Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had been a month since Darnell had struck out on her own, determined to find her own place in the world. She was tired of being looked down upon because she was just a girl, she needed a change. The grey colored Varsythe with rusty stripes wanted a fresh start, where no one knew who she was or what she was capable of. Her only companion was her trusty crow, Velia, who she had nursed back to health when she was just a pup. The bird was her eyes, when she needed an aerial view of the area they were in.

The pair of friends had headed west from the forest they had called home and started across the Erroxus Wastelands about two weeks ago. Darnell had not found food in a little more than a week and her stomach grumbled at her as she walked. She let out a low growl at her stomach, like she liked going without food for this long. A voice that sounded like her father popped into her head, sneering at her for thinking she could actually make it on her own. She could just see the smirk on his face if he could see the state his daughter was in. Shaking the thoughts out of her head, the delta took a shaky step forward, before she slumped to the ground. Could this be the end, was she doomed to die out here of starvation, not making a life for herself?

"Nell! Come on, you have to get up!"urged a voice as she forced her eyes to the sky. Just blocking out the rays of the sun, was a pitch black bird. Darnell managed a soft smile, it seemed that Velia had returned just in time to see her friend parish.

"Vel, I wish I could, but without food...I am useless. I don't think I can move another muscle, the lack of food is getting to me. You would be best finding a new traveling companion,"Nell told her friend. Velia was one of the few beings that got to see her more caring side.

"Nell, if you don't get up, you will become someone else's food. I saw a male Varsythe coming this way! Depending on how desperate he is..."she began, leaving the rest of the thought unfinished. That was just the motivation that Darnell needed, there was no way she would allow a male see her in such a state. With all the strength she could muster, she got to her feet, standing as proudly as she could. Her tail flicking back and forth, made the chains wrapped around her tail jingle a little. She had added the chains after she left to make herself look tougher and more intimidating.

"Thanks Vel, I owe you one,"the wolf smirked to the bird as the crow came to perch on her back. With ears perked forward, Darnell listened for the sounds of approaching footsteps. She reached behind herself and pulled the red cloth tight that was wrapped around her left hind leg. No, she was not injured, it was a baby blanket that had belonged to her sister who had been killed. The blue earrings she had in her left ear had also belonged to the deceased Varsythe, things she had to always have the other with her.

"Well, well well, what do we have here? Seems the birds have already started to descend on what they think is a prime meal,"came a masculine voice from the shadows. Darnell had not even heard the approach, having been so lost in her thoughts about her sister. A snarl escaped her muzzle and despite the protest of her body, she crouched down, ready to defend herself if she needed to. What did he mean about the birds...oh, he was referring to Velia, of course.

"Whoever you are, I could always send my bird to pluck out your eyes,"she warned, making sure to speak in a low voice, so he would not know she was a girl. That was also why she wore the bone mask upon her face, to hide her feminine features, in addition to it making her look terrifying. It was her reasoning that she had to act like a guy to get the respect she felt she deserved.

"Oh, so the bird is your pet, then? I like your spunk, how would you like to hunt with me? You look like you could use some help getting some food and I know a perfect place,"the male voice spoke again, as a jet black wolf stepped out of the shadows. From the way he was standing, she could tell instantly that this was an alpha. Unlike her, he looked like he had been eating very well, so she was thinking that maybe he did know a place to get food.

"I am quite capable of fending for myself,"she huffed. Sure, she was starving, but she hated others thinking she was weak and incapable of hunting.

"Oh, I have no doubt you are. Think of it as a...trade, if you will. I help you find food and you do something for me,"the alpha explained, her voice as smooth as silk. Even though he could not see it, Darnell narrowed her eyes at this man. Part of her was curious, what could he want from her? The other part was suspicious, not wanting to trust him when he could be leading her off to her doom.

"What do you want?"she snarled.

"You look like a very resourceful lad, but I will tell you once we have eaten. However, if you aren't hungry or interested, then I guess I will just keep my hunting spot to myself,"the alpha replied nonchalantly. Then he began to slowly walk away, waiting to see what she would do. Darnell growled, this male was so conceited and full of himself, she should just head in the opposite direction. However, her stomach reminded her she had not eaten in days and there was no telling when she would find food again. She trudged after him, not showing how weak from hunger she actually was. If she was not mistaken, she was pretty sure she saw a smirk appear on the other Varsythe's face.

"You know, I am just going this way because I happened to be going in this direction,"she huffed.

"Yes, I am sure you were,"the other said, the smirk not leaving his muzzle. Darnell rolled her eyes, which was luckily hidden by the skull covering her face. She followed him south, the duo traveling until they came to a lake that seemed to be teeming with life. Behind her mask, Darnell's eyes widened in surprise, no wonder this alpha seemed so well feed in such a deserted area.

"What do you know, you were telling the truth after all,"she spoke, trying to make it sound matter of fact, despite her awe.

"Take your pick, there are some rabbits who have a burrow over there. You could have some tasty deer, who like to drink from the lake. Or maybe you would like one of each,"he grinned. Darnell licked her lips, the thought of a nice, juicy bunny rabbit had her salivating in anticipation.

"Rabbit sounds like a good appetizer, to start this banquet out,"she replied.

"Alright, follow me,"the alpha answered, sprinting around the lake, until he slid to a stop outside of a burrow. Darnell had followed him, soundlessly stopping beside him. She crouched down, her stomach brushing against the ground, her ears flicked forward to hear any sounds. The alpha next to her did the same, both waiting in anticipation for any signs of movement from the rabbit habitat.

It was just a short while later when two ears cautiously poked out of the hole. Nell looked beside her, as the alpha motioned with his head for her to go right and he would go left. She gave a nod of understanding as she slunk around from the right side, making sure not to make any noise, even her chains silent. Hiding in the brush, she waited as now the rabbit's head was seen. Just a little longer, she told herself, feeling Velia's talons against her back. She was patient as the rabbit finally ventured out, thinking that the area was safe. The delta did not immediately give chase, she waited for their quarry to get further from their safe place. Out of her peripheral vision, she caught movement from the direction the alpha had gone in as he stalked the rabbit. The rabbit must have seen him as well as she darted off as quickly as she could...right in Darnell's direction. An unseen grin came to her muzzle as she pounced the rabbit when it was close enough, digging her razor sharp teeth into the fuzzy creature. She shook it several times, before she began to crush the life out of the bunny. The iron taste of blood began to fill her mouth and her eyes filled with such glee. Oh yes, this was wonderful.

"You can have the whole thing,"the alpha spoke as he joined her. She gave a small flick of her tail in acknowledgement, before putting the lifeless form on the ground and placing each of her fore paws on each end. Then she began to tear into the flesh, the blood oozing from the wounds her teeth had made. Once she had eaten enough, she left the rest for Valia to dig into, knowing her bird companion was also hungry. She watched in amusement as the little black bird buried her beak and talons into the dead rabbit, her beak beginning to be coated with the blood.

"You never told me what you wanted for this...meal. Go on, spill it!"Darnell reminded the alpha.

"Alright, I suppose that is fair. What I need for you to do is..."the alpha began, before launching into the proposition that would change the delta's life forever. This was the start of her new life, with a new pack to call her own.