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Post by Cascade on Jun 12, 2015 10:38:22 GMT -5
"As good a reason as any." Alma replied after a brief moment of reflection on her own reasons for seeking out the Frigid Plague. She had survived on her own during her escape from her pack to the forests, and it wasn't a life for her. She would choose it in an instant over her old pack, but she didn't miss the hunger or the loneliness now that she had security, company, and a full belly.
She wondered for a moment how much she should reveal of her own life before the Frigid Plague. They were still essentially strangers, after all. But she hadn't had much of a chance to vent, and the weight of her story bore down on her. She was never going to get close to anyone if she didn't open up a little. "In my old pack, in a land across the mountain, there was no alphess. There was an alpha and his consorts. The beta and his consort, the gamma and his consort. Females in my pack were not considered to be anything more than vessels for pups. Brood mares for male successors. Whenever I spoke, I was hushed. Whenever I questioned the decision of a male, I was punished severely. I didn't think to escape because it was the only life I knew. I thought all packs lived this way."
She looked towards Caecilius as she recounted her story, but she wasn't really seeing him. She was seeing her mother, completely devoid of any spirit or character. She was seeing the scraps of a hunt that were left for her and 'her kind' after the males had had their fill. "Escaping didn't feel like an option until I was betrothed. Assigned was more like it, to an omega. My father was not of status, but he was respected and valued in the pack, but none of that regard passed down to me. This wolf that was to be my mate was an ugly coward, a sniveling liar, and a lazy oaf. He was less than trash, and in my pack I was still lower than him." She shrugged off the emotion that came welling up, determined not to let it show, "So I rigged a stampede on the next hunt and bolted in the confusion. Crossed the mountains and lived for a few months in the barrens until I couldn't stand it anymore. I heard about the Frigid Plague and heard about Perjury, couldn't even believe my ears when someone said every pack in this valley was led by a lone alphess." She looked at him in earnest now, trying to read his expression for any level of judgment or disapproval. She apologized for nothing in her past, and she felt that she was strong enough to pick herself up and move on. But secretly she yearned for validation.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2015 15:35:30 GMT -5
He wasn't expecting an explanation of any kind. When she elaborated on her first sentence, however, he felt as though it was always going to happen. Caecilius sat still for the duration of her story, staring at her - all of his attention was hers. It wasn't his usual approach when he was spoken to but he felt as though the story was one that needed to be told and he was more than willing to listen in that moment.
Caecilius had a hard stare and one could mistake it for a glare. His eyes were focused on hers. Alma's story was sad, even he could see that, but she was here now. She had gotten away from that past, physically at least. He couldn't help but have some sort of respect for this she-wolf.
When her words were discontinued, he stayed still; his eyes still looking into hers, before turning around and continuing to dig at the entrance. He didn't speak for a few moments, seemingly ignoring the other. "Your old pack was wrong, Alma." It was more than wrong. It was downright hateful. Gender shouldn't define how you're treated. He was glad that she got away, even though she was a stranger. She didn't deserve that sort of life.
He continued digging, pausing briefly to look over his shoulder at her. "You going to help me or just stand there?" Caecilius didn't see the point in continuing to speak about the past. It was long gone and she probably wouldn't appreciate his half-assed comfort.
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Post by Cascade on Jun 13, 2015 14:48:24 GMT -5
His words sent a small twinge of something through her body, some emotion that she could not quite place. It felt...affirming. It was something she had so little experience of that she could barely comprehend it. Strange how even those of evil hearts could build each other up, it was so different from being torn down.
"I suppose I'll lend a hand," she said, dialing herself back to a more aloof nature after sharing the intimate details of her life, "Although you've done a fine job." Taking to her feet, Alma joined Caecilius' side and dug with him until the den looked as good as new. Spacious enough for the male and cleaned of leaves and needle branches, it would serve him well. "Looks like you're home, then. Welcome to the family."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2015 15:03:44 GMT -5
His eyes briefly met hers when she joined his side to help and he smile a little. It made him feel as though he had a friend in this pack already. Once they were done and she said her piece, he sat back on his haunches and nodded to her. An ear flickered backwards, listening to the wind travel through the trees whilst the other ear stayed in place. It made him look a little dopey; somewhat childish.
"Thanks." He stood back up, crouching lower and moving so that he was inside his new den. He turned around to get used to the space before sticking his head outside; white and violet fur a lot dirtier than when he had begun digging. He scooted forwards so that he was lying at the entrance and rested his chin against his paws. "Are you going to leave me now?" Caecilius made sure that his voice was as passive as usual but he was kind of hoping that the other would keep him company; if not now then maybe another time.
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Post by Cascade on Jun 17, 2015 16:44:10 GMT -5
Alma tilted her head at his interesting choice of words. "I see no reason not to stick around," she said, "Unless you're dying to be rid of me." She laid down outside the den, facing him. She wasn't about to invite herself in, even though she helped build the place. In her experience, evil wolves had a very well-developed sense of personal space.
"I took you for a loner when I first saw you," she observed, figuring she would make conversation if she was going to stick around, "Like perhaps you had joined the pack just for the sake of using it for shelter. Maybe I'm projecting because that's how it started out for me. After leaving my pack, I never thought I would pledge myself to a leader again. It just goes to show how much your plans mean to the hand of fate." Truthfully, although Alma's respect for Perjury was genuine, her loyalty was a sham, at least at first. The only protection she knew was to keep herself guarded, and she had done so for months within the confines of the territory. But as the winter thawed, so had her defenses. With the Frigid Plague she began to feel a sense of identity and wholeness that was entirely new to her. Now she could truthfully say that she would lay her life on the line to defend her home, but it had taken quite some time for her to get there.
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Post by Strange on Jun 18, 2015 11:09:37 GMT -5
Mind if Tora, a new member of the pack, enter into the scene?
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Post by Cascade on Jun 18, 2015 12:42:12 GMT -5
(Sure thing!)
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Post by Strange on Jun 18, 2015 16:55:12 GMT -5
As the tiny, yet suitable young pup venture through the hollow ruins of redwood trees scattering the cripple autumn leaves and cooling winds as his paw enter the scene. The soft, running soil ooze between his paws, taking in the escaped warmth camping within his paws and engulfing the latest scent of oaks, acorns, and the faint smell of the migrating deers that still roam the high hills. His brightly celestial blue eyes gaze the mammoth towers hovering over them, still awaiting his movement ever since his department on the outskirt borders; therefore, the small pup's body appeared micro to the forest. Tora, being the his name means tiger, skin is painted with bright orange shine under the heavy black stripes surrounding his entire body, while his cheat and belly are covered in snow white.
Tora, born on the fithly waste where no sunlight escape the black clouds, the hindering hunt for prey are at low times, and only the strongest of pups live into mature, as for him, who was hail as a runt, wasn't prayed upon to live. Mocked by his peers and even his own family of his tiny size and two twin born tails scorched a deep radical hatred of others beside himself, seeing other wolves different from him as a threat to him and his life. He wish that this pack is different from home, as he have no mercy and no regret to spill more blood than usual.
As his mind soon evade his thoughts on his old home, Tora brush upon the wooden dens of the Frigid Pack just choosing the most desire one of them all before spotting two grown wolves chattering with each other.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2015 17:22:23 GMT -5
He kept his eyes trained on his conversation partner. She was probably the chattiest of wolves that he had met thus far. It didn't bother him that much; he welcomed company after spending his youth alone. She was interesting, at least. He could be grateful for that.
When she was quite finished, he chuckled a little - under his breath. "I'm not a loner; well I was, I guess." He paused in his speech. His eyes switched from her face and instead scanned the surrounding area. Caecilius was sure that he heard someone approaching. He stayed like that for a good few moments, his pale fur standing on end. After a few minutes, however, he reluctantly faced Alma again. "Sorry, I thought I heard something. Might've been a squirrel or something dumb." His mutter was low, as though the sound that he had heard could hear them.
Caecilius was about to continue the conversation when a streak of orange caught his eye. The colour stood out too much to be an ordinary creature; it had to be another wolf. Perhaps it was a pack member? He sat up, just outside the entrance of his den, and looked towards where he'd seen the colour; hoping to see the other again.
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Post by Strange on Jun 21, 2015 14:07:36 GMT -5
Thinking it wasn't his business creeping upon two wolves chattering about, Tora's body spin towards a different direction, but the feeling of set of eyes spying on the pup made the tiger pelt pup avert his neck and zoom in one the wolf known as Caecilius. His ice, cold stares went unblink while the rest of his body follow his sight on the strange wolf; Tora stand freeze, unsure wither to knowledge his bearing to the packmate or continue his den seeking quest. Thought stumble in his head, disbanding any thoughts of attacks, where he is bound by the rules of the pack from Tala, the pack's Gamma.
Tora's muzzle begin to open, but the cluster of thoughts still clouded his mind, resulting his mouth to shut sharply. His eyes still frozen on Caecilius, waiting on his move.
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Post by Cascade on Jul 10, 2015 12:52:10 GMT -5
(Hey guys, apologies for the disappearance! The hiatus was unintended @_@)
Alma's guard went up when Caecilius heard something. She wasn't overly worried at the prospect of an intruder being able to seriously injure them, but she was certainly not in the mood for a ruckus. Her relief shown on her face when Tora appeared. She had never seen him in person, but had overheard Tala mention a wolf of his description having joined the pack not long ago. It would seem that the packlands she had thought to be impossibly large were in fact getting a little crowded. If you could call three wolves in one forest crowded, of course. Alma could.
"Greetings," she said, hoping to at least break the silence that now hung in the air, "My name is Alma. Caecilius can make his own introduction, although I suppose I have just done that for him."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2015 16:17:47 GMT -5
He let go of the tension in his shoulders when the other didn't seem to be worried about the new wolf's presence. His suspicions were confirmed when she addressed him by name - definitely a pack member then.
He nodded in greeting before resting his head on his paws, lying down. "Caecilius. I suppose you're Tora. It isn't very polite to approach another wolf so quietly." He huffed a little; more annoyed with himself for not realising his presence earlier.
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Post by Strange on Aug 28, 2015 2:21:53 GMT -5
OOC: It's OK!
Hearing from the two adults announcing themselves, Tora's head spin towards them once more, averting his full attention to them with every details by looking up and smiling. "Hello! Sorry, I didn't want to butt into your conversation; that would be very rude of me. Beside, I wasn't too thrilled about your boring tales, sorry!" Even though his smile still press on his muzzle, his voice hiss with sarcastic and deadpan.
The pup return his gaze at dozen of dens still undiscovered, but the pup knew from the scent that they had already been claimed. He doesn't like a race to find a suitable den with only himself. Darn.
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Post by Cascade on Sept 2, 2015 16:01:33 GMT -5
Alma raised an eyebrow at the brash little wolf. Wolves of the evil persuasion often held their alliance from birth, and you could never predict how they would be as pups. Some wolves were cold and bloodthirsty savages from the moment they separated from their mother's teat, others were more "normal"...not monsters, well-adjusted even, but with an inclination towards mischief and tomfoolery. Alma supposed that Tora was the latter. He was quite big for his britches, and she couldn't find it within herself to decide whether it was irritating or cute.
"If we're so very boring, then why not come entertain us? Surely a worldly wolf like yourself could teach us a lesson in the art of stimulating conversation. Don't you agree, Caecilius?" She smiled sweetly at the pup, eager to see the little one put his money where his mouth was.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 16:12:43 GMT -5
Caecilius smirked slightly at his companions words. He nodded at her, turning his attention to the pup in front of them. The little tike had made quite the introduction so he hoped that he'd at least stay consistent and not cower at their attention. Was the pup as big as he thought he was, that was the real question.
He lay his muzzle down onto his front paws slowly, his cold gaze never leaving Tora and his smirk staying firmly in place. "Don't let me stop you, kid. Do teach us how to be more interesting if you're so good at it."
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