Post by sidian on Nov 25, 2007 4:58:54 GMT -5
Location:
Leafy Glen (Viridian Territory)
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The old forest empties out into a decent sized glen. The trees stand like sentinels around a large pond, the water gathered from the long creek movements. The pond is brown, with big rocks over the bottom, covered in a slick, mossy substance. It is a nice swimming hole, among other things. It mostly acts as the larger watering hole in the deep valleys of the mountains. The flowers here are hardy blooms, and the mushrooms spackle the ground around the elder trees. This is a demure place, with leafy trees and a calming pond.
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Characters Involved:
Silver - Viridian Alpha (One)
Cottonpaws - Silver's daughter
Haze - Silver's son
Friti - Viridian member
Grit - Viridian Beta (Second)
Silvan - Viridian Alpha (One)
Simone (briefly) - Viridian elder
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Silver looks up sharply from where she's resting beside Cottonpaws, eyes wide and ears perked. She looks around, as if awakened by something, frowning in confusion. Her ears flick back, and then she lets out a soft yip of surprise as pain lances through her belly. She gasps, getting to her feet and hurrying down to the pond for a drink. Who knows how long she'll be down there.
Wait, what's the problem!? First, Cotton is dreaming about her lad, having a good time, and just like that, the trance is broken and Cotton awakes from the dream world, just to see her mother rush to the water. A brow is raised, followed by a yawn, and as usual, the shaking before stretching, it's all a routine now, "Mom?" The girl asks, with that sleepy voice.
Silver doesn't immediately answer, slaking her thirst quickly. She turns to walk back toward Cotton, wincing slightly, her sides twitching. Panting, she nuzzles Cotton's cheek, licking over her ears, "It's time," she says, then looks up and around for any of the others.
Cottonpaws raises the other brow now, confused turned to surprise as her mother gives her uhm... Good news? The girl wuickly stands up, if she was sleepy, she isn't anymore, nuzzling her mother lightly, "Need anything?" Like a doctor or some morphine or chocolates?
Silver winces again, smiling warmly at Cotton. "Let the others know. Silvan is probably off finding food, Friti patrolling..I don't know...the others..." She shakes herself, edging toward the den.
Cottonpaws nods slowly to her mother, watching her get into the den. Ok, warn dad and the others... There's no better nor fastest way to do it than lifting your head tall, taking a deep breath and howling, they will surely hear her and come home, right?
In Leafy Glen, Cottonpaws howls.
Haze is not far, as he promised he would be, and at the sound of a howl, he quickly leaves behind the turtle he was following (or harassing, depending on your point of view) and trots down towards the end of the vale. Ears pricked forward, he approaches the den that served as his own birthplace, his nose wrinkling at the strong scent of pheremones in the air.
Silver winces slightly, pausing on the verge of the den. She tosses her head back to howl as well, though hers is weaker than that of her daughter. She's still above ground when Haze arrives, and she perks her ears, meeting his gaze for a moment. She looks grateful, and a little sad. A little smile graces her muzzle before it's wiped away with a wince, her sides clenching up. She grunts and ducks down into the den.
Friti is off being Friti... Snow may still litter the earth, there may still be a chill in the air, but there is something... different about today. Something... unique. Something good. Exactly what it is, he hasn't quite figured it out, but in the long run does it really matter? Ergo, we find the lad out in the middle of the woods not hunting or patrolling, both of which he's already taken a turn at, but doing only what makes sense to him. The lad is off chasing his own tail. Around and around and around he goes, snapping and snarling, whining and growling... he's been at this for a good half hour now, ever since the offending appendage (which he still maintains has a mind of it's own) thwaped him across the nose. Of course, as the fates would have it, /just/ as he manages to catch the bloody thing, Cotton's howl resounds across the valley causing him to freeze. Something is wrong? AN attempt is made to return to the den, but a critical detail is forgotten and the lad ends up flat on his face in the snow. "Ow." ... Right. Let go of the tail, /then/ run to answer... grumblegrumblegrumble...
Haze meets his mother's gaze, and the emotions behind that look do not go unnoticed. Lowering his tail instinctively, his own hazel eyes seem to hold an apologetic glance before they turn back at the sound of Friti's approach. Were he not feeling so shamed by his mother's look, and today heavy with meaning, he'd have broken down in malicious laughter at the other male - and likely had some of his bones broken in return.
Cottonpaws fixes her gaze on her mother at the howl, what, her howl wasn't good enough? The girl paces to the den's direction, resting not far from the entrance on her belly, she'll guard that entrance no matter what, dad always told her no one's supposed to go in there, besides, if mom needs something, she'll be the first to find out and help. With a sigh, she looks at her brother's direction, not saying anything, oh wait, there's a funny thought in here, "I knew you'd show up." She tells her brother, or Friti... She hopes her brother thinks she addressed him, just to bother him.
Broken bones? Maybe. A fight on his paws? Certainly - it wouldn't take much. Friti's opinion of Cotton's brother isn't quite at the cold-shoulder just yet, but it's already feeling rather frigid. So yes, a fight would certainly have been in order - despite the occasion. But as the fates would have it this is denyed and thus, while a look is sent the other male's way daring him to say anything to the contrary, the other fails to deign a response. A shame. Snorting, Friti puts on his characteristic, photogenic lopsided smirk and trots forward towards /his/ girl... "Hey! What's up?" Wait... something is missing... Ah! One eye-ridge is raised, head and tail are poised high and almost arrogantly, ears are pointed forward and focused. Confidence emerges from pores... Ah. Yep. Perfect. XD National Geographic? Eat your heart out!
Haze hears his sister speak, but he doesn't offer a reply, simply sitting quietly and facing straight ahead, not particularly caring to make small talk with either of those present at the moment. He suppresses a disgusted sneer at Friti's actions, wishing for this day to be as calm as possible for his mother's sake.
Aww, her brother didn0t bite the bait, ok, it's for the good of... Someone. Cotton looks at her lad, smiling as he gets close to her. About time he showed up, she was starting to miss him... A bit, "Mom's inside..." No duh, that was kinda obvious. The girl stretches her neck, licking the side of the lad's muzzle, "Did you catch your tail this time?" it's always fun to watch do that.
"Of course." He intones amusedly, leaning into the lick to give Cottonpaws a welcoming nuzzle in return, with of course the obligatory playful nip at her ear closely following suit. There are always two, a Master and an Apprentice... Yeah, so he's maybe getting a little big for his britches... but considering the fact he's got backup just deal. That, and posturing is something wolves do rather well. Got a problem with it? Offer a challenge, otherwise stand aside. "I presume it's time?" he inquires as he steps back, tilting his head towards the den entrance by way of visualizing his point. If so, that also explains why Haze is here...
Haze can't help but roll his eyes at the overly flamboyant actions of the male wolf, though he keeps to himself despite his urges to sigh condescendingly. All he cares about right now is making sure his mother is all right through the process, and then meeting his half-siblings for the very first time. He wonders if Silver will allow them a peek so soon after they're born or not.
Yeah, it's time... And yeah, that's the only reason Haze would even show up on this place, seems that only when pups are born, Haze's prescense is needed, it's almost as if he was born, and the next day, he escaped to meet with that Lark fiend..... Almost, "Well, it's time, but it could take more hours." She knows that because mom kept telling how much time she and her siblings waited before they WANTED to be born. Cotton noses his neck for a moment, "Hey, eyes here... You might get scared for life if you see what's going inside." or close to that, besides... He's her lad, not Silver's, grr!
The white wolf can't help but chuckle at Cotton's protectiveness... or is it envy? He's not entirely sure but the message is received and with an amused headbutt he steps back, "Yes dear." A pause, and a long measuring glace is sent back at her brother held for quite longer than necessary as eyes narrow and an ear flickers indecisively for several moments... "... Why don't you go and watch Cotton - you might learn something." And maybe it'll put an end to her asking him about pups for a bit if she gets to see the results of such labors. This said, he winks at her, turns and starts walking towards the other male, "Your brother and I are going to have a little chat." Which of course earns him a hard look, eliciting a laugh from the lad, "There'll be no blood spilt on my part, I promise." Thus reassured, the girl heads to the den entrance and pokes her nose in curiously, making quiet worried inquires and otherwise occupied for the moment.
Haze's hazel eyes turn as the pale wolf approaches, though the adolescent doesn't offer a greeting or any other sign of acknowledgement as he continues to pad nearer.
Friti stops well outside striking distance from the other male, arching a brow at the other's impertinence and lack of manners... but lets it slide. Now is not the time for confrontations unless the other forces him to such extremes. Besides, aside from being him rude and general principle he doesn't have cause at the moment to start a fight. "I understand you and your sister spoke recently." The white lad offers by way of opening, remaining where he is and declining to offer proper etiquette of greeting in return, "I presume all went well?" Hey - let's talk about the weather? Is that a cloud? Safe topics Friti, safe topics...
Grit lopes into the area, his first appearance since his quarantine. He looks a bit thinner, scragglier and greyer, though its only been a few weeks. The Viridian Second spots Haze first and then Friti, approaching in an unhurried but assertive fasion, listening for the lay of the land as they seem a bit occupied with one another.
Oh, for crying out loud. Cotton, will you ever learn to keep your muzzle shut until a more appropriate time? All he wanted was some peace and quiet until his half-siblings were born, and now she's gone and ruined things without even having to have spoken directly with him. Impressive, sis. But Haze replies both as neutrally and honestly as possible, his eyes still trained straight ahead. "We both agreed that mother's birthing should be accompanied by a peaceful environment."
The young white wolf listens to the other's explanation and merely nods, "Then there shall be no conflict between us this day." Friti isn't entirely without understanding mind you... His eyes narrow as he spots a somewhat familiar form emerging from the treeline over haze's shoulder and a frown emerges, "Go see to your mother and sister - they're going to need your support." Though for what, he doesn't expound upon, but merely moves past Cotton's brother and stalks towards the approaching banished second, matching the other's body posture with his own mirroring it to a T. "Halt right there old timer. Not a step further." Friti calls out to Grit, turning and taking the proverbial and literal high-ground atop a small snow-dune rise. This is just the sort of event he was fearing would happen... best to deal with it early and nip it in the bud, no?
Haze isn't going to listen to this newcomer order him around. With a snort of disdain, he remains precisely where he's already seated, though he turns to gaze back curiously when the arrogant male begins to boss someone else around...the second?! "...Grit?" he murmurs under his breath in confusion, eyeridges furrowing quizzically
Grit flattens his ears ... he figured it was about time for Silvan and Silver's pups to whelp ... and he's irritated that there should be any discord so near the den. The One may have a year experience under her fur, but nothing should be allowed near her that might upset her, so far as the Second is near. He growls lowly and nastily at Friti. "Just what do you think you are doing? You want a piece of me, take it away from the Den. This is no time to upset the One."
Friti stands his ground, eying Grit with annoyance and doesn't relax his attitude or posture an inch. No, if anything the other male's attitude does nothing but further irritate the already high-strung tension in the lad's mind, "Like you should talk you old 'coon." He growls in return, taking the opportunity to stalk one closer to the other. Lips pull back and hackles rise somewhat as he does so, his already white fluffy form seeming growing larger as he does so, "What in Luna's name is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind as well as your senses? Go back into quarantine - the last thing we need is for the pups to catch your sickness."
Sickness? Regardless, this isn't the sort of stressful situation Silver needs to overhear. "Grit's right, Friti. If you're going to make a scene, do it elsewhere, for the sake of our One," he intones evenly, not wanting to draw even more heat back on himself but standing up for his superiors nonetheless. What spirit died and gave this bastard such a superiority complex?
Grit glares at Friti. For the first time in a long time ... in fact, for the first time since he last dealt with Ember, the Second is thoroughly angry ... but he labors to mute a raging growl within him demanding to unleash. Even the fight with Kasia had not ignited such passion within the Second; that anger had given in to fear and regret when he realized what he had to do to protect the pack. Kasia, at least, was nowhere near the One and her pups. He growls in a low but hopefully sufficiently soft tone that it does not reach inside the den, "Follow." He turns north, away from the den, through some trees to a tiny meadow a short distance from the den, with a massive rotting log between the tiny meadow and the den entrance that should insulate well against sound. The Second stops upon reaching the meadow, looks back ... and waits.
Haze watches as Friti pads after the Second, peering back in both concern and disapproval - but this isn't his battle to fight. He returns his gaze back to its former position, ears swiveling slightly, trying to listen to both the sounds of his mother and the sounds of the pair of males behind him.
She leaves him for one second and look what happens. He's a horrible male! Cotton stands up, pacing to their direction... Looking at her brother as if he was trying to ask for help, but like the jerk said, silence, she won't talk to him, "..." She was about to try and stop them, but what for... They both need to settle things, and one needs to stand down for good... Just like Cotton told her mother. The girl stands there, looking how Friti follows the Second, this is not going to be a good thing, Cotton knows it, but she's not going to stop them, she promised she was going to stay near her mother, "Take care..." She whispers softly, looking at them.
A long, low whine issues from the den, followed by a faint squeaking and then it falls quiet again, the earth muffling any further, softer sounds.
Silvan trotts into the glen panting and out of breath, he had gone out to bring Silver back some food when he heard the howls, running back as soon as he could, "What (pant) whats wrong?"
"Silver's in the middle of giving birth, if those whimpers are any indication," Haze answers Silvan, "And that damn white wolf is forcing Grit back from the den site."
Safely out of earshot of the den, Grit growls and snarls. He may be past his prime, but the geezer is not afraid. "What on Luna's green earth do you think you are doing? I don't know what kind of cougar-licking pack you come from, son, but disturbing the One when she whelps makes you beyond a troublemaker and a borderline danger to the pack. I don't give a coyote's ass what you think about me, but pups -are- the pack. I'd say you are lucky Silvan hadn't caught you making such a fuss so near the den, but ... I can't really say I'll be much less lenient than he would be!" Preach, preach preach!
Ok, so she lied. Cotton looks at her brother for a moment, "Watch mom." And then she trots to the males' direction, she can't miss this show... Erhm, she can't let them fight.... Yeah, that's more like it.
"And letting your plague infested self near the pups is any better for them?" Friti snaps in return after stalking after Grit out to this glade not terribly far from where the den was, "I'd be completely out of my mind if I were to let you closer Ancient one." In that case, confronting the problem, throwing up the alarm, and forcing said problem to keep it's distance is paramount. There are times for discretion and then there are times for action. He was already too close, a failure on Friti's part for focusing in on a single threat without being aware of others - a failure which will not easily be repeated or lesson forgotten. Ergo, the opportunity for discretion at that point was lost. "Neither the Ones, nor myself approved your returning, and to let you anywhere near Silver and the den while she is whelping and you still possibly infected would be irresponsible on my part." The white wolf slides to the side, keeping a fair distance between himself and the oldster, still bristling and growling threateningly. He isn't backing down, and he's getting more and more agitated with the impertinence offered by this damned /dog/ that is questioning his judgment.
Silvan blinks over at Grit and Friti before shaking his head, they couldent have picked a better time for this? He sighs and moves to the den to check on Silver before he can take care of the situation outside. He crouches and moves down the entrance to the den enough to see inside, "Hun, you doing okay?"
Haze's jaw drops at Cottonpaws' order and her blatant lack of concern for her own mother over her stupid boyfriend being an obnoxious idiot. Well, at least he'll be able to prove to Silver that he really does care for her, even if he hasn't always been the best at expressing that feeling. Trotting over to the den site beside Silvan - but not because Cotton told him to - he peers down into the darkness (which he should be grateful he can't see too much yet, most likely) and calls out tentatively: "Mom? You doing okay?"
Grit flattens his ears. "You have no regard for Silver's safety, and you're throwing out wild accusations. I don't know how you got infested, as I was the only one who encountered Kasia when she was rabbid ... but clearly you are, unless you were born delusional and paranoid, in which case I regret having supported your pledgehood into this pack I helped forge with Silver ..." He bares his fangs and snaps at the air close to Friti, a serious warning shot.
From the dark depths of the den comes a deep rumbling, followed by a snarl, at the proximity of the two males. An instinctual reaction of protectiveness of herself and her litter. But she HAS been hearing strange things going on outside, and she's worried and admittedly a little curious. When she replies, her voice is soft, "I'm fine...what's going on?"
Friti doesn't move as Grit's teeth snap mere centimeters away from the side of his muzzle, and instead stares contemptuously at the second the snarl on his muzzle turning into a snear, "Now whom is making wild accusations old one? Mine are grounded in reality - which is apparently a facility which you no longer possess." He snorts, taking a step forward in preparation for turning around to head back to the den, "Go back to wherever it is you came from old one. I'll need to have a serious talk with the Ones' regarding your errant behavior. Don't let me see you here again, or I dare say your days as a member of this pack are through. I'd suspect they're seriously strained as it is, if not by age and senility... then by incompetence or clouded by disease." And with a dismissive flick of his tail, he turns to leave and head back. The ancient one isn't worth the effort. He's done in Friti's mind.
It's when they stop fighting when Cotton arrives, "STOP!" She has no idea why they started fighting, but she all the intetions to stop them, at least till mom is alright and they're SURE she's alright, "Friti, please, just stop... I need you, and your Alpha needs you." Both of them are important, nad he won't refuse... Or so she hopes.
Grit jumps and pounces to land between Friti and the den to block his path. "Don't you take ONE STEP toward the den, vagrant! I swore an oath to Luna, to Silver and to Pinta to put my life before the pack. I will /not/ let you harm Silver further. Even Silvan may not enter her den!" He snarls again, his lips curling back and quiverring, showing his fangs, chipped and all from age.
Haze shrinks back at the snarl, his paws skittering against the ground to push himself back to a safe distance, both for himself and his mother. "Grit and the arrogant white one are messing up my half-siblings' birthday," he answers simply and honestly, if a bit sullenly. For once, he agrees with Cottonpaws.
Silvan pauses, blinking a bit at the snarl before answering Silver's question, saying, "I don't know, Grit and Friti are arguing... I'll be right outside..." before backing out of the den and turning to stalk toward the two males in question, his fur bristling as he get's closer, "What's wrong with you two?"
As Silvan moves away, Silver barks after him, calling him back.
Friti pauses mid-stride, somewhat taken aback by Grit's insistence. Vagrant huh? Clearly the Grit he knows no longer exists. "Old one." He begins, pawing forward to pass him, ears matching his legs, standing tall. His tail up, and even curling a bit towards his back... a bit of a snarl becoming more evident as the hackles bristle more and more... "Step between me and my pack again and you're through." He says quietly, eyes narrowing and head rotating to track the other's as he moves, "As it is, all that's keeping me from killing you here and now is my duty to Silver and respect to the time you've given this pack. Your days as Second are done old wolf. Don't try my patience further." And he continues forward, returning his muzzle to center alignment, held high as he continues. "This conversation is over. Move along."
Oh scrap, what's with males and testosterone, why are they een fighting... Cotton growls, really frustrated now as they keep arguing and apparently none of them listened to her. The girl stops, looking at them from a fair distance away. her gaze turns to the den's direction for a momwnt, mom needs her, but she doesn't want them fighting now. The girl looks back at the males direction, sighing and shaking her head, "Both of you!" She growls as loud as possible, really pissed off right now, "If you don't stop right now and go back to the den where your Alpha needs you, I promise I will eat you both alive! Now..." She points her nose to home's direction, still growling, "Both of you, home, now..."
Grit glares. "You dare challenge me, runt? So long as I breathe, my blood belongs to Viridian, and I will not cower nor yield to any threat, ESPECIALLY at a time like this. I will not allow you to harm Haze, Silver, Cottonpaws nor anyone else you've menaced today." He does not lapse his stance to answer Cottonpaws, "He's a threat to Silver and the pups. Find Silvan," he pleads with her. "I can't let him near the den like this!"
Silvan stops when he hears the bark from the den, returning quickly and looking down into the dark, asking, "what's wrong hun?" before looking back in the directions of the snarls, somebody's gonna get hurt if he doesn't stop this.
Silver can be heard shuffling inside the den, shifting position, scuffling slightly as she moves closer to the entrance. There's a soft mewling of objection at her movements. Her voice can be heard murming softly, but words cannot be made out to any but Silvan.
He's lost it. Gone off the deep end. His mind is already with Luna, clearly his body hasn't figured it out yet. Here, just as he was beginning to head back and acknowledge Cotton's demands, (How could he say no?) when Grit speaks up once more making even wilder accusations. "... May Luna forgive me." It's time to put an end to this... Silvan and Silver don't need this sort of distraction right now. ... Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured forth his bowl into the air, and a voice cried out from the heaven, saying, 'it is done.' With nary a snarl the lad wheels about, ducks low and launches himself bodily at Grit, aiming to snap at his flank and to knock him down. Warning has been served, and thus it's time to time to escalate the problem to the next level. ... ... I have become death, the destroyer of worlds. ... Wolves of our responsibilities fighting as though it is the end of the world? Who would have thought?
Grit allows himself to be knocked on his flank, but throws his own weight in the direction of his fall to transition into a roll, craning his hindlegs out to try and hook onto the younger wolf's form as he rolls, hoping to drag the younger wolf down as Grit recovers from the fall and roll. He parts his muzzle and curls back on himself as he does so, hoping to strike in a moment of disorientation for Friti.
They're both acting like a pair of idiots, and Cotton WON'T allow anything like that near the den, near mom. Cotton is about to stand between them to prevent a fight, and order them to deal with their problems away from home, but it's too late, and she's surprised to see that it's her lad the one who started the fight. Cotton snarls at them, but taking a step away from them. As much as she wants to stop them, she knows she'll only get hurt in the middle of the fight, "DAD!!!" If someone can put them both on their right place, that's mom... But she's busy, so dad is plan B.
Silvan nods into the den before sighing, turning and heading for the fight, stopping beside Cotton and saying, "They have to work this out on their own hun..."
Friti has his limits, and will only allow himself to be pushed so far before he has to reestablish control of the situation and define new boundaries. The hit goes off at first as planned, but even when though sanity has left the oldster his reflexes are still relatively sharp it seems. The pair collide with the force of titans, falling to the earth with a might of Thor's hammer, sending a flurry of snow flying in all directions. The initial nip at Grit's flank appearing to have missed, Friti begins to feel the jaws of Grit's trap close... and though instinct may incline him to break free, the lad does the opposite and employs a trick he learned back when he was a pup in the den wrestling with his sisters - all five of them. Fighting has no grace, much as the tales, legends, and stories to the contrary might indicate. No... victory goes to the one whom can employ the most dirty tricks in the book in the shortest period of time. As thus, the oldster's strike lands and draws blood... but 'tis but a mere flesh wound and not an impairing one. Snarling in anger, Friti twists about and makes to pull a two fold strike - one snapping at the oldster's legs, chest... muzzle... whatever it can reach as he lands on his shoulder and begs to roll in an effort to regain his feet... the other, more a psychological strike. Friti skillfully angles his hindlegs to land and push-off for his shoulder roll in a most inconvenient and hopefully painful and humiliating spot, attempting to dig somewhat with his nails as he passes - his belly and between his hind-legs. As said - dirty fighting.
Grit's already well-battlescarred shoulder finds itself in the fangs of another wolf for the third time. Old scars rip open as Friti's hindpaw tears a long, deep gash along his gut, along the side of his sheath and across a testicle, crossing old scars -- yes, he's been struck /there/ before as well. Further, as Grit tries to recover from the roll and pounce-off, a pop can be heard from his left hip ... he growls through intense pain, nowhere near ready to back off, but early on his open wounds do not make for many chances at a favorable outcome for the old wolf. He springs after Friti as best he can on three legs, determined to continue. He wants to leap and pounce, but with one hindleg out of commission, that's no longer possible, so he settles for trying to brute strength crash into the younger wolf.
Cottonpaws turns to face her father, she can't believe he just said that, "But..." Her ear back up slightly, lowering her head and looking back at the action. It doesn't matter who wins to her, she's worried about both of them, speciallt the lad of course, but still, "And if... One of them falls?" She asks her father, leaning against his side.
Simone's eyes are dull, though they were sympathetic to the situation. She moves to the side of Cottonpaws and Silvan, watching the fight. "It's the way, dear," she murmurs in a warm tone to the young shewolf. "The fight is between them...with the current situation, what with your mother's labor and all, we cannot afford anymore of us getting into the middle of it."
Silvan glances over at Simone, nodding to her before looking back to Cotton, "Dominance fights aren't usually fatal..." looking back as Grit is wounded but continues to fight, calling out, "That's enough... you've lost Grit."
Rolls take time, and in a fight, time is never with you - it's a fight against the clock for every minute, every second, every moment, every /instance/. Time is the ultimate enemy. Friti completes his maneuver with all the grace and skill he learned back in the creche, mentally pleased with his ability to pull it off after not practicing for some time. To his paws he stands, turning to make for another run at the oldster, only to find he has already regained his feet and is barreling along towards him like a freight train without breaks... Time in such a fight is measured in seconds, but a funny side effect occurs when adrenaline kicks in. The adrenal gland does it job, acting to increase heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and carbohydrate metabolism... Mere moments before impact... Silvan's voice resounds out over the battlefield, but it's slurred... slow... and there is insufficient time to make sense of it. An instant. He's lost... but still is trying to fight. Two. Friti does only what he can do in this situation should he wish to avoid further risk... Three. Four. He sinks to the earth, lowering slowly into a crouch. Five. Six. Seven... And springs forward, aiming for the throat.
Grit runs very powerfully, especially considering both his age and his wounds, but focusing on squeezing every last ounce of strength out of his remaining useful muscles has cost Grit reflex time. He barrels forward, Silvan and everything external to himself and his target phased out, not seeing Friti's tactic until it is too late for him to react ... the freight train plunges straight forward beyond the fallen track, Friti not even having to bite down as Grit's momentum serves his opponent. The younger wolf's teeth rip into the old wolf's throat, jugular and all. The doomed wolf's momentum continues even as his life blood can no longer feed his muscles, plowing him into and over Friti, his blood gushing into the fur of the formerly white wolf. Grit tumbles beyond, gurgling sickeningly but not able to do more than small flexes with his throat torn open. His muzzle parts to whimper, but no noise comes out -- he cannot so much as whimper in his final moments. The world around him dims, and while no mortal soul can hear it, in the last fading thrumps of his heart, he howls to Luna to forgive all his sins and to beg her to allow him into her pack ... after a few twitches, the body that once housed Grit's spirit lays still and unmoving.
Well, finally dad tries to stop them... Though talking doesn't seem like a good idea. But ok, let dad handle it, he seems to have everything under-- Holy crap, "friti NOO!" Just in time, the girl sees her lad ins slow motion going to the beta's throat. It's like a nightmare, dad will be so pissed off now, and mom too and... She IS pissed off at him. Cotton hurries to the now crime scene, looking how Grit starts to fade, "Frit let him go!" She knows it's a stupid thing now, that bite looks really nasty, "By Luna... What have you done..."
Against protocol it may be, but there is movement back toward the den as Silver emerges. She looks strained and tired, and she's still obviously pregnant...though not as heavily as she was when she descended into the den. Her tail is down, as is her head, and she walks slowly down from the den toward where Grit lays, his lifeblood seeping out of him. Haze stays behind at the den's entrance, standing over it to keep the drafts away, given a 'look' by his mother that informs him fully that entering the den would be a BAD idea.
Silvan blinks and shakes his head as his call to stop seems to have been too late, walking over and nuzzling Grit's body before looking at the others, noticing SIlver out of the den with a suprize. He moves over to her quickly, shaking his head before saying, "Grit's gone... but you shouldent be out here."
Even as Cotton charges forward the dead is already done, and pure momentum suffices to attend to the rest. The white wolf, now no longer pure, lays where he is in the snow, breathing heavily as his opponent's tail drapes itself lifelessly across his nose. The wind picks up slightly, rustling through his fur, kicking up the churned up snow... and the heavens open, sending a torrent of slowly descending fresh snow flakes down towards the earth. Finally, the lad grunts and shifts his paws underneath him... standing in short order. A glance is given to his adopted family, his pack... and then a long, hard line emerges on his facial features and posture. "It is done... what had to be done." He says softly, turning his aqua blue eyes to Cottonpaws for an extended moment... then turning away, and walking stiffly off into the distance, disappearing into the starting storm to recuperate - away from the others. He'll deal with them later, now he has other things to think about. And as if to prove that nothing is static in this world, it is all ever moving, ever changing, the falling snow and wind is already at work burying the results of their conflict, covering the intents they've made on this plain with a fresh layer of snow and beginning to form a small drift by the form of the former Second of Veridian. Now thus properly christened with the blood of a martyr perhaps the circle of life can continue and bring forth new eyes to look upon this world... new beings as yet uncorrupted by station, beliefs and hatred?
Cottonpaws can't believe what the lad just did, still looking down at Grit cold corpse... It takes her some long seconds to actually realise the truth, he's gone, for real this time, he's not going to wake up, "I'm sorry..." She mutters softly, she should've stopped them, she should have stood between them. The girl looks at the white wolf walking away, no, that's just another bad idea, "Friti.... wait." She implores, but there's no turning back now. Cotton looks at her parents, then looking down, "Mom, you shouldn't be here. Go back inside."
Silver stops short of Grit's body, mindful of the fact that he may have indeed been ill. She looks down at the lifeless flesh, all light fled from those eyes. She lays her ears back and lowers her head with a sigh before looking back at her family sadly. "A moment can be spared to mourn the passing of a family member...no matter how confused he may have become..." She lifts her head slowly, as if it were heavy, and raises her voice to the falling snow, a long, mournful howl.
In Leafy Glen, Silver howls mournfully.
Silvan sighs and nods, lifting his head to join the howl, waiting a moment before trying to usher Silver back to the den. they've lost a member already tonight, he doesn't want to risk his pups.
In Leafy Glen, Silvan howls.
Cottonpaws looks at her parents howl for nothing, it's not like Grit is going to hear them now. The girl sighs, shaking her head and getting the feeling that this is all wrong, just a bloody nightmare. Cotton nuzzles her mother, nosing her cheek lightly as she speaks, "Go back to the den, think of the pups... Now."
Silver lowers her head as the howl dies off. She blinks at Cotton, frowning. "We mourn those who pass...we sing their souls to Luna. It is the Way." She sighs, licking Cotton's cheek, and turns back toward the den. She has much more work to do tonight. "Do not blame Friti, Cotton. What happened was what was meant to happen. It could not have transpired any other way. And believe me...He will spend many nights beating himself up over what he has done, far more than you could. If you care for him...He needs your comfort and support. He took a big leap tonight." Her words grow softer, her voice weaker, as she finishes, then slips back down into the den.
Oh right, she was not going to wait for her mother to go with the lad. Sure, mom is right, but even is she said otherwise, she was going to follow him anyway, she loves him, murderer or not, she's not going to let him be on his own in a night like this. The girl looks at her mother, then at her father, "Make sure she stays there... I'm sorry mom, I'll come back as soon as possible." But right now, he needs her. The girl turns around, she feels bad that she's leaving her mother alone after she promised she was going to be there when the pups were born... Maybe mom will understand. As fast as she can, Cotton runs after her lad, hoping to catch up.
Leafy Glen (Viridian Territory)
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The old forest empties out into a decent sized glen. The trees stand like sentinels around a large pond, the water gathered from the long creek movements. The pond is brown, with big rocks over the bottom, covered in a slick, mossy substance. It is a nice swimming hole, among other things. It mostly acts as the larger watering hole in the deep valleys of the mountains. The flowers here are hardy blooms, and the mushrooms spackle the ground around the elder trees. This is a demure place, with leafy trees and a calming pond.
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Characters Involved:
Silver - Viridian Alpha (One)
Cottonpaws - Silver's daughter
Haze - Silver's son
Friti - Viridian member
Grit - Viridian Beta (Second)
Silvan - Viridian Alpha (One)
Simone (briefly) - Viridian elder
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Silver looks up sharply from where she's resting beside Cottonpaws, eyes wide and ears perked. She looks around, as if awakened by something, frowning in confusion. Her ears flick back, and then she lets out a soft yip of surprise as pain lances through her belly. She gasps, getting to her feet and hurrying down to the pond for a drink. Who knows how long she'll be down there.
Wait, what's the problem!? First, Cotton is dreaming about her lad, having a good time, and just like that, the trance is broken and Cotton awakes from the dream world, just to see her mother rush to the water. A brow is raised, followed by a yawn, and as usual, the shaking before stretching, it's all a routine now, "Mom?" The girl asks, with that sleepy voice.
Silver doesn't immediately answer, slaking her thirst quickly. She turns to walk back toward Cotton, wincing slightly, her sides twitching. Panting, she nuzzles Cotton's cheek, licking over her ears, "It's time," she says, then looks up and around for any of the others.
Cottonpaws raises the other brow now, confused turned to surprise as her mother gives her uhm... Good news? The girl wuickly stands up, if she was sleepy, she isn't anymore, nuzzling her mother lightly, "Need anything?" Like a doctor or some morphine or chocolates?
Silver winces again, smiling warmly at Cotton. "Let the others know. Silvan is probably off finding food, Friti patrolling..I don't know...the others..." She shakes herself, edging toward the den.
Cottonpaws nods slowly to her mother, watching her get into the den. Ok, warn dad and the others... There's no better nor fastest way to do it than lifting your head tall, taking a deep breath and howling, they will surely hear her and come home, right?
In Leafy Glen, Cottonpaws howls.
Haze is not far, as he promised he would be, and at the sound of a howl, he quickly leaves behind the turtle he was following (or harassing, depending on your point of view) and trots down towards the end of the vale. Ears pricked forward, he approaches the den that served as his own birthplace, his nose wrinkling at the strong scent of pheremones in the air.
Silver winces slightly, pausing on the verge of the den. She tosses her head back to howl as well, though hers is weaker than that of her daughter. She's still above ground when Haze arrives, and she perks her ears, meeting his gaze for a moment. She looks grateful, and a little sad. A little smile graces her muzzle before it's wiped away with a wince, her sides clenching up. She grunts and ducks down into the den.
Friti is off being Friti... Snow may still litter the earth, there may still be a chill in the air, but there is something... different about today. Something... unique. Something good. Exactly what it is, he hasn't quite figured it out, but in the long run does it really matter? Ergo, we find the lad out in the middle of the woods not hunting or patrolling, both of which he's already taken a turn at, but doing only what makes sense to him. The lad is off chasing his own tail. Around and around and around he goes, snapping and snarling, whining and growling... he's been at this for a good half hour now, ever since the offending appendage (which he still maintains has a mind of it's own) thwaped him across the nose. Of course, as the fates would have it, /just/ as he manages to catch the bloody thing, Cotton's howl resounds across the valley causing him to freeze. Something is wrong? AN attempt is made to return to the den, but a critical detail is forgotten and the lad ends up flat on his face in the snow. "Ow." ... Right. Let go of the tail, /then/ run to answer... grumblegrumblegrumble...
Haze meets his mother's gaze, and the emotions behind that look do not go unnoticed. Lowering his tail instinctively, his own hazel eyes seem to hold an apologetic glance before they turn back at the sound of Friti's approach. Were he not feeling so shamed by his mother's look, and today heavy with meaning, he'd have broken down in malicious laughter at the other male - and likely had some of his bones broken in return.
Cottonpaws fixes her gaze on her mother at the howl, what, her howl wasn't good enough? The girl paces to the den's direction, resting not far from the entrance on her belly, she'll guard that entrance no matter what, dad always told her no one's supposed to go in there, besides, if mom needs something, she'll be the first to find out and help. With a sigh, she looks at her brother's direction, not saying anything, oh wait, there's a funny thought in here, "I knew you'd show up." She tells her brother, or Friti... She hopes her brother thinks she addressed him, just to bother him.
Broken bones? Maybe. A fight on his paws? Certainly - it wouldn't take much. Friti's opinion of Cotton's brother isn't quite at the cold-shoulder just yet, but it's already feeling rather frigid. So yes, a fight would certainly have been in order - despite the occasion. But as the fates would have it this is denyed and thus, while a look is sent the other male's way daring him to say anything to the contrary, the other fails to deign a response. A shame. Snorting, Friti puts on his characteristic, photogenic lopsided smirk and trots forward towards /his/ girl... "Hey! What's up?" Wait... something is missing... Ah! One eye-ridge is raised, head and tail are poised high and almost arrogantly, ears are pointed forward and focused. Confidence emerges from pores... Ah. Yep. Perfect. XD National Geographic? Eat your heart out!
Haze hears his sister speak, but he doesn't offer a reply, simply sitting quietly and facing straight ahead, not particularly caring to make small talk with either of those present at the moment. He suppresses a disgusted sneer at Friti's actions, wishing for this day to be as calm as possible for his mother's sake.
Aww, her brother didn0t bite the bait, ok, it's for the good of... Someone. Cotton looks at her lad, smiling as he gets close to her. About time he showed up, she was starting to miss him... A bit, "Mom's inside..." No duh, that was kinda obvious. The girl stretches her neck, licking the side of the lad's muzzle, "Did you catch your tail this time?" it's always fun to watch do that.
"Of course." He intones amusedly, leaning into the lick to give Cottonpaws a welcoming nuzzle in return, with of course the obligatory playful nip at her ear closely following suit. There are always two, a Master and an Apprentice... Yeah, so he's maybe getting a little big for his britches... but considering the fact he's got backup just deal. That, and posturing is something wolves do rather well. Got a problem with it? Offer a challenge, otherwise stand aside. "I presume it's time?" he inquires as he steps back, tilting his head towards the den entrance by way of visualizing his point. If so, that also explains why Haze is here...
Haze can't help but roll his eyes at the overly flamboyant actions of the male wolf, though he keeps to himself despite his urges to sigh condescendingly. All he cares about right now is making sure his mother is all right through the process, and then meeting his half-siblings for the very first time. He wonders if Silver will allow them a peek so soon after they're born or not.
Yeah, it's time... And yeah, that's the only reason Haze would even show up on this place, seems that only when pups are born, Haze's prescense is needed, it's almost as if he was born, and the next day, he escaped to meet with that Lark fiend..... Almost, "Well, it's time, but it could take more hours." She knows that because mom kept telling how much time she and her siblings waited before they WANTED to be born. Cotton noses his neck for a moment, "Hey, eyes here... You might get scared for life if you see what's going inside." or close to that, besides... He's her lad, not Silver's, grr!
The white wolf can't help but chuckle at Cotton's protectiveness... or is it envy? He's not entirely sure but the message is received and with an amused headbutt he steps back, "Yes dear." A pause, and a long measuring glace is sent back at her brother held for quite longer than necessary as eyes narrow and an ear flickers indecisively for several moments... "... Why don't you go and watch Cotton - you might learn something." And maybe it'll put an end to her asking him about pups for a bit if she gets to see the results of such labors. This said, he winks at her, turns and starts walking towards the other male, "Your brother and I are going to have a little chat." Which of course earns him a hard look, eliciting a laugh from the lad, "There'll be no blood spilt on my part, I promise." Thus reassured, the girl heads to the den entrance and pokes her nose in curiously, making quiet worried inquires and otherwise occupied for the moment.
Haze's hazel eyes turn as the pale wolf approaches, though the adolescent doesn't offer a greeting or any other sign of acknowledgement as he continues to pad nearer.
Friti stops well outside striking distance from the other male, arching a brow at the other's impertinence and lack of manners... but lets it slide. Now is not the time for confrontations unless the other forces him to such extremes. Besides, aside from being him rude and general principle he doesn't have cause at the moment to start a fight. "I understand you and your sister spoke recently." The white lad offers by way of opening, remaining where he is and declining to offer proper etiquette of greeting in return, "I presume all went well?" Hey - let's talk about the weather? Is that a cloud? Safe topics Friti, safe topics...
Grit lopes into the area, his first appearance since his quarantine. He looks a bit thinner, scragglier and greyer, though its only been a few weeks. The Viridian Second spots Haze first and then Friti, approaching in an unhurried but assertive fasion, listening for the lay of the land as they seem a bit occupied with one another.
Oh, for crying out loud. Cotton, will you ever learn to keep your muzzle shut until a more appropriate time? All he wanted was some peace and quiet until his half-siblings were born, and now she's gone and ruined things without even having to have spoken directly with him. Impressive, sis. But Haze replies both as neutrally and honestly as possible, his eyes still trained straight ahead. "We both agreed that mother's birthing should be accompanied by a peaceful environment."
The young white wolf listens to the other's explanation and merely nods, "Then there shall be no conflict between us this day." Friti isn't entirely without understanding mind you... His eyes narrow as he spots a somewhat familiar form emerging from the treeline over haze's shoulder and a frown emerges, "Go see to your mother and sister - they're going to need your support." Though for what, he doesn't expound upon, but merely moves past Cotton's brother and stalks towards the approaching banished second, matching the other's body posture with his own mirroring it to a T. "Halt right there old timer. Not a step further." Friti calls out to Grit, turning and taking the proverbial and literal high-ground atop a small snow-dune rise. This is just the sort of event he was fearing would happen... best to deal with it early and nip it in the bud, no?
Haze isn't going to listen to this newcomer order him around. With a snort of disdain, he remains precisely where he's already seated, though he turns to gaze back curiously when the arrogant male begins to boss someone else around...the second?! "...Grit?" he murmurs under his breath in confusion, eyeridges furrowing quizzically
Grit flattens his ears ... he figured it was about time for Silvan and Silver's pups to whelp ... and he's irritated that there should be any discord so near the den. The One may have a year experience under her fur, but nothing should be allowed near her that might upset her, so far as the Second is near. He growls lowly and nastily at Friti. "Just what do you think you are doing? You want a piece of me, take it away from the Den. This is no time to upset the One."
Friti stands his ground, eying Grit with annoyance and doesn't relax his attitude or posture an inch. No, if anything the other male's attitude does nothing but further irritate the already high-strung tension in the lad's mind, "Like you should talk you old 'coon." He growls in return, taking the opportunity to stalk one closer to the other. Lips pull back and hackles rise somewhat as he does so, his already white fluffy form seeming growing larger as he does so, "What in Luna's name is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind as well as your senses? Go back into quarantine - the last thing we need is for the pups to catch your sickness."
Sickness? Regardless, this isn't the sort of stressful situation Silver needs to overhear. "Grit's right, Friti. If you're going to make a scene, do it elsewhere, for the sake of our One," he intones evenly, not wanting to draw even more heat back on himself but standing up for his superiors nonetheless. What spirit died and gave this bastard such a superiority complex?
Grit glares at Friti. For the first time in a long time ... in fact, for the first time since he last dealt with Ember, the Second is thoroughly angry ... but he labors to mute a raging growl within him demanding to unleash. Even the fight with Kasia had not ignited such passion within the Second; that anger had given in to fear and regret when he realized what he had to do to protect the pack. Kasia, at least, was nowhere near the One and her pups. He growls in a low but hopefully sufficiently soft tone that it does not reach inside the den, "Follow." He turns north, away from the den, through some trees to a tiny meadow a short distance from the den, with a massive rotting log between the tiny meadow and the den entrance that should insulate well against sound. The Second stops upon reaching the meadow, looks back ... and waits.
Haze watches as Friti pads after the Second, peering back in both concern and disapproval - but this isn't his battle to fight. He returns his gaze back to its former position, ears swiveling slightly, trying to listen to both the sounds of his mother and the sounds of the pair of males behind him.
She leaves him for one second and look what happens. He's a horrible male! Cotton stands up, pacing to their direction... Looking at her brother as if he was trying to ask for help, but like the jerk said, silence, she won't talk to him, "..." She was about to try and stop them, but what for... They both need to settle things, and one needs to stand down for good... Just like Cotton told her mother. The girl stands there, looking how Friti follows the Second, this is not going to be a good thing, Cotton knows it, but she's not going to stop them, she promised she was going to stay near her mother, "Take care..." She whispers softly, looking at them.
A long, low whine issues from the den, followed by a faint squeaking and then it falls quiet again, the earth muffling any further, softer sounds.
Silvan trotts into the glen panting and out of breath, he had gone out to bring Silver back some food when he heard the howls, running back as soon as he could, "What (pant) whats wrong?"
"Silver's in the middle of giving birth, if those whimpers are any indication," Haze answers Silvan, "And that damn white wolf is forcing Grit back from the den site."
Safely out of earshot of the den, Grit growls and snarls. He may be past his prime, but the geezer is not afraid. "What on Luna's green earth do you think you are doing? I don't know what kind of cougar-licking pack you come from, son, but disturbing the One when she whelps makes you beyond a troublemaker and a borderline danger to the pack. I don't give a coyote's ass what you think about me, but pups -are- the pack. I'd say you are lucky Silvan hadn't caught you making such a fuss so near the den, but ... I can't really say I'll be much less lenient than he would be!" Preach, preach preach!
Ok, so she lied. Cotton looks at her brother for a moment, "Watch mom." And then she trots to the males' direction, she can't miss this show... Erhm, she can't let them fight.... Yeah, that's more like it.
"And letting your plague infested self near the pups is any better for them?" Friti snaps in return after stalking after Grit out to this glade not terribly far from where the den was, "I'd be completely out of my mind if I were to let you closer Ancient one." In that case, confronting the problem, throwing up the alarm, and forcing said problem to keep it's distance is paramount. There are times for discretion and then there are times for action. He was already too close, a failure on Friti's part for focusing in on a single threat without being aware of others - a failure which will not easily be repeated or lesson forgotten. Ergo, the opportunity for discretion at that point was lost. "Neither the Ones, nor myself approved your returning, and to let you anywhere near Silver and the den while she is whelping and you still possibly infected would be irresponsible on my part." The white wolf slides to the side, keeping a fair distance between himself and the oldster, still bristling and growling threateningly. He isn't backing down, and he's getting more and more agitated with the impertinence offered by this damned /dog/ that is questioning his judgment.
Silvan blinks over at Grit and Friti before shaking his head, they couldent have picked a better time for this? He sighs and moves to the den to check on Silver before he can take care of the situation outside. He crouches and moves down the entrance to the den enough to see inside, "Hun, you doing okay?"
Haze's jaw drops at Cottonpaws' order and her blatant lack of concern for her own mother over her stupid boyfriend being an obnoxious idiot. Well, at least he'll be able to prove to Silver that he really does care for her, even if he hasn't always been the best at expressing that feeling. Trotting over to the den site beside Silvan - but not because Cotton told him to - he peers down into the darkness (which he should be grateful he can't see too much yet, most likely) and calls out tentatively: "Mom? You doing okay?"
Grit flattens his ears. "You have no regard for Silver's safety, and you're throwing out wild accusations. I don't know how you got infested, as I was the only one who encountered Kasia when she was rabbid ... but clearly you are, unless you were born delusional and paranoid, in which case I regret having supported your pledgehood into this pack I helped forge with Silver ..." He bares his fangs and snaps at the air close to Friti, a serious warning shot.
From the dark depths of the den comes a deep rumbling, followed by a snarl, at the proximity of the two males. An instinctual reaction of protectiveness of herself and her litter. But she HAS been hearing strange things going on outside, and she's worried and admittedly a little curious. When she replies, her voice is soft, "I'm fine...what's going on?"
Friti doesn't move as Grit's teeth snap mere centimeters away from the side of his muzzle, and instead stares contemptuously at the second the snarl on his muzzle turning into a snear, "Now whom is making wild accusations old one? Mine are grounded in reality - which is apparently a facility which you no longer possess." He snorts, taking a step forward in preparation for turning around to head back to the den, "Go back to wherever it is you came from old one. I'll need to have a serious talk with the Ones' regarding your errant behavior. Don't let me see you here again, or I dare say your days as a member of this pack are through. I'd suspect they're seriously strained as it is, if not by age and senility... then by incompetence or clouded by disease." And with a dismissive flick of his tail, he turns to leave and head back. The ancient one isn't worth the effort. He's done in Friti's mind.
It's when they stop fighting when Cotton arrives, "STOP!" She has no idea why they started fighting, but she all the intetions to stop them, at least till mom is alright and they're SURE she's alright, "Friti, please, just stop... I need you, and your Alpha needs you." Both of them are important, nad he won't refuse... Or so she hopes.
Grit jumps and pounces to land between Friti and the den to block his path. "Don't you take ONE STEP toward the den, vagrant! I swore an oath to Luna, to Silver and to Pinta to put my life before the pack. I will /not/ let you harm Silver further. Even Silvan may not enter her den!" He snarls again, his lips curling back and quiverring, showing his fangs, chipped and all from age.
Haze shrinks back at the snarl, his paws skittering against the ground to push himself back to a safe distance, both for himself and his mother. "Grit and the arrogant white one are messing up my half-siblings' birthday," he answers simply and honestly, if a bit sullenly. For once, he agrees with Cottonpaws.
Silvan pauses, blinking a bit at the snarl before answering Silver's question, saying, "I don't know, Grit and Friti are arguing... I'll be right outside..." before backing out of the den and turning to stalk toward the two males in question, his fur bristling as he get's closer, "What's wrong with you two?"
As Silvan moves away, Silver barks after him, calling him back.
Friti pauses mid-stride, somewhat taken aback by Grit's insistence. Vagrant huh? Clearly the Grit he knows no longer exists. "Old one." He begins, pawing forward to pass him, ears matching his legs, standing tall. His tail up, and even curling a bit towards his back... a bit of a snarl becoming more evident as the hackles bristle more and more... "Step between me and my pack again and you're through." He says quietly, eyes narrowing and head rotating to track the other's as he moves, "As it is, all that's keeping me from killing you here and now is my duty to Silver and respect to the time you've given this pack. Your days as Second are done old wolf. Don't try my patience further." And he continues forward, returning his muzzle to center alignment, held high as he continues. "This conversation is over. Move along."
Oh scrap, what's with males and testosterone, why are they een fighting... Cotton growls, really frustrated now as they keep arguing and apparently none of them listened to her. The girl stops, looking at them from a fair distance away. her gaze turns to the den's direction for a momwnt, mom needs her, but she doesn't want them fighting now. The girl looks back at the males direction, sighing and shaking her head, "Both of you!" She growls as loud as possible, really pissed off right now, "If you don't stop right now and go back to the den where your Alpha needs you, I promise I will eat you both alive! Now..." She points her nose to home's direction, still growling, "Both of you, home, now..."
Grit glares. "You dare challenge me, runt? So long as I breathe, my blood belongs to Viridian, and I will not cower nor yield to any threat, ESPECIALLY at a time like this. I will not allow you to harm Haze, Silver, Cottonpaws nor anyone else you've menaced today." He does not lapse his stance to answer Cottonpaws, "He's a threat to Silver and the pups. Find Silvan," he pleads with her. "I can't let him near the den like this!"
Silvan stops when he hears the bark from the den, returning quickly and looking down into the dark, asking, "what's wrong hun?" before looking back in the directions of the snarls, somebody's gonna get hurt if he doesn't stop this.
Silver can be heard shuffling inside the den, shifting position, scuffling slightly as she moves closer to the entrance. There's a soft mewling of objection at her movements. Her voice can be heard murming softly, but words cannot be made out to any but Silvan.
He's lost it. Gone off the deep end. His mind is already with Luna, clearly his body hasn't figured it out yet. Here, just as he was beginning to head back and acknowledge Cotton's demands, (How could he say no?) when Grit speaks up once more making even wilder accusations. "... May Luna forgive me." It's time to put an end to this... Silvan and Silver don't need this sort of distraction right now. ... Armageddon. And the seventh angel poured forth his bowl into the air, and a voice cried out from the heaven, saying, 'it is done.' With nary a snarl the lad wheels about, ducks low and launches himself bodily at Grit, aiming to snap at his flank and to knock him down. Warning has been served, and thus it's time to time to escalate the problem to the next level. ... ... I have become death, the destroyer of worlds. ... Wolves of our responsibilities fighting as though it is the end of the world? Who would have thought?
Grit allows himself to be knocked on his flank, but throws his own weight in the direction of his fall to transition into a roll, craning his hindlegs out to try and hook onto the younger wolf's form as he rolls, hoping to drag the younger wolf down as Grit recovers from the fall and roll. He parts his muzzle and curls back on himself as he does so, hoping to strike in a moment of disorientation for Friti.
They're both acting like a pair of idiots, and Cotton WON'T allow anything like that near the den, near mom. Cotton is about to stand between them to prevent a fight, and order them to deal with their problems away from home, but it's too late, and she's surprised to see that it's her lad the one who started the fight. Cotton snarls at them, but taking a step away from them. As much as she wants to stop them, she knows she'll only get hurt in the middle of the fight, "DAD!!!" If someone can put them both on their right place, that's mom... But she's busy, so dad is plan B.
Silvan nods into the den before sighing, turning and heading for the fight, stopping beside Cotton and saying, "They have to work this out on their own hun..."
Friti has his limits, and will only allow himself to be pushed so far before he has to reestablish control of the situation and define new boundaries. The hit goes off at first as planned, but even when though sanity has left the oldster his reflexes are still relatively sharp it seems. The pair collide with the force of titans, falling to the earth with a might of Thor's hammer, sending a flurry of snow flying in all directions. The initial nip at Grit's flank appearing to have missed, Friti begins to feel the jaws of Grit's trap close... and though instinct may incline him to break free, the lad does the opposite and employs a trick he learned back when he was a pup in the den wrestling with his sisters - all five of them. Fighting has no grace, much as the tales, legends, and stories to the contrary might indicate. No... victory goes to the one whom can employ the most dirty tricks in the book in the shortest period of time. As thus, the oldster's strike lands and draws blood... but 'tis but a mere flesh wound and not an impairing one. Snarling in anger, Friti twists about and makes to pull a two fold strike - one snapping at the oldster's legs, chest... muzzle... whatever it can reach as he lands on his shoulder and begs to roll in an effort to regain his feet... the other, more a psychological strike. Friti skillfully angles his hindlegs to land and push-off for his shoulder roll in a most inconvenient and hopefully painful and humiliating spot, attempting to dig somewhat with his nails as he passes - his belly and between his hind-legs. As said - dirty fighting.
Grit's already well-battlescarred shoulder finds itself in the fangs of another wolf for the third time. Old scars rip open as Friti's hindpaw tears a long, deep gash along his gut, along the side of his sheath and across a testicle, crossing old scars -- yes, he's been struck /there/ before as well. Further, as Grit tries to recover from the roll and pounce-off, a pop can be heard from his left hip ... he growls through intense pain, nowhere near ready to back off, but early on his open wounds do not make for many chances at a favorable outcome for the old wolf. He springs after Friti as best he can on three legs, determined to continue. He wants to leap and pounce, but with one hindleg out of commission, that's no longer possible, so he settles for trying to brute strength crash into the younger wolf.
Cottonpaws turns to face her father, she can't believe he just said that, "But..." Her ear back up slightly, lowering her head and looking back at the action. It doesn't matter who wins to her, she's worried about both of them, speciallt the lad of course, but still, "And if... One of them falls?" She asks her father, leaning against his side.
Simone's eyes are dull, though they were sympathetic to the situation. She moves to the side of Cottonpaws and Silvan, watching the fight. "It's the way, dear," she murmurs in a warm tone to the young shewolf. "The fight is between them...with the current situation, what with your mother's labor and all, we cannot afford anymore of us getting into the middle of it."
Silvan glances over at Simone, nodding to her before looking back to Cotton, "Dominance fights aren't usually fatal..." looking back as Grit is wounded but continues to fight, calling out, "That's enough... you've lost Grit."
Rolls take time, and in a fight, time is never with you - it's a fight against the clock for every minute, every second, every moment, every /instance/. Time is the ultimate enemy. Friti completes his maneuver with all the grace and skill he learned back in the creche, mentally pleased with his ability to pull it off after not practicing for some time. To his paws he stands, turning to make for another run at the oldster, only to find he has already regained his feet and is barreling along towards him like a freight train without breaks... Time in such a fight is measured in seconds, but a funny side effect occurs when adrenaline kicks in. The adrenal gland does it job, acting to increase heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and carbohydrate metabolism... Mere moments before impact... Silvan's voice resounds out over the battlefield, but it's slurred... slow... and there is insufficient time to make sense of it. An instant. He's lost... but still is trying to fight. Two. Friti does only what he can do in this situation should he wish to avoid further risk... Three. Four. He sinks to the earth, lowering slowly into a crouch. Five. Six. Seven... And springs forward, aiming for the throat.
Grit runs very powerfully, especially considering both his age and his wounds, but focusing on squeezing every last ounce of strength out of his remaining useful muscles has cost Grit reflex time. He barrels forward, Silvan and everything external to himself and his target phased out, not seeing Friti's tactic until it is too late for him to react ... the freight train plunges straight forward beyond the fallen track, Friti not even having to bite down as Grit's momentum serves his opponent. The younger wolf's teeth rip into the old wolf's throat, jugular and all. The doomed wolf's momentum continues even as his life blood can no longer feed his muscles, plowing him into and over Friti, his blood gushing into the fur of the formerly white wolf. Grit tumbles beyond, gurgling sickeningly but not able to do more than small flexes with his throat torn open. His muzzle parts to whimper, but no noise comes out -- he cannot so much as whimper in his final moments. The world around him dims, and while no mortal soul can hear it, in the last fading thrumps of his heart, he howls to Luna to forgive all his sins and to beg her to allow him into her pack ... after a few twitches, the body that once housed Grit's spirit lays still and unmoving.
Well, finally dad tries to stop them... Though talking doesn't seem like a good idea. But ok, let dad handle it, he seems to have everything under-- Holy crap, "friti NOO!" Just in time, the girl sees her lad ins slow motion going to the beta's throat. It's like a nightmare, dad will be so pissed off now, and mom too and... She IS pissed off at him. Cotton hurries to the now crime scene, looking how Grit starts to fade, "Frit let him go!" She knows it's a stupid thing now, that bite looks really nasty, "By Luna... What have you done..."
Against protocol it may be, but there is movement back toward the den as Silver emerges. She looks strained and tired, and she's still obviously pregnant...though not as heavily as she was when she descended into the den. Her tail is down, as is her head, and she walks slowly down from the den toward where Grit lays, his lifeblood seeping out of him. Haze stays behind at the den's entrance, standing over it to keep the drafts away, given a 'look' by his mother that informs him fully that entering the den would be a BAD idea.
Silvan blinks and shakes his head as his call to stop seems to have been too late, walking over and nuzzling Grit's body before looking at the others, noticing SIlver out of the den with a suprize. He moves over to her quickly, shaking his head before saying, "Grit's gone... but you shouldent be out here."
Even as Cotton charges forward the dead is already done, and pure momentum suffices to attend to the rest. The white wolf, now no longer pure, lays where he is in the snow, breathing heavily as his opponent's tail drapes itself lifelessly across his nose. The wind picks up slightly, rustling through his fur, kicking up the churned up snow... and the heavens open, sending a torrent of slowly descending fresh snow flakes down towards the earth. Finally, the lad grunts and shifts his paws underneath him... standing in short order. A glance is given to his adopted family, his pack... and then a long, hard line emerges on his facial features and posture. "It is done... what had to be done." He says softly, turning his aqua blue eyes to Cottonpaws for an extended moment... then turning away, and walking stiffly off into the distance, disappearing into the starting storm to recuperate - away from the others. He'll deal with them later, now he has other things to think about. And as if to prove that nothing is static in this world, it is all ever moving, ever changing, the falling snow and wind is already at work burying the results of their conflict, covering the intents they've made on this plain with a fresh layer of snow and beginning to form a small drift by the form of the former Second of Veridian. Now thus properly christened with the blood of a martyr perhaps the circle of life can continue and bring forth new eyes to look upon this world... new beings as yet uncorrupted by station, beliefs and hatred?
Cottonpaws can't believe what the lad just did, still looking down at Grit cold corpse... It takes her some long seconds to actually realise the truth, he's gone, for real this time, he's not going to wake up, "I'm sorry..." She mutters softly, she should've stopped them, she should have stood between them. The girl looks at the white wolf walking away, no, that's just another bad idea, "Friti.... wait." She implores, but there's no turning back now. Cotton looks at her parents, then looking down, "Mom, you shouldn't be here. Go back inside."
Silver stops short of Grit's body, mindful of the fact that he may have indeed been ill. She looks down at the lifeless flesh, all light fled from those eyes. She lays her ears back and lowers her head with a sigh before looking back at her family sadly. "A moment can be spared to mourn the passing of a family member...no matter how confused he may have become..." She lifts her head slowly, as if it were heavy, and raises her voice to the falling snow, a long, mournful howl.
In Leafy Glen, Silver howls mournfully.
Silvan sighs and nods, lifting his head to join the howl, waiting a moment before trying to usher Silver back to the den. they've lost a member already tonight, he doesn't want to risk his pups.
In Leafy Glen, Silvan howls.
Cottonpaws looks at her parents howl for nothing, it's not like Grit is going to hear them now. The girl sighs, shaking her head and getting the feeling that this is all wrong, just a bloody nightmare. Cotton nuzzles her mother, nosing her cheek lightly as she speaks, "Go back to the den, think of the pups... Now."
Silver lowers her head as the howl dies off. She blinks at Cotton, frowning. "We mourn those who pass...we sing their souls to Luna. It is the Way." She sighs, licking Cotton's cheek, and turns back toward the den. She has much more work to do tonight. "Do not blame Friti, Cotton. What happened was what was meant to happen. It could not have transpired any other way. And believe me...He will spend many nights beating himself up over what he has done, far more than you could. If you care for him...He needs your comfort and support. He took a big leap tonight." Her words grow softer, her voice weaker, as she finishes, then slips back down into the den.
Oh right, she was not going to wait for her mother to go with the lad. Sure, mom is right, but even is she said otherwise, she was going to follow him anyway, she loves him, murderer or not, she's not going to let him be on his own in a night like this. The girl looks at her mother, then at her father, "Make sure she stays there... I'm sorry mom, I'll come back as soon as possible." But right now, he needs her. The girl turns around, she feels bad that she's leaving her mother alone after she promised she was going to be there when the pups were born... Maybe mom will understand. As fast as she can, Cotton runs after her lad, hoping to catch up.