இ۵Ŗace Ågainst ₦atureஇ۵

[Resin]

((No need to apologize. The more words, the better. (: ))

[Soriams]

((Ah yes, ok. That all makes much more sense. c: Oh, and I hope you feel better soon!))

Ahote
Male | 36 | Fighter
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Standing close to Resin, Ahote nodded when she brought the injured female to his attention. She too was a good mark, and at the least, they would save her from a slow death of starvation. Taking one last quick appraisal of the oxen's positions, he pulls back under the tree as well. Now fully focused on the impending hunt, he is finally able to push the dispirited thoughts from his mind, and because of this, actually appreciate Resin's kind words to him. Bowing his head, he smiles softly to her, "I did it for me, as much as for you, Resin... No one deserves to be alone," he said in a gentle voice, meaning every word. She had given him a home when he thought he would never have one again, and for that he was more than grateful. Though somewhere deep inside, he still hurts for the loss of Ash, and for those who passed in his own pack as well, he feels as though he can take whatever the rest of his life holds, that so long as he can stand by her side.

Turning back to the meadow and their intended prey, Ahote crouches down, feeling the tension in his legs as he readies himself to run. Close on Resin's tail as she broke cover, he followed her close, paws flying over the trampled snow. While she lept at the tired old bull's face, he came up from the side and threw his weight into the beast's flank, helping to bring it down. He then quickly lept on top of it, his weight on its neck easily keeping the bull from rising while he sunk his teeth into its neck. The hot blood that exploded into his mouth was sweet and he was loathe to let it go, but the hunt was not yet over and there was more left to do.

Xani had already made quick work of the cow, and was on her way to help Resin with a second bull. Licking his lips, he was about to go see if they needed help when he heard a pained squeal from behind him. Startled, he looked to see a very young female, perhaps born the past spring, struggling in the dirt just inside the line of trees. In their panic to escape, the larger animals had smashed her into a tree and broken one of her thin legs, and now she lay, crippled and dying. Seeing as though the females have the bull well-in-hand, Ahote leaps off the back of the oxen and cautiously approaches the downed oxen. Eyes rolling in its head, he knows that this animal sees him as her death, but perhaps, even the prey knows when their time has come. Dodging her flailing hooves, he grabs the cow by the muzzle, covering her nose and mouth with his own. Within moments her struggles have ceased, and she too lays still.

Exhilarated from the hunt, Ahote turns back to the rest of the hunters, seeing those who helped him finish off the injured cow have already begun to eat. Sparing them a smile, and a bark of congratulations, he walks past them, headed towards Xani and Resin's last kill. He wants to make sure they have finished, and then together they will call the pack to eat.

[Apocalyptic_Punk]

Curse
{{Fae||Straggler||36||Alone||

Her reasons behind wanting to go back were simple, she hadn't missed the confused look from Ahote and perhaps she would explain in the future but for now, old habits died hard and she had to make sure the way behind them was empty of threats. Her feet sank into the snow for once she'd gone a good distance form the pack; she'd left the trail they'd made with a mighty leap that had carried her far enough away from the trail that none following behind them, if there was anyone would catch her scent and be suspicious. She slowly lay in the snow and watched, silently breathing softly, time passed enough for her to feel secure in the knowledge that no dark pressense came behind them. She padded from the snow drift she'd lay in and headed back to the pack.

She walked up upon the group and let a low dangerous growl escape her throat when she spied the two guards sleeping. With a snarl and a snap she landed in the middle of the two guards growling ferociously. "I could have been an enemy!" She snarled at them watching them back away quickly. "I know you are tired! But you can not rest when the whole pack's safety hinges upon your eyes seeing an enemy coming!" She snapped at them. "Fools, go...rest...I will keep watch," She snarled before turning her back on the two idiots growling still her ears twitching as she scanned the horizon, awaiting the hunters return.



Mirage
{{Brute||Omega||10|| talking to the pups|}}
Mirage had only just started a story of the great flying wolf of the north, when he heard the ferocious snarls and yelps from the edge of the camp. He was on his feet, moving his body between the pups, the old wolf and the sounds, his heart pounding, he would not let what ever had attacked harm them, he was strong and young and he could be brave. he watches as the two guards suddenly streaked past him. He bristled trying to make himself bigger, scenting the wind, he slowly relaxed as he could only sense Curse the female who'd saved him on the first day of the journey sitting on the edge of the pack. He wondered what had happened but, decided to stay with the pups, he turned to them offering a grin, before he glanced towards the Elder. "Shall we continue our story then?" he asked cheerfully.

Kuolema
{{Brute||Loner/fighter||14||traveling south

[Resin]

Resin- Alpha Female- 40 Summers

Once she had sufficiently caught her breath, she howled, calling for the rest of the pack to come and eat. They should all be able to eat their fill. She claimed the younger bull for herself, settling down between both sets of legs to tear into the soft, still warm belly meat. She was ravenous and planned to stuff herself in order to regain the strength and weight that she'd lost over the past week.

Xani's attitude was still running wild, it seemed. Resin had seen the smirk upon the lighter wolf's face and had wondered momentarily if she would even help with the kill. She was sure that it had crossed the younger wolf's mind to let her alpha handle the situation on her own and possibly become injured or die. The situation was ridiculous. If Xani couldn't follow orders, then she could leave and make her way on her own. No one was keeping her here.

Once she had eaten her fill, the massive dark female rose and stretched, splaying her toes as a yawn bubbled up inside of her. Being full felt amazing. The moment that the meat had slid into her stomach, she received a burst of energy. The majority of the meat was left upon the young bull, so she settled back to let the others eat. Moving off a ways, she sat and cleaned the blood from her muzzle, chest and paws.

Sufficiently cleaned, she rose and sought out Xani. "Come with me." She didn't care if the female wasn't finished eating. They were going to handle this now. Resin led the smaller female around the bend where the stray oxen had come from. They would have privacy, but still be within earshot in case something happened with the pack.

"You've been very insubordinate as of late and I'll no longer tolerate it. It sets a bad example every time you sneer or roll your eyes when I speak. You have a high position in the pack; one that others look up to, yet they can not look up to you." She paused, fixing her gaze on the smaller wolf." Control yourself or leave. These are your only options." Her eyes were cold and hard. Due to the light wolf's actions lately, Resin found that she felt nothing towards her. Whether Xani stayed or left, she would feel no different. "I can see in your eyes that you think some of us are weak." She met Xani's eyes. "You are the one that makes us weak. Every time you have your fur in a twist it distracts everyone else from their duties. Distractions lead to accidents, even deaths. You have the anger issues of an adolescent pup. Worrying about whether or not you're feeling pissy keeps the others on edge. It's tiring enough looking after an entire pack without adding your tantrums into the mix."

She paced slowly back and forth, the tip of her dark tail flicking back and forth behind her in an agitated manner. "A pack needs to be cohesive. Everyone works for the sake of us all. You're the only one that works for the sake of yourself." She stopped, once again staring down her muzzle at the other female. "So I'll say this again: Work on your anger issues, or leave and fend for yourself."

Not caring what the younger wolf had to say in response, for it would most likely be some cocky, self-absorbed answer, Resin turned and rounded the bend, going back towards the pack that was still working on gorging themselves. She settled herself apart from them, digging herself a burrow in the snow. Depositing herself inside of it, she looked in a southerly direction, her mind wandering off until she saw nothing but the images within her head.

[-Starchild.Keith-]

(I'm not sure what to do with Xani... This is her character, and seeing Ash die just snapped something in her. She isn't just going to get meek... Any ideas anyone?
Resin, you said something about 'the darkness' or something. Is that ever going to play out?)

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

As the rest of the pack approached, Xani tucked in between the younger male oxen's shoulders. Her fangs easily and eagerly ripped the meat apart, devouring large chunks at one time. Other wolves approached all the oxen, happily starting to eat. She paid them no mind, however, and concentrated on filling her own stomach. Just before she had deemed herself full, however, she felt someone approaching. At the sight of Resin and her command, Xani narrowed her eyes as the fae turned away. Not given a choice, she reluctantly tailed behind her leader.

As soon as Resin started speaking, Xani partially tuned her out. She did pick up on the words, but paid little attention as Resin left. The fighter waited a moment longer before returning to the pack. She sought out a spot away from the other wolves, lying down and staring into the distance. So, living on your own for most of your life and being able to fend for yourself was constituted as weak? While having to rely on others was strong? Xani scoffed.

"Stupid fae with her stupid ideas. She has never had to live alone. Her brother may have died, but my entire family has died. They abandoned me. No one knows that feeling, no one knows how to hunt alone. The problems of others don't concern me, so why should mine concern them? If I left, they would be down a great fighter. If I left, I'd be down a bunch of pests." And yet, what was keeping her here? She wanted nothing more than to just leave and fend for herself, but she couldn't bring her feet to lead her away from the group.

Turning her head towards the sky, she let loose a powerful and low howl. There was no specific meaning to her song, only the expression of anger and rage. There was another feeling in there somewhere, but it was more like it leaked in by accident. The notes of loneliness crept around the edges of her song. She carried on for a good few minutes before hanging her head and lying back down.

[Resin]

((I'm not sure what you'd like to do with her either. Resin won't back down either.
The madness, it will play out. I'm just trying to spread out the larger events a bit. When it does happen it's going to be sort of like a more coherent rabies. Extreme thirst, madness, bloodlust. Those infected will still retain a bit of their own minds and senses, but they'll be ruled by their sickness. Once infected, death is inevitable.))

[-Starchild.Keith-]

(Hm. Maybe another pack member could just try and get through to her? I don't want to kill her off...)

[Apocalyptic_Punk]

((I could have Curse try and speak with her))

[-Starchild.Keith-]

(I'm open for any ideas. She wouldn't respond well to Pipa just because of her age, or pretty much anyone but probably Ahote (also a fighter) or Curse (also a straggler))

[Resin]

((Hah, I wasn't going to suggest killing her off at all. Resin and Xani would end up in a fight, if anything. Anyone that's willing to try speaking to her may do so if they'd like. Once the group has started travelling again, I'll begin to introduce the next bit of drama.))