. He liked to see children that were not afraid to speak their mind, so long as they didn’t become agitatious. From the determined look on the child’s face, it was hard not to miss his attempt at easing his father by speaking for him. That even he could respect, and he lowered his head down considerately to be somewhat on level with the growing child. 
 “I am.” He spoke. It was somewhat softer then his usual tone- not quite as showman styled as his usual speech. He took his job seriously. He could be an egotist at times, but never did he think so highly of himself to think that his job was something to be gloated about- as some alphas might have done. Running a pack was a lot more work then simply parading around.
 
 Amélie however, was distracted by the amusing speech between the alpha and the pup, and was instead troubled by Gizmo’s guilt over the ordeal. She leaned against him as he pressed his head to her neck, and shook her head softly. “No, no- it’s not Gizmo’s fault. Sometimes things are of happening that we don’t understand and they’re not fair...but they’re not Gizmo’s fault. Sometimes we need time to look back and see it all again.”
 
 The child was distracted, and Phib turned towards the other adult and his mate. His ear docked somewhat, and he fidgeted. Comforting was not one of his better attributes. He was the kind of man that swallowed up any bad feelings at let them bother him late at night when he couldn’t sleep.
 
 “I think too much tragedy makes for a bad beginning.” The male spoke, flicking his ears. Something like this would take a while for Gizmo to confront- and he certainly didn’t want to see Amélie bringing him to a mental breakdown by not dropping the matter. “Why don’t we walk downshore?”
 
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                     Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:00 am 
 
 
                        
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			            Rem turned his eyes back to the large male, wondering if one day he'd be as big and strong as him. He had no intention of ever becoming an alpha, he just wasn't that sort of wolf. He didn't posess leadrship qualities not the steely patience that was needed for good decision making. At one point he had wanted to be a lone wolf, but the recent disaster that had struck his family had brought his future into focus.
 He would remain at his father's side forever.
 
 I've not met an alpha before! Well...my pop was an alpha once but not anymore and he doesn't count cos I'm his son! Does that mean if we stay you get to order us about and stuff? Do we get to do exciting pack things like fighting and guarding and hunting? He bounced a little, obviously too drawn into this conversation to notice that his father was once again suffering.
 
 His attention span was short at best, though with age hopefully this flaw would be ironed out.
 
 Gizmo could hear his son's chattering and felt his heart warm slightly. That pup was always so full of energy and despite the fact he probably shouldn't have been talking to the alpha like that Gizmo knew scolding would do no good.
 
 Rem loved to talk, so much so that he could be impolite without even knowing it.
 
 His ears twitched as Amélie spoke and for the moment he blotted out the chatterings of his son and focused upon her. She had been wise the first time he had met her and she was wise now.
 
 Amélie right, Aeria no want Gizmo be sad. She want Gizmo happy, so happy he will be. He tried his best to put on a cheerful expression - and though it wavered a little it did stay put.
 
 Mister Phib has good idea. He turned his head to glance first at the grey wolfess and then to his son who was still bouncing on his paws.
 
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                     Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:53 pm 
 
 
                        
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			                Gizmo had been an alpha? Phib glanced towards the shaken male, and considered it. It was possible, he supposed. He wasn’t sure if he agreed with friendly wolves taking up leadership- but not because he thought that they couldn’t handle it. It was just that running things took up a lot of that innocence people like Amélie and Gizmo seemed to have. He couldn’t see that being something either of them would have really ever wanted- although he did gain some respect towards the other male, and noted speak to him as he would another king.
 Amélie was pleased to hear Gizmo say that. In fact- the very idea that he might consider not feeling crushed by guilt brought some relief to her. She would have hated to see Gizmo lost in it... changes like what had happened to him could change the kind of person a wolf was. It was impossible for Gizmo to have not been changed...but hopefully, he would keep the gentle kindness about him that she had adored on their first meeting.
 
 She turned in the direction she heard Phib, and nodded her head, blinking her deadened eyes against small points of moisture. “Yes, I think that would be best.” She glanced towards Gizmo. “It will be sunsetting here soon- it really is very pretty. I was fishing for crabs- they come out around now.” She grinned innocently.
 
 Phib glanced towards the pair, and then at the child, chuckling lowly. “Well I’m sorry it isn’t much.” he remarked towards the child, in awe of meeting an alpha. Slowly he began to move, trotting forward in the sand, and then stopping to make sure the trio was behind him.
 
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                     Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 4:04 am 
 
 
                        
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			            In fact Phib was right. Gizmo had never ever wanted to be an alpha and the thought of being top dog had never even entered his mind. He was not strong enough to lead or tough enough to protect those more vulnerable than himself.
 In fact his whole life had been spent serving as an advisor to Haku - a large dominant wolf who definately was alpha material. He had loved that male wolf as a father as a brother and as a friend. It was only when Gizmo flourished into an adult that he was given the opportunity to become beta to Haku and Lera's pack - the wolves who had raised him like their own.
 
 It was only because of their dissapearance that Gizmo had risen to alpha to continue the pack despite it's missing leaders, there that he had raised his family and there that he had struggled desperately to keep the pack together.
 
 He had failed as he had known he would but he was sure wherever his old alphas were they would be happy enough knowing he had tried.
 
 Came to see sunset. Gizmo spoke, his words soft. Sunset's pretty. At her second comment he tilted his head in a questioning fashion, his eyes showing that he didn't quite understand. Fishing...crab? It was then that Phib began and he moved after the alpha at a slower gate so as to keep behind the dark wolf.
 
 Remiel gave a small yip and with a start leapt to his paws and gave chase after Phib, running to catch up before trotting alongside him.
 
 His maw parted and tongue lolled and in his eyes one could see the excitement for adventure gathering in those brown orbs. Our lands were pretty too but we didn't have an ocean. He began in his cheery voice, tail wagging behind him. We had lots of trees and a river and a meadow where me and pop catch the long-ears!
 
 Those were the days he would always remember. Home had been a quaint and comfortable place that was for sure. It lacked the splendour that was around him now but it had been safe and sound...until that day.
 
 Do you have long-ears around here Mister Phib? My pop has been teaching me how to catch them and I wanna keep practising. One could be quite sure that this idle chatter could go on forever.
 
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                     Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:18 am 
 
 
                        
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			                Phib trotted along, keeping an ear docked in the direction of Amélie in Gizmo to be sure they had continued following him. But his attention was somewhat distracted when the pup bounded forward, and began to walk beside him. Turning his head, Phib glanced down at the child. 
 He was amused- but then, he usually was by children. Either that or piqued. His attention span for them ended when it grew tiresome- but he did find pups like Rem interesting. They were the kind that would eventually be important as adults- and it was always good to keep an eye on the younger generation.
 
 As it was; it didn’t seem likely Rem would be a child for long.
 “We have plenty of those.” He remarked, although the idea of hunting rabbits brought a slight quirk in his muzzle. Amélie had a habit of weeping whenever he killed them- although as far as he knew, she didn’t her strange code of ethics to other people. “We’ve never had a problem here with food. There are fish too, which are about as plentiful as rabbits.”
 
 Amélie perked and ear to the conversation, but saved the dramatics as she focused her attention on Gizmo. “The sunsets are very beautiful here they tell me.” She smiled. Empathically- she tried to feel as much of it as possible. But she didn’t get much from Phib, who probably thought it was unmanly to care.
 
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                     Posted: Thu Aug 31, 2006 7:03 am 
 
 
                        
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			            He glanced up at the large male and quickened his pace a little more so that he could keep up. There were no more complaints of tired paws from him now that was for sure.
 Yay! Long-ears are fun to chase, they're fast and they dash all about but we wolves are smarter. His tail wagged and one could be certain that Remiel would be a fine hunter when he was older. I've not caught fish before, the river where we lived was too strong for me to stand in easily so they always kept away from my teeths!
 
 He pounced forward then, kicking up sand with his paws as he landed playfully on a pebble, then batting it aside he dashed forwards, cutting in front of Phib, before running around him and falling in at his side again.
 
 The sand feels weird on my paws. All soft and smushy and moving around all the time. He laughed, it gets between my toes! He kicked out his front paws in a rather amusing fashion and huffed. Do your paws get used to it?
 
 Gizmo watched his son walking ahead and hoped desperately that he wouldn't get on the alpha's nerves. Alpha Gizmo had been, but he was not one anymore and neither he nor his son had the right to annoy one of higher rank, especially when they were in a way; trespassers.
 
 The little female beside him spoke and again he turned his head to glance at her, those eyes reminding him so much of his own little daughter's.
 
 His heart knotted and for a moment he thought it might never beat again, but it did and he continued to plod on.
 
 Gizmo's daughter Kaya, she born blind. She no see things. He sighed slowly, sad that he had never been able to show her the beauty of the world. He would have given her his eyes if he'd been able to, but it was no use now.
 
 A girl so vulnerable and young as Kaya could not survive alone. In truth it was clear she would die if she had not been aided by another. She see darkness all time but...but she still so happy. She had a strength that Gizmo would always admire.
 
 He turned his head up to glance at the sky. The sun was now dissapearing but with it's descent came the most beautiful of skies. It was perfect, the type of sunset seen on canvas. Blues leaked into purples and purples into rich reds and pinks. The sun seemed to expand as if it had exploded, it's edges lost in a marbling of colour. This light glittered upon the surface of the ocean and the water glowed as if on fire.
 
 It was beautiful.
 
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