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 Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:09 am
He chuckled softly to himself as he went, trying to imagine the look on their faces when their pups delivered his message to them. What a delight it would be to slowly but surely drive a wedge between the pups and their parents, those undeserving, weak mokai who didn't know how to properly care for their young. He'd show them, he'd continue to earn the affection of their pups until they chose him over their own parents. He would be better for them any day.
So lost in his thoughts was he that Imnir was paying no attention to where he was going or what was around him. He simply continued along the path he was on, following it absentmindedly for quite some time until he realized that he wasn't entirely sure where he was. Oh well, he could always find his way back using his nose, but for now he might as well explore this bit of the compound.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:03 pm
Where do you think your going, runt? A nasty growl rolled over the wall of the stall beside his own as "the Cull" leapt up the wall, balancing with surprising skill as he sat precariously upon the top of the gate. From his vantage point he could see down into the other stalls, including the one where his owner's prize fighter sat stood. Staring at him menacingly.
What do you care? You going to stop me? A dark look was jabbed at the one his human called Brigadier challengingly. The Cull knew him only as his punisher. The fresh notch in his ear was proof enough of that.
Don't tempt me, cull. Brigadier snapped back sharply, jumping up to stand with his forepaws against the divider. He was a massive fighter, but heavily reliant on his brawn.
Granted, that seemed to be enough for the moment.
And the wall shook beneath his weight, nearly toppling the far more slender, whippet-shaped Mokai from his perch. I'll rip off the rest of your ear!
Save it for your next fight, killer. I'm out of here. If there had been any doubts about leaving behind the life he had once known Brigadier's less than accommodating personality squashed them. Lithe frame giving one last glance at the inside of his cramped, leaky jail cell before sliding down the gate between the inside of his pen and the main corridor.
Getting out hadn't been difficult, but leaving could be another matter entirely. The Compound was filled with the sounds and scents of trainers, visitors and more Mokai than the Cull cared to bother counting. A hesitant but punchy gait carrying him towards the areas of the Compound which were deserted at the moment, the quiet deafening in his anxiously twitching ears.
From somewhere behind him the sound of shuffling footsteps set his hackles spiking with alertness. Twisting hard to face the direction and back away as quickly as his paws would scuffle in their awkward, backwards paddling. There didn't seem to be anyone following, thankfully. As suspected, it'd probably be a while before his human even noticed he was gone. Is it really this easy?
He didn't want to believe it, yet here he was-unhindered by nets and a swarm of two-leggers attempting to recapture and return him to his rightful place. Giving his head a gentle shake the Cull turned to continue on his journey only to bump head-first into something surprisingly solid just as he did. What now..?
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Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:08 pm
Imnir growled softly as he felt something run into him, glaring just for a moment at the culprit before realizing that it was a cull.
Excellent.
Imnir stopped growling and glaring immediately, he wanted to do this right. "Hey there, you ok?" He asked, tilting his head slightly and sitting down beside the skinny creature. He was doing his best to avoid sounding condescending as he did so, though if he was doing a good job or not he couldn't tell. "You really ought to watch where you're going around here, might bump into the wrong mokai and get beaten up." He sighed and shook his head, as if the very thought upset him greatly.
"Fortunately for you, this time you bumped into the right mokai." He flashed the cull a toothy grin and puffed up his chest, "The name is Imnir. Fighter, winner, all around great guy." He chuckled softly to himself. "And you, my friend, are in luck. See, I like to look out for the little guy, so if there's anything you need, you just let me know, got it?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:08 am
Craning his neck to glance up at the solid bodied fighter, the Cull grimaced inwardly. He'd expected the sour response that he'd received immediately afterwards, being no stranger to the unpleasant end of these brutes. Great, this is just what I need now.
Clucking his tongue, the runaway tried to be patient. Avoiding eye contact as he murmured a rather half-hearted apology. The sooner he could get away the better, but this one seemed to have other plans. s**t.
The corners of his mouth were drawn with a hesitating expression as the much larger frame of the fighter Sat beside him. He didn't sit though, instead shifting his weight to keep enough space between them to give himself an edge if this stranger decided to try some sort of under-handed sneak attack.
Wouldn't be the first time. A hard voice spat in annoyance, finding it difficult to mask his suspicion. He trusted the intentions of a fighter about as far as a flea could jump and, most unfortunately, had never been the sort to roll over easily. With sharp eyes the Cull observed this Mokai from ears to tail, not immediately recognizing him by appearance though he had heard the name before. Imnir. That wasn't a compliment. The humans usually only spoke frequently of fighters they favored and ones that would pose a challenge to their own Mokai. The ones that did well in the pits. Top contenders like that jackass Brigadier.
Chtt.. The nameless cull gave Imnir an incredulous look. He would have laughed in his face if he weren't trying to avoid a scuffle that was liable to draw human attention. Ruining his chance of escape. Instead he shook his head, stating plainly. I'm not your friend and I doubt there's anything I would ever need from you except to be left alone.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:17 am
Imnir couldn't help but laugh at the jaded response of the cull. Perhaps this one wasn't as easily manipulated as the last, but no matter. Time for a different approach.
"You're a straight shooter, I like that. You tell it like it is." He nodded, "Smart, not going to fall for any funny business. Fine then, I'll tell you what I'm after and we'll see if we can come to some sort of... Agreement." He smirked and stood up rolling his shoulders in a lazy shrug. "If we can't, then I suppose you're not as smart as I think you are, which would be unfortunate for you." The slightest hint of a threat was in his voice, but it was subtle enough that one could choose to take it as something else if they wanted to.
"Now you may not know this, but being the top dog around here has its drawbacks, see? I'm making enemies left and right, and I don't doubt that those cowards might be planning some dirty tricks to try to take me out." He growled under his breath, deciding not to mention the outright threats that had been made. In reality, he didn't care if any of them were trying to do anything to him, but what that white fighter had said... He threatened Naomi.
That was crossing a line with him.
"I'll leave you be if that's what you want, but I have plenty to offer and I don't go back on my word. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:43 am
Finding a comfortable position or as comfortable as a cull could be around his type the Cull flicked his tail against the ground where it took on a serpentine motion. Blood still oozed from the notch in his untended ear, but he was listening--if only because whatever Imnir wanted from him put him in a position of power. Not that he was the sort who craved that sort of thing, but he was more willing to negotiate in a situation where he was calling the shots.
There was nothing this fighter could give him, but it certainly seemed as though he had something to gain from his less than docile self. That intrigued him enough to the point of being open enough to at least hear the request of the ram-horned Mokai.
I doubt there is much an insignificant cull like myself could do for the likes of a big, strong fighter like you. His tone dripped with cynicism. Seeming to test the bounds of Imnir's patience. How badly he desired his aid would certainly hinge on how willing he was to tolerate disrespect, now wouldn't it? At the very least it might help to assure that Imnir's intentions were honest ones. But you have my attention for now. So speak.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 9:39 am
Imnir snorted indignantly at the cynical remark, "It's the ones who think of you like that who are wrong, you have your uses just like everyone else. For this sort of thing, you even have an advantage because nobody would suspect you." He wasn't a fan of the attitude he was getting, but he'd give this guy a chance. If he proved to be too much of an annoyance, Imnir would just walk away.
Maybe smack him around a bit to make sure his point was clear.
But no, that was only if things got out of hand. For now, he'd be civil. "I just like to have extra pairs of eyes and ears around here, that's all. You don't have to do anything special or dangerous, you just let me know if my enemies are planning to do something... Unsavory." He shrugged, "At least, if you're willing. Like I said, I'll scratch your back too. Anyone gives you any trouble, for any reason, just let me know and I'll take care of them."
Imnir thought about it for a moment, "I might be able to get you a good meal every once in a while, too. Looks like you could use it, though your ear suggests that the first part of my offer might be more appealing."
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 10:35 am
A sweet talker? Brigadier's bait found himself chuckling at the words that fell from this fighter's mouth. That had to hurt, didn't it? Lowering his standards so much as to attempt stroking the Cull's ego. Unfortunately, he didn't have much of one and even if Imnir's intentions were earnest having only known his bad-mouthing, violent tempered assailant made this Mokai less than willing to be tolerant. It wasn't like him to be purposefully crass, but there was something about Imnir's type that got under his fur.
He was almost glad when the request proved to be one he couldn't accommodate. This contract of sorts wouldn't have proven any use to the battered cull anyway. The only time Brigadier ever got his mouth on him was during training and there was nothing Imnir could have done to stop that. I can't help you.
It was the truth and stated as plainly as any other fact. I'm not sticking around here so you'll have to find someone else to be your rat. I'm sure there are plenty who would jump at the offer.
I'm just not one of them. Turning from Imnir, the lanky Mokai nearly disappeared against the shadows of the dark halls of the Compound. Pelt blending into the darkness as he jogged a few paces and then paused. Maybe there was something this fighter could do for him after all. A long look from golden brown eyes drifted over his shoulder and then a flash of white as he grinned wryly. I'm... I was Brigadier's training cull. If you're as good as you say you'll probably face him someday soon... so you should keep in mind that he favors his left hind and he closes his eyes when he lunges to bite.
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:00 am
Imnir snarled, "I've already made the same offer to smarter culls than you. They know how to show respect to a guy like me, and they know that friends in high places are good to have." He snorted again, growing increasingly impatient with this one. Maybe it wasn't worth it. Wait a minute, not sticking around here?
Imnir let a real growl escape his throat as he followed the cull down the hall, "You'd best not be trying to go feral, or you'll have me to deal with." This time it was a real threat. From what he had experienced with ferals, he was not about to let more mokai escape and be corrupted by them, not even a disrespectful cull like this. "I make a point of hunting down disloyal mokai and dragging their sorry hides back here where they belong, got me?" A bit of a bluff, seeing as he hadn't managed that yet, but he wanted to. He very much wanted to capture some of those runaways and teach them a lesson.
"I'll beat this Brigadier of yours to a pulp, with or without your little tip. I am every bit as good as I say I am and more."
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:52 pm
Aaah, there it was. He could see it now. The real Imnir had come out to play and with it the Cull's grin faded into a grim, knowing expression. Despite how abrupt the change in disposition was it didn't surprise him at all, in fact, he'd been expecting it all the while. Don't like not getting your way, eh? Typical fighter mentality.
So now I'm stupid because I won't see things your way and lick your paws for the privilege? What was the point of having friends--if those who worked for Imnir could even truly be considered as such--in high places if he had no desire to remain in the Compound any longer? He had certainly tried to be polite, despite his distaste for fighters but it apparently went unappreciated. A stale look meeting the threatening growls that echoed in the corridor. It wasn't that Imnir wasn't intimidating, the danger a full grown fighter could pose to a slender bodied cull like him was not something the nameless one didn't realize. However, at some point he had become desensitized to the sound. No doubt due to the fact that he had been forced to stare down a similar snarling face in the training ring all his life.
The mention of turning feral made the brazen cull pause mentally for a moment though, realizing at this point that he had no plan. His plan was to escape, but what happened after that? Where would he go? What would he do? Who cares.. I just want to get away.
The fact that Imnir had decided to follow him, made him sigh in exasperation as he attempted to keep a level gait. Wandering the grounds unhindered by the threats directed at him. I hadn't thought that far ahead, not that it's any business of yours what I do. I was born in this place and have lived all of my life without knowing anything else. If I were satisfied with that sort of life I would die in this place as well. Never knowing anything but what I've learned here.
Another sudden pause as he turned to glance back at the fighter. He talked of loyalty as if it had something to do with him, but loyalty required acknowledgement and the Cull had nothing of the sort. I never told you my name.. you want to know why? It's because my human doesn't care enough to give me one. So don't speak to me about loyalty. I don't owe loyalty to a man who will buy a new cull for Brigadier to chew on without a second thought of me... maybe I'll find a new human somewhere else, maybe I won't. Do you honestly care enough to keep track?
s**t. Somehow the dark truth had spilled out before he'd had a chance to restrain himself. Tail whipping against his thigh in frustration the Cull picked up a pace that seemed to reflect his mood. Muttering without looking back again. I really hope you do..
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:33 am
Well something had clearly set this one off. Imnir raised an eyebrow at him as he spoke, saying nothing as he did so but giving him a condescending look the entire time. Obviously he wasn't going to win this one over using that tactic, but then again, he wasn't so sure he wanted to anymore.
"Look, I don't really know or care what you've been through." Imnir shook his head, "But I'm not going to sit back and watch a disloyal mokai turn feral. It isn't right, and for someone like you, it isn't safe. You think things are bad in here? Out there, you wouldn't last five minutes." He snorted and turned his back, wandering away. He was done wasting his time on this lost cause.
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Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:28 pm
That's the problem with fighters. They don't care about what they don't know. It was a rather generalized thought, but from where this Mokai was standing he hadn't known fighters to act much differently than this one did.
Sniffing indignantly at Imnir's words the Cull would have laughed, but he was trying his best not to antagonized a fight. Not safe? As if living in the Compound as Brigadier's training partner--if he could really be called that--was actually a better option. Truthfully, whether it was or wasn't didn't matter anymore. He had made up his mind to leave and there wasn't much anyone could do about it. Imnir included. Not that he seemed interested in trying any longer.
With a wisk of his tail the fighter was walking in the opposite direction. Not that the runaway chanced a glance to look, but he could hear the distance growing between them as his own direction took him further and further towards the scent of freedom. I guess that's on me then.. but I'll take my chances.
Whether life would prove better on the outside or worse, the only way to know was to experience it first hand.
[ END ]
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