Meskeet's Seer Quest
((Well, I figured it's never to early to try and not miss a good opportunity, so this here is Meskeet's Seer Quest. ^^ I'm going to use it -hopefully- to keep track of her discoverings of seer traits. And I need mucho RP for it. xD If you have Rped with Meskeet and would like to again PM me, if you haven't but would like to PM me. ^^
And yes, somethings are out of order. << Will fix that as opportunities present themselves. ))
Part two
((Well, I figured it's never to early to try and not miss a good opportunity, so this here is Meskeet's Seer Quest. ^^ I'm going to use it -hopefully- to keep track of her discoverings of seer traits. And I need mucho RP for it. xD If you have Rped with Meskeet and would like to again PM me, if you haven't but would like to PM me. ^^
And yes, somethings are out of order. << Will fix that as opportunities present themselves. ))
Part two
Audi was trotting casually along on Phantom's right. It had become a routine, when they were walking. Meskeet tended to walk pretty close to him, something the other puppy didn't really like.
So--with a fake smile plastered on his face--she'd draw closer to his right side, leaving Meskeet to the left if she so desired. Or, more importantly, if she felt worthy.
Where they were going, she didn't know. But Phantom wouldn't approve her asking, so she didn't...
And speaking of Phantom, he had a rather plain expression on his face for... well, Phantom. No crazy spark in his eye or dark grin at the moment, just eyes glancing around casually and an almost thoughtful look.
They were going to the river, but he hadn't told them that, or why...
Meskeet was sticking close to Phantom's side, albeit his left side. Audi could have the right side, after all, how long would she really even be around? Best let her have her fun while she can, Meskeet snickered inwardly.
Smiling pleasantly to Audi the brown female turned her attention to where they were going. It was common sense not to ask Phantom if he hadn't already said, so she tried to figure it out herself.
Despite all the areas she'd explored here this one was foreign to her. Just meant she needed to pay extra attention. Things seemed to have a bit more life here than other areas. Perhaps it got more rain here?
Audi always made sure when Meskeet looked at her, she sent a smile in the other pups direction. Mainly because Meskeet was always looking at her with one. How annoying, she'd thought too many times to count. Does she even KNOW I hate her so much? Probably not. She acts too nice for something like that...
Her thoughts would be interupted by the voice of the older wolf. "Alright, pay attention you little runts." All eyes on Phantom, and his own gazing at the slightly swallow river waters infront of them. "Since you two obviously aren't capable of hunting, I feel it's nesscary you learn to fish."
Meskeet sat peering into the water. True, hunting was a bit far off at the moment, but fishing? There were plenty of fish, it couldn't be that hard.
Watching the fish then looking to Phantom for instructions the pup wished Audi would be quiet. She could here low whispering and it obviously wasn't herself or Phantom. Since she couldn't directly see Audi's face she assumed her 'friend' was mumbling quietly about something. How perturbing. Always had to ruin the moment.
It was a bit hard for Meskeet to hide an accusing glare.
It hadn't seemed to anyone like Phantom had noticed the silent hate both the puppies had for each other, and really for no reason. He never seemed to catch the dark glance toward one when the other wasn't looking, the mutters, and the fact they always tried to out-do each other at any given task.
However, one must keep in mind Phantom was quite an actor. Perhaps he was plenty aware of it, that much more amused, and showed no signs of knowing. This did seem like a suspiciously good opportunity to test them against each other...
"It's not as easy as you think, runts," he continued, as if reading Meskeet's mind. "You'll have to be quick. Fish can be as fast in water as a rabbit or deer on land. However, they're still easier to catch. They'll keep you from starving, at the very least."
At seeing the fish more closely Meskeet realized just how quick they were as some warily darted away from parts where the pup's shadow lay. This could prove to be a bit of a problem, but there had to be a method to it, and Meskeet was determined to find that method.
Perhaps they were easier to catch because you could hunt them alone, or perhaps there was an entirely different reason. Whatever it was the pup wondered if Phantom would even tell them.
A slow smile passsed through her mind at the thought of Audi falling in. Whooosh. How kind that would be.
Meanwhile, it took everything Audi had not to grin at the thought of Meskeet toppling into the river. Oooh, yes, that would show her. Sure, she hadn't done anything to Audi, and she had never really acted arrogant--not around her--but she still didn't like her.
"Oh, Meskeet, you must be scared!" the pup said in the most sympathetic and sincere voice she could muster. "Don't worry, I'll go first if you are."
What an idiot. Honestly. How lame could you get?
Meskeet bit her tongue to keep from giving a sharp retort. An idea occured to her. Sizing Audi up for a brief moment her face broke into an even a grateful smile, a happy comment followed, for effect. "Aw, thanks Audi. That's terribly good of you, I hope you have no issues with going first? You just seem to do things so well." She quietly savored the taste of her blood, she'd bit down a bit to hard for a bit to long.
Sweet as sugar for now. Her day would come, Meskeet just needed to build up to it for now.
Jealous, was she? She must be, Audi could sense it!
"Aw, thanks!" the tiny female chirped in reply. At least fate had spared her from being a runt, as one of only two sisters had been. She was still a tad smaller than usual puppies, but she'd grow in time no doubt to an average size. "I'm so glad you think so. Please, let me show you!"
With that ever-fake smile, she trotted out to the middle of the water and gazed down at the bottom, watching as a few fish--much to fast to catch--swam by her.
Almost... Almost... Almost... There! With a loud splash, the pup pounced. When she emerged from the water, a fairly large fish was cletched into her jaws.
Unfortunately, it was a bit too large, and with it's tail flailing wildly it managed to knock the small wolf in the face, send her toppling back and leaving it to swim, a bit injured but alive, back up the river.
Mentally the pup sighed in distgust. But new thoughts occupied her mind now, a new plan, and apparently new voices. Not that Meskeet had ever had voices in her head beside her own, but now she seemed to. Perhaps that was just what normally happened. Perhaps that's what Audi had and that was her reason for mumbling.
Yet another inward grin.
While the size of Audi's catch was quite impressive, seeing her lose it soured the victory in Meskeet's mind. "THat was so good! You really are good at this! I don't think I should be as good as you. You must teach me sometime." It was sweet, appraisinly cheerful, but it would work.
Stepping nearer to the stream Meskeet measured up the situatin mentally and made a few strategic plans. "Would you help me Audi?" Might as well go on with it all.
Peering into the water she braced herself, tail out, ears erect, good posture, attentive eyes, she raised one paw and sought out a proper target.
"What do you suggest I do Audi?"
Go fall in a ditch and stay there, Audi thought bitterly. What she said was more like, "Oh, it was nothing, I did drop him after all! I'm sure you can do just as well--why don't you show me what you've got without my help? Certainly you're just as good."
Certainly? Certainly? When the hell did she start saying 'certainly'? Maybe it was because Sashta had spoken like this, and she was just echoing her. Sashta had pretended to like her, so this must be the way wolves were suppose to speak when they were fooling someone.
"Yes, let's see you try!" Audi cheered, casting a quick glance at Phantom, who didn't seem to really be paying that much attention to either of them.
Oooh, let her drown or...or something!
Smiling back at Audi Meskeet lowered her head cautiously over the water as the fish swam back and forth. They were used to her presence by now and dashed around within striking range.
Head a scant few inches above the water surface the pup waited for the best time to strike. The small voices in her head grew louder and she attempted to smite them with concenration. It seemed to closer she got to the water the louder they became. It must have been a conciscious thing. There was need need for something like that anymore.
With calculation the female pup struck out at a certain fish in particular with some anger. The voices droned down but one grew and didn't seem to pleased at all. During her attempt to get an average sized fish over her shoulder and on to land Meskeet heard a paniced shriek following up an angry scolding. And it was all coming from ... the fish?!
Gaping in disbelief she stared wide-eyed at the fish bouncing around in the dust in an attempt to get back to the stream.
The second the fish had flopped onto land, Audi looked angry. How annoying! It was just beginners luck, she told herself. Then she put on the best (fake) smile she had and looked back at Meskeet to congratulate her.
The look faded when she noticed her expression, immediatly replaced by an almost worried frown. "Hey, are you okay?"
Phantom had become more alert of what was going on with the second splash, but now he eyed Meskeet with a dull look. Oh, crap, was something wrong with one of them already? "Meskeet, stop daydreaming," the male snapped, eyes narrowing in dissaproval.
Meskeet shook her head clear of it all and stepped on the fish. Stupid thing.
Turning to Audi it took her a moment to mask her true surprise with a cheesy smile. "Day dreaming. Sorry Phantom." Probably was. She really should stop eating so late, it was making her think funny.
She became more serious at Phantom's obvious disapproval and her face went blank as she waited for the next instructions.
So that was how you did it. Obediently Meskeet plopped herself into the water and was careful to get a secure hold so she wouldn't be drug anywhere.
With imense concentration the pup attempted to mimic Phantom. It took a bit longer for the fish two settle a second time, but they did eventually come around again and the pup hurried to remember all the Ghost had done.
Aiming precisly she quickly and forcefully attempted to bat a fish out of the water. It did come out, but she hadn't struck hard enough and it just landed back in the stream.
Meskeet cursed it and prepared to try again.
"I did it!" Audi squealed in victory as her eyes followed the fish she'd knocked out, which flopped beside the now-dead one Phantom had retrieved. He was out of the water, now, shaking off.
A small grunt of surprise escaped him, and Audi, who had been trying to gather as many fish as she could as fast she could--or at least more than Meskeet--forgot about her goal and turned toward the leader curiously.
Her eyes widened at the sight, but she didn't move otherwise.
"Oh, Sashta, nice to see you," Phantom said in that charming voice he used sometimes, shaking the water off and grinning at her. It was odd to be approached like this, so he was curious as to what exactly had prodded her to the point she did so.
At first, the female said nothing to him. Instead, her purple eyes glanced over Audi, then Meskeet--then very suddenly snapped back to Phantom. "Did you steal another one from somewhere?!"
Succeding the second time around Meskeet stared triumphantly at her catch until she noticed everyone else was distracted and someone new had come. Someone who looked a heck of a lot like Audi.
With a half glare Meskeet trudged out of the water and stood not to far behind Phantom, but instead a bit closer to Audi. This one smelled funny, and yet, she smelled a bit like Audi too. Realizing why she was quite surprised and tried very hard to stare at Audi. She may be intoleratable, but it would be worse to embarase her.
Voodoo had been fully intending to take a nice, long (and in his honorable opinion, a well deserved) break from the two pups. Unfortunately, it seems fate had other plans. Voodoo had settled himself in the nook between two tree roots, relaxing with his belly against the cool earth. Very nearly asleep, a whiff of a certain familiar smell shook him briefly away: in time to see a black and white certain someone slipping through the trees in the direction of the river.
Damn.
Muttering, Voodoo hauled himself up to his feet. He should probably go sneak around to make sure she didn't slaughter Phantom -- do the Good Friend thing or whatever. He eyued his napping spot longingly and then picked up a lope, circling wide around the path Sashta had taken, ranging in the direction of the river. When he reached it, Sashta was already there.
Picking his way out of the brush, he skittered along the bank and closer to the group, eyeing the two adults with one eye, shooting the pups a quick glance with the other -- or very near to it.
"Meskeet actually requested to come with me," Phantom told her, and he sounded truthful. Which, for once, he was. But he'd lied so much--and never sounded like he was--who could blame Sashta for still giving him a distrusting look?
Almost as if they were contected, Phantom and Sashta's eyes shot toward the sound of footsteps. Voodoo's, to be more precise. Neither of them apparently felt him important enough to look at for longer than that brief second, though.
"I found land," Sashta said suddenly. It was so rare it happened, but Phantom seemed thrown off.
"Land?"
"Yes," the female nodded. "It's freeland, but only because know one has taken it over yet. I thought you and your disturbed little friend might be interested..."
Shifting from foot to foot for a moment Meskeet was aware of just how little her pressence mattered here and paid little attention as she was mentioned.
Voodoo arrived and it was hardly unpredictable. Everyone seemed to show up at the most unexpected times that little was unexpected.
Glancing around she tried to look as if she were bored, while she listened intently to the converstaion.
Voodoo cocked an, understandably, suspicious ear in Sashta's direction, eyes narrowing on the female wolf. "Why should we trust you?" For all they knew, she could lead them straight into a sink hole or a tar pit. She wasn't the only one who'd lived in mud and sticks. He wasn't about to go walking across what looked like firm ground and find himself neck deep in a death trap.
Besides, in all likelihood, she could be setting them up. What reason did she have to trust them. More importantly, Voodoo was of the notion that they didn't like sitting in one place. But maybe he'd been mistaken... Warily, he cast Phantom a sidelong glance.
Phantom felt suspicious, too, but outwardly he just seemed angry. There was really no reason for him to be, you would think. He had his 'prey' surrounded, alone, by three of 'his' wolves--weak ones for the moment, mind you, but they still equalled more than one lone.
"What are you aiming at, exactly, Lovely?"
Sashta had turned to growl at Voodoo, but looked back at Phantom now. "I want you to make a pack there." She lowered her eyes, seeming just a bit nervous, if only for a second.
When she looked back up, her voice sounded firm enough. "And I want to go with you."
Meskeet's ear cocked curiously. Obviously Phantom had a history with this one. But he didn't seem to enthused at her appearance. Would he let her join?
And why there in particular? What would happen to Audi? For perhaps the first ime Meskeet felt a pang or sorrow for Audi. She'd only ever truly disliked her because she served as a reminder of her own sister. Even though her sister was considerably different, it was mostly an attention thing she supposed.
Afterall, this female could be nice. It was doubtable though, because if she was any good Meskeet figured Audi would look happier.
"Hell no," Voodoo snarled, ears laying sharply back against his skull. "Phantom, if you don't say no, so help me-- she's a b***h; a traitor; she's tried to kill you more than once." Voodoo hissed, gaze flicking momentarily to his comrade before returning to Sashta.
He didn't want her here. He didn't, personally, believe for two seconds that the female had really gone that low. It was a trap. It had to be. And if it wasn't -- he still didn't think just having her around was any sort of sensible idea. No. It was insane.
It was insane.
But Phantom was insane, too. "Fine." He said it so quickly even Sashta looked surprised. "But come speak with me later, when we don't have all these...distractions."
Sashta eyed him suspiciously, but soon enough had disappeared into the trees surrounding them. When her scent no longer lingered Phantom glanced sideward at Voodoo. "Calm down, you nervous little idiot, what's she going to do without her pack? None of them followed her, you know. Besides... Think about all the things we could do now."
He was grinning broadly just thinking about it. "I bet we could sway a lot of valuable wolves to us if we had Sashta and Retsu."
His words with Voodoo broke off to yell at the pups who still stood behind him. "You two, go get Oki and the Heartless."
Meskeet didn't dare dawdle and was off as quickly as she could go. Dashing through the landscape she paused only for brief moments to be sure of their position.
As far as she could tell they weren't too far from where the group usually slept. But they could have just been there recently. She glanced around for Audi to see if she knew anything about their whereabouts.
Voodoo stared hard at Phantom. The wolf was going off the deep end. No, wait. 'Going' suggested he might have still had some sensibility left in that skull-too-big-for-his-pea-sized-brain. Phantom had definitely gone off the deep end, and Voodoo was willing to bet it had happened a while ago.
"You," he said in exhasperated tones. "Are insane. She's going to kill us all, you know that, don't you? Pack or no, Sashta still knows too many wolves for it to be safe for us. How do you know she's not just rotting under you so she can snatch your throat out from under you when you're not expecting it?"
He knew all about that sort of thing. Voodoo had practice with that.
How could she...how DARE she...! Audi had too much on her mind to think about where the others were. In fact, she'd barely registered what Phantom had told them to do. If it wasn't for the fact he'd probably kill her for not listening, she wouldn't have even strived to listen to him.
Basically, she was following Meskeet's every turn, and that much was obvious no matter who you were. Her face twisted into an expression angrier than any puppy you'd think were capable of. She has to die.
--------------------------
Phantom stared at Voodoo for quite a long time. Who knew he could go that long without blinking? Before you could even see the change, his expression went from one of stone to an amused one like no other, and the Ghost burst into rather merry--though demented--laughter.
"Voodoo, Voodoo. Let me tell you something--she's still troubled over Reicher, so troubled. The only thing she wants is to have something to distract her from that. In other words, us. Particularly me, but all of us. You would be quite an annoyance for her, don't you think? So suspicious."
He cackled and shifted his weight. "Besides, with Sashta, we could get Ran. Wouldn't love to have someone who could heal you no matter what on our side? You could go get ahold of that beta who put you to shame and win this time."
One glance at Audi told Meskeet now wasn't the time to bother her. Lifting her nose to the air and then the ground it was only a moment before she caught scent of the two and began her dash again.
They were in the area Phantom's lot usually slept and Meskeet stopped just close enough to for them to hear her. Panting she was able to catch her breath as she finished speaking. "Go..to..the stream..now..Phantom wants you.."
Voodoo narrowed his eyes darkly on the other wolf, ears still back, hackles flipping absently up and down in turn, as if he couldn't decide if he really wanted to be angry. He could get revenge on that beta -- allowing that Sashta didn't snap when he did so. Allowing that Ran really was the complete idiot she seemed to be. Allowance, Voodoo thought, he'd never actually get. Sashta was, for all her supposed 'crushed spirit' and 'need for distractions' still a disgustingly upstanding female, and he had a feeling that she wasn't going to stand and let him slaughter her old comrade, no matter what the circumstances. Furthermore, if Phantom thought Ran would actually go for that...
--well, he'd always said Phantom didn't have the brains for these sorts of operations, hadn't he?
"You're a fool," Voodoo spat.
Despite his friends word, Phantom could see that little light bulb of his flicker on just a tad. He'd appealed to him at least somewhat. Oh, Voodoo, if only you knew Sashta as well as I!
But he was Phantom. He knew everything. "Perhaps, but what would that make you?"
Before the question could be answered, the others would arrive. Oki had snatched Meskeet up, and Retsu had taken Audi--because she was smaller than Meskeet and he wasn't particularly strong.
When they were close enough, the dark wolf and the lynx set the two puppies down.
"What's this about?" Oki hissed. She'd been sleeping when those two little annoyances stormed into their sleeping area--for lack of a better name.
"We'll have our own land by tomorrow," Phantom told them bluntly. "Make sure you eat enough tonight to last you, because you won't be stopping on the way. Everyone understood?"
Meskeet nodded and wondered what the land would look like. Change was certainly occuring. Lands of their own and Audi's mum. It would all be interesting to say the least.
It would be best to 'lie low' for a while. To observe it all as opposed to being to involved. And that's when she remebered Phantom had include Retsu in his converstaion earlier. What did the quiet one have to contribute? The pup hoped much would be revealed to her and deciding there was little else for her to do she wondered if she was even very hungry.
Her squashed fish didn't look to appealing but there was always something out there to eat. If not she could just go fishing again. Better to master it than slack off and become bad.
Voodoo glared all around, huffed, and then moved off to scramble down into the river. "Call me when you're ready to go," he growled darkly, wading into the shallows of the river. He had thinking to do. Serious thinking -- the sort that didn't get done surrounded by a fool of a wolf, a suck up, a giant cat, and two puppies. "I'll be downriver."
So he went: sulking around through the water and away from the so-called 'pack,' or whatever Phantom fancied calling it. Phantom knew his honorable opinions about the matter, and Voodoo didn't feel inclined to make himself out to be an argumentative fool in front of the others.
So he'd sit, wait, and think. Think hard.
