Post by Pavane on Jul 11, 2012 1:42:41 GMT -5
Tala, Ahiga, Ikuna, and Miakoda
---Wind-Blown Lowlands---
The trip Tala took was to the end of the lowlands where she finally settled down and fell asleep once there. Though now with evening settling over the land she is waking up, a ear flicking forward, faint snuffle escaping her along with a faint cough before she slowly lifts her head to cast a glance over the area. She shifts up onto her haunches, a forepaw lifting to rub across it a few times before a faint snort escapes her. Her gaze flicks back towards where the falls lay, her ears lowering at the thoughts of the pack there before a faint snort escapes her and she peers up towards the sky which is quickly turning dark, clouds still seen drifting ever lazyly across the sky.
Another storm is gathering. A growing darkness. The looming threat of chaos. Oh, and also, there are clouds in the sky. Ikuna trots beneath them, his ears perked and his muzzle often lifted to the breeze. A hunting wolf - only, he's not trying to conceal himself, because what he's hunting for isn't prey. Just other wolves. A very particular pair of other wolves, and he trots up one of the rolling slopes to stand at its peak and look around, seeking some sign of Ahiga or Tala in the waving grasses.
Tala could have walked to the end of the earth. Ahiga would have followed. The source of his anger has jumped from one wolf to another, with Skahla being the source of unhappy feelings at the moment. Though he know he shouldn't, he feels ... sorry for Tala. He is sorry that so many negative things have happened, and he is very sorry about how things have unfolded for her regarding her eldest brother. This definitely isn't how he imagined things being for them. For any of them. He's stayed by her as she slept, he himself keeping awake, and he remains so even now, although his posture has changed from alert to slouched, eyes half lidded. Hearing Tala's awakening sounds wakens him though, and his eyes turn her way and settle, ears perking. "Hey..."
Tala ear flick slightly towards Ahiga and she is for once quiet, not wanting to speak at last for the moment. She peers over at Ahiga watching him a few moments before pressing her head against his neck and lets her eyes close. "You should sleep." Is finally offered as she seems able to push some thoughts back further into her mind for the moment. A ear twitches and a slight snuffle escapes her an the passing breeze. "Ikuna is around.." This said with a faint murmur after a moment to Ahiga.
Now, at least, the breeze holds some hint of the scents Ikuna's looking for. Good. He'd begun to wonder if they'd run all the way across the desert or something. The young wolf surveys the grasslands, still searching. The other two are well-hidden by the grass, tucked away as they are, while he stands atop a hill, much easier to see. Hmm. This way, or... that one? Which way does the scent seem stronger?
"Nah, I'm alright," Ahiga answers, voice low. He hasn't the luxury of sleep, for if he closes his eyes, who will watch out for her? And there is much left to do. To think about doing. To ponder. Wolves, or at least one wolf, left to talk to before taking the next big step to a future much different than his past. How can one sleep with so much weighing on his mind? He exhales slowly, head bowing down a little as he leans into her. His ears gently flick back as she speaks next, her murmured words causing partially closed eyes to open halfway. Ikuna is around. His next breath is a soft inhale. "Yeah.." he answers before his head rises. His Ikuna anger has dwindled with the passing of a day, though he's still left feeling unsure of whether or not he wants to see the wolf now. But ..possibly Tala does. She may feel better with him around. And so, despite half not wanting to, he makes a low chuffing sound in his throat, followed by another, slightly louder one. They're here. He's here.
Tala can take care of herself, when will they understand that? Just don't bring up anything about rivers and ice.. She takes in a breath while shifting to let her shoulder press upon Ahiga, and she gives his cheek a soft nuzzle. Yes, there is plenty on both of their minds it seems. Her blue gaze slowly flicks over the area until she catches movement an she lets out a soft chuff along with Ahiga to let here place be known. "Ikuna..." Is said a moment later to try and get his attention more.
They're here. Closer than he'd thought. Ikuna's ears perk at the voices, and he returns the chuff before he starts briskly down from the hilltop, headed to meet them. His tail is curved down and then up again, his ears are perked, he's smiling a little - the relief of having found them. That they haven't gone so far as... well, as Skahla made it seem, with that one comment. He pushes his way through the grass until he comes out to face them, and that crooked tail of his gives a little wag. "Hey." Uh, wait, now what does he say? Another wolf might have thought up poetic words during his search. Not Ikuna!
Another absence, although not a terribly long one; and this one was spent doing a little more soul-searching than before. Not to mention she was growing rather tired of always being at that pool with it's waterfall and incessant dampness that never seemed to get out of her fur. Is she a wolf or a beaver? Areas like this, dry and with wide open space to run and watch the skies... they are much more appealing to Miakoda. The young she-wolf is just trotting back onto the grass-riddled hills, her gait rather lazy and her posturing indicating that she is in quite a good mood. With the wind blowing as it is, she does not catch the scents of the other wolves... and she does not see them either, too busy tinkering with her own thoughts.
It's odd! One wouldn't think one could feel glad and irritated at the same time, but ... both of those sensations tug at Ahiga simultaneously upon hearing Ikuna's answered call. Glad for...despite what Skahla may believe, their friendship is a deep one, not some superficial thing that's easily forgotten. And irritated because...well... His ears lift up as he scans the grasses in the direction from which he heard the other male's voice, and it isn't too long before he's spotted. His own tail sits still as he regards him, eyes shifting to the side for a moment as the edges of his muzzle slightly curve down. Yup. Now what? "Let me do this," is spoken to Tala without looking at her. He needs to speak to his pal .. the only way he knows how to. He inhales a breath and steps forward. "So you're Alpha." Not exactly spoken as a question. "How's it feel to know you've got all the right to treat me like a dumbass now?"
Tala ears lower a touch, though her tail slowly sways clearly glad to see her brother but at the same time seeming unsure. What could Skahla have told him? She was never mad at Ikuna, which she tried to explain to Skahla but he didn't want to believe her in really anything she was saying it seemed to her. A ear twitches to Ahiga and a faint nod is seen while she stays put in her spot. She frowns eharing Ahiga, a brow lifting while she eyes him before a sigh escapes her and she lets her gaze turn to drift off once more. While she may be quiet she is clealry listening to the pair.
Ikuna's tail lowers as Ahiga speaks, and he's quiet for a long moment, his gaze on the other male. "Yeah," he says, even though it wasn't a question. "I am." Now, just what does he think of that? These two know him well enough to know the slow, troubled face he wears when he seeks through his thoughts for an answer. He wears it now, and finally, he speaks. "I don't like it. I don't want a /right/ to do that." Not that he's saying he hasn't done it. Or that he wouldn't do it again. "I'm not any different."
Miakoda continues meandering forward, unknowingly bringing herself closer to the trio with every step, her path winding her down into a miniature valley between two of the hills; and then, of course, she moves up the subsequent incline of one of the hills until she is at its crest. And then, oh. She is at last made aware of the others, but what she sees makes her stop short. She knows all three, but now it would seem to be more like two against one... the body language indicates tension and upheaval. So of course, it sets her slightly on edge. She stands there at the top of that one particular hillside, silent and unmoving save for the rippling of her fur as the wind moves through it.
"But you don' have a problem doin' it," Ahiga remarks, expression flattening. This is good, right? They're talking! Sure Ahiga doesn't look very happy, and he can feel those sour feelings starting to rise up again, but ... at least they're communicating? His eyes flit to Tala a moment, knowing very well that depending on the words he choses, he's treading on thin ice with her. And there's movement elsewhere too...another wolf is here. Miakoda, says the scent in the breeze, but he doesn't stop to pinpoint her yet. Ikuna receives his attention again. "Is that what you're here for then, an' is that how it works? Skahla starts an' you finish?"
Tala ears lower as she listens to the two talk a few moments longer. "Ahiga.." Is finally said while she shifts up onto her paws, giving herself a shake and turns to make her way towards the two. "You know Ikuna didn't come here to do that." She says with a soft tone as she pauses next to Ahiga watching him a few moments before she looks to Ikuna. More movement is caught, a ear flicking forwards before her gaze turns over an she catches sight of another some distance away.
Don't have a problem? Well, maybe Ikuna wouldn't go that far. It's kind of hard, and it makes him feel unhappy to be doing it, but he does it anyhow when he thinks it's the right thing. So. His attention stays on Ahiga, regardless of Miakoda in the vicinity. If he's even noticed the scent. He frowns at the other words, but it's more for this talk of Skahla than anything else. What did his brother /do/? That's not something he's going to ask. He'll just answer Ahiga, his tone... level. More or less. "I'm here because you're my friend." Yeah, but is he still Ahiga's? Tala gets a brief glance, and his attention goes back to the other male. "And because I don't know if I did the right thing, there at the river."
Had she not gone off on her own for a time and done much of the thinking that she did do, it is quite likely that Miakoda would either turn about and melt back into the rolling hillsides, or would park herself right where she is and not come a step closer. But with her mindset now being what it is, the she-wolf instead swings into motion again... resuming forward motion towards the others. She walks slowly, ears relaxed and tail lowered into a position of neutrality; but she still comes closer. She remains silent, though... one, because she does not want to interrupt, and two, so she can hear and try to figure out what is going on.
A sidelong look is given to Tala as she interjects. Meh, she's probably right, but that changes little. A hissed breath is exhaled through the teeth at a portion of what Ikuna says next, and it's narrowed eyes that he's met with now. "Friend?" Ahiga all but spits, ears splaying. "You're serious right now? You're gonna stand here an' call me your friend after pretty much sayin' I'm a dumbass?" He shoulders past Tala to shorten the distance between himself and Ikuna. Angry he is. Angry enough to attack, surely not. He pauses a few short paces before his new Alpha, a frown tugging at the corners of his muzzle. "How can you not know if ya did the right thing or not, Ikuna? How can you not figure out that you talkin' to me like I'm some sort've idiot in front've those two jackasses isn't gonna piss me off? An' for what? For askin' a question?"
"Ahiga.. Please.." Tala says while her gaze turns towards the wolf she cares about most likely more then her own pack at this point. She settles back to her haunches, ears lowering and her eyes close. "You know he is your friend Ahiga, we've been friends too long and been through too much to let everything stop now." Her blue gaze settles back upon Ikuna watching him a few moments. "What did Skahla tell you?" Is finally questioned. As for the river being brought up she makes a face. "No, Ikuna.. You did do the right thing. I should have waited to speak with Skahla after the meeting. But... I don't understand how why he doesn't see what we see, why he doesn't believe us.."
Ikuna holds his ground, and his gaze of Ahiga as the other approaches. "Is that what you think happened?" From his tone, it's an actual question. "What I remember is you were making accusations at Brutal. Not questions. Accusations." Much as Ahiga is doing now, not that Ikuna brings up that point. "And I told you to stop, because you were making a fool of yourself. Don't suppose you happened to see Grim? He just /loved/ that part." A frown. "So. There's plenty you can blame those two for, and I'll be right there with you. That one? I'm not convinced, and I don't believe things about someone just because I don't like them." He glances over to Tala, and actually blinks in surprise to her question. "Skahla? He... said I was alpha. He asked me to try and keep you here."
The way that her ears are forward, and the way that they prick back and forth between the two males, makes it quite clear that she is listening quite closely to what is being said. The exchange she manages to catch once she comes into hearing range has helped form something of a picture about what happened. There must have been some sort of... incident? scene? event? ...with both of those irritating brothers, and somehow things between the Ute pack have splintered as a result. From an outsiders point of view, the very idea is almost incredulous. And as is the curse of youth, although she will not be an adolescent much longer, Miakoda's mouth opens before her brain can tell it to wait a few seconds. "The two of you can't seriously be ready to end your friendship... because of /those/ two?" Her voice is soft but it carries, emphatic with disbelief. Too taken aback by that whole angle, Ikuna's new role as leader is missed. For now.
"No, apparently I don' know anything, Tala," remarks Ahiga. "Haven't you heard? I'm just the pack fool." Eyes flit from her to Ikuna, head lowering as his ears pull backward. "'You're sure?' That's a question. I /asked/ a question whether or not he was bein' honest about why he really wanted to join. I was thinkin' of Althaea, but if you rather me not give a damn about her, done. If this is what it's gonna get me, forget it. I'm not gonna stand here an' friggin' dissect every word I said or say again. You think I give a care what Grim thinks? I couldn't care less what him or his idiot brother thinks or says about me." Ikuna on the other hand, he cares a great deal although articulating that has been impossible for him to do. Thus, his hurt manifests as anger, which he has never had any problem portraying. The sound of another's voice succeeds in turning his attention. Miakoda. Her words inspire another frown. "You don't know the half of it, Mia." He steps back one step, followed by another.
"No one called you the pack fool Ahiga." Tala says with a soft tone as she watches him, her ears lowering. This isn' getting any better, in fat it's getting /worse/. A slow shake of her head is seen and her gaze lowers to the ground. Hearing Ikuna a faint snort escapes her. "Yes.. he felt so heart broken about the thought of my leaving. He couldn't say a /word/ about it. Other then saying I was throwing an tantrum." Her gaze narrows slightly at the thought. "I've tryed so long to try and get to know him Ikuna... It's pointless at this time as he doesn't want to know me, never has. As far as I see it his not even my brother, just some wolf that comes and goes whenever he really wants to."
"Yeah, that was a question," says Ikuna softly. "But you didn't stop there." He shrugs. "You don't want to talk about it? Fine. But here's the problem. I'm thinking of Althaea too, and she's the one who went to him. She's the one who wants to talk to /him/ more than /us/." If there even is an us anymore. Ikuna's words aren't quiet anymore, though he's hardly shouting. "So. Maybe I'd rather keep an eye on her than have her sneaking off again." He glances to Miakoda, clearly unhappy, but he has no answer for her. Just a frown, one doesn't lift at Tala's words. He doesn't try to argue with her, just asks her a question in return. "Are you? Leaving, that is."
"Maybe I don't." She pauses as her brain, at last, has managed to catch up and hurls a string of messages out in bright, neon colors. And then the she-wolf speaks more slowly, more quietly, but more decisively. "Actually, I can just about guarantee that I don't know the half of it. But... that doesn't change the fact that it all boils down to what I just said. Doesn't it?" Miakoda's golden eyes earnestly regard Ahiga as she sits down, setting her haunches on the ground evenly between the duo of Ahiga and Tala, and Ikuna. A newly formed triangle of sorts. She goes quiet again after that, her eyes focusing on Tala as she speaks of her older brother. So the alpha is still scarce? That's nothing new, is it? There's another piece of the puzzle that she's missing, apparently.
Snort. "What sense does that make? She wants to talk to him more 'n anyone else? Wants to sneak off for days with him? Fine, let her /be/ with him an' they can take their arses somewhere else!" Meh. Ahiga's not even sure what he's angry about anymore. Brutal and Grim? Althaea's schizophrenic behavior? Ikuna's high and mighty attitude? A mixture of all of that would give even the calmest of wolves a heck of a headache, and Ahiga is not known for his calm nature. His eyes trail to Tala afterward, and at Ikuna's question to her he turns and moves, gaze shifting to Miakoda in passing. She's right. The two of them have proven to be the catalyst to this, but what can be done about it now, now that they've been so welcomed to linger? He doesn't leave the area. He doesn't even go very far, moving only for the sake of moving, exercising tense muscle and reclaiming a slight bit of distance.
Tala snorts as Althaea is brought up. "I've tryed to get her involved.. I've tryed to teach her things and she is never around. I don't know what else to do for her. She won't listen to me." Her ears lower and she takes in a soft breath. As for Grim and Brutal?.. "They should not be allowed to deal with the pack. I don't trust Brutal in the least. As for Grim... Well you know how I feel about him." She would rather rip his throat out then try to be friends with him. At the question from Ikuna her gaze rests on him a few moments. "Why should I stay? No one listens to me, Skahla kept saying I did nothing but put words in his mouth, never once tryed to find out why I feel the way I do..." Her head shakes and her gaze turns to the ground to eye it. Its not that she wants to leave, this is her home, her family... "Bad things keep happening to this pack, and now two things I'm very sure are bad are 'friends' and I can't deal with more heart ache Ikuna, I can't stand by and let my family keep getting hurt an I'm not allowed to do anything about it.. Please don't ask me to do that."
Ikuna glances to Miakoda briefly, his expression troubled. Does it? Or is this something deeper, something that's been stirring ever since they were juveniles wrestling and playing together? Ikuna doesn't know, but those puppy days are gone. Soon Althaea's will be gone as well - if they aren't already - and what then? Does Ikuna stay here, without his two best friends? Does he have a choice? Does he have friends? He frowns as Ahiga speaks, and as Tala does... his head sinks down to match his tail. Bad things? Here's one of them right now. "All right." Ikuna is done with arguing. "Can I ask something else?"
Miakoda resumes her normal habit of listening, although she does react when Tala brings up Brutal's name. Despite the fact that Miakoda has only had direct contact with the male once, it was enough to set a firm dislike of him; that much was plainly seen by anyone around the two of them at the time. So if he is being allowed to linger around Ute, along with his brother who also doesn't seem to be a winning lottery ticket... she cannot say that she is exactly thrilled with the prospect, either. But all these thoughts go unvoiced, and the she-wolf keeps quiet as the three seem very much on the urge of splitting.
Ahiga sits down. He's some yards away from the group, far enough to feel distanced, yet close enough to listen, speak, and still be heard even with his back turned as it is, possibly. But he has nothing to say. Nothing constructive anyway. All this is the pits. The lowest of the low. Can't Ikuna just tell them to leave? Take the adolescent with them. For all she's shown, being among the pack doesn't rank high on her list of priorities anyway. As alpha, doesn't he have the authority to just banish them off to wherever it was they were /before/ they came to disrupt their lives? Psh. He rolls his eyes at his own thought, finding it absurd almost immediately afterward. The whole reason he is alpha is because he is the epitome of a Ute member, isn't it? Willing to lend a helping paw, heedless of those who'll bite it.
Ikuna speaks just to Tala, now. "Look for a territory." He pauses, and shakes his head. "For two territories, near each other. One for you and Ahiga... and one for Skahla and Althaea." And Brutal and Grim, one supposes. "And as for me, well. I'll live between them... if you'll let me." He's caught between his loyalties regardless. Why not make it official? If this pack is to split, and his duty must keep him to the side of Wachiwa, of the pups and the half-grown adols that he can't ask to leave their friend, their father, the one who trusted him with this... at least he can hope for visitation rights. Perhaps even that is too much to ask, but he can't help it. Just like he can't help but reject Brutal and Grim outright, at least not yet. Maybe they'll wear out his welcome, soon enough. He waits a moment for Tala's answer, then nods. He turns and walks slowly away, his posture one of defeat.
Tala ear flicks over to Miakoda, an the other to Ahiga as she listens to them, her gaze settles upon Ikuna watching him a few moments. She feels heartache more then ever, to the point where she feels sick and even looks the part to some degree. She doesn't want to leave, she doesn't want to be away from Ikuna, an Chewy but she isn't sure if she can do this again. "Of course, you can ask me anything Ikuna." Her ears perk forward an she blinks hearing Ikuna and watches him turn and leave. "Alright..." She doesn't ask Ahiga for this, it sounds like something that could be workable to her at least. Her gaze then turns over to Ahiga hoping he'll be alright with it.
Miakoda appears to be thoroughly and completely stunned as she hears Ikuna's request, and even more wholly taken aback when Tala gives her assent to it. What happened while she was away? She begins to feel quite sure that Ahiga's statement was a sore inaccuracy; not only does she not know half of it, she doesn't even know a minuscule fraction. Her expression quite lost and dismayed, she watches as Ikuna slips off before turning her eyes to the remaining couple. Her own future now hanging in the balance, uncertainty gleaming in her golden eyes, the not-quite-adult stands again... and retreats, moving off across the various hillsides again at an unsteady trot, tail dragging at her heels and head dragging over the tops of the grasses as she goes.
Ahiga idly flicks an ear back, which is the only indicator that he may be listening as he remains stoic in ever other way, eyes staring ahead at nothing of improtance as things unfold behind him. Lands for him and Tala? And for Skahla and Althaea? He scowls. What is he getting at? What does he mean, /two/ lands? Shoulders gently roll as his head lowers, his scowl vaguely deepening. Nothing is said, regardless of his less than pleased posture. Even as Tala agrees to do as he says he makes no further comment. If she's seeing anything from him, she surely isn't going to get it without a bit of prompting. It's only the movement of Miakoda that lifts his head a little, his scowled glare at the grass disapearing quickly as she moves off. "Miakoda.." he says, voice soft. Not exactly calling for her, but...more of a realization that she is affected too. But, won't she stay?
Tala watches as Ikuna moves off, and then Miakoda, her gaze turns to AHiga and she moves over to where he is. She lets her head press against his shoulder. "Ahiga... This could work. We could have our own place and still to some degree get to see Ikuna and Chewy." Well it is a thought, a hope... Her blue gaze moves to rest upon his a few moments.
Ahiga doesn't have it in him to crush her hopes. He understands how much she wants this, which is far more than he does. Before it was different. He had, or would've had, reservations. He wouldnt've wanted to leave Ikuna, but now ... yes, things change, but perhaps they haven't changed as much as he thinks. Maybe Ikuna's thoughts were right. Since they were pups, has it always been this way? Ikuna, the leader, and Ahiga, who refuses to be led? Though he senses Tala at his side, he doesn't immediately look at her, nor does he answer her right away. He's not so sure it could work ... but he doesn't want her to lose her hope, as right now this moment is the most hopeful he's seen her. "Yeah.." he says at last, looking over at her finally.
Tala wants it to work, she hopes for it to work, heck she wishes for it to work.. Though there is something in the pit of her stomach that makes her wonder if he could work. "I don't know what I expect. I jus wish things didn't have to be this way. I miss how we was growing up." Her eyes close tight as she settles to her haunches, head lowered and ears back. "I can't lose you Ahiga. If you don't want to try this I won't make you. We're leave like we talked about." This is most likely the closest she's ever been to losing hope, its just barly hanging on but a thin thread.
Oh, how he misses it too. For a while there in their past, things were perfect. Where did everything go so horribly wrong? The dream is fading, and Ahiga is too stubborn, too angry, to do anything about it. His silence stretches, letting her words fall upon him and sink in in quiet contemplation before finally, he seems to wilt. His head bows and back curves, as if a sudden weight upon his shoulders has become impossible to bear. "Don't say that, Tala. You don't want to leave. Ikuna wants to try that ... seperate territory thing or whatever it is, an' you want it to work. I don't know if I feel the same." His brows furrow a little, and he looks over at her now. "I don't know what's wrong with me, but I can't stop feelin' how I feel. I can't stop bein' mad at everything, and I can't stop feelin' like I don't want to be around any've this. That's not how you feel. You don't need to stay with me if it comes to choosing to stay with me or go with them. I couldn't ask you to choose."
"No I don't want to leave, but losing you?... That would be worse Ahiga." This said with a soft one, Tala lifts her head slightly while he lays down, her gaze resting upon his. "There isn't anything wrong with you. This is just how you are, an I told you before that I'm alright with that. I fell in love with you for who you are." She takes in a breath and closes her eyes while she looks up towards the sky a moment. "Perhaps this was suppose to happen... We was suppose to leave."
Ahiga settles onto his stomach, laying his head on his paws, though he soon shifts himself over enough so that he leans his head against her paws, eyes halfway open. "I don't know what I want with the Ute. The only thing I know for sure is I want to keep bein' with you. I want you to be happy, an' you're not ever gonna be really happy away from Ikuna." He sighs, then lightly nuzzles against her leg before settling still again. "Help me .. please? Help me to not be so mad. He ... makes me so mad."
Tala closes her eyes while letting her head presses against his. "No I don't want to be away from him, but if that is what has to be done then so be it." She takes in a soft breath and ponders what he says. "I'll do whatever I possible can to help you not be so mad at him." Though even she isn't too sure what she can do to stop /that/.
Ahiga finally allows his eyes to slide fully closed. Could he really pull her away totally? Be on their own, just the two of them? Maybe they could find lands for themselves and forge new friendships. Begin their own pack. "I don' want you to hate me later. Maybe it'll be ok for you at first, but later you may start hatin' it." He relaxes his ears. "I want to try for you, babe. Whatever you wanna do, we'll do. I promise I'll try." It may be the most difficult thing he's done, but he'll most assuredly try for her. "Thanks." He'll need all the help he can get, whatever form that help may come in!
Tala blinks at this and glances to Ahiga watching him a moment and frowns. "Ahiga, I couldn't ever hate you, never.. Do you understand me?" She doens't hate him, or Ikuna in the least. A slight nod is seen and she lets her head settle down next to his. "We're try, an if it doesn't work... Then /we/ will leave, together." She's promised not to leave his side and that is what she plans on doing.
---Wind-Blown Lowlands---
The trip Tala took was to the end of the lowlands where she finally settled down and fell asleep once there. Though now with evening settling over the land she is waking up, a ear flicking forward, faint snuffle escaping her along with a faint cough before she slowly lifts her head to cast a glance over the area. She shifts up onto her haunches, a forepaw lifting to rub across it a few times before a faint snort escapes her. Her gaze flicks back towards where the falls lay, her ears lowering at the thoughts of the pack there before a faint snort escapes her and she peers up towards the sky which is quickly turning dark, clouds still seen drifting ever lazyly across the sky.
Another storm is gathering. A growing darkness. The looming threat of chaos. Oh, and also, there are clouds in the sky. Ikuna trots beneath them, his ears perked and his muzzle often lifted to the breeze. A hunting wolf - only, he's not trying to conceal himself, because what he's hunting for isn't prey. Just other wolves. A very particular pair of other wolves, and he trots up one of the rolling slopes to stand at its peak and look around, seeking some sign of Ahiga or Tala in the waving grasses.
Tala could have walked to the end of the earth. Ahiga would have followed. The source of his anger has jumped from one wolf to another, with Skahla being the source of unhappy feelings at the moment. Though he know he shouldn't, he feels ... sorry for Tala. He is sorry that so many negative things have happened, and he is very sorry about how things have unfolded for her regarding her eldest brother. This definitely isn't how he imagined things being for them. For any of them. He's stayed by her as she slept, he himself keeping awake, and he remains so even now, although his posture has changed from alert to slouched, eyes half lidded. Hearing Tala's awakening sounds wakens him though, and his eyes turn her way and settle, ears perking. "Hey..."
Tala ear flick slightly towards Ahiga and she is for once quiet, not wanting to speak at last for the moment. She peers over at Ahiga watching him a few moments before pressing her head against his neck and lets her eyes close. "You should sleep." Is finally offered as she seems able to push some thoughts back further into her mind for the moment. A ear twitches and a slight snuffle escapes her an the passing breeze. "Ikuna is around.." This said with a faint murmur after a moment to Ahiga.
Now, at least, the breeze holds some hint of the scents Ikuna's looking for. Good. He'd begun to wonder if they'd run all the way across the desert or something. The young wolf surveys the grasslands, still searching. The other two are well-hidden by the grass, tucked away as they are, while he stands atop a hill, much easier to see. Hmm. This way, or... that one? Which way does the scent seem stronger?
"Nah, I'm alright," Ahiga answers, voice low. He hasn't the luxury of sleep, for if he closes his eyes, who will watch out for her? And there is much left to do. To think about doing. To ponder. Wolves, or at least one wolf, left to talk to before taking the next big step to a future much different than his past. How can one sleep with so much weighing on his mind? He exhales slowly, head bowing down a little as he leans into her. His ears gently flick back as she speaks next, her murmured words causing partially closed eyes to open halfway. Ikuna is around. His next breath is a soft inhale. "Yeah.." he answers before his head rises. His Ikuna anger has dwindled with the passing of a day, though he's still left feeling unsure of whether or not he wants to see the wolf now. But ..possibly Tala does. She may feel better with him around. And so, despite half not wanting to, he makes a low chuffing sound in his throat, followed by another, slightly louder one. They're here. He's here.
Tala can take care of herself, when will they understand that? Just don't bring up anything about rivers and ice.. She takes in a breath while shifting to let her shoulder press upon Ahiga, and she gives his cheek a soft nuzzle. Yes, there is plenty on both of their minds it seems. Her blue gaze slowly flicks over the area until she catches movement an she lets out a soft chuff along with Ahiga to let here place be known. "Ikuna..." Is said a moment later to try and get his attention more.
They're here. Closer than he'd thought. Ikuna's ears perk at the voices, and he returns the chuff before he starts briskly down from the hilltop, headed to meet them. His tail is curved down and then up again, his ears are perked, he's smiling a little - the relief of having found them. That they haven't gone so far as... well, as Skahla made it seem, with that one comment. He pushes his way through the grass until he comes out to face them, and that crooked tail of his gives a little wag. "Hey." Uh, wait, now what does he say? Another wolf might have thought up poetic words during his search. Not Ikuna!
Another absence, although not a terribly long one; and this one was spent doing a little more soul-searching than before. Not to mention she was growing rather tired of always being at that pool with it's waterfall and incessant dampness that never seemed to get out of her fur. Is she a wolf or a beaver? Areas like this, dry and with wide open space to run and watch the skies... they are much more appealing to Miakoda. The young she-wolf is just trotting back onto the grass-riddled hills, her gait rather lazy and her posturing indicating that she is in quite a good mood. With the wind blowing as it is, she does not catch the scents of the other wolves... and she does not see them either, too busy tinkering with her own thoughts.
It's odd! One wouldn't think one could feel glad and irritated at the same time, but ... both of those sensations tug at Ahiga simultaneously upon hearing Ikuna's answered call. Glad for...despite what Skahla may believe, their friendship is a deep one, not some superficial thing that's easily forgotten. And irritated because...well... His ears lift up as he scans the grasses in the direction from which he heard the other male's voice, and it isn't too long before he's spotted. His own tail sits still as he regards him, eyes shifting to the side for a moment as the edges of his muzzle slightly curve down. Yup. Now what? "Let me do this," is spoken to Tala without looking at her. He needs to speak to his pal .. the only way he knows how to. He inhales a breath and steps forward. "So you're Alpha." Not exactly spoken as a question. "How's it feel to know you've got all the right to treat me like a dumbass now?"
Tala ears lower a touch, though her tail slowly sways clearly glad to see her brother but at the same time seeming unsure. What could Skahla have told him? She was never mad at Ikuna, which she tried to explain to Skahla but he didn't want to believe her in really anything she was saying it seemed to her. A ear twitches to Ahiga and a faint nod is seen while she stays put in her spot. She frowns eharing Ahiga, a brow lifting while she eyes him before a sigh escapes her and she lets her gaze turn to drift off once more. While she may be quiet she is clealry listening to the pair.
Ikuna's tail lowers as Ahiga speaks, and he's quiet for a long moment, his gaze on the other male. "Yeah," he says, even though it wasn't a question. "I am." Now, just what does he think of that? These two know him well enough to know the slow, troubled face he wears when he seeks through his thoughts for an answer. He wears it now, and finally, he speaks. "I don't like it. I don't want a /right/ to do that." Not that he's saying he hasn't done it. Or that he wouldn't do it again. "I'm not any different."
Miakoda continues meandering forward, unknowingly bringing herself closer to the trio with every step, her path winding her down into a miniature valley between two of the hills; and then, of course, she moves up the subsequent incline of one of the hills until she is at its crest. And then, oh. She is at last made aware of the others, but what she sees makes her stop short. She knows all three, but now it would seem to be more like two against one... the body language indicates tension and upheaval. So of course, it sets her slightly on edge. She stands there at the top of that one particular hillside, silent and unmoving save for the rippling of her fur as the wind moves through it.
"But you don' have a problem doin' it," Ahiga remarks, expression flattening. This is good, right? They're talking! Sure Ahiga doesn't look very happy, and he can feel those sour feelings starting to rise up again, but ... at least they're communicating? His eyes flit to Tala a moment, knowing very well that depending on the words he choses, he's treading on thin ice with her. And there's movement elsewhere too...another wolf is here. Miakoda, says the scent in the breeze, but he doesn't stop to pinpoint her yet. Ikuna receives his attention again. "Is that what you're here for then, an' is that how it works? Skahla starts an' you finish?"
Tala ears lower as she listens to the two talk a few moments longer. "Ahiga.." Is finally said while she shifts up onto her paws, giving herself a shake and turns to make her way towards the two. "You know Ikuna didn't come here to do that." She says with a soft tone as she pauses next to Ahiga watching him a few moments before she looks to Ikuna. More movement is caught, a ear flicking forwards before her gaze turns over an she catches sight of another some distance away.
Don't have a problem? Well, maybe Ikuna wouldn't go that far. It's kind of hard, and it makes him feel unhappy to be doing it, but he does it anyhow when he thinks it's the right thing. So. His attention stays on Ahiga, regardless of Miakoda in the vicinity. If he's even noticed the scent. He frowns at the other words, but it's more for this talk of Skahla than anything else. What did his brother /do/? That's not something he's going to ask. He'll just answer Ahiga, his tone... level. More or less. "I'm here because you're my friend." Yeah, but is he still Ahiga's? Tala gets a brief glance, and his attention goes back to the other male. "And because I don't know if I did the right thing, there at the river."
Had she not gone off on her own for a time and done much of the thinking that she did do, it is quite likely that Miakoda would either turn about and melt back into the rolling hillsides, or would park herself right where she is and not come a step closer. But with her mindset now being what it is, the she-wolf instead swings into motion again... resuming forward motion towards the others. She walks slowly, ears relaxed and tail lowered into a position of neutrality; but she still comes closer. She remains silent, though... one, because she does not want to interrupt, and two, so she can hear and try to figure out what is going on.
A sidelong look is given to Tala as she interjects. Meh, she's probably right, but that changes little. A hissed breath is exhaled through the teeth at a portion of what Ikuna says next, and it's narrowed eyes that he's met with now. "Friend?" Ahiga all but spits, ears splaying. "You're serious right now? You're gonna stand here an' call me your friend after pretty much sayin' I'm a dumbass?" He shoulders past Tala to shorten the distance between himself and Ikuna. Angry he is. Angry enough to attack, surely not. He pauses a few short paces before his new Alpha, a frown tugging at the corners of his muzzle. "How can you not know if ya did the right thing or not, Ikuna? How can you not figure out that you talkin' to me like I'm some sort've idiot in front've those two jackasses isn't gonna piss me off? An' for what? For askin' a question?"
"Ahiga.. Please.." Tala says while her gaze turns towards the wolf she cares about most likely more then her own pack at this point. She settles back to her haunches, ears lowering and her eyes close. "You know he is your friend Ahiga, we've been friends too long and been through too much to let everything stop now." Her blue gaze settles back upon Ikuna watching him a few moments. "What did Skahla tell you?" Is finally questioned. As for the river being brought up she makes a face. "No, Ikuna.. You did do the right thing. I should have waited to speak with Skahla after the meeting. But... I don't understand how why he doesn't see what we see, why he doesn't believe us.."
Ikuna holds his ground, and his gaze of Ahiga as the other approaches. "Is that what you think happened?" From his tone, it's an actual question. "What I remember is you were making accusations at Brutal. Not questions. Accusations." Much as Ahiga is doing now, not that Ikuna brings up that point. "And I told you to stop, because you were making a fool of yourself. Don't suppose you happened to see Grim? He just /loved/ that part." A frown. "So. There's plenty you can blame those two for, and I'll be right there with you. That one? I'm not convinced, and I don't believe things about someone just because I don't like them." He glances over to Tala, and actually blinks in surprise to her question. "Skahla? He... said I was alpha. He asked me to try and keep you here."
The way that her ears are forward, and the way that they prick back and forth between the two males, makes it quite clear that she is listening quite closely to what is being said. The exchange she manages to catch once she comes into hearing range has helped form something of a picture about what happened. There must have been some sort of... incident? scene? event? ...with both of those irritating brothers, and somehow things between the Ute pack have splintered as a result. From an outsiders point of view, the very idea is almost incredulous. And as is the curse of youth, although she will not be an adolescent much longer, Miakoda's mouth opens before her brain can tell it to wait a few seconds. "The two of you can't seriously be ready to end your friendship... because of /those/ two?" Her voice is soft but it carries, emphatic with disbelief. Too taken aback by that whole angle, Ikuna's new role as leader is missed. For now.
"No, apparently I don' know anything, Tala," remarks Ahiga. "Haven't you heard? I'm just the pack fool." Eyes flit from her to Ikuna, head lowering as his ears pull backward. "'You're sure?' That's a question. I /asked/ a question whether or not he was bein' honest about why he really wanted to join. I was thinkin' of Althaea, but if you rather me not give a damn about her, done. If this is what it's gonna get me, forget it. I'm not gonna stand here an' friggin' dissect every word I said or say again. You think I give a care what Grim thinks? I couldn't care less what him or his idiot brother thinks or says about me." Ikuna on the other hand, he cares a great deal although articulating that has been impossible for him to do. Thus, his hurt manifests as anger, which he has never had any problem portraying. The sound of another's voice succeeds in turning his attention. Miakoda. Her words inspire another frown. "You don't know the half of it, Mia." He steps back one step, followed by another.
"No one called you the pack fool Ahiga." Tala says with a soft tone as she watches him, her ears lowering. This isn' getting any better, in fat it's getting /worse/. A slow shake of her head is seen and her gaze lowers to the ground. Hearing Ikuna a faint snort escapes her. "Yes.. he felt so heart broken about the thought of my leaving. He couldn't say a /word/ about it. Other then saying I was throwing an tantrum." Her gaze narrows slightly at the thought. "I've tryed so long to try and get to know him Ikuna... It's pointless at this time as he doesn't want to know me, never has. As far as I see it his not even my brother, just some wolf that comes and goes whenever he really wants to."
"Yeah, that was a question," says Ikuna softly. "But you didn't stop there." He shrugs. "You don't want to talk about it? Fine. But here's the problem. I'm thinking of Althaea too, and she's the one who went to him. She's the one who wants to talk to /him/ more than /us/." If there even is an us anymore. Ikuna's words aren't quiet anymore, though he's hardly shouting. "So. Maybe I'd rather keep an eye on her than have her sneaking off again." He glances to Miakoda, clearly unhappy, but he has no answer for her. Just a frown, one doesn't lift at Tala's words. He doesn't try to argue with her, just asks her a question in return. "Are you? Leaving, that is."
"Maybe I don't." She pauses as her brain, at last, has managed to catch up and hurls a string of messages out in bright, neon colors. And then the she-wolf speaks more slowly, more quietly, but more decisively. "Actually, I can just about guarantee that I don't know the half of it. But... that doesn't change the fact that it all boils down to what I just said. Doesn't it?" Miakoda's golden eyes earnestly regard Ahiga as she sits down, setting her haunches on the ground evenly between the duo of Ahiga and Tala, and Ikuna. A newly formed triangle of sorts. She goes quiet again after that, her eyes focusing on Tala as she speaks of her older brother. So the alpha is still scarce? That's nothing new, is it? There's another piece of the puzzle that she's missing, apparently.
Snort. "What sense does that make? She wants to talk to him more 'n anyone else? Wants to sneak off for days with him? Fine, let her /be/ with him an' they can take their arses somewhere else!" Meh. Ahiga's not even sure what he's angry about anymore. Brutal and Grim? Althaea's schizophrenic behavior? Ikuna's high and mighty attitude? A mixture of all of that would give even the calmest of wolves a heck of a headache, and Ahiga is not known for his calm nature. His eyes trail to Tala afterward, and at Ikuna's question to her he turns and moves, gaze shifting to Miakoda in passing. She's right. The two of them have proven to be the catalyst to this, but what can be done about it now, now that they've been so welcomed to linger? He doesn't leave the area. He doesn't even go very far, moving only for the sake of moving, exercising tense muscle and reclaiming a slight bit of distance.
Tala snorts as Althaea is brought up. "I've tryed to get her involved.. I've tryed to teach her things and she is never around. I don't know what else to do for her. She won't listen to me." Her ears lower and she takes in a soft breath. As for Grim and Brutal?.. "They should not be allowed to deal with the pack. I don't trust Brutal in the least. As for Grim... Well you know how I feel about him." She would rather rip his throat out then try to be friends with him. At the question from Ikuna her gaze rests on him a few moments. "Why should I stay? No one listens to me, Skahla kept saying I did nothing but put words in his mouth, never once tryed to find out why I feel the way I do..." Her head shakes and her gaze turns to the ground to eye it. Its not that she wants to leave, this is her home, her family... "Bad things keep happening to this pack, and now two things I'm very sure are bad are 'friends' and I can't deal with more heart ache Ikuna, I can't stand by and let my family keep getting hurt an I'm not allowed to do anything about it.. Please don't ask me to do that."
Ikuna glances to Miakoda briefly, his expression troubled. Does it? Or is this something deeper, something that's been stirring ever since they were juveniles wrestling and playing together? Ikuna doesn't know, but those puppy days are gone. Soon Althaea's will be gone as well - if they aren't already - and what then? Does Ikuna stay here, without his two best friends? Does he have a choice? Does he have friends? He frowns as Ahiga speaks, and as Tala does... his head sinks down to match his tail. Bad things? Here's one of them right now. "All right." Ikuna is done with arguing. "Can I ask something else?"
Miakoda resumes her normal habit of listening, although she does react when Tala brings up Brutal's name. Despite the fact that Miakoda has only had direct contact with the male once, it was enough to set a firm dislike of him; that much was plainly seen by anyone around the two of them at the time. So if he is being allowed to linger around Ute, along with his brother who also doesn't seem to be a winning lottery ticket... she cannot say that she is exactly thrilled with the prospect, either. But all these thoughts go unvoiced, and the she-wolf keeps quiet as the three seem very much on the urge of splitting.
Ahiga sits down. He's some yards away from the group, far enough to feel distanced, yet close enough to listen, speak, and still be heard even with his back turned as it is, possibly. But he has nothing to say. Nothing constructive anyway. All this is the pits. The lowest of the low. Can't Ikuna just tell them to leave? Take the adolescent with them. For all she's shown, being among the pack doesn't rank high on her list of priorities anyway. As alpha, doesn't he have the authority to just banish them off to wherever it was they were /before/ they came to disrupt their lives? Psh. He rolls his eyes at his own thought, finding it absurd almost immediately afterward. The whole reason he is alpha is because he is the epitome of a Ute member, isn't it? Willing to lend a helping paw, heedless of those who'll bite it.
Ikuna speaks just to Tala, now. "Look for a territory." He pauses, and shakes his head. "For two territories, near each other. One for you and Ahiga... and one for Skahla and Althaea." And Brutal and Grim, one supposes. "And as for me, well. I'll live between them... if you'll let me." He's caught between his loyalties regardless. Why not make it official? If this pack is to split, and his duty must keep him to the side of Wachiwa, of the pups and the half-grown adols that he can't ask to leave their friend, their father, the one who trusted him with this... at least he can hope for visitation rights. Perhaps even that is too much to ask, but he can't help it. Just like he can't help but reject Brutal and Grim outright, at least not yet. Maybe they'll wear out his welcome, soon enough. He waits a moment for Tala's answer, then nods. He turns and walks slowly away, his posture one of defeat.
Tala ear flicks over to Miakoda, an the other to Ahiga as she listens to them, her gaze settles upon Ikuna watching him a few moments. She feels heartache more then ever, to the point where she feels sick and even looks the part to some degree. She doesn't want to leave, she doesn't want to be away from Ikuna, an Chewy but she isn't sure if she can do this again. "Of course, you can ask me anything Ikuna." Her ears perk forward an she blinks hearing Ikuna and watches him turn and leave. "Alright..." She doesn't ask Ahiga for this, it sounds like something that could be workable to her at least. Her gaze then turns over to Ahiga hoping he'll be alright with it.
Miakoda appears to be thoroughly and completely stunned as she hears Ikuna's request, and even more wholly taken aback when Tala gives her assent to it. What happened while she was away? She begins to feel quite sure that Ahiga's statement was a sore inaccuracy; not only does she not know half of it, she doesn't even know a minuscule fraction. Her expression quite lost and dismayed, she watches as Ikuna slips off before turning her eyes to the remaining couple. Her own future now hanging in the balance, uncertainty gleaming in her golden eyes, the not-quite-adult stands again... and retreats, moving off across the various hillsides again at an unsteady trot, tail dragging at her heels and head dragging over the tops of the grasses as she goes.
Ahiga idly flicks an ear back, which is the only indicator that he may be listening as he remains stoic in ever other way, eyes staring ahead at nothing of improtance as things unfold behind him. Lands for him and Tala? And for Skahla and Althaea? He scowls. What is he getting at? What does he mean, /two/ lands? Shoulders gently roll as his head lowers, his scowl vaguely deepening. Nothing is said, regardless of his less than pleased posture. Even as Tala agrees to do as he says he makes no further comment. If she's seeing anything from him, she surely isn't going to get it without a bit of prompting. It's only the movement of Miakoda that lifts his head a little, his scowled glare at the grass disapearing quickly as she moves off. "Miakoda.." he says, voice soft. Not exactly calling for her, but...more of a realization that she is affected too. But, won't she stay?
Tala watches as Ikuna moves off, and then Miakoda, her gaze turns to AHiga and she moves over to where he is. She lets her head press against his shoulder. "Ahiga... This could work. We could have our own place and still to some degree get to see Ikuna and Chewy." Well it is a thought, a hope... Her blue gaze moves to rest upon his a few moments.
Ahiga doesn't have it in him to crush her hopes. He understands how much she wants this, which is far more than he does. Before it was different. He had, or would've had, reservations. He wouldnt've wanted to leave Ikuna, but now ... yes, things change, but perhaps they haven't changed as much as he thinks. Maybe Ikuna's thoughts were right. Since they were pups, has it always been this way? Ikuna, the leader, and Ahiga, who refuses to be led? Though he senses Tala at his side, he doesn't immediately look at her, nor does he answer her right away. He's not so sure it could work ... but he doesn't want her to lose her hope, as right now this moment is the most hopeful he's seen her. "Yeah.." he says at last, looking over at her finally.
Tala wants it to work, she hopes for it to work, heck she wishes for it to work.. Though there is something in the pit of her stomach that makes her wonder if he could work. "I don't know what I expect. I jus wish things didn't have to be this way. I miss how we was growing up." Her eyes close tight as she settles to her haunches, head lowered and ears back. "I can't lose you Ahiga. If you don't want to try this I won't make you. We're leave like we talked about." This is most likely the closest she's ever been to losing hope, its just barly hanging on but a thin thread.
Oh, how he misses it too. For a while there in their past, things were perfect. Where did everything go so horribly wrong? The dream is fading, and Ahiga is too stubborn, too angry, to do anything about it. His silence stretches, letting her words fall upon him and sink in in quiet contemplation before finally, he seems to wilt. His head bows and back curves, as if a sudden weight upon his shoulders has become impossible to bear. "Don't say that, Tala. You don't want to leave. Ikuna wants to try that ... seperate territory thing or whatever it is, an' you want it to work. I don't know if I feel the same." His brows furrow a little, and he looks over at her now. "I don't know what's wrong with me, but I can't stop feelin' how I feel. I can't stop bein' mad at everything, and I can't stop feelin' like I don't want to be around any've this. That's not how you feel. You don't need to stay with me if it comes to choosing to stay with me or go with them. I couldn't ask you to choose."
"No I don't want to leave, but losing you?... That would be worse Ahiga." This said with a soft one, Tala lifts her head slightly while he lays down, her gaze resting upon his. "There isn't anything wrong with you. This is just how you are, an I told you before that I'm alright with that. I fell in love with you for who you are." She takes in a breath and closes her eyes while she looks up towards the sky a moment. "Perhaps this was suppose to happen... We was suppose to leave."
Ahiga settles onto his stomach, laying his head on his paws, though he soon shifts himself over enough so that he leans his head against her paws, eyes halfway open. "I don't know what I want with the Ute. The only thing I know for sure is I want to keep bein' with you. I want you to be happy, an' you're not ever gonna be really happy away from Ikuna." He sighs, then lightly nuzzles against her leg before settling still again. "Help me .. please? Help me to not be so mad. He ... makes me so mad."
Tala closes her eyes while letting her head presses against his. "No I don't want to be away from him, but if that is what has to be done then so be it." She takes in a soft breath and ponders what he says. "I'll do whatever I possible can to help you not be so mad at him." Though even she isn't too sure what she can do to stop /that/.
Ahiga finally allows his eyes to slide fully closed. Could he really pull her away totally? Be on their own, just the two of them? Maybe they could find lands for themselves and forge new friendships. Begin their own pack. "I don' want you to hate me later. Maybe it'll be ok for you at first, but later you may start hatin' it." He relaxes his ears. "I want to try for you, babe. Whatever you wanna do, we'll do. I promise I'll try." It may be the most difficult thing he's done, but he'll most assuredly try for her. "Thanks." He'll need all the help he can get, whatever form that help may come in!
Tala blinks at this and glances to Ahiga watching him a moment and frowns. "Ahiga, I couldn't ever hate you, never.. Do you understand me?" She doens't hate him, or Ikuna in the least. A slight nod is seen and she lets her head settle down next to his. "We're try, an if it doesn't work... Then /we/ will leave, together." She's promised not to leave his side and that is what she plans on doing.