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 Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:27 pm
Kiara had never been happier. After leaving her lord and master, she had chosen a path that threaded her between pack territories, and headed for open ground. She just had to find the right sort of wolf, the kind who could take orders but wasn't going to faint at the sight of her majestic alpha male. She licked her jowls at the thought of him, eyes nearly sliding shut with ecstasy.
The wind whipped off the ocean and across the land she traveled, rippling her white fur. She turned her face into the wind and inhaled deeply, panting softly to catch every scent she could. Yes... yes, there was someone nearby. Time to earn her keep, and earn her lord's regard. Determined with recruiting, she set off with a swinging stride, ears pricked and eyes bright with eagerness.
Her king needed followers, and he needed them now.
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Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:21 am
Blackjack collapsed into a fit of laughter, dropping the dead squirrel that had been recently swinging from his jaws under the shade some trees. The expression on the loner's face when he won it had been just priceless. An hour or so before he had had struck up a conversation with the naive little female, commenting on how delicious the honey in a large hive far above their heads in a tree looked. As the charcoal wolf had expected, the female agreed, and absentmindedly answered how she'd rather have the honey than her freshly caught squirrel. In his well practiced innocent tone Blackjack told her he would trade her a honeycomb for it.
"Do you really think you can get to it?" she had responded excitedly. "Sure, the squirrel for one honeycomb."
Blackjack had only smiled. Grinning, the wolf sauntered a few feet away where he had hidden a honeycomb under a bush, and presented it to her.
"That's licked clean!" she protested.
"I know. It was delicious," Blackjack chuckled.
"That's not fair!"
"I never said I was getting it from the tree, and we agreed on a honeycomb, not necessarily one filled with honey."
The wolf had been reluctant to give up her prize, but Jack could be, persuasive when he had to be. Very persuasive.
Blackjack turned his attention back to the present, slowly disemboweling his meal. His nose was so filled with the tantalizing scent that he didn't detect the stranger approaching.
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Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:18 am
When she came within sight of the wolf she'd been tracking, he was nose-deep in the squirrel, slurping up the tasty bits. Saliva dripped off Kiara's tongue, but she firmly took her mind off eating. Later there'd be a chance to hunt, maybe even beside her king! But for now, she had a job to do. But she didn't rush right down and interrupt the meal. Instead, she sat her haunches down and thought.
What was the best approach to entice wolves into the service of her lord? Clearly he was perfectly capable of feeding himself, which was to their advantage, but that nixed the offer of steady feeding. She possibly could just go try and dominate him, but despite his smaller size, she doubted this would be a wise choice. So that left one thing, as far as Kiara could think.
All decided, she rose to her paws and began to trot closer to him. Surely he'd be done with his snack soon enough. As she drew closer, the examined him from nosetip to tailtip. He was dark colored, not too lean, and clearly resourceful, to have managed a squirrel for his hunger. They could be nasty little things to catch.
When she was close enough, she gave a greeting yip, relaxing her body into a mellow and welcoming stance. Even so, her eyes watched him intently. One never knew what a stranger might do when one approached him. No sense in getting herself mussed from a senseless fight with a rogue wolf.
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Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:38 pm
Blackjack's ears swiveled in the direction of the new female, but he paid her no mind as he crunched through the squirrel's larger bones, sipping at the little marrow they contained. She could wait. Her reaction at being put on hold at least would tell him a bit about her temperament.
He licked his jowls and paws at an agonizingly slow pace, then turned to face the onlooker, dripping disinterest, but behind his bland expression his mind was ticking away like clockwork.
The white wolf before him had taken a friendly enough stance. She looked well fed, her fur was sleek and clean, and she a determination that spoke of a deeper purpose behind this little meeting. He might be able to get away with a few games with her, Blackjack judged, but the no nonsense look in her eyes told him that one false step would earn him a good clawing across the muzzle.
It had been a long time since he had a challenge. This might prove to be interesting.
Of course, further evaluation would be required.
"Out for a stroll?" he inquired.
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:52 pm
"You might say that," she agreed noncommitally, resting her haunches and nibbling at an itch on her shoulder. The whole while, though, she kept ears cocked his direction, and watched him from beneath her lashes. This one was wily. The craftiness glittered in his eyes as he nonchalantly regarded her.
"And yourself? Hunting for your pack, are you?" There was just the faintest arch of a brow, indicating what little was left of the squirrel. She was not hungry, thankfully. An audible rumble of her belly could give the game away. She had no desire to show any signs of weakness, and hunger would certainly be a weakness.
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 6:00 pm
The prey had been small, and he had devoured it entirely, so Blackjack doubted that the female honestly thought that he was hunting for a pack. She was fishing for some information, and he decided to indulge her with an answer.
The charcoal wolf chuckled, ripping savagely at the useless piece squirrel fur that remained of his meal. "A pack? No, no. I've yet to find a group that caters to my particular," he paused for a moment, "skills."
Curiosity was beginning to itch at him. Why did she care about his affiliations or lack of them?
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:40 pm
Intrigued and pleased with his answer, she rose to her paws again and strolled closer, swinging her tail lazily behind her. Tipping her head to the side coyly and smiled at him. This wasn't just casual friendliness. Interest oozed from her like a thick fragrance. Time to turn up the charm.
"Oh really?" Her voice was soft and sweet, while she came closer, tail still waving slowly. "And what might those skills be?" She brushed past him gently, then paused to smile back at him over her shoulder. "My pack might have use for your... skills." She then flashed her fangs in a feral smile, eyes narrowing intently. "That is, if those skills are more than just pretty words and a pretty body." She let her gaze slide down his charcoal body before moving to continue circling him with a slow pace.
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:13 pm
Now this was an interesting turn of events. A very, very interesting turn. Blackjack's entire body quivered excitedly for a few seconds and his mouth hung open ever so slightly as his breathing quickened. Here was someone who knew how to play.
Damn, she knew how to play well.
Blackjack stood, eyes flashing, mouth turned up in a smirk. With as much restraint as he could muster he leaned even close to the female.
"Why don't you find out for yourself?" he challenged gutturally.
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:07 pm
She paused in mid-stride and gave him a sidelong glance. It didn't... quite... promise favors. But it sure did indicate favors may be involved in the deal. "Wanting to prove yourself already?" She practically purred, if a wolf could make such a noise. Instead, it came out as a low-throated but eager whine. "How simply delightful." She smiled slow and warm again and moved a wolf-length back the way she'd come.
"That way is the den," she growled softly, tail swishing behind her as she pointed with her nose. She contorted her body to nibble and lick at her back leg, her eyes meeting his across her hindquarters. "Find something to kill and meet me there. We'll be... hungry, I'm sure, before our... negotiations are done." Again, no promises. Only suggestions, hintings, and much enticement. She could sense his eager interest, his keen eyes lighting from within. If she could play this right... her lord would have a new wolf to serve him.
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:04 pm
Blackjack nodded, and without a word he bounded into the woods. After a few minutes he slowed, grateful for the chance to think clearly out of the white wolf's presence.
She was good, he had to give her that. She'd taken control of the situation and dumped him on his tail like a pup. At the same time she dangled the prize just out of his reach, yet it was close enough to get him to leap into her jaws for a second thrashing. What had happened to him? He didn't even learn her name!
Time to turn the tables.
He would have to move quickly. It didn't even qualify as one of his plans, but it was the only thing he could think to do in the situation.
Blackjack dropped the partial deer carcass in front of the den. It landed with a dull thud, the rancid scent emanating from it in waves. The bones were practically stripped clean, and what little meat remained was past rotten.
"Come out darling!" he taunted. "I've brought a little offering!"
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:22 am
When Kiara padded out and approached the dark wolf and his 'offering', her eyes narrowed. She stopped, paws nearly touching the rank carcass. Her gaze moved from it to him, her lips curling back in a scornful growl. "If this is the best you can do, then I have no use for you." She knew he was mocking her, and she wasn't about to let it slide. Snarling, she advanced on him. "In fact, if this truly is the best you can do, perhaps I should let you stay, after all." A feral gleam flashed in her eyes as she raised her head and tail before him. "He could use a chew toy, someone to take his ire out on." She sneered again at him, beautiful tail stiff and lovely eyes mocking in her own right. "That is, if this is your idea of hunting."
Even with the aggression, though, there vibrated still an echo, a whisper, of their previous attraction. Oh, she couldn't deny it, he was quite appealing. But his station wasn't high enough for her to lower herself to begging for his attention. In fact, she wanted to be queen, and a queen took no such jokes from someone seeking to enter the pack. A moment during which the wavering between attraction and domination lingered, and then quick as lightning, she darted closed and snapped at his ears and neck, aiming to sink her teeth into the more tender lower parts of his saucy ears.
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:11 pm
Blackjack ducked, wincing slightly as the white wolf's razor sharp fangs grazed his ear, and danced out of the way.
"So you've got bite. I like that in a girl," he laughed. "Yes, yes, I like you. But there appears to be a problem with this arrangement. If you're looking for a sickly omega to cower at your feet and bring you food then you've come to the wrong place little princess. Your offer was tempting, but you see, I like to be the one running the show," he growled, a little line of blood trickling down the side of his face from his ear. "The one taking these favors, not," he paused, "accepting them."
"However, I still am open to negotiation. I might bend under a little authority if I had," a twisted grin stretched across his muzzle, "pawns of my own."
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:06 pm
She regarded him coldly, ears still but attentive as she assessed him. She let him wait as she considered his proposal. He had the potential to make a good follower for her lord. He seemd to have the wit and intelligence, as well as the boldness that might take him far.
"It's good to know you wouldn't be satisfied as an omega," she commented at last, eyes still assessing him. "Twould be a waste of your... talents." Her eyes flickered again, and a smile twitched at the corners of her lips. Then she sat her haunches down and began the real negotiation.
"My king needs those who will follow him as he conquers and dominates. He will share his bounty, but will abide no betrayal or uprising." Her eyes glittered and her tongue lolled out as she continued to speak of her great lord. "He is powerful, and will deal with upstarts terminally." Her eyes narrowed again at him, and she threw her ears forward. "If this appeals to you, we would welcome you into our ranks. I am Kiara, and I am my lord's right-paw wolf." She rose then, ruff standing up with her determination. "And I intend on remaining such." There was warning, but not much threat there. For now.
"As to pawns," she continued, moving closer to him again, her body relaxed and at ease once more. "I think we could arrange for that. As well as other... perks as would befit your new position." She again circled him, almost possessively, smiling and brushing her fur against his, nostrils flared to catch his scent. Given their king didn't mind, she could quite possibly have a lot of enjoyment out of this new recruit. Then again... giving her favors to the alpha alone might make her chance of being queen beside him more likely. There was much to consider here.
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Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:56 pm
"Intriguing. Brute strength is not something that interests me, for the prey an alpha takes down carries no worth if it can be conned out of his paws by a wolf of sharper wit, but if your lord has half the skill at manipulation that you demonstrated today I think I can muster up more than enough respect for him."
Catching the message in female's body language, Blackjack chuckled.
"I'll tell you what," he added with a smirk, "I'd be willing to make an exception for you, just 'cause you're so damn intriguing. I'll be receptive towards these perks," he drew the word out, delighting in its taste on his tongue, merging it with a throaty laugh, "if they're based on a sort of mutual interest."
He flicked his tail, brushing it against her pelt.
"As long as giving in to certain," another chuckle, "urges, won't be mistaken for weakness on either of our parts, Kiara. You may call me Blackjack, though a privileged few just call me Jack. Once we've gotten a little, closer, I might give you permission to shorten it, too."
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Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:19 pm
"Weakness is in the eye of the beholder," she replied cryptically, lightly nipping at the tail tip he used to caress her. "I promise nothing, my dear Jack the Black." Her voice settled into a gutteral rolling growl that spoke nothing of aggression as she said his name, or her version of it, anyway.
"Welcome to the pack, Blackjack," she continued airily, as if nothing subtle and suggestive had gone on. "Here is our main den. Our lord will be sure to check in on you to see that you are settling and ready to obey his wishes." She flicked another look back at him as she led him into the den. It was another of those gazes through her lashes. "He is the one I make promises to, and he will be the one you will make promises to. If he makes promises back, consider yourself lucky." She smiled then, a flash of white fangs in the dusky shadows of the rocky cave. "Until he comes to welcome you, make yourself at home."
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