It's Not Enough [joining/open]

[Kenren]

Open!

For the umpteenth time since she'd begun her trek to the main packlands on the island, Azain stumbled over a gnarly tree root. She'd never been this clumsy before, she hadn't! But ever since Chaos had granted her wish, she swore the roots of the trees were moving around her. Not enough to be obvious, but enough for her to misjudge the distances as she went over them, causing her to constantly clip her toes on smooth bark. That, or Chaos had actually decided to mess with her depth perception rather than help her with flowers. Which was... well, that would be rude, wouldn't it? A lemur above hooted, and Azain swore it sounded like laughter. Great, even the wildlife was mocking her now.

But it was worth it. Even when she was anxious and sore-toed, she could hardly contain her excitement about finally taking this leap. She kept jogging on, completely unperturbed. Her parents had always said she didn't need to be part of the pack, that they had lived very happily keeping to themselves, and she could do the same. And that was true, they'd always kept her well-fed and safe her entire life. But she wanted more than safe! She wanted to meet the great Iiona. She wanted to be part of protecting the island, and meet the wolves freshly arrived from the mainland. She wanted... she just wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself. More than just the sheltered daughter who'd never done anything on her own.

"Hello?" she called, though she wasn't exactly sure she was in the right place. It smelled right... probably. Truth be told, she didn't really know how the pack thing worked. Her father had talking about scent markers and boundaries and the like, but she'd always been with one of her parents when they'd been around stuff like that so she hadn't paid as much attention as she should have. But it was fine, they'd find her eventually! If she wasn't exactly in the boundaries of the pack, she had to be close. For good measure, she let out a yipping howl, just to hurry the process along. If it took too long, well... well, maybe she'd just keep going further in! Only as a last resort, of course.

✿ EDEL ✿

[Lirriel]

I lost a friend, somewhere along in the bitterness

Carefully, Salome padded through the dense jungle, his nose dipped down, whiskers spread wide as he navigated across the roots, ducking below brambles, dodging dense brush. His fishers had been left behind at one of the coves on the western side of the island – it was imperative he meet with Iiona and gain her approval.
Even if he had been lead fisher before she had assumed the mantle of alpha – even if he had been one of her supporters, he was still what he was: untrusted by his packmates, respected and feared in equal doses. Better to bite the root of the problem, and have Iiona make the announcement.

Recently, the fish had been fewer, smaller, and he was hoping they might abandon the cove and shift their attention elsewhere, at least for several seasons – but until recently it had provided a constant abundance of prey. So, best to speak to the alpha, and if she agreed (she would, if there was any sense to be found in her fool puphead), then he would allow her to announce the change to his wary fishers. Lest them think he was attempting to purposely undermine her leadership or weaken the pack or any similar such stupidity that filled their empty heads with fluff instead of facts.

So intent was he upon finding Iiona, so vexed was he by his own packmates’ faithlessness toward him after seasons, that at first he was unaware of the strange scent that had entered his nose.

And he only stopped, flummoxed, when he stumbled across a strange wolf in one of the clearings the pack often frequented. He blinked, and vaguely he remembered the yip-yip-yipping call he had heard as he wandered in search of Iiona – he had thought it an out-of-tune monkey, not this.

Whatever this was.

Peeved, one ear cocked back, he asked, “And who are you?”

She was a little thing – but that said little when he himself was tiny, had always been short when compared to the other males. More feminine, more fey, and unkind chuckles echoing in his ears made him flatten both, even as he eyed the stranger.

He admitted the smell about her was faintly familiar – but it was as if grasping at a dream, for he had never taken notice in affairs beyond the pack, had no true grasp of the families that lived on the fringes of his pack. As far as he was concerned, it was himself, it was his pack, and then the rest of the world was an undulating blob of anonymity.

But, still, this was a stranger. Perhaps he should be formal, insofar as he was capable. “You are on the Sharktooth Island Pack’s territory. What business do you have here?”

@azain		457 words	stock by Ria P. @ dawnthieves

[Kenren]

Lirriel

She did have to wait, but not too terribly long. Her surroundings were a distraction in and of themselves in the meantime, with monkeys skittering in the trees overheads and frogs croaking loudly around her. Some seen, some unseen, all warranting a twitch of the ear in case this one was more interesting than the last.

She didn't even realize that the male hadn't actually been looking for her when he showed up, missing the way he brought himself up short and the frown that adorned his petite face. She immediately started wagging her tail, only barely containing the excited whine that sat just in her throat. Just as she'd completely missed his expression before, she likewise missed the fact that she should probably be meek and quiet and respectful in this exact moment. Not that she was consciously not those things, or that she was the opposite of them, but social cues tended to be lost on her. Blame enabling parents.

"My name is Azain!" she chirped, moving a step or two toward the male in an action that could only be described as 'bouncing,' eyes bright. "Oh, I know this is the pack's territory, that's why I'm here of course! I want to join!" Each word carried an endlessly excited inflection, and that was even without including her desire to meet Iiona. She realized after she spoke that she had no clue who this male was, though perhaps she should have. It was important to do her homework if she wanted to prove herself, after all. But it was hard to get eyes on the different wolves of the pack from outside without simultaneously making her parents nervous and the pack nervous at the same time.

"Ummm, and you are?" she asked, obviously forcing herself to be polite when really she just wanted to shower him with a thousand questions.

✿ EDEL ✿

[Lirriel]

I lost a friend, somewhere along in the bitterness

Her voice was young, fluting high in a mimic of the noisiest birds, and as she bounced toward him, Salome found himself in turn leaning away. Pride itself lent stone to his paws, and he stayed in place, but it was the blinding brightness of her, of her actions, that made him feel as if she was sucking the very energy from him. For the briefest of moments his muzzle wrinkled – but, no, this was a guest – and then he was sighing out the length of his lungs. It punctuated his weariness and eased the burden of responsibility from his back, if only for the span of this conversation.

How old was she, he wondered. How foolish were her parents, to allow her step so close, and with such obvious disrespect – not that it mattered much, when the pack in question was led by a true soft touch. Idly, he thought of the scolding he might receive should he choose to take a bite out of this child that pranced before him, eager and open.

But, no, she probably tasted as sweet as she looked – and he could not abide the thought of such a saccharine mouthful.

Upon her introduction, he dipped his head. The action of it led to sitting back on his haunches, fox-like tail curling about his dainty paws. He was not so trusting as to drop into a true crouch, but sitting was acceptable in the current circumstances, he reasoned. Though he was not overly large himself, he had the wisdom of age on his side, the craftiness of a fox. And, though he loathed admitting it, the option of fleeing into a land he regularly prowled, disappearing into a dense undergrowth that aided hiders and hindered hunters.

But it was her next words – a babbling stream-of-consciousness, as if her brain had simply poured its contents upon the ground for him to root through – that caused his eyes to widen. He ground his teeth together, because the first word that surged up his throat was a resounding no – no, not now, not when Iiona was already adding one stranger.

But, the sneaky, simpering side of his head countered, wasn’t this an opportunity fallen between his paws? He had lost the fish and found a lemur instead – and he had done so before Iiona. And yet even as he thought it, he eyed the young wolf before him dubiously. Could she really prove such an asset, when Iiona had enlisted a wolf who had surely seen combat, had a quiet, lean strength about him?

But – if she ever sought to oust him from the position he inhabited – if she ever thought to betray him, as so many had...

So many possibilities, so many that could simply be paranoia, so many that could be harmful truth driven into him like fangs to the flank.

And yet he looked at this wolf, and the expression on his face was one of resignation, if only temporarily. Surely, he was no greater than his parents, no better than the shadows others painted him with, if he went through with this. He deserved the worst of what was said about him, if he chose to embroil a child in his troubles.

“You’ll want to speak to our alpha, then.” He told her, and he added with a bittersweet irony, “I am Salome, the lead fisher.” And so he threw back his head and issued forth a summoning howl, a long, echoing cry that rose and fell in sorrowful symphony, calling for Iiona.

“It will speed her along,” he said, as way of explanation – and surely it would quicken her paws, to know a strange wolf’s call had been echoed by one of her council members.

“Why do you seek to join us?” he asked, because there was not much more to do than question and be questioned in turn while they awaited the only wolf on the island with any true power.

Kenren Heika		660 words	stock by Ria P. @ dawnthieves
Tagging Heika since we're both calling for Iiona now lmao

[Heika]

and here she is!

440・ Lirriel Kenren

「

A low, baleful howl caught Iiona’s attention as she paused mid-sentence, ears swiveling to identify the source of the sound. It took a moment. It was rare for that wolf in particular to demand her attention so boldly, and she wondered if she had come to the correct conclusion until her companion, the shaman, confirmed her suspicions.

“Salome,” the older wolf remarked dryly. “It sounds urgent.”

Dipping her head in agreement, Iiona got to her feet with a swift apology for cutting their conversation short. “We’ll finish up when I return,” she promised, earning a rumble of agreement, before breaking out in a speedy trot. Salome had not sounded panicked enough for her to sprint, but the mere fact that he had summoned her hurried her along. The sly wolf was hardly ever flustered; there was little he could not dispatch with clever words and an unmatchable wit, and Iiona could not help the instinctual jolt of worry that kept the fur along her spine standing on edge.

As she drew closer to what she had determined Salome’s position to be, she caught scent of an unfamiliar wolf and it only added to her unease. Though the air was free of the metallic tang of blood – indicating that there hadn’t been a scuffle and that the stranger might have come on peaceful terms – Iiona knew she could never be too careful. Pausing in the undergrowth, she took a deep breath, forcing her pelt to lie smooth and standing up tall. An alpha’s strength was representative of the pack’s strength. Under an outsider’s scrutiny, even the slightest hint of disarray could be interpreted as weakness, and Iiona refused to allow herself to encourage the idea that her pack was easy prey.

Having collected herself, she stepped out into the clearing where she immediately realized that her worries were almost completely unfounded. Instead of the enemy she had conjured up in her mind, Salome was face-to-face with a light-footed youngster whose tail swung back and forth in the fashion of an overexcited pup. The stranger’s eyes were alit with a passion, and she was practically beaming as she stood in front of the lead fisher. This wolf would not be a problem. There was nothing in her eager step or naïve happiness that hinted at any ill intent. But, Iiona remembered not to let her guard down. Appearances could be deceiving.

“Salome,” Iiona greeted the wiry male, stepping to his side though she kept her gaze on the intruder. Her voice was strong, confident, but not overbearing, addressing Salome as an equal and presenting them as a united front. “Who is this?”

」

[Kenren]

Lirriel Heika

Even through her own buzzed energy, she was able to acknowledge that the other wolf was very... ah, reserved. Which wasn't quite the right adjective, but at least she was on the right track. He sat down, as if pushed by the flow of her exuberance, and introduced himself. Salome. It fit him, or at least, that's how it struck her. A bit sleek, a bit strong. And he was... well, lead of something. She didn't know what a lead fisher did, but that just made it all the more interesting in her eyes.

Any of the rest of it was lost on her. His calculating looks, his vexed countenance. Truth be told, she may never be a deep enough sort to read between the lines. To have enough guile to read those around her and avoid situations where she might be used. But in some ways... well, that wasn't so bad, was it? She'd also never be one to use others, or judge them from preconceived prejudices. She could be much worse than what she was.

After the wolf let out an authoritative, low howl, it clicked in Azain's head what Salome had said. The alpha. And that meant... This time she did squeal a little, forgetting for a minute that the male had asked her a question. Iiona was coming here! She felt nervous and overwhelmed, but even that couldn't dampen her mood.

And then she was there, in hardly any time at all. Azain had only ever seen the alpha from a distance, but up close she still cut the regal form she'd remembered. And if it was seen a bit through rose-colored glasses, perhaps she could be forgiven. Even while watching the interloper, Iiona addressed her packmate - casually, unalarmed, but still authoritative. Azain should have let Salome answer, but she found the words bursting forth without giving them permission.

"Azain! Ah, I-I'm, I'm Azain, Miss Iiona." Her words quieted somewhat after the initial outburst, but she couldn't seem to stop herself from talking. Her brain picked up on the previously-asked question, and her blue eyes flicked to Salome in some odd form of reassurance before flicking back to Iiona. It was only because Salome had been the first to greet her, but he was a lot more steady and grounded than the pedestal she'd placed Iiona on, just from stories alone. "My family's lived near Sky Falls for a long time, and Momma and Poppa don't think I need to come join the pack, but how could I not?" she finished hopelessly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

✿ EDEL ✿

[Lirriel]

I lost a friend, somewhere along in the bitterness

The exuberant squeal that burst forth from the youngling instantly sent his ears flat, his eyes chips of jade – cold and remote – before he shook off his annoyance with an exaggerated roll of his shoulders. It seemed Iiona had already managed to charm this one, then. Had he been more open with his emotions, he might have grinned, a wryness draped across his lips, because surely Iiona must be blessed by the gods, to encourage adulation from afar with nary a word spoke.

Envy threatened then – as it always did when Iiona was involved; envy and longing, threaded together; because he had been young himself once, and he had seen the light she bathed in, the light she drew others into, and he had so desperately wished to join. But, no, his was of the shadows and the shade, the dull green that smeared the landscape when the sun sunk beneath the ocean. The moon had always been his friend, much as the sea was – she could keep her sun, and she could keep her sky; he had found his place, hadn’t he?

Instead, he snorted, amusement bleeding into his eyes.

“Yes,” he murmured, “she does have that effect.”

And then the scent of his alpha drifted across his nose, and he turned his head curiously as she stepped forward into the clearing. The very sight of her was enough to send a small smirk onto his mouth, and he dipped his head in what could easily be a respectful acknowledgement to his alpha – but he was Salome, and some sense of rebellion clung to the action.

He did not even begin to answer her – because that was his way, to quietly and carefully undermine her – but her question was answered in short order; the young wolf nearly tripped over her own words, so engulfed in adoration was she.

And Salome snorted again, rolling his eyes toward Iiona even as his grin widened, wobbling between amusement and obstinance.

“As she said, Miss Iiona,” he said.

Still, his own sense of mirth slipped somewhat, upon noticing how Azain glanced to him before returning her gaze to Iiona; it was puzzling, to be sure. From her previous actions, he had expected her to be entirely overrun in her hero worship and, devoid of any sense, focus solely on the alpha. And then he would have stayed, the shadow to contrast Iiona’s light, forgotten as easily as the darkness that pooled between his paws.

He blinked, one eyebrow raised in quizzical consternation before turning his gaze on Iiona finally, grounding himself in the knowledge that she was still perfect, drawing strength from the back-and-forth that had always existed in their relationship. She was a constant in his life, a known variable, and it was to her he addressed his next words: “She seems useful. She and that rat you dragged out of the sea could learn together.” And then, softer, so that their guest would have to strain her ears to pick up the words, “You’re not the only one allowed to have toys, you know.”

And he smiled, peeling back black lips to display the entire set of fangs, dipping his head toward her before he turned back to Azain, his smile shrinking into something more manageable, something less ill-intended. “I’m sure your parents were only concerned for your safety,” he said. “But surely you’ve more than proven that you belong here, simply by entering our territory.”

Your move, leader.

Kenren Heika		578 words	stock by Ria P. @ dawnthieves

[Heika]

[googlefont="Lato:400;Raleway:400;"]

do i dare,
disturb the universe?

Kenren  Lirriel
666
/satanic chanting

[attr="class","didtext"]
When Salome elected to hold his tongue rather than answer her, Iiona just barely managed to keep her irritation from bubbling to the surface. She knew of Salome’s methods, was aware of how he would never challenge her outright, but would always take every opportunity to leave a thorn in her path. That was an arrangement she had accepted, had resigned herself to, when he earned the title of lead fisher and a place on the alpha’s council. Some days, the discourse was helpful; it kept her on her toes, tried her patience, and kept her humble with the constant reminder that respect, above all else, must be earned. But, no matter how harmless the stranger was, this was neither the time nor place for Salome’s petty tricks, not when the impression of a divide within the pack danced cheek to cheek with danger. Before Iiona could dispatch the serpentine wolf, to send him on his way with a thinly veiled rebuke, the stranger across from them chimed in.

“Azain! Ah, I-I’m, I’m Azain, Miss Iiona.”

Immediately, Iiona was offput by how formally Azain had addressed her. None of the wolves in her pack utilized such formalities, and she never expected them to, not when most were so much older and wiser than she was. Yes, she was the alpha. And, yes, the right to rule flowed in her veins. But, leading the pack did not demand absolute subservience as much as it did mutual understanding. So, Iiona had never had an interest in forcing her pack to refer to her with such reverence, and Azain’s worshipful gaze made her swallow uncomfortably. Still, her unease was not so great as to keep her from shooting Salome an unamused look when he bothered to chime in with his two cents.

As expected, it was difficult to understand his motives. What could the lead fisher want with Azain, a wolf that had no standing within the pack, no leverage to help move him further in life? Why did Salome bother to vouch for her? Initially, she assumed it was about Halcyon, as many of Salome’s recent jabs have been. They seemed to circle back to the haggard loner that had washed up upon their shores only a week or so prior, and, every time, Iiona felt an errant pang of protectiveness at Salome’s advances. Even if she did not want to admit it, Halcyon had grown on her in inexplicable ways, and she did not enjoy hearing Salome insult him, especially when Salome hadn’t even bothered to give Halcyon a chance. But, quickly enough, Iiona realized this was about more than just Halcyon. No, Salome always had to bring it back full circle, to their rivalry and the hatchet they just could not bury.

That worried her, and she tilted her muzzle down slightly, golden eyes burning holes in Salome’s sleek pelt. As he spoke to Azain, his words were kinder than before, dripped less with the caustic honey he so often slathered them with, and Iiona refused to believe that he was pure in his intentions. Salome never did anything that did not promise any personal gain. He believed there was a way to twist this situation to benefit himself, and while Iiona trusted that he would never do anything to damage the pack’s wellbeing, she couldn’t say the same for Azain. Taking a step closer to the young female, Iiona’s ears stood tall, the corner of her mouth twitching in the slightest hint of a warning as she shot Salome a meaningful glance before offering Azain her complete attention.

“There’s no need for such formalities,” Iiona stated, holding herself up so that she wasn’t necessarily towering over Azain, but confidence and pride radiated from her being. “But, your parents are correct. Now is a time of plenty. There is little need for you to join the pack when your family seems to be doing just fine for themselves. What are you hoping to gain from this?”

[newclass=.didtext]width:300px;border-right:1px #000 solid;font-family:Lato;font-size:11px;margin-left:-130px;margin-top:-510px;text-align:justify;padding-left:5px;padding-right:10px;color:#6c6c6c;[/newclass]
[newclass=.didtext b]text-shadow:-1px -1px 1px #fff;border-bottom:1px #222 solid;color:#222;[/newclass]

[Kenren]

Lirriel Heika

Well, this wasn't going exactly the way she'd planned it. Which she really shouldn't have been surprised about, but perhaps she'd just imagined it so many times, for so long, that she'd glorified the whole image in her head just as she had the alpha. But, well, Iiona was still those things to her. An image of strength, a representation of the power of the pack. Azain sobered, just a little, as Iiona scrutinized her. She had the presence of mind to feel a little embarrassed, babbling on in front of such a stoic figure. Not that she was the main object of attention, or so it seemed to her. She wasn't able to read the flow of the conversation, the subtle undertones, but it did seem to her that Salome was vouching for her. Which didn't make much sense, but she wouldn't question an ally!

For Iiona, however, it seemed that Azain would have to prove herself. It made sense, even if the girl would have just liked to run into things headfirst. She flicked her ears back for a moment, thinking the alpha's question through seriously. She had to admit there was a possibility of going home, unsuccessful, at the end of this day if she wasn't able to convince Iiona. And that... well, that wasn't an option. Even if she couldn't pull through here, she was done living her life as a fragile wallflower. Even if she had to swim to the mainland, she would find what she was looking for.

But she didn't want to be there, she wanted to be here! She pulled herself straighter, not in challenge to the alpha,
but as a second wind to her exuberance. "Salome, you said I'm useful, but really I'm not. I don't know anything, because my parents won't teach me. They're afraid of me getting hurt. But I'm not afraid. I don't want everyone to have to take care of me all the time!" Maybe it was because her ideal fantasy didn't include a damsel in distress - she might want a prince, but she didn't want to be helplessly waiting for him. "I want to learn," she finished brightly, heartfelt, throwing her entire thought process at their feet.

✿ EDEL ✿

[Lirriel]

I lost a friend, somewhere along in the bitterness

Salome met Iiona’s gaze squarely, a hard edge to his eyes.

Fool pup that she was, did she only just now realize the weight of her crown? There were expectations placed upon royalty, and her birthright would forever be a shackle that bound her. The council had coddled her, her father had protected her, but here was a taste of what it meant to be queen. The adulation, the adoration – it was freely given from a young heart.

And she could so easily crush it.

He kept his eyes pinned to her pelt as she stepped forward, instinctively dropping back as he let her take command. If her eyes burned, his eyes surely must have roared with an indecipherable fire. The serpent of Eden had been a hated beast, but to the pampered Eve it had brought an unshakable truth.

This land was Iiona’s Eden, and if he must play the role of the snake, scales glittering green with an unwavering envy, then he would gladly seize his fate.

For now, he swung his head back toward Azain as he awaited her response to Iiona’s rejection. If she was as weak a creature as he believed, then she would surely falter beneath the alpha’s polite refusal.

He had been young once, and he had seen his own dreams trampled by those he most adored. Left with the ruinous realization that he was unwanted as his parents, cast in the darkness of their sins, he had taken the fragments left behind and gorged on them. The unkind words had hardened in his belly and from these seeds of adversity, a truly poisonous fruit had bloomed.

Now his tongue dripped venom and his eyes sang of a devilish awakening – but never had he pushed furthest, never had he allowed himself to completely submerge. Because for all that he disdained of those closest to him, he was so desperate to feel a tender touch, to be given a kind word.

Fool that he was, that he still thought these ashen angels capable of loving a sinner such as him.

”I want to learn.”

Her words, unexpected as they were, choked a laugh from his throat. It curled in the air, threatening fire, and he could not help the grin that settled across his maw. Compared to so many of his false smiles, this one was decidedly wicked – but in its malice was the unquestionable truth of his feelings laid bare.

He continued to chuckle, his eyes focused solely on Azain.

“Oh, you’ll do,” he said at last. “Surely she’ll do. You’d be a fool to think otherwise, Iiona. Well,” and he paused, head cocked to the side, considering, “you are rather foolish. Perhaps you’ll consider her unworthy. After all, she isn’t a handsome, one-eyed wolf for you to moon over.”

Kenren Heika		467 words	stock by Ria P. @ dawnthieves
fucking rip salome 2016-2017

[Heika]

[googlefont="Lato:400;Raleway:400;"]

do i dare,
disturb the universe?

Lirriel Kenren
797 words
she angery

[attr="class","didtext"]
Azain’s conviction had surprised her. At first glance, Iiona had assumed that Azain, though well-meaning, was much too young to understand her own interests. Stories had a tendency to gloss over the ugly truth and warp its characters into legends the further and further it spread from its point of origin. Azain had obviously grown up with tales of the Sharktooth Pack, and Iiona had worried that those fables had left Azain with an all too naïve opinion of pack life. And, though it certainly was not her wish to have to crush a youngster’s dreams, it was Iiona’s job to rule with a fair, but steady, hand. Eagerness did not make up for a lack of skill; if Azain had nothing to contribute to the pack, it would be better for both parties to just send her home.

But, it seemed that Azain was determined to surprise her. As soon as those words left her mouth, Azain seemed to transform beyond her years, a sense of maturity instilling itself within her bones. All of a sudden, Iiona was staring at a completely different person, one she would have no issues with inducting into her pack. Of course, right before she reached a decision, Salome had to interject with a shrewd jab and derail her thought process.

The fur along Iiona’s spine slowly stood to attention as the sound of Salome’s chuckling caught her attention. Turning to look at him, she waited impatiently for him to share whatever was on his mind, already convinced it would be anything but helpful. Sure enough, Salome’s tone was smooth and confident with the intent to undermine her authority. That was nothing new. However, while Salome’s words were usually carefully arranged to irk her but never actually land himself in any trouble, the lead fisher had made an undeniable mistake. Instead of toeing the line, he had cleared it completely, and Iiona could not ignore that.

Whirling around, Iiona’s tail pointed up high in the air as she pulled back her teeth in a vicious snarl. In her fury, she had lost control of her power, and it lashed out indiscriminately. Overhead, leaves tumbled to the ground and branches reached downwards. A bird squawked as it beat its wings frantically to remain airborne. Even she, herself, felt the effects. Though not strong enough to cause any real damage, a foreign pressure tried to bully her into submission, attempting to turn her paws into concrete and force her shoulders to droop, to push her out of her authoritative stance. Stubbornly, she fought back, unwilling to waver so much as an inch as she struggled to reign it in. So focused on her task, she was unable to speak as she attempted to control herself, and, when she finally reigned her power in, she was almost swept off her feet by a wave of exhaustion. But, once again, she pressed through, hiding all symptoms but a loss of breath.

“Halcyon’s worth is not for you to question,” she hissed, “and if you’re bored enough to be brewing up such fantasies then surely you’d like a few more duties to keep you occupied.” Though she was willing to work for respect, Iiona was not about to become a doormat in order to earn it. Salome deserved his place on her council, but his position did not offer him the right to challenge her like so. She had already offered him a great reprieve by allowing most of his snide comments to slide, and she was unwilling to allow him to take advantage of her patience any longer. Boundaries existed, and that was a lesson Salome had to learn. “Since you argued so passionately for her, I will allow Azain to begin her one-month probation period, after which I will make my final decision based off her performance during this time. However, as you have so graciously mentioned, my paws are already full. So, Azain will be your responsibility. I am sure you are more than willing to help her find a place in our ranks.”

Sharing one last meaningful expression with Salome, Iiona looked over her shoulder at Azain. No doubt the last exchange had made her uncomfortable, and Iiona offered her an apologetic smile, not wanting the other wolf to think that she was in trouble. “I must take my leave now, but Salome will show you around. Welcome, Azain. I’m sure I will be seeing you around.”

With everything settled, Iiona turned back to the woods she had come from, allowing the undergrowth to swallow her up as she disappeared into its heart. Already, she was scenting the air, checking to see where the shaman had gone after she had cut their conversation short. Catching his trail, she padded off resolutely. An alpha’s duties were never truly done.

[newclass=.didtext]width:300px;border-right:1px #000 solid;font-family:Lato;font-size:11px;margin-left:-130px;margin-top:-510px;text-align:justify;padding-left:5px;padding-right:10px;color:#6c6c6c;[/newclass]
[newclass=.didtext b]text-shadow:-1px -1px 1px #fff;border-bottom:1px #222 solid;color:#222;[/newclass]

[Kenren]

Lirriel Heika

Azain may have been naive and unable to sense the tension in the air, but Salome's blunt words were obviously confrontational even in her ears. She flicked an ear back, uncertain, turning blue eyes to the alpha. The female snapped with sudden tension, and Azain shook as the air suddenly become oppressive, a pressure against her back and lead in her paws. Her eyes were wide as she looked between them. This was Iiona's power, and Azain trembled before it. Even if it didn't cause real damage, it was so much more than her own passive power with plants. It was terrifying, and to Azain, it redoubled the awe she had for the alpha.

It passed quickly, though the child's heart still thudded in the aftermath. She couldn't know that Iiona had lost control - to her, it was just a show of power, or irritation. She knew it likely wasn't directed at her, but she couldn't help the way her ears flicked back when Iiona did address her again. Still wide-eyed, it wasn't fear she felt, necessarily... just something a bit overwhelming in the wake of this whole day. After all, Iiona was the first she'd ever seen exercise power.

She could do nothing but numbly nod as Iiona turned and left, taking a good few more moments before she actually comprehended the alpha's words. She... she was in? She was in! It didn't matter if it was conditional, she would work so hard to prove to them that she was good enough! She turned her eyes away from the retreating back and focused on Salome, her tail beginning to wag again. "Thank you," she squeaked out, somewhere torn between wanting to explode with excitement and wanting to sleep for three days. The roller coaster of emotions was exhausting even for her, but she knew the day was probably far from over.

✿ EDEL ✿

[Lirriel]

[googlefont=Montserrat]

[attr="class","sin"]

[attr="class","sin2"]

[attr="class","sin3"]Beware, beware, be skeptical

[attr="class","sin4"]Of their smiles, their smiles of plated gold

[attr="class","sin5"]It was as if he had touched a lit match to spilt kerosene. The explosion was instantaneous: the world was right and then it was wrong, and the shriek of a bird above sent a spark traveling the length of Salome’s spine. The sudden pressure – while not directed toward him – was enough to force the breath from his lungs, drawing him down into an invisible ocean.

He had expected his death to come in many ways – the beady black eye of a shark, rows upon rows of teeth sinking into his tender flesh; the sudden wrench of the sea, drawing him down into an underwater grave; one of his packmates, an argument spiraled into a confrontation with words of regrets spilling from bloodied lips – but this, this was of an entirely different making, and he was certain Chaos must laugh, to watch these events unfold.

Is this pleasing to you, he wondered idly, because for all that he was in awe of Iiona’s power, there was still that cynicism, that detached part of him, that sought only his survival and cared nothing for others.

The flash of death was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Iiona held up remarkably well under the strain, though Salome eyed her dubiously, uncertain of whether it was simply exhaustion from emotions run rampant or the focusing of some darker strength.

He was almost disappointed when she snapped at him, words lashing his pelt like a sudden tempest storming across the island – but it was futile, because he was the mountain, and she could never wear away at his edges, for all that she might rage.

Is it a fantasy? He wondered at her words, still meeting her gaze squarely. But her outburst had reinstalled his dispassion. There was a serenity to his expression as he took the full brunt of her outrage, only dipping his head in acknowledgement to her words.

He did not agree with her, of course. That she would react so violently had only confirmed that his words held at minimum a kernel of truth. If he were truly correct – well, wasn’t that a fanciful tale that she and the outsider were spinning? He would seek Halycon and learn the true nature of their relations.

And, if necessary, he would do what he must.

He almost snorted when she doled out his supposed punishment. It was true, he was never particularly interested in training young pups – that was a job given to his seasoned fishers, who would typically work alongside nieces and nephews with only a few grumbling complaints. Additionally, Iiona had, unintentionally or not, already hamstrung Azain; being attached to the lead fisher would almost certainly see her join the fishing ranks, should she be accepted into the pack. There was no way he could guarantee she would spend equal time amongst the fishers, the hunters, and the guards – still, there were always favors he could call in.

And, if necessary, he was willing to take what he supposed might be the true face of his penance – a loss of standing amongst his fishers, as he carefully ferried Azain from group-to-group, neglecting his own duties in the process.

So preoccupied was he with his thoughts, he only briefly dipped his head toward Iiona as she turned to leave. It was a decidedly subdued reaction from him, and one might think it a submission of sorts. The truth was that Salome did not surrender – but he also did not devote attention to matters he considered settled or otherwise paused.

They would return to this discussion later, once he had built up the ammunition he needed.

As it was, Iiona’s passage brought with it the relief of tension – a bubble of animosity had encircled them, and with its removal, Salome could breathe more easily. He sighed, then shook out his pelt as if shrugging off the alpha’s rebukes.

If there was any regret, it was that his fishers would likely be forced to work the cove for a few days more – long enough for Iiona’s temper to cool, so that she would think with her head and not her heart when he brought forth his idea to her.

He did not linger on setbacks, though. Instead, he turned his gaze back toward Azain – and was surprised to see her looking ruffled, but still willing. At her words of gratitude, he dipped his head again, a wry smile clinging to his black lips.

“You are rather resilient, I see.” The words were spoken with some dry amusement. She was young and likely overwhelmed by the scene she had witnessed – best to introduce her to the territory then set her up with a place to sleep so she could nap while he returned to his duties.

With the thought in mind, he added, “But there is still more work to be done before your day is complete. I’ll take you across our territory and provide you a place to sleep. Tomorrow is when your actual probation work begins.”

So saying, he turned on his heel, gesturing with his nose for her to follow, before he disappeared into the undergrowth, already beginning to formulate a plan on how he might best introduce her to the roles within the pack.

[attr="class","sin6"]

[attr="class","sinner"]Kenren , Heika	[attr="class","sinner"]stock by ria p.	878
i think we can call this complete?

[newclass=.sin]background:url('https://78.media.tumblr.com/430166b2eee9a3889818f1afd4134a87/tumblr_oqrh9nHr7i1rzjqg4o1_500.jpg');color:#292929;font-size:11px;font-family:arial;padding:15px;width:500px;border:1px solid #fcfcfc;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin2]background:url('https://i.imgur.com/h7SnW5e.png');width:500px;height:200px;background-position:bottom center;border:1px solid #ccc;-webkit-transition-duration:.5s;-moz-transition-duration:.5s;transition-duration:.5s;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin2:hover]background:url('https://i.imgur.com/BY7ViUh.png');width:500px;height:200px;background-position:bottom center;border:1px solid #ccc;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin3]background:rgba(25,25,25,0.65);border:1px solid #fff;padding:5px;color:#fff;text-align:center;font-family:montserrat;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:14px;width:405px;margin-top:75px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:4px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin4]color:#E2F3CA;font-family:calibri;font-size:10px;letter-spacing:4px;font-weight:300;margin-top:5px;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin4 a]color:#E2F3CA;font-family:calibri;font-size:10px;letter-spacing:4px;font-weight:300;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin4 b]color:#4a8f5a;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin5]background:rgba(25,25,25,0.85);color:#eee;margin-top:10px;text-align:justify;padding:25px;height:350px;overflow:auto;border:1px solid #fff;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin5 b]font-family:montserrat;font-weight:700;color:#4a8f5a;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin5::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background-color: #0B0D0C; width:1px; [/newclass]
[newclass=.sin5::-webkit-scrollbar]width: 5px; height: 5px; background: #ccc; border: 3px solid #f0f0f0;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin5::-webkit-scrollbar-corner]background: #ccc; border: 2px solid #ccc;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin6]background:url('https://i.imgur.com/h7SnW5e.png');width:500px;background-position:bottom center;border:1px solid #ccc;-webkit-transition-duration:.5s;-moz-transition-duration:.5s;transition-duration:.5s;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sin6:hover]background:url('https://i.imgur.com/BY7ViUh.png');width:500px;background-position:bottom center;border:1px solid #ccc;[/newclass]
[newclass=.sinner a]font-size:8px;letter-spacing:1px;color:#fff;[/newclass]