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 Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 3:18 am
Absently, Bakari plodded along behind the younger black wolf in front of him. Bakari got along with Shambala, in a sense she thought as he did. As well as that, he certainly was not the best hunter in the world. This brought a kind of kinship between them, and was what prompted this little trip. They were going to teach each other, through blind chance if need be, how to hunt.
Bakari sniffed at the air quietly. "I don't smell anything..."
"You won't," she said, speaking knowledgably. "Not until we're downwind and their scent blows towards us." Calmly, she moved along, her paws barely making a sound. Shambala had the makings of a good hunter, she just had not had the experience to manage it yet. Which meant she could show Bakari a thing or two. "Try to stay quiet," she murmured, hearing his paws fall heavily as he walked. Flat footed, indeed.
"I'm trying," he insisted. And he really was trying. Just not being amazingly successful. Then, suddenly hearing something, he lifted his head, his nostrils flared as he tried to smell it. "What's that?"
"I'm not sure," Shambala admitted, feeling herself tense up as she too tried to catch a glimpse or a sniff of their potential prey.
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Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 7:54 am
Helios sauntered through the land, imagining a time when it would all be his and he might walk freely rather than being careful not to run into the dark wolf and his pack. He had decided to follow Erin as she hunted - he didn't usually bother but the small female seemed to know the land around here well from all her forays. She was useful for something, afterall.
The big, blonde male was distracted - imagining where he might strike from, where he might hide scouts or a strike party who could come in from the other direction...
Erin sighed quietly to herself as she hopelessly searched for prey in the undergrowth. There had been some, she could smell, but all had fled an age ago as they heard the big male traipse through the forest heavily. He never usually came hunting with her and she realised that now she was almost glad - they'd never have eaten if he had.
She couldn't refuse him, though, when he asked to come along. Not that he'd have listened if she had even thought to say no...
Her head shot up as she caught sight of a flash of white and black ahead of her. They were downwind so she hadn't caught their scent but the bright splash of white against the forest helped to zoom in on the pair of wolves who stood there. She froze. They were likely from Zagreus' pack and she certainly didn't want them to report back that she and Helios were still around.
She had tried, a few times, to convince Helios that he didn't want to take these lands - that he wanted to leave and find his own - but the one-eyed wolf was determined. She couldn't just abandon him but she was beginning to feel really unsettled about his methods... She didn't think she would be able to take part in any hostilities and yet Helios' plans were getting more and more hostile in nature.
Helios, not as canny as the little dapple-brown female in front of him did not spy the two wolves and continued to crash through the undergrowth. When he saw Erin stop he looked back at her "Have you seen something?" he asked, wondering what juicy morsel might fill his belly soon. It didn't occur to him to be quiet, he just wasn't used to hunting. Eventually his eyes followed hers, though. What he spied, though, was an oppertunity, not a problem.
"Hello!" he called out as he casually sauntered towards the pair.
Erin, caught in the lee of Helios' friendly welcome had no choice but to tuck her tail beneath her and cringingly folow him. She didn't like this, not one bit at all. She wished, in fact, that she could run away...
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 2:21 am
She knew there was something there. She could just sense it. The feeling became even more acute as she felt someone watching her, and she inhaled harder, trying to get even the slightest whiff of their company. She suddenly got the feeling this wasn't prey...
Bakari, in an unusual act of acuteness spotted the dapple brown wolf before the greeting came towards them from the larger golden wolf. For a few seconds, Bakari didn't even look up, his gaze fixed on the female. How he had picked her out first (or even at all) he might never know. She was just... so intriguing to him.
Shambala couldn't help but back up a little as the golden wolf crashed towards them through the undergrowth. She didn't know him, or his scent, and wasn't even sure he should be there. "Stop!" she barked, her tone more authoritive than she felt. "Who are you?"
Bakari, pulling out of his trance, noticed the larger wolf and stood beside Shamabala, adding his own size and presence to her demand. Perhaps... no... why would he be trying to impress the dappled female...?
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Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:57 pm
Helios blinked, somewhat nonplussed by the barked order of the young female in front of him. His one eye looked her over with a connoisseur's gaze. She was youngish and a little dark for his tastes but pretty nonetheless. Shame about the attitude, really. He preffered quieter, more compliant, females. He put on a shocked look at first, as if truly surprised she'd be so wary of a stranger on her lands and then a contrite, slightly woeful look.
"My name is Helios" he answered her, knowing that there was no point in not telling his name - his description would be too obvious if she was to pass it on. He hoped he might be able to convince this pair to come with him and then it'd not be a problem... if not - well - the time was close when he'd announce his presence all too brazenly. Soon he'd not have to hide, it would be his moment to shine..
Still, a few more acolytes would be nice. It hadn't escaped his notice that the young white male seemed to be somewhat distracted by Erin. He didn't understand why, really - she was awfully plain. He could use this to his advantage, though. "And this is Erin" he said, somewhat graciously, nodding slightly in the direction of Bakari.
"I'm an old aquaintance of your alpha.." he said, somewhat noncomitally, wondering how he might grab them to his side.
Erin held back a sigh as she watched Helios go into his usual charming mode. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it got him into trouble. Either way she usually got caught in the brunt of it. She didn't even let her eyes meet the two wolves in front of her, preferring not to even be a part of it. More and more lately she was feeling dissatisfied with Helios' way of doing things. She had thought it was all a big fantasy of his, that finally it would fizzle down and Helios would move on. But here he was - she knew - going to attempt to pull another two from Zagreus' pack and make them his own. Zagreus had never done her any harm, had been one of the few who had even been kind to her. Ouranos, too, had always been there. A victim himself at times the pair had shared quiet moments of friendship.
The little female was getting to breaking point and barely noticed the big white male whose attention was on her.
(( Haha.. was thinking that this might, in fact, be a good point for Erin to move away from Helias and spark things off... would that work for you? o.o ))
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Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:05 am
Erin... It was, Bakari had to admit to himself, an awfully plain name. He also wondered why she hid her gaze, almost as though trying to convince them she wasn't there. A sort of "I don't see you, you don't see me" attitude. She was a beautiful creature, he had decided, the way her tail dirfted behind her. Even, hunched as she was, Bakari imagined she would look even more beautiful if he could get a proper look at her eyes.
He had thought to look toward Helios as he spoke, but somewhere along the line, the action was lost and he continued to watch Erin, wishing she might look up towards him.
Shambala had noticed Bakari's occupation with Erin, the dappled wolf perhaps the only one of the group who had not. Shambala then turned her attention to Helios, her guard dropping slightly as he mentioned his association with Zagreus. "Helios," she said slowly, trying the name out loud. "He has never spoken of you. You smell of other places, why should I believe you?"
((Fine by me =D))
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Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 5:13 pm
Helios was almost dissapointed that she didn't recognise his name - that they had not been spouting it forth even with dire warnings abd orders to remove him from their packlands on sight. He had rather imagined himself battling against a more... informed enemy and somewhere deep inside craved the attention and fame that would come along with it even if it was negative.
They had not heard of him and that, despite the hit to his ego, meant he had a less biased standpoint from which to work when it came to trying to win them to his point of view. One the one hand he had what seemed to be an insubordinate female, a crude one at that, and a somewhat large buffoon who seemed engrossed with his sibling. On the other hand she might be intelligent enough, for a female, to be a good fighter on his side and turn that snappiness into rage channeled towards his enemy and that big buffoon might be a brute on his side whom he could throw up as a wall between him and his enemy.
With a shake of his head, like a lion tossing his mane, the golden wolf put on a slightly bemused expression, comitting himself to a course of action. He opened his maw to speak. "Well you see he broke up my.."
"NO!" Erin stood still, not quite sure she had actually said the words aloud that had been echoing in her mind. "N...no" she said again, quietly.
Helios was somewhat taken aback. So much so, in fact, that he was dumbstruck for the first time in his life. It, of course, took only a few moments to get his voice back but he was shaken. "What are you doing?" he hissed at the much smaller female, one green eye imperiously fixed on her in a bullying glare which had always worked in the past.
The brown, dappled female cringed, ears lowering, tail tucked right under her now. She had taken the first step to freedom but suddenly she was being pinned down again by his glare - the years of tormenting and conditioning. Her violet eyes flashed a plea of help out to the black female in front of her and then to the male whom she really only noticed now. 'Help me' her eyes said silently.
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Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:55 pm
"What is it...?" asked Bakari quietly, taking a slight step forward. Then, as though finally noticing Helios, he looked up. "Let her speak," he insisted, his voice taking on a tone that, Shambala at least, had never heard before. It was commanding, as though he were an alpha himself. Although, using it towards a complete stranger might only insite them to laugh at you, especially if the respect was not there, which it seemed not to be.
Shambala said nothing, not sure what to make of the siutuation. She had no idea who these wolves were, or what their intentions were. She kept mindful that this could all be some sort of plot, but refrained from the "chasing them out of their lands" bit, until Bakari was also satisfied. She didn't like the golden male one little bit, and so was already not swayed to believing anything he said. It was almost as though he thought himself better, even though he was the one in their lands. But, on the other hand, her companion had started out the very same way himself. As, in fact, she had herself. She often forgot this. However, judge not lest ye be judged. She waited patiently on an outcome.
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 4:11 am
The same female's head looked between Helios and these strangers. He had been a constant in her life. Bullying, all powerful but always there. He was all she really knew here and if he wasn't there...
No, she shouted nto her own mind. No, he isn't the only one. In fact she was so upset because he wanted to cause trouble for Ouranos... and Zagreus and his family. They were her family too as much as he was. Would they take her in even after being entangledwith Helios' plot? She gulped, eyes nervously flickering between the golden and white males, to the seemingly impassive black female. She nodded to the white male, at his wonderful calm voice who reminded her greatly of someone, and began. She spoke quietly, like a mouse, but with conviction "Helios... I can't watch you stand by and try to hurt them any more.. they're family to you as much as me and have done you no wrong! " her eyes trailed to the side as she continued, pent up feelings from the past almost year of travelling coming out, all the frustration she'd pretended not to have..
"I'm sorry for what happened to you Helios but it was all your own fault. You caused trouble and you were removed from the pack." he body had moved now - still cringing but now facing him head on. "Zagreus had nothing to do with it and I'm tired of you telling others he did and that you want revenge. You don't! You just want to steal his land and posi.." she yelped as Helios, snarling moved towards her, snapping. He had never really phsyically hurt her before but then she'd never seen him so angry as he was now.
"Shutupshutupshutup!" he growled. He didn't like to have things laid so bare in front of him. He'd almost convinced himself of his stories and to be put down by so lowly a wolf.. a female too! was too much. A deep growl resonated in his throat. He eyed Bakari and Shambala "Ignore her. She's lying. Zagreus DID cause my pack to throw me out and that's why I must have revenge, must take his pack from him!"
The ever-calm, manipulative b*****d had lost it. He wasn't really in control anymore and his desperate words slipped out unbidden. "I will destroy all of your pack, choose to come with me or die alongside them!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:18 pm
As Helios' grip started to slip, Bakari suddenly made up his mind. His lips pulled back into a ferocious snarl. Shambala took a small step back before supporting the other. "It's two on one," Bakari snarled, his voice threatening. He only assumed Erin would not defend her companion. "Leave my sight, immediately. And be very sure, we will be hunting for you, come sunrise tomorrow. Nobody bad-mouths my alphas. They are good, noble wolves, and I can only take you for a liar. You will destroy nothing of mine." He turned his glance to Erin, hoping she understood he meant her no anger. "You can come with us Erin, I'm sure Zagreus will see to let you stay with us if you choose it."
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 12:40 pm
Helios' hackles raised up, his posture becoming aggresive in tone. His whole form seemed to stiffen as if wth pent up rage and he was the very image of fury. It was a petulant fury, however, and Helios wasn't stupid. Two against one weren't good odds and the two in front of him didn't seem lightweights... And that little b***h - his glare took in Erin now - she wouldn't dare attack him he would have thought up until now but everything seemed turned on its head at the moment so who knew?
The big male's voice practically dripped venom as he spoke. "Oh you THINK SO, do you?" he growled. "Well we'll see about that! You don't know who you're messing with!" the words spilled out easily now - all the pent up anger flowing out of him. It was going to begin now, really going to. He didn't have to hide it any more he supposed. With a loud snarl he began to back off. "You'll see!" he reiterated, glaring ast Erin "And you.. you'll be wishing you had picked the right side."
As the big male moved off the little female began to shake. She was drawn to follow him as she always had but now she had, it seemed, entrusted herself to two strangers. No, not strangers really as they were her cousins pack members. Practically family.
Her soft eyes, glanced up from her crouched position wondering at the strong male who had, it seemed, come to her rescue. "Th..thank you." she said quietly, glancing now and again to where Helios had stormed off into the greenery. She shuddered again.
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 1:28 pm
Bakari took up growling again as he watched Helios moving off, even taking a few steps after him, before throwing back his head and instinctively letting out a long drawn howl. It pierced the still air for several seconds before subsiding, a warning to Helios that he meant every word he had said. He then turned to Erin, instinctively wanting to nuzzle her, glad she stayed. He tilted his head gently before speaking. "Are you alright, Erin?" His gaze was worried, but genial. He wasn't sure what it was about her, but he warmed to her and wanted everything to be alright.
"Yeah," chipped in Shambala, "you seem a little... tense?" Gently, Shambala swung her tail from side to side, glad the confrontation was over for the moment. She paused, before speaking again, "it'll be alright, our pack is a good one. We won't steer you wrong."
Bakari nodded, before suddenly realising. "Oh, my name is Bakari. And this is Shambala," he added, nodding towards the black wolf.
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 1:56 pm
Erin let out one long, last shudder. It was almost as as though she was having a weight she had carried for so long taken off of her... or at least shared. She managed a weak smile at the male and female before her. She didn't feel free yet - that would take a while - but she was beginning to feel more ... herself.
He had known her name. Of course, Helios had probably said it but still it was slightly disconcerting. "Bakari, Shambala" she said after they had been introduced "thank you.."
She knew, she hoped, Shambala's words were true. Ouranos and Zagreus wouldn't throw her out would they? She had helped the wolf who had intended to bring them down but she could explain she could tell them.. could.. could... She took a deep breath. All she could really do now, had to do now, was to tell them the truth and hope that they could stop Helios before he hurt them... before he hurt himself...
Her eyes came back to Bakari, to Shambala. "Take me please..?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:23 pm
Shambala nodded to Erin. "Of course you're coming with us. You need a pack that cares for you, not a psychopath." She nodded again, this time decisively and with a sniff. She too was growing to like Erin, despite her earlier thoughts on the possibility of dishonesties being afoot. The poor thing had been living under Helios' paw, it would seem. "As long as you're honest, and nothing else but who you are, there won't be a problem. Zagreus and Calliope are both wonderful wolves." Then a thought crossed her mind. These were difficult circumstances they were dealing with. "Do you mind telling us about any history with the pack? They might not appreciate us escorting you into the heart of the packlands without a good explaination." She hesitated before adding. "I don't mean that I think you're dishonest, I just want to know whether we should warn them ahead of time?"
Bakari paused for a second, but realised the she-wolf was speaking sense. He instinctively trusted Erin, but understood that perhaps their alphas might not. Especially if there was previous tension between them.
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:37 pm
Erin listened quietly to the female and then nodded. Of course it was a sensible precaution - despite her earlier lack of forwardness Erin was beginning to feel the true kindness, smartness underneath Shambala's fur. "I.. I know Zagreus and Ouranos" she said, nodding a little. "Ouranos is my cousin, family. Zagreus, too, but a little further removed. I grew up with both as did... did Helios" she gulped a little even just mentioning his name and looked over her shoulder as if he would come back to take her away.
"I don't think they'd mind me coming we've had no argument... at least I hope they don't hate me.." her voice caught. They couldn't hate her - not yet - they didn't know. But they yet might.
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 10:30 am
Shambala nodded, taking this in. Well, if she had caused no arguement with them then there should be no problems. "Come on then," she said, her tone reassuring. "Let's go find out what everyone else thinks of this Helios running amok in our packlands, shall we?"
Bakari, encouraged by Shambala's decisiveness, led the way, constantly looking behind him to ensure Erin was following. "Come on then," he said jovially. "Let's get going!"
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