Post by helsnow on Jul 3, 2011 1:51:30 GMT -5
Blackberry - Male Fox.
Wachiwa - Female Wolf.
Helaku (aka Snow) - Male Wolf.
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Blackberry
The fox makes his way slowly through the marsh. Stepping into the puddles, some deep some not so deep. He finds this place rather distasteful, at least the hill was considerably drier, still its a small price to pay to avoid some tiresome conversation. He pauses for a moment to think what he should do next. He was told he would be welcome with the coyotes, but they are far more irritating than the wolves he had met, at least Asku seemed to have brains in his head, even if they were a bit addled. He'll have to work on him later.
Helaku
Distasteful was a word Helaku could use for this place if not for his affinity to the more esoteric and reclusive. The cricketing insects, smells, moisture and low-set fog made it the perfect location for one of his nature to remain mostly unheard and unseen among the packs that thrived in this region. He'd been out of this place for long, off on his own journey through life. And what a miserable life it had been until he left the Ute long ago in search of something better, more grandiose. The adult wolf sat stiffly on his haunts, embraced back the fog and the light breeze that subtly played with the human sash around his neck and shoulders. Here, he was in control. Here, he dominated the atmosphere, and here he took orders from no living soul who walked the marshes. No packs, no scents, no markers here. Plain, simple freedom. Yet, there missed something in life. Something he didn't think about often. Not to worry. He was but a silhouette in the environ, ever still but ever smelling for scents.
Blackerry
Blackberry has also been on a journey, both a physical one and a personal one for a long time. He only recently came to these lands and at this point in time has no intention to stay. In life you have to keep running or things tend to keep up with you, and we can't have that now can we. Blackberry too enjoys being beholden to no one, though there are certain things that you can't ever run away from no matter how hard you may try. Still there is not a situation that can't be manipulated if given enough time and effort, and in this respect Blackberry is a master. He glances around, seeing nothing, but senses that there is something or someone else here. You pick up a few things when you wander and you learn to be on your toes. Yes there is definitely someone here, but where.
Helaku
Helaku subtly moved his ears, listening for the slightest sound he could. He didn't speak, however, nor did he grunt, growl, bark or howl for attention. He had no pack or territory and therefore had no need of such things. His white eyes shifted, searching the mud, grass and puddles for movement. He too detected someone here, something that had wandered most likely from the more tame, easily navigable lands. The scents in the air were not in his favor, as the breeze didn't direct them towards or away. Very little information was to be had. If it was a strange, no difficultly, but he knew he had become near to the Ute lands and if it was a certain wolf, then trouble would soon be afoot.
Blackberry
Blackberry is certainly no wolf, and has very little interest in wolf politics, although he does have something planned for them, at least he thinks he might follow through with his plan if the opportunity presents itself, and if it doesn't, well no matter...it was of little importance to him anyway. He continues to scan with his eyes, nose, and ears and gathers nothing from them. He has never been one to play games and so he says calmly, "I know you're there. There is little point in hiding." He has always liked to know just what he is up against, being a smaller member of the canine family you can't rely on physical strength, but rather mental accuity. Your most powerful weapon is not your teeth or paws, but your mind.
Helaku
Oh, there it was. The sound, the voice. Helaku's ears swiveled in the direction of he who spoke. It came from a small frame, that of a canid and male. Coyote or fox? That was the question. It didn't matter which it was to Helaku at all. "Hiding is not the game, stranger," replied the wolf. And that was all the response Helaku would afford to the other canid unless that canid had more business in speaking with him. Those long ago days where he made casual conversation were long since over. Small talk was unimportant. This pleased him. So far, the other had not been one to small talk. That was the most annoying thing in conversation--how's the weather? Helaku didn't care about the weather or who mated to who. If it served no purpose, then what was the use of it?
Blackberry
Blackberry is certainly not one for any kind of small talk. He too finds it to be most annoying. When he hears the wolfs voice he is able to fix his eyes on his location. He appraises the situation. So it is a wolf. It concerns him very little and it takes a great deal more than that to impress him, "Fine." He replies, very nonplussed. He turns his attention away from the wolf and continues to move through the marsh in the direction that he was orignally headed. He fully intends to give this wolf no more attention than he thinks he deserves, which at the moment is nearly none. Wolves he has noticed tend to think of themselves as far more important than the actually are. There are very few with any real intelligence.
Helaku
What a curious reply. Those he encountered were usually the sort to strike up a conversation of the who's and where's and the what's. A smart creature, one that might be worth knowing yet also not so worth knowing. They were double-ended monstrosities at times, helpful and detractive. "Might I partake in one inquiry, then let you about your business?" said Helaku. "Have you any news of the wolves in this region?" Short and to the point. Whether it meant trouble or not remained unalluded. His voice did not betray any feelings he had regarding those who lived here.
Blackberry
Blackberry could care less about what happens to the wolves, they mean nothing to him, well not quite nothing...but close enough. He turns his head and regards the other wolf, 'let him go about his business' this wolf is begining to rub him the wrong way. No one 'lets him' go about his business, he simply does so. He quickly deduces that this wolf is not a member of the pack or he wouldn't be asking questions like that, though he certainly seems to be interested enough to stop a stranger that passes looking for information. He thinks for a moment before responding, "Yes." he replies simply before he turns his head away and continues to move in the opposite direction. This wolf didn't ask him for specifics he simply asked if he had new, which he does...to a point.
Helaku
An intelligent answer. Quite impressive. A subtle smile played on Helaku's muzzle on this response. Very well, he did have information and it was a fair answer. It was time to resort to those old tactics which none of the wolves here learned. "Then, stranger," he said. "If you tell me what information this is, there is fresh food in a puddle of water exactly 10 pacelengths to my left. I will go on my way, leaving this for you in exchange for the information." Puddles of water were useful in hiding food. Wolf packs never hid food. They ate it, regurgitated it for pups. But Helaku was not like these wolves here. The water puddle he used to mask the food's scent under the all ready nose-clogging smells of the marsh.
Blackberry
Blackberry fixes this wolf with a penetrating glare, who does he think he is? Clearly he isn't stupid, but his attempt at manipulation is elementary at best. It would perhaps work on the simple minded or the starving, but he is neither and is more than capable of finding food for himself, besides he doesn't take food from strangers for good reason, "If find your offer...insulting." he says bluntly, "Why do you waste my time?" he asks. At this point he is inclined not to give him any information at all simply because he doesn't like him...still perhaps this wolf can be useful in some way shape or form.
Helaku
"Find the offer for exchange as you may, strange, for you've your reasons as I've mine," said Helaku. It was a sincere gesture, but how was the other to know it wasn't an attempt at manipulation? Food mattered for everything. It was currency. Chances were, however, the packs here knew very little about the concept of currency, only allegience to the Alphas. It was a shame for he was first out of hell and the last to conquer, as was the mentality of his original pack. "Time does not belong to anyone. It is a concept to explain the passage of seasons, nothing more."
Wachiwa
A rare moment of escape; leaving Kez in charge of the napping pups, and wandering from her home seeking something that just is no longer there anymore: comfort and family. Wachiwa finds herself heading into the marshes again, mind awander, snapping at the occasional cattail reed or lily pad simply out of idle thought. She does not notice Helaku or Blackberry; in fact, as usual, she is the most unattentive, unimpressive wolf there may ever be.
Blackberry
Blackberry indeed has many reasons for why he does what he does. Most of them involve practical experience that has taught him how to react in certain situations. Yes this wolf does seem intelligent enough, "Indeed it does. It also denotes moments of lived experience which are personal indeed." He knows no obediance to the alpha of the pack, he owes it only to himself, "If you tell me why you wish to know...honestly...I may..." His thought is interrupted by the awareness of another in the area. This other wolf appears to be making no effort not to be seen so he notices her immediately, but pays her very little heed before turning back to the other wolf, "..I may tell you."
Helaku
The appearance of another wolf didn't go unnoticed by Helaku. The other speaking to him also noticed it as well. Perhaps it was another 'survivor', one might say. An individual bent on living alone or had to out of necessity. "In all sincerety, I've been away from this land," he answered. "Out with a distant-ago winter when powers changed for the worse." Of course, that was not exactly true. He left during the Spring. It was his own father who left in the winter, but what would they know? The name he now bore had become a source of comfort but perhaps a weapon to those who knew it. He inherited from his sire and thus, principle. Even if the other thought he had gained and decided to not say...he'd know nothing at all.
Wachiwa
Wading into the water and muck, slowly, Chewy finds a nice, comfortable place, and then, slowly, slumps down into it, rolling about in an area of mire and earth just deep enough for a good, solid soiling. Yeah, man, mud bathing is a good way to get rid of the worries, aches, and brain weariness of the day. Well, to Chewy anyway, who's seen only two years to her life, and is still confused. Finally, she sighs, and rolls to her belly, laying her muddy head on her paws. And only then does she seem to return to the world, ears twitching, eyes of blue wandering the marsh to see the strange wolf and the fox, ears flecking first forward, then laying back. Oh, now what?
Blackberry
Blackberry listens to the patterns of this wolf's speech. He has grown keen over time detecting falsehood. There are few alive who can lie to him sucesfully. Though its not something that its impossible to do. He is certain this wolf isn't telling him everything, but he didn't lie about what he actually said, at least not in a meaningful way, "Well then if you must know. A pack of wolves remains nearby. I don't know their numbers, but I do know they have been in crisis lately. There has been a considerable amount of death and destruction. I know the alpha's are new...but nothing else." He watches closely for his reaction. Now it is his turn to play the game. He will watch this wolf closely for his reaction. This will give him further indications of his personality and character. He continues to ignore the other wolf, she has said nothing and he is unsure if she even has noticed them.
Helaku
This. Was. News. Death and desctruction, new Alphas. How...perfect. Of course, Helaku knew of this pack, the Ute. If the Alphas who were replaced due to death were the same as he knew ascended when he left, that would mean Wyanet was dead. Unfortunate that he came back to hear she died, but fortunate nonetheless that she did pass. These thoughts went unspoken, but a proper reaction Helaku did give the fox. "I see," he said. "It is a wonder it still functions...plagued endlessly across generations by such things."
Wachiwa
Again and again, ears cast forward and back as the she-wolf listens. Hmm? They seem to be talking about her home. Her head lists to one side as she listens.. And she would have been happy to just leave it be until Helaku's words. A wonder it... And plagued by... her ears lay firmly back, as she lifts her snout from the mud and muck of her forepaws, and narrows her eyes. Another stupid male. Great, they're multiplying! Were she a wiser wolf, she would continue to listen, say nothing, and take back warning to her sister and Skah. But Chewy has never been wise, a wolf prone to following her heart more than her head. She shifts to her feet slowly, and starts to trot their way.
Blackberry
Blackberry takes in this other wolfs reation to the news. He seems pleased, at least a little bit about the death and destruction part. From this he can deduce that this wolf did not get along with whoever was in charge previously. Perhaps he was cast out or left due to a conflict...either way it seems logical to deduce that he didn't leave on good terms. What his plans the Ute are...those are a bit less clear from his reaction, but what he plans to do doesn't matter much to the fox, "Death would seem to be a constant." he says in response. He and death are on a first name basis. As he hears the splashing foot falls he turns to see the other wolf making her way over, he decides to say nothing to her for the time being, but he is curious. This situation has all the hallmarks of a learning opportunity for everyone.
Helaku
Very constant, indeed," said Helaku, whose voice remained hushed and observant. He knew the other wolf likely moved, perhaps even closer to them but it wasn't a concern. "An addendum, perhaps, stranger," he said. "A long time ago, the Ute pack lived in lands far from here. They had of them wise Alphas and Beta named Helaku. Disease came upon the pack and the Alphas sent their Beta to search for a cure." He paused, ears tilting a bit more to the splashing water. "He returned a failure. He couldn't save them. The Ute was finished and only a few survived. Separated by time and distance, they found each other again and formed the Ute of this land with Helaku as its Alpha and Skelaghe as its other Alpha. Reforming was difficult, death and destruction. Even as it grows stronger refounded, death and destruction seem to haunt the Alpha position more so than other packs."
Wachiwa
Approaching closer, Wachiwa soon slows, tail wagging only vaguly about her legs; no supiriority in her, however no equality in her greeting. "Hey, uh," she greets first, then seems to shove more oomph into her words, "You guys seen any frogs around here? I need something easy to chew for puppies eating their first solid food," she says, with a vague gesture about the swamp, "And I'm not really in the mood to go too far from them to hunt a hare or a deer," she says simply.
Blackberry
Blackberry listens to the wolf tell his story. Interesting. Its not something that he hasn't heard before, death and destruction being what they are. So this one survived that and was cast out all the same. Perhaps getting cast out or leaving of his own free will was the best thing that ever happened to him, "If I were you I would heed your own story and stay far away then. Not worth your time. Besides given what I've seen its unlikely you will find anyone worthy of your conversation." He then turns his attention to Chewy, and decides to point out the obvious, "You are in a swamp. Frogs are everywhere. Pick a puddle and find one." he says bruskly.
Helaku
"Normally, yes," answered Helaku. "There are other factors, however, on why I asked earlier." Upon the request for location of food, Helaku eyed the female with his ghostly white eyes and turned to walk exactly 10 pacelengths to the left and pulled something from the very waterpuddle he mentioned to Blackberry. It was half of a fresh hare, a half which he tossed to Wachiwa as if she was to be pitied, though his voice hinted at other views. "As my other encounteree seemed of no interest to this..." he said, turning away to find his plesant spot of sitting. At that very turn, the Ute sun painted on his right shoulder became visible under the sash, but it was different...more rays and a crescent moon at its center. Then it slipped back under his sash. "It is a lesson to be heeded. And to do a wolf a favor may earn you one in kind."
Wachiwa
Truth be told, normally, Chewy wouldn't turn down any 'kindness' or food. Heck, she's the one who's been known since puppyhood to do the 'food dance', an amazingly comical flurry of spinning and yipping in delight at sight of food. But.. But there's something wrong here, or something she perceives as wrong. She looks at the hare as it's tossed to her feet, and then looks up to Helaku. No master at slick words, she replies, "No thank you.. There's been rumor of sickness to the horselands, and I'd rather catch food for my pups myself so I know what it was doing before it was caught." ... She tries to remind herself that as family, they are everybody's pups, so it wasn't a lie! "You can understand, right? You were just talking about a horrible sickness as I come up." Having never seen the symbols of 'Ute', she knows not this sun nor moon; but she does know the thing about his neck is strange and puts her ill at ease.. along with his words. "Can't be too careful, you know? But the thought counts, so I'll give you some help in return!" her tail wags in brief brightness. "There's a bear been walking about here, displaced by a younger bear in her territory. She killed a pair of older wolves near here recently.. You should watch out, both of you."
Blackberry
Blackberry has heard enough of this wolfs story to gather a fair amount of information both about this wolf and about the pack nearby. He would deduce given his focus on this wolf Helaku that he is connected to him in some meaningful way, most likely through blood, though there are other ways that it could be possible for them to be connected. Family would seem to be the only reason that anyone would want to go back to a place fraught with such difficulties. He decides to ask another question of him, "This Helaku is dead then?" This should tell him what he wishes to know. He turns then to Chewy who in his mind wisely turns down this food. He has heard the story of the bear from Asku and nods, "I have heard this." The news of sickness in the horselands though is interesting to him. That would explain the comment that horse had said about an 'invisible enemy' he had thought she was simply a stupid horse, but perhaps not. He will have to be careful then.
Helaku
"Bears...likely the same one I faced years ago," said Helaku. "Noted." It was true. He saved one of Skelaghe's pups from a bear that decided it wanted a snack. In regards to Wachiwa turning down the food, he said nothing at all. He theorized. Two older wolves killed. Two Alphas dead, destruction. That fool Wyanet probably got into something she couldn't handle, but that was fine. Inferior wolf from an inferior pack that toted its warrior prowess everywhere had no place in Ute, nor did wolves who threatened at the drop of a leaf. Again, his thoughts went unshown. As he slipped off into the fog, he gave one response to Blackberry's question. "I am Helaku."
Wachiwa
"Maybe," says Chewy, eyes narrowing slightly. Helaku.. A name she will remember. Okay. A name to tell her sister. Her sister... Wachiwa pauses, then starts after the male wolf carefully: "Also, if you plan to stick around, both of you.. especially you, if you were here once before," the latter meaning Helaku, "You should meet with the alpha of the Ute pack, so there will be no trouble betwen. I could arrange for it, if you like. My sister is the Alpha female, and my... best friend.. the Beta. His brother is the alpha. My name is Wachiwa... Daughter of Ixkin and Bodhi."
Blackberry
This conversation has given the fox a great deal to think about. The wolfs response that he was Helaku seems dubious to him. He had noted in his story earlier that Helaku had been an alpha long ago. This wolf wans't young but neither was he old. He also noted that after the disease Helaku formed the pack again, but that death and destruction haunted the position. So he would seem to have hinted at Helaku's death, though its possible he was meaning the other alpha. He decides on a neutral response, "Goodbye..one who claims to be Helaku." He turns his attention to the female, yes he would very much like to meet the alpha of this pack, "I think I would like to meet the alpha...I have already met your beta."
Helaku
The names gave Helaku a reason to stop and listen before continuing on. Ixkin and Bodhi. He knew of them, but didn't interact with those two much. "A generous offer, Wachiwa," he said. "A very Ute offer. However, I must decline...for now." And then he was gone
Wachiwa
Ears twitch, and Wachiwa turns to Blackberry, with a slightly more genuine smile. "Oh, you've met Asku! He's my best friend. I was asked to be a beta with him because we're kind of close but.. I turned it down. I'm much happier just taking care of pups, and being serious alot gives me headaches." One ear casts a fleck toward the departing Helaku... and then she looks to Blackberry.. creeping closer to the fox. "I'll see if I can arrange for a meeting for you. You know asku, so it should be easy.." But a wary gaze cast where the other wolf disappeared.. "... Unfortunately it might end up delayed because of.. things that have come up." She turns, and starts away again, for the true lands, ears drooping slightly. And now another great troubling weight lays on her shoulders, and she begins to wonder why she ends up being the one to have to deliver so many messages.
Blackberry
Blackberry smiles broadly, oh this is going to be a great deal of fun. He has found his in, and he plans on taking it, "I have indeed met Asku...he and I spoke of many things." he says. Yes this is going to be a great deal of fun, "He even spoke of you I believe, though not by name. Though of course he could have been referring to someone else." He will wait until the time is right and then he will put his plan into motion, "I'm sure we will be seeing each other around."
Wachiwa
"Have a good night then. I should get back to my den... Time to releive the babysitter for a while, you know?" She smiles weakly.