இ۵Ŗace Ågainst ₦atureஇ۵

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Beta -

As Xani relaxed in the snow, she kept scanning the area. If these beast were intelligent, they might try to surround them. It seemed rather quiet, which was both a blessing and a curse. Any noise could easily be heard by them, but also by the other creatures, whatever they were. She huffed, turning her head at the sound of Wolf's voice. The statement sent a mixture of emotions through Xani, and she wasn't exactly sure what all of them were. It was strange really, but she just shook her head. "It is when you're alone." She glanced over at Hrafn for a moment before lying her head down.

Though she was loathe to admit she was wrong, and even more loathe to admit others were right, Xani had to agree that Resin was correct. It was hard to lead a pack, and now she understood why she had been so stressed after Ash died. It wasn't just the fact that her brother had been killed, but that she had been forced to go on alone. The beta suddenly shook her head rather violently, as if to clear her mind. Just as she stopped, a howl was heard. It wasn't too far away, and it shouted out a clear meaning. Instantly, Xani was on her feet. Just as her paws touched the ground firmly, Lani came barrelling towards her.

Knowing what the white fae would say, Xani shook her head. "I know that's your instinct, but we can't do that. You are not a fighter, and could easily get killed. I can't leave because of the pack. We are going to follow the Keeper's orders and run." She glanced over at Hrafn. "If you still have enough energy, you can go try and find Attican, and perhaps the others. I'm not sure if it's wise, but that's your call in this." She met his eyes for only a moment before turning to the rest of the pack. Her voice carried easily to all. "Everybody up! We're leaving, and we aren't stopping again for a while." Most of the pack got quickly to their feet, and those that didn't were brought to full alert by the others.

After everyone was awake, Xani turned to Wolf. "You said that there are tributaries and that crossing is nearly impossible and rather dangerous. Is there any path that the pack could follow?" She knew most of the hunters and fighters could follow any path that they chose, but the younger pups and elders would have issues scaling anything more than a gentle slope at this point. They had been running too much lately.

[Resin]

~|Hrafn|~Hunter|~ 46 Summers|~

The big black brute had dozed off, taking the time to snatch a few moments rest. Who knew when they'd be on the run again? The other members of the pack had been resting and, though still exhausted, had built up a bit more energy than he had on reserve. When he slept, he dreamed of nothing. His sleep was deep and restful, giving him the energy that his body so desperately craved.

His sleep was interrupted by the howl that rang out through the air. He woke too late to tell who it was, exactly, but the words of Lani soon answered that question. Hrafn was already standing and stretching out his limbs when Xani approached him. He lowered his front half, stretching his forelegs out in front of him while his back portion still stood tall. His tail lashed back and forth a few times and he yawned before straightening himself and rolling out his shoulders. "I'd rather not leave you again so soon, but I'll find them and bring them back."

With a quick nuzzle to the top of Xani's head, Hrafn threw himself into a lope that quickly gained speed once he made his way through the scattered pack. Honestly, he didn't really think that he should go. The howl had told them to run, and so he would have. He knew, however, that Xani wanted to go to the aid of her pack mate, but was unable to. She had to lead the group away, and was therefore stuck in that position. Hrafn did this for her sake.

Oddly enough, the three wolves were very close by. He'd barely run a mile and there they sat. Hrafn watched as the last of the two-leggers backed out of view. Was that the enemy that they'd been running from? They didn't look very dangerous. That didn't mean that they weren't. Badgers didn't look very dangerous either, but damn... those little suckers packed a bite!

Moving across the clearing, Hrafn came up beside Resin and Attican. Ahote moved and sat a little ways off. The reddish brute didn't look well. Coming closer to the Alpha and the Keeper, they didn't look well either. Hrafn furrowed his brow. "Please tell me all of that isn't your blood." Closer still, he flicked his tongue out, licking a bit of blood from the dark female's face. No. It wasn't her blood, thankfully, although some of it did belong to Attican. Peering around the front of the older brute, Hrafn winced at the wound upon his face. He could tell simply by looking that the eye was a lost cause. His ears drooped slightly as did his tail. That was a horrid wound for a wolf to have. The Keeper would have to rely more on hearing and smell for that side of his body.

Since Attican was asleep, Hrafn sat, curling his black tail about his white-toed paws. "The pack isn't far off at all. They're maybe a mile away. Xani is getting ready to run everyone again because of Attican's howl. Should I howl and tell them to stay?" A nod from the Alpha was all that he needed. Hrafn rose and moved forward so he didn't howl next to the Keepers ear. Once he was satisfied with the distance, he raised his head and howled to Xani. "They're very close. Keep near and we'll join you soon."

~|Resin|~Alpha Female|~ 40 Summers|~

The crunching of snow behind her brought her attention there quickly. If those two-leggers were returning, they were in for a world of hurt. She turned her head and was surprised to see Hrafn drawing near. Resin graced him with a small smile and shook her head when he asked about the blood. His lick to her face was a bit too forward and made her arch one brow, but she let it go when she saw the relief on his features. "It mostly belongs to those two-leggers, although there's a bit of Attican mixed in." As he continued to speak, he mentioned that the pack wasn't too far away and offered to call for Xani to hold the march. She agreed. Their enemy was retreating and, though they would not forget the Great Wolves anytime soon, Resin felt that it was safe enough to let out a howl or two. Their location was already known. By the time the skin-faced beasts regrouped, the pack would be gone.

The Keeper, having heard the words she'd spoken previously, turned to acknowledge her. Attican's remark brought an instant smile to her formerly drooping features. His lick to her chin was returned with another nuzzle to his head and a lick to his own chin. It had been said before, but it'll be said again. His nickname for her always made her happy. Every time he said it, she reverted to her childhood for at least a few moments. As she grew, she had always watched the older wolf. There was something about him that drew her to him. He still had that something to this day. When she was young, she had the biggest crush on Attican. She always thought that if he had been a few years older and hadn't had a mate, she would have gone for him. As the years went on, that attraction turned into a large helping of respect and admiration. The situation had turned from a pup swooning over the Keeper to a young adult looking to him for guidance and following his lead. Looking back on it now, it was pretty hilarious.

"If you can walk, Attican, we need to meet up with the pack. Hrafn says that they aren't too far away so we should be able to join them quickly and get things back to normal." As she finished her statement, Hrafn's howl rang through the air, sounding louder than it should have. Perhaps it was the open space that they stood in; it also could have been the build up of tension, but as the howl began, Resin winced, her muscles tightening. She was glad when it ended. "I'll be back in just a moment. Rest while you can."

Padding to the side, she approached Ahote and slid her cheek along that of the large reddish wolf. "The pack is nearby. They heard Attican's howl and sent Hrafn to find him." He didn't seem like himself. Gently she nuzzled his cheek, then lapped at his chin a few times before simply resting her head against his. "Once we get back, things will go back to normal." But they wouldn't. He had declared his love for her. Things wouldn't be the same at all. The relationship between them would change. How would the pack feel about it? Did he even want to be with her, or did he simply love her as a friend? There was a lot to think about and a lot to discuss with him once they were safe and had a moment alone.

"Lean on me if you need to." Her words felt odd, as if she was talking to a stranger. She hadn't quite assimilated to the new barrage of feelings that the brute had brought forth in her. Not that she hadn't already held the same feelings for him, it was just a surprise that he felt the same. In a sense, she felt like a young pup again, learning the ways of love. Would they thrive together or would they break? Only time could tell them that.

[Soriams]

((Sorry for the delay, guys. I totally agree with you both though. This RP has been utterly amazing!

Question: Which Lani do you guys want to see? The angry one that will read Resin the riot act, or the clingy distraught one that will literally chase everyone away from Attican to keep him to herself? xD))

Ahote
Male | 46 | Fighter
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Ahote had pushed himself too far, and now paid for it dearly. The trembling had not stopped, and it was all he could do to keep himself sitting upright. His heart pounded in his ears drowning out everything else, and he didn't even hear Resin's invitation from behind him. Had he, he would have gratefully taken her up on that offer, if for no other reason than to stop this wretched shivering. Sure, he had been cold before, plenty of times. Like when he fell face first into the water a few days ago, that had been plenty cold, but never anything like this. It was as if the cold were trying to claw its way out of him, and it settled deep in his bones. Refusing to lay down, he stubbornly sat on his rump, the back of his mind nattering on about never waking up if he should fall asleep. The fear from earlier was still within him, and yet he was fighting a loosing battle. He felt like he was falling, crashing to the ground in slow motion, and it was only Attican's halting voice that pulled him back.

At first, Ahote wasn't even really sure he had head it, and his reddish-tipped ears tilted back in the Keeper's direction. In a lazy fashion, his head swiveled backward to look blankly at Attican where he lay, nestled next to Resin. It seemed as though the other brute had been staring at him, his one remaining eye bright against his blood-stained features, and he met the other brute's gaze evenly for a long moment. The sight pained him, and he felt just as responsible for what had happened as Resin did. He should have made sure the Keeper stuck with him instead of brazenly assuming he would follow him. The whole situation was nothing but a giant mess, and he was at the center of it. Soon, Resin began to speak to Attican, and Ahote turned away again. Here words were nothing more than a murmur to him, barely on the edge of hearing and were obviously meant for the Keeper.

Drifting back into himself, Ahote once again began his battle against sleep when suddenly the sound of feet on snow reached him and jolted him back. A growl rising in his throat, he lurched awkwardly to his feet and spun around, only to see that it was just Hrafn. Still bristling, the fire from his threat quickly deflated and he sunk back down to the ground again. In a way, he was a bit grateful that the big black brute didn't take his threat seriously, as he had little left in him to back it up. However, the start had sent his heart racing once again, and he closed his eyes, feeling the blood throb in his head. At the very least, the increased blood flow warmed him slightly, and he was able to still some of the shivering.

A short conversation followed punctuated by Hrafn's howl. Ahote winced at the loud sound as it seemed to amplify through his head, sending sparks dancing across the darkness behind his closed eyes. Up until that point, he hadn't said a word, and though in his mind he seemed to be interacting with them, he really wasn't. He was just sitting there like a lump in the snow, a barely coherent one at that.

Only then did it begin to dawn on him that he should probably say something, Ahote was just beginning to try and think of what to say when Resin's gentle touch on his cheek startled him once again. Flinching back, he opened his eyes and immediately felt sorry for it. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her feelings, and when she nuzzled him again, he returned the gesture, pressing his face into her fur. "That... That sounds like a very good idea..." he said, his voice sounding distant and broken. All that remained then was to get himself up and get moving.

Right.

Well, Ahote knew he was capable, as he had just been on his feet a few moments ago. Yet, no matter how he told his body to move, it stubbornly sat in place like a sullen pup, flatly refusing his commands. Grumbling to himself, he closed his eyes and bit the inside of his cheek, grabbing onto the new pain and using it to force himself up. Tottering on three legs, he had no intention of taking Resin up on her offer of assistance. That was, until he tried to take a step and forgot that he wasn't using one hind leg. Stumbling, he hopped sideways and slammed his rump into her side. Stifling a little cry, he stood splay-legged with his head hanging and looked over to Attican where he still lay. "Alright, your turn. Get up before I fall on my stupid face," he ordered, a wheezing laugh escaping his mouth as he hid behind his humor.

Lani
Female | 57 | Hunter
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Lani's eyes went wide when Xani told them they were leaving. For the first time in her life, a growl actually grew in her throat and she swung her head to Hrafn. Turning back to Xani, her eyes narrowed a bit. "At least someone is going to do something," she said with a harrumph. Suddenly though, she realized Hrafn was leaving and she leapt away. "Hey! Wait! I'm going too!" she called after him, rushing to catch up.

However, he showed no signs of having heard her, and as his black rump disappeared around the bend, Lani found herself alone. Sure, she could easily track him down, but that wasn't really the point. He hadn't even spared her a second glance before running off. Did none of them take her seriously? She was no coward, she had faced all the same hardships as everyone else, and had come out of it all relatively unscathed. Which was more than could be said for other members of the pack. Already Xani was barking orders behind her, ordering them to get up and get moving, and she stumbled to a halt. It wasn't so much that she was afraid, but that she had been following orders all her life and it was very hard to willfully disobey. This was the part of being a non-rank, nothing more than a simple hunter that those of rank, or even the loners like Pilot would never understand. To do as you were told, do all the work and get none of the credit, the success of the pack was supposed to be its own reward. Lani was just that, one of the faceless wolves in the crowd, but now her heart was screaming, yelling at her to do something else.

Quite literally, Lani was stuck. Taking a few more steps forward, a pitiful whine escaped her short muzzle, so desperately she strained towards the bend in the canyon, craning her neck as though she could be in two places at once. Finally though, it became too much and she stopped, slumping as she hung her head. Unmoving, she could feel the others rising up and moving away from her, just as Hrafn got further and further away in the other direction, leaving her in a void between them. Xani didn't want her running off, nor would Resin. Surely Attican would have said the same thing. So why was she being so foolish? Before she could actually answer herself though, Hrafn's call reached her ears and she perked up.

Wait. He was telling them to wait. That must mean everything was ok, and they were coming back. Slowly, Lani's tail began to wag behind her, and she glanced back over he shoulder, seeing that the others had heard it too. Forcing herself not to think about it too hard, Lani took off. There was nothing that could hold her back now.

((Lani Xani, Xani Lani. Ug. I'm starting to wish I'd named her something else. It all gets terribly confusing in my head. LOL))

Wolf
Male | 20 | Straggler
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Wolf watched Lani as she threw her tirade, and couldn't help but wonder if she was always like this. If she was, just why did the others put up with her? No one else did so much complaining... Ah, whatever the reason, Xani soon had it all straightened out and sent Hrafn out to look for whoever it was they were all so worried about. This seemed to satisfy everyone, and Wolf got to his feet, shaking out his shaggy pelt. Pausing to paw at his eyes, he came back up to look at Xani as she spoke to him. Considering what she was asking for a moment, he eventually shook his head. "I don't think so, they all just narrow down into a crack with nothing to hold onto. There are only two ways out, and one of them is the way we came in. The other is at the other end, where the wall collapsed into a big boulder field. It's a big mess, but definitely climbable," he said, trying to remember exactly what it looked like. He hadn't been this far away from his snow den in a summer and a half.

Beyond that though, Wolf would have no more idea where they were going than anyone else. He had climbed that end of the canyon out of pure boredom, and really for no other reason than to prove to himself that it could be done. From there, he could see nothing but mountains, snow capped peaks glaring like snarly teeth at the sky, and cloud covered valleys shrouded in dark pine forests. How far they went on was anyone's guess and travel from this point on was only going to get harder. He hardly thought that qualified for the gentle slope that Xani had asked for, but there was nothing else he could offer her.

The pack began to gather around them then, and Wolf looked back to Xani. Just as he was about to say more though, Hrafn's howl reached them and he stopped. What now? One said to go, and the other said to wait. Did the second one override the first? As was seeming to become his normal state of being, Wolf was confused. Sitting back down on his haunches, he looked up at Xani and voiced his thoughts, "So... What now?" he asked, openly curious.

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Beta -

Xani watched as the pack got to their feet. Just as she was about to turn, she heard a growl from behind her. Turning, she saw Lani. Her words didn't outwardly faze the beta. She was starting to lose her cool and would need a break from everyone once they were safe, but for now she had to force herself to remain calm. "How dare you..." Before she could finish, the jittery white fae leapt away. As soon as she returned, preferably when the Alpha returned as well, she would be dealt with.

As soon as everyone was on their feet, Xani turned to look at Wolf. His description of the valley was none too pleasing, but still very helpful. The only way out other than running backwards would be to continue on and try to scramble their way up a bunch of boulders. Wonderful. She sighed slightly, shaking her head. They would have to deal with that when the time came. The able-bodied would simply have to lend a helping paw to those that just couldn't do it themselves.

Just as she raised her paw to start the pack, another howl reached her ears. This was from Hrafn, telling them to stay put. Her heart rate instantly jumped down a few notches, allowing her to breath easily. If they were howling about staying in one place, the danger was gone. She hung her head as she caught her breath, turning back to the pack. "Apparently the danger was dealt with faster than we could react." She was both slightly irritated by that fact, but sorry for waking everyone up.

At this point, Xani wanted nothing more than to just slink off, find a rock, and howl until she collapsed from exhaustion. Food and water would come later, much later. Sadly, she was once again the only high-ranker left. Hrafn wasn't really a high-ranker, but he knew how to lead and having his presence was oddly calming. He had started off as seeming too flirtatious to the beta, but his presence had become a point of certainty that she so desperately needed, even if she wasn't willing to admit that weakness in herself. Knowing that they wouldn't have to wait long, she flopped back down in the snow to relax.

(Soriams- don't forget about Vali. Lani, Xani and Vali. xD)

[Resin]

((Xani, Lani, Vali. I always have to double check and make sure I typed the right one. Lol
Hah, that's totally up to you, Soriams. If she's cheeky, she'd better be prepared to get an earful. If she draws Attican away to herself, she can clean him up and make him sleep.
Thanks for the kind words, Jag. I don't really see any personal growth, but everyone is their own worst critic, after all.
This post is odd and choppy. We're in a weird transition and I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to do what they need to do while still posting something myself.))

~|Hrafn|~Hunter|~ 46 Summers|~

Once the howl was finished, he padded back over to rejoin the three wolves. Resin had gone to Ahote's side, so Hrafn sat down beside the injured Keeper. He wasn't too sure what to say. The would on the older wolf's face was startling. The black brute cleared his throat and bristled his fur slightly. "Those strange creatures that walked on their hind legs really were a danger, I see." Though he didn't really feel that it was his place to ask, he did so anyway. "What happened? The pack waited for quite a while and none of you showed up. Lani is a wreck." He couldn't help but chuckle softly. The chunky white female would surely have a fit when they returned.

Dark amber eyes watched as the Alpha and the other brute interacted with one another. "There's something happening there, eh?" It would be obvious to anyone that watched. Hrafn wondered how long it would be until the two became official mates. He also wondered how Xani would feel about it. She quite liked the patchwork brute, he remembered. The thought made him wrinkle his nose slightly. Although he didn't really know why, the thought of the Beta being attracted to any male bristled his fur.

As he watched the pair, he noted that Resin was slowly getting Ahote to his feet. They moved slowly closer and Ahote joked with Attican a bit. Though the burns on the brutes hip looked nasty and painful, his joking attitude was a good sign. One healed faster when they weren't in the throes of despair. "Come on, Attican," Hrafn said. "I'll help you on your way. The pack isn't too far. Just down this hill and through that strange sort of rock chute." Rising, the jet black wolf shook the snow from his pelt. "Lean on me as much as you need. And don't be ashamed about it. Everyone needs help now and again." Hrafn assumed that the Keeper would protest, so he added that last bit just in case. He needed to keep every ounce of energy possible and if using someone else as a crutch did that, he'd have to deal.

~|Resin|~Alpha Female|~ 40 Summers|~

Both black ears flicked forward when Ahote flinched away from her touch. She didn't take it as a slight against her in the least. She simply assumed that he'd been far away in his mind and being jerked back to the present had caused the reaction. The assumption seemed to be true, for moments later he buried his face in her thick fur and agreed to the idea of moving. She offered to help him and he at first refused, of course. Males and their pride... When he stumbled and fell against her, she could hear his pain and saw it in his face when she turned to look at him. "Just lean against me. No one will think less of you because of it."

Hrafn was already offering to help Attican and Resin nodded her approval. "Let's go, boys. The others will be missing us." Pressing her side into Ahote's, she started off at a slow pace, matching his speed. Each time he was forced to hop rather than step on his hind leg, she braced herself, accepting his weight when he needed it. As they moved, Resin glanced back towards Hrafn and Attican, checking their progress. They were keeping pace just fine, it seemed.

Slow and steady, they continued their trek. What should have taken them mere minutes took much, much longer. Downhill they went and started their way through the odd corridor of rocks that rose on either side. The trail that the pack had laid had stamped down the snow, making it easier for both the Keeper and the patchwork brute to move. When they did rejoin the pack, they would be forced to continue moving, at least for a while. Some distance needed to be placed between them and the two-leggers. They had all seen a dozen or more in the forest. Who knew how many more were out there?

"Are you alright, Ahote? Do you need to stop and rest for a moment?" His discomfort was evident and she didn't wish to push him further than he was able. If he needed to stop, they would stop. "We'll need to keep moving once we reach the pack. We have to find somewhere safe. Somewhere that can be protected in case the two-leggers follow us." Conversation was a decent distraction against pain. She hoped that he would bite and converse with her. "Once we find somewhere safe, I'll take Lani, ancestors know that she still has energy...Vali, and anyone else that wishes out to find food. You need to eat so that you can heal. Attican does as well." Again she looked back towards the young and old pair of brutes, gauging their progress.

[Soriams]

((Humm, well I think I'll take a bit longer to think about Lani. It sort of seems like she should say something, but at the same time, she would be so happy to see him she might forget all about it.))

Ahote
Male | 46 | Fighter
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Ahote let out a whuff of air, steadying himself once more against Resin's side. Hobbling around on three legs might have been a bit better for his wounds, but it had tired him out something terrible. Yet, despite the fact that he hated to be leaning on her, after all, she too was injured, it still felt nice to be pressed against her. For a few moments they stood together, and he waited to see that Attican was going to be able to move before allowing her to draw them away and back towards the pack.

The slow pace that ensued was almost as painful as the burns on his side, and Ahote did his best to keep moving at as good a clip as his body would let him. Quite simply, he didn't want to draw it out any further than their long journey already was, and their laborious trek was not helping matters any. Had it not been for Attican and Hrafn who followed them, he would have pushed himself even harder. Or so he told himself anyway.

Much of the trip was made in silence and gritted teeth, the snowy plain slowly giving way to steeper terrain, and the rocks rose up around them. The closeness of them, and the way they seemed to stand over them like disapproving parents set him on edge and he could feel the fur on the back of his neck rise. Thankfully, before the sensation could become too overwhelming, Resin broke the silence. In response, Ahote looked back over his shoulder, trying to gage how Attican was doing and shook his head. "Not unless you or Attican need to rest... I'm not sure that stopping would be the best idea for me just yet," he said, slowing enough at least to let the others catch up. Looking back to her as she spoke of finding somewhere safe and of food, a small smile grew on his face and he licked her cheek, "The pack first, of course," he said, lifting his head to meet her eyes again. "But seriously, all of that sounds lovely, we could all use a little bit of security and comfort, and I think just seeing you back alive and well will do that for everyone," he said, his smile softening, "I know it did for me."

Wolf
Male | 20 | Straggler
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Already seated next to Xani, Wolf stepped his paws forward until he once again lay on his stomach. Stay or go, it didn't really matter much to him and he was content just observing the others around him. One thing that he had noticed, and it took him a long time to sort it out between all the different pelts and scents he had seen was that his new companion, Xani was quite young. At least compared to many of the other members of the pack he had seen. With everything they had been through, she had shown a remarkable amount of patience for one in her position. Of course, Wolf had no idea how old he was, and it had been ages since he had know still water to know if his coat sported any of the grey hairs of the elders, but he couldn't help but admire her strength and restraint.

After a few moments, Xani flopped into the snow and Wolf let his head sink to his paws. His golden eyes followed the others as they too returned to their places, each one seeming to know exactly where they wanted to be when they found it. Wolf had never known where he wanted to be or why, and it seemed as though all of his life had been spent simply surviving for the sake of survival alone, and he wondered if he would ever have such certainty, and a place where he knew he belonged. For the moment perhaps, Xani had taken that place for him, and so long as he could follow her lead, he knew he was doing the right thing.

As all the commotion settled down, Wolf's eyes eventually returned to Xani where she lay with her back to him. He still had questions that bubbled through him, everything ranging from the very simple things, like what they were, and better yet, why. His heart had longed for ages just to know the answer to that, to know that the life in his limbs and the words in his head had a meaning, and a reason to be. However, now really didn't seem to be the time to go pestering her with questions and he simply lay in silence, taking what comfort he could from her presence.


((OMG I totally forgot about Vali too! Maybe it's a trait of Scarpaw, to attract wolves with names ending in the letter 'i'))

[Resin]

((Jag may not be around for a while due to personal issues. She gave us permission to drag Attican around and do as we see fit.))

~|Resin|~Alpha Female|~ 40 Summers|~

The pair trekked along through the rock chute. It was unsettling, being closed in on both sides like this. It made her feel uneasy. She wondered if it made Ahote feel the same, but she felt his coat bristle and assumed that it did. Her question seemed to distract him and his answer made her smirk slightly. Of course he wouldn't admit to needing rest. Had she expected any less of him? "I'll need rest at some point, but if I rest now, I fear I'll sleep for days." They had been going nonstop for days now. First the flaming sun, then the two-leggers. They would need to eat, but more than that, they would need rest. Lots and lots of rest.

He placed a lick upon her cheek and she grinned anew. "There are things I feel we need to discuss later." Because she was looking at him, she stumbled slightly. Righting herself, she snorted. "After we sleep, of course." She felt the need to validate their relationship, if he wished for one, that is. His affection as of late made it seem that way, but she'd rather not assume. The pair went silent for a time and Resin thought about their situation. If they weren't exclusive, could she stand to see him be affectionate with another female? The thought caused her lip to twitch in an involuntarily, silent snarl. Resin wasn't the jealous type, she just didn't like others intruding where they weren't wanted.

Would she be able to be affectionate with another male if Ahote rejected the idea of them being together? More than likely not. She would wash her paws of the entire mate situation and be done with it for good. She'd gone alone this long, right? A few more years would be no big deal. Eventually she'd hand the Alpha position over to someone else. Then she'd spend the rest of her days wandering about like Pipaluk had.

In time they were out of the rock chute. Up ahead Resin thought she could make out the forms of the resting pack. "Looks like we're home," she said more to herself than to him. Her time away from them had felt good. It had been like a disaster filled, mini vacation. Getting back to them, however, was a good feeling. It felt like sliding back into a comfortable routine. Hearing Ahote say that the pack would be rejuvenated seeing that she was alive, she scoffed lightly. "I think you give me more credit than I deserve. The majority of them are happy to be fed and protected. They don't care who is the one doing it." She couldn't blame them, either. She'd never been very personable. She did what needed to be done and that was it. She had been their Alpha for years, but short of knowing their named, she didn't know a lot about most of them.

[BlackJaguar]

{{Ugh, after long while I am back. I do sincerely apologize for holding things back for the past week or so, but it was really out of my control. My roommate was in a bad car accident and mixed with an already precondition of hers ended up in the hospital for a number of days with only me to be there for her. I actually got home last night, but I took one look on here and promptly passed out on top of my bed. Anyways, my roommate is cleared to be alright and is already on her way to recovery, she's just gonna be sore for a long while and will have to diligently take care of some things as she gets better.

As for me I am going to reread a few pages back and get the gist of everything here back into my head. I'll post as soon as I can. I've missed you all!}}

[Resin]

((Whoa! Sorry to hear about the accident, Jag. I'm really glad that your roommate is alright. Take all the time that you need. Don't worry about us. We'll still be here when you get back. And I completely miss you too!(: ))

[BlackJaguar]

{{It's just so icy and slick over here, I am just amazed that she got away from it with what she did. Anyways, I'll do what I can here, can't promise anything too spectacular as I'm definitely not in any sort of groove. I'll post for Pilot next post.}}

Attican

73 - Brute - Keeper

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Time was a strange thing to the brute as he laid. How much of it had passed he wasn't rather aware, nor of how much time they would continue to stay. Time was useless to him and right now it just didn't matter. Whether it had been minutes or hours his mind seemed to blur it all together, mushed up into this only partially coherent daze that seemed to simply wash over him. His heart beat as he looked around, mostly still trying to gather his bearings and pull his wit back together. Though simple in theory, it was much easier said than done after what he'd been through.

At what point Hrafn had arrived Attican had no idea. For all he knew the big black brute could have been hanging around the entire time he'd been laying there and that he himself simply just had not noticed. At the notes of speech though his head turned, amber eye settling onto the male's broad features. As he looked him and the Alpha talked, debating back and forth on a plan of action. Most of it didn't seep in at all, instead the voices working as more of a background hum in his head. Finally Resin began to rise, her warm body and pelt leaving his side. Immediately the Keeper felt the difference, the cold quickly seeping its way into his now exposed back.

While unpleasant as the sensation was, the cold did serve a bit of a purpose to the brute. As it nipped it brought familiar feelings into his body, waking it more so that he was more physically aware than he had before. The sounds of speech slowly delved into words, the different tones breaking out into meaning. He listened as Resin spoke to Ahote, offering her side to lean onto. His head twisted to the opposite direction, watching the Fighter literally fight his way to his paws. Ungracefully he stumbled into the Alphess's side, but she had been ready for him, braced well enough to give the support he needed.

Just as Ahote spoke, realization dawned upon Attican.

"Alright, your turn. Get up before I fall on my stupid face."

Although the tone being jockular, there was a purpose behind his words. He had to get up. An unheard whine passed the Keeper's throat, questions popping in his head faster than spring daisies. What if he couldn't get up? What then? They couldn't just simply wait forever, at some point the Pack really did need their Alpha back. At what point was he a hindrance instead of an asset.

Worry written across what was left of his features, Attican's legs slowly tucked themselves underneath his overly-exhausted body. This was not going to be easy nor fast, but at this moment they would simply have to wait. He was either going to get up or his body was going to fail and he figured he had one single shot at either. Just as he was about to shift his weight though, Hrafn's voice piped in.

"What happened? The pack waited for quite a while and none of you showed up. Lani is a wreck."

All of the gusto that the brute had managed to muster popped like an unceremonious balloon in an instant. His chest compressed as he sighed, looking down at the red-addled ground that he still laid partially in. "I had been returning to the Pack, making my way to close the distance. I had just found the trails and had been following them up the stepp... when I saw two-leggers also tracking you down." Up until this point Attican's voice had been gruff and dry, simply reciting what had happened. But now it changed, getting much softer and cutting out as he interrupted his own thoughts. "I had to protect- You see, my duty- There had been no time..." He swallowed heavily, the heat of the moment still very much fresh in his memory. "I had to make a choice."

His heart pattered heavier now, the blood coursing faster through his head due to the recollection. The mention of Lani brought guilt to him, but there was nothing he could do of it right now. "I don't know what happened after that. I shouldn't be here."

That much was true. If not for the miraculous combination of his apparently over-diligent heart, the timing and valiant efforts of Resin and Ahote, and quite a bit of sheer luck Attican should be nothing but an overcoat at this moment. But instead he was somehow here, now trying to rise and explain himself. His head shook, the one good eye pressing itself shut. It was a lot to take. However once again Hrafn's voice cut off his thoughts, his words directed straight for the Keeper.

"Come on Attican, lean on me as much as you need. And don't be ashamed about it. Everyone needs help now and again."

This one time the brute would not refuse an offer. Opening his eye back up again he meekly nodded an 'okay', accepting the fact that he needed help. His forelegs wriggled slowly beneath him, themselves rising first before his back legs followed suit. He would not talk any more of the incident for now, surely he would have to explain more later anyhow. His legs tottered like a baby deer, his muscles almost acting uncertain of what to do with this new weight that plagued them as he rose. Thankfully Hrafn's side was not a few steps off and soon a good half of the Keeper's weight was pressed into the black pelt, keeping him upright.

Not too many moments after Attican had risen, then the set of four started out. It was a very slow pace, but given the state of both him and Ahote, it was rather surprising that they were making any headway at all. It was difficult and painful, both his joints and places on his face complaining their considerable fair share amounts, making sure that their voices were heard. A few times the brute would stumble, but each and every time Hrafn would be there for him, sometimes even stooping down so that Attican had a way of rising that was easier. His heart seemed to be made of gold also.

The Keeper's good eye was on the side that he leaned upon his packmate, his peripheral vision blurring into the blackened hairs of his pelt and the broad massive features of his head. While nice as it was to see what he was leaning against, it was rather disturbing that a good portion of his left side was completely black. Now more lucid and rational than he had been the entire time after he had awoken, the walk gave him time to properly sift through his thoughts. Despite his will against it, he was slowly coming to a disturbing realization, coming out with no other alternative. After heaving himself over a particular boulder as the pairs of two began to walk the chute, Attican quietly cleared his throat.

"Hrafn?" His voice was weak and soft, working more like a timid whisper than anything else. It was an abnormal action for the brute, but then again nothing about today or the past god-knows-how-many-days-since-he-last-slept had been normal. He paused for a bit, both the need to regulate his breath and gather his thoughts working themselves together. "It's.. it's gone isn't it?" He of course was speaking in reference to his eye, although the Elder couldn't bring himself to actually say it. It was so permanent. So absolute in that way. Even if it was just for another half a moment more the brute wanted to cling onto the hope that he was wrong about this. Maybe. just maybe he was..