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 Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:38 pm
"Where are we going?"
"Shush."
"Hallie, I want to know where we are going."
"It's a surprise."
"It's not a dangerous surprise is it? You aren't going to dump me somewhere then run off--"
He couldn't finish his sentence, for the wolf in front of him had stopped suddenly and had whirled on him in an instant. There was a vicious look in her eyes that made him shrink back and tuck his tail between his legs. She looked so angry and just so... ready to tear out his throat. He swallowed hard and attempted to appease her.
"I mean I know you wouldn't! I was... I was kidding!" he muttered out, quite pitifully.
"Whatever, Darius," she snorted, leaning away from him and turning back around. She took a half step forward, before placing her paw back upon the ground and craning her neck around to peer at him. There was a sad look in her eyes now, all of her anger completely gone.
"You don't think I'd really abandon you, do you?" she asked quietly, almost like a small pup asking its mother if she'd stick around like she promised.
Darius saw the look in her eyes and frowned, feeling bad for what he had implied with his earlier words. He stepped towards her until he was side by side with her, his fur brushing her affectionately. He smiled then and nuzzled her at the base of her skull. "Of course not," he whispered into her ear, giving her a quick lick to the cheek. This made her smile, and she was back to her normal self.
"Well, we should get going. Jaylin told me about this pack. She said that there are two separate packs within a large one. I don't know the specifics, but it sounded really interesting from what she described. I thought we'd check it out..."
"It sounds wonderful," the male replied, still smiling at her. "I'll go where ever you go, love." This made the female tingle all over, and she wagged her tail once.
"It's this way, just a few minutes more and we should be there."
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 1:18 pm
"Okay- what about now?"
"Seven."
"Damnit, Dax!"
"This is too easy."
The tan and strangely arrayed female of white and black folded her ears against her head as the two continued walking around the boundaries of the packlands. Dax had pulled Aeryn to venture off with him to stalk around the boundaries for an afternoon stroll or any other foreigners that were lurking close by. Unfortunately there wasn't any at all. It wasn't quite a remote location and Pandemonium had it's own water supply and plenty of game yet there were few who ever wandered nearby or who dared to venture too far.
Yet it was noted that word had spread concerning the rise of a new pack within the region and this could only make Dax and the others grin.
"You're effin' cheating! You and Davon! Damnit!" Aeryn growled as she glanced in his direction right beside her.
Dax continued to walk cool and collected as a smirk tucked at the corner of his maw. His pelt of ebony and white rippled with movement of his muscles while his tail swayed to the side. "It's not cheating- think of it as- an advantage. And besides, knowing number seven as your favorite number is more than enough as a clue," he replied with a deep chuckle.
"Damnit," she grumbled, moreso under her breath.
"Don't start makin' a row- the last thing I want is for all hell to break loose but not like I'd object to a little brawl."
Aeryn narrowed her green orbs towards him as the fur upon the back of her neck stood up with a small grin speading wide across her maw.
"A brawl it is then," she announced, suddenly lunging towards him as the two began to roll.
The two hackled and growled, twisting and squriming as Aeryn latched onto his ear and tried to manuever herself to gain the upper hand by laying atop of him and restricting his movement of his head as best she could. But all didn't go according to plan and, with Dax being a massive wolf that was far larger than most males, he easily found strength to rise to his paws and jerk his body to the right causing the female to topple off. Toppling over her, the ebony and white male sat atop of her- pinning her with no harm.
Looking down towards her, Dax grinned.
"Is that it?"
"No-" the wolfess mused, suddenly kicking him off with her hind legs as he stumbled and, with getting herself up to her paws, Aeryn leapt at him and latched onto his tail as he latched onto her ear.
It was a chaotic mess.
"NO EFFING FAIR!" Aeryn muttered as her maw was wrapped around his tail.
"Say it!" Dax growled as he held her ear tight with a grin.
"NO!"
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 2:02 pm
As the two traveled, side by side, they found that they became more relaxed with each other. Their small spat was forgotten and they were both in good spirits. He nipped her ears playfully, trying to start up a game. She doesn't give in at first, but eventually she laughs and lunges for him. He doesn't quite see it coming and so she ends up getting him and they topple over together.
They ended up in a heap, Darius laying on his side with Hallie's front end over his shoulders. She smiled and looked down at him. "You need to work on your reaction times," she teased. He growled playfully in response, shifting his shoulder to get her off.
"Aw, come on," she whimpered. "You aren't hurt from my little joke are you?" He didn't answer. But she knew that he was simply pretending to brood to get more attention from her. She figured she'd mess with him a little more to see if she could bring him around.
"Well, if you are going to be that way then I'll just go on without you. Jaylin asked me to come, she said nothing about you," she spoke in a fake sneer.
It began to work as the male's head lifted slightly, and he tried to take the slightest glimpse in her direction without being caught. Her back was turned to him and she looked about ready to leave. He snaked closer, attempting to remain silent and undetected. But just as he thought he was going to get away with it, she turned around and smiled directly in his face. He started and gave her a quizzical look, confused at how he had been found out.
She simply smiled and shook her head. "Let's go, little boy." He whined but reluctantly followed her as she made her way closer towards the pack that Jaylin had spoken about.
Within minutes, just as Hal had said, they seemed to be at the boundaries. The female stopped instinctively, as it was never nice to go into another's lands uninvited. He stopped beside her and looked at her again. He wasn't so cautious as she was and impatient as well, so he simply wanted to walk in. They had been invited, hadn't they?
"I think someone's around," she said quietly, turning her head in the direction of Dax and Aeryn. Darius followed her gaze and strained his ears.
"I don't--"
"Sh!" she shushed him, although she knew there was no reason to be afraid. It was only Dax and Darius' sister. They were playing, from what she could tell from their minds. But she wondered at what to tell the wolf beside her. He didn't know of her abilities as a seer, and she didn't want to seem supernatural in any way.
"You don't smell the scent in the air?" she asked, hoping to distract him. He sniffed once then shook his head. "I think you're hallucinating." She gave him a hard stare and he shrank back away, his body language telling her that he took the words back.
"This way," she spoke, motioning for him to follow as she set off towards the alpha and Darius's sister. Not too long and they came upon the sight of the two wolves having each other locked desperately in what appeared to be the strangest combat either of them had ever seen. Hallie laughed, Darius just tilted his head to the side like a little puppy.
"Aeryn?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:00 pm
"SAY IT!" Dax playfully growled as he tightened his grip.
"NO, DAMNIT!"
Aeryn released his tail and suddenly thrusted her weight into his side, causing the great male of ebony and white to let go of her ear. The tan and strangely arrayed of white and black wolfess suddenly leapt on top of Dax and sat on him while her jaws tugged at his right ear. Thumping her tail roughly against him and keeping him subdued, Aeryn smirked.
"Don't you EVER mess with me," she reminded with a small hackle as she nipped on his ear roughly while laughter escaped from her maw. "You should keep the pack in order rather than sizing me up, hmm?"
Dax grinned to himself as he thrusted his weight upwards and onto his paws suddenly just as the wolfess suddenly lost her balance and fell off to the side and onto the ground. Leaping towards her as he pinned her on her back, Dax sat on her and chuckled.
"You're the only one I need to keep in order- sizing you up is the only way to keep you in line," he replied with a devious smirk as he replicated the favor of roughly nipping at her ear yet again and sporatically placed a lick on top of her head. "Don't h"
"I WILL FREAKING KILL YOU DAX! I-"
Aeryn suddenly stopped and looked upwards as her maw dropped, releasing Dax's ear as her green orbs narrowed towards....
"Darius?"
She blinked several times as she leapt off of Dax, the male grunting as he staggered upwards watching silently. Aeryn's brows knitted as she stood before both her brother and Hallie, her maw still a-jar as her tail hung behind her.
"What- .... what are you doing here?" She questioned hesitantly, searching his eyes for an answer as mixed emotions seemed to churn within her. Aeryn was still mad at him for always ignoring her yet, at the same time, she looked up to him.
"Did mom and dad send you to find me?"
But, again, it was confusing.
Dax stepped forwards- offering a small nod to both of the newcombers as his icy orbs settled upon the two. Darius was family- he knew that. But the other wolfess, well- he could only speculate that the two were together and there was...something else about her. The alpha could feel the inner demon, Davon, stir and awaken as interest seemed to catch him. Slowly, Davon began to slid into control as the alpha loosened and gave a small, warm smile.
"Darius," he cooly spoke, "it's been a while. It's good to see you again, cousin." Looking over towards the wolfess, Davon lowered his head. "And you are?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:14 pm
Hallie knew that Aeryn and Dax were simply playing a game, despite what it sounded like. She knew both because it didn't look serious to the naked eye and also because she knew from their mindsets. They were pumping with adrenaline, but not the sort which causes destruction and anguish. This was the controlled adrenaline, where it was guaranteed that there would be no injuries. She was normally calm, as well, and so she wasn't bothered easily.
But Darius was a whole other story. He didn't think his cousin would hurt his sister, but then he'd never been completely trusting. His fur bristled ever so slightly. The female beside him noticed and so pressed her side to his for reassurance. It settled him, but he was still suspicious.
Then Aeryn and Dax seemed to stop their games and they instantly became serious. Dar's suspicion was replaced with tension as his sister looked at him and seemed to question him. He folded his ears back and lowered his head slightly. Her asking him what he was doing there only made him think that she didn't want him there. He felt that she was still agnry with him over how he had acted when Hal had been refusing him.
"No, they didn't send me. I--" he stammered, losing his train of thought. Her questions took him back to when Hallie had asked him the very same after he had chased after her and found her. She hadn't wanted him then, and he still felt that Aeryn didn't want him now.
The moment was broken and the male was brought out of his thoughts as his cousin addressed him. He lifted his head in surprise, as if he had just noticed Dax for the first time. "Good to see you," he replied quietly, half meaning it and half only saying it because it was polite. He was still brooding over his sister's reaction towards him showing up randomly. Could she really only fathom him being there if their parents had sent him?
Addressed by the alpha, the seeress rose up to meet him respectfully. "I am Hallie. You must be Dax," she spoke, remembering what her friend Jaylin had spoken of. She had said that there was something different about Dax, something special. There was an itching inside of her mind, something she had never felt before. It was almost like when she sensed another seer, but it was different enough for her to know that Dax was no seer. What was he then?
"We've come here because my friend, Jaylin, spoke of this pack. She regarded it highly and she interested me so much that I felt I should see it for myself," she continued, acting as if nothing was bothering her while at the same time allowing Darius recover time.
She could feel his hurt and she wished she could help him. But while they were standing with Dax and Aeryn she couldn't do much. She only hoped he could hold his own until they were alone again.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:08 pm
Aeryn tilted her head, still searching for an answer. Her theory of having her parents send him couldn't be right- Darius must have come with Hallie, maybe trying to set things right or finally give in and join the pack. Her tan ears flickered as she grumbled slightly, shaking her head and sighing as her nostrils flared.
"You came with Hallie on your own, didn't you?" She replied, a small docile grin tucking at the corner of her maw as she took several steps forward. "Darius...I'm not mad at you- and the damn past between us can't be changed. Let's just pretend it never happend- okay?"
The last thing Aeryn wanted to do was hold it against him. It took energy to hate and she could never imagine herself hating her own flesh and blood, her own brother that she still looked up to and admired.
Glancing towards Aeryn, Dax nodded his head and winked towards her with a silent praise. But looking back towards Darius as he responded, Dax gave a curt nod of his head and then focused his attention upon Hallie. A smirk seemed to widen across his maw a the mention of a friend. "Jaylin- she's quite the young wolfess, she and her uncle work wonders," he commented with a small rumble, chuckling to himself.
"I am Dax, it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Hallie. Both Jaylin and Reno speak highly of you."
The ebony and white swirled alpha had been informed of the wolfess being a seer by both Jaylin and Reno yet, secretly, he did wonder if they had told her about the special attribute that set Dax apart from many other wolves. Davon was indeed a demon- but not one who terrorized and sought destruction. Even calling him a demon seemed a misjudge of character. But it was what he was classifed as and thus he answered to it.
Yet Dax rathered calling him by his once given name in mortality.
Davon.
Within his mind he could feel the spirit swell and awaken; the sensation and recognition of power seemed to stir him from slumber within the mind of the alpha. Yes- another seer just like Jaylin. He too needed to make his introduction.
It is an honor as well on my part to meet you Hallie. A dear friend and fellow seer along with Jaylin is a friend of mine and Dax, the voice spoke silently within Dax's thoughts, certain that any Seer would be able to heed the cool and rather suave voice.
I am Davon, a wolf who once walked these lands yet a demon or spirit whose fate has entwined itself with the alpha known as Dax. In a sense, you can say I am a guardiant and his voice of reason- he's quite the wolf, I'll have you know.
Hearing Davon voice himself, Dax chuckled.
"You have come to the right place," Dax replied with a small grin.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:30 pm
Darius still didn't quite know what to think of it all. He still felt that his sister had some sort of grudge against him. He was beginning to think that perhaps he shouldn't have come along with Hallie. He had agreed to follow her where ever she had wanted to go, but he hadn't realized that it would bring him face to face with his sister and his past. It burned at his heart to think of what might be going through Aeryn's mind.
Hallie knew what was going on between Darius and his sister, and she knew how to make the male see that everything was all right, but she didn't want to interfere. She knew that doing so would reveal a secret she wasn't quite sure Darius could handle, not after all that they had gone through already. But one day, one day she would tell him. Just not now.
But it seemed that she was saved having to interfere, for Aeryn explained things to Darius. In response, the male lifted his head and peered at her, surprised and perplexed. How could she just forgive him like that?
"You're not?" he spoke hesitantly, not sure whether she was sure about it. He had done her so much wrong, ignoring her as he had in the past, and it seemed like a miracle that she might want to have them put it behind them and start over anew. His tail wagged slightly behind him and the light came back to his bright green eyes. "All right, yeah. We can do that," he said happily, taking a step forward towards his sister. He was oblivious to the going-ons between Hallie and Dax. He was completely fixated on his sister.
It was just amazing to him how forgiving she could be. "I'm sorry Aeryn."
Meanwhile, Hallie peered at Dax, both physically and mentally. When he said that Jaylin and Reno spoke highly of her, she tilted her head slightly. She wondered just exactly what her friends had told Dax about her. She could have easily gotten the information from the alpha's own mind, but something sprung up that simply made her stop in her tracks and blink at him.
There was a voice inside of his head, almost as if it were a completely separate part of his mind. But Dax didn't seemed phased by it. If anything, he seemed almost amused that the voice had risen up.
And then she panicked. Hal glanced nervously towards Darius. He was engrossed with his sister and didn't seem to be paying attention to her, but she worried all the same. Darius didn't know that she was a seer, and if Dax did she wondered who else might. She wanted to tell Darius herself that she was a seer and she didn't want anyone else to reveal it to him. She felt that he needed to hear it from her and her alone.
The female's ears fell back uneasily and she turned her gaze back towards the alpha. "Yes, a pleasure to meet you, Davon." To Dax she spoke in his mind, "Jaylin had spoken of you being... different... Dax, but I had never once guessed that she meant this." Not that there was anything wrong with it. It was simply surprising.
"Well I'm very glad," she said aloud, dipping her head slightly. I've been restless all my life and I feel it's time I find a suitable place for myself." Glancing at Darius again, she wondered if he had any clue. She felt horrible, keeping the secret from him for one more second. But she didn't have the guts to tell him, not now. She looked down at her paws and sighed quietly.
Looking back up towards Dax, she sat down and eyed him levelly. "Who else knows? Of me, I mean." she spoke, her nerves beginning to fry. She was nervous using her powers as it was, but around Darius she simply hated it. She looked to him again.
He was smiling and nuzzling his sister, wagging his tail happily. He had been forgiven and there was nothing more amazing than forgiveness. It was like the life was put back into him and he could really begin to live now with Hallie by his side and his sister loving him again. It made Hal feel horrible.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:48 pm
The tan and strangely arrayed female of black and white shook her head with a simple smirk. "There's no need to keep any ounce of damn hatred between us- Darius, you are my brother. This is the effin' future and lookin' towards the past will only hold anyone back..I just want to start over again, that's all."
Juude had helped her realize that she couldn't always hold a grudge against her own flesh and blood- again, it took energy to hate and Aeryn would rather use her energy towards fighting in call of rebellion and for the pack. It was put to better use than seducing oneself in anger that would only corrupt and consume ones heart and logic.
It was a deadly game that Aeryn didn't want to play and she had seen some of its affects with some of those whom she had encountered within the past.
Likewise, Aeryn kept her eyes fixed upon her brother as he drew nearer. As a grin spread across her maw, Aeryn leapt at him and suddenly took hold of his ear as she growled playfully and pawed at his face several times. "I guess I can forgive you," she mused, her speech muffled slightly by her grip.
"Don't worry about it, Dar."
Unlike a Seer, Davon's ability to sense ones emotions and feelings that seemed to easily show through the body and through ones very preception and eyes, as the eyes were always believed to be the window to ones very soul, easily keyed hin in to the uneasiness of the Seer before him.
Be at ease, Seer. All is well- you are in no danger here. And I can assure you Darius hasn't the slightest idea, Davon reassured with a small chuckle.
Dax gave a small grin that slowly widened across his maw. "You should have seen her and Reno's face when they actually found out. It is different- a whole nother class in itself but- Davon's helping me bring rise to our pack and prepare for whatever is to come my way. Like he said, he helps me reason and discern those who we work and come across. Being an alpha of mercenaries, warriors and assasins puts you at risk at being betrayed and blackmailed. I like to think of Davon as my guardian and an asset and never a demon."
"A suitable place," Dax commented aloud, "I believe that both you and Darius will never find as suitable place within Pandemonium than any other pack. If you so choose, I do extend an invitation towards you both to be part of this pack. I would be honored to have you join myself, Bindi and I'm sure Aeryn wouldn't disagree."
"Not so much," Aeryn smirked as she still held tight to her brothers ear.
Silently Dax leveled his icy orbs with the Seer and smiled warmly.
"I am the only one who knows- and your secret will never leave me."
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 5:08 pm
Darius eyed his sister as she began speaking again. He hadn't remembered her having such a dirty mouth before. She didn't say anything too vulgar, but there were definitely some things that she said now and hadn't ever said before in his presence. Maybe it was because of their parents. He always saw her around their parents and now that they were gone this must be the real Aeryn. He'd have to get used to it.
Unknowing to the actual duties his sister had within the pack, he put on a face and smiled at her. His thoughts were troulbing him for the time being, but he wasn't going to let that interefere. He was starting over.
"You're right," he agreed, nodding slightly. "We shouldn't let those petty things bother us now. We've both grown and we've got better things to think about." His gaze drifted to Hallie, who was now in a conversation with his cousin, also the alpha. She wasn't looking at him but he could tell that she was nervous about something. What was Dax saying? Dar was about to tune in, but his sister caught him by surprise as she leapt towards him and grabbed his ear.
He yelped in surprise, but it was half a yelp from surprise and half a laugh from amusement. "That's no fair!" he cried, trying to angle himself so that he could get an advantage over her. "But I'm glad you're forgiving me." He smiled again, a real smile, and raised his front paws to playfully swat at her.
Hallie had glanced at Darius when he had let out the yelp. But she noticed that him and his sister were merely playing, and so she returned her attention to Dax and his... Davon.
"It's not danger I'm worried about. I can very well guard myself against danger." When Davon assured her that Dar didn't have any clue as to the abilities she harbored, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Dax was no seer and yet this Davon had the ability to tune in on thoughts or, perhaps, emotions of others.
"I know he doesn't know, but there's no telling when he will begin to piece things together. I fear that if I don't tell him myself at one point, he will find out a different way and things will be ruined. He doesn't very well like secrets." It killed her to keep it from him. But she wanted to tell him at just the right moment. Finding out that your love is a seer who could read your every thought wasn't the most comforting of things in certain situations.
As Davon was being described to her, she listend and nodded subtly. "No, he doesn't seem to me like a demon. But I'm having a hard time putting a label to him," she admitted. But what good were labels anyways? "As long as he helps and doesn't harm, I'd say there's no problem." Not that she could really do anything about it if it was.
"It seems like a fine place to settle, I'd say. I haven't seen much of the packlands, but Jaylin was descriptive enough at times," she laughed slightly. "I have no doubt we will be happy here."
The seeress shifted her weight, looking to Darius. She felt that he would take some getting used to a new place, but with her there and his sister and cousin as well, there would be a smoother transition than if he were to join a new pack alone. And she was sure that she and him would find their places among Dax and Bindi's pack very quickly. If Dax spoke the truth and the pack was surely rising rapidly then they'd have to do all they could to assist. She only worried Darius would be lazier than would be suitable.
But they'd figure it out. They only needed a bit of time.
Darius panted and smiled at Hallie and Dax, his tail wagging as his ear still seemed to be caught in Aeryn's trap. He looked silly and almost like a little boy again. It made Hal smile but then look away and frown to herself.
"Thank you, Dax and Davon."
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Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 6:01 pm
In learning to fend for herself and taking care of herself, the young wolfess had become a bit rugged, rough around the edges and a 'stand out from the crowd' type of girl. Aeryn was strong- she, besides Kodi, was the only female fighter within Dax's pack and she took pride. Although with Darius here now, she'd have to try and keep that secret underwraps from him.
Knowing her brother he'd certainly flip.
Her muzzle bunched up as her ears flickered back, growling playfully as she kept a firm grip on her ear. "All is fair in war," Aeryn commented with a smirk as she tried to jerk her head away from her brothers paw.
"You just know how to give the jump on 'em."
To say Davon had seer abilities was in no comparison. Rather than reading the mids of wolves and thoughts, the spirit simply looked into their eyes and watched their body language. Rather than spoken words, body language could give any answer even if the individual refused to speak a small twitch of the tail, flick of the ear or a nervous habit could key Davon into recognizing and deciphering an individual while Dax could piece the rest together and draw his own conclusions. The eyes themselves were recognized as the window to ones soul and ones eyes told their own story and truth just as body language.
As for Darius, there seemed to abound a more- how to put it... he was simply unaware as the only thing that the male was focused on seemed to be the past that dealt with his own flesh and blood. Yet one question that remained was how long could such a secret last until it was uncovered?
"Nothing can stay a secret forever," Dax thought as his white tipped tail swayed behind him. "Perhaps there is a right moment to tell him or he very well might to learn for himself- sometimes you can't tell someone until you're ready yet, at the same time, you can't hold it off for too long. It eventually catches up with you."
Dax knew- nothing as severe as confessing a secret ability such as a Seer but he had hidden his love for Bindi for so long. The male felt as if he wasn't ready yet but, finally, the day came where he fought against his own flesh and blood and confessed his affection and unfathomable love for her. It was bound to happen yet Dax still regretted not telling her sooner but at least the weight of hiding such an emotion like love was freed from his shoulders and now he could openly confess such a wonderful thing.
"These packlands are unlike any other,"Dax replied with a warm smile. "Waterfalls, lakes, the mountains, it has everything. And some say the best of finds have yet to be discovered," he added with a grin.
Releasing his ear, Aeryn smirked as she brushed her muzzle against the side of her brothers cheek and planted a small lick.
"I was hoping that sooner or later you'd finally come. I told Dax how strong you are and he wants you to fight alongside him," she pawed at his face with a sly smirk.
"You can join in the fun of the battles, bloodshed and the rebellions too- if you're not afraid of death that is."
"Not a problem," the two spoke as Dax gave a simple nod of his head.
"Well, shall we head up to the dens and all of us be on our way?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 08, 2007 11:51 am
Darius could already spot the changes within his sister. She wasn't the same as he had remembered her to be, but he it wasn't as if he didn't like the new Aeryn. If anything, he was proud of her for becoming what she was. Of course, he still didn't know what her role within the pack was.
Knowing him, it was probably best to keep it a secret.
"Oh so we're in war now, are we?" he asked playfully, standing still for a moment and lowering himself down as if in submission to her. His ears fell back as far as they could and he looked up at her with sad green eyes. He was a bit rusty playing these games, but he felt he had to give it a shot. Suddenly he sprang up and attempted to overtake her and pin her down to the ground. He had size over her, but she most likely had skill over him.
If Hallie had known that he simply looked into their eyes and had them all figured out, she would have looked for a way to hide her eyes. She was a bit secretive with her life, not liking anyone to be too much into it. But she tried not to be totally evasive or rude about it. She had manners too.
Looking at Darius again, she smiled as she saw that he was deep in a play battle with his sister. This was good for him. He had been moping around a lot lately and she had been searching for a way to cheer him up. It seemed she didn't have to worry about that anymore, what with his sister with him and forgiving him for what he had done when they were younger.
Her attention swinging back towards Davon and Dax, she sighed. "I understand that, but he's sensitive. I don't want to be uncaring and just drop it on him whenever I feel like it. I want him to be ready." But she was unsure if he would ever be ready or, if he did become ready, if she would notice it. Sometimes she had a narrow vision and she only saw what she wanted to see or what she thought she saw and not actually what was right in front of her. There was also the matter of her being ready herself. She had to be willing to tell him.
It was all very complicated and she wished she didn't have to deal with it. There were many times where she felt that her powers were more trouble than they were worth. She sighed again, sinking to her belly, crossing her paws, and resting her head upon them.
"I will look forward to getting used to these lands as my home," she replied quietly. "I've ventured all over and I can't wait to see what this place has to offer me." She looked to Darius again. This was where they would settle and... become a family? She was unsure of what he wanted. His mind didn't give away much as it seemed that he didn't think about those sorts of things. It bothered her.
Darius, oblivious that a private conversation was going on about him, smiled at his sister and nuzzled her in the neck. "Well, I wouldn't say strong. I'm just bulky, is all." He peered at Dax, wondering if the male really wanted him alongside him in battle, or whether his sister was only saying that to make him feel better. It was hard to tell.
When she spoke of him joining the battles if he wasn't afraid of bloodshed, he gazed uncertainly at Hallie. This was where she wanted to settle? In a pack filled with battles and bloodshed and the like? What was his sister doing here anyways? She was a lady! Or so he thought anyways.
"Oh no," he said uneasily. "Death? Bring it on."
Hallie frowned, knowing how unsure he was about it. He wasn't a fighter, not unless something near and dear to him was in danger. At the moment, the pack wasn't so high on his priority list. Hopefully that would change with time.
Rising to her paws, the seeress nodded to Dax and Davon for two reasons. One for thanking him and the other for nodding her agreement. "I think it's about time Darius and I get a rest. The sooner we can find a permanent place the better." She turned her head towards Dax. "Lead the way, sir."
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:58 am
"Life is always a war," Aeryn smirked, feeling her brother nuzzle into her neck. Her maw seemed to twist with a smile as she shook her head. "Bulky? I've seen you when you were bulky," the wolfess laughed softly as she nudged into him. "Dar- you're not fat. Under that fur is all muscle since you've toned up a bit. And Dax needs all the wolves he can get."
"Right, Dax?"
Dax nodded silently. "Then all you can do is help him to be ready for when the time is right to tell him- but some will never be ready nor can accept such a thing. Only time will tell and whether he is ready or not, there will come a time where you will have to tell him."
"Pandemonium has many secrets and much to offer those who have sought a place of their own," the alpha commented with a warm smile. "I'm sure you will find everthing you need here." The large in stature and scarred alpha glanced towards his cousin and gave a defined nod of his head with a rumble.
"Any eligiable wolf who wants to fight and protect the pack are welcomed-having you fight alongside me, Darius, would be an honor. But if you perfer not to fight then I'm sure my mate, Bindi, would love to have you join with her in the other pack- the light side as some call it."
Aeryn grinned as she nipped at Darius's ear, tugging on it with a playful streak.
"Join him!"
With Hallie and Darius speculated to be tired and needing rest from quite a journey, Dax gave a sincere not of his head as he pivoted around from the way he came and glanced back towards them.
"Follow me."
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Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:48 am
Darius shook his head, bumping his sister playfully. "I don't like to think of it like that. Why can't life just always be full of love, not war?" he spoke, glancing over towards Hallie. She had taught him that life wasn't always unfair. He had hated life before, but ever since she had begun to love him openly he had become an entirely new wolf. Now he never fought with anyone, not even himself.
When his sister told him that he wasn't fat, he couldn't help but glance down at himself. "Are you sure? Go ahead, poke me. I'm sure it'll squish in," he laughed, bumping his body against Aeryn's to make her poke him.
Looking to Dax, he wondered again if his cousin would really take him. Family bonds were strong and all, but if Dar was of no use then how long would he be able to stick around and pretend? He shook his head subtly to himself, thinking that he didn't belong with Dax's part of the pack. He wasn't much of a fighter. He felt that at the first sign of battle he'd tuck his tail and run. Then what?
"Thanks for believing Aeryn, but I'm sure Dax has better wolves he can use," he spoke quietly, almost as if he was ashamed to say that. He was putting himself down because he didn't know his own abilities yet and he didn't want to rush into something then be sourly disappointed. He also didn't want to disappoint his sister. Or Hallie, for that matter.
The seeress sighed, wishing that Darius would have more confidence in himself. Glancing to Dax, she nodded slightly. "I'm just afraid that I won't be able to help him if he freaks out over it. He's never been one to listen to reason if he's in a state." Out loud she smiled and spoke, "Sounds wonderful. I know Darius and I will be happy here." She looked to Darius. He was still thinking that he wouldn't be much of a fighter, but it sure hurt his ego when Dax said that if he couldn't handle his side, then there was always Bindi's side--the light side. How much of a man would he be if he just settled with the light side? But he had already vocally made up his mind and he'd look stupid if he suddenly changed it again. Maybe he'd privately ask for help from someone...
When Aeryn nipped his ear and pulled on it, he was pulled suddenly from his thoughts. It gave him a bit of a surprise, and so he jumped and pulled back instinctively. Realizing what he'd done and that he probably looked like a total spaz, he smiled nervously and nuzzled his sister.
"We'll see."
As Dax turned about to lead the way, Hallie shook out her fur and stretched out her forelegs. "Come on Darius, Aeryn," she spoke, feeling that Darius was in his own little space and needed some shaking up to bring him back out.
The male blinked at Hallie, then nodded. "Yeah, come on sis," he spoke to Aeryn. Then he stood beside Hallie and waited for Dax to lead the way.
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:08 pm
The tan and oddly arrayed female of black and white pursed her lips and gave a quizzical expression, cocking an eyebrow upwards as she swayed her tail to the side and bumped into his side and nudged at him. "Pft- you're not fat and love and war can't co-exist," she replied with a simple shrug of her shoulders.
Dax was interested and looked towards Darius with a smile and a nod of his head. Darius was strong- Dax knew that and it was evident through his cousin father, Damu. Their whole family was strong and Darius would be needed and his intelligence much needed along with his opinions. If he did choose to be a fighter, then he would be welcomed. If not, it was certain that Bindi would seek assistance and individuals to help protect the homefront and tend to the families who were young and care for pups who needed to be watched over and mentored.
"I need all the wolves I can get- it's not just war and fighters but we need strategist, opinions, rebels or those can stay with Bindi and the families and protect them rather than the heat of the battle. If there is a specific role you are interested in or are suited for don't hesitate to speak your mind, cousin."
Aeryn looked from Dax back to Darius with a small smirk.
She hoped that he would fight but, if he didn't, at least he was closer and within the pack. Aeryn continued to stand next to him, watching her brother as he jumped with a slightly startled reaction that made her laugh softly and shake her head and rumble softly. She cotinued to look towards him, intaking a deep breath and slightly unaware that they were leaving to return back into the packlands. Perking her ears upwards as Darius called to her, Aeryn picked up her pace.
"I'm comin'," she sighed.
Dax easily weaved and slinked through the shadows that the thick barrier of forests cast down upon the ground. The large ebony and white swirled male flicked his ears as his icy blue orbs drew upwards towards the small trail that crept upwards as lush grass seemed to spread vast and as far as the eye could see. At that moment one could see a decent river that eventually fed into a large lake- even more water features were scattered and hidden within the depths of the landscapes such as water falls and tier pools. The area itself was lush, tranquil as the thick barrier of trees dissapated and the view of the mountain-scape came into view.
There were caves and trails that led inside of the mountains, some wolves lounging and laying upon the rockfaces as the sun warmed up their bodies and kept them relaxed and a bit loose. Stretching out, Kaizen yawned as his striped ears flicked upwards while his black tail thumped once, then twice.
"Seems like Dax brought Damu's son, Darius, and a wolfess with he and Aeryn," the mercenary commented softly as he tilted his head to the side with curiosity.
"Interesting."
A soothing purr sounded as the pink lynx flicked his pointy ears and gave a slight yawn- ocher orbs narrowing as he watched then enter the packlands.
"Shou' we greet 'em?"
Stretching upwards and slinking up to his paws, Kaizen smirked just as Tavor rose to his paws next to him.
"Of course," the wolf replied as he leapt from rockface to rockface and onto the ground. He strolled forward with a poised walk, holding himself well and with a defined elegance and posture that didn't demand respect but, simply, made him stand out and carry a different air about him.
"Afty, Dax, Aeryn-" Tavor spoke with his thick accent and a warm smile upon his maw.
"Darius," Kaizen noted with a smile and a nod of his head, "it's good to see you again. You might not remember me- I'm Kaizen, Damu's half brother. And this," he noted towards the lynx, "is my good friend and accomplice-"
"Tavor," the lynx announced with a soft purr. "Pleas'a."
Glancing towards Hallie, Kaizen gave a warm smile as his tail swayed with ease.
"I don't believe we've met. Who might you be, miss?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:52 pm
Darius looked down at himself the best that he could. It was true that he took after his father stature-wise, but he had never thought of himself as particularly muscular or strong. He was just always... bulky. Whether that bulk was from fat or muscle he never really cared to figure out. What did it matter before?
Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "Why not? Can't war spring from love sometimes?" He stole a glance at Hallie. "Or vice versa?" He had loved Hallie long before they had grown up, and he thought that she had too, but the coming of their adulthood had placed some... problems... into the relationship. They had fought verbally, mentally, and emotionally with each other. It was like a sort of war between them, and finally, after everything was over and done, they seemed to have an even stronger love for each other. As it were, their war sprung from their love and complicated feelings yet then a stronger love grew from their fighting. He wondered if Aeryn knew that.
But he was rambling on in his thoughts. He felt that he was digging himself in a hole and leaving no way out for himself. He shook his head visably and wuffed. "I think I'd like a rest first before I decide whether or not to fight. You know, I get real cranky when I haven't had my sleep," he said grumpily, obviously playing. He smiled and bumped his sister again with the top of his cranium.
Turning to Dax, he grew serious. "Well I've never thought of myself as particularly talented." Other than being extremely good looking and having a way with women. "I might have to think for a while before I chose something permanent." A.k.a. I want to stare at my reflection and see if any ideas spring into my head. Hallie rolled her eyes and sighed. It was hard to tell with that whether he was joking with himself or whether he was actually serious. It wouldn't surprise her if he was serious about it all.
"Come on," she urged, following behind Dax. Darius gave her a look but moved forward nonetheless. He looked back once to make sure that his sister was coming.
As they were led deeper into the packlands, the two wolves had different reactions. Hallie sniffed every scent and her golden orbs glanced everywhere. It wasn't that she didn't trust the place, it was just that she wanted to know it as well as possible so that she could do the best she could for the pack when she was needed. Darius, meanwhile, simply gazed in awe at the beautiful surroundings, looking at one thing then forgetting it as he moved on to another.
"I notice there are paths worn into the ground here," the seeress commented. "Have you paced your packlands so much that you have worn the earth down or were these here before?" she asked, ears falling back slightly. She could try to find out the past of this place, but she always hesitated using her powers, especially when it was concerning an ability that she wasn't all too familiar with.
Spotting the other wolves, Hallie immediately lifted her head and sharpened her senses. Damn. She was too paranoid. She forced herself to relax, thinking to herself that these wolves were friends and allies and none of them had any intention to harm her. But it was hard to shake her instinctive distrust of every stranger until that stranger was proven innocent, so to speak. Automatically her mind opened up and scoped out the other wolves. None were particularly interesting at the moment, none but two.
Before she could investigate any further mentally, a wolf and a rather brightly colored cat approached them physically. Darius leaped back, having never encountered a cat so close before.
"Dude!" he exclaimed without thinking. Looking to Aeryn and Dax, he flattened his ears in slight embarassment. What an idiot he must look like! But he hadn't the time to feel sorry for himself for the wolf was soon introducing himself as--his father's half brother? At first he couldn't remember. Then it hit him.
"Oh, I remember something about you. Yes, good to see you," he spoke politely, instantly moving closer to Hallie. She was always his security blanket, sissy as that may seem.
Kaizen and Tavor. The female narrowed her eyes at the cat, mostly out of habit. She never fully trusted animals of a different species. Hell, she still didn't completely trust Reno's bird. But she forced herself to seem kind and delicate like a real lady. Even though she wasn't, it couldn't hurt if they ended up betraying her in the end. She'd have a real surprise for them. Oh what was she thinking? She shook her head to clear her mind. She had to get it out of her head that everyone might be out to get her. These were friends. Friends.
"I'm--"
"Hallie, my mate," Darius finished for her. She shot him a look. He ignored it.
"I believe he asked me who I was, not you, Darius," she growled. "He already knows you."
"Well duh."
"Ugh!"
Darius frowned. He knew he had said something stupid and slipped up. She was getting into another one of her moods. Pretty soon she would stalk off and he'd have to hunt her down again and apologize. But he was afraid that he'd do this so much that she'd end up just not accepting him back again. He whined and lowered his head quickly, hoping to make up for it before things went too far.
She eyed him, knowing his intentions but unsure of whether he was just trying to save himself some trouble or if he was really serious. She decided to believe he was serious this time.
"Anyways, it's a pleasure to meet you Kaizen and... Tavor." She still couldn't get over the fact that there was a cat among a pack of wolves. Unbelievable.
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