A Shadow of Loneliness (Open)

[ohayoukitsune]

A dark shape emerged from a shadow cast by a pile of rocks. It appeared to be a wolf, suffering from a wound or two on its side. The wolf had dark purple markings, which blended well with his dark coat. Head hung low, he began to lap at the cold, blue waters of the fall.
“Ah!” The wolf hissed in pain, swinging his head to look at his wounds. “Oh yeah, wonderful job, Fallen. You fit your name perfectly.” He muttered to himself, limping some ways away. It was harder than he’d thought, being on his own.
Fallen curled himself up, and began searching his coat for any burrs that had gotten stuck, or small pebbles. There were some, which he expertly manuevered out of his coat with his tongue. Scratching his claws against the ground, he growled deep in his throat.
“If only I’d stood and fought.” He muttered to himself. It would be hard enough finding a new den, what with the approaching winter and all. It was bad enough he was now essentially homeless in the fall. He growled again, once more in frustration. He honestly didn’t know why he tried so hard to stay alive. Perhaps it was because he didn’t want to be killed by lowly bandits, or, even worse, a simple pack member. Better to go out in glory, defeated by an Alpha after wiping out the pack. Yes, that would be nice. Especially if the alpha succumbed to his wounds before Fallen did. He could watch the sorrow and defeat as the light faded out of the wolves eyes. Fallen chuckled menacingly to himself. Yes, that would certainly be preferable.
The dark wolf continued to soothe his wounds, his purple eyes glowing with menacing excitement. Fallen knew his strengths and weaknesses, unlike some wolves. What Fallen lacked in strength, he more than made up for in speed, and often used that to his advantage. After all, he reasoned, several cuts are just as deadly as one deep cut, if not more. The thin wolf hissed again, his leg jerking as a cold breeze brushed his wound. Falling down a mountain was not ideal for ones health.
Fallen limped towards a grouping of trees, who’s leaves had turned a rich golden red. There were already some on the ground. Perfect. The wounded predator began weakly scratching out a small dip, attempting to create a place where he could rest and regain strength.

[tovaana]

Tovaana’s golden flecked paws were covered in a layer of dust, so it was harder to see the gleam when the sun touched them through the trees. However, her legs were cleaner and they welcomed the warming sun whenever possible, glittering in response. The legs carried Tov with confidence, but stealth – knowing the danger of being alone. She had meant many moons ago to join a pack, but she hadn’t yet, and why not? Was she too used to traveling alone now? She still missed company, so maybe it was the appeal of traveling that kept her from a pack….Or the fact that she didn’t know what her skills could actually do or help yet. She needed to practice. It was hard to practice when she wasn’t looking for trouble, she had avoided crossing paths with dark heart and evil wills as long as she could. Did she need to become more reckless?

She shook her head as she walked, clearing her head of the ridiculous idea. Her white body blended only with winter, not with the coloring landscape around her. But winter was in the air, and despite the sun that tried to warm her, there was a wicked breeze from the way of the mountain that cut through her fur and sent shivers down her spine. Perhaps she could do with a pack this coming winter, the thought of curling with other bodies to keep warm was appealing, and so far she hadn’t been able to keep her travel companions near her.

Oh well.

The sound of gurgling water caught her attention at that moment, as she automatically changed her direction, now moving just as swiftly toward the water. It happened to be a stream and she took a couple of cool laps of water before following it upstream, her belly thinking of the idea of fish if she could find another lake or pond. That is, until the breeze changed directions for a moment and brought her the smell of another wolf. Male. Wounded. Her swift stride came to a sudden halt; the grass and fallen leaves protesting under her sliding paws and claws. Her heart quickened in pace and she stood there, thinking. Did she continue? What if he was badly hurt? She could try to find the plant that soothed pains, she was no botany expert, but living alone with her mother growing up and alone ever since her death, she had learned a few survival skills.

Her kind heart didn’t take long to decide, she hurried away from the stream, searching among the bushes for the bush that she knew would be dwindling because of the fall. Once she had grabbed a stem, she found the stream once more and bounded alongside it until she heard the crashing falls ahead of her and the scent of the male somewhat stronger.

Golden flecked eyes searched around until she found the shadowy figure of the male nestling into the leaves under the trees nearby the pond. She slowly placed the small twig with the herbal leaves down before approaching any closer. First, she needed to figure out if it was safe to approach at all. Injured wolves were desperate. Evil wolves were… well… not as approachable.

“Hello?” She called out to him, taking a few strides closer, but still far enough that she could make a quick escape if she wasn’t welcome.

[ohayoukitsune]

Fallens head shot up, his ears going up before folding back as he turned. He’d have to bluff his way out of this one.
“I’d suggest you leave, and leave quickly.” He growled, baring his teeth. He hopped backwards a little, to get a steadier footing. Instead, he managed to fall into his hole. A yelp of pain flew unbidden from his throat. He scrabbled to his feet, one side of his dark coat dusted lightly with fresh dirt. He held his back right leg up off the ground, having sprained it in his fall.

oh yes absolutely wonderful, you’ve injured yourself even more, good going. Now that devilish shewolf can just go ahead and poison you, and you can’t even run. he though to himself, grinding his teeth in frustration. He made a move as though to leap at the shewolf, but stumbled, and fell to his side.

“Just kill me quickly.” He whimpered, all the fight leaving his thin frame. He was about to die, and he’d gone and made a klutz of himself. Nobody would talk about Fallen the Fierce, or the Vengeful, or the magnificent. All anyone would remember is the stupid little wolf who fell into his own sleeping hole before getting killed. The exact opposite of how he’d want to go out.

“Beware, if I wasn’t injured I would’ve torn your throat out by now, and fed you to the crows.” He growled, moving his head to look the beautiful wolf in the eye. She was likely manipulative, pretending to be all sweet and innocent when in reality she wouldn’t hesitate to send you to your grave.

But, how did he know she was evil? Hmm, maybe she was one of those goody goody wolves, who’d nurse him back to health before brutally murdering him. Fallen couldn’t help the way he’d been raised, though it was true he’d never tried to turn from evil. But, he hadn’t joined any evil packs, so maybe that would work for him. Not like he wanted to join a pack. You had to trust that others around you wouldn’t kill you at a moments notice, and he’d never had that kind of trust in the first place.

Fallen decided that if she were going to kill him, she’d have to look him in the eye while she did it. He stared at her intently, waiting for her next move.

[tovaana]

She watched as he came to realization that she was there. Her ears flattened on her head as he threatened her and one of her back legs shifted backward – but she didn’t move. Instead she took a step forward when she stumbled back into the divot he had been molding. This wolf was clearly injured, but she couldn’t tell quite yet if he meant his threat or if he was being defensive in his injured state.

With a sharp intake of breath she flinched as he leapt at her, and she drew on her ability too quickly. The rings around her eye shimmered for a moment and the shield appeared in front of her in quick reflex. She could see the male through her gold glittering shield, but the male had not run into her shield, he had fallen. Her heart pounding, she stepped from behind her shield to look at the male, starting to realize that the male was most incapable of chasing her, but he could still have a bite. She rolled her eyes at his plea of ‘just kill me’. And she was about to turn to go get the herbs she had brought when the male spoke again. She froze at the new threat.

Her eyes hardened, the glittering flecks flashing in quick irritation. So, it wasn’t just a show, he seemed more and more to side with the ‘evil’ wolves. Still, she wasn’t sure she understood the evil wolves. She had run into one that she had showed that she cared, and the evil wolf had been grateful… So. What did being ‘evil’ really mean? She didn’t buy it. Especially from his injured male.

Tovaana stood there a moment longer, just staring back, not speaking. Should she leave him to possibly die? He could possibly live too. She thought back to the good wolf whose crusade was to kill all evil wolves, this wolf would have been dead long ago if it had been him to come across this wolf. But it was her, Tovaana, standing there, watching him grumble. Expressionless she turned around and grabbed the stem with leaves and turned quickly back. She passed her shield and came a little closer, but still not within distance that he could attack her. She stopped again and paused, stem in maw. Did he deserve it? Probably not. Did it matter? … Probably not.

She tossed the stem with the leaves near him.

“Chew it, its bitter, but put some on your wounds – it will soothe the pain.” Actually it was nasty, but she had found it worked miracles on minor wounds.

Her voice was stiff, unsure. She stepped a few steps back to be more out of reach alongside her floating shield, and watched to see what his reaction would be.

[ohayoukitsune]

A... shield? A shield. The wolf had a magical shield. Perfect, she was one of those goody goodies who had gotten a power from a white wolf. Fallens ears flattened at her command. Chew it? Sure, it might take his pain away. By killing him! Who did this shewolf think she was? Fallen decided he would confront her despicable way of trying to poison him, and on his own feet. He struggled to his paws, standing.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but that’s a pitiful way to try and poison someone.” He growled, limping to his makeshift bed. He slowly eased himself into the divot, positioning his body so his wounds faced upwards, so as not to get dirt in them. The last thing he needed was an infection. He kept his head high, looking at her through slitted eyes. Despite the fact he was lower than her, his demeanor was that of a king on his throne, looking at a failed assassin. His purple eyes glittered not with defiance, but more with disgust now. In his mind, she was offering that he poison himself. It was despicable.

Im following your advice, Father. I have always been, since that day. Fallen had religiously followed his fathers words ever since he’d escaped. Escaped and taken revenge. If he had full mobility, he could do the same thing to this female as what he’d done to those that had hurt him so bad. They had paid. Remembering what had happened brought him confidence, and his chest swelled. Perhaps he could regain that dignity he’d lost in his haste to defend himself. He had been rash. But now he was calmer, and more composed. Fallen blamed it on the fact that he’d been so tense, and slightly delirious with pain,

[tovaana]

She felt sympathy for the male as he tried to stand, but as he found his balance, his growling spiteful voice made her sorry feelings fade away. Tovaana felt a little numb at the accusation staring at him with shock. Poison? The thought was so ridiculous that it suddenly became amusing and she smiled a little, remembering his earlier comment.

“Well, you did say to just kill you..." Her first phrase was filled with amusement and then trailed off in thoughtful phrase, "though poison would not be quick.” Her mind was whirling, trying to figure out why the male would think she would try to poison him. Were there wolves that went around offering poison to sick wolves? The thought was ridiculous… but at the same time, she thought back to the evil wolves who had preyed on their own kind. With that sort of a culture, one could not trust anyone, and the thought made her sick and partially sad. Why would anyone want to live in such fear and mistrust? Wouldn’t it get tiring to always be on guard? The very thought made her weary.

She sighed and rolled her eyes, making a sudden movement and with a shove of her shoulder her shield faded. So, what were her choices? And did she care anymore? She mused over it for a moment and strode over to where her twig had fallen and took one leaf off of it. Her golden legs backed herself up, so she was always facing the male, just in case. There was a difference between caution and irrational fear, like poisoning.

“Look.” She said, the amusement and exasperation filling her tones. She methodically chewed the leaf until it was a paste in her mouth, and then used her tongue to apply it to her foot, which was free of any wounds. She cringed at the taste in her mouth, going over to the pond at the bottom of the falls and getting a couple of laps of water to get most of the bitter taste out of her mouth.

She strode back and sat with the same distance between them. Her eyes glanced around dramatically, looking around as if waiting for herself to fall dead.

“Not dead.” She said, amusement again littering her voice. “Not poison.”

[ohayoukitsune]

Fallen snarled with contempt for her, but reached his head down, picking up a few leafs in his mouth and chewing them. It wasn’t too bad...

“Phaw! Perhaps not poison to the body, but it’s poison to the tongue!” He exclaimed, his body shivering in shock. Despite the disgusting taste, he finished working it between his teeth, and applied the pulp to his wounds. Almost immediately after he had done so, he started licking the leaves, trying to rid the taste of the herb from his tongue. Any dignity he had regained was almost immediately lost in that moment.

“That is horrible. How could you knowingly do that to yourself?” He muttered, smacking his chops. It still tasted slightly of the herb, but he didn’t want to get up again. He eyed the shewolf, licking his lips. Despite how he had threatened her, and her exasperated demeanor, she had stayed to at least help him. Why? What was her agenda? What did she want? He hated shewolves, they were so confusing!

“Why?” He demanded, staring at her through suddenly narrowed eyes. He was an evil wolf. She was a goody goody. So why in the world did she stay to help, dare he say it, a wretch like him? He wasn’t anywhere near his former glory, in fact he had fallen twice in front of her and whined piteously. Wait... was he her pity project? Helping the poor evil wolf, hoping he’ll turn good? Well, like it or not, he was too far in the darkness. There was no saving him now.

He chuckled at his thoughts. Pity project or not, perhaps she’d wait until he was fully healed... and then lead him to a pack. Perhaps he could turn her somehow. Mmmm, nah, unlikely. It’d be easier to just exterminate her with the others. A small, cruel smile curled onto his lips as he looked at the white shewolf. But wait, he’d almost forgotten, she had that shield. That stupid golden shield ability. Well, he’d have to find a way around that... perhaps mingling with another evil pack would do him good, if he could find out how to kill wolves with supernatural abilities...

[Deleted]

Arizona pricked her ears, then padded up to the waterfall. She lapped at the cold water, enjoying the fall breeze. She finished her drink, then looked at the rocks. Deciding not to waste her power, she climbed up them, sunning herself. She heard a squirrel nearby, ad stood still, watching it. When it was close, she leapt off the rock and caught it, snapping it's neck with her teeth. She wadded back up the rock, eating her prey before sunning herself again. She watched the flowing water, and listened to the chirping birds, as every thing seemed right. She then dozed off, her stomach full*

[Deleted]

Arizona woke up, stretching. She felt the cold breeze blowing against her fur. She sniffed the air, and noticed Fallen's scent. " I wonder where this goes?" she followed the scent as it lead her closer the fallen's nest. tilting her head, Arizona noticed the scent getting closer. " Is it a wolf?" she wondered out loud. She noticed a squirrel, and started hunting, deciding to follow the scent later. Then she lifted her head, forgetting the squirrel. She scented a deer near the strong, strange scent. " A deer." she breathed. She crept closer the the scent of the deer, as it was close to the strange wolf scent anyways.

[Rykett]

((Hey, Kitty, just jumping in to ask that you don't double post. You can easily edit your previous post to incorporate the new one in. ))

[ohayoukitsune]

Fallen sniffed, a new scent catching his nose. He half twisted in his nest, raising his lips to snarl. Really? An ambush? Despicable. And exactly what wolves would do. After all, with such a formidable opponent, one would need a partner in crime. Still, after the shewolf had insisted she wasn’t trying to kill him. Well, perhaps she wouldn’t be the one to kill him, but she was still an accomplice. She was worse than he was!

“Come out, you nasty, horrible peasant of a wolf. Show your face.” He snarled, his pose regal, though he was in a dirty divot of earth. He turned back to the white shewolf, and growled.
“You are absolutely despicable.” He said, narrowing his eyes. She was lucky he was injured. He would have been long gone, with her body half buried in the leaves. With difficulty, he propped himself up higher. He would not give these wolves the pleasure of demeaning him.

Females. Beguiling, naturally evil creatures. Even when they claim they mean no harm. His mother had proven that, so long ago. And he’d given her what had been since long overdue already, but he still held a hatred for the gender. How could a mother willingly put her son in a fighting pit? She’d said it was for his own good, so he’d be stronger. And then he’d been forced to murder his own brother. And the whole time, his mother had gloated.

”Look Fallen, see? You are stronger than your brother. Stronger than all these other wolves you have fought and killed. You are strong, my little pup.” her words echoed in his mind, and he shuddered inwardly. He did not let the memory show on his face, however, staying strong in front of these wolves. Horrid, nasty wolves...

[Deleted]

"Is he talking to me?"she thought. She had caught the deer, and she had a few wounds on her, as she had used her power to dodge the worst attacks. she looked at Fallen from nearby.
"He looks hurt." she said softly, so the angry tom couldn't hear her. She looked at him, and teleported closer, throwing the uneaten deer in front of him before teleporting away, careful not to show herself.She waited in a nearby bush, wanting to make sure he was ok. She didn't see the other wolf, Tovaana, and so she was confused by his hostility. She poked her head out, her mismatched eyes grazing deeply unto his.



( please wait until I fix this paragraph, I wasn't aware I needed a Mod's permission for powers. Please ignore this paragraph until I go to a mod)

[Rykett]

((Kitty, please don't use a power that your wolf doesn't have.))

[tovaana]

OOC// Hey guys, it’s also polite to wait at least a couple of days to let people reply and take turns. (ex: I post, player 2 & 3 posts, then I post, then player 2 then 3 posts, and so on). My reply was just over 24hrs ago, and I planned on getting to this quick. Please send me a PM or use the reminder place to tag me to remind me, though I was planning on replying asap. And I’m going to pretend like Arizona came up without her teleportation since she doesn’t have that power yet.

Tovaana watched at he took the leaves and his face turned to disgust. She couldn’t blame him, but she watched his disdain quietly, just watching him patiently. And then he turned on her with a bitter, ‘why’? She opened her maw and closed it, for the first time not having an answer. While she was usually thoughtful, it was her first time that she really didn’t know. Just… because. It seemed right, why wouldn’t someone try to help? That was even more confusing.

There was suddenly another scent and it distracted her from her current thoughts. The presence of the other wolf brewed up a storm in the injured male and she nearly rolled her eyes at his sudden ferocity. He was so sure that the whole world was out to get him, and she felt bad for the male that he lived that way.

Then the other wolf showed up out of reach, having eaten recently smelled of hunting. She didn’t seem to notice her, but she didn’t seem as hostile as the male.

“Right, I’m horrible. I’ve been planning this the whole time.” She said quite sarcastically. A laugh bubbled out of her then, unbelieving of how bitter the male was. She glanced and nodding her head to the femme politely, before turning to the evil wolf.

“I hope you feel better, sir. Good luck to you and your sad perspective on life and others.”

She nodded her head and him, smiling faintly. She had done what she could, and he was clearly not in the mood for any company. Golden paws pulled her backward, and then twisted away from the two and swiftly bound away.

-exit Tovaana-

[ohayoukitsune]

(Sorry Tov, won’t do it again. Until then, I do believe I’m gonna have to tweak the way I play Fallen. His paranoia got old very quick.)

Fallen struggled to his feet, pointedly ignoring the deer carcass in front of him. He hopped over it, stumbling as he landed on three paws, the back right paw held close to his body. He gave one disdaining look towards Arizona, lifting his lips in a warning snarl.

“Do not follow me.” He commanded, holding his head high as he stared at her through narrowed eyes. Despite his regal demeanor, he hopped away, slipping twice. His black and purple coat quickly slid into the shadows, disappearing.

-exit Fallen-