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 Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 8:57 pm
The one she did trust had come to her first, Verdauga. She wasn't sure though if she should send him. She felt guilty for considering it. He was under her protection and here she goes sending him off on dangerous missions. She had not forgotten that Verdauga was wanted for his past crimes. Not to mention he stuck out like a sore thumb.
She decided to leave it up to her pack mate. Simply ordering him around when she knew the dangers he faced would be unfair. She walked over to where he was now, the river they drank from. "Verdauga, may I talk to you? It's important."
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:15 pm
 Verdauga had been settling in nicely to his new home, where Benita had offered him kindness, shelter, and protection. The tattered, peg legged, single eyed helix had decided on the spot, when he had first met Benita, that he would serve her to the best of her abilities for offering something not many helix would even consider. He could only recall two who had been kind to him, Benita and Sorpresa, and he owed the world to both.
He had been relatively relaxed when his beloved alpha approached, calling his name. His single blue orb had been staring deep into the tranquil, clear river that they found so much nourishment from and he was deep in thought, recalling Sorpresa's face and those of the helix he had brought death too so much earlier than it should have come.
Did he deserve such a lovely life, after the havoc he had caused?
He didn't think so and he felt immensely guilty just for being able to enjoy a single afternoon.
"Yes'm, certaintly, mate." He replied as he rolled to his paws and peg.
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:44 pm
"Last night I met a messenger at our borders." She didn't tell him she had left camp to use the ladies room, that would just be embarrassing!
"My friend Inukimi is gravely ill and other packs have been raiding her territory. She fears her death is near, either by sickness or at the claws of her enemies. I owe her a debt, she helped raise me after my pack was killed. I'm obligated to honor whatever she requests until my debt is paid." She sighed and met his one-eyed gaze.
"She's asking me to go find her only son, Sesshoumaru. He lives in the west, a beta without a pack. Finding him won't be easy and I'm afraid we'll loose this home if I go." She explained, looking uneasily in the direction of the pack she knew who ate carrion.
"I'm asking if you would consider going? I'm not ordering you to do anything, feel free to say no if you want to. I understand the dangers your in and that it's asking a lot. Word travels in the West so he should find you if he hears your seeking him. He's all white, with a purple crescent moon on his forehead and two stripes on each cheek. His ears and tail aren't normal, their long and fluffy." She described him as best she could.
"She wants me to return with him so that he could be there to protect her from the raiders or be there for her death if it comes." Her voice saddened at this. Inukimi had been nothing but kind to her. Benita felt guilty for not being able to help out herself. She was an Alpha, she had major responsibilities.
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:55 pm
The one eyed helix listened carefully, hanging on to every word that left his alpha's maw. Her quest was a steep one, one that could certainly spell his end if he wound up int he wrong part of territory alone. Yet he could hear the sorrow in her voice and as she owed a debt, so did he. She was asking him, which was something he appreciated, instead of ordering him.
But at the same time he couldn't possibly decline and continue his dreary thoughts at the river side, knowing that he could of made all the difference in the life or death of one Benita owed a debt to. She couldn't leave and he understood that very well.
"Ah c'n do et, ma'am. Y'c'n count on me, thass fer sure." He replied after a few brief moments of silence. He couldn't possibly say no, not at all. "Migh' take me a bit an' all that fun stuff, but ah'll find 'im, that ah will. Wot am ah but useless if'n ah cain't pay m'debts t'ye, ma'am?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:24 pm
Benita brightened and smiled at him with gratitude. "Thank you Verdauga, I appreciate it very much. I understand why it would take some time and Inukimi knows that too. Still, It's nice to have someone I can trust on for help." She shuffled her wings anxiously, it would be hard for her to see him leave. "You should eat well before leaving, don't know when you'll get to hunt again. I hope you have a safe journey and return home when you can." She started walking down to the southern border. "I'll give the mountain a warning howl. It's against the law to not harm messengers but if anyone questions you other than Sesshoumaru I'd like for you not to say anything about Inukimi. If certain packs learn of her illness she'll be in more danger."
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:33 pm
His heavy ears swiveled as he listened to his alpha speak. This would be an enormous task, but he was ready and willing. "Yes'm, ah'll be sure t'keep me ol' trap shut." He felt his pride swelling at Benita's thanks.
"Ah'll be sure t'ave th' message to Sesh'maru as quick as possible an' won' breath a word 'bout 'is dear ol' mum." He gave the brightly hued helix a grin and shifted on his paws. Eating before he left certainly was a good idea.
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Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2009 10:55 pm
"Already caught a couple rabbits over there. Caught them beforehand. I didn't know who would be going but when it was decided I wanted to help them. Tradition says it brings speed to it's messengers for them to eat a bunny before they go. I'm not much of a believer in that but I figured I'd honor the tradition for this special occasion." She explained, waving her tail toward two plump freshly dead rabbits. "Don't have to eat them all but enjoy yourself, their all yours." Benita started walking towards the southern border. She had a howl to deliver, to help warn the others that Verdauga wasn't a threat to anyone on his way down. "Be right back." She promised over her shoulder.
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 7:33 am
"Aye aye, ma'am." He replied, his brown hued tail swished thankfully as he padded towards the rabbits she had indicated. He was hungry and they would go a long way, as far as nourishment went. The peg-legged helix plopped down over the offering Benita had caught and though he was not one to believe in superstitions, he hoped that she was right and these slain rabbits would bring him the much needed speed to get to the beta's territory in the west.
As she left to howl an alert to neighboring territories, he chowed down on the kill. He probably would not eat them entirely, but just enough to feel not hungry. If he ate until he felt full, that would decrease his stamina and he wouldn't be able to respond quickly if need be.
He gnawed with hunger, filling himself with the fresh rabbit meat.
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 8:12 am
Benita took to the air near the southern border, the mountain stretched down before her. The valley at it's base was easily seen, even the nearby human villages. She took a deep breathe and concentrated, closing her eyes. Howling tended to stiffen the body but you couldn't do that while flying. The howl would carry better in the air though. She had to multi-task and make sure she didn't drop like a stone.
Finally she let out a howl as loudly as she could, flapping her wings to keep hovering. The message was simply. 'Messenger from Dragon Fire pack heading down the mountain. Do not attack!' She listened carefully in mid air. Several howls from several different Alphas confirmed that they had heard her. Some weren't happy about it but they knew the law and obeyed it.
Satisfied she flew over her territory, circling once to make sure all was well. Once she was sure no one was trespassing she landed and walked back to Verdauga.
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 8:20 am
He had heard her message, as well as the replies to it, echoing over the mountains and a small, yet grim smile played at the edges of his maw. Soon he would be leaving the safety of the pack, but it would be for the better and he was sure things would turn out eventually. Who knows, perhaps things would settle nicely on his return.
He had finished eating by the time Benita had returned and he offered her a grin.
"Sounds li' it went well, mate." He spoke cheerily and his long tail swished behind him.
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 8:42 am
"Better reception than I thought there would be. Sounds like most of the packs are in a good mood. I wish you safety and good luck on your journey my friend." She nodded to him in respect, eyes shimmering. "Goodbye for now!" She folded her wings against her body and bowed in farewell.
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 8:44 am
"Ah'll be back soon, I c'n tell ye' that, Benita. Take ye care." He vowed with a smile and his single, blue eye flashed with sincerity and pride. He would do all he could for his new family.
With that, he turned from Benita and began to pick his way down the mountain side at an even gait, enjoying the summer breeze that swished through the bamboo thickets and swayed the branches overhead. It felt lovely and he set his mind on the task at hand, instead what could be if he were caught.
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 9:05 am
Benita watched worriedly until he disappeared from view. Finally she turned away and began searching for the rest of her pack. They would have heard her howl and wondered which member it was who was sent. She would let them know as soon as she found them. "For you Inukimi..." She whispered, glancing up at the sky.
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