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Guests
Jun 17, 2012 18:18:01 GMT -5
Post by Therdde on Jun 17, 2012 18:18:01 GMT -5
For Grim/Brutal, Ahiga, Tala, and Ikuna
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As promised, the sun has not even begun to set by the time that Skahla returns from his woefully unsuccessful hunt. There is never such a thing as too much food, not in reality, so he can regret not being able to catch anything before the storm that has been threatening all day let loose, but at least none of them are at risk of starving in this season. Besides, the time that he had to himself gave him plenty of time to think. As though he doesn't have enough of that.
What started as a real downpour has now faded away to just a light sprinkle, and Skahla's white fur is no longer plastered to his body as he approaches the waterfall to look for his younger brother. Rather, it stands up in little spikes as he stops periodically to shake himself off. Perhaps it would be a good time to simply find cover and wait out the rest of the rain, but they now have a timetable for leaving this area, and it isn't one that will allow any of them an excessive amount of rest before they all move. Or at least, all of the ones who decide to go, Skahla thinks. So, with the water fall in sight, he lets out a bark that carries well even against the crashing water, clearly here for no idle purpose.
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Guests
Jun 17, 2012 18:42:52 GMT -5
Post by Pavane on Jun 17, 2012 18:42:52 GMT -5
When the storm broke, Ikuna took shelter inside the cave. There, his afternoon was spent more in conversation than thought. Some of the thoughts spurred earlier are still drifting around in his head, unresolved; others have been at least somewhat shared, but there's still a great deal to be contemplated.
Now, however, is not the time for thought, but for action. As the rains slowed, Ikuna drifted toward the entrance of the cave, and now his ears perk to the sound of Skahla's bark. He steps outside, and returns it!
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Guests
Jun 17, 2012 19:45:21 GMT -5
Post by Therdde on Jun 17, 2012 19:45:21 GMT -5
Despite the drizzle that still falls, coating everything outside in a fine mist that mutes all of the scents in the area, Skahla picks out his brother at the mouth of the cave easily. All he can hope is that Ikuna will know where these... guests... of theirs are, where they frequent, or else this time spent immediately after the rain... well, they can still spend it discussing where they should concentrate their efforts in looking for a new land to call their own.
With their last meeting so recently has, Skahla feels little awkwardness as he approaches his brother to greet the younger male with a nuzzle, then he asks simply, "Are you ready?" They both know what Skahla's purpose is here, after all. To greet the guests of Ute, who themselves are little more than guests of Cerulean, and inform them of what it will take to remain guests, much less anything more.
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Guests
Jun 17, 2012 20:12:18 GMT -5
Post by Tala on Jun 17, 2012 20:12:18 GMT -5
Tala was in the cave as well, settled near the back while she slept an avoid getting mostly wet at least. Though at the bark and movement from her brothers she grumbles, head lifting and steely blue gaze flicking one way and then another before she slowly stands. Stretching and giving herself a great shake that sends fur flying she moves towards the entrance and peers out at her older and younger brother. "Ello.." She licks across her maw, nose twitching, and ears flicking forward. "Ready when you two are."
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Guests
Jun 17, 2012 23:29:35 GMT -5
Post by Ahiga on Jun 17, 2012 23:29:35 GMT -5
Ahiga has, thus far, done an admirable job of keeping himself well away from the waterfall caverns. He has his reasons, which is rather known to the inner circle of the pack, but even he has his limits. Though he tolerated the rain for the most part, when the thick droplets turned to pouring sheets of a downpour, he sought refuge with the others, dwelling closer to the mouth of the cavern rather than the heart of it, waiting for the storm to let up enough for him to make an escape. Meanwhile, he sat, watched, and engaged in conversation with Ikuna about a myriad of things. Listening as much as he talked, talking as much as he listened.
And now the rain is ebbing off and the sound of the falls becomes dominant again until Skahla's call breaks through even that. His ears perk, and along with Ikuna, exits the cavern to return bark back to their alpha. is eyes shift to Tala as she joins them, and the female is given a light nudge in greeting. "Born ready," he replies to Ikuna, a smirk tugging at his muzzle. "Last I saw Grim, he was headin' that way," he says, moving forward a little so that he can nod in the general direction of a nearby river. An easterly direction. "Brutal... pft, haven't seen him in days. Even Grim didn' know where he was and was lookin' for him, last I know."
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Guests
Jun 17, 2012 23:47:41 GMT -5
Post by Pavane on Jun 17, 2012 23:47:41 GMT -5
Ikuna returns Skahla's nuzzle. "Ready," he agrees, with a slight grin as Ahiga and Tala also step forward. Seems there'll be quite a bit of backup on this particular expedition! Perhaps that's for the best, though. Even if they don't find Grim or Brutal, there's plenty else that can be discussed... and for all his brother's designated Ikuna as bearer of news and He Who Is Here For the Pack, it's still good for the other two to spend some time with Skahla.
Ikuna nods to Ahiga's comment. "I don't think they'd have gone deeper into Cerulean... and they were staying by the water before. That seems like our best bet."
The storm has, perhaps, made their search somewhat difficult today; though perhaps it will work to their advantage. Wet Wolf is a strong smell, and any trace of Grim or Brutal's scent now will be of the wolf, not trails left behind. They just have to catch that initial scent!
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Guests
Jun 18, 2012 2:50:12 GMT -5
Post by Therdde on Jun 18, 2012 2:50:12 GMT -5
Skahla's comfort does not quite extend to his other two younger "siblings". He gives each of them a look as they come from the den. He did promise Ikuna he would not attempt this alone, though, and... the more, the merrier? With a slow nod, Skahla moves to give first his sister, then his adopted brother the same nuzzle he gave Ikuna, even if he is a little stiffer with these, before he turns to start making his way in the direction Ahiga indicated. East.
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Guests
Jun 18, 2012 2:54:09 GMT -5
Post by Pavane on Jun 18, 2012 2:54:09 GMT -5
Awkward as Skahla may be, he's at least trying, and Ikuna smiles for that. As his elder brother starts out to the east, Ikuna does the same. "Spread out a bit," he murmurs to Ahiga and Tala before following his own advice, drifting off to the side somewhat while keeping Skahla in sight. A fanned group of wolves, a modified hunting pattern with the alpha in the point position, seems the best way to cover ground and search for wolves whose location they don't quite know.
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Guests
Jun 18, 2012 15:01:38 GMT -5
Post by Tala on Jun 18, 2012 15:01:38 GMT -5
Tala lets her gaze settled on Skahla, watching her older brother a few moments. They have never been that close an even now she feels the distance betwen them. Her tail sways a few times at the nuzzle and she offers him once back. Though once Ahiga appears her attention rests on him, a soft smile seen and she shifs on her paws to bump her head against his shoulder and nuzzle him a good bit longer then the one offered to Skahla.
A nod is seen an she follows after the others as they head eastwards, a playful nip offered over to Ikuna's side to give him attention as well, she wouldn't leave him out! "I'm sure we're find some scent of 'em." This said while she shifts more to the side to give a good bit of disance between herself an the others while she works on finding the scent for the ones they are after.
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Guests
Jun 19, 2012 7:53:24 GMT -5
Post by Kvatch on Jun 19, 2012 7:53:24 GMT -5
"NO! Do not follow me! Stay with them! You /must/ keep them safe, brother, no matter what!" The baying of the dogs grew louder, closer, the triumphant cry of victory- they had found the scent again. With little time left, Brutal turned to the angelic wolfish face that looked to him with such profound bravery, but also a knowing sadness, and the dark wolf could not keep the wetness from his eyes as he pressed his forehead firmly against her own, "I will return to you. Someday, somehow. I promise this." Turning to the tall grey wolf who shifted nervously on the edge, Brutal narrowed his eyes down upon his brother, "Take them down the river. Do /not/ turn back, do you understand?" And then he ran, he ran until his lunges burned and his heart pounded as if on the verge of exploding. He ran until finally, he turned to face them, except where he expected a pack of dogs to emerge from the darkness, only a lone grey figure stood pale in the moonlight. Then, out of the night, a crash of unusual thunder sounded in the far distance, echoing through the silence of the forest.
With a choking gasp, Brutal struggled from the memory of nightmare once lived, sucking back the sob that would likely forever follow in it's recollection. As yellow orbs are unlidded, Brutal is quick to jerk upright, bashing his head on the hard earthy ceiling of the lair that hours ago had been utilized as a safe haven from the spring storm. With reality quite literally colliding with his brain, almost immediately does Brutal's gaze drop to the adolescent still nestled close to him, the sound of Althaea's level breathing reassuring him her rest is undisturbed unlike his own. However, despite the frequency of this nightmare, Brutal can do little for the nausea that begins to churn in his guts, the retching sensation making him wish he actually had something on his stomach that was worth the while of horking up, other than one old, gangly, winter staved hare. As it were, the massive wolf is forced to contend with over active saliva glands, freeing himself from Althaea's slumbering weight as unobtrusively and gently as possible as he struggles to free himself, and then force his way back out of the rooted archway. After managing this, the ledge is forgone and Brutal just stumbles and butt slides his way down the steep, muddy bank, splashing into the waters of the creek that have gained a temporary depth from the rains. Herka-herka-herka-KHACK! With something akin to white shoe-laces dangling from the corners of his flews, Brutal watches dimly as the small rapids carry the substance of his stomach away, though hardly does the massive wolf feel any better for it.
----
He had searched all over and all over he had searched. Grim knew Brutal knew how to vanish when he wanted, but never had he vanished like this. Maybe Ahiga, as obnoxious as the arrogant prick was, was right? Maybe his brother moved on on without him? A believable sort of explanation for most any wolf, except that Grim hardly accounts for 'most' or 'any wolf', for that matter. But to be fair, the trail had already ran cold by the time Grim sought to inquire with those of Ute, though he expected them to be as just about as helpful as they were; which, was just about even with nilch. However, as the sky darkened and rain drops pattered against his face, Grim knew just where to look. An old wolf has to keep his new girlfriend dry, right? Yet, for all his hurt, his anger, and his jealously, as Grim laid out in the pouring rain just above the quaint little hideaway, the grey wolf could not help but feel a familiar stab of regret the instant that he watched his brother stumble forth and fall into the creek bed, to watch as Brutal wretched up his last meal. It was his fault, wasn't it? But then, wasn't it all? Though in his defense, from the start at least, Brutal wouldn't have had any other way.
"You know, next time you don't want me around, you could just say so." Grim advises his brother from his place rather comfortably prone high above the narrow river, almost as if oblivious to the drenched condition of his grey coat as his golden eyes fix upon the burly person of his momentarily ill brother below. "I'd rather have you blow me off than one of these..what are they? Oh, yeah, these Ute bastards. Ya know...least for a second we forget we's not one of them." He growls lowly, pale lips curling up slightly above the curve of his fangs as he sneers. "All is welcome my pretty ass." he mocks, before giving a indignant snort of good riddance." I said it once, I'll say it again, Brute'. They hypocrites. So long as it's pretty and it looks nice and talks nice, they be okay with it. Since when did truth ever look that way? You think that pretty young thing you've been keeping company would have you for what you really are? Denying her daddy don't rip your throat first, whacha you gonna do when your loins get the best of ya? Apologize? Ain't it that sort of thinking that ain't led to nothin' but trouble? And don't you go blamin' me for the start of all this, cause I saved you that misery."
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Guests
Jun 19, 2012 13:20:18 GMT -5
Post by Ahiga on Jun 19, 2012 13:20:18 GMT -5
The more the merrier, indeed! No way is Ahiga going to sit this one out, and with Skahla leading their little expedition and his own personal feelings about this known to at least Ikuna and Tala, it’ll be a grand opportunity for him to practice keeping his mouth shut and allowing the alpha to do his thing no matter what the outcome. One hopes. The nuzzle given by Skahla is accepted and returned with a light, almost self conscious grin. Uncharacteristic for the brazen wolf. Ikuna’s instructions are nodded at, and as they begin to move and separate from another, he comments, “Maybe they’ll be no trace’ve them an’ all we’ll have left to worry about is just us.” An ideal scenario that he keeps the hope alive for.
He continues to fan out, putting distance between himself and Tala and focusing himself on the task at hand now. Finding scents, sounds, or sights of either brother, all the while keeping an eye and ear out for the packmates that have spread out. The pace is steady, unhurried, and Ikuna’s idea is working. Distanced from each other, they do cover more ground, and there I a lot of ground to cover. His ears push forward as he lowers his head, testing the ground for scents. Wet. Wet. Water. Rain. Grim. Snort. His nose wrinkles as he raises his head, pausing momentarily. He sniffs again and reacts the same way. “Grim’s been here,” he calls over to the others, trotting briefly to catch up. "I' know that stink anywhere."
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Guests
Jun 19, 2012 14:15:39 GMT -5
Post by Therdde on Jun 19, 2012 14:15:39 GMT -5
It is a testament to how separated Skahla has kept himself from the rest of the pack, even now, that he has had no chance to form any opinion of Brutal or Grim save for what he gets from his packmates. Not that what his packmates feel is any small matter. He told Ikuna that he trusted him, and he meant it, which means that in the end, what is he here as save for some kind of figurehead? In this position of his, it feels even more awkward to be leading anyone, least of all those who have encountered these 'guests' of Ute countless times already. Or at least, Skahla thinks them countless. How else should the opinions of his brothers, adopted or otherwise, and sister be so very strong?
When Ahiga announces, making no attempt to mince his words, that the unfamiliar scent the wind brings them is not so unfamiliar after all, the alpha slows his pace just slightly. Whether he feels uncomfortable or not, whether this can really be called his territory or not, he has a purpose here, and he cannot shirk this particular duty as he has so many others. Therefore, with little hesitation, Skahla lifts his head to let a howl ring through the still damp air. No one is in sight yet. Not his sight, anyway. But if there are any other wolves nearby, that territorial call certainly seems to demand a response.
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Guests
Jun 19, 2012 15:02:55 GMT -5
Post by Pavane on Jun 19, 2012 15:02:55 GMT -5
Ikuna glances to Ahiga as the other speaks. He nods, but it's with a slight frown. Ahiga has his reasons to dislike Grim - his harsh comments and unwanted advances, his brother's dominant posturing, the way the two of them neither asked permission nor offered apology for their intrusion into the heart of Ute lands, as much as it may have aided this pack in the end. Be that as it may, Ute is still here to give them a chance. Welcome is not blind, nor stupid. Welcome doesn't mean being a doormat. It means giving chances.
Of course Ute isn't perfect. Nor are any of its members; Ahiga and Tala have both been moved to anger in the past by the two they now seek. Even Ikuna has found his patience strained. Ute, however, is still trying to give a chance to Brutal and Grim; to offer some kind of friendship. If Brutal and Grim are trying for anything, beyond Brutal's attempts to dictate the pack's business by the pond, and Grim's attempts to flirt with Tala... they have kept it secret.
A secret for which Ute has not pressed, up until now. For which they need not press, if the two wolves do not wish to come along with this pack; but welcome does not mean a blind trust forever, and the time has come for a talk.
A friendly talk, or at least that is the intent here. That is why Ikuna has a small from for Ahiga's words, though they're said most likely out of range of the ears of those sought. "Patient, now..." he says quietly beneath the start of Skahla's howl, then lifts his own muzzle to add to it - the echo-howl, the one that follows and supplements the first. Here we are. Wolves, declare yourselves!
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Guests
Jun 19, 2012 20:04:15 GMT -5
Post by Tala on Jun 19, 2012 20:04:15 GMT -5
Tala has reason to not like Grim, after his unwanted advances towards her she didn't have much of a choice but to prove she wasn't interested! She follows along, a few steps behind Ikuna and off to the left. Her mind spinning over things that have been going on lately, and while she and Skahla are not that close she still sees him as the alpha in the pack. Though she would really like at some point to actual speak with him in a normal manner!
An onwards they go. Sniffsniff.. rainrain, mud.. is that a skunk? She sneezs an gives her head a good shake. She licks across her nose a few times and then looks to the other. Her ears perk forward as she hears Ahiga and a faint snort escapes her.. Though as Ska goes about howling she slips quiet waiting, watching, listening and sniffing all about.
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Guests
Jun 19, 2012 23:10:28 GMT -5
Post by Kvatch on Jun 19, 2012 23:10:28 GMT -5
Pleph-pleph. Spitting in the effort to rid the corners of his mouth from the thick strings of foamy saliva that insist upon dangling there, Brutal is subjected to another kind of of nausea, but this one usually always comes with a head ache too. Without bothering to look toward the source of the familiar voice that sounds out from above him, Grim's commentary gains a grunt from Brutal, "That's the problem though-" pleph "isn't it, brother?" Pleph! Finally freeing himself from the drool with a well practiced flick of his tongue, Brutal lifts his large head to turn his yellow eyes upon the soggy wolf perched up on the bank. "You don't listen to anything I tell you." As the imagery of the nightmare begins to fade and his stomach settles on account of it, the dark male gathers himself to a more respectable posture, moving from his place in the creek to scramble up the bank to higher ground, just so that he might better address the issue at hand that is rather intolerantly perched there. Narrowing his eyes upon Grim, the larger of the brothers jaw tightens with impatience, "And what would you have these Ute wolves do, Grim? Prostrate themselves before us? They have expressed their gratitude for our help, is that not enough? It find it arrogant and conceited that you expect tribute and glorification on /my/ account. I hold no sovereignty here, so why is it you still look for it? I do not care. As you so insistently remind, you freed me from that misery, brother." Turning away with a heavy sigh, Brutal gives his head a rueful shake. "I just want to forget those things." he begins, weighing the gravity of what he intends to say next. "This is why I need to move on with-" Brutal doesn't finish his sentence, for the crescendoing pitch of a howl very near to them immediately captures his attention, bringing the burly male to bristle under the effects of that territorial howl as he takes a few tense steps in it's direction, eyes scanning through the trees and underbrush for the figures of wolves. Well now, this could be trouble.
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If it were any other wolf down there, spitting out those ropes of drool for any other reason, Grim would probably be laughing his fool head off. As it were though, the tall grey male just frowns, knowing the reason for his brother's moment of illness and where Brutal suffers nausea, Grim suffers guilt. The thin line etched across his pale lips deepens upon the dark wolf's retort, but the truth of the matter does force Grim to accept this observation. One would think he'd of learned better by now. Then again, a rebel to authority, to do otherwise would be against his nature. Though as Brutal goes on, Grim's own jaw tenses, golden eyes becoming slitted with mild disdain, yet before he is allowed the chance to express his personal disagreements on the subject, Brutal disarms his defense with words that leave no room for argument. In silent consideration and mild confusion at the guarded behavior from the other wolf, Grim's ears perk with anticipation of Brutal's explanation, but before it can all be said, the sound of that howl interrupts. No matter though. Grim knows what Brutal intended to say. Without him. The concept leaves Grim staring numbly at the massive wolf, himself unresponsive to the call from the Ute wolves. Without him. A tightness takes hold of his heart and Grim swallows against the lump that has suddenly jammed itself in his throat. It isn't until that second howl pitches in that the grey wolf finds his focus again, though it is with no small amount of hurtful contempt in which golden eyes finally turn in that direction. "Guess we've finally wore out our welcome." he says, before sweeping his eyes to Brutal, "Myself doubly so, wouldn't you say brother?"
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