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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 16:16:08 GMT -5
» Rat could hardly even stand to be in the presence of the two dark brothers, for their scent had already told him that. As the bloodier one began to spew bile out of his mouth Tree Rat was careful to stay silent. If he opened his mouth at this point he'd be spilling his salmon lunch all over the muddy, bloody ground. It was true what that wolf said. There was no pack in these lands. There was him, and there were ghosts. Odd thing about ghosts, they can be a bit hard to smell. It was a little odd to be called little by another wolf. Tree Rat was no tanker, that much was true, but he was several inches taller than your average wolf. That was normally enough to give him a good bit of an advantage, but with these two behemoths it didn't mean much. Mother, but he wished Heron were here standing beside him, backing him up. Of course, if his brother was still alive it would be Tree Rat backing him up, not the other way around.
» As the other one began to speak it was clear that he was far more intelligent, let alone better mannered, than his uglier, hulkier brother. Even so, his tone was calculating, totally without any of the emotions that would comfort Tree Rat about the trustworthiness of these wolves. He really did need them to kill bears.."As you've already mentioned, the Delta Pack is small. It would be silly to restrict hunting in such a fertile area, so we normally don't. This, however, looks more like... entertainment." Rat hadn't missed the implications that they would have eaten his pack wolves. Such behavior was totally inappropriate, to the point that he would rather drown these brothers than use them. It was what their mother should have done. Rat tensed, raising to his feet and lowering his head slightly. His expression couldn't quite be called a snarl, but only just.
» Again it was only the other brother's words that halted his temper. Xanthus and Nicostramus. Such fancy names. No wonder they destroyed the serenity of a hunt for food and violated the silence of the bogs so easily. How could they have felt connected to nature as pups with such unyielding names? "They call me Tree Rat, Alpha of the Delta Pack." The wolf paused for a moment, sure there would be some snarky reactions toward his name. Stupid seer. But then he could do nothing on but continue on with a sigh - safety was more important than his pride. "It's true, I'm afraid. Bears swarm to the salmon like salmon swarm to the water. As a matter of fact, Bears are the reason you don't smell a pack." The painful memories of his family's death caused him to shift back for a moment, lowering his head to hide the pain in his golden eyes. There would never be a day when forgot that sorrow. He could not allow it to happen again, even if it meant allowing two criminals such as these into his pack. To become his pack. "So desperate, in fact, that two wolves looking for a place to stay and kill bears would not be unwelcome in the pack ranks." Rat focused his small speech on Xanthus, sensing that he was more of the brains of the operation.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 16:31:27 GMT -5
Nico
The wolf never would have guessed that they were going to play politics. On the end of the line with things, ears swished on top of his head. Attention brought him heading in a half circle back to his kill. So what if the little creature decided that he was irrelevant, let Xanthus play his little games with the wolf. Nico would be summoned when it was time to get rid of them, his eyes flicked toward the female bear that belonged to his brother and sighed. Oh, he hated when things turned cold after a fresh death. Couldn't the male have waited until they were done?
Head snapped up, looking over at the introductions that had slipped up into the air. The amusement crossed his features absently, and his voice was a little smoother this time around. "Your name is remarkable, although inappropriate - did your mother hate you?" Curiosity tinged his tone, and his head inclined without much care. While he had respected his own mother as far as he could have been tossed by her, there was little notion that he should have been better behaved. Mothers were nonsensical. She had chewed some of his tail off, for heavens sakes. When was he going to find time to respect a mother who had done that?
Despite the warning tone from his brother, the male conceded only until he felt the warning growl boil up. Accusing them of doing it for pleasure - why would the wolf be so obvious about something like that? Why would he come with the approach that he found them ever so distasteful, when he was soliciting their attention. His ears twisted on his head, and orange red eyes seemed to smoulder with a warning fire. "I don't particularly think it's your part to judge us, Alpha of No One."
It was all he said after that point, allowing his brother to take over. The cracking sound of bone welcomed his ears as he posed himself on top of the bear. Digging into the rib cage through the back, the grumble of delight purred out of his mouth. To be fair, he would happily consume the bear. If it so humored him, he would return to it until he was well satiated and anything of worth was concerned. He was quite the carnivore, he was forever in the hold of his own reigns however. His brother might have been able to hush him, but the beast was confident enough to turn his back.
The claw rakes appeared to be shallow, but the blood cloaked him well. It made him look black instead of his inverted shades of grey, and he feasted with one ear turned back toward the conversation. His welfare was offered a home, and the thought made him want to laugh. Settle in a pack, it seemed absurd. On the other hand, winter approached. What a predicament.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 30, 2014 16:43:49 GMT -5
It was with a hint of amusement that Xanthus watched the newcomer ignore Nico's baiting. Some had the sense to let the brute's words breeze over. Others got all defensive and then it really did require a snap decision on his part if the situation was important enough for salvaging, or if the snarky one was to be one of Nico's toys. Just because they's slaked their bloodlust for the moment didn't mean that a death more wouldn't be welcome. He inclined his broad skull to show he was listening, filing away all the information that was offered. First and foremost was the lack of drive. He would never have entertained the thoughts of sharing his hunting grounds with the wider public. Certainly not if they'd just skulked in like low-life. Second was the verification that their companion did not care much for the spilling of blood. A delicate matter, to be sure. "This is a celebration of life, my friend" he countered smoothly, turning to look at his bear with a fond smile. "Only one thing in life is certain." He fixed his gaze back on the male, an intense fire burning behind his amber orbs. "Death. It may come in your sleep, silent as the water in the lake, towing you under with a soft caress. Or it can approach swifter than a gale, ripping you from your place in life before you can complain." His voice was soft, reflective...almost reverent. "It is a cruel entity, and yet so beautiful in its simplicity. If one does not celebrate death, then how can one appreciate the bountiful pleasures of life?" He paused, his sharp eyes resting on the other wolf. He must understand. Something must resonate within him! This was not just entertainment - it was a philosophy of life!
When their companion offered a name, Xanthus cringed - bracing himself for the bratty comment Nico was bound to make. He could only stay silent for so long, and he had to agree. What type of name was Tree Rat? In the privacy of their own thoughts, the pair of them would chuckle over the unfortunate name. They had nice, strong names. Names that would stand up to their deeds. "That was wholly inappropriate" he chided his brother, turning his head so he could wink at the bulkier wolf. Just because he said something, didn't mean his words meant anything. Nico would know he shared the sentiment. He turned back to Tree Rat, waiting for his story. The male didn't disappoint, the few words filling in a lot of gaps. That would explain the collective we, the worry of the bears and the meek attitude. He was alpha by ill-fate as opposed to being made for the part. He'd need some coaching, to be sure.
The offer of joining pack life was...unexpected. He could hear Nico stop chewing in the background, and he almost heard his brother scoff at the notion. It was laughable. The two of them didn't need a pack. Together they could achieve whatever they wanted - they would never starve because even the biggest prey was fair game to them. Winter's were tricky though. When ice and snow gripped the land, there wasn't much edible out for stalking - be it big or small game. Big game as preferable, because the pair of them needed many, many mice to keep them ticking over. He thought the offer over carefully, turning to meet Nico's gaze. They stared at each other for a long moment, the more rational of the two reading in his brother's eyes what their best course of action would be. "Winter is on the air" he mused privately, letting his gaze sweep back to Tree Rat. "If we were to accept your offer, what's in it for us?" He wasn't intentionally making things difficult, but he wanted to be sure that he didn't chain himself and his brother to some ramshackle group. He wasn't about to submit and play servant either. It was quite plain which of the three of them had the backbone and brains to actually lead a pack. Him.
"Speech"
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 15:26:23 GMT -5
[/ » As the stupid, uglier one tore into his bear carcass, Tree Rat stared in astonishment. Sure, his name ewasn't exactly a common one, but he hadn't commonted on how incredibly misshapen the other male's face was. Perhaps it wasn't all his fault- these two were obviously from a more uncultured area and they may not have heard of teh Dellta Pack's naming practices. "The seer dreamt her dream and nature named me. Based on our behavior, I'd guess that my mother loved you a little better than yours."Tree Rat had pride in his land's traditions. They had spoken of respecting nature and living in tune with it. The shaggy, red capped mushrooms that grew through out the territory were the source of the pack's communication with nature, but they remained interconnected at all times. With a snort the male dismissed the other's accusations. Any creature with good in its heart can judge evil. Suddenly, Tree Rat knew that was what he saw - evil. Could he really ask them to stay? He needed their protection for the weaker members of the pack that was starting to form, but their very presence was almost more of an unpredictable danger than the bears. » As always when faced with a quandary, Tree Rat asked himself what his older brother, Heron would have done. Heron had been quick to make decisions, always filled with a bustling confidence that seemed at odds with his namesake.In this matter his decision was easy to intuit. The bears were always the greatest danger. Lesser dangers could be dealt with. Once more wolves with good hearts had gathered, they might be able to drive the brothers off. Besides, they claimed they were staying just for winter. Hopefully he hadn't screwed things up already by being so touchy about his name. In his mind he could hear the old Seer, the Seer who had walked away before the attack and not walked back. Had she known what death would come? Regardless, she was always telling him to have less personal pride. Pride was a good sacrifice to nature, but only towards others. Now he might have screwed himself out of an alliance with his pride.
» What was in it for these wolves? They did not really want to live under his rule, or even a semblance of it.To suggest that to them as a positive would immediately ruin his case. Instead, he needed to try and make his muddy little patch of land seem desirable. The one thing they seemed to like in it was the bears, so maybe that would be his selling point. Even so, Tree Rat hesitated. He did not want their foul ways contaminating the rest of his pack, who were shaping up to be quite nice. "You could remain largely outside the pack, free from any obligations of ranks. Your only duties would be to hunt out bears and slaughter them in their sleep." There, surely that sounded fun enough for them. There was one more thing. He must protect his pack, even from the protectors. Tree Rat stood tall and proud, his golden eyes glinting with determination. His family would not be stolen away again."However, you may not break pack laws nor harm any members of my pack." The grey wolf glanced around wryly, noting the large carcasses that were already missing several chunks of flesh. "If, for some reason, you have not found enough to eat, the pack will share with you." Now the wolves would try to banter, try to change his terms. He would not allow it. There were no other circumstances that he would allow these males to remain on his territory and his determined stance made that clear. "Your decision?"
Notes » Sorry for the low muse! Just got off work. Also, I hope my new table is a little easier to read. Let me know if not!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2014 8:02:06 GMT -5
Nico
The male thought he could hold his own, but part of Nico was waiting to see this... Tree Rat tremble. It amused him to think the male could have any say, what could he do if they declined and remained on his land? What if they drove the bears in a frenzy and directed that unbearable rage towards this so called Alpha? The thoughts played in his mind, making him debate what stand point he would take.
Whatever the wolf expected to rouse of Nico with the return jab, it earned a bark of laughter."What was your first guess? The dumb she-dog that called herself our mother wasn't worthy of anything." Pointed eyes flicked to his brother, a warning sign that would not be dismissed so easy. He was behaving, this, in the face of someone who was coming in with delusions, was proof that Nico could be only faintly controlled. Head cocked to the side, and the air rushed out of his lungs in a heap.
A cold snort rolled from the male, tail flicking behind him as irritation flowed."Xanthus," Timely words purred out of his mouth as he turned and snapped a bone once again of the bear. "You cannot explain the joy of flying to a slug." Tolerant words indeed, he was allowing himself to stay in line. But when his ears swished on his head, he took interest in the proposal that beckoned on the air. Not associating - where was the fun in that? What sort of investment when laws were so tightly bound of interaction.
The male slithered, coming around the far side of his brother as he moved, headed towards Tree Rat. Lips pulled back, teeth glistened with the stain of blood. Tail raised higher in the air, although it was slightly stunted in the expression as ears pulled forward. "Who will enforce these rules, pup?" Words chuckled out of his mouth, swishing his tail. "Are you - who has managed to lose your family to mere bears, and yet I've just slaughtered a bear? What are you going to do if I disobey?" His body enclosed on personal space, half turned as he sniffed the air haughtily.
"And how would you define harm?" Words innocently demanded, "Physical harm, I can permit. Mental harm? Well if they're not smart enough to get away from a bumbling fool like myself, as you'll feel I am, then that is entirely their fault..." His words trailed off, the soft growl in his chest as he peered at his brother. That would be another case entirely for Xanthus. They would be not so well prepared to handle all that was his twin.
"I will not be denied my socialization just because you're too worried I might eat up your dogs." Dismissive voice announced, although he then retreated, returned back to his brother, tail swishing from one side to the other. Amusement taunted his features as he offered his brother an indecisive look. He would play, he would humor his brother's decision. But this place - this Alpha, would not be able to control him.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2014 8:54:42 GMT -5
It was quite clear that no matter what agreement was made, Nico and Tree Rat wouldn't get along. Both were keeping themselves on a remarkably short leash, but Xanthus saw through the petty imagery. One day, sooner rather than later, one of them would snap. Privately, he thought Nico would first. Not that he could blame his brother in the slightest for it. Dealing with fools was tedious; dealing with fools who thought themselves high and mighty was irksome and headache-inducing. Still, it required little concentration for him to work this situation out to their advantage.
He remained silent as Nico reacted, watching his brother give the slimmer wolf a piece of his mind. Well, at least they would be on the same page by the end of this little therapy session. As he let his brother speak, he turned the conditions over in his mind. Protecting the lands from the evil was bears was definitely something they could accomplish. Murdering them in their sleep was a little barbaric for his tastes...but he and Nico could devise a better way of disposing of the bears that posed a greater challenge. Not remaining with the pack put a bit of a damper on it. Where was the fun in being part of a pack, when you weren't allowed to toy with your brethren?
When silence fell upon their gathering, the golden-eyed wolf released a steady breath. "None of your pack shall be harmed; by neither myself nor my brother." He didn't expand on his definition of harm. Nico had given an astute enough reply as it was. "We shall, however, interact with your followers. No matter how you wish to see the matter, we are wolves and thus of a social nature. Even you must see that we tire of each other's company at times." His voice was measured, the smooth tunes weaving their way delicately through the air. He took in the stiff position of the brown-hued lupe, wondering how far they could stretch Tree Rat's offer.
There was one rather important matter that required addressing. Neither he, nor Nico, would ever be true subordinates. They had been bred to lead and rule, not to grovel at another's paws. "There is one thing I feel we must make clear, Tree Rat." He took a step forward, lowering his head to stare directly into the second amber pair. "You may call yourself alpha of these lands, and your pack may treat you with the reverence such a position garners, but we do not bow. We do not serve, nor do we sacrifice ourselves for the good of a pack." He paused, keeping his tunes neutral to counteract the stern-ness in his tone. "Call us pack mates if you wish, but remember we will never be more than temporary allies."
"Speech"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2014 7:49:06 GMT -5
» Tree RAt felt disgust rising in his body. If he opened his mouth to respond to these wolves vomit would come flinging out instead of words. They were against everything that he had grown up knowing was right. He wondered if even Kaylech, protector of warriors and herald of death, would welcome these creatures into her fold. On and on the mad one went, ranting and raging about his strength, his independence. Ahniu, but that was annoying. Tree Rat remained as he was, staring stoically forward as the two continued to talk. For an evil pair of warriors they sure did have a pair of mouths on them. With a sinking certainty Tree Rat knew he had made the wrong decision. None the less, the decision was made and it had to be dealt with. Pointedly he ignored what appeared to be little more than raving until the more sensible one began. He waited, ears pricked, until Xantus was done with his own list of conditions. Fine. They would hold until he had enough wolves to drive the brothers out or they got bored with the dull life in the delta. "Very well. As long as you do not harm them I can not deny you company." He had felt the bitter sting of loneliness to long to force it on another. Tree Rat knew he could bear no more time in these wolves' companies. "I know you are no pack mate of mine. Finish your meals. Rest. But then hunt." With that last reminder of their purpose on his lands he turned to go, haunches swinging and ragged stump of a tail flicking mud. Every muscle in his body screamed not to turn his back on the foul beasts. But a deal had been made, he could not question it minutes after its consummation. Almost immediately his muddy grey and orange hide disappeared into the reeds and tall grasses that populated this part of the delta. In another moment his long legs had carried him away.
notes » bleh. I'm sorry guys, I just could not get Rat muse for this... I figured if he just left Nico and Xanthus could talk behind his back at least.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2014 11:06:21 GMT -5
His demands were readily accepted, and the dark-furred male bared his teeth in a crooked grin. "Never fear, Tree Rat. We will uphold our end of the bargain." Golden orbs rested on the slimmer wolf, faint amusement lining his features. "We are creatures of honour, whether you wish to believe it or not." Then, without so much as a word of farewell, the alpha of the lands slipped back into the brambles and melted into nothingness. When he was quite sure the male was gone, Xanthus released a long-suffering sigh. "Why must dealing with imbeciles always be so tedious?" he complained to his brother, turning about with a scowl lining his features. Still, it had been a productive meeting nonetheless.
"Still, we are now well...catered for during the winter months. That accounts for something, even if Mr. Rat is sorely lacking in leadership abilities." He snorted derisively at the thought of the alpha. True, he'd probably never been trained to do any leading whatsoever, but surely he must have grown a bit of a backbone with his family slaughtered? There was no sense in going through life moping and whining. If things went wrong, you stepped up and dealt with them. End of story. Shaking his head and the nonsense of it all, he stalked back to his bear.
He tore a vicious chunk out of the haunch, grumbling under his breath. "Typical that he had to disturb us during the feast. Now its bled dry and all cold." He spat the piece of meat back to the ground, his features crinkling in complete disgust. This was just the icing on the proverbial cake, he seethed, batting one frustrated paw at what was left of the bear's head. "Now my appetite is completely ruined!" He stormed to the side, biting angrily at a particularly thorny branch and relishing the metallic taste of his own blood.
He set himself roughly to the ground and proceeded to clean himself of blood and debris. He was fastidious about it, just as he was meticulous in all other aspects of life. With each rasp of his tongue across his paws, he felt his frustration cool a little, his rage subsiding to simmer quietly in his heart. It would stay there, nicely settled and looked after, until the next viable victim was found. He supposed he could have let it run rampant, and had a good brawl with Nico...but that wouldn't be as satisfying. His rage needed a more...permanent outcome once it was released. Thankfully, there would be more than enough opportunity to do so in the near future.
"Speech"
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