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 Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:56 am
The rain had started again - thick drops pattering down through the leaves and creating puddles in the already sodden mud. The river had swollen and was now carrying an inordinate volume - mud, branches, anything that got in its way as it climbed up the bank and spread over the low basin of the forest. Three wolves walked together through the downpour, two pale, one dark. Ouranos' large paws squelched into the mire a little ways - at least, he thought, sodden wet sounds were all around and he would not give himself away with a snapping twig.
The large fawny-white male moved softly behind Erin, his pace quick but as silent as he could be. He was a little nervous but more worried - for those with him now, his pups, his pack in general. And maybe a little for himself. Hunting for Helios was not exactly his idea of fun or a thought he relished at all - the mud didn't help.
Helios had been one of the banes of Ouranos' young life - bullying him and generally making his life miserable. He didn't know exactly why this was, just that it happened. He didb't realise, for example, that it was simple things like the fact he had always been bigger than Helios - who prided himself on his large stature. He also was not as closely related to the alphas, had 'lesser' parentage which allowed Helios to rationalise that he could be treated in an inferior manner.
He was wrapped in his own, grey, thoughts as he plodded through the rain. Following for now, almost hoping they couldn't find the place. But no.. it was imperative they did. He had to focus and do his duty. For Zag. For his children. His blue-green eyes focussed once more on the sodden world, a little more determined and bright than they had been in a long time.
Erin was small, tiny by comparison to those around her. She also didn't really want to be on Helios' tail but she had been asked. Asked! Not ordered. How could she refuse? The alpha female had needed to know where he was but Erin didn't know the pack lands well enough to describe how far from their den. Oh she had been around for a while but she had not ventured that far - mostly Helios had done that. When she could she had gone in the opposite direction to hunt - wanting to stay away from the Glen Pack.
She couldn't help feeling guilty. It seemed as though she should have done this weeks ago. What had stopped her? Why couldn't she have been strong enough to get away from him..? No, she couldn't have done it. It was only because the others had come along. Shambala and... She looked around at Bakari with a small smile. He had stood up for her, helped her. It was a debt she would have to repay some time. She smiled a tiny smile at him, her tail lifting just a little from between her legs to give a soft wag before it returned to its usual position.
She stopped when they reached the swollen river. "oh.." she said in a small voice, looking at the raging torrent. "Usually I'd cross here, but it's too deep now" she said with dismay. "We'll need to go further north before we can cross..."
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:23 am
Bakari wasn't sure why he'd asked to come along with Ouranos and Erin on this dripping, squelching adventure into the wilds. Actually, that was a lie. He knew full-well he'd come along to keep an eye on Erin, should that monster of a wolf dare raise his head again. Again, this was something Bakari knew was a distinct possibility. The company of the two other wolves, however, strengthened his resolve. What could go wrong with three of them there?
As they made their way through the rain, sinking deep into the mud at places until Bakari even considered himself 'disguised', he noticed he kept drifting towards Erin in a bid to be closer to the she-wolf. Upon noticing, he would take a step or two angled away, before giving in and meandering ever closer. He returned the smile he noticed Erin give at one point, a little smitten despite himself, and perhaps not even realising it.
Absently, he lifted his head, looking about. He recognised the route they were taking, backtracking their steps to the den from where he and Shambala had first encountered the pair. This was probably a combination of Bakari's absent lead, not really thinking to follow anyone, and Erin knowing that path if even a little.
He frowned a little, as rainwater dripped off the end of his nose, but powered on. There was Aoede to think about as well, even if this wasn't a rescue mission as he understood it - and he didn't know the she-wolf very well, it was still a reason to keep moving forward. The silence among them, however, unnerved him a little. He wasn't used to the quiet.
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 4:54 am
Ouranos wondered, vaguely, about the two travelling with him. Erin had come back with Bakari and Shambala, the white male had now come along with them un-ordered. He seemed to be drifting closer and then back again. He was sure there must be something going on when he seen Erin's lips curve up in a tiny smile - more than he had seen her do in a very long time. Perhaps before he had his own mate Ouranos would have been blind to this completely but now he figured he was spotting the beginnings of something.
He rather hoped he was, to be honest. He and Erin had been close - cousins who both suffered under an unfair hierarchy - and he wished that for once that she got some happiness like he had been lucky to find even if briefly. Bakari seemed nice enough though he'd only seen the younger male in passing - he had been too busy looking after two young pups recently to really spend time with anyone. Or he had used it as an excuse. He decided that after all of this, and he assumed it would work out well, he needed to get to know more of those who had joined up with the pack. Afterall he had always loved meeting new wolves! Why had he allowed himself to change so much? He smiled inwardly as he realised what would have to change, after all of this was done with. His optimism had returned.
Erin herself was getting rather sodden. At first the rain had run over her thick fur, bouncing off of her guard hairs and leaving at least her undercoat dry. Now, however, small trickles had begin to find their way to her skin, itchy and pricklingly cool. It had been quite a walk but they were almost there. They had gotten to a spot where the river was still shallow enough to cross - if still running fast - and Erin padded daintily across it trying to ignore the current tugging around her ankles.
"Almost there" she said, a little louder than usual as she tried to make herself heard over the roar of the water. She wondered whether Helios would be there, whether Aoede would be too. She wasn't sure if others might be too or whether they might in fact all be gone. With a shudder the small female came to a halt. "Just around here, under the large overhang." She motioned to the outcrop of rock, hunkering down a little. She looked to Bakari then Ouranos as if waiting for instructions.
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:05 am
Contrasting Erin's dainty crossing of the river, Bakari powered through it, not being the most delicate of wolves. His legs spalshed water everywhere, and (if it were possible) his feet were even more waterlogged than they had been just before.
As Erin told them where to look, Bakari lifted his head. It was just as she said, the large outcrop not even looking stable to the muddy and sodden wolf. He shoke his head suddenly, trying to shake the drips out. He wasn't really sure how to proceed, glancing towards Ouranos for guidance. Did they move forward to see if they could find Aoede? Or report back so they could return in force?
"We should have a quick sniff about?" he asked, his voice a query. "See if anyone's about?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:47 pm
Erin nodded a tiny nod, not really keen on going much closer. If Helios was here with those he had brought together then it might be too dangerous for the three of them to be here. If not, then Aoede was not likely to be here either. There was no real wind, despite the rain, and the downpour would cover their scent well if they went closer.
"Yes, I... I think we could" she replied eventually, her paws trying to get purchase on the slippery ground. "The rain is nice for keeping our scents drowned out but it'll also keep us from catching theirs... I mean I think so." She wasn't used to stating her opinion so openly but felt that since she was leading them here she had some responsibility to do so. Her head dipped back down, eyes pursing worriedly. A sniff merely got her a noseful of muddy water and confirmed that it was going to be near impossible for them or Helios' group to smell each other.
"We'll need to go in closer to see..." that was a thought she did not relish at all.
Ouranos listened to both, weighing up the difficulties of going close to a den where several unfirendly wolves might be against the hope of finding out more information, perhaps even Aoede. If they turned back now they'd not have much to report, much further and they might not return.
He eyed Bakari, then Erin. "A little closer perhaps?"he looked around them for any cover they could use. "There" he nodded towards a stand of trees and sodden brush which might about cover one wolf. Ouranos wasn't really the bravest of wolves but he was the kind who was protective of others. "I'll go, have a quick look. You two stay here." he lopped off, keeping as low as his large frame would allow, trying to blend in with the watery, rain sodden landscape.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:48 am
The fact that nobody could smell anybody else put them at an advantage as Bakari saw it. They'd have to rely on sight, and let's face it, he, Ouranos and Erin were the only ones actually looking.
As Ouranos made his way towards the wet foliage, Bakari bit his tongue on a protest. He wanted in on the espionage, but he suddenly remembered that he was perhaps not the most delicate of wolves. He'd've managed to knock the tree down or maybe set the bushes on fire - anything that would give them away. Instead, he contented himself with the idea he was protecting Erin, even though she could probably have taken care of herself just fine without him.
"Don't worry," he said, speaking quietly as he addressed Erin, only just audible over the rain. "We'll be okay." He then let his gaze wander up, watching Ouranos sneaking about. He almost hoped there was nobody around anymore. Confrontation wasn't something he wanted to deal with just now, he'd had enough of that for the day.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:02 am
Erin looked after Ouranos, also keeping back an objection. She didn't really want to go closer but she thought she would have been the better one to go. She was darker, smaller and knew the area well. Ouranos had changed since she had last known him well. He'd never have come out here without Zagreus, for one, not on the tail of Helios. He was gone before she could say anything, though.
She turned her attention to Bakari now, and smiles faintly at his words. How could she not worry now? Helios could be near by, ready to strike. If not here then he was somewhere else plotting and planning to take over... "I..I'll try" she said as the rain pelted off her fur, dripping onto the muddy ground.
She had to admit, she did feel a little safer with him here. He had gotten her away from Helios afterall - had put himself in danger to save her. Could she have done that? She didn't think so. "I don't... I don't know if I said it before Bakari but... Thank You."
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:15 am
Bakari couldn't help but blink, turning to face Erin in surprise. To his mind, he hadn't really done anything worth being thanked for, though he imagined she meant helping her get away from Helios. All thoughts of why they were there fell out of his head for a moment. Even when she was dripping wet, the she-wolf looked nothing short of beautiful.
He lowered his gaze for a moment. "Anybody would have done the same. Besides," he added after a moment's thought, "you left him all on your own. I didn't really have a hand in that."
He smiled, watching her for a moment, before taking his gaze away, not wanting to be accused of staring. "I can see why he wanted you with him," he murmured gently, half addressing the comment to himself in a contented tone, still thinking of how pretty she looked.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:05 am
His yellow eyes seemed to bore into her and she looked away, her cheeks hot. She didn't think she would have hd the strength to pull away from Helios if Bakari and Shambala hadn't helped her - she had wanted to for sure but it had been Bakari's encouragement and protectiveness when she first met him that had motivated her to finally break that chain around her neck.
She was torn ou of her reverie by his next comment. See why he wanted her with him? She wondered for a moment if she meant what he thought.. Erin was quiet, shy but not naive. "He only wanted me around to put food in his belly." she said, with a vehemence which surprised even herself. "I don't hate him, I can't, but... I wish I could have stopped him being the way he is.." this really was true.
She had always wondered if she would have been better leaving him to his own devices when he left the pack, maybe he would have understood what it was to live on his own. Now he seemed to feel confidant in his abilities to lead a pack and had more lackeys to do what he wanted... Of course she also figured that if she'd let him be he might be dead.
She sighed a little and sat down close to Bakari, not caring about the sodden mud. "Do you have any family?" she said, suddenly, in what might have appeared to be a somewhat odd tangent.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:18 am
Bakari blinked slightly as she spoke of putting food in Helios' belly. That wasn't what he had meant at all, but as he tried to voice it - he found himself unable to. He also realised his first attempt at 'flirting' had passed off unsuccessfully. Not that he had done it deliberately - it just seemed to slip out.
"Family?" he asked, the word kind of unfamiliar to him. "Not really. I lost most of my close family in a territory war." He glanced down a little, trying not to get emo. "The rest of us split up rather than join the new pack." He hesitated, suddenly wondering if they were alright. He'd not really spared any of them a thought in a long time.
"What about you?" he asked, returned the question in a bid to keep the conversation going.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:28 am
Erin seemed to realise she had said something wrong - had perhaps been a bit to self-pitying. She didn't want to be like that any more... She gave Bakari a sympathetic look as he spoke briefly about his family, sad that his unhappiness was the reason he was here now. She hoped he might stay, find a new family amongst this pack - especially if she was going to be allowed to stay.
"Well, I have a rather large one but there were some problems.." she begun, not sure exactly how to explain the mess. "Helios had an argument with them" that was putting it lightly, really. "When he left I... I didn't think he could look after himself so I followed, to help him. I thought he might change." she shrugged. Her whole life seemed to have been dominated by the big, blonde male now that she looked back on it. "I have two half brothers and two half sisters, Ouranos is my cousin, Zagreus is my second cousin... It was a big pack but some had begun to split off, go their own way. I guess I have too now.." The longer she was away from Helios, from his influence and the mentality her old pack had imposed on her the more she seemed willing to speak.
"How did you come to stay here?" she wondered, curious.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:43 am
It seemed like Erin's life had been as eventful as his own recently. Not that it was a good thing, by a long stretch. But at least it meant things could only get better. He listened attentively as she spoke of her own family, noting her relationship between Ouranos and Zagreus for future reference.
He thought for a moment as Erin asked him how he had come to stay. "By blind chance," he said, shaking his head to try and rid himself of the rain droplets rolling down his back and along his nose. "I met up with Aisha not far from my old packlands. She took me under her wing, and we helped each other. Well, she helped me more," he added with a slight tone of amusement. "Then we found Calliope, after accidentally wandering into the packlands. The rest is history, I guess. I was tired of walking."
He glanced towards Erin then. "You're going to stay here, right? I mean, won't your old pack want you to go home?" He paused, before adding quickly, "Not that I want you to go! But -" Another hesitation. "You must miss them?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:51 am
"Seems you're a lucky wolf, Bakari..." she smiled. His wandering were the opposite of hers - he seemed to have fallen on the lucky side of each step, she the unlucky side. But now both sides had collided.
She thought for a long moment before answering his next question, looking around her as though checking for Ouranos whilst she thought. "I... never really thought of going back, I guess." she said quietly, shaking out her fur so that she looked less like a drowned rat in this downpour. "Ouranos was always the one who I was closest with - I never really fit in well back there and... it'd be nice to have a new start" she said the last part with a great deal of feeling, truly believing that if they could stop Helios doing what he was going to do then she might have a chance at a normal life...
Her eyes caught Bakari's. "I.. I've already made friends here, too." Quicly she looked away, as if she'd said too much. She felt a little bit like an adolescent again - out in the rain, away from prying eyes, chatting quietly with Bakari. Of course she'd never had that as an adolescent - only dreamed it but still... Despite the dreary surroundings and impending problems, life seemed to be getting better for the little brown female.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:10 pm
Bakari nodded. "I have been lucky, and I don't know where it all came from, or whether I even deserve it. I mean, Calliope might not be my best friend yet, but she tolerates me. So does everyone else. Some of them even like me. I guess it's a good life."
He smiled a little as Erin spoke of finding friends. "I'm glad you came along. I think I've made a new friend too." He turned to look at her again for a moment, his sodden black tail swishing back and forth in the mud. He was going to be absolutely caked in the stuff during the night, he just KNEW it.
And he still couldn't get over how pretty she was. She was certainly going to be in his dreams tonight. Absently, he looked up, his gaze silently searching out Ouranos - wondering how long they should wait before going to check he hadn't fallen afoul of anything more sinister.
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Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 12:26 pm
As if on cue the big male returned, splattering through the undergrowth without too much care. He shook his head as he came closer. "Noone there, though I could smell them inside." He hadn't meant to go all the way in but once he'd figured there was noone there he had decided to explore. It was a nice large overhang which led into a cosy space - it would have made a rather comfortable pack-den if it hadn't been inhabited by Helios and his cronies.
"We'd better get back" he added, smiling a little wanly at the pair. He was looking forward to washing all of this mud off - how long was it since he'd just rolled in water, had some fun? A long time. Too long.
"Well, I guess you can't get along with everyone" she said, wondering why Bakari and Calliope didn't get along as her eyes followed the black stripe down his back. As Oura returned though, her eyes snapped to him and she nodded, feeling as though she had been caught at something. "Yes, I guess they'll be waiting for news" she added, demurely.
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