இ۵Ŗace Ågainst ₦atureஇ۵

[Soriams]

((Safe travels, Jaguar! I promise I won't let Lani molest Attican in your absence... LOL Speaking of which, I'm glad you guys like her. She is fun to play, being one-sided and all. And poor Ahote would feel terrible to know that he hurt Xani's feelings, even if he didn't mean to. I can't wait for Xani to meet Wolf though, I think they will be hilarious together, what with her anger and his complete lack of knowledge. I see much exasperation in their future.))

Ahote
Male | 46 | Fighter
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Running hard, when Ahote extended his shoulder to reach out and swipe the feet out from under Kira pulled at the bruised muscles where he had slammed himself into the log earlier, and in his next step his leg crumpled underneath him. Stumbling in an attempt to keep upright, he watches in horror as Kira regains her footing and runs towards a startled elder. No... His thoughts screamed in his head as he tried to push himself to stop her. Luckily, his calls had been heard and in the next instant Xani is there, leaping between the infected and their pack-mate, spraying them both with a stinging hail of snow. Two more heartbeats and Resin is there as well, and the massive Alpha succeeds where Ahote had failed, and knocks Kira to the ground. She then puts an end to the madness and brings her weight down, breaking the silver fea. The two females lock eyes, and in the time it takes the life to leave Kira, Ahote is able to hobble up to the scene, still trying to work out the cramp in his leg where it had locked.

Head held low and panting, the fighter flinched at Resin's cry of despair, his ears pinned back over his head. He too shared her outrage, but now the fight was gone from him, and he just stood with his head hanging. Was this their fate? To see their pack mates taken one by one, until their great number was whittled down to nothing? Anger and resentment warred with sadness in him, and in the sour wave of emotion he found himself having to swallow back the bile that rose in his throat lest he be sick.

Lost in his thoughts, Ahote didn't lift his head until Resin appeared at his side, "I'm alright... Not bitten. But Kira... She's left so much of herself everywhere, I..." his words stumbled to a stop when his stomach turned again. He couldn't continue, and stood silent through her inspection, taking at least some comfort from her gentle administrations. Finally, when she is satisfied at his soundness, she turns and presses her face into his chest, and Ahote accepts the embrace greatly, pressing his own into the ruff of dark fur on the back of her neck. It was only then that he realized he was shaking, though the motion was hidden beneath his heavy pelt he could feel his bulky form tremble where she touched him. "It was a pup, Resin..." he said, muttering into her fur. "The one that got her. I saw it, I crushed it beneath my paws but... But I was too late." Alas, there was nothing he could have done, but still his heart hurt for them both.

After a long moment, Resin pulled back, and Ahote drew in a long shaky breath, trying to fill the open void in his chest. His entire being feels wasted, and without the warmth of her touch he now drifts rudderless. While the Alpha rallied the pack, Ahote turned his attention to Xani. The Fighter seemed to be feeling no better than he did, and he wanted to say something to her, but no words came. Instead, he just let his head droop again, hardly hearing what anyone around him said.

Soon enough the entire pack was up and moving, and Ahote once again found himself at Resin's side. Though they both had drawn inward into their own thoughts, her closeness brought comfort to him, and for the first time in days he was able to calm his troubled mind. Finally pulling himself together enough to lift his head and look around, he caught the scent of reindeer as they passed through the hall of trees. As though unaffected by the tragedy that plagued them, many wolves seemed to be excited by the scent. Hrfan led them with Xani at his side, and he wondered what was going on. Ever since they had set forth on this journey south, Resin had been at the head, leading them. So why was it that this brute should suddenly take her place? After a long while of thinking on this, and seeing Curse come and go, he finally turned to Resin and opened his mouth to speak again. "Where are we going?"

Lani
Female | 57 | Hunter
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Lani watched the events unfurl from her place behind Hrfan, using the oversized black wolf as a shield in case the commotion came their way. Luckily enough, it was all over in a matter of minutes, and she was able to creep out of hiding. Ears perked forward, and her delicate little black nose twitching to the scents of nervous wolves. Assured that everything was alright again by the Alpha's speech about moving out to find food, the stout Hunter looked over her new companions and smiled. "Whew! Glad that whole mess is over with. Now, where are those reindeer?" she said in a voice that clearly betrayed the direction of her hungry thoughts.

As always, her peanut gallery comments garnered no response, so Lani picked up her feet and followed the rest of them back into the trees. She loved the smell of the pines, and took a moment to rub herself on their bark as they passed, itching her hide and leaving tufts of thick white fur in her wake. This left her to fall a bit behind, and from her new vantage point she spots yet another new face. This one is also a brute, but he is much younger than Hrfan, probably not much older than that cute little black Omega, Mirage. He seems to have gotten his fur in a knot about something though, as his exasperated words drift back to her. Amused by his rather awkward attempts at retort to a wolf who apparently has no interest in conversation with him, she chuckles to herself and picks up her pace to catch up to him.

Her years as a hunter have left Lani light on her feet, and though such a trait is a bit silly looking on a wolf of her stature, it nonetheless allows her to easily come up alongside the ashen brute. "If you ask me, they all smell, but for some reason they're proud of that," she said, mouth curled in amusement at her own joke, even if it wasn't all that funny. "Besides which, we all know you're not your father... I mean, really how could that happen anyway? So why tell everyone like it was a big secret?" Lani asked, completely oblivious to whatever it was that bothered the others so much.

[Resin]

((Oh man... I love Lani! She's horrible and amazing and I feel sorry for Attican. How's he supposed to combat that? Wolf and Xani together? Looking forward to that.))

Resin- Alpha Female- 40 Summers

She walked, shoulders hunched, brow furrowed, stomach still in knots, not paying much attention to anything around her other than the wolf beside her. The thought of losing Ahote had shaken her to the core and she was still trying to piece herself back together mentally. Watching the other moving shapes in her periphery kept her moving in the right direction, but who they were or what they said didn't matter much at the moment. All that mattered was that Ahote was whole and well. Focusing on that, she would soon return to her normal, mostly composed self.

Of all the wolves in their group, a group that became larger every day it seemed, why would his death have bothered her more than the rest? Again that warm tingle began at the back of her mind and she wrinkled her nose at it. It had been many, many years since her mate disappeared. That entire time she'd stayed alone, hoping that one day he'd return. Even after she felt in her heart that he had died, she stayed alone. But why?

"The pain of losing someone again would be too much," answered a little wolf in her mind. And yet here she was; still reeling with the fear of having lost just as much as she had before. When had she come to develop such deep feelings for the large male beside her? He had been with the pack for some time, having come from a former Alpha position. Though he doubted himself, Resin had always looked up to him. He no longer wished to lead, but she took great care in watching the way that he interacted with others. Wanting to lead or not, you couldn't take the Alpha out of a wolf once he'd tasted it.

She developed a healthy respect for the big scruffy brute which had eventually, much to her surprise, turned into something more. Dare she say that love sprang up at some point? Preposterous, right? Resin, who rarely allowed herself the luxury of touching another wolf couldn't possibly hold such feeling for another ever again. Or so she told herself. That was another inner war completely and she wasn't sure that she was ready to fight it just yet. There were too many things on her plate to worry about before she could entertain the thought of being with someone again. And what if his feelings weren't reciprocated?

The smoky female had just begun to growl at herself when Ahote's words broke through her thoughts, startling her completely. She almost jumped, but instead settled for widening her sulfur colored eyes momentarily and exhaling sharply. Clearing her throat, she gave him his answer. "Hrafn and Curse have come upon a large herd of reindeer. He's leading us to it and he has a plan of attack. The plan isn't something that I'd have chosen, but many of us are weak with hunger. We won't be able to run them into exhaustion before we're exhausted ourselves."

Raising her head, she focused her eyes, finally able to look at those around her and take in their new surroundings. They'd moved a good distance from the grisly scene at their former camp. They walked down a large snowy track with trees upon one side and a tall reach of mountain on the other. They had entered mountain country and she hadn't even realized it. The farther South they went, the thicker the trees became. Though you could still see the space between these trees, they were indeed growing closer together. Soon random dots of trees had turned into actual forests. Resin couldn't remember seeing anything like it before. They didn't have such things in the far North.

"Stop." The Alpha called to her pack. "Here." Motioning with her muzzle, she directed them towards the mountainous side of the path. The rock face would protect their backs just as it had before. As the wolves pulled together and searched for suitable places for themselves, one young male called out. He'd found something. Leaving Ahote's side, she instantly felt the distance, but she still had responsibilities, so she would have to suck it up.

The male had found a CAVE, it seemed. A dark opening appeared in the cliff wall and a path, large enough for them to walk comfortably through, led inside. "Well done." She told the wolf with a smile. "Keep the others out until I make sure it's safe." The rusty colored male was proud to have been given such a duty and he nodded enthusiastically before seating himself at the cave mouth.

The path was a shallow slope. The young and the old would be able to traverse it with no problems. The opening narrowed momentarily, then opened up into a large cavern. Resin stood still, amazed that such a place existed. The space was large. Large enough to accommodate every single one of them comfortably. The ceiling stretched so high above that birds could fly about if they wished. Another opening, much smaller, was nestled high into the wall, allowing light to enter.

Moving slowly through the cave, she inhaled lightly, taking in the scents that riddled the new place. A pile of ancient gnawed bones in the corner told her that this place had once been inhabited by ice cats, but they had been long gone. A gentle noise caught her attention and she moved further forward. It seemed that the world was trying to make up for their hardships of late. A laughing stream of fresh mountain water ran through the far side of the cave. It wasn't much, but it would serve them well.

Happiness rose it's head within her for the first time in a while. She would be able to give them good news. Claws scrambling on the stone, she rushed back to the entrance, almost bowling the rusty colored male right over. The joy on her face must have been evident, for many of the wolves waiting for her stood and began to wag their tails, smiling hopefully. "Wait til you see this place," was all that she could say.

Everyone funneled into the cave. She could hear 'Oohs' and 'Aahs' from her place outside. Seeking out Ahote, she smiled. "This place is exactly what we need." She allowed herself the luxury of sliding her forehead along the thick fur of his chest, once again thankful that he hadn't been taken from her; from the pack. Drawing back, she sat, curling her tail around her paws and motioned towards the cave with a jerk of her head. "Check it out."

((I started writing and just couldn't stop.))

[Apocalyptic_Punk]

Curse/Isis
{{Fae||fighter||36||W/Resin, Hfran,Xani, Ahote||

Mirage
{{Brute||Omega||10|| W/Azaria|}}

Kuolema
{{Brute||Loner/fighter||14||W/Lani

Kuolema snorts as the wolf hurries to get away from him, he rolls his eyes and continues on trotting along til he catches a voice speaking, at first he's not certain the elder is speaking to him, til she starts talking about his father, well how he's not his father to be truthful. He glances at her, taking in her frame and he lets a sigh ring out, watching his breath curl upwards trotting along following the pack. His elder's words pushing him to stay here, and see what the ancestors, one's he'll never know because his father never spoke of his family and he never knew his mother. With a wave of his tail he finally responds to the elder, though his tone has now changed, it is no longer sassy or mocking, there is no humor behind his tone.

"My father," he said mildly his voice low. "Is the one who killed your beta, and another of your pack, He walks on, his head low. And hundreds before that, including all of my ancestors," He falls silent again then takes a deep breath. My father was very sick, the same sickness the others that chased us had, the sickness that the young one there, who just died had...but, it drove him made in a different way, his smell..was of death...and sense I spent so much of my life with him....I smell of death, I smell of him. He responded calmly and continued on awaiting the elders words.

[Deadly Nightshade]

.:Kahleel:.|.:34 summers old:.|.:Hunter:.
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The large white brute stare at her it shock, still unsure of what to do or what to say. He kept glancing down at the puddles of blood beneath his paws, it latched on his silky fur. Kahleel couldn't believe his eyes, he really couldn't. And mostly, he wanted to help this wolf himself but he knew that the job would not be done as well as it could of with him. "Okay, Okay. I will be right back with some help. Just hold on." Kal was freaking out a little so his entire sentence was lightening quick. And with that, he raced off in the direction of the camp.

His legs were going the fastest they have ever gone, racing in and out of trees and bushes. His heart pounded to the sound of his feet beating on the rough ground, it felt like it was going to burst any second now. Knowing that he wouldn't make it in this time, Kahleel tilted up his head and made a large howl, a desperate howl, While continuing to run. His soft paws, stained with blood, couldn't carry him any longer, he was getting too tired to run and he felt as though he was going in circles. But soon, very soon, as he hit the cold hard ground of the forest, Kal saw the camp. He sighed in relief and got up.

Kahleel looked around frantically, he wasn't sure who'd be willing to help. He knew that what he was about to do would be terribly embarrassing but it was for a very good cause. "HELP! Help!" He shrieked in the middle of the clearing. He winced as he said it, scared that he brought too much attention to himsel. Overall he was scared for the black fae, injured in the ice.
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[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

Xani listened as Hrafn spoke, her posture relaxing slightly. Why was it easier for everyone else to share their emotions? It seemed as if they were more than happy to remain open books for everyone else to read at their leisure. How were they alright with that? Xani had many secrets, and only a few knew her past. Ahote knew of it, and Resin knew, of course. Now this other male knew as well. SHe still wasn't sure what made her tell him anything to begin with.

As Hrafn spoke of blaming himself, Xani's fur bristled slightly. She turned to him, her voice a normal, low growling sound. "There is nothing that can stop a sickness. It is of a different level. Watching two wolves, one of which you swore to save, get cut down in front of you... that is stoppable. 10 seconds earlier on both, and they would be happy and healthy. Failure is harder when protection is your duty." She knew being an alpha was all about protection, but sometimes the lives of a few had to be sacrificed for the rest. A fighter's job was protection of the individual, at least in Xani's mind.

So Hrafn was alright with everything now? Xani knew that nothing would ever ease the burden in her mind unless they came back from the dead. The day she saw Ash and Junco would either be the day she died or the day ghosts roamed the earth. She remained silent after that, choosing to stay alongside the black brute. At one point, Resin darted off. A flicker of curiosity dawned on Xani's features, but it was soon satiated as she was led into the cave.

She remained silent upon entering, but the sights were still rather amazing. The large, safe space, and trickle of water, and the nearness of the forest all added up to a completely safe place. The thought of just staying here forever crossed her mind, but was soon banished. It was safe, sure, but being trapped in a cave wasn't a good thought for her. Her eyes scanned the area, and the sight of Resin once more nuzzling Ahote elicited a silent growl from her. She turned suddenly, moving towards the exit. She took a seat right outside the opening in the snow, her eyes scanning the horizon moodily.

[Resin]

Hrafn- Hunter- 46 Summers

Still walking beside Xani, he listened to her words then gave that deep, chest rumbling laugh of his. "This was a sickness; that was a sickness. By waiting rather than moving the pack as I had planned, I may have brought that illness upon him. No matter how you look at it, it's easy to keep blaming yourself for something if you think about it long enough." He stopped for a moment, using his foreleg to scratch an itch on his muzzle, then caught up with her easily. "I will never forget them; nor will I ever truly stop blaming myself, but I've come to a point in my life where I've accepted that it's done with and, no matter how much I wish there was, there's nothing that I can do to change the past. Best focus on protecting the future." With a slight jerk of his head, he motioned to the wolves behind them.

They walked on in silence. He felt respect for the female. A lot of wolves these days seemed to have heads full of fluffy snow. Nothing bothered them much as they'd just seen. They'd watched as one of their own was killed before them and forgot about it the moment food was mentioned. Thinking about food prompted a loud groan from his stomach and he snorted at the traitorous organ. His attention was drawn away as the Alpha called a halt. This was as good a place as any, he guessed.

Upon further exploration a cave was found, which was interesting. He'd never been inside a cave. Just the small burrows that they dug in the feet and feet of snow that covered all of the far North. The wolves filed inside and he waited his turn. They found their places and immediately dropped down to nap or chat. Hrafn found the place slightly unsettling. Not being able to see the sky bothered him greatly, so he moved his bulk back outside and into the snow.

Right before he exited, he caught the heated look that Xani shot in the Alpha's direction. If he was anything, he was observant. He was already laying off to the side of the entrance when the light female dropped herself to the snow. "Is that why you don't like her, then?" Obviously a touchy subject, but one that she would have to come to terms with. His tone was entirely nonjudgmental. He understood jealousy quite well. "It would bother me as well, but everyone deserves a little happiness. Maybe she finds her happiness in him."

With a shrug, he took a few mouthfuls of snow. Sure, there was fresh water running inside, but he wasn't sure he wished to go back in there just yet. He wasn't sure he wanted to go back in there ever. The overhanging rock would make a nice shield against the wind and it wasn't that cold here. Turning, he used his huge paws to pull out a section of snow just big enough to fit himself into comfortably. Stretching out on his side, he splayed his toes, exhaling long and low. "Initially I wanted to make her to find happiness in me, but I'm not so sure now." Casting the female one last glance, he quieted himself, watching the wide world as he rested and waited for their hunt.

[Khaleesi Stormborn]

((Me and AP won't be on the rest of the day, were going to a play tonight, so will probably be back on sometime tomorrow.))

~~..: Azaria::.5 years.::Pup/hunter in training.::w/Mirage:..~~
Azaria takes in all of Mirage's words and while they do not heal the pain deep in her heart, she knows he is right. She will see her mother, and father and all the others again. But, while she's thinking on this Kira, she knows the name because she was still one of them, the pups, appears the Silver female covered in blood. She watches in silent horror as the attack happens, but its over so quick, and then she is swinging through the air as Mirage rushes to back to the pack, depositing her amoung the other youngsters who are talking excitedly. Not though about the death of a pack mate, but the fact that the older wolves will be hunting soon. She stares at them silently, her green eyes ache from crying, but somehow they find the power to shed more tears.

She pushes away from two male pups who are only a few weeks younger then her, and are trying to engage her in their rough play. She pads ahead moving close to Mirage who is checking with the other pups parents, she silently falls in beside him and walks, trying so hard to understand how all of them can ignore the fact that one of their own has died yet again. When they reach the clearing where Resin, oh how she adores Resin, she idolizes the big female alpha, she aspires really to be like her one day, calls a halt, she wiggles away from the center of the pack, and soon follows a few of the elders into the cave. It is large enough for the whole pack, but with some searching she finds a small crevices and pulls herself inside, she turns around twice and then lays down, her green eyes glowing from with in her own privet den, as she watches the pack, act as if nothing has changed. It hurts her deep inside and she doesn't understand why.


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

[Resin]

((Oooh, enjoy your play! I've been wanting to see a play so bad. My mom and I were going to go see the Nutcracker tonight, but alas, we're both snowed in. A foot of snow so far.))

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

As Xani scanned the horizon, she tried to avoid the fact that Hrafn has also seated himself outside. That became impossible, however, when he spoke. His first words could have easily been brushed off by the fighter, but those that followed caused her to turn towards him with a look of aggravation on her face. She opened her mouth to snap back, but Hrafn spoke once more. So, he was interested in Resin, was he?

She huffed once. "That is of no concern to me. The reason that she irritated me is because of her reaction to me. She let her brother run wild and lose control, even when he attacked other wolves. I get upset about letting him die and she threatens to expel me! She was blinded to the pain of others by her own!" She growled and angrily bit up a bit of snow herself.

Xani laid down, grudgingly allowing herself to get comfortable next to the other wolf. He seemed a bit too cheery and flirtatious at first, but it seemed that they had things in common. Their camaraderie wasn't that strong yet, but Xani felt that they could perhaps at least become friends over time. If he stayed with the pack until they reached the woods, she might consider him a good friend. She turned to him, her anger simmering down a bit. "What position will you take now? Ahote was also once an alpha, and he is now a fighter like me. Will you be a fighter too? Or try for beta?"

[Resin]

Hrafn- Hunter- 46 Summers

He allowed her to have that burst of anger. She was used to doing it anyway. Fixing her with his dark amber stare, he replied. "She doesn't strike me as one to act without reason. Her brother was mind addled from what I hear." He had indeed been a little busybody. He liked to know what he was getting himself into, so he questioned as many members of the pack as he could manage and ended up with a fair amount of information. "Perhaps it was because she could control him. She doesn't have that sort of control over you. It's different with family. Family listens. You don't listen." Whether this would upset her or not, he didn't know, but he felt that she needed to hear it. Other wolves may have been afraid to tell it like it was , but

Hrafn brought one paw up to his toothy maw, chewing the ice from between his pads. "You can't put all the blame on her, you know. You two just don't understand one another. A talk would do you both some good." He continued picking at his paws, getting them ready for the hunt. Ice between your toes when you were trying to run fast was never a nice feeling.

Getting to his feet, he allowed Xani to sit and stew. If she just laid off the anger and insecurities, she'd be a very desirable female. Until then she would most likely remain alone. She was young though, so there was still a chance that she'd grow out of it. Into the unsettling cave he padded, looking for the Alpha. Seeing her with Ahote, he moved to them and nodded to the male before addressing her. "We're losing light. If we want to do this safely, we should go."