இ۵Ŗace Ågainst ₦atureஇ۵

[Soriams]

((Sorry guys, I've ben slammed recently. I'll get my post up tomorrow. I apologize for the delay.))

[-Starchild.Keith-]

(Xani just refuses to tell Hrafn that she likes him. x3 Silly wolf.)

Xani
- Female - 21 - Beta -

At Hrafn's question, Xani averted her gaze. She tore off another hunk of meat and chewed it, refusing to meet his gaze while she did. Though wolves couldn't really blush properly, she could feel her face getting a bit hot at his words. She argued angrily with herself in her head. No, I can't really stand it. But it is nice... But it makes me seem weak! And it's slightly strange... Shaking her head angrily, she swallowed the meat and sighed. She managed to meet Hrafn's eyes as he spoke again. She didn't really see how it was up to him to ask, but he had been a pack wolf longer than she had. It was probably a pack thing that she had never picked up on.

"I've asked things of others before. I've asked them to take the first watch, I've asked them to do other things... Before I was asking, and now I'm just ordering... she thought. This was just getting ridiculous. Her first impression of Hrafn was that he was just a big flirtatious goof. She then started to find it a bit comforting. Was she actually starting to like it? You idiot, you like him. Luckily, her thoughts were interrupted. Her eyes darted to the side as she spotted Lani and Attican arriving. Following behind Hrafn, Xani made her way towards them as well.

Not forgetting Lani's earlier behavior, the beta completely ignored the white fae as she approached. Her eyes only lingered on Attican's wound for a fraction of a second, just long enough to really see it. Her expression softened a bit as she sighed. In a very uncharacteristic move for her, she moved towards his uninjured side and gently rested her cheek against his. "Thank you for what you did. You're a brave wolf," she whispered. Stepping back, she motioned towards the mammoth. Most everyone had cleared away by now, and those that were still at the carcass would gladly make room for their Keeper.

[Soriams]

Ahote
Male | 46 | Fighter
>>>–––———<•>———–––<<<

Ahote smiles a small smile, craning his neck to glance back at Resin while she spoke. Her words touched him, and had he been able, he would have blushed, feeling warmed by their sweetness. She had already carried him more times that he could count, and her strength and beauty never ceased to amaze him. He had been captivated by her for years, and had watched her grow and learn, becoming the leader he had always hoped to be. It had been she who had drawn him out of his sorrow, shown him that as long as there was life, there was always a chance for redemption. She had been more than an inspiration to him, and his love for her was more than simple attraction, it was her presence that completed him.

Unfortunately for Ahote, he was only aware of all of this as a gut feeling, a deep seated warmth and admiration that only grew with time, and he can put no words to it. "Thank you, though I'm not sure how long I'd last as a furry worm..." he said a bit sarcastically, and chuckled a bit as she licked his ear. "Seriously though, thank you, Resin. And not just for that, but for everything you do," he finished, his words heavy as though holding more meaning for him that he could possibly express through their simple definitions.

Letting out a contented sigh, Ahote lay his head on his paws and ran his tongue over his lips one last time. He too is tired, the fast-healing burns and the heaviness that clings to his chest combined with a contentedly full stomach are already pushing him towards sleep once more. However, when Resin begins to speak once more, his ears flick back towards her as he listened. He didn't answer right away though, spending a moment in thoughtful silence to consider his words before offering them. "I hope so too... If we never see them again, it will be too soon. That being said though, I'm sure Xani and Hrafn at least will be ready for them," he said, settling back into her warmth. "But for now, I think you scared them back to their dens. Hopefully their ancestors will talk some sense into them and they won't continue to follow us."

Ahote closed his eyes then, trying to push away the thought of those two-legged monsters and the trouble they brought. For a long while he just lay there, listening as Resin rested behind him. He could feel her breath as it ruffled his fur, and the slow rise and fall of her chest was lulling him to sleep. Just before he gave in to his receding consciousness, an idle thought passed through is mind, and he wondered if she would be there when he awoke. So many time she had arisen before him, drifting away as if a dream. The thought brought a small smile to his face, and he huffed softly before falling asleep.

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

Lani smiled a crooked smile as Attican stammered through his greetings. His flustered demeanor and awkward words were a normal occurrence for her, and she completely looked past it, thinking him at least a little bit back to his old self. For Lani at least, she would always see him as the same old Keeper, no matter how he thought his injuries hampered him, nor how life weighed on him. It wasn't that she was blind to his pain, actually, it was quite the opposite, she would do anything she could for him to ease his pain. However she was simply not of the mind to see just how his scars would change his vision and thus his life.

Attican's answer to what Lani though had been a simple question seemed a long time in coming, and the white hunter sat back on her rump, head tilted a bit to the left while she waited. Curious, she watched the internal struggle that seemed to wage inside him, wondering just what he could be thinking so hard about. It was quite possible that she had never thought so hard in her life as he did in just those few moments. Finally though, he decided to go back with the others, and that brought a genuine smile to her face. "Good. I'll let you pick your own meal then, and we can leave this for the pups," she said, taking up the hunk of meat to drag it back where it could be easily found.

Moving back into the clearing, Attican and Lani were almost immediately set upon by Xani and Hrafn. Glancing up to her Keeper to see that he was alright, Lani just lay in the snow next to him, smiling like he was some great prize while the others inspected him and bid him to eat. Already she had completely forgotten any slight she may have had with them, and was simply happy to be surrounded by family and to have Attican returned to her.

Wolf
Male | 20 | Straggler
>>>–––———<•>———–––<<<

Laying in the snow, Wolf propped himself up enough to lick at his forelimbs. Though they were hardly dirty, the rhythmic movement helped to calm him while he brooded. He liked to think that he could handle anything that come his way, but the simple fact was that the sight of the mammoth and the way those he now chose to call friends treated the death had unsettled him. Even though the shock of it was slowly fading, the morality of it still clung to his thoughts and he found himself having to swallow hard at the memory. "Like you have a clue what's right and wrong, you silly beast..." he muttered to himself, turning his attention to his left leg.

After a few moments, the sound of paws on snow pulled Wolf out of his revery, and he looked up to see the little blond fea approaching him. Offering her as best a smile as he could, his tail thumped behind him a few times as she sat beside him. Sure! That sounds lovely..." he replied, looking up at her with his brownish eyes. He had not had much time to speak with her yet, and in all honesty wasn't quite sure what her name was, but none of that mattered to him. After all, he didn't even realize that each one would have a name until just a few days ago when he met Xani and Resinalpha.

Situating himself so that he could face Pilot better, Wolf shifted and sat up a bit, taking a few bites of snow to clean his mouth. Turning his attention to her, his ears perked forward and he smiled a bit again, seeming a bit sheepish. "So... Umm... What should we talk about?" he asked, his lack of conversational skills evident. Despite that, he was a willing partner, happy to do anything that would pull his mind away from the carnage behind him.

[BlackJaguar]

{{No time now, but will post tonight!

EDIT - sorry guys.. Tomorrow.}}

[BlackJaguar]

Attican

73 - Brute - Keeper

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Attican let out a long breath, breathing in again through his nose. Lani's elated actions caused a corner of his maw to draw up a bit in a ghost of a smile, but it was quickly enveloped as she happily pranced immediately out of the hiding spot. Okay, this was really happening. Scrapping his courage the Keeper took his first step from the brush. Although the action was simple, the mind that raced behind it couldn't have been any less. Questions toiled his heart, his intense strive for acceptance causing heat and blood to rise to his face in unwanted embarrassment.

'What if..?'

It was a mental sentence starter that played all kinds of scenarios in the brutes head, all of which of course played out to an unkindly, unhoped for outcome. It was as if he was tiptoeing behind Lani.. perhaps even using her slightly as a shield. Instinctively his carriage was not as held as the Keeper normally kept himself, his tail just ever so slightly pulled so that the tip tucked near his belly. It was very uncharacteristic for the typically confident and wise Elder, just making it that much more obvious that he was uncomfortable despite his efforts of looking normal.

Yet as he and Lani stepped forwards it did not seem to bear attention to the masses, all of the wolves either completely preoccupied with scarfing down a meal or engrossed in one another. However it did appear that their movement did attract some sort of attention and as Attican swung his head to look around he spied both Xani and Hrafn walking in there direction. Biting his lip he changed his direction slightly, making his way towards them as well.

Hrafn was first to speak.

"Good to see you up and on your feet, Attican. I expected you to be asleep for a few days."

The Keeper shook his head, an unexpected smile tugging at his good side of his face again as the gap was closed between the four. Perhaps it was brought on by the other brute's large one that donned across his maw - it was true and real and kind. "Do not put it past me to just fall into a heap at any moments notice," he joked, tail flickering outwards for a second. "I don't know how long this bout of 'energy' will last."

For a split second the weight of his worries were lifted, a mutual comradery felt between the small group. However even though it was thoughtful and in good taste, when the black brute came to look at his blind side Attican could feel his tail tuck in again.

"You heal fast, Keeper. Get some of that mammoth in you and you'll be fit before you know it."

"Why.. um, yes, probably would be best, huh?" His voice faltered, probably an octave or so lower than normal. The smile slipped to a half, though what was left still being genuine. He would just have to get used to that part.. after all all Hrafn had said had been in good nature and accepting. Acceptance.

What came next though took the Keeper by immense surprise. During the short conversation Xani had been quiet simply standing by the black brute's side, but now she stepped forwards, her silverlined cheek brushing up against his own. The action enough was almost enough to take the Keeper aback, especially considering the newly-Beta's typical introverted dimenor, but what she ended up saying to him left him speechless.

"Thank you for what you did. You're a brave wolf."

Her voice was hardly a whisper, the end of her muzzle pointed straight to his ear alone. Surely no one else was meant to hear, just a quiet message from her to him. Attican's face drew flat, for once his head not swimming with thoughts. As she pulled back he continued to stand frozen for a few more moments, world felt on pause. Yet as cognative motions came back to him, so did his humble nature. "Thank you, but not really." He replied, his tone sounding appreciative. He was unsure of really anything else to say, and hopefully it would be enough. His ears flickered to the sounds of the wolves behind them, still going about on whatever they were doing.

This was going to an uphill climb for the brute, and surely it would not be easy.. but all the same he'd do his best to make the most out of it. Tipping his head to the two so that he and Lani would not disturb them anymore, he gestured for his white female entourage to lead the way.

Pilot

32 - Fae - No Rank

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Sure! That sounds lovely..."

Pilot settled herself down neatly when Wolf gladly accepted her accompaniment. She grinned happily and turned a few times, laying herself down into a nicely relaxed curl. Her tail naturally wrapped around the back of her legs as always and her head turned to the brute, a compliant look upon her features.

The bone was set off to the side, for now forgotten about. The wolfess did not know of the male's internal tribulations with the topic of hunting or prey and if she had she would have left it altogether. Certainly she was curious by his mini episode with him and the carcass earlier, but not wanting to cause issue or wrastle any sort of bad memories she put it away for now.

"Oh I dunno really, anything I guess."

Having been on her own for so long before having met up with the Pack, and previously even before that her only conversations being between her and her family Pilot was not the best versed in cordial conversation either. In fact... had she really ever even done this before? Her face scrunched, mentally rolling over different times. Apparently not really... Huh, weird.

However appearing to be getting no help from the thinned brute she thought for a moment for topics.

"Well... we could take about anything we wanted really. Like what's your favorite color, or favorite thing to do? .. or about where you or I came from..." She started off with, looking the brute in the eyes. He looked at her rather expectantly, almost looking like a pup waiting for mom and dad to tell them 'what the surprise was.' But in looking at him, a question suddenly popped into her head.

"Hey, by the way if you don't mind me asking - is your name actually 'Wolf?'"


{{Ugh looks like WB has claimed me for Pilot this time around, I apologize. I've been staring at this post for the past hour or so but nothing else seems to be coming forth.}}

[Resin]

((First thing in the morning. (: ))

[Resin]

((She'll get there. (: Maybe he'll tell her first.))

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

Seeing the slight smile on the Keeper's face lightened Hrafn's heart. He was worried that the older wolf would let his injury get the best of him for a time. Not wanting to take any more of Attican's time, he nodded to the brute and playfully bumped shoulders with the the white, grey and gold female beside him. Everything here seemed in order and he felt the urge to stretch his legs. Moving off, he pulled his big body into a gentle lope, allowing his muscles to warm. Once at the edge of the tree's, he glanced over his shoulder to see if Xani was going to come with him. The pack was safe here. There was nothing that either of them could do for the moment, so why not run?

Once he was sure that his gaze had locked with hers, he shook out his thick black fur and surged forward, disappearing from sight. Though he was overly large, it seemed as if he flew over the snow. The sun had beat down, forming a hard crust atop the white powder. Each paw fall made a crunch as his weighty pads sunk through the snow. Rather than running in the direction that he knew, he ran into unknown territory. Why not get some exercise and scout at the same time? Every now and again he stopped and lowered his nose to the ground, sniffing out interesting scents. He'd yet to see Xani, but he hoped she would show up.

Rounding a slight bend in the treeline, Hrafn came to the edge of a cliff. Raising his muzzle to the sky, he howled out happily. He was full. He was safe. He was in good company. How could he not be happy? He listened as his howl echoed across the land, his tail swishing happily behind him. Deciding to take a break, he plopped onto his stomach in the snow, his forepaws hanging over the side of the cliff. Sometimes he gave in to his puppish desires and this was one of those times. He was happy, so he howled. He was content, so he wagged without reason. The landscape below stretched on forever and he wished to stay and look at it longer, but the sun was unusually warm and it's rays beating on his black coat were causing him to pant profusely.

Rising, he moved beneath the shade of a pine and plopped on his full stomach again. Still his tail continued to swish behind him. He wasn't a complicated wolf, really. All that he wanted in life was to be happy, well fed, safe, and have a lovely lady at his side. He didn't want to push her though. In his short time with the pack, he'd felt a kinship with Xani. He quite liked being around here and would like to continue being around her. He understood that she was shy and unsure of certain things, so he was giving her time and space to possibly return his feelings. Only time would tell how things wound turn out.

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

Though she didn't reply to Ahote's comments, she heard them. Sleep had her too deeply in its grasp for her to even think about opening her maw in retort. Moments later she was happily unconscious. A deep sense of contentedness filled her and she slept well for the first time in a long time. Her body did have the tendency to become stiff, however, so she had to reposition herself several times throughout her sleep.

Opening her eyes just a crack, she saw the gentle rise and fall of Ahote's side as he slept. Every now and again he would snort or snore and the dark female couldn't help but chuckle softly. Gently, so as not to wake him, she buried her muzzle in the thick fur of his neck, taking in the scent of him and generally enjoying that they were so close together. Sleep found her again and claimed her for a time. She dreamed happy, fleeting dreams. It was as if the ancestors took pity on her and decided that she should have one good day full of rest, safety and love.

A howl instantly brought her awake, her yellow orbs shooting open. She was about to rise to her feet when the cloud of sleepiness drifted from her. It seemed that it was just Hrafn howling in happiness. A small smile formed on her maw and she lowered her head to her paws once more. She was glad that the pack was happy and full. They were safe for the time being, but would have to move again once the mammoth was fully eaten. A day or more would see their energy restored. Ahote should be well enough to at least walk in relative ease by then. Running would more than likely be out of the question, but if he could walk, they could take up their journey once more.

Who knew how much longer they had to go? She knew it would still be a while. The landscape would have to change completely. The sturdy pines would disappear and be replaced by white, smooth-barked trees with red leaves. The snow would be gone and there would be grass and dirt underfoot. Looking around her, it didn't seem like that change would simply happen over night. She wished they would arrive soon, however. They were all tired of running. Perhaps she would give up her position when their journey ended. She and Ahote could leave the protection of the pack to the younger, more energetic wolves. Huffing slightly in amusement at the thought, Resin curled herself against the brutes side once more and drifted back to sleep.

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Beta -

Xani watched Attican for a moment more before she felt a bump on her shoulder. She turned to Hrafn, her eyes meeting his for only a moment before he turned away from her. Her first instinct was that he was simply moving back to his bone for a bit more gnawing. His direction was different, however. Intrigued, she turned to watch as he loped off. Cocking her head, the beat studied the larger brute as he took pause at the top of a rise. Their eyes met once more, as if he was inviting her or challenging her to a race. Either way, she felt a small grin break out on her face.

Just as Xani lifted her forepaw, Hrafn dodged out of sight. Her eyes narrowed a bit as she threw herself forward, moving to catch up to him. While she didn't run at a full sprint, she was able to keep him in her sight. He seemed to keep stopping to smell, which made it easier to catch up to him without exerting too much energy. Her eyes darted around as they ran, taking in the new sights. She had never been here before and wanted to remember what she saw in case of danger. Knowing what was ahead would help the pack if they were forced to flee.

After a moment, Xani lost sight of Hrafn's bulk. His footprints were easy to follow, however, and his howl was very easy to track. The happiness that she heard there nearly made her join in, but she hadn't howled out of happiness since... Well, she didn't remember. Her howling was a way of releasing the sadness or simple communication, not an outpouring of joy or fun. The idea seemed nearly foreign to her. By the time she reached the edge of the cliff, Hrafn had moved. Still, Xani took a moment to survey the landscape below. The view was stunning, and it offered her a clear gaze at the world below.

Soon, the sound of movement drew her attention. Glancing out the side of her eye, Xani spotted Hrafn lying under the shade of a pine tree. It only took a second for her to move to her feet and join him. She stayed sitting and facing him so that they could speak. "Well someone seems rather frisky. Did the mammoth bring out the pup in you?"

[Resin]

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

From the shaded place where he rested, the big dark brute watched as the smaller female broke from the treeline and padded out into the open. He watched as she sauntered to the edge of the cliff and looked with awe upon the valley below. In truth it was a lovely sight, but he chuckled at the fact that he would rather look upon her than the countryside below. When she finally spied him, he thumped his tail against the ice encrusted snow and raised his head as she approached.

Xani's words made him smile, of course. For Hrafn, a smile was never too far from his maw. He was generally a happy brute and happy situations deserved smiles, did they not? The accusation that the mammoth had brought out the pup in him forced a small snort from his maw and he canted his head to the side, his dark amber eyes locked upon hers. "No doubt the mammoth had something to do with it, but not all." His smile lessened, but was still there. "You seemed as though you were itching to get away for a while so I gave you that opportunity. Who turns down a chase, after all?"

Rising, he shook the snow from his coat. The time that she'd taken looking around had given his breath back. He stalked towards her, circling lightly. "You mentioned before that you weren't special. That's quite the opposite of the way that I see it." The circle became smaller, almost as if he had shifted from a wolf to a shark. His shoulder brushed hers, his tail flicked her side, then he pulled away, not looking at her. Instead, he looked out over the edge of the cliff. Time to be honest, he decided. "You are special. You're the only female that I see. When I come back from a mission, you're the one that I look for. I pay special attention to you because I wish to ease your burdens." Again he cracked a grin, glancing over his shoulder towards her. "It's not uncommon when a brute is drawn to a female."

His words may make her feel uncomfortable, but he felt that they needed to be said. In truth, he didn't see other females. He saw them as wolves, of course, but their gender didn't matter. Hrafn continued. "You have a strength in you that rivals the strength of our Alpha. You're smart and sure. You take action when others falter. Never think that you aren't special, Xani. The truth is quite the opposite." Now he was quiet, waiting for some sort of reaction, whether it was positive or negative. At least his feeling and intentions would be clear.

[-Starchild.Keith-]

Xani
- Female - 21 - Beta -

Xani watched Hrafn. His smile brought a small grin to her own face. Though she wasn't often happy, his enthusiasm tended to be rather contagious to those around him. He was one of few that had ever managed to make her appear happier than she had ever been. She nodded lightly at his words. Being away from the group was nice. She hadn't had a chance to be away from the group for a while, what with all the danger and running and fighting for their lives. As Hrafn rose and started moving, however, her eyes narrowed slightly.

At his first words, Xani felt her muscles tense a bit. She tracked him as he moved, not liking the feeling she got from this. Being the prey was not something she was used to or something that she liked. Being the predator was what she was used to and this feeling made her skin crawl. The words that came to her ears, however, had the exact opposite effect on him. While her muscles tensed, her inside melted. As Hrafn's tail touched her, she inhaled sharply. His abrupt movement away from her nearly made her fall over. She had inadvertently leaned into the touch and was now very confused.

Xani had followed Hrafn's movements, eyes widening slightly as he spoke again. Her eyes locked onto his as she became motionless. Did he just... Standing suddenly, she turned her head and broke her gaze. For the first time in her life, Xani was completely and utterly unsure of what to do. No one had ever said that they were attracted to her at all, and she had only been faintly attracted to Hrafn before. It was all new to her, and she wasn't sure how to react. After opening her maw multiple times wordlessly, she finally closed it and sighed.

Unsure of what to do, Xani simply walked towards Hrafn and sat down. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against his chest. Her ears were flat against her head and, surprisingly, her tail was swishing lightly behind her. She was at a loss for words, but she still managed a few. "I still can't see in me what you do... But I won't deny you if you're so sure."