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 Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:49 pm
Varia's brow arched ever so slightly at her sisters words. She did not care if this male was truly their father, he was unwelcome in this pack and she would make sure he knew that. "Once again you side with the unworthy blood Terreis." It always annoyed Varia beyond anything else that she was so quick to protect Iosef and now his pups, at least Najara was of the proper gender. Interesting though how Terreis did not move to protect Adonai. Instantly Varia understood, and Terreis' words confirmed it, Terreis hated this male. "Come sister, I can see you do not like him. So why play nice, we could destroy him together like the old times."
Her eyes fell upon Iosef as he ducked his head in proper slave manner and even berated Adonai for not doing the same. Sneering Varia looked back at her father. "You should listen to him if you wish to leave these lands alive. At least he is smart enough to show the proper respect." Not that Varia was actually planning to let him live, but she would give him that glimmer of hope as it was a bit amusing to her. "Najara, why don't you come over here where you belong." She may not like the pup that much simply because of who her father was, but Najara would provide her some extra leverage to work with in this mind game she was playing.
Najara's eyes lit up as Varia made her entrance. While she loved Terreis, the pup also had a certain fascination with the packs head warrior. She was so strong, so brave and nothing ever stopped her from achieving her goals. Najara wished to be as good, if not better, than Varia one day. For a moment she was torn, torn between which Aunt to side with. If she sided with Terreis then Varia would drill her so hard in training it wouldn't be funny, but she kinda wanted that. On the other hand, if she sided with Varia she would upset aunt Terreis and her father.
The allure of being close to Varia won over and the pup began to move forward. Though only after a few steps did she find herself brought to a halt. Looking behind her Najara frowned as she spotted Terreis' paw placed firmly on her tail, holding her put. "Hey!"
"Shut up!" Terreis snapped at Adonai, because a comment like that would likely bring Varia into a rage and because she did not want to have to break up a fight that she knew she wouldn't be able to win. If she was back in her prime fighting shape then Terreis would be an equal match to Varia, but not now, not after so long away from the strict training of her old pack. "You know my loyalty is still with this pack, with the Queen. I do what I must to protect Iosef, even if it means standing against you."
When Varia offered for Najara to join her Terreis hoped the pup would be smart enough to stay put. But she caught the look of indecision in the pups eyes and when Najara started to walk forward Terreis was quick to stop her, placing her paw on the pups tail much like she had done with Chimera earlier. And when Najara protested Terreis quietly snapped at her. "I will not allow you to be returned to your mother limp and beaten." Not that she was certain Varia would bring direct harm to the pup, but if a fight broke out, which was almost a certain thing now, there was a high chance she could get hurt.
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Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:21 pm
Chimera whimpered and scampered from behind Terreis to behind his father. He glowered at Najara, but was quite glad to see her receive the same treatment as he had a moment ago. That was gratifying, really.
The tell-tale trembling had started in Iosef's limbs. As always, it wasn't precisely fear that shook his body -- it was barely-contained rage, a quiet rush of adrenaline, an overbearing uneasiness. The feeling of bursting at the seams, of being a wolf bigger -- greater -- than his body would allow.
He didn't take his eyes off of Varia. He didn't trust her at all, not since she had attacked Terreis. Especially now that he was harboring her own unwanted pups in his den. There may have been a time, once, when he had believed his eldest sister would spare him from pity, if it came down to it -- but now, he wasn't so sure. The Varia he saw now was not the one he had once known, not the beloved daughter of his mother nor the childhood friend of Alkaia. This was...a different beast entirely, and though he didn't know how it had happened, he wasn't willing to cross her on account of a father he hardly knew.
That stated, however, he also refused to stand idly by and watch as they tore an innocent wolf apart.
"Adonai," he said, quietly, and his voice was like cold steel. "Go. This," he said, carefully, echoing the words that had already been said -- but with a subtle lilt to his voice that suggested he was looking out for the white wolf's best interests, "Is not where you belong."
Suddenly, things weren't quite so hilarious anymore.
"Apologies," he said, ducking his head appropriately -- though he would have been a fool to let his eyes stray from the enemy at hand.
Adonai was no push-over. He had been in many fights in his life, and could usually hold his own. But he was also twice her age, and had hardly been keeping up with a strong training regimen. And, besides, he had no intention of starting a fight in front of young children -- his grandchildren, no less.
Varia frightened him. Not because she was threatening him, but because she was a sociopath; he could sense it, radiating from her. Not just a b***h, not just cold or a warrior or a man-hater. What part of his genes had contributed to that?
His mind worked, rapidly, trying to think up a solution to this that would cause the least amount of trouble. "This was a mistake. I'll be going, now." He suspected that anything he said would only exacerbate the issue, so he did the only thing that seemed to be a reasonable option: he turned and began to walk away.
He didn't run, though. Running would be an admission of both guilt and weakness, and he wasn't going to give her the pleasure of either.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:35 pm
Varia gave her head a shake as Terreis stopped Najara from coming over. "Don't hold the girl back, or she will end up like you." And the last thing they needed was another damn deserter like Terreis, even if Najara had weak blood in her thanks to Iosef the girl at least showed promise at this age. Perhaps with a bit more training, and some manipulation thrown in, Varia could turn the calico pup against the family she loves and into a true warrior, after all somewhere in that splotchy body was a bit of Kaelin's blood. Something to worry about another time, she would have the pup for training every day for the rest of her life anyways.
When Adonai finally said that he was leaving Varia let a wicked smile cross her lips. She had won, shame that victory had come with no bloodshed. Of course he still needed to cross the majority of the pack lands before he was safe. And knowing Terreis well enough Varia was confident that she would stay behind to protect Iosef and allow Adonai to go unprotected. This could work for her favor, though honestly Terreis had been a pushover last time they fought and certainly Adonai was not a master fighter. So Varia let Adonai leave, waiting for him to reach the 'safety' of the trees before addressing the others. "I better make sure he makes it out of the pack safely." She half laughed and then turned, following silently a distance behind her father.
While Najara was a bit disappointed with her aunt for stopping her, she also understood the reasons why. Varia was sort of mean after all, but she had to be, nice warriors didn't fare so well in life. Najara stood in silence as first Adonai and then Varia made their exit. She could almost feel the impending fight in the air, surely Varia would not let the male leave without being roughed up a bit. And while she would have loved to follow along and watch the events unfold it only took a glance up at Terreis to know that wasn't happening.
"Better she turns out like me than you." Terreis was quick to retort back. Just because she left the pack didn't mean she wasn't loyal to it anymore, she would still follow the Queen's order even to the point where she would abandon YMCA if ordered to. Varia just couldn't see that, and likely never will. Her attention turned to Adonai and for a moment she huffed and rolled her eyes at him words. "I told you it was a bad idea coming here, but you refused to listen." Perhaps now he would understand why she was so against him coming, it wasn't that she was trying to keep him away from Iosef, no she had only been trying to keep him away from Varia and the obvious family quarrel that was on the brink of happening.
Watching Adonai leave and then Varia after him Terreis was torn. She needed to make sure that Iosef and the pups were safe, Varia's departure could just be a rouse to get Terreis to leave their side. Or she could actually be going after Adonai, and while Terreis did not care for the white at all she owed it to Iosef to not have their father killed right after their first meeting. Turning she looked to Iosef. "You must go to the den, take them with you. Make no stops, go directly there. Do not come looking for me." She lowered her gaze to Najara. "You will go with your father and brother and stay at the den, that is an order." Eyes swiveled to Chimera. "Same goes for you."
Finally Terreis released her grip on Najara she shot the pup another look to make sure she listened. Terreis took a few steps and then turned to look at Iosef one last time. "I'll come find you when it's safe. Now go!" She made sure her voice held an air of command in it, and then turning she raced after Adonai and Varia. Hopefully she could at least keep Varia at bay long enough to make sure everyone got to safety. "Varia!" She called out as she hurried down the trail, she was fairly certain Varia was still trailing Adonai and not returning to deal with Iosef since her scent was still fresh.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:23 pm
Iosef nodded to her order. "We'll be fine," he said, and -- without hesitation -- he lifted Chimera up by the scruff of the neck and nudged Najara with a paw for her to follow. He would have no patience for either pup misbehaving at a time like this, but it was more crucial that Chimera not stray. Najara's life would not be forfeit if she strayed; Chimera's would.
He hesitated only a moment in debating which den to go to. He wanted to get the pups back to their mother, but at the same time he didn't want to risk bringing danger home to his other children. His own den was closer, but would be the first place Varia would come looking for him.
Then, quite suddenly, he started loping forward -- not for his den, but for the now-abandoned den Tui had occupied. "We'll wait here, for now," he said, squeezing in with the pups, setting down his son. He wanted to try and explain this situation to them, in a way that made Varia look like she was in the right -- for chasing away an intruder -- without making Terreis look like she'd made a mistake. Caught between trying to justify his pack's laws and not wanting to advocate Varia's behavior, he found himself quite unable to say anything at all, and merely curled up in an agitated ball, blocking the entry-way from the pups.
Chimera had never met Tui, obviously, and had no idea at all why they'd chosen this den of all possible dens to stay in. It smelled funny and was much smaller than what he was used to with mama.
The realization that, perhaps, the Varia-Monster may now come to gobble him up hadn't fully sunken in. He did wish Isobel were there, though. "Aunt Varia doesn't like anybody," he complained, and was quickly hushed by his father, but his eyes remained quite sulky. He'd rather been looking forward to making a new friend.
Away from the children, that was the important part. Varia could do with him what she would, if it came to that, but he wasn't about to have his just-met grandchildren be pulled into the mix.
She was following him. He knew she was, even before he caught her scent or the sound of her footfalls. He'd known her only a few moments, but he already knew better than to expect her to play fair.
Funny, really, how much this paralleled another family falling-out. If his children rejected him -- fought with him -- he could hardly blame them for it. He had attacked and abandoned his own father as well, and he'd grown up with him all the while. It was her prerogative. It still made him a bit sad, though. He hadn't known Kaelin very well, to be fair, but he suspected she would have been disappointed by what he had just seen. He hoped so, anyway.
"If you're concerned that I plan to circle back and return," he called, over his shoulder, his long strides carrying him as rapidly across the turf as was possible without actually running, "I can assure you I have no intention of doing so. I've seen enough of this pack to satiate my curiosity, and I do not plan to return."
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:53 pm
Much like she was trailing Adonai through the lands, Varia was well aware that Terreis was not far behind her. It still irked Varia to no end that after so many loyal years together Terreis had decided to side with males instead of her own sister. Clearly this was the fault of Iosef somehow, in getting mother killed. Mother had been the one to push Varia hard, though perhaps not as hard as Varia had ended up pushing herself. The strive for perfection and to reach the top had warped her into the wolf she was now. Perhaps had the situation been different she might have ended up more like Terreis and mother, there was a certain similarity between those two, or perhaps it would have been Terreis who would have wound up as head warrior. Giving her head a shake to rid herself of those pesky thoughts Varia continued to follow Adonai, though she was quickly closing the gap between them.
"I can assure you no matter what you will never return." She called out to Adonai, though if he took a moment to look for her she would not be anywhere to be seen, Varia knew well how to use her spotted fur to hide her presence in nearly any place.
Najara hesitated only long enough to glance over her shoulder to see the retreating form of her aunt before following behind her father. Even at this age she knew better than to disobey an order, it didn't matter that Terreis wasn't a part of the pack, she respected her aunt and the orders she was given. Once in the safety of the strange and small den Najara looked over at her brother and father. Iosef may be at a loss for words on how to explain the situation but Najara had a pretty good inkling of what should be said. "Aunt Varia is just doing her job. Strange males aren't allowed in the pack." It didn't matter whether they were related to other wolves or not.
When she finally caught sight of Varia trailing on Adonai's heel Terreis recognized that look in her sisters eyes. There was no way her father was getting out of her unscathed. While for the most part Terreis didn't give a crap about Adonai she would not let more blood be shed in the family. Acting against all reason, and probably asking Varia to kick her a** for a second time Terreis put on a burst of speed. Taking advantage to the fact that Varia was distracted by the thoughts of destroying their father Terreis came flying out of the bushes and used her weight and momentum to send Varia sprawling onto the ground and then was quick to get on top of her. "Run Adonai!" Terreis yelled.
While she knew there was no chance of stopping Varia completely, Terreis could at the very least hold her up for a few moments and let him get to safety. She was doing it all for Iosef and nothing more, and perhaps to a very small extent to prove to her father that she wasn't like Varia and did care for others around her even if she didn't show it well or at all in some cases. "Let him go sister." Terreis growled.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 7:31 pm
Iosef smiled a bit grimly. "Quite true, Najara," he said, his ears flicking back. "But let's not talk about it, just now." The slave was developing a growing displeasure with his pack, and he didn't want to risk being pushed into a temper by his own daughter parroting its ideals -- even if she was technically correct.
He was so sick of this! Why did he always have to make sacrifices? Why did he always have to do something for the good of others rather than ever caring for himself? At one time perhaps he would have been satisfied with the explanation that it's "just how things were", but not anymore -- not now that he was a father, not now that he was old enough, and had seen a glimpse of the world...now he had a constant, burning anger in his chest, and he didn't know how to release it.
"That's stupid!" Chimera said, even as his father tried to hush him. "He didn't just show up. Aunt Terreis let him in." And he was right, of course, but still shouldn't say it.
The only thing that surprised Adonai about any of this was that Terreis stepped in to help. He didn't want to run; he wanted to turn and fight, like a man, and he was torn between the conflicting desires. On the one hand, he didn't want to be known as the male that waltzed in and attacked a local. On the other hand, he also didn't want to be known as the wolf who left his daughter to fight his battles.
Then again, if he fought Varia, he would be fighting to kill -- because she would be -- and he also didn't want to be the wolf that killed his own daughter.
Frustrated beyond belief with the way this situation was panning out, he obliged. He ran, head-long and fueled with anger and hurt and annoyance.
He wasn't done with this pack just yet, not by a long shot. He just had been a fool to come here by himself.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:10 pm
A growl erupted from Varia as Terreis so boldly took advantage of her moment of weakness. Blood lust did that to a warrior at times, it made you blind to others around you. "You want me to tear your leg apart again sister?" Struggling under Terreis hold on her Varia soon slipped free, but by some miracle did not attack, nor did she continue to give chance to Adonai. Fur stood on end as she stared at her sister, what had gone wrong that had put such a rift between them. It didn't matter, she told herself, the old relationship between her and Terreis was long gone and no amount of thinking on it would ever bring it back.
"Go, return to your wretched pack. But if I ever see him here again, whether under your escort or by himself I will kill him without a second thought." Turning Varia quickly padded off. She would work out her frustrations during the next training session.
Najara let out a sigh but held her tongue any further, though she did shoot an annoyed glance at Chimera. She was fully well aware that aunt Terreis has led the male here, but that didn't mean he was automatically welcome in the pack. Only the Queen could truly decide who could stay and who had to go, but in the absence of the Queen, and the Princess for that matter, then Varia was the next in the line to lay down the law.
Terreis held Varia down as long as possible, even the threat of getting her leg chewed up again did not make her release her grip until she was certain that Adonai had a good head start. And when she did finally release her grip Terreis expected one of two things to happen, either Varia would kick her a** or she would go after Adonai. But apparently her assumptions were wrong, Varia must be having an off day as she simply gave up, parting with a threat on Adonai's life should he ever return.
She stood there for a good long time with a slightly dumbfounded look on her face. Varia never turned down the chance to beat on a male, or an out of line female for that matter. Something was going on and she would need to find out just what it was sometime. Turning Terreis raced through the forest, she needed to catch up with her father, make sure he left and then she would return to check on Iosef. "Adonai!" She called out, wondering just how far he had gotten in the time she had kept Varia distracted.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:27 pm
Adonai was well-built for running and, once he got into the swing of it, could maintain a good speed for quite awhile. He loped rather quickly, heading his way back down to YMCA territory with no further hesitation. His thoughts were buzzing angrily. Wondering what he could've done differently. Wondering why Terreis hadn't been more forthright about the threat of being literally torn apart by his other daughter. Wondering if YMCA knew precisely what sort of allies they had. And most of all, wondering why he cared so much about a family he didn't even know he'd had, that it actually hurt him for things to go so badly.
Well, not -so- badly, perhaps. Terreis had stood up for him, after all, and that made him feel pretty good.
When she called, we was nearly out of earshot, and he slowed himself. No point in yelling back. She'd catch up with him soon enough if she wanted...
Iosef sighed. "Terreis should have cleared his visit with the queen," he tried to explain, sympathizing with Chimera's feelings on the topic but knowing it wouldn't help any to dwell on them. Best that the pup learn early not to question things. "She has no real authority here." He prodded his son, and offered him a meager smile. "Tell you what. If you're really interested in meeting that wolf, I'll get permission to go south and visit our neighbor pack. You can both come with me, if you like."
Chimera grumbled and shrugged, a noncommital shrug. The problem was, Chimera was smart for his age, and certain possibilities were already rising up in his mind that he didn't like at all. They made him very cranky indeed. Also his scruff was sore from being carried by it so much today.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:41 pm
It didn't take her long to catch up to Adonai and seeing him alone and not smelling Varia in the area meant that she had kept her word. Terreis still worried about whether her sister would go after Iosef now that she had come out here to the far reached of the pack lands. Still, she needed to make sure Adonai didn't get any stupid ideas like going back to check on his son at the moment. Bringing her paws a bit of a distance away from her father she gave him an unimpressed look. "Now do you see why I told you not to come up here? You should be lucky you are even making it out of these lands alive." Fur bristled in frustration. "I risked my neck stopping Varia and now I need to go make sure nothing else happens."
Turning Terreis went to leave and then stopped after only a few steps turning around to look at Adonai again. "You just wouldn't listen when I told you time and again that this is not the type of place where you can just show up at your leisure and have a visit. This isn't YMCA, it's different here. Next time you get a brilliant idea like this stop, think and don't do it." Giving her head a shake Terreis wasn't really in the mood for this, it's why she had so begrudgingly agreed to bring him here. "Now I need to go make sure that Iosef and his pups are safe and smooth things over with the Queen. You think long and hard on that as you make your way back to YMCA." Turning once more Terreis began to pad off. "Don't expect me back there anytime soon." She called over her shoulder and with that disappeared to go clean up this mess.
Najara kept her trap shut. A comment about maybe aunt Terreis did get permission from the Queen but Varia wasn't informed of that popped into her head. Besides she was sure that even permission was given if Varia knew that her aunt still would have reacted in such a way, it was how Varia was, no changing that. "How long do we have to stay here?" She questioned her father, wondering if aunt Terreis would return to find them or if she would have wanted them to go to mothers den instead.
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Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:04 pm
"If you'd been a bit more specific as to the homicidal tendencies of your sister, I probably would have been more willing to listen," Adonai replied back, still maddeningly calm about the whole situation. Where exactly did she get off in chastising him like a child? She who had been so very tight-lipped with providing information, leaving him to cobble together his knowledge of the pack. "I won't wait up for you," he said, and turned back to lope home. He was angry, but taking it out on her was hardly worth the effort.
Iosef flattened his ears to his skull. His head was starting to ache rather desperately. "It's probably safe now," he said, and poked his nose out of the den, sniffing at the air outside. He didn't catch a whiff of Varia anywhere, anyway, but that never meant much in a pack so fully saturated with her scent. "But I'll wait a bit longer, just in case." On the bright side, being where he was it would more than likely mean Terreis would have to walk past them on her way to Seraphin's den -- or the queen's -- so he'd be able to intercept her.
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Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:48 am
Hurrying back to where she had left Iosef with instructions to go to the den Terreis made sure Varia was no where around before following her brothers scent. She was still right pissed off over what had happened and was planning to give Adonai an earful when she got back to YMCA, even if that might not happen for a day or two. She was in no mood to see him anytime soon and her presence here might be a good thing for a few days.
She was so lost in these thoughts that she nearly missed Iosef's hide blocking the entrance to one of the slaves dens. But when she caught how strong his scent was Terreis stopped and glanced down. "It is safe." For now at least, she added mentally. Surely Varia would want to come looking for some kind of revenge in the near future, which is why Terreis planned to stick around for a while. "Iosef...I'm sorry. I should have come and talked to you first before bringing him here. But he wouldn't listen to any of my warnings." Terreis gave her head a shake. "Varia is right, I have turned my back on the pack." Sadly it was quite true, she had abandoned the ways for so long that she was making foolish decisions without truly thinking of the consequences. "I will stay here for a few days to make sure everything is okay, I'll need to speak with the Queen about it."
Upon hearing Terreis' voice Najara tried to squeeze past her father and brother. She had had enough of the cramped quarters of this den, but it had certainly given her a better appreciation of the large spacious den their family had at this point. Even if at times it got a bit crowded with all the pups mother was caring for. The thought of Terreis staying around for a few days filled her with such joys. "We'll get to train together." She barked happily, finally she would get to see aunt Terreis in action.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:01 pm
Iosef crawled clear of the den entrance and shook himself. He regarded his sister for a long moment in silence. "It is hard to lead two lives," he said, at length, and his smile was a bitter one.
He raised his violet eyes to meet hers, for just a moment, before he looked back into the den to his pups. His thoughts were a rolling ball of uneasiness. "I should get back to Seraphin. Let her know everything's all right." He laughed a little, and shook his head. "Or...well...close enough. We'll be happy to have you around."
"Yeah," Chimera piped up. "I want to go home now." Then, as more of a grudging afterthought, he added, "....Please."
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:11 pm
Terreis merely nodded but couldn't help but notice Iosef's bitter smile. She would need to talk to him again later, in private when the pups weren't around. Chimera's words made her smile slightly. "Go on with your father then, I'll be by later." Eyes raised to Iosef. "I will speak with the Queen now, won't be long before she catches wind of what happened." Glancing down at Najara as the pup emerged from the den Terreis gave her a stern look. "Make sure you go straight home with your father. Later we can spend some time together." Giving Iosef a reassuring nod Terreis turned and padded off, there were a few things she needed to deal with, namely speaking with the Queen and possibly having another chat with Varia, which hopefully won't turn to another fight.
Najara sighed a bit, she didn't want to go back to the den, she had barely done anything with her freedom and now was being ordered back. Though she also knew she couldn't ignore an order either, even if aunt Terreis wasn't actually a part of the pack at the moment she still demanded respect as a one time Sister. With Terreis leaving Najara turned her attention to her father, ready to go to the den if only because of being ordered to.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 8:42 pm
"Good luck," he said, and smiled a more genuine sort of smile. He withdrew, nudging his pups with his nose as he padded back for Seraphin's den. His thoughts were a mess, and he was exhausted, but at least he could go home to relative peace and quiet. And that was worth a lot.
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