like the wind {open}

[tovaana]

Makani;

“Leave me…”

The words were still echoing in his mind, words he had spitted at his brother who had been shocked – then pretended not to care. He had babbled the whole way down, how he planned to do better. He rolled his icy gaze at the thought; his cool colored form slunk through the barrens. The sun had not quite risen yet, though its light filled the sky and spoke of morning to come in less than an hour, if not minutes. His form trembled in sporadic moments and reflected an anger that was pulsing through him, blurring his mind. Geist had decided to not give him a power until he proved evil without a power. At least she hadn’t killed him… A small part of him wondered how many got killed trying to appease the goddess. Still, he felt indignant that he had to prove himself. His brother’s voice had annoyed him, and the last thing he needed was hearing how he would do better, if he could… he doubted it.

His cool gaze lifted up toward the mountain, and he bared his teeth, ears flattening backward on his skull. There was no sound anymore of his brother, but a thought occurred to him. Perhaps he would need to kill someone to prove himself dark – it would be a simple solution, if half the wolves in the vale didn’t have some power to defend themselves…. His brother’s annoying voice pulsed through his brain, and mentally he was trying to kill him – and he realized that since his brother did not have a power yet… He froze and blinked. That thought… his brother had been his only ally growing up, the thought of killing him… He shook his head and looked away from the mountain and at the barren land around him. It was how he felt, cold and empty. Maybe he could get someone else to do it? Still, he was alone, he would be even more alone if his brother was gone. But, if his brother was his weakness…

A growl rumbled in his throat at the thought and slunk onward, deeper into the rocky barrens. A cool breeze pulled at his coat, it spoke of the winter past - defying the light that threatened to peak and spill its warmth into the valley.

[koolpup]

Nexus is, for once, free of Paloma. Of course, she knows exactly where the other she-wolf is. She is resting by a pool of water, exactly as Nexus had instructed. If her sister isn't there when she returns... The wolf who removed her will be punished. A simple fact, she cannot allow her property to be messed with without some sort of punishment, that'd just be unprofessional.

She is out alone this early in the morning because she'd rather be alone. It's easier to think when her sister's fear scent isn't clogging up her nostrils. She needs to think. She often dons personas at will when starting a conversation, but... She wonders if she should pick one and stick with it when she stands at the borders of the Midnight Silence pack. Evil or not, every wolf she has met so far has been heavily unsettled when she reveals her true self, the one that is devoid of anything. It's not that she really minds it, she is just unsure if it will be a hindering factor in her possibility of joining. The pack is notorious around the valley, and there is a wolf who catches her interest amongst its ranks. Nyx. The she-wolf seems to have gained quite the reputation for herself. Reputations aren't exactly Nexus's thing, but that doesn't mean she isn't still very much intrigued. Perhaps, if Nyx is truly what other wolves say she is, Nexus won't need to don a personality to join. Perhaps the wolves of Midnight Silence will embrace her into their ranks as yet another killer who is, a little off.

She pauses, her ghostly white eyes spying another wolf who is wandering the barrens as well. He is slinking, perhaps angry, maybe a little distraught. Intriguing emotions to the emotionless female. She will speak with him, find if he could be of any use to her. As she begins her approach, she isn't sure what to become. She decides to assess the situation once she arrives. Though she does stand straighter, letting her fur fluff out more and fill her form ever so slightly in a way that she looks more like a healthy wolf, just with sharper angles. She stops when she believes she is far enough from the wolf to not alarm him or make him feel wary of an attack, but close enough to hear and know she is speaking to him.

"Greetings," She says simply, keeping her tone smooth and delicate, filling it with a cautious but seemingly friendly timbre. "I did not expect to see anyone else out here this early." The character she is creating has no meat to her yet, she is just curious, though that is fine, for she will fill out to be whatever this wolf seems to think of her.

[tovaana]

Makani;

He had been so lost in his anger and plans to prove himself, that he hardly realized he wasn’t alone. If she had not spoken, he would have wondered if it was an apparition that had appeared before him. His own sharp angled head lifted to look at the white and grey wolfess in the dim light of the morning. While he was surprised, he only cooly lifted his head, his even colder teal gaze meeting her surprisingly white eyes. Makani let a short silence sit between them as he thought about her words. He was not… a social wolf. He avoided others when possible, avoided speaking, avoided anything to do with others…But he was now approached and spoken to.

“Expectations…” He paused, his teal eyes scanning over the sharp angles of the femora. “…are meant to be disappointed.” Currently he was thinking about his encounter with Geist and his lip rose momentarily to reveal his teeth to reflect his prior emotions of frustration. He didn’t think that the stranger may have interpreted it differently, but he also frankly did not care.

Makani had stopped walking when she had approached him, and he had not moved an inch, watching the other warily. Maybe… this was fate. Maybe she could be his key – whether in killing his brother (maybe) or killing her. He wasn’t sure what else would appease the dark goddess, besides ruining someone’s life… Makani was a simple soul, death seemed so much easier.

[koolpup]

Nexus studies the male wolf's reaction to her, keeping her posture friendly and curious. His gaze is cool but there is an air of surprise about him. He looks at her for quite a few seconds, she patiently waits. When he finally speaks, it is not a greeting. The dark grey and white she-wolf flicks an ear slightly, noting his frustration. 'Expectations are meant to be disappointed...' She echoes in her mind. The words are quite true, especially for her. Perhaps his words are a reference to something someone did to him recently? That would explain the anger and frustration. Her new personality shifts on her paws slightly, widening her eyes in question.

"Oh? I suppose so." She watches him curiously, tilting her head at the way he is eyeing her. She comes to the conclusion that he is trying to decide something. She decides to try and see if he'll let her see any more of what he is thinking. "Did someone recently disappoint you? I understand, my sister did too not that long ago." That isn't exactly true, perhaps it would be if she were a normal wolf. Paloma had followed her despite her warnings, that would normally disappoint a wolf right? Yes, she is sure that is the right feeling. She lets herself drift from her thoughts, back to the male in front of her.

[tovaana]

Makani;

Makani eyed the femora with disgust.

“Why would you care?” His voice was as disbelieving as his narrowed eyes. He had been quite lost in his thoughts of how he was going to acquire a gift and convince Geist of his darkness, that her curious voice tore him back. She was delving into his mind, asking questions so readily – not just ‘how’s the weather’ or ‘what are you doing here’. Her questioning was uncomfortably deep, and she even offered information in return.

Keahi had never disappointed him, so why did Makani have no problem thinking maybe he should kill his brother? - Not that Makani did not squirm at the thought of killing his brother, but he wondered how readily the thought of killing his brother had surfaced from his mind… And now that he had planted the seed, it was sprouting and blooming… However, he would not spill so readily for the femora that seemed eager enough for information.

“Who are you, to care about a stranger’s pain?” He hissed, a small cold smile twitching at his lips.

[koolpup]

((Been a while haha, trying to catch up on replies))

Nexus’s persona blinks a few times, ears folding back slightly, taken aback by the disgust on the males face. She knows all too well that she just prodded at just the right spot, but why show it? Let him think that she is the type that is far too curious, dim-witted, and open-hearted. Much like her sister was before Nexus fixed her. Yes, perhaps she should play as her sister for a bit. Even if she doesn’t get what she wants, it will be interesting for her nonetheless. She lets her ears lift up again, a small, sheepish smile playing at her lips.

“Who am I?” She tilts her head to the side, smile becoming more friendly. “My name’s Nexus, and, why can’t I sympathize with you? Isn’t it what any good wolf does? Even when they are speaking with strangers?” She flicks an ear and wags her tail, perhaps putting on too much of the goody-two-paws vibe. Despite this, she still is only half of the foolish wolf that Paloma once was. She wonders what reaction she will draw out of him. More disgust? Annoyance? Perhaps, anger even? Maybe he will attack her, oh, the thought of that makes hunger rise in her belly. She hasn’t yet scored a good kill in the valley and her hunger is becoming almost unbearable. Though, today would be far too sloppy for her. She, of course, likes to get acquainted with her prey first.

She swallows the saliva that has started to fill her maw, not letting a single drop dribble out. How awful would it be if she let her persona drop now? She hasn’t even gotten close to what she wants from him. Plus, that would just be unprofessional! She levels her ghostly-white gaze back on the male, waiting eagerly for his response.