இ۵Ŗace Ågainst ₦atureஇ۵

[-Starchild.Keith-]

(So Hrafn's a flirt, eh?
This is a big love block. Hrafn and Ahote like Resin, but Xani likes Ahote...)

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

As Resin spoke of Pipaluk's fate, Xani could only sigh. She hadn't really felt a bond with the old she-wolf, but she was sad nonetheless. At the same time, however, she had obviously lived a long life, and was most likely ready to die. It eased the burden, but it still hurt. Xani met the alpha's eyes as she spoke, understanding completely what Resin meant. If another wolf from the pack died, she might just wander off, too.

Xani then turned to glance at the male that Resin spoke to. He seemed to grin at her, though she didn't return the gesture. Something just seemed... strange to her, or maybe she just wasn't used to flirting. After all, no male had ever acted nicely towards her except Ahote, but that was only because they were both grieving, right? She hoped it was because they were friends, but one could only hope.

Xani was ready to head out for the reindeer and was just getting to her feet when Ahote's call rang out. Instantly, Xani turned and sprinted towards the threat. He saw the she-wolf from earlier- Kira?- that she had been suspicious of. Obviously, her suspicions were correct. The other wolf was missing an entire paw and was very sick, though she was currently unbalanced from Ahote's attack. Though it was pointless for most, she howled a warning for the newcomers- 'do not bite or get bitten'. Following her own advice, she jumped towards the fae, landing a foot before her and sending a spray of snow into her face to hopefully blind her.

[Resin]

((No worries. It's not as out of place as you think. I feel horrible for Kira, but the visuals I get from the scene are exactly the type of illness I was picturing. Also, I hope Curse decides to take her old name again. She deserves it.))

Resin- Alpha Female- 40 Summers

"Welcome to the pack, Pilot. Should you wish to travel South in relative safety, you may travel with us. Should you wish to strike out on your own again once we arrive, you may with no ill will." The looks that the others were giving her didn't go unnoticed. They gave Hrafn the same looks. It was a normal reaction when new wolves were about.

After her questioning, her ears flicked forward, listening intently to Hrafns discovery and his plan. It was a decent one. With many wolves hiding on the sidelines, they'd be able to snap a leg here, latch into a throat there and not waste too much energy doing it. Everyone should be able to eat. It didn't even take hunters to carry out this plan, although they would be an asset, of course.

The dark wolf nodded her head in agreement. "The plan is sound. Those that aren't confident in their hunting abilities can kill the ones that we fell." She would be on the front lines, of course. An Alpha that wouldn't get her paws dirty was no alpha at all. "Who will run them? We need swift legs." Casting her gaze about, she looked for volunteers. When Pilot happily volunteered both her services and the kill that she'd already made, Resin nodded in approval. She was new and already she was willing to risk herself for the sake of the pack.

Several wolves volunteered to run the reindeer, their stomachs prompting the decision. She had just rounded up enough bodies when a frantic call rang out. What was it now? Her gaze turned just in time to see Ahote swipe the legs out from under a bloodied wolf. Eyes widening, she made the instant connection. A bloodied wolf running towards them with one of her own packmates at it's heels was definitely one of the infected.

Ahote's leap and swip had caused him to stumble and, even though it seemed the frenzied wolf was missing a paw, it dove a few strides ahead of him. As it drew closer, she realized that it was Kira beneath the blood. Again her eyes widened. She was stuck in place for a moment. How had she not known? She should have checked everyone for bites.

Her inaction lasted only moments before she burst into movement. "Stay!" she ordered the rest. This was her duty. Other than possibly Xani, she wouldn't trust another wolf to kill one of their own and come out of it with a sound mind. Though the others may think ill of her for killing a former pack member, in doing so she was saving their lives.
Adrenaline surged through her. She saw and felt nothing other than Run. Kill. Protect. Her powerful legs ate up the distance and, right before Kira managed to sink her infectious teeth into a napping elder, a spray of snow erupted and the much larger wolf slammed her chest into her side, sending the small female flying head over feet into the snow. She hadn't really expected Xani to listen and was glad that she came. Sending the snow into the wolfs eyes slowed her and saved the elder. Biting was out of the question, so she had to get a little creative. Leaping into the air much like a fox, she came down hard upon Kira's spine. The snap of the spine and the scream of the spines owner echoed throughout the clearing.

Leaping back so as not to be bitten, Resin stood, head lowered, eyes locked on Kira's. Her sides heaved and her tongue lolled. Kira only had eyes for her Alpha. Until the moment she died, their gazes were melded. A shudder went through the small, broken form and, through the confusion and madness in her mind, she managed to choke out two words. "Thank you." And then the light faded from her eyes and she was gone.

Resin snarled, her thick coat bristling and standing on end, making her look much larger than she actually was. She snarled; not at Kira, but at the world. "It. Never. Ends!" Wasn't she doing what she was told? Wasn't she taking them all South? Then why were they taking everything from her? Would they be picked off one by one until only she remained. Was the red forest even there at all?

After a few deep breaths she calmed enough to be aware of the situation once more. Ahote had been the one to warn them. Ahote. She had watched him stumble. Had he been bitten? Was he infected? He was one wolf that she could never kill. If he was infected, she would transfer her leadership to Attican or Xani and she would stay and rot with Ahote. Again her adrenaline surged and she was instantly at his side. "Ahote, are you ok? Have you been bitten? Please tell me you're alright."

Not being shy about it in the least, she inspected him, nosing his chest, throat, limbs and back. Once she was assured visually that he was intact, she released a long breath that she wasn't aware she'd been holding. With the sigh went her adrenaline and, closing her eyes, she rested her forehead against his chest, her ears on either side of his muzzle. The terror of losing him slowly receded and she felt drained.

Life was getting to be too much. More incidents like these and her heart was sure to give out. Constant stress was a killer, was it not? Looking back towards the bloodied body of Kira, she whined softly, then sucked it up and turned to the pack. "We're moving. All of you, on your feet. There's food up ahead and we can no longer stay in such a place."

Her word was law, so the mass of wolves, a few of them grumbling, rose and followed her as she led them out of the area. Living in her head as she walked, she kept Ahote beside her. Thinking that she would lose him had done a number on her and a part of her still felt frightened. If she let him out of her sight, he may never come back. It was a silly thought, but it was there all the same. As they moved, she made sure to periodically let her thickly furred shoulder slide along his, reassuring her that he was actually there.

They walked, Hrafn partially leading the way. He was directing them towards the reindeer, but not too close. Their scent was blowing towards the wolves and many hunger filled whines could be heard. Due to recent events, they were practically starving. Soon the situation would be rectified, the dark female simply had to pull herself together first.

((I need to stop posting so much, but sometimes I just can't stop my fingers. ))

[Khaleesi Stormborn]

~~..: Azaria::.5 years.::Pup/hunter in training.::w/Mirage:..~~

Azaria heard the soft crunching footsteps of Mirage before he even came up beside her. When he nuzzled her gently she turned and hid her face with in his warm chest. Shaking with sobs she listened to his words, sniffling softly. "I know its not my fault Mirage, but my daddy is gone and now my Mamma, I'm all alone in the world now," She said. And she knew that wasn't intirily true not in the least. Because she did have the Pack, but she was one lone pup in the whole pack, she sighed softly and looked at him. do you think she is happy and with pappa now?" She asked her green eyes wet with tears as she gazed up into the golden eyes of the elder black wolf. "Will, it be a long time til I see them again?. As she waited for answers from Mirage she turned her head at the loud howl from, she believed it was Xani she spied another wolf racing toward the pack, with the Ahote in hot pursuit, and most important she saw blood. She stood to her paws and watched the events below them unfold.


~~..:Lokia.::45 Years.::Loner.:: alone:..~~

The dirty looking wolf was standing looking down into an icy stream, studying a few fish that were foolishly swimming against the currant. "You Silly things? Why are you swimming backwards?" She asked the thin air around her head, before she dipped her head down and flipped one from the water to the snowy ground. [b]" There we go Likae, See I can still take care of myself, She paused and shook her head. "Silly me, you aren't there, you've been dead most my life time." She mumbled at the water before flipping a second and third fish onto the shore. The Wolfess shook herself out and pranced up the small bank to her catch of three large fish. This would be a very filling meal. "I'd thank the ancestors but you all abandoned me half a life time ago, so lets eat!" She said cheerily as she dug into the first fish smacking her lips as she ate her tail sending up a cloud of snow as she did so.

Once the food filled her belly, she stood and went back to the stream, washing her face free of scales and blood in the stream as licked up a good drink. She yawned heavily and started walking, the heavy meal in her stomach, she smiled to herself padding along. Her ears flicking irritably at the howls coming from just north of her. "Must everyone be so loud?" She wondered out loud, it not being uncommon that she would carry on with herself for hours, never once missing a beat as she moved towards a line of trees, to seek out a hollow log, or even an old fox den to make into her bed for a nap.

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

Luckily, Xani's snow attack worked. She didn't know if her leap had been powerful enough, but thankfully it had. She heard Resin telling her to stay, but she paid it no mind. She prepared herself to jump forward and knock down Kira, but she never got the chance. A large, black mass leapt through the air and came down on the smaller fae, and the loud crack of bone rang in the fighter's ears. Resin had killed the other fae rather easily, and Xani stepped back a bit.

Xani had turned her head away and put her ears back, the addition of another death weighing on her. Kira had almost killed someone else. If only Xani had said something earlier... She growled lightly, but turned in surprise at Resin's outburst. She opened her maw to speak, but paused. She turned to look at Ahote at the same moment, but was too slow. Resin bounded towards the other fighter, causing a sigh to escape Xani.

Xani trotted to the back of the pack and took up her guard position once more, wondering if the hunt was still on or not. Ahote was obviously alright, seeing as how Resin was leaning her head against him. Lucky... She shook her head. Of course she liked Ahote. And he probably liked her, seeing as how Xani was immature. Her thoughts left as Resin returned and told them all to move. Xani once more sought Vali, who was nearer the back of the pack, and told him to watch the rear for a moment.

The fighter trotted quicker, moving to match her pace with Hrafn, who was partially leading them. "Hrafn. Where will you need me? I'm more strong than fast." She both wanted to stay calmer to help keep Resin from exploding and to try and talk with the new male.

[Resin]

Hrafn-Hunter-46 Summers

The events had unfolded right before his eyes and he hadn't even been able to act. His inaction shamed him. Here he thought he was Alpha material. Resin's quick thinking and decisive action was incredibly admirable. She was definitely on a level apart from him and all the rest that had simply stood dumb and done nothing. He'd been speaking to some of the other wolves and, when the Alpha roared her words to the sky, he understood her frustration completely.

The light colored female though, Xani, had rushed in without a moments hesitation as well. This earned her some of his admiration. After everything was said and done and the decision was made to leave this place of death, she came to walk beside him, questioning her involvement in the hunt. More strong than fast, eh? She could fight beside him then. It wouldn't bother the hulking black brute one bit.

"We'll need strong wolves on the edges of the path. The forest narrows and there are trees and bushes on both sides. While the fast ones herd the reindeer through, we will fell as many as we're able to. Whether it's by snapping legs, evisceration, grabbing throats, it doesn't matter. If everyone pulls their weight, we'll all feast." He walked slightly ahead of the Alpha simply because he was leading the way. The position felt good to him. He missed leading. It was in his blood.

Making casual small talk, Hrafn glanced sideways at his walking companion. "How long have you been with this pack, Xani? You don't seem to be entirely happy here." Perhaps the question was too forward, but he never had liked seeing his packmates distraught. He imagined that her unhappiness had ostracized her from the rest of the group, thus making her unhappier. Perhaps it was a vicious cycle. He waited patiently for her answer, content to walk on in silence should she wish it.

[Apocalyptic_Punk]

((Oh gosh, so much to respond to, and just the other day I was sitting here going, I don't know what to doooooo! And as to the Pipaluka thing I knew it! hahah! I knew it! and I was like omg I was right! As for Curse, taking up her old name, she's thinking on it LOL. But yes, now i need to type out responses, this is gonna be entertaining. oh, and Mike, I LOVE LOVE Lokia..(giggls) ))

Curse/Isis
{{Fae||fighter||36||hunting||

It all happened so quickly, the horrid growls and snarls flowing through the air, she snapped her head around and before she can react both Xani and Resin are on the move. She launches herself after the two wolves, but before she can get there, its over and another pack member is dead. She blinks starring at the now still form of Kira, the young wolf. She'd not noticed her, how had she not noticed her. She takes a deep breath and scans the pack as they rise to there feet shaking off the snow and sleep as they begin to move quickly away from the dead sick wolf. One who had been one of there own only a short time ago. She looks once more upon the dead body, then taking another deep breath, she lopes after Resin, striding up just behind and to the right of her, she is quite as they move in the direction of the Reindeer herd.

She lets her mind wander, Pippa had told her she should take her real name back, she should become Isis again, but here again was proof that her presence could very well be the curse she'd felt she'd become. She sighed softly and shook her head, but why would the Elder tell her otherwise, she was in contact with the Ancestors, they would know the truth. She couldn't even begin to fathom what the ancestors wanted from her. Perhaps everything in her life, the hardship, the greif the pain and loss had all led her to being here for a reason. What that reason was, she wasn't sure but once the hunt was over, she was going to speak with Resin. She picked up her pace. "Resin," She said softly before continuing. "I'd like to speak to you about something after the hunt, please. She said calmly. How odd it was that only a few short days ago, she'd been angry, and filled with hate, and had only followed the pack, because they at the time had allowed her substantial meals and now...she was a part of the pack.

Mirage
{{Brute||Omega||10|| W/Azaria|}}
Mirage let Azaria talk, and question what he'd said, he knew somewhere deep inside this is what the young pup, needed to do. He remained silent for a long time, letting her voice her fears, about being alone and then finally as she asked how long til she could see her parents again, He let out a soft sigh and nuzzled the wolfling again. "You are not alone, you have me and the rest of the pack, we care about you very much, Ahote, Attican, Resin, Xani, and all the others they care about you and would hate to see you suffer or sad." He said gently watching the young face silently. " The Ancestors being willing, it will be a very very very long time before you join them," He heard the howl and was on his feet fur bristling fangs bared as he searched for the source. His eyes focused in on Xani and then resin, he followed their line of flight and saw Kira.

The young wolf was bloody, injured badly, suffering....sick! Screamed in the black wolfs mind, with out thinking he picked up Azaria planning to conclude this conversation later, he bolted down the small hill to the pack, depositing her with the other pups who were milling around looking frightened, but it was over before anyone could be further hurt. He did a quick head count on the pups while conferring with their parents and then the command from Resin came, they were moving. He was took a deep breath and nudged a few of the pups forward, and soon they were moving with the pack, fear burning through all of them.

Kuolema
{{Brute||Loner/fighter||14||Edge of the pack|}}

Kuolema blinked as the Alpha directed him over, and he took his time doing as he was told, studying her calmly, as if he didn't care she was The Alpha, possibly his own future Alpha. He was half way across the distance when all hell broke loose. He blinked as he watched the frenzy as the young female tried to attack, and was subsequently killed. He stood now, tense as The Alpha stood there, before ordering the pack to move. He thinks for a moment about staying put and letting the pack move on with out him, and then follow them again from a distance, but finally as yet another wolf takes a round about way to avoid crossing paths with him, he lets out a huff. You know I am not my father, i don't kill people just cause my brain tells me too!" he snaps at the wolf who looks at him and then picks up its pace to get further away from him.

"You act like I smell, well...you smell too!" He calls after the retreating wolf, before with a grumbling huff he gets to his own feet and moves into a loping pace, passing by the rude wolf, catching up with the Alpha and her inner circle. He stays just behind them, but just in front of the pack. He doesn't wish to be threatening, but at the same time, he hopes that being this close to the Alpha, who can keep an eye on him now, will put some of those annoyingly rude beasts at ease.

[BlackJaguar]

Okay so i just wanted to let you guys know that i am traveling back home today (on phone with spotty wifi) and i might not be able to reply as far as late tomorrow. Want to say that I'm totally fine with Pilot and Attican going into "autopilot" mode (lol) or even getting godmodded by someone to further the plotline. Don't want my absence to be holding anyone else up! Will be back when i can! ~Alli

[Resin]

((Travel safely, Jag!))

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

Xani listened as Hrafn spoke, trying to imagine it in her head. She was never really one for tactics, but she tried to plan out what to do in her head. Though hiding in the bushes wasn't her real strong suit, she would do as asked of her. Her brief nap had helped stave of her fatigue, but now her hunger was creeping up on her. The more she thought of the reindeer, the hungrier she became. However, she nodded her head in understanding.

At the male's next question, however, Xani almost faltered in her steps. She wasn't used to having others be so forthright, especially about such delicate topics. Turning her head away from him, she put her ears back angrily for a moment. Only one huff escaped her, but she decided to answer him. He was only curious, after all.

"I have been with the pack for 3 years. Before that, I lived 10 summers alone. I'm only 21 summers old, so if that tells you anything..." She paused, turning her head back to look ahead at the path before them. "I'm more of a loner by nature, but with all that's happened lately..." The death of Ash and Junco, especially the fact that she could have prevented them if she'd tried harder, were still weighing on her mind. The fact that she had saved the elder from Kira had made her feel better, especially the nod and look of gratitude he shot her afterward.

[Resin]

Hrafn- Hunter- 46 Summers

The massive black male blinked and glanced at his walking companion yet again. He was twice her age. He hadn't expected her to be so young. Hearing that she had been on her own for ten years warmed him towards her a little bit more. Her initial anger at the question didn't do unnoticed. She was extremely guarded, this one. Was she afraid to break down her inner walls for fear of years of pent up emotion breaking free? He wasn't sure.

Continuing on, his huge black paws moving surprisingly quietly across the snow, he spoke softly so that only she could hear him clearly. "I've been on my own for the past ten or so summers as well. Before that, I was the Alpha of a pack a little less than half this size." He cleared his throat gently and continued, his slightly chipper tone not hiding much of the emotion beneath his words. "A wasting sickness took us one by one. Not a sickness like this recent one that you've encountered, mind you. They were unable to eat; unable to drink. They all wasted away until they were nothing but piles of breathing fur and bones."

He tried to relive the event as little as possible, but he felt that the female beside him would benefit from hearing his story. Perhaps she wouldn't feel like so much of an outcast if she knew that she wasn't alone. Everyone faced hardships, some just faced more than others. "My mate was the last to go. She was barely recognizable when she died. They all died and I lived; perfectly healthy. I hated myself for that. I blamed myself. There had to have been something that I could have done, right?"

The big brute shook out his thick black ruff. "It took me years to come to terms with everything. I've still been wandering for years on my own, but once I sorted things out in my mind, things became easier." A little embarrassed to be such a talker, he bristled slightly. "I hadn't realized quite how lonely I was until I found your Alpha and she allowed me to join you."