Distractions are Detrimental (Tagged)

[Rykett]

((Hey, this thread is time-skipped a bit in the future for plot convenience! @shiver))

Striken:

The world felt wonderful. Striken galloped through the Hunting Plain to the right Calypso. They’d headed out to the hunting plains to catch some extra meat before the onset of winter scared most of the prey away. Everything felt so perfect. Striken couldn’t think of a happier or more peaceful time in his life. He had a loving mate with two fast-growing pups both of whom were starting to edge towards young adulthood. They’d grown so fast. Striken couldn’t believe half the time that the two young wolves that were Kokem and Timbre had once been tiny fluffballs. He’d miss them when they started on their own paths whether those paths only took them as far as the next den over or all the way across the valley. He wished that they could stay little puppies forever. If only...

Striken still felt like a young wolf. He could imagine himself and Calypso having another litter of pups… With their first litter nearly grown, perhaps it was the perfect time to broach the subject with Calypso. His amber eyes flicked over to his mate. Striken couldn’t help, but smile. How had he somehow captured the heart of such a wonderful female? Until he met Calypso, he felt like his only purpose had been chasing down his sister and stopping her from making stupid decisions. Mysti had made those decisions anyways. He’d always been looking out for her, but she didn’t appreciate that.. not anymore. Calypso, on the other paw, didn’t need Striken constantly protecting her and telling her when an idea was bad. Calypso could take care of herself and she wasn’t afraid to lean on Striken whenever she needed him.

A stray thought reminded Striken that he should be hunting. Striken brushed it aside. His mind was on other things… he didn’t really feel like hunting. They could hunt later, first, he wanted to… His amber eyes noticed a dip in the landscape up ahead. It looked like an old badger den whose entrance had been widened by the element to provide what appeared to be a mix between a den and an overhang. It sat on just left Calypso’s current the path. As they neared it, Striken laughed and attempted to playfully tackle Calypso, so they tumbled into the little, hidden nook. Then, he licked her forehead, lovingly, and murmured, ”I love you more than anything in the world.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. Should he wait before asking her about more pups or just dive in? Striken figured there was no need for procrastination, so he selected the latter option, ”I was wondering if maybe we could have another litter, soon…”

[Deleted]

Calypso must admit she was worried about leaving their two adolescent pups alone. However their home was pack land and should be protected at all times. Eternal Snowfall was recovering slowly, with the help of families like theirs, their neighbors Leo and Rayen, and Calypso’s very own sister Shiver. Pills was old and sometimes wasn’t seen for days at a time, her health obviously degrading. However she was lived and supported. Supported even though she had yet to propose an heir to the Alpha crown. Timbre and Kokem were troublesome at times, but Calypso knew that they would be very fine individuals. Right now her focus needed to be on hunting. That and Striken. It had been a hot minute since they had had an actual date. With young pups in the den, all their attention had been on them. But now that the two were more independent, especially Kokem, the couple found that there was more time than they could handle. And so they had taken a hunting trip, a little get away if you will. However in the following moments it was revealed that Striken didn’t have hunting on his mind.

As they loped through the assorted grasses and tangling plants, he abruptly turned and bowled her over, as gently as running into some wild could be. They tumbled into a small alcove, a dent in the hillside, overhung by clumps of hardy prairie grass. ”Striken!” she laughed, a mixture of a giggle and a chuckle. Her voice was warm, affectionate. She would’ve said they should’ve been hunting, but the look in his eyes made her heart beat faster. It was a miracle that such a love existed between two wolves. Such a happy bliss, free of anxiety and fear. “I love you too.” She whispered, nudging him swiftly with her muzzle. Pups? More? Why not? When? ”Soon? How about...Now.”

-Fade to Black-

[Rykett]

Striken emerged from the alcove, excited for the future. He wondered what their future pups would be like. Would they be quiet like Timbre? Or stubborn like Kokem? Or would they be nothing like either of their current pups? He couldn’t wait to see Timbre and Kokem’s reactions to the news that they were going to be older siblings. He hoped they didn’t feel like they were being replaced. The new litter would be an expansion of the family, not a replacement. Striken shook out his pelt and looked back at his beautiful mate. A smile split his maw as his amber eyes met Calypso’s lime green ones.

”We should probably find something to hunt. Can’t return empty-handed, right?” Striken reminded her of their initial reason for leaving Tranquil Meadows, though Calypso probably didn’t really need the reminder. Striken was the one that had gotten them… distracted. Striken turned his head towards the hunting plains to sniff the air. There were some elk in the distance. Perhaps to two of them could conquer one. Calypso wouldn’t need protecting, yet, but once they got back to Eternal Snowfall, Striken would have to make sure she didn’t strain herself or anything. He’d pamper her silly.

Striken started loping towards the distant elk. However, his mind was still distracted as he started compiling a list of possible names, ’Soca sounds nice, so does Ciren… maybe Tulay? Or Gynne?’ Maybe he should ask Calypso, ”Which do you think sounds better; Soca or Gynne?”

[Deleted]

Calypso emerged from the makeshift den, a content smile plastered lazily on her pretty face. She rubbed her cheek on Striken’s face, a loving growl purring from her throat. “Kokem would throw a fit if we didn’t bring something back,” She laughed, imagining her daughters disappointed and perplexed gaze if they returned empty paws. “She might charge out to hunt for us!” Her daughter was a beautiful, independent wolf who was growing up so quickly! And Timbre...he was so compassionate and imaginative! He would build worlds beside his sister if he could. One day they might be Alphas! Who knew what the glorious future would bring?!

Her lovely mate seemed to be day dreaming as well. He announced some ideas for the future pups names and Calypso snorted lovingly. “They aren’t even a day old sweetie!” She swatted him affectionately. ”But I Think they are both incredibly beautiful,” She murmured supportively.


Lydia walked side by side with her bane Sytytin. The ignorant, incredibly annoying male she was forced to work with. But one couldn’t argue with such powerful Alphas...no no. Skia and Fjord were unstoppable. For lack of a better word...they were a power couple. And they had ordered the two of them to search for some new stock servants. All efforts were going toward thoroughly tormenting the valley, reminding wolves that Midnight Silence was very much alive. When Fjord the Terrible began his pack he did not grow dormant...no...he was as active as ever. The pretty cream shewokf crested a hill and looked down on the two wolves. She had sent Sytytin to sneak through the grass and surround them. Their quarry seemed quite healthy and very much not-evil. With a thump Lydia landed on the earth in front of them, using her power to cushion her descent. ”Hello there lovebirds...” She offered one of her hyper elongated, sickly grins, her coral eyes glittering menacingly. ”Come quietly...or...I might have some fun today...” She spoke quietly, her hissing voice not unlike the wind threatening the quivering branches as it stalked its quarry.

Sytytin stalked behind the couple, his form more muscles than it had been a few seasons ago. Training and eating well would do wonders. Acribus and his other brothers and sisters had trained him well. Yes, he bore new scars, but each was a mark of his increased strength and skill. These two wolves would never stand a chance against the two Midnight Silence wolves.

[Rykett]

Striken laughed in response. A laugh that abruptly ended as a wolf intruded on their moment. Striken regarded the wolf with distaste. The slight annoyance quickly blared into an alarm as the cream female smirked and hissed a threat. Striken stepped between Calypso and the other female, protectively. His eyes quickly found a couple vital details on her form. First, there was the power mark on her chest. It’d flashed as she jumped in front of them, but was dormant now. It’d was difficult to best a powered wolf in a fight. The second detail sent a shudder through Striken’s bones. An ice burn in the shape of a crescent moon marked her shoulder, tagging her as a member Midnight Silence. If the rumors were to be believed, the members of that awful pack were not only murderers but slave masters as well. “Leave us alone. We’ve sparked no quarrels with you or your pack,” Striken growled at the female.

On of Striken’s ears rotated backward as it caught a noise, Striken’s head followed it to glance behind Calypso. The grass had rustled. Perhaps, something had moved through jr. Striken hoped it’d been just a foolish rabbit. If it were a wolf, he was Calypso were surrounded. The one evil she-wolf would be difficult enough to defeat with her power. Striken had to believe it was just this one wolf. He had to make sure Calypso got out this unharmed. With one wolf, that would basically be guaranteed if Striken kept the enemy busy long enough for Calypso to escape. He might get a few scratches, but he was sure he’d win eventually.

Striken tucked his muzzle behind Calypso’s ear to whisper, “If it a fight breaks out, run. I’ll be fine, but I need you and the pups to be safe.” Striken’s eyes flicked back to the she-wolf and her maniacal grin. He leaned away from Calypso, preparing to activate his power. It would shock Calypso if even a hair was touching her coat. He took a couple steps towards the evil she-wolf before his fur exploded with static. His power mark that usually blended into his coat glowed to life. The way his charged fur stood on end could be both more threatening and hilarious. The sparks of plasma combing through his fur showed off his power and the fur made him appeared larger. However, he also tended to look more ridiculous, especially if his expression was comical. His expression, now, was completely the opposite. It was cold and angry. His lip lifted slightly to reveal his gleaming fangs as it edged towards a full snarl. Striken lowered his centered of balance, ready for the possible fight.

[Rykett]

Calypso’s content, happy smile disappeared as a wolf stepped in front of them. Her wide, but determined eyes fixed on the danger, ahead. Striken’s muzzle brushed her ear as he commanded her to flee. Calypso opened her mouth, about to protest, but he was right. She couldn’t endanger the fledgling life inside her. So she braced herself, ready to run.

Her sickly smile widened as the male challenged her. A powered fighter! How fun! It would be a pleasure to break his spirit until he was nothing but an obedient slave. Then she could put that pesky power of his to real use. With a flash, she activated her own power. Her Soil at level 1 couldn’t do much, yet, but she would use every advantage she had. With a flick of her paw, she sent a cloud of dirt into his eyes. The wolf flinched. The steady waves of electricity flickered as his concentration was broken. Lydia pounced. Her teeth sunk deep into his shoulder before his electricity reactivated and flung her off him. She twisted in the air and landed lightly, the ground cushioning her fall as she activated her power once more. The male snapped at her and she easily dodged the attack. How to get that electric shield down… He probably wouldn’t fall for the same attack. Water, she needed water. Lydia’s eyes flicked around and noticed the female fleeing. Sytytin would take care of that.

As the light bluish female rushed past him, Sytytin leaped into pursuit. His strong muscles propelled him nearly on top on her. A couple seconds later, the she-wolf would’ve easily outrun him, but now, Sytytin’s jaws closed around her tail and pulled her to a sudden halt. The she-wolf stumbled and nearly fell, then Sytytin tackled her. His teeth dug into her flank then closed around her scruff. She yelped and struggled as he dragged her back to where Lydia and male tussled.

Striken was fighting ferociously, more for the safety of his mate and their unborn pups than for his own. But he couldn’t get a hit in; the she-wolf was just too fast! Then a yelp seemed to stop his heart. His gaze was pulled like a magnet to where a powerful male hauled Calypso back to the fight.”Good job, Sytytin.” Striken’s head whipped back to the cream she-wolf as she spoke. She sat with a smirk curling her lips, all pretenses of combat were gone. She gestured at the wolf she’d called Sytytin. He roughly dropped Calypso to the ground and pinned her as she struggled. Then he grabbed her throat with his jaws. Calypso and Striken both froze. ”Come quietly or Sytytin will kill your better half.”

Striken responded without hesitation, desperation obvious in his voice, ”I will! Let her go!”

The cream she-wolf narrowed her eyes at him, ”Sytytin, keep her close. Kill her if he steps out of line.”

Calypso was inches from death. She could feel Sytytin’s teeth pressing into her skin. With just a little more force, they would rip away her life and the lives of her unborn pups. Then he dropped her. Calypso shuddered as she started to push herself off the ground. Striken rushed to her. His reassuring head pressed into her as he buried in her fur. She could feel the wetness of his terrified tears. ”I’m sorry. I couldn’t get away.”

”No, I should’ve seen the other one,” he responded, trying to turn the fault to himself. He always seemed to do that. Couldn’t he just accept that she’d messed up? Sytytin roughly pulled the two apart. ”Let’s get moving.” Calypso finished pulling herself to her feet before Sytytin could force her upright. Striken tried to walk beside her, but Sytytin flash his teeth and Striken backed off. The cream she-wolf lead the way towards Midnight Silence.

.....

The walk back to Midnight Silence had been an uneventful one. Her new servant, the male, had followed close behind Lydia as she’d commanded. She’d decided to call him Caeth. In response, he’d said his name was Striken, but that didn’t matter to her. What did she care what his previous name had been? He was hers to do with as she wished even if he didn’t completely realize it yet. Sytytin had decided to continue calling his Servant by her previous name, Calypso. He said he liked it, but Lydia guessed the oaf was just too uncreative to think of a new name.

Lydia stepped up to the border. She considered calling an alpha, but they’d probably be annoyed to be bothered for something so trivial as Servants. She would report to Fjord later about her success. ”Sytytin, mark your Servant.” He sneered at her, but did as she said. She was his superior after all. He raised his claw and slashed an ’X’ on Calypso’s shoulder. Lydia noticed a soft yellow mark glowing over Calypso’s right eye. She was powered, too! With a flick of her coral eyes, Lydia noticed crystals growing over a bruise that discolored skin underneath the fur on her side. Lydia smiled. A healing power only meant they could damage her more than most without her breaking.

Lydia turned to her own servant, Caeth. Hadn’t his power mark been on his shoulder? ”Activate your power,” she commanded. Caeth, unused to taking orders, was slow to obey. ”Now!” His fur exploded with static. Lydia pinpointed the location of the mark. ”Deactivate it.” As soon as the fur flattened, Lydia carved an ’X’ over the disappearing mark. The symbolic meaning was clear. ’You and all your power are mine.’

-Exit Sytytin, Calypso, Striken, & Lydia-