- i'd like that phin be first, but i suppose it would be interesting if someone else go there first. so meh, guess i don't have a preference .
JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINES DAY, EH? :3The delicately groomed wolf, despite her attempts, could not hide her xylophone ribcage that peeked out from under her skin. She wove between the slender, naked, twig-like willow branches as she weighed her options. She shouldered her burdensome past as she intertwined her tail with the tree. Part of her knew what she had done, that she had driven Asphodel Meadows into the ground... But a much larger part of her also knew this to be heinously false and generally irrelevant. She could not change what had happened. She had to move on.
Or she could move backwards.
She could smell him in there. His scent was laced among the border among the others, but oh he was there. This pack was strong, this pack was many. An eager smile crossed her lips as she thought of her former lover with a sort of pride. He had certainly done well for himself. Idly, the pitiful white skeleton wondered if he had risen to the top yet... clearly this wasn't his pack, for there was a much stronger dominant scent of some older woman draped about the trees. She snorted in disdain. Perhaps that could be taken care of.... if only Phineas would help her.
A heavy depression fell upon her at once as she took up the helm of the downtrodden. She was just a poor young girl from a broken past, looking to turn of a new leaf. From beyond the border her call for help, for pity, for family rose up as she sought out the man who had once given her his heart. @Phineas.
He swept across the borders – wraith of a creature, his stark pelt blending almost perfectly against the snow blanketed ground. His tongue slid out to smooth across his lips, cleaning the blood from his muzzle from his feast only moments before. It had been a fresh kill – meagre in size, and yet satisfying just from the warmth it had offered. With the thrill of the chase subsiding, the adrenaline that pumped through his large body slowed greatly, and the wolf released a gentle chuff to the air as he moved now. Every so often he would lift himself to his hind legs, his forepaws landing upon a bare tree trunk, allowing his nails to rake down the soft side and leave the impression of Willow Ridge strongly for any trespassers to see.
Of course, all things serenity always came to a more brisk end, and today was no different. His tail gave an idle lash as a familiar voice rung out across the heavens above the Ridge.. a voice that he had left behind seasons ago. With his heart growing cold at the sudden knowledge of what was about to happen, Phineas paused mid-step, his muzzle canting slightly as he stopped to listen. Perhaps it had been a figment of his imagination. A ghost from his past. Certainly, it could not be Demi, calling for the pack of Willow Ridge to greet her. The idea was impossible.
Suddenly, his cold anxiety swept to fury, and the large male’s paws quickened once more, his long limbs striding with calculation to where he thought he heard her call. His prowl became a run, one he did not bother to shield the noise that came from him – the crash of foliage and brush was drowned as the blood beat heavily in his eardrums.
It wasn’t until her scent hit him that the scene before him became a reality, and emerging from the foliage that shielded his new pack land, the fiery eyes of Phineas swept over the copper ones of Desdemona, a sneer placed upon his lips though no words came.
Far too willingly, did she glide to the side of Phineas Argyris, her plush dark hairs just barely brushing to the creamy off-white of his own. She steps forth but a footing closer then he, her attention sweeping the pale, thin woman at her boarders. "Do tell me you've no intention of wasting my time?" Her words, dark, creep from her lips for the rogue to hear. Many had before her come to her boarders seeking a place within her home, though throughout the winter, for the most part their doors had been closed. For so long Elettra's focus had strayed from a need in accepting members, but keep the members she did have together and well, all which was proving a much harder task with each passing day. Far too much was on her plate and playing with rogues was the last thing she needed now.
He certainly didn't keep her waiting, for it was not long before she could hear the sounds of his footfalls and his ever-strengthening scent. For an instant, she dared to believe that he was running because he had truly missed her, that he would be glad to see her and they would embrace and make up and he would take her under his protection as he once had. She had never thought it would be these easy, but the thought that it might definitely pleased her. But Desdemona was a practical woman if nothing else, and she didn't entertain this thought any longer than she needed to. When at last her former lover manifested before her eyes she was not too blinded by her dreaming to mistaken the ugly look he wore on his face. No, he was not happy to see her, there wouldn't be any embracing — not today, at least. It would be as hard as she always thought it would be.
Unlike many people she had met, Desdemona's pride never prevented her from getting what she wanted. The skinny white girl clung to her goals rather than principles. She was not afraid to abase herself, to grovel at the feet of whoever had whatever it was that she wanted. Demi had never seen another so driven as she was. Part of her had always wondered whether it was fear or weakness that made them give up their ambitions... or if perhaps she was a monster. But since no one ever wanted to believe themselves so terrible as that, Desdemona never had any problem shoving those thoughts aside just as carelessly as she did now with her pride.
Not missing a heartbeat, the battered, dirty girl threw herself to the ground before Phineas. She did not seek his eyes. In fact, she did not look at him at all. "Oh darling, darling. I've missed you," she crooned and whined, attempting to crawl closer to him, "Darling let me come back to you. I was wrong, I was so wrong." By now, she had reached him, and ever so hesitantly she slithered up to lick at his chin, hoping to appeal to some sort of dominant, hero-type personality she knew all males kept locked away in their minds.
But suddenly another scent drifted towards her, and she became aware that they were no longer alone. Good. She was not sure if she could trust Phineas to behave if there wasn't some other witness around. Desdemona didn't mind being interrupted, for she had always been a very patient woman. She knew she would get some alone time with him eventually. It was probably for the best that she was forced to wait. Feigning reluctance that bespoke of both coyness and shame at having been walked in on, Desdemona withdrew from Phineas with a smile on her face that seemed to hint that more had been happening before this outsider apeared. Slowly, she turned to face this new scent. This new woman.
Immediately, Demi's eyes scoured the newcomer, assessing her worth. Would she be an enemy or an asset? Before her stood an average sized woman of hardened muscle and unspeakable authority, wrapped in black-and-grey fur as if it was a stately robe made for a queen. The dark stood beside her former lover as if she owned him, her shadowy fur mingling with his. Hers was the scent that dominated this land of willows. Competition. Instantly, Desdemona disliked this woman and the uncertainty she injected into all of the white girl's plans. This woman could easily make or break her, and Demi was not too proud to admit that. Ceremoniously, she fell back to the ground, this time at the paws of the dark woman.
"Oh, I would never. I know your time is very precious," her voice was sweet, fresh, and clear. So free was it from all the dark plans that lurked in her mind that Desdemona sounded as innocent as a child. Hell, she was so broken and small that she could have been a child, for she was still very young. "And I promise I won't waste it." Her eyes flashed towards Phineas before briefly, wondering if he would speak out, if he knew what she was doing. Otherwise, she was silent, waiting for the dark woman to give her permission to speak again.
No sooner did her eyes graze over him did she throw herself down on the ground. An act so familiar to even the very days they had met during the war between their packs – a raid that had brought them together the moment Phineas’ jaws had sought the throat of Demi’s father and with the guilt of what he had done, he had accepted her to his life.. fought for her, even in a sad attempt to make up for what pain he knew he had caused her. He had always doubted their relationship – never believed himself worthy of such a stunning creature as herself, especially with what he had done. Time had supposedly healed all wounds.. at least, in his naive mind, but the night he had seen her and his best friend together.. only then had he realized she had never forgiven him, and what a fool she had played him for.
His fiery eyes followed her as she slunk forward. The sheer ivory of her pelt so pure like the snow that clung to the ground. What an illusion. She crept to him then, reaching up to kiss his chin – stirring a burning nausea within his gut and causing the male to pull himself sharply back, a snarl echoing from his lips before he moved forward then, his jaws open and ready to clasp her muzzle within his viciously. But at that moment Elettra’s scent drifted to them, and as he could feel Desdemona pause, he did too. It was as if fate was sitting back and having a good laugh at him – throwing the woman he now loved to the woman he had once promised himself to. Any chance he might have felt that he held with Elettra was slowly diminishing, and his eyes regarded Desdemona with unadultered hatred at that very moment.
He felt the brush of her fur against his shoulder long before he took note of her presence. The sound of blood pumping through his body filled him, and he stared at the ivory she-wolf as she took on the role of a perfect subordinate. He knew better.
The questions pressed at his lips. Where was Thorne? Why was she not at Asphodel Meadows – had they been overthrown? Most importantly.. where werehisher children? He held his tongue now, his muzzle lowering in the presence of his regal, though his eyes did not leave Demi. If he spoke now, he doubted he would ever find the true reasoning to why she was here.
Just as a few moments passed of Elettra thinking on this, Desdemona was instantly at her feet in the same manner only moments before she had been at Phineas, nearly groveling. Though Elettra could not read what dark and treacherous intentions lingered beyond her child-like behavior and sweet, begging tones, the dark woman was none the less not amused. She did not take to groveling, lest it seemingly was done by the acts of Kiche. Her lips pealed back for a snarl and she steps back, closer into Phineas in doing so as she looks down upon the woman. If this white woman had wished to make herself seem weak, pathetic and desperate, she had done a perfect job of it. "What is it you are doing here then? Quickly." She prods on with a slight growl, ended once she was finished speaking and awaiting an answer from the younger woman.
He had killed her father.
As many times as she tried to convince herself that she loved him, that she was grateful for him... she knew she did not long him. She had only been amused by the intensity of his affections for her, and yet they also disgusted her. Where was his decency, his propriety? He had murdered her father and then here he was just making love to his surviving daughter. Like he could possibly deserve her. Time and time again she tried to swallow these feelings because there was no outlet for them. There was no way to express herself without exposing and endangering her life. Phineas could just kill her too.
But she was intent on vengeance.
For now, however, she had to main focused on the smaller goals. If she got distracted by the big picture things were sure to fall to pieces. And so she swallowed herself just as she had all those years ago when he had stolen her away and the had been in love. She needed his help now... or at least, she needed someone to help her before she starved, and she was already fading fast.
Phineas said nothing to her, gave her no response... but his hatred was palpable, audible. If it weren't for this other woman, it surely would have been a little more than palpable. Surprisngly, he made no move to give her away. He remained silent, almost impartial... but she could see it in his eyes. Now is not the time. Perhaps she had made a mistake, revealing her presence this early, but there was nothing she could do about it now.
"What is it you are doing here then? Quickly."
Things turned sour very quickly. Apparently this new bitch was could not be pleased with her attempt to ingratiate herself. Fine. Clearly her bluff had been called, and she was not too stupid to realize it. "I'm sorry you came all the way out here for nothing, my lady. I just wanted to say hello to my Phineas! We used to be very good friends you know." She flicked her head towards the cream and cinnamon male, positively beaming in his direction. "But now that I've done that, it's best I be off."
And with that, she turned to leave.
She turned to leave – the overly sweet words settled like poison on Phineas’ ears and he bristled in turn to them. His jaw tightened in rigid stress, his shoulders lifting as his lip revealed just the lightest curl of distaste. No, he knew she was up to something, but as to what specifically, he was uncertain.
All he knew was that the Demi he knew didn’t hold such a usual sickly sweet tone.. then again, it turned out the Demi he had thought he knew didn’t exist. He stood, not making any attempt to call her back or to voice a heartened farewell. Instead, his shoulder brushed gently against that of the ebony she-wolf beside him, his fiery eyes flickering from Desdemona’s retreating figure to Elettra, giving a light shake of his muzzle – perhaps she would take his silent hint that the girl was not to be trusted.
He did not move from his position at the borders until certain Demi was not going to turn around and attempt to sneak past them. Stoically, the male cast his fiery eyes upon his leader, his muzzle leaning forward to cast a nip upon her chin in submission and appreciation of her presence. Yet he spoke nothing, and instead, his ivory figure turned, trailing the borders of Willow Ridge, his mind whirling with what it could possibly mean that Desdemona had come here of all places.
Although her intentions were less than benign, Desdemona was not one to hide them. What good was rocking the boat if no one could feel the pressure drop around them as the storm clouds rolled in around them? What was terror without a little dread? But this did not mean Demi ever intended to reveal everything to those around her, since that was where antagonists always seemed to go wrong. No, Desdemona was careful. She had fun, but she played it safe. Had she been human, she would have been a delightful, infuriating poker player. Instead, however, she was limited to inciting discord in the realm and getting the revenge she was due.
She was glad Phineas knew she was here now. She hoped he pissed himself and went sleepless. But perhaps he wouldn't. He had always underestimated her, never thought her capable of much besides bearing some cubs for him. Only she hadn't borne him any children, had she? The smile she wore on her face deepened with satisfaction as she moved eastward and away from the willows. Phineas would pay for every wrong he had done her.
Every.
Last.
One.