இ۵Ŗace Ågainst ₦atureஇ۵

[knameless]

Kona
11-female-eating

Inwardly, Kona squealed when Resin licked her head, glowing with happiness.

"Fill your belly. Gotta keep that strength up so you can grow into a fine fighter some day, right?"

Kona nodded vehemently. Oh, the day when she would finally become a fighter. Then she would be able to chase any loners off of their pack territory, and win every fight! She would have taught that straggler a lesson, if she had been Alpha, but Resin had allowed her to stay, and Resin was always right.

"Do--do you want any of mine?" Kona yipped, looking at Resin. "More food will make the wound heal faster," she said, trying not to look at the gash on Resin's chest, "And I'd be glad to give up my food for my Alpha."

Iparok
22-male-sleeping

Iparok twitched and rolled over, tongue hanging out of his mouth. If he had been awake, he would have been embarrassed of his unflattering position. But he was deeply asleep, and therefore wholly unconcerned with his appearance.

[[Sorry for the shortness, I've been working on a big project all week and am sorta out of the 'zone'. Plus I shouldn't really be on the computer right now
*such a rebel*]]

[BlackJaguar]

{{Ehe, yeah I'm a professional dancer. Currently in two different companies, one strictly ballet, the other a East coast/West coast modern company. Thanks so much Soriams, I have to admit it was rather hard to cover that much content but overall it went well enough. I still revel in that very first post you introduced Ahote in however, that was truly amazing!}}

Attican

73 - Brute - Keeper

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The brute waited patiently as everyone who wanted to listen situated themselves into a comfortable spot. He caught eye with Resin as she perched herself, nodding and smiling back to her in "reply." He was thankful for the gesture, even that smallest notion giving him the ability to relax and not worry as much about her. As the last few wolves seemed to get settled he looked to everyone who was listening, making short-but-gentle eye contact with each one of them, even miss Lani who had situated herself in a rather prime position to listen.

Attican smiled inwardly to himself, chuckling already for the content he was about to tell. This one was a little different than others, it was something true that had happened, as well as being rather lighthearted.

"All of us have experienced all kinds of firsts in our lives." He began with, regulating his voice so it would not bounce too much off the rocky walls. "This particular story is not a normal one that I usually come to tell you, but in fact, this is a recollection of my very own from when I was young." A few murmurs strung across the huddle, a couple wolves whispering to each other. He chuckled to their response. "Ancient history I know, but bare with me."

He looked up and winked, beginning to once again slip into his familiar role. This was one of the things that the brute was best at, as well as one of the things he thoroughly enjoyed doing. It was one of the reasons that he had become the previous Keeper's successor in the first place, having told stories to wolves that had seemed to have needed them. It was almost if it had coursed through his veins from the start.

"As I said, many of us have encountered many firsts. Why just even today I experienced a first that took form of this very cave. In all of my years I have never seen or been around anything like the sorts of this and I must say it is quite exciting." His tail swished once. "As some of you may already know, growing up I used to have a very good friend by the name of Kantuk. We were born in the same season and year of each other as well as being the anomaly of being the only pups in both of our litters. Of course this created quite a recipe for fond friendship. We grew and learned together through each year and as you can imagine also got into our very large share of trouble as well."

Attican's eyes sparkled, almost appearing to relive the tale as he told it in his head. He could just imagine little roly poly Kantuk and himself pattering themselves through the snow, simply getting into and finding things enough to make both their mothers crazy.

"We were about- oh, I'd say nine maybe? Perhaps ten? When we were sent off on our own to play. There was to be a big hunt that day upon a residential mammoth herd and the Pack was worried that two still-learning-how-to-hunt adolescent boys would put off the whole strategy. Mind you this was a time before the herds had traveled and ScarPaw resided even more North then than the grounds we left when we started this journey." He nodded his head as if to add emphasis to his words. "Things like caves, trees, or true dirt dens, simply didn't exist up there. For the most part it was snow, permafrost, snow dens, and rocks. The only thing that really broke up the scenery were the constant rolling hills and the ice towers that littered our landscape." It really was too. The farther North you went the less that there was available to you. Yet still even in that time the Great Wolves had found the ability to thrive for as long as their food source stayed put. As the herds shifted so had they, eventually residing within the place that Resin had come to reign over before they had upped and left altogether.

"Anyways, young Kantuk and I were shooed on our way to the Eastern region of territory, far and away enough from the hunt as possible. Of course the two of us were just delighted as could be with the situation, after all, free reign to roam with no adult supervision? It was a young wolf's paradise." Attican smiled, remembering the day perfectly. "Kantuk wanted to go visit the Eastern ice tower, but I had protested to him. Whenever we got chance to be free we had always went there and it seemed that there wasn't ever anything new to discover. Instead I told him that we should go South a bit, perhaps go search for some abandon hare warren to explore or maybe even find some food of our own. How cool it would be we thought if we would come back to the Pack ourselves with food that we had caught ourselves? He must have said yes because the next thing I remember was our little pupling butts excitedly walking their way South."

"We had walked for some time. Trying to be sneaky we had weaved ourselves through the base of the hills, hoping to find a secret den. What we did find however was a complete surprise. What stood before us was the most miraculous thing. A 50 foot tall vertical tube jutted straight out of the earth itself. Strange greenish protrusions wafting themselves as if saying hello to our presence. It bent and swayed with the breeze, a growly rustling coming from its multiple limbs every time it shook.."

Attican began to laugh, a true hearty laugh that stemmed deep from his diaphragm. He was clearly enjoying himself now and was completely immersed in his recollection. He paused for an animated moment, waiting to see if anyone could figure out what exactly he was speaking about.

"Of course the TREE nearly scared the fur off the two of us." His chuckling continued, the brute's ears swiveling to listen to everyone else's reaction.

"I don't know how long we sat huddled behind a bank, just waiting for the giant wiggling monster to come devour us. I had curled deep into Kantuk's belly trying to hide my eyes, but over time that nothing happened he pushed me away. Finally we plucked up the courage to peer over the snow, but to our astonishment the 'beast' still held its sentinel in the very same spot as before. With my hackles raised I jumped over the bank, darting my way and growling at the big scary thing. Again nothing happened and after a few minutes of the both of us barking we realized that perhaps the thing was not alive at all."

"After the initial fear had left us, of course the new discovery had become nothing but fun. After all it was a brand new thing that we didn't know anyone had ever heard about and we had been the very first to find it. Every inch that we could reach was sniffed at. The bark was clawed upon with our nails, making them nice and rounded. Kantuk even felt the need to well.. claim it as his own. We made plans that the thing would be our very own, perhaps even one day mark our own territory when we were old enough. Pup fantasies of course." A big smile painted across his muzzle. "They found us actually in the boughs when they eventually did come across us after the hunt. Turns out the singular tree, that truly was one of its kind up there, was a sacred place that many Elders and high ranks came to for many different packs to speak and call meetings towards. And here we were, two adolescents clambering and claiming the thing as our own and over all just being disrespectful."

"The Elders of the time for the most part had laughed at the entire situation, letting it off to be simply curious pups that had meant no true harm. If we had known we would have never have done such a thing. My mother however certainly took it otherwise. As well as making sure that she'd give me a bath rather publicly for all the other wolves to see, she made sure that I stayed glued to her side at all times, never being allowed to leave her sight for anything. Of course at that age I was just beginning to try to be tough and grown up so that was perhaps the worst thing that she could have done, and she knew it too." Attican shifted from his position, pulling slightly from his memories and back into the cavernous room and to the wolves that resided in it.

"Overall it was no harm done, but did my friend and I learn a lesson that day. Perhaps next time we would ask someone before we went too far out without anyone's knowledge. Or asked about something new before going ahead and claiming it." His voice slowly got quieter at the tail end of the last sentence, marking the ending to his recollection. The smile that graced his features still laid there, one paw cross over the other.

He looked to each one of them, hoping that the overall reaction was good and that even such a simple story could help them relax in their thoughts. It certainly had for him.

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

As Xani's dream ended and she relaxed, her sleep seemed to become a bit lighter. No more dreams came, but something about the dream still troubled her. A strange male on the horizon, just out of reach? What did that mean? Eventually, the fog of sleep slowly lifted from her as her eyes fluttered open. She remained still, as if she were sleeping, to allow her senses to return. She heard Ahote and Hrafn conversing, and it seemed like they were getting on rather well.

In the distance, Attican's voice carried to her. He was telling a new story, but Xani paid it no mind. She waited only a moment longer before beginning to move. She quickly stood, moving a few steps from the others before shaking out her fur. Turning to look back at Hrafn, she noticed the imprint her body had left. She paused, wondering how- and why- she had gotten so close to him. Heat rose a bit in her face, but she hid it by shaking herself once more.

Xani's eyes strayed over to Ahote for a moment before she spoke. "I will be back soon. I'm going to take a quick trip around the area." Before either male could protest, she turned and trotted away from them. She came upon the reindeer carcasses, noting a strange female. There were tracks leading to the area from the den, so she just assumed that it had been taken care of. She wasn't in a mood to speak to anyone just yet. Something about her dream was making her upset.

As she continued around the cave, the slope of the ground changed. The top of the cave was still above her, but she found a small path leading up the side of the hill beneath which her pack lay. She had to leap across a gap to keep going, but it was an easy jump for the beta wolf. After another quick trot, she found a small ledge. The winds were greater up here, and wisps of snow blew through her ruff as the wind danced around her. It was rather beautiful and quite refreshing to be up here.

Though Xani had grown closer to the rest of the pack as of late, she still loved to be alone. She had the urge to howl at the moment, so she threw her head back and let the notes come. The tune wasn't anything special, and there wasn't a real meaning. The tone jumped, from joy to sorrow, then from anger to confusion. It all blending in disharmony, and letting it out made her feel better. It would still take her a while to be able to discuss openly with others. The notes carried on the wind, though where they went she wasn't sure.

[Soriams]

((Aww, you're sweet Jaguar, but I think your story post outdoes that by bounds. Really though, all of you guys are amazing writers. I feel privileged just to be able to RP with you. I would love to see you dance someday, Jaguar! I know that isn't possible, but still, it just sounds amazing. Oh, and Enjoy your concert Resin!))

Ahote
Male | 46 | Fighter
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Ahote watched curiously as Resin took the time to drag one of the carcasses all the back towards the entrance of the cave. He was sure she had her reasons, but it was odd that she would have asked them be moved only to bring them back. He decided that she simply must have wanted the pup closer to the den where they could keep a closer eye on her. However, as far as he was concerned, the kills should still be moved and he made a mental note to move it back where it had been before sleep found him. After all, they didn't want unwelcome visitors poking their noses into the cave. It seems as Resin too wishes to hear Attican's story, and as she heads back into the den Ahote looked up at her. His strange thoughts from earlier left him with an odd feeling, and he was a bit relieved that she should return so soon.

After a little while, Hrafn eventually responded to Ahote's question. He could sense the reluctance in the other male's voice, and sighed inwardly. Ahote hadn't been trying to pry, he simply wanted to converse, and he hopes that the question didn't put him off too much. "Eleven years? That is a long time... I don't think I wandered for that long after I left my pack, I hate being alone," he replied, not pushing Hrafn any further. Behind them, Attican was starting his story and the Fighter stilled his voice to listen, looking down at the snow and slivers of bone between his front paws while the Keeper spoke.

Into this lapse in conversation, Xani began to stir, and Ahote looked over to her. Though outwardly calm, she seemed a bit flustered about something, and though he looked at her with a bit of concern when she said she was going to patrol. However, he knew better than to question her, and simply nodded. Though Xani was now a well respected member of the pack, she still valued her solitude and he thought it best to let her go. Inside, Attican's story was just getting good, and Ahote shifted his position to better hear, smiling a bit to himself as he spoke of his youth. For so many of them, that time seemed so long ago, and for those it was not, their innocence had been ripped from them so much sooner. However, rather than fill him with regret, it gave Ahote hope. Perhaps, should they stay true to Resin's vision and actually find the red forest, then all of ScarPaw's pups could grow up in peace and safety.

As Attican's story drew to a close, Xani's song rang out somewhere far above them. She had a beautiful voice, perhaps one of the best singers in the pack, and he smiled, looking to Hrafn. "Xani sings well, don't you think? She always puts so much heart into it," he said, still trying to converse wether the black brute wether he was still interested or not.

Lani
Female | 57 | Hunter
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Lani sat in rapt audience to Attican's story, quite literally hanging on his every word. She hadn't missed his glance earlier, and though he may have shared several similar ones with just about everyone in the pack, she knew that he had meant that one specifically for her. Though she had not been born at the time his story took place, it was only a few years later for her, and she clearly remembered many of the wolves from his story. That only made it better for her, as she could still picture Kantuk's fuzzy face and how the two of them had been inseparable. In a way, she had looked up to the lanky teenagers when she was a pup, the near-adults having all the freedom and fun that she had longed for.

The charming tale brought back a flood of warm memories from her youth, and that left Lani feeling even more contented than she had been before with just her full stomach. Today had been a good day for the white Hunter, and Attican's story had been the perfect ending to it. As he drew to a close, she barked out her appreciation, tail thumping happily behind her. "Bravo Attican!" she crowed, sounding quite proud of him as though his accomplishments had somehow been partly her doing. Rather like a proud mother.

As the others too shared their appreciation and began to go back to their business, Lani got up as well. For a few moments she walked about, circling until she saw her opportunity. Seeing the space around the Keeper calm, Lani crept up on Attican from behind, her silent hunters paws allowing her to sidle up to him before he could get up. A broad smile still plastered on her face, she plopped down next to him. "Lovely story, Attican. How I miss those days..." she said, nudging him gently with her nose. Her smile turned sly then, and she tilted her head to the left a bit, "So Keeper, are you ready to finish that bath?"

Wolf
Male | 20 | Straggler
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Following the fleeing herd of reindeer brought Wolf a bit further south, to where the ground grew even more steep beneath his paws. Before long, they had turned back towards their former grazing ground, and much to his disappointment, none of them had taken a mortal wound and he was left without any decent form of supper beyond the blood slushies that he lapped up along the way. However, the mountain that grew before him had perked his curiosity and he had continued to climb just for the pure enjoyment of it.

The lanky wolf now stood straddled on the edge of a cliff, looking out over the valley below. The vast herd had dwindled into nothing more than a group of tiny specks agains the white blanket of snow. The trees beyond them were a gentle carpet of green, swaying from the North wind that pressed down on them, moving in unison like one massive creature stirring from a restless sleep. Even further North lie a blank horizon, the whiteness of the tundra blending into a grey sky, tinged with the blue-grey hues of impending night and the soft rose of a hidden sunset.

The sight made Wolf feel very small. After all, he was only one tiny creature in this vast expanse of a world, and as far as he knew, completely alone. None of the others who moved or bleed shared his words, or if they did they scorned his attempts at conversation. He couldn't help but wonder on his place in all of this, why he should exist at all. Yet, he was not lonely. He only barely understood the meaning of the word, for as far back as his memory went he had been on his own.

While he stood there, listening to the wind, it seemed to bring with it a song. A beautiful sound, that rose and fell as though wrought purely from the heart. The melodious tones hovered just barely on the edge of his hearing, and no matter how he strained his mahogany-tipped ears, he could not quite make out what it was. Even so, it stirred within him something akin to yearning, as though it called him to answer, but he had no idea how. For all the words in his head, and the things that he simply knew as part of his being, he simply had no idea what to do, or what this feeling meant. However, he was certain to that it did mean something. He sensed it deep in his bones, as though there were a connection just waiting for him out of reach.

Wolf stood there for a long time, swaying over the precipice with his eyes closed as he pointed his muzzle into the wind, desperately trying to grasp onto the sound, the feeling, or whatever it was that the wind brought him. However, like all things in life, this too seemed to fade after awhile and he let out a disappointed sigh. "Thank you wind... For whatever that was," he said, speaking only for the sake of hearing his own voice.

It was getting late, and Wolf still had yet to eat, so he hopped back down the mountainside. Instinctively, his feet lead him slowly back towards his little makeshift snow-shelter. Along the way he nibbled the punk off of the trees he passed, and clawed up the few squirrel catches his sensitive nose lead him to. Meager scraps for a great wolf, but he had survived on such well enough and at the very least would not go to bed hungry.


((I hope this wan't too bad... I'm just one big bundle of typo today. Like my fingers don't want to work.))

[Resin]

((A few hours after the concert and no sleep later... -Glares daggers at cat- ))

Hrafn- Hunter- 46 Summers

Hearing Ahote confess his hatred for being alone softened the big black brute a bit. Admitting to imperfections was a quick way to crack Hrafn open. He'd always been drawn to the faulty, troubled, defective ones in the world. Perhaps it was because he wished to fix them, help them conquer their doubts and fears. Perhaps it was because, in helping others, he could forget about his own imperfections. Truthfully, he hated being alone as well, but in all the years that he spent on his own, he felt that it was his punishment for failing his pack.

"Eleven years is a long time indeed. The last wolf that I saw alive was my mate, Reed." That was the first time that he'd said her name in eleven years as well and it caused his throat to close up ever so slightly. He'd started so there was no going back now. "At one time I had my own pack. When I was young I lived far North. Almost as far as you can go. As I aged, I took a mate and moved to my own territory. I had several wolves in my pack. We struggled, but survived."

His amber eyes became dark and troubled as he remembered his past. His mind no longer lived in the present. He saw them all once more, starving and rotting before his eyes. His voice was quiet and pinched, but he continued. "We survived until a sickness struck. One by one they wasted away. No matter how much food they ate or tried to eat, nothing changed. They would turn into skin and bones then they would die painful, howling deaths. Reed was the last to go."

"There was nothing I could do to help them. I was supposed to protect them. That was my one, sole duty as their Alpha. They wasted away and died while I stayed whole and healthy as if mocking their illness. I saw it in their eyes. They asked themselves why I was the only one unaffected." It was as if demons had risen up before him. Hrafn's eyes went wide momentarily and he rose, head lowered, then went padding off into the dusky trees, his dark form slowly disappearing.

He wandered out among the trees. It hadn't been his plan to open up quite so much and now that he was open, he couldn't seem to get that box in his mind closed once more. He had missed Ahote mentioning how beautiful Xani sang. His mind was gone at that time. He did hear her, however and the feelings in her howl embodied how he felt exactly. Raising his own muzzle, he added his deeper, darker tones to hers. Their howls harmonized, winding and dancing across the wind.

Resin- Alpha Female- 40 Summers

Before she had entered and settled herself, Kona asked her if she'd like to eat. Resin politely refused. "If I ate another bite, I'd pop," she'd told the pup. Now that she was inside listening to Attican's story, she looked around for the young wolf, but didn't see her. Perhaps she was still eating. Hopefully Ahote and Hrafn were keeping an eye on her.

Resin lowered her head to her paws, black ears flicked forward to catch every word that poured from Attican's maw. She had always loved his stories while she was growing up. Personally, she felt that you were never too old for stories. Not only did they teach you where you came from, they taught you valuable lessons. There were mistakes that could be avoided and paths that could be taken to right a situation.

She found herself laughing along with the rest of the pack. It wasn't difficult to imagine the Keeper as a pup. Every now and again he'd display some lively, childish action that made him look much younger than his years. Now was a prime example. As he told his story, his features were animated and his tail thumped and swished behind him. He was genuinely happy and excited to be sharing with everyone. She loved him for it.

When his tale was finished and Lani had thoroughly applauded the heck out of him, Resin again slid from the stone platform and worked her way through the throng of furred bodies. The sky outside had darkened almost completely and those inside were finding places to bed down and sleep for the night. Making her way to Attican, she pretended that she didn't hear Lani's request to finish his bath. She would keep her words short just in case he wished to take the white female up on her offer.

"Thank you, Attican, for sharing a story. I believe it's just what everyone needed." Still standing, she moved forward and rested her neck over his shoulder, careful of the wound on her chest. She gave him a gentle squeeze before pulling back. "We'll talk in the morning." Then she left the older pair to it. Whatever 'it' would turn out to be.

Resin had just exited the cave when she heard the melding songs of both Xani and... was that Hrafn? She closed her eyes, turning her face up to the sky, listening appreciatively. They both seemed so troubled and confused and she felt sorrow for them both. Pain was a part of life, but that didn't mean that she had to like it. If the shady female could bear the pain for them all, she would.

She had almost forgotten that Ahote was still there. Glancing to the side, seeing his form there gave her a momentary fright. A light snort was emitted and she shook her head, embarrassed. She had come outside for some fresh air. A bit of company would be nice as well now that she thought about it. Not as shy as she had once been, she padded to the big brutes side and deposited herself there, her side pressed lightly against his. She didn't have anything to say, so she didn't. Instead she lowered her head, laying it on her paws, content to stay as they were or speak, if that's what he wished.

[BlackJaguar]

Attican

73 - Brute - Keeper

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Attican smiled to the response of his story. Perhaps it was not as riveting as the ones he'd make up with a larger lesson behind it, but it was funny and true and overall it appeared to have lightened the mood of the Pack around him. That was his main goal anyways and he was glad it had worked to some extent.

"Thank you," he responded politely, tail swishing back and forth in a modest manner. Lani's convicted praise made his face turn hot, turning his gaze to look at his paws. "Ahe, yes.. thank you.." He shook out his pelt, little rocky dust particles dislodging themselves from his dense coat.

As the short time passed many wolves began to turn away, once again going about to doing their own bidding. The Keeper himself was just about to stand up when a familiar raised female voice came from disturbingly close range. He yipped, nearly launching himself into the air. "Oh uh, hi Lani. Glad you liked the story." He licked his maw, listening to her second phrase. "Uhh... I-"

Resin, like some gracing beacon, came waltzing up to the two. A huge sigh of relief genuinely shuddering through the brute as she arrived. Surely she'd save him. "Oh, you're very welcome Resin, I do like to do what I can for them. You know, to be honest I think it did some good for myself too." His face turned soft and genuine, returning her 'embrace' but also being careful of her injury. She pulled back a moment later though and before he could say anything else the Alphess was already well on her way to leaving the two. "'God no wait..' the little musing in his head went, realizing that suddenly there was no way out of this. His gaze turned back to the waiting Lani, the smuggest, most expectant grin on her face.

Attican sighed. Defeated.. what harm could this do? After all, it might be enough so that he would not have to explain earlier.

"Well...." There was a long pause between the two, his mind still reeling with hopeful thought to get out of it. /Nothing came. "I guess I am."

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

As Xani howled, she felt a bit of the stress ease off her shoulders. Howling had always been her outlet, and it wasn't failing her now. It was confusing and had no meaning, but it still took away the pain. Just as she was going to stop, however, she heard another howl join in. Her own howl quavered for only a moment before continuing. She wasn't sure who this wolf was, or if he was even in the pack, but he was beautiful at howling.

The beta continued on with her previous melody, a bit more strength added now that she wasn't howling alone. Though her voice was naturally low, especially for a female, the male's tones were even lower and made her sound almost high in comparison. It was odd, but honestly nice for a change. It was rare that someone else howled with her and she rather liked it. The song continued on for who knows how long. However, after a certain amount of time, Xani let her notes dwindle away. She did love howling, but only really did it when she was troubled. Her pain had lessened enough for her to relax and head back to the pack.

Xani remained on the outlook for another moment more, her eyes scanning the area. She saw nothing unusual, so she stood and huffed. Turning, she continued on around the other side, this side of the trail smoother than the way she had come up. It took less time for her to reach the ground, and thus complete her circuit. Now she was interested in seeking who had howled with her. There weren't many males that had a deep enough howl, and she was curious to find who it was. As she rounded the corner, she came upon Resin resting at Ahote's side. Tilting her head slightly, she walked over. "Where did Hrafn go?"

[Soriams]

((Attican cracks me up... XD Hey, you guys remember that 70º day last week? Well, it's snowing now. Puts me much more in the mood for writing wolves in the great white north.))

Ahote
Male | 46 | Fighter
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Not really expecting Hrafn to say more, Ahote had turned his attention away from the black male and back to his bone, half expecting him to wander off now that Xani was no longer there to keep him. Thus, he was a bit surprised when he continued his story, and he stilled his worrying on the bone, lifting his head to look on him while he spoke. Throughout the entire story he lay silently, giving the other former Alpha his full attention, his heart hurting for the obvious sadness in his words. Had they all lost so much? Xani, Curse, poor Mirage and Azaria and now even Hrafn. They had all faced tremendous loss, and it only made his heavy feelings from the loss of Pippa all that much weightier. In truth, he wanted to cry out, to scream and rage against the fates that pulled on them all, but all of it only fell deeper and give him a painful, sinking feeling.

By the time Hrafn was done, Ahote had pushed the bone away, his appetite ruined from his own sour recollections. The pain in his words is all too familiar to Ahote, and strikes just a bit too close to home. Shaking his head, he saw his own torment reflected in the raven colored brute, and wanted more than anything to offer him some form of comfort, though he knew it was impossible. There simply was noting anyone could say that would take away that pain and guilt that haunted a fallen leader. Opening his mouth to speak, Ahote wants to at the least tell him he is not alone. Already he feels a kinship with him, and would gladly share his story as well. However, Hrafn gives him no chance to reply, the ghosts of his own past becoming too strong.

Resigned, Ahote watched him go. There will be time later for more stories, and perhaps then he may find some solace in knowing that he at least shared his pain. Before long, he heard Hrafn's howl join Xani's and for both their sakes he hoped that the outpouring would help them. Into the middle of this song, Resin strode out from the cave, and Ahote turned his attention to her. There she stood, eyes closed and face raised to the sky as she listened to the melding song, seemingly unaware of the fighter's presence. He took advantage of this time to look at her, truly take her in for the first time in a long time. Her dusky coat blended with the twilight above, and the silvery light from the hidden moon slid over her like a welcomed caress. She was strong, of that there could be no doubt. Even with wound on her chest she stood solid in the snow, only the tiniest shift in her weight giving away the pain that must accompanied her. She was proud, and he of her, there was nothing that he would not do for her. That thought, finally above all the others brought a small smile to his face. His life had changed so much since meeting her, and Resin could reach him, she could reach them all. Yet, even for her there must be a breaking point. A burden too heavy to bear. Ahote wished with all his heart the he could be the one to help her carry it.

With a start, Resin broke out of her revery, and Ahote quickly looked away, lest she catch him staring. The moment had passed, and the song ended, but still the warm feelings remained. When she chose to join him, Ahote gratefully accepted her, scooting close enough to her to curl his tail around her. With a happy sigh he willed his warmth into her, and tipped his nose to gently lick the top of her head. For the moment at least, he was happy enough to push everything else aside and simply revel in her closeness. Whatever else came or went, he would hold onto this moment for as long as he could. Letting his grooming come to an end, he pressed his face into the thick fur of her ruff, simply drinking in the scent of her. Without a word, he held her, feeling her strength lift his heavy heart.

Ahote wasn't sure how long they sat like that before he heard Xani's approach, and almost regretfully lifted his head. Feeling somewhat renewed, he was able to offer the Beta a genuine smile. "He's a little way off into the trees. Did you hear him? He joined you in your song a little while ago, so I imagine he hasn't gone far," he replied. It was nice to hear her ask about a pack-mate for a change, and not just for the sake of keeping track.

Lani
Female | 57 | Hunter
>>>–––———<•>———–––<<<

Grinning from ear to ear, Lani managed to nestle herself up next to Attican's side while he spoke to Resin. It felt good to have the Keeper's larger body so close to hers, and though she had already resigned herself to the fact that the Alpha would most likely seal him away for some reason or another, she was happy with what she could get. However, much to her surprise, and apparently Attican's as well, she quickly took her leave and headed outside. The mortified look on his face only made her smile broader, and at his fearful words she barked out a hearty laugh. "Well then, Mister, which part of you is the dirtiest?" she asked, licking her lips as she looked over him like the prime side of a plump kill.

Of course, what she received in turn was an expression of true horror, and she couldn't help but burst out laughing again. Lani lived as nearly the personification of fat an happy as one in her situation could, and it was a long while before she finally exhausted her mirth. FInally though, she brought herself to a gasping halt, lifting her forelimb to wipe away the tears of joy that stemmed from her eyes. Still smiling, she looked up at him, her brown eyes sparking in the dim light. "Don't worry Kepper, I wouldn't put you through that. I think this morning was embarrassment enough for one day," she said in a light voice, and reached up to gently nip at his neck in jest.

Lani looked away then, her eyes traveling over the other wolves still in the cave. No doubt a few of them watched her antics and would find humor in it, but somehow that thought sobered her a bit. Stok had often said that she made a show of herself, and she supposed that never had really changed, even in al the years that had passed. Yet, rather than the bitterness that accompanied many of the others from the loss of their mates, Lani carried only sweet memories of him. Attican too brought a warmth to her heart, and no matter how she might tease him, it was very real for her. She turned back to him then, her features softened now to a gentle, warm smile. "However, if you wouldn't mind so much, it would be nice to stay this way... At least for a little while," she said, seeking out his eyes with hers, reaching over with her paw to cross it over his. A simple gesture she had done many times with Stok, and this too brought her closer to them both.

[Resin]

((Oh that crazy weather. We're in the middle of torrential rains. Severe flooding for Christmas, yay! -_-))

Hrafn-Hunter- 46 Summers

He would not return that night. You'd think that someone that had been on his own for so long wouldn't wish to seek solitude, but here he was. After leaving Ahote, he didn't slow his pace. In fact, once he pulled through the treeline, the massive black brute threw himself into a run. It felt as if the demons of his past were right on his heels. The faster he ran, the more anxious he felt. Any moment now he would falter and they would catch him and rip him to shreds.

Hrafn's breaths came out in deep coughing huffs and small black specks began to cloud his field of vision, but still he ran. Already he'd made it miles away from the cave and its inhabitants. Cresting a hill, finally he stumbled, losing his footing and flying head over paws into the air before crashing to the ground, the wind thoroughly knocked out of him. So they would have him then. In his mind he pictured the emaciated bodies of his former pack, their fur rotting and dripping from their bones. Their blindingly white skeletons protruding from the bits of hardened flesh that remained. Though they had no eyes, they glared daggers right through him.

In the middle of nowhere, Hrafn cowered in the snow, fighting to regain his breath. He curled up into as tight of a ball as he could manage, his forelegs over the head that he had pulled beneath his body. It was purely his imagination, but he swore he could feel their teeth as they nipped and bit at the exposed parts of his body. He whimpered and whined, the actions very unfitting of such a big, strong male.

A warm breeze suddenly enveloped his body and he calmed almost instantly. "Easy there, pup. Your new pack has need of you. Don't go losing your mind on them just yet." The voice seemed familiar, though Hrafn couldn't place it. He also wasn't sure if it was completely in his head or not. What he did know was the that ghosts that haunted him had vanished for now and he was glad of it. He'd told Xani that he had come to terms with his past, but that didn't seem to be the case. It had been a long time since he'd felt so haunted and he hoped it would be a time longer until it happened again.

Hrafn was exhausted and felt that he could not move. Instead of trying to drag himself to some sort of shelter, he curled up in a ball and drifted off to sleep, still nestled within that comforting cloud of warmth. Though he could not see her, seated beside him was a small but lovely silver and black female. She shot a slightly crooked smile at Hrafn before flicking one black ear and vanishing.

Resin- Alpha Female- 40 Summers

A deep murr rumbled from within the Alpha's chest as Ahote groomed her head and ruff. Instant comfort surged through her and she closed her eyes, content to let him continue for as long as he wished. It was usually she that was caring for others, so this change in roles was quite welcome. Warmth filled a body that she hadn't realized was cold. And then the spell was broken.

Xani appeared and asked about Hrafn's whereabouts. Resin didn't blame the Beta one bit, but the moment was now gone. She had raised her head when her grooming began, and now that it was over, she decided to settle down once more. Rather than placing her head back upon her own paws, she re positioned slightly, giving her neck enough reach to place her head upon Ahote's closest foreleg. The black and grey female couldn't remember having been this comfortable in a long time. She closed her yellow orbs, savoring the feeling.

"Well you're feeling affectionate today, aren't you." It wasn't a question. It wasn't a complaint. It was simply an obvious observation. "I find that I quite enjoy being on the receiving end of your affections." Little bits of honesty just kept finding their way out of her maw. "I wouldn't complain if it happened more often." Behind her, that black tipped tail swished languidly back and forth.

They'd already come so far so she pushed the situation farther still. Raising her head, she decided to return the favor. With a bit of force, she pushed Ahote onto his side and began grooming the thick fur upon his throat. Gently, she pulled her teeth through his dense coat, pulling out tangles and any other debris that she happened to find hiding in there. She continued on for a time, grooming him fully from his throat to his chest before a small wave of tiredness hit her.

With a yawn, she rested her head back upon his leg once more. Darkness had fallen and a chill wind blew, but she refused to move and risk ending their little bonding experience. Though she had been Alpha for quite some time, she'd always felt a wolf apart from the rest. Having someone to share moment like this with made her feel lighter inside; as if her duties could be forgotten if only for a moment. For the time being she was a wolf, as was he. And that was the only thing that mattered.

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Fighter -

Just as the words left Xani's mouth, she realized that she had walked in on a moment. Apologizing would only make it worse or weird, at least in her mind, so she just nodded and walked quickly away. As she walked towards the treeline, she paused. It was Hrafn who had joined in her song? There had been just as much pain and confusion in his own singing as there had been in her own, meaning that he was in just as much distress.

Shaking her head suddenly, Xani stared downwards. Tracks led off into the snow, and a quick snuffle revealed them to be Hrafn's. Hopefully he wasn't as volatile as the beta was. If she darted off by herself, others sometimes worried. She was surprised no one chased her down this time, but was grateful. Perhaps her powerful position in the pack had given her more trust, as well. Inhaling deeply, she started off again.

The prints continued on, passing through the treeline. Just as the trees disappeared, however, the gait changed. Instead of the calm pacing of a walking or trotting wolf, the prints were more erratic and spaced out, indicating a run. Xani's ears went back and she looked in the direction of the prints. She saw nothing, but that didn't mean anything. Immediately, she started running, her powerful legs propelling her in the direction of the prints.

Xani didn't know for how long she ran, all she knew was that she was worried. Maybe he had chosen to leave the pack, in which case she would let him. It was his choice. If he had just left to blow of steam, she would make sure he was ok and leave him be. But if he was in danger, it was her job to bring him back safely. Resin was injured, so she had to pick up the slack for the rest of the pack. Just as she flew over a hill, she quickly had to stop.

Lying before her in the snow was the dark form of Hrafn. He wasn't moving, but he was curled up in such a way that he appeared to be sleeping. Sighing, Xani approached slowly. The winds blew freely here, and it wasn't as warm as she would have liked. Hrafn seemed fine, but the beta just huffed as she dug out a spat behind him. Nestling her body down into the snow, she laid herself against him, her head resting on top of his own.