Word Count Minus Names/Emotes: 3,299
Kerai: 80 *follows a porcupine* What is this thing!
Gabrielle: That is a . . . a . . . *How odd. She'd never see one before either!* owo *watches it from a safe distance* Kerai, don't track it. Those spines look awful, and if you get pricked I have no responsibility to see it is pulled out while we travel.
Kerai: *is mesmerized and continues to follow, hardly keeping a distance as Gabrielle instructed. Finally the prickly creature grew annoyed enough with Kerai's trailing it turned around and faced off, looking obviously displeased*
Gabrielle: Kerai . . . *is a low warning now* Slowly back away. It might launch itself at you. *though was more concerned the guy would roll over and get showered in spikes; wonders if the odd creature could understand them* We mean you no harm and will be going now.
Kerai: *watches as the strange creature snorts, bristling its mini daggers along its spine even more threateningly. It didn't seem concerned with answering the female. He could hear Gabrielle as well and was only just processing what she was saying. It took a moment before his paws started reacting and back up, his reluctance to leave the creature tortureous.* But it's so...so...
Gabrielle: *finishes for him flatly, the sight of the thing's bristling making her stiffen defensively* Dangerous. Away, Kerai, we don't have time to be ogling every odd creature we see. *Though she herself was rooted to the spot until the male obeyed*
Kerai: *whines, finally listening to the she-wolf and backed off completely, trotting back to Gabrielle but staring back over his shoulder at the chattering beast* Ahh...
Gabrielle: *subtly glances him over to make sure he's not hurt, justifying it as a means to make sure her property wasn't damaged rather than a concerned friend making sure he was okay* Kerai. *somewhat glares at him, pulling the chains a bit with a paw to get his attention. We're on a mission. I am not in the mood to babysit you.
Kerai: *He lowered his head, ears pinning to the side of his slim skull, recognizing he had disobeyed and nearly put a tent in their adventure* I'm sorry. I just got a little distracted...it was so...so...well, it won't happen again.
Gabrielle: I hope not. *turns to lead them onward again, miffed that they had wasted time (even if it was, what, five minutes?). She wasn't even sure what her rush was to hit this "Order" pack anyway, knowing next to nothing about the wolves within beyond the goodly nature - which in and of itself somewhat creeped her out . . . Mutters under her breath* Beware the nice ones.
Kerai: *He caught up with her, trotting to her side with his head still low. Glancing at her ever few feet, he wondered what was on her mind* Whatcha thinking about?
Gabrielle: About what lies ahead for us. *It was vague enough so that she was telling the truth without elaborating. She wondered what it said about her, not speaking her mind as much even when they were alone* This pack lies opposite of us, yet we don't know much about it. For all we know, they might very well imprison us there. And . . . I am not exactly experienced as a Lady.
Kerai: Maybe, but I don't think so *he said cheerfully* You're charming and far more kind than the rest of the pack. I think they'll go easy on you.
Gabrielle: Hmm. *The first, maybe, the second . . . the second was what had caused her trouble to begin with.* "Too nice for your own good." *Moghedien thought her weak; kindness was probably one of the reasons why* There is no such thing as easy for us, Kerai. "The Reign of Terror" will not bring happy welcomes from others.
Kerai: No, that's true, but you're nice. Much nicer than most from RoT. Other packs will take more kindly to you, maybe even give you a bigger tribute. I bet they'd rather give you something than maybe someone like Clooney.
Gabrielle: Maybe. *She didn't really sound convinced despite his praising, caught in inner self-appraisal. How much did she truly look the part of a Lady?* The mask and hood might put them off, however . . . And I'm loathe to remove them. But it doesn't matter how "nice" I appear: it's what and who I represent that would matter to them. A pretty smile asking for a token of blood is the same as a snarl asking for it . . .
Kerai: *The older wolf didn't know what to say.* Maybe, but I'm not so sure. *He wasn't aware he was drawing attention on her Lady status and how her personality affected it.* I have faith you'll be successful.
Gabrielle: We'll need a little more than faith, Kerai. *A little dryly, yet also a little somberly; she sighed a little as they walked onward. Talking removed her mind from the dull ache in her paws* How is it that you can simplify things like that? How are you sure this will work?
Kerai: *He hesitated in his step before regaining his pace, frowning at Gabrielle's words. Pulling that frown into a smile, the black wolf shook his head.* I'm not sure, but I think it is better to be positive and hope for the best than fret about it. You fret and it's easier to mess up, to second guess yourself.
Gabrielle: I suppose . . . *It certainly was her current problem, and she wondered if Kerai was purposefully saying what he did to show that he knew it* I used to hope for the best in things, you know. I used to think Fa- *the word stuck in her throat for a moment, but she swallowed and went along* used to think he'd return. I kept hoping for the best. But there's been no trace of him, and there probably never will be. *has regained from the stumble, back to a cool tone* It's better never to have expectations; then you can never be disappointed.
Kerai: *He looked at her soberly, trying to understand and sympathize. But he just couldn't understand. It didn't seem to be in his nature to be so practical, logical even, but he could understand her pain. Pulling up beside her he gave her a gentle touch of nose to shoulder and an encouraging smile* That may save you from some pain, but not all. I choose to be as happy as I can be about any given situation, that way, if things go wrong, well, they go wrong. And if things go right, they go right.
Gabrielle: *Shocking even herself, her reaction to his touch was to stiffen and give him a cold look, Lady to slave rather than friend to friend* If things go wrong, you may die. If things go wrong, you can't be happy about it. Would you still smile at Death himself, Kerai? Would you be happy to let him take you up by the scruff of your neck like a whelp and take you below?
Kerai: *He nearly jumped aside at the look, having it been given by any other wolf he would have done so in fear of injury. Instead he took a careful step away, looking at her with an upturned brow. Her argument was persuasive and he didn't have any doubt she'd be able to present her proposition before a pack, but what she had to say hurt him. Even so, he couldn't just let his friend succumb to such pessimism.* No, I wouldn't smile. But, but if you can do nothing to change your situation, then why not go to the chopping block with a smile? Dragging yourself won't make any difference to how it ends.
Gabrielle: *This obviously wasn't something she wanted to hear, and her expression darkened for a moment as she grappled with a furious answer behind her sealed lips. Always the same with him, always! No fight, no thoughts for a different option when it came to eternal sleep. She didn't want him to roll over so easily! She didn't want to imagine, couldn't imagine him giving her one final smile . . . Eventually she managed in a tight voice, no longer looking at him but at the path before them* You wouldn't fight back?
Kerai: *He wasn't sure what to make of her expression, not sure how his words had affected her or what he was to say. His ears had pulled back while his body shrunk into a smaller form. When she whispered he lifted his head.* I-I don't know. I guess it depends on what I'm fighting for, if just for myself or for someone or something else.
Gabrielle: *still in that tight whisper, still not looking at him* Fight for your sake. Fight for mine. Whatever may happen in the future, Kerai, fight! One day I might need you . . . *There was no reason for her to say such a thing, and yet she felt compelled to say it; as if doing so let the option sit before him, remind him that she was only mortal, that she still held weakness even with that adopted persona behind the mask*
Kerai: *He had been listening, paying close attention to what she was saying as it was whispered. But he couldn't read anything gentle from it. And what was he to say in reply?* I will.
Gabrielle: I will hold you to it. *And now she bit the inside of her cheek, wishing she could have thought of a different way to present it, some way where she might not have come off so cold, so much as a Lady - regardless of her inner frustration, he was not her target . . . But the words were out and agreed to, and nothing more need be said about it. Why be afraid he would leave because of her new attitude? There was no option to, not if he wanted his life and limb intact. But deep inside, nestled in her breast still was that lonely child who would be lonelier still if she alienated her only true friend. Something to attend to, to fix . . . For now:* We move onward. The days grow shorter. *picks up the pace*
Kerai: *He couldn't read her thought but he could see that her mind was working from the way her body moved. Still, as she got out of it, she picked up her speed and he followed suit, kicking up his paws and looking out. Even with the mood solemn, Kerai felt the need to bring a little more gentleness to the atmosphere, a little more fun.* Want to race?
Gabrielle: *The question seemed abrupt to her, sticking a wrench in her cogitative works as she turned her head to him with a confused look* A race? */Now/ of all times he wanted to race? Did he really want to rush headlong to their destination, where gods only knew what awaited them? How could Kerai be so frivolous to suggest a game on their mission?! She almost opened her mouth to rebuke him for mocking their purpose, but she found she couldn't. Her previous cold words were enough, too much even. And Kerai was Kerai . . . of course he would want to try and lighten the mood; was this a way to let her know that he had no hard feelings?* . . . If you can find a landmark to race to.
Kerai: *His tail whipped about behind him as Gabrielle gave into his request, bringing a bright toothy grin to his dark muzzle. Looking immediately for this landmark, he stuttered* A-ah-ah, how about those boulders in the distance? The ones that look like-like-like a bird. *He paused as he described the odd shape, tilting his head sideways as though he saw the stones wrong*
Gabrielle: *She followed his gaze and eventually found the bird-shaped rock formation (she had to turn her head a certain way to find it); murmurs* A bird that could never fly . . . *Some swell of emotion threatened her then, the only visible evidence a tightening of her jaw; he took a deep breath through her nose and exhaled through her mouth before nodding to Kerai* Count it down then.
Kerai: *He caught her comment, glancing over thoughtfully before staring back at the formation. Strange. Haunting. But that was quickly brushed aside as the race was confirmed and his tail started waving back and forth behind him.* Alright! Ready...on your mark...get set *he crouched, readying himself to lunge forward* GO!
Gabrielle: *Her body twitched as she awaited the countdown, muscles tensing. Her mask and hood were not the best items to have on for a race, but . . . then, did it really matter? All it was was running . . . running . . . never looking back. And Kerai had his chains. Two wolves with cumbersome burdens, running and stumbling towards the goal . . . It was surprising how morose and quick her thoughts were, as if they were already racing before her body could move an inch. Once Kerai gave the call, Gabby thrusted herself forward, eyes only for the bird-shaped rock. Run she would - towards what, she did not know. And for now, she did not want to think about it.*
Kerai: *His own mind was hardly filled with such though, focusing solely on the task, his goal, the finish. The bird across the way. As soon as Gabrielle launched forward in his periphery, he reared up, lunging into the air to keep up with the female. As soon as his forelegs hit the ground again, he pulled back, nearly tripping over the chain that rain between them, his hind legs free to stretch to their full extent. He righted himself, aiming to take smaller gallops as he ran.*
Gabrielle: *She took no notice of his mishaps with the chain, though an ear did briefly twitch in that direction. But off she was already! Gabby was not without her own issues, however, as the mask soon began to droop with each heavy landing she made - pushing too hard, jarring her body too much. The hood was not as much of an issue in comparison, already baggy enough to handle the speed she was going at without falling into her eyes . . . Oh, how idle her mind was if it was going to bring up more allegorical comparisons about how she put the mission (the race) before her friend! What would be the point in winning? The wolfess heaved a sigh and slowed her pace, turning her head to see Kerai's progress - despite the bird-shaped rock being just before her some yards away.*
Kerai: *Gabrielle seemed to be having her own issues, but Kerai was less focused on exactly what was hindering the female, able to see her ahead of him already. Determination, a deep sensation to overpower and pull ahead surged through him, the same desire to win and become victorious he was certain all wolves felt at one point or another. Some more than others. He felt it in a simple race, most felt it when it came to rank, power. Looking ahead, he noticed he was starting to gain ground, wondering why this was until he figured it out that Gabrielle was slowing. Why? She was so close! Giving a challenging look, he flung himself forward. As his forepaws lifted off the ground, a hind leg stepped onto the chain, and a tumble and skid later, Kerai was on his back, staring up with a daze look upon his face*
Gabrielle: *She paused fully upon hearing the dull thud of Kerai's fall, one paw raised as if still enticed to move forward and claim the all-important prize of being "first" to the rock. Ah . . . she should have known better than to accept a race against a chained wolf - it was just pitiful. Turning her back on the stone bird, she ambled to her dazed companion and lingered over him, her mask slightly askew but otherwise still in place, her face quite in shadow now save for her bright eyes.* Where is this determination when you need it most? *She mutters to herself before prodding him gently with the very raised paw she had earlier* Is your mind so addled that you cannot stand, Kerai? We really must look into having those vile things removed, or at the least have the metal links broken . . . I cannot stand the sound of their clinking. *Or the sight of those vile things restricting him*
Kerai: *He simply lay there on his back, mind wandering as he stared skyward, for the moment forgetting the race. It was when he heard Gabrielle's padding that he looked up, following her until she stood directly above him, giving her a sheepish grin.* Sorry sorry. *He scrambled to get his feet together, shaking his head as to dull the ache rising in his neck from the odd twist he performed upon the fall. Looking down at the chains he almost felt odd at the thought of having them gone. They had been present for so long, before RoT even, and parting with them sounded cruel. But breaking the link? That he could deal with.* Maybe when we get to this Order they'll be able to break it.
Gabrielle: Or they’ll break us. *She found herself saying such a thing without thinking – mostly because that was what preoccupied her mind so much on this trip; saying it was too easy, like it was already fact. Gabrielle looked away and stepped back to allowed Kerai room to catch his breath.* We don’t have much intelligence on the pack itself, but when you hear “knights”, “upholding justice” and “death to all evil”, it doesn’t color the outcome as rosy. *Alright, so maybe the last bit wasn’t exactly given, but it might as well have in Gabby’s mind.* Though if they have any sense of mercy, they’ll . . . they’ll find a way to break those chains off your legs completely. *She looked as if she was about to say something else, and then switched to the chains. Now wasn’t the time, though she knew it was coming . . . Pushing her mask back into place with a few well-placed maneuvers of her paws and facial muscles, she began to lightly trot to the bird-shaped rock, brushing the slave with her tail in passing. She then placed a paw gently upon where the breast should have been and turned to him with a light smile* Maybe then I could sleep. You roll about and wake me with the clangs.
Kerai: *He frowned dramatically at her words. Well, there was that option. But Kerai was optimistic. If these wolves were about justice, maybe they wouldn't break them, maybe they would have mercy and break the chains, freeing him.* Ee...*He trailed off, watching her move and tag the rock, finalizing and winning their race, reminding him that they were playing in the first place.* Heh, sorry *his sheepish smile returned and his ears pulled to the side when she said this, grinning at her own little smile.*
Gabrielle: *In a disapproving tone despite her smile* Always apologizing, always . . . You promised me you would learn to fight back one day; I hope you keep that promise when you need it most. *She tilted her head to survey the sun's position and paused in thought* Hmm . . . Seems we have a little bit of daylight left. Let's try to eat up the path before we break camp for the evening, shall we? *No mention of being the winner of their race whatsoever. She beckoned with her tail and picked their pace back up - though she would be panting for a little while afterwards.*
