Post by Curiosity on May 2, 2009 18:01:59 GMT -5
Characters Involved:
Haze, male wolf, Lazuli alpha
Helaku, male wolf
=== Wind-Blown Lowlands ===
Helaku heard it, there by himself in the cold, dead grass. The snowfall was approaching, the first flakes of its bounty fluttered by. For him, out in the open and exposed, it reminded him of the days he spent away from these lands. With a barren tree as his only company, even more so. The wolf sat stiffly, rather ignoring scents that came on the cold wind for now. His mind was deep in memory of that far off place where he was made to fight in competitions under humans, far and remote from their own superiors. That had changed him. Having to kill or be killed every day. He dropped his Ute beliefs for that reason, the one he never spoke of: when he and a few others became the renegade pack they were, all the humans paid the price, and then others, animals, driven crazy by the mistreatment had filled their place. Helaku pressed himself against the tree. Being a human killer was never a good thing.
It's not been long since the Lazuli trio arrived in the area surrounding the pathway up the mountainside, and after the beta pair went on their own explorations of the area, Haze himself set out for a brief expedition. The evening has brought a light scattering of snow, something the Viridian-born male hasn't seen in quite some time with his stay to the south, and he's briefly reminded of his home in the mountain valley. Wandering absentmindedly about through the grasslands not far from where he and his traveling companions have stopped for the night, Haze stumbles across a lone wolf in the open lowlands, slowing to a halt so as not to intrude upon or startle the other canine. He announces his presence with a low, huffed bark, his tail low behind him -- he's not in his own territory, after all, so he's not yet going to act like the alpha he would closer to home.
Haze can see that the other wolf has noticed him by the alert body language, and a sniff at the air gives him just as little information. There are too many other scents left on the grasses here from so many passers-through that he can't pick out much else, but it's a start. There doesn't seem to be a large enough wolf-scent in the area to imply the presence of a pack, so Haze feels sure enough of himself to slowly approach the silent canine, though he stops a respectable distance away. "Hello," he greets simply, tail wagging briefly in an attempt to show that he means no trouble.
Helaku's slightly inclined his head. This place was tactical, even if he was exposed. Multiple scents added to the fact he washed every day, even in winter. Today had been one of those days in which the air was too chilled, however. Helaku's ears and tail remained alert, his eyes staring at the newcomer. "You are a stranger," he said softly. "to me, anyhow. Maybe not the others." Odd greeting, but Helaku was Helaku.
Haze doesn't seem too put off by the other's somewhat-odd behavior, though his head does tilt slightly to the side. "My name is Haze. Now I'm not so much of a stranger," he offers with a wry grin, his attempt at ice-breaking humor. "I'm of the Lazuli pack, to the south. Merely passing through overnight -- so I apologize if I'm intruding on anyone's territory." He has no idea that this is the mate of the she-wolf he met not long ago - small world, no?
Lazuli? That wasn't a good name to be speaking around Helaku. Of course, this wolf didn't know. "Well...Haze of Lazuli," he said, "what is one of your kind doing out so far from the pack? This is dangerous territory, especially with murderous cougars about." So far, Haze had given him little reason to be...hostile. A name...this wolf did not give his name. For him, it merely was not time yet. Haze might have said he was from Lazuli, but not the exact rank. He had no idea that his mate had met this wolf. Definitely, a small world.
Haze's ears lift with quite a bit of obvious interest when Helaku mentions such cougars, brow furrowing slightly as he takes a few steps closer to the other male. "For that precise reason, as a matter of fact. My mate's father was killed by a cougar, and I'm on a journey to visit the cougar tribe that lives on the mountaintop here with the hopes that they can help answer some of our questions." His words don't imply that he believes the murderer(s) are from the Amaranth, and the alpha indeed does not. But information is just as valuable when you've got nothing else to go on.
"I've been there, searching for the killers of a young packmate," he said. "I am Helaku, Alpha of the Ute." Finally, a name. Perhaps he saw reason to ally once he heard speak of cougars killing. After all, trust among wolves and all that--Haze seemed trustworthy all ready where many did not. "The cougars seem to believe cougar-business is their own, being a the same cougars whom killed my packmate also attacked their matron."
Haze has not heard of that pack name in these parts. Perhaps they're new? "I don't believe I'm familiar with the Ute...but then again, I must admit I'm still learning the ropes of alphadom myself." The brindle-furred wolf has never been shy about admitting his novice status -- at least then others may be more likely to forgive him if he unknowingly commits some sort of inter-pack faux pas. He considers this new information, brow furrowing in puzzlement. Could the cougars who attacked both Helaku's packmate and the Amaranth's matron be the same ones who killed Felstride? Surely there aren't more cougars marauding about than that. "Did they not wish to ally with your pack in order to avenge such wrongs?" It seems like the most obvious plan to Haze, but perhaps there are more differences between canines and felines than mere appearance.
Helaku tilted his head softly. "The Ute did not exist here," he said, "but far and away. Merely, I am a survivor as is my mate, Skelaghe. Our own pack is named after the first." It wasn't his choice, but he went with it. In no way would he ever name a pack himself by his own choice either. Helaku returned to sitting against his tree, where was it might have been a tab more obvious in the moonlight that he had been an Alpha for some time. The scars on his body, the bear claw-marks over his own Sun marking. However, he didn't attract attention to them, and kept his attention on Haze. "I gave them no chance to ally," he said. "I went there for information, and left as soon as I obtained it. Even if they are of their own kind, it was my pack that suffered the death."
Haze considers all of this information very carefully -- the Viridian-born male is determined to be a cautious alpha in his new pack, judging all of his options before committing to following through with one. "Do you not wish for allies in the matter? I can't imagine that there aren't many who would want to bring these cougars to justice, if they have hurt so many." He speaks carefully, not wanting to step on any toes or appear to presume that he knows what is best for the other alpha's pack.
"One thing I learned a long time ago," replied Helaku, "is not to owe debt to anyone. We suffered a greater loss, and therefore to ask them to ally with us would mean their tribe putting their own members at risk in actively hunting for the murderers. It would mean us owing them a debt. Most likely, they would also kill them the moment they found them. All I want is answers from the killers; their explaination. If they will not answer, I will beat it out of them. If they still do not answer, only then would I kill." This wasn't Ute logic. It was Eloone logic, something which Hel had not even spoken to Skel about. His patrols were hunts for the two murderers. "If, and only if, the murderers were to have likewise killed their matron, then I would surely ally." The same went unspoken for Haze--if the murderers of Sketch also murdered his mate's father, then an allyship would be formed.
Haze listens to this series of logic and reason in the face of senseless murder, and the brindle-furred male is struck by how calm and collected the other alpha seems despite it. He doubts his mate's family would be so merciful if they eventually did find their former alpha's killers. "I see. I would offer the support of my own pack in the matter as well, but I am afraid that they would not be so kind as to provide them with a chance of mercy." He pauses, glancing toward the mountain before returning his amber eyes to the other alpha. "Even so, I hope this does not mean we cannot aid each other -- our enemy's enemy is our friend, after all."
Helaku had seen a lot of death. Skel was unaware how much he had seen. However, Helaku had been rather a cause of some it himself before he returned to this region. "Do you know the name or names of the murderers that killed your mate's father?" he asked. True, Helaku seemed calm, perhaps even relaxed in a talk of death and murderers and whatnot. The old game, as the bear he allied with once called it. "I know the names of those I seek, but I am curious if you know the names of those you seek."
Haze shakes his head, shifting his weight slightly as he does so, perhaps uncomfortable with the fact that he knows so little. "Unfortunately not. All we know is that it was a cougar, possibly a pair...but given what you've told me so far, I imagine we may be searching for the same perpetrators regardless."
Helaku leaned a tad on his forlegs, peering at the other wolf curiously. "What leads you to believe it could be a pair?" he said. "Because it definitely was a pair that attacked my packmate and the tribe's matron. I know it was a pair because of the scents on the ground at the kill-site." Awfully rough and rigid words he used for the place Sketch died, but Helaku was Helaku. Hiding the ugliness of things was not often his way, though he had done so when Skel learned of Sketch's death...to an extent. "In fact, if it was a pair, I could take you to the kill scent to examine the scents yourself if you know the scents."
Haze remembers back to his discovery of the body, so soon after the kill that he even saw the tail-end of the cougar disappearing away between the trees as he arrived. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I know there was at least one male cougar -- the scent was strong enough to tell me that, not to mention that I saw the killer leaving the area when I arrived...but that's one of the reasons we're going to visit the Amaranth. Though I imagine they'll tell us much of the same that they told you." Regardless, it's worth a shot, and he promised the Lazuli that he would get what answers he could about the murder of their alpha. Could he remember the scent from the 'kill-site', as Helaku put it? Possibly. If not, he's sure Cyrus remembers that scene very well.
Helaku flicked his tail around slightly. "Four cougars were at the scene of our packmate's death; a female and three males. The location is not far from here if you would rather take a scent to it." One. It still could have been one of the two responsible. "Wouldn't want to keep you from returning to your pack without any information, after all." He pushed himself from the tree and stretched his limbs, still relaxed about this meeting.
Haze remembers back to his discovery of the body, so soon after the kill that he even saw the tail-end of the cougar disappearing away between the trees as he arrived. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I know there was at least one male cougar -- the scent was strong enough to tell me that, not to mention that I saw the killer leaving the area when I arrived...but that's one of the reasons we're going to visit the Amaranth. Though I imagine they'll tell us much of the same that they told you." Regardless, it's worth a shot, and he promised the Lazuli that he would get what answers he could about the murder of their alpha. Could he remember the scent from the 'kill-site', as Helaku put it? Possibly. If not, he's sure Cyrus remembers that scene very well.
Normally, Helaku would criticize such a motion--to leave the pack attended only by the alpha female, if he had one. However, he was not sure of the Lazuli's exact social structure. "The scents won't leave," he said. "Return here when you have time, Haze. I do hope your goals are met ." With that, he rest himself back against the tree. No, he did not provide the names of the cougar pair responsible for Sketch's death. He had reason. In a sense, it was pack-security and his own. "Though, I doubt you'll get any information out of the Amaranth. Their guardian saw my presence as a nuisance. More wolves showing up on their border might agitate them further. In their eyes, we wolves should not be at their borders--childish." He shrugged. Yes, he just called the Amaranth a tad childish. He meant it.
Haze doesn't let this news discourage him, simply nodding before he turns to return to the south. He's always been a hopeful fellow.
Haze, male wolf, Lazuli alpha
Helaku, male wolf
=== Wind-Blown Lowlands ===
Helaku heard it, there by himself in the cold, dead grass. The snowfall was approaching, the first flakes of its bounty fluttered by. For him, out in the open and exposed, it reminded him of the days he spent away from these lands. With a barren tree as his only company, even more so. The wolf sat stiffly, rather ignoring scents that came on the cold wind for now. His mind was deep in memory of that far off place where he was made to fight in competitions under humans, far and remote from their own superiors. That had changed him. Having to kill or be killed every day. He dropped his Ute beliefs for that reason, the one he never spoke of: when he and a few others became the renegade pack they were, all the humans paid the price, and then others, animals, driven crazy by the mistreatment had filled their place. Helaku pressed himself against the tree. Being a human killer was never a good thing.
It's not been long since the Lazuli trio arrived in the area surrounding the pathway up the mountainside, and after the beta pair went on their own explorations of the area, Haze himself set out for a brief expedition. The evening has brought a light scattering of snow, something the Viridian-born male hasn't seen in quite some time with his stay to the south, and he's briefly reminded of his home in the mountain valley. Wandering absentmindedly about through the grasslands not far from where he and his traveling companions have stopped for the night, Haze stumbles across a lone wolf in the open lowlands, slowing to a halt so as not to intrude upon or startle the other canine. He announces his presence with a low, huffed bark, his tail low behind him -- he's not in his own territory, after all, so he's not yet going to act like the alpha he would closer to home.
Haze can see that the other wolf has noticed him by the alert body language, and a sniff at the air gives him just as little information. There are too many other scents left on the grasses here from so many passers-through that he can't pick out much else, but it's a start. There doesn't seem to be a large enough wolf-scent in the area to imply the presence of a pack, so Haze feels sure enough of himself to slowly approach the silent canine, though he stops a respectable distance away. "Hello," he greets simply, tail wagging briefly in an attempt to show that he means no trouble.
Helaku's slightly inclined his head. This place was tactical, even if he was exposed. Multiple scents added to the fact he washed every day, even in winter. Today had been one of those days in which the air was too chilled, however. Helaku's ears and tail remained alert, his eyes staring at the newcomer. "You are a stranger," he said softly. "to me, anyhow. Maybe not the others." Odd greeting, but Helaku was Helaku.
Haze doesn't seem too put off by the other's somewhat-odd behavior, though his head does tilt slightly to the side. "My name is Haze. Now I'm not so much of a stranger," he offers with a wry grin, his attempt at ice-breaking humor. "I'm of the Lazuli pack, to the south. Merely passing through overnight -- so I apologize if I'm intruding on anyone's territory." He has no idea that this is the mate of the she-wolf he met not long ago - small world, no?
Lazuli? That wasn't a good name to be speaking around Helaku. Of course, this wolf didn't know. "Well...Haze of Lazuli," he said, "what is one of your kind doing out so far from the pack? This is dangerous territory, especially with murderous cougars about." So far, Haze had given him little reason to be...hostile. A name...this wolf did not give his name. For him, it merely was not time yet. Haze might have said he was from Lazuli, but not the exact rank. He had no idea that his mate had met this wolf. Definitely, a small world.
Haze's ears lift with quite a bit of obvious interest when Helaku mentions such cougars, brow furrowing slightly as he takes a few steps closer to the other male. "For that precise reason, as a matter of fact. My mate's father was killed by a cougar, and I'm on a journey to visit the cougar tribe that lives on the mountaintop here with the hopes that they can help answer some of our questions." His words don't imply that he believes the murderer(s) are from the Amaranth, and the alpha indeed does not. But information is just as valuable when you've got nothing else to go on.
"I've been there, searching for the killers of a young packmate," he said. "I am Helaku, Alpha of the Ute." Finally, a name. Perhaps he saw reason to ally once he heard speak of cougars killing. After all, trust among wolves and all that--Haze seemed trustworthy all ready where many did not. "The cougars seem to believe cougar-business is their own, being a the same cougars whom killed my packmate also attacked their matron."
Haze has not heard of that pack name in these parts. Perhaps they're new? "I don't believe I'm familiar with the Ute...but then again, I must admit I'm still learning the ropes of alphadom myself." The brindle-furred wolf has never been shy about admitting his novice status -- at least then others may be more likely to forgive him if he unknowingly commits some sort of inter-pack faux pas. He considers this new information, brow furrowing in puzzlement. Could the cougars who attacked both Helaku's packmate and the Amaranth's matron be the same ones who killed Felstride? Surely there aren't more cougars marauding about than that. "Did they not wish to ally with your pack in order to avenge such wrongs?" It seems like the most obvious plan to Haze, but perhaps there are more differences between canines and felines than mere appearance.
Helaku tilted his head softly. "The Ute did not exist here," he said, "but far and away. Merely, I am a survivor as is my mate, Skelaghe. Our own pack is named after the first." It wasn't his choice, but he went with it. In no way would he ever name a pack himself by his own choice either. Helaku returned to sitting against his tree, where was it might have been a tab more obvious in the moonlight that he had been an Alpha for some time. The scars on his body, the bear claw-marks over his own Sun marking. However, he didn't attract attention to them, and kept his attention on Haze. "I gave them no chance to ally," he said. "I went there for information, and left as soon as I obtained it. Even if they are of their own kind, it was my pack that suffered the death."
Haze considers all of this information very carefully -- the Viridian-born male is determined to be a cautious alpha in his new pack, judging all of his options before committing to following through with one. "Do you not wish for allies in the matter? I can't imagine that there aren't many who would want to bring these cougars to justice, if they have hurt so many." He speaks carefully, not wanting to step on any toes or appear to presume that he knows what is best for the other alpha's pack.
"One thing I learned a long time ago," replied Helaku, "is not to owe debt to anyone. We suffered a greater loss, and therefore to ask them to ally with us would mean their tribe putting their own members at risk in actively hunting for the murderers. It would mean us owing them a debt. Most likely, they would also kill them the moment they found them. All I want is answers from the killers; their explaination. If they will not answer, I will beat it out of them. If they still do not answer, only then would I kill." This wasn't Ute logic. It was Eloone logic, something which Hel had not even spoken to Skel about. His patrols were hunts for the two murderers. "If, and only if, the murderers were to have likewise killed their matron, then I would surely ally." The same went unspoken for Haze--if the murderers of Sketch also murdered his mate's father, then an allyship would be formed.
Haze listens to this series of logic and reason in the face of senseless murder, and the brindle-furred male is struck by how calm and collected the other alpha seems despite it. He doubts his mate's family would be so merciful if they eventually did find their former alpha's killers. "I see. I would offer the support of my own pack in the matter as well, but I am afraid that they would not be so kind as to provide them with a chance of mercy." He pauses, glancing toward the mountain before returning his amber eyes to the other alpha. "Even so, I hope this does not mean we cannot aid each other -- our enemy's enemy is our friend, after all."
Helaku had seen a lot of death. Skel was unaware how much he had seen. However, Helaku had been rather a cause of some it himself before he returned to this region. "Do you know the name or names of the murderers that killed your mate's father?" he asked. True, Helaku seemed calm, perhaps even relaxed in a talk of death and murderers and whatnot. The old game, as the bear he allied with once called it. "I know the names of those I seek, but I am curious if you know the names of those you seek."
Haze shakes his head, shifting his weight slightly as he does so, perhaps uncomfortable with the fact that he knows so little. "Unfortunately not. All we know is that it was a cougar, possibly a pair...but given what you've told me so far, I imagine we may be searching for the same perpetrators regardless."
Helaku leaned a tad on his forlegs, peering at the other wolf curiously. "What leads you to believe it could be a pair?" he said. "Because it definitely was a pair that attacked my packmate and the tribe's matron. I know it was a pair because of the scents on the ground at the kill-site." Awfully rough and rigid words he used for the place Sketch died, but Helaku was Helaku. Hiding the ugliness of things was not often his way, though he had done so when Skel learned of Sketch's death...to an extent. "In fact, if it was a pair, I could take you to the kill scent to examine the scents yourself if you know the scents."
Haze remembers back to his discovery of the body, so soon after the kill that he even saw the tail-end of the cougar disappearing away between the trees as he arrived. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I know there was at least one male cougar -- the scent was strong enough to tell me that, not to mention that I saw the killer leaving the area when I arrived...but that's one of the reasons we're going to visit the Amaranth. Though I imagine they'll tell us much of the same that they told you." Regardless, it's worth a shot, and he promised the Lazuli that he would get what answers he could about the murder of their alpha. Could he remember the scent from the 'kill-site', as Helaku put it? Possibly. If not, he's sure Cyrus remembers that scene very well.
Helaku flicked his tail around slightly. "Four cougars were at the scene of our packmate's death; a female and three males. The location is not far from here if you would rather take a scent to it." One. It still could have been one of the two responsible. "Wouldn't want to keep you from returning to your pack without any information, after all." He pushed himself from the tree and stretched his limbs, still relaxed about this meeting.
Haze remembers back to his discovery of the body, so soon after the kill that he even saw the tail-end of the cougar disappearing away between the trees as he arrived. "I'm not sure, to be honest. I know there was at least one male cougar -- the scent was strong enough to tell me that, not to mention that I saw the killer leaving the area when I arrived...but that's one of the reasons we're going to visit the Amaranth. Though I imagine they'll tell us much of the same that they told you." Regardless, it's worth a shot, and he promised the Lazuli that he would get what answers he could about the murder of their alpha. Could he remember the scent from the 'kill-site', as Helaku put it? Possibly. If not, he's sure Cyrus remembers that scene very well.
Normally, Helaku would criticize such a motion--to leave the pack attended only by the alpha female, if he had one. However, he was not sure of the Lazuli's exact social structure. "The scents won't leave," he said. "Return here when you have time, Haze. I do hope your goals are met ." With that, he rest himself back against the tree. No, he did not provide the names of the cougar pair responsible for Sketch's death. He had reason. In a sense, it was pack-security and his own. "Though, I doubt you'll get any information out of the Amaranth. Their guardian saw my presence as a nuisance. More wolves showing up on their border might agitate them further. In their eyes, we wolves should not be at their borders--childish." He shrugged. Yes, he just called the Amaranth a tad childish. He meant it.
Haze doesn't let this news discourage him, simply nodding before he turns to return to the south. He's always been a hopeful fellow.