Allies against the darkness ((Tagged))

[CursedErin]

@shiver

It was just a little past sunrise as an average sized wolf began to make his way through the meadow. He wasn't too sure what he was looking for there, perhaps just a moments respite from his usual activities. For Riek, it was day to day keeping an eye on the Frigid Plague pack's border. He was always looking for an easy target, or any at all. He succeeded once before, taking down not just any normal wolf, but the beta of the pack of all things! It was a glorious accomplishment for the golden colored wolf, and he'd be on the lookout for more.

He had a casual look about him, not really smiling nor frowning as he walked along through the Lunar Meadow. Riek questioned himself about how to train his newfound power. A familiar crackling ran through his mind as he thought about the electricity that coursed through him, he'd need his power to take down a whole pack. He'd need more than that though, it would be nearly impossible for one wolf to bring down countless others, no matter how powerful his skill became. Of course there was also Perjury... He had heard many stories about the alphess, and knew that he would definitely need his power at peak efficiency before even attempting to take her on.

No doubt the alpha from Frigid Plague had heard about Vanitas' killing, though he wondered if she knew it was him. That remained unanswered, though he was sure he'd find out eventually.

Riek shook his head from side to side, trying to clear his mind. Now was a short time to relax himself, no need to worry himself over every little detail involving his grand scheme. Sighing slightly, the male took a break from his walk and seated himself down beside a tree. He was easily visible in the morning sun as his golden, red-tipped fur made him easy to spot. At the same time however, it wasn't like he was trying to hide. After all, he wasn't fearful of anything that lurked in the dark, he merely wanted everything in the dark gone.

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It was a beautiful summer day, the sun beaming down upon the vibrant grasses, gleaming with morning dew. The shocking green of the grasslands was quite unlike anything Torrent had seen in the Bleak Bluffs. there was life and splendor there, of course, but nothing so lush and keen. The heather and thorns in Honovi bloomed every spring, bursting into gorgeous crimsons and lilacs. Honovi...Torrent bowed his head, mourning over the lost pack. He had stayed in the crumbling ranks out of sheer loyalty. He had clung to the last spider webs of hope, grasping onto anything that meant Treason was alive. He had indeed sided on Demetrios, but that did not mean he wished treason dead. She was not cruel to him...Avalanche had whispered to him that she had the power to command his death at an ears flick. Torrent was reminded of his sister, the russet and white shewolf was gone now, warning him that if he was wise he should leave too. Apparently, he was not so wise. He had stayed behind and had watched his packmates leave, dismissing Treason as dead. And so, not knowing what else to blame for her absence accepted this. Treason was dead. Avalanche had left him. He was confused.

The chunky russet and teal male plowed through the closed budded lilies, oblivious that he crushed the dormant blooms under his monstrous paws. He looked straight ahead, his greenish blue eyes having immediately spotted a glistening gold figure in the grass. Not planning out his actions before hand, he loped fearlessly towards the stranger. Usually Avalanche acted as him impulse control. And without her...there was no telling what would happen. Now merely three wolf-lengths away from this wolf, Torrent spoke. "Hey," As soon as the word slipped past his lips, he realized his mistake. He had no plan. Avalanche always preached that one should have a plan or prediction for each situation they were thrust into. In this case, a situation he thrust himself into.

[CursedErin]

The familiar crackling noise didn't remain inside of Riek's head for very long. An unannounced wolf made their presence known with a short word. His head snapped in Torrent's direction, the same blank expression dawning his muzzle as he looked over the male. Normally, the golden wolf would have judged the male harshly, blaming him for sneaking up on him. However, he had spoken up and said a greeting to Riek, that had to of meant he was good hearted, right? Only time would tell, and if need be Riek would bring down the large wolf if he had to.

The orange irises seemed to scan over the russet a teal colored wolf, examining him for the moment. After a short an awkward silence, Riek finally spoke up. "Greetings." He began plainly, "Friend. Or foe?" His words seemed to have had a sharp edge to them. Torrent seemed different to Riek, though he wasn't sure why. Either way, the crusader didn't wish to take any chances with the large male. Despite feeling a bit threatened at first, Riek kept himself calm and collected for the meanwhile. His tail thumped the grass beneath him a few times as he watched Torrent with all four of his eyes. The two markings above each of his eyes gave an illusion of a red eye with a black center. Of course, they weren't actually eyes, just a simple marking on his fur.

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Torrent raised a paw as if making to leave as the wolf's head snapped towards him. His gaze was certainly unnerving...and those markings above his eyes only amplified the effect. Torrents head dipped instinctively, his ears flipping backwards. It was an awkward picture, a huge wolf cowering before a smaller male. The golden wolf's voice however was unnerving. Blunt, rough, a warning flag flew up in Torrent's mind. He was not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he still had instincts. He greeted him, still sitting placidly beside a small tree. Friend or Foe. Torrent thought for a moment, something he didn't used to have to do with his sister around. She usually had everything covered. He wasn't a foe...so that only left one option. "Friend," He answered plainly, not sure how to proceed. He abruptly sat himself down in the grass, letting his tongue loll out as the sun bathed his back in warmth. "Er...what're you doing?"

The male glanced at him, and decided he should continue to submit, and thus sunk down to his belly, his legs stretched out to the side. He scolded himself, he probably sounded stupid. All this change and loss had really shook him up. Making an effort to sound more educated, he spoke once more. "I'm Torrent, I come from Honovi...but now that it's gone...I have no where to go," He lifted his head and gazed at the golden male. "I was hoping you could help me?"Now that he said it, he realized it was true. He was searching for somewhere to go, someone to talk to. He had always been beside Ava, and he had known that she would never leave him. But she had. And he hadn't thought that far ahead. He never had.

[CursedErin]

The smaller of the two males relaxed a little at Torrent's words. A friend was certainly welcome, it even brought a gentle smirk to Riek's face. Riek raised up a brow at the wolf as he was questioned, before Torrent continued onwards with his own words and laid himself down in the grass. He certainly seemed peculiar to Riek, but the last few words certainly intrigued the murderous wolf.

The electric wolf dipped his head politely at Torrent, as if some sort of bow. "Apologies for sounding so... Harsh. But I have my reasons." Riek stood himself up for a second as he spoke, readjusting himself to face towards the larger wolf before sitting himself back down. "I was simply relaxing for a moment, though I suppose I could offer my help..." He continued on. The crusader thought silently to himself. The pack name rang in his head for a moment as he thought about Honovi, it was a neutral pack, that had been around for some time. What had caused it to break up, and why hadn't Riek learned sooner?! It could be quite a valuable asset to him to have a Honovi member on his side, as from what he remembered the pack was allied with Frigid Plague. The facts only made him a bit more cautious however.

Riek's face returned to a calm and unnerving state, a bit too relaxed for anyone's comfort. "I'm not entirely sure what I could help you with though. You seem like quite the able-bodied wolf to me." He offered a compliment, still scanning over Torrent a little. "Aah. Manners, sorry again. I'm Riek. I don't belong to a pack because of my... Ideals. I prefer to keep to myself so I don't bring too many others into my troubles." He mentioned, bowing his head once again while he spoke his name. He couldn't believe he forgot to introduce himself at first, mentally scolding himself a little while he awaited Torrent's reply.

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Torrent gazed at Riek, the golden male was so cool, polite. He had an air about him that reminded him of Avalanche. He knew what he was doing, he knew what he wanted, and he knew how to get it. Torrent couldn't help but feel envious, the pain of not being enough gnawing away at his chest. Torrent had always been there for muscle, intimidation. He had never been allowed to speak to strangers, Ava knowing he would just mess things up. but now that Riek was responding more than kindly to him, Torrent began to take confidence. Perhaps he wasn't as dim-witted and thick-skulled as everyone thought! The brute smiled now, welcoming Riek's words. He wasn't at all like Ava. He let him speak, have feelings and thoughts. Torrent's tail whapped the ground as he spoke. "Well...if you can't help me...maybe I could help you?" Torrent, linking it best to explain hismelf, and being the naive beast he was, began to expound on his plight and foolish willingness to follow anyone who would be his friend.

"My sister Avalanche and I were inseparable, that is I thought we were until Honovi began going down hill. After being together for our entire lives, an unstoppable team, she didn't even hesitate in leaving me." He snorted, crushing a stray beetle under his paw. "I stayed loyal to my pack, stayed until the end. But when Demetrios left me as well...I had no one to follow." Torrent's fac had fallen while he spoke, but now, finishing his speech, he smiled sadly. "That's where I was hoping you could help me. When I saw you...this sounds weird now that I say it...but...you look and act like a wolf that I could follow." He wanted to be friends with this Riek, his childish nature yearning for companionship. But that might scare this gold and red male off. He would surely have to earn his friendship.

[CursedErin]

The golden wolf continued to keep a calm face, though at Torrent's smile and first words he couldn't help but raise a brow. He'd allow the larger male to explain himself first however, before he dared to interject. Honovi's fall... He wondered why it was just now he was learning about such a thing. Was he perhaps too wrapped up in keeping an eye on Frigid Plague that he let all of the other wolves of the mountain slip his mind? Perhaps it would be beneficial to him to have an ally... A friend. At the same time, he wouldn't dare let Torrent walk in blindly. He'd let him know well enough what he was getting himself into.

Riek smiled a little at the thought of being called a leader. He felt like he had the ability to lead for quite some time and had even considered starting his own pack. With his ideals though, he wasn't so sure how certain wolves and other packs would look upon him. Instead, it was best to keep his motives to a small group of wolves that he would seldom meet from time to time. Torrent would only be the third wolf to know about his ploy. "I appreciate the kind words, Torrent, though you must know that following me isn't such a simple manner."

The golden wolf closed his eyes gently and tilted his head backwards. His eyes would open up just as slow as they had closed before he continued on. "I believe everything happens for a reason. The reason I'm here in this world is to cleanse it of evil wolves."
He would state, rather bluntly, as he watched the clouds. "Frigid Plague has particularly piqued my interest... A pack lasting such a long time with evil as its roots..." The golden wolf sighed a little and lowered his head once more, keeping his calm and collected stare on Torrent once more.

Riek seemed to be examining him, not sure if he could trust the large wolf for the meantime. Still... What did he have to lose? He was already risking his life every day, or close to it. He wondered if Torrent would follow him, or betray him. "If you were to follow me, you might turn up again old allies, old friends, old family... Those who have lost their hearts to the darkness and there is no hope of them coming back. They may end up seeing you as a tried and true enemy by then, and you will have to fight. Is this something you can do Torrent? Or will your connections cloud your judgement?" The golden wolf tilted his head slightly to one side, still keeping his non-expressive face, though still rather curious as to what Torrent might say.

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Torrent couldn't deny that he was shocked by what Riek had said, but as he spoke, so considerate and careful, not wanting Torrent to get involved with something so dangerous. Evil wolves. It was in their name. Evil wolves couldn't be good for the valley, obviously. And if Riek was right, and everything did happen for a reason, then Torrent had met and felt what he had felt for a reason. The clouds of doubt cleared in his eyes, his face brightening as if he had been enlightened by the white wolves themselves. Torrent had no evil friends or family, so they would be safe, so Riek's final warning did not hit Torrent hard in any particular way. His russet tail thwapped the ground as his ears sprang up on his skull.

"I think I get it Riek," Torrent spoke solemnly, understanding the errand in his own way. "If it is as you have said, and everything happens for a reason...then one can conclude that Honovi fell for a reason, and that I met you here for a reason. I am now thinking that that reason must be for me to join you in your quest," The more torrent thought about it, the more it felt right. With the valley purged of evil influence families could sleep soundly, knowing that they and their pups would be safe from mal intent. "Riek, I understand your ideals, and I want to help you. You and I can overcome evil and do so much good in the valley! Please, let me help you."

[CursedErin]

The change in Torrent's eyes interested the golden wolf. He saw the passion, the sparks to ignite a flame in those sea green eyes. The words that followed confirmed it for the crusader. Without much further warning, Riek stood himself up to all four paws and watched down at Torrent from his own full height. It was strange to look down on a wolf as large as Torrent, but at the same time Riek took a commanding hold of it and held his expressionless gaze, one that was almost eerie and unwelcome.

One paw after the other, he stepped himself closer and closer to Torrent. "You seem to understand what you're getting yourself into." He started, the tail behind him seeming to keep still as well. The two red and black spots above Riek's main eyes started to glow faintly once more, and if Torrent looked close enough he would spot a mark on Riek's underbelly glowing as well.

"Very well Torrent. If you think you can handle it, then you are welcome." The smaller male lowered his head a little and pressed it up lightly against Torrent's. A small shock would flicker to life between the two males while Riek pressed his head to Torrent's. He withdrew shortly after, perhaps it was a way of welcoming the other male.

"All are welcome if they aim to help my cause. Do not think this means a pack will be formed any time soon. That is not my goal. I do hope you enjoy your time with me." He said, soon seating himself back down. His own golden and red flaked tail thumped against the ground a little while he watched Torrent, wondering slightly. "Feel free to ask any questions... I'm still wondering myself how this will work out... After all, I've been determined to complete this whole thing alone... One wolf at a time. It's strange to me to have... Company for it."