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 Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 6:50 pm
In theory, of course, he could always come back, retaining his position at the head of the pantheon, but somehow Rummy doubted this would happen. He had doubted it from the moment Danel and his betas had left. There were those who would blindly believe their god no matter what he said -- a trait that was obviously admirable among that level of the pack -- but Rummy was not one of them.
And now it had been months. Rummy marched through the rocks and rubble and gritty gravel that hid the pack's quite empty dens. It was evening, the time for hunting; and even more than that, with Danel's absence, the Brothers had scattered far across the pack, wandering solo as males are wont to do. Something would have to be done soon, or even the strongest of ties to this land would fade, leading in desertions and worse, the spilling of secrets. Better to prevent that completely than have to worry about more traitors.
The crags finally gave way to a smooth valley, covered in only the hardiest of thistles and grasses, hidden on all sides by the stones. Rummy sat in the center of this clearing, the air completely still, the wind stopped in its efforts to reach this place. The red male paused, listening. Aside from the crickets, the night was quiet. Satisfied, Rummy threw back his head, the cloth of his veil stretching over his maw, and howled.
The howl of the Shadow Clan was different from that of most wolves, an unnatural sound. It was designed specifically to imitate the whistling wind, and blended in with the night instead of standing out. When heard by an outsider, the listener could fool himself into thinking it was nothing but a trick of his ears and a brisk breeze. But the Brothers were taught from childhood to hear and respond to the call.
Rummy finished his song and sat still again, waiting, his ears perked forward. He knew some of the Brothers would not be happy with what he was about to do, but at the same time, he knew he could sway enough to his side to complete his mission. And his mission was simple -- for the good of the pack, it needed to be united again, under one leader. The whole hierarchy was gone. The heir was unprepared for the position. Ever the analyst, Rummy knew now was the time to step up.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:18 pm
Avidimi, who had been keeping close to the pack's centre, its heart, raced over when he heard the howl. Things had been so boring lately. Everyone seemed to lack direction and they only banned together to hunt out of necessity. He couldn't remember the last time any new blood was brought in either. The youngest members of the pack were adolescents already. He knew sooner or later something was going to have to be done, whether Danel came back or not.
"Yo, Rummeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~" Avidimi said casually. This was just how he was He was the clown of the group. YOuthful and playful as always, but loyal to the end. After all, this was all he had ever known.
'What is the meaning of this?' he thought to himself. 'Are the tides finally set to change? A new leader emerge?'
It was the day he feared, and yet knew inevitable would come.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 7:44 pm
 Xihuitl heard the call, he knew what it was for. But he'd been away for so long he could no longer remember who it was from. The starry male called back, asking who it was. He started off in the direction of the call, running swiftly. He'd left the pack for a while, staying on the outskirts. But whenever he heard the calls he always answered. His brothers had probably forgotten about him long ago, but now he longed to be close again.
Months ago he'd seen his alpha leave alone with the betas, yet he knew nothing of why. Maybe to hunt down the traitors, but this must be about pullnig the pack back together. Making them a pack again.
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Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:15 pm
 Panzerfaust was conflicted. He had no idea where the others were. Where was his god? Was his god lost? Did the traitor have anything to do with his disappearance? Panzerfaust wanted to hunt the traitor down but he knew he needed the god's permission. How would he do anything?
He heard the call, the one all brothers learned. He raised his head in the direction from which it originated. He could tell where it most likely came from, the clearing.
Who was it? Was it the god? He would answer, like all brothers should. He would see if the brotherhood would be as it should be. As it always had been.
 Zelsius heard the call. One of his brothers wasn't it? He moved towards the call. He'd follow, like he was taught. It was the tradition. It was the way. He would help preserve it. He was a brother after all.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 12:28 am
 The young whippersnapper didn't have the heart, nor the guts, to wander like many of the other males in the pack.
He was still young and unsure of himself. He needed more training. He needed to learn. He needed to know his new family, his brothers. There was so much he didn't know and to not know terrified him. If he couldn't learn fast enough, would his body be one of the broken ones that nourished the world around him?
He didn't want to think of that. So when Rummy called, he wasn't too far away. In fact, he had been curled within one of the old, abandoned dens. His bushy tail was wrapped around him, covering his wet nose. His ears pricked at the odd, yet familiar call that he had not heard in some time.
It was the red one, Rummy. He recognized the voice easily enough and was on his paws in a flash, eager to work, as he had not in some time. Work helped keep one's mind off of things and he was eager to keep busy. Always busy.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:14 pm
Silvery orbs blinked open, drawing wide in contrast to their sleepy position just a second before, having caught the sound of the distant howl. The wolf had been nodding off just when he heard the call; wait, that was a howl, wasn't it? The dark wolf wondered if his imagination was sparking up once again, allowing his mind to show him his desires rather than reality. He released a little sigh, dismissing the sound, while his thin legs pulled forward in a shaky stretch, a yawn quickly followed. Elapse hadn't been as productive lately as he usually liked; there were few pups left for him to care for, now most either grown or large adolescents attempting to earn their place in the pack. It seemed without Danel's instruction these past few months, the pack had gone into a slump. Shaking his head, the wolf pulled to his feet, crawling to the exit of his small den just in time to see another brotherhood member dart past, hood flapping as he moved.
'Maybe I hadn't imagined that call,' he thought to himself.
The omega followed after the trail of his fellow wolf, his head low as usual, and finally he came to a small gathering centered around the dark red male in the middle, Rummy. Respectfully, and he wouldn't have thought of any other scenario, his head was lowered nearly to the ground, his ears pulled all the way back. He didn't expect to be addressed or looked upon in the other wolf's presence, but being a member of the Brotherhood, it was his duty and his pleasure to see to the duties of his home pack.
Elijah had grown up in the Brotherhood. He lived by its rules, obeyed his alpha, and wanted nothing more than to prove himself a worthy and a valued member. He had gone to Danel as all adolescents do in order to find his place in the pack, to obtain a career that would ensure his position in the pack. Elijah had been given the task of following the vagabond. Tracking him and then reporting back to Danel his findings. But upon his first visit back to the back, he had been dreading speaking with his alpha, telling him of his failure of pinpointing the vagabond's location; however, instead of Danel, he found stories of his absence and noted the betas were also missing. For the past few days he had laid around, unsure of what to do, how to handle himself, or if he should just start back on his adventure in the hopes Danel would have returned by his next visit.
He would be glad he decided to linger a little longer. The howl came as a bit of a surprise, but turning from his current path, Elijah darted off in the direction of the call.
He trotted up among the others, noting the very few faces he recognized, and then turned his green gaze upon the wolf who had apparently called them all here.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 9:15 pm
 Unlike most the call was no surprise for Aka. On the cusp of adolescents he had spent most of his time searching for his place in the pack, the ones who had been reared with him already grown and on their way to their positions within the heirarchy. Still Aka knew even though he was slightly younger then them that he was much more cunning, and he had waited for this moment. The alpha, his god, had left with the betas and Aka knew they weren't coming back, or they better not. Not if his plan was to be fulfilled.
Turning he ran towards the call, not far from where he had been surveying. Rummy was bringing them together again, but would he lead? Perhaps. Then he was the one Aka had to get close to. There was only one thing eating at his thoughts, that was the Heir. He had to be eliminated.......
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Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:05 pm
 The ocean-colored wolf stepped gingerly through the rough brush, unconsciously careful as always to keep his cloak from catching on snagging briars. His demeanor seemed un-befitting of his so-called 'honorable title', however, there was no one else about to see, so he didn't bother keeping up pretenses. This behavior was far more normal for him anyway.
Fallyn had kept his distance for some time now from the home dens. He was well aware of the growing unrest, which was partially why he'd chosen to take to the outlying lands. When the Alpha God and his Right and Left Paws had set out into the wilderness on pack business...Fallyn had gladly stayed behind. To keep face, he could argue that as the Heir, he was keeping an eye on the pack while the others were gone, however, any wolf with a brain knew this was far from the truth. The pack was falling apart, the brothers growing restless, and Fallyn had no intention of stepping up to do anything about it. He didn't have the power to do that anyway, even if he'd had the courage. Instead, he'd drifted like many of the other brothers. He stayed away from the home dens, thereby avoiding the unfortunate chance of crossing paths with any of his brothers and forcing a conflict. As long as he stayed under the radar and didn't draw attention to himself, Fallyn figured the pack had other issues to worry about before they bothered with him. As much as he feared conflict with his so-called 'brothers', however, Fallyn feared the world outside the Brotherhood even more. So, while he kept to himself, he also made sure to stay well within the pack's lands, far from the edge of the Brotherhood's territory.
It was a peaceful enough existence, though some might call it boring. Fallyn almost seemed to relish the calm solitude. To be quite honest, the bonus of the absence of the Weapon's heated, putrid breath over his shoulder...well, even Fallyn found himself trembling and cowering less than he used to.
The snap of a twig just over his shoulder immediately changed that, almost as if in pure contradiction to his current train of thought. Instinctively, Fallyn whirled, crouching close to the ground to protect his vulnerable spots while baring his fangs with a snarl, a false show of bravado. Almost comically, another cloaked wolf bounded up towards Fallyn, tongue lolling out of his mouth with a grin. "Really, man, you need to learn to calm down and take it easy," he teased, tail swishing amiably behind him. He paused before reaching the other male, paying no attention to Fallyn's supposed threat as he calmly stretched and rested on his haunches.Even if he wasn't threatening, Fallyn growled softly as he regained his feet and what might be left of his composure. "What do you want, Marrok?" He wouldn't have been so forward with any other member of the Brotherhood, but the green wolf had been pestering him for some time now without any hint of violent retribution, no matter how rude Fallyn was with him."No, no, no, Fallyn. You're still not getting it," Marrok shook his head, as if patiently speaking to a pup. "The correct response is 'Greetings, brother. It's a pleasure to see you today. May the ground fly swiftly beneath your feet and the prey fall easily beneath your jaws.'"Fallyn sneered, rising to a sitting position to glare evenly at Marrok. "You're a pain in the tail, Marrok. Now what do you want?""You're not going to make many friends that way, Fallyn. And trust me, from what I've seen, you could really use some friends. At least don't go about trying to make more wolves into enemies, eh? I'd think you'd have enough of those." The green wolf continued talking, as if paying no mind to the other male's objections and demands. He never did really. "Someone needs to take you under their wing, like a soaring bird. Teach you to fly with your own wings some day." He seemed to ponder this seriously for a moment, as if weighing some great decision. "Know what? It may be a suicide mission, but...I'll take the job!" He reached up and planted a paw on Fallyn's shoulder, still grinning widely. "There! Now you got one friend in your corner! Feel better now?"Fallyn snapped at the paw in a bad-tempered manner, missing as Marrok pulled it away, but perhaps not completely by accident. "You're a mad wolf, Marrok," he sneered, ready to say more when the wind-like howl caused his ears to twitch. A chill raced down his spine as he unconsciously considered what the call might mean. Were the Alpha God and his consort back? Or was that someone else calling for action? What could a coup within the pack mean for Fallyn? Nothing good at this rate, because whatever happened, he was going to find himself drawing unwanted attention once more.
Either way, he couldn't ignore a call for the pack to gather. His posture slumped noticeably as he rose to his feet, turning his nose towards the dens as he padded off that way.Marrok knew what the call meant as well, and for once, he held his tongue for teasing. Something major was happening. The green, cloaked wolf followed after his brother and self-proclaimed 'friend', keeping close to the Heir even when they reached the growing group of Brothers. Fallyn seemed inclined to try and stay out of the center of attention as long as possible and took a seat near the back of the group, so unconcerned, Marrok followed after...much to the other wolf's mild irritation. Though, really, he had more important things to worry about right now.
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 11:46 pm
 "Don't be a fool, David; we have to go."
Niccolo presented the evidence like an unequivocal truth to his brother, who stood stiff-legged and trembling as the pack cry died on the real wind. David, who did not want to return, not because he was disloyal to the pack but because he feared the inevitable change that meeting would bring, a change that would undoubtedly lead to arguing, possibly to altercations, potentially to bloodshed.
"Look, Brother, if there's a meeting you and I need to be there; you know it will be worse after, if you're not."
David shook his head, unadorned by the hood as his brother's was. "Nic, they are looking to change everything."
His brother shrugged. "Don't act so paranoid. You've no aspirations. Don't worry, I'm sure whoever wins the fight will still want a little pup-stealer like you." He had no fears that he himself would remain once the pack was reorganized. Niccolo rarely feared anything. Finally, he snorted, and began to walk toward the meeting place.
After a moment's hesitation, David scampered after him, his tail between his legs. He stayed behind his brother even as they entered the loose ring of Brothers, fearing the meeting but fearing even more being without his protector.
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 11:54 pm
Rummy watched as the Brothers trickled in to their ancestral meeting place, golden eyes shadowed by his cloak. Only one, Avidimi, spoke in greeting, and he was a fool. That was not to say he was useless, since all courts made use of their fools, but it did mean that Rummy could disregard him.
The crowd was not as big as Rummy had hoped, yet larger than he had expected. He was a little surprised to see the Heir. Rummy had assumed the younger wolf had either left to follow Danel, or fled once his predecessor disappeared. Perhaps Rummy underestimated him.
The Brothers milled around, but most of them gazed at him. Already by calling this meeting he was de facto leader, for the moment. Now he simply had to cement that sentiment into their minds.
He waited for a minute or two, until he was sure that everyone who was coming had arrived. He did not rise to his feet, but sat before the gathering of males, presenting himself in a calm and unthreatened manner.
"Brothers," he started. "The time has come for decisions. Our god--" he added a note of hesitancy to the word, not enough to be called treason to the missing alpha, but enough to show his opinion that Danel no longer deserved the title "--has left our homeland, to pursue the traitor; his sword and shield have left with him. We cannot maintain under these conditions. We must rebuild the hierarchy or our ancient ways will truly crumble into shadows."
He stopped again, to let the Brothers digest those words and regurgitate more as they would.
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:27 pm
It had been no less than what both Avidimi and Dustiel had assumed. Avidimi had expected to be ignored - most of those up on their high horse and with little sense for his humor did, so it was nothing new to him. Neither was this inevitable meeting. He carried himself very calmly at the front of the crowd, having been one of the first to get there. He noted that there were some others that weren't so calm and collected - those who lacked faith in the power of the Shadow Clan, of the brotherhood. If he was a fool, then they were more so.
Dustiel kept silent. It was the most he could do, given his current position. Better to stay calm, cool, and silent than to fly off the handle as he knew some probably would. This meeting...had the potential to either rebuild or shatter completely all that he had come to know. He hoped for the former.
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 10:14 pm
Narrowing his eyes Aka took in those who had come to the call. There were few who had come. While it pleased him, less competition this way, it unnerved him. It appeared that loyalty ran thin as soon the going got tough, it was disgusting. If he ever came across an old Brother who had decided to leave, they would pay with their blood.
It wasn't in his nature to stay silent, and Aka never went against his nature. "If I may," He went forward merely to allow others to see that it was he who had spoken. "I agree, I'm one of the youngest of the pack, no new blood as entered our ranks and we've grown thin, it's obvious." He pointedly looked around. "But do we dare go against our god?"
After he was done he stepped back and waited to see if anyone else had something to say, and if Rummy would even acknowledge his presence enough to answer his question.
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:33 am
Okeetee listened silently to Rummy's words. He had spent most of his time since the disappearance of Danel right here, amongst the dens. Thus, he had seen the red wolf on several occasions and had grown a particular like for him. He seemed the right type. The leader type.
The brown one was sure he would do well enough, even if he wasn't Danel. He turned to look over Aka, one of the pups that had been stolen the same night as he had.
"Our God might think it against him if we were simply to disappear into the wind. Rummy is trying to hold us together... Besides, if our God returns, he would just take his position back, right Rummy?"
He hoped speaking out wouldn't be frowned on. He and Aza were two of the four youngest, after all. Neither of them even had their cloaks!
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:24 pm
(( I know this is open to all Brotherhood RP but it'd be much more appreciated if there was some semblance of a posting order...))
Panzerfaust knew this brother. After all, wasn't he the one to make sure all did their work? Just as he himself made sure those beneath him obeyed, he knew Rummy's job under the past God was to make sure things ran nicely. Panzerfaust had no doubt that Rummy was the reason why the pack hadn't completely fallen apart and lost its traditions. He couldn't remember how the pups were trained, were they not just the omega's trainees, those he never paid attention to until they proved themselves? Or was it just the fact that it had been long time since he'd seen other pups, stolen and worthy of the brotherhood. Long time since others had proven themselves worthy.
Panzerfaust gazed at the young whelps, those who spoke with not a hood to stand proudly upon their brow. He looked them in the eye, silently and without a waver in his gaze, with the hint of reproach. He turned back to Rummy before looking into the others' eyes. The heir, he mentally scoffed. He would see how the heir stood up. Panzerfaust had deterred to the God, who was he to doubt the God? But now, the God was not here, and the pack had to start to live once again. Thrive in the shadows as it was to be. He would see how the heir did, whether the heir was worthy or not. He doubted the heir's worthiness however.
Panzerfaust looked back to Rummy, looked into his eyes. He was capable. He would be their God. He gave a small nod, his eyes never leaving his God's eyes.
"Command God, and I will obey as a brother must and should. Command, and I will make others obey as they must and should."
Zelsius nodded with Panzerfaust's words. He disregarded what the young ones had to say, not paying them any attention. When they proved themselves and wore the hood upon their brow with pride would he then truly say the way brothers. For now, they must train and learn their place within the brotherhood, as they all had once.
Zelsius looked into his God's eyes and spoke, "The Brotherhood will live as it always has. We will not crumble. We will not allow it to." Zelsius's paws never left the dirt, never left the earth in any kind of doubt or hesitation.
"For all we know, the sword and shield have also failed the god. Will others be chosen? And who will take care of the traitor?" Zelsius eyed Panzerfaust, it was a sore point but it had to be addressed. "The traitor threatens our existence, the whispers are growing louder. It needs to be silenced, by death or by maiming."
Panzerfaust hesitated at the bard. Zelsius hit the point right on the head. He had approached one of Danel's betas, and nothing had happened. It wasn't one's duty or right to break tradition like the traitor had. It needed to be put in its place. Permanently.
But he knew the times were unstable. Danel and his sword and shield were gone. Rummy, no, their God, needed his sword and his shield. He needed to make sure they knew their places. He needed to deal with the past heir. He needed the gammas in their places, making sure functions were done correctly, traditions were upheld, commands obeyed. He needed to make sure that the omegas were ready for their task, ready to bring new blood into the brotherhood, new blood that was worthy.
So many things to be done but Panzerfaust knew the God would do it. He was their God.
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:48 pm
((post orders just serve to drag things out as people wait. To me, they are a nuisance.))
"You say.." Dustiel began "That you will not allow the Brotherhood to fall and crumble..." his words were muttered just loud enough for all to hear, and he spoke with his eyes looking at the ground. In an instant that changed, and he turned around to look at all those behind him; "WHERE WERE YOU JUST MOMENTS BEFORE!? Were you not wondering aimlessly like a stray rock falls from the cliff side? Do you not see the hypocracy of your statements? How can you say that it won't...when your very actions betray your words....?"
There was a snarl of distaste on the young adol's face. It could be simply that he misunderstood, but in his mind all he heard was what they thought Rummy wanted to hear.
His head rose, and he looked at them no longer.
"It sounds to me...you are cow-towing to the popular opinion. You are submitting in the face of the one brave enough to step up and suggest the clan's revival. He has my support, but it sounds to me...that the rest of you are only saying what you think wants to be heard."
And of course, youth will make mistakes.
Avidimi just stared at Dustiel. Well,...at least someone had some gal, though even Avidimi knew to speak so out of line was foolishness. It would only serve to rile the others that wouldn't be so happy to be called a hypocrite. He was stupid to say such....especially with so many brothers of dissenting opinion at his back.
"Brother I'm sure it's....not all that...maybe they really feel that way?" Avidimi looked back at the ground where he sat. Not may towards the back would probably hear him. He was talking to Dustiel and only him. "I can understand what you mean though....about thinking they don't mean what they say...." Avidimi now stood and flanked the younger Dustiel, should anyone from behind be angered, and lash out at the young one.
He then spoke to the rest of them; "If you truly cared about the brotherhood not falling apart - you would have been here, and not wondering." For once there was a hard look on the jester's face. He had been here, at the heart of their lands waiting for any order that came out of any of his superior's mouth. He might have been the comic relief, but he was loyal.
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