Poison Path Keep Your Eyes Open

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c58/becuffin/caved.jpg) bottom no-repeat; background-color: #301e4e;"> The first to arrive was Ava, her scent invoked pleasant memories and her heart began to ache for all the pain she must have caused the smaller woman. She wanted to race forwards and bury her nose in the dark fur of the first wolf to arrive, but the tension in the air was palatable and she didn’t dare move from her position in front of her son. She bit back a whine, I’m so sorry... as the other lady's tail rose, her movements stiff. Her ears pinned back and she shrunk closer to the ground. Perhaps she shouldn’t have come. The next to arrive was a stranger, who growled at her no less, lips began to pull back from her fangs as her hackles instinctively itched but at the answering growl from Athena she stilled. Then came another stranger, an ashen coated man who kept his distance, his demeanor unsure. She was grateful for his dismissal of her, although he did seem fixated on her son. It was all getting to be too much for her tattered nerves, only just clinging onto the edge of sanity and then he arrived. Her own growl burst forth before his own and even though Athena loosed another warning, she quieted but inched herself forwards and upwards to stand more fully over her son. This wasn’t the first time they had had this stand off and she would lunge straight at his face if he took another step towards her. She was too preoccupied to really notice Chantille slink in, although her presence did a little to sooth the wild woman’s temper. Athena addressed the pack, in a similar way to which Rhysis had previously. She attempted to listen closely, although words were still a struggle for her to grasp. She tried to tune out for the part about her disappearance, the emotional wounds were still fresh in her mind, and she was still torn between staying and fleeing. Quickly the conversation turned to Rhysis, and one word made her ears flick forwards before quickly pinning them back to her skull. Murdered. “No, no, no...” she began to whisper under her breath. “Not murdered... Gone...” She began to breath heavily, the shaking started in her legs and worked its way up her body until she was struggling to stand. It was crashing back down on her like waves. I... I didn't. I. I didn't mean to. I promise. Why wouldn’t she shut up! I tried. I couldn’t - I’m so sorry... I - No! Come back! It was all too much. She collapsed in a heap struggling to breath. He couldn’t have murdered her, not by his own paw. Accidentally, perhaps - a pup that young couldn’t survive without milk but if he had come searching for her he couldn’t anticipate not being able to find her, that couldn’t really be called murder... could it? Not her Rhysis. No. He would never harm one of their own. She simply would not believe it.

code by bryony

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Although Steel's demeanor showed little, if any, reaction to the words of his leadess, inside he was burning. He was suddenly aware of a fire of hate burning in his soul for the souless male that would kill his own pup. Steel had grown up raised by a hate-filled bitter mother that had never shown him love and often did shown both he and Jade the sharp end of her fangs, but even she would never have murdered her own blood. Without even realizing that it had happened, the thick black fur across his neck and burly shoulders raised of their own volition and a deep and dangerous growl escaped, unbidden.

“For all those who have never seen this man, he is tall, lanky man with pale blue eyes. His coat is black with flecks of silver on his shoulders. He will be acting aggressive and odd, possibly on the edge of insanity. If you should see him, come home and warn the others, do not challenge him.” Athena's words burned into his brain. He would know this man when he saw him. He also knew that it would take everything in him to walk away and not wipe the crazed wolf from the face of the earth. He would try...

As unfamiliar thoughts or justice and vengeance rolled through his mind, a whisper of sound caught his attention. His dark stormy gaze came back to the fae, Naira. She looked to be in shock or something akin to it. She was mumbling to herself and seemed to be having a panic attack, her breathing much too fast. The gaunt woman collapsed and he took a step in her direction, before stopping and reminding himself that it was not his place and none of his business. He drew his paw back to it's former position and watched the scene unfold.

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Almost immediately after the snarl had escaped his mouth did one counter from Athena, and immediately his jaws snapped shut with a small click. His green eyes, eyes that easily resembled his sister, that were much lighter though, watched as the rest of the pack arrived. Only one of the males was unknown to him, the other he had accompanied the joining of with Ava and Athena. His ears pricked and flickered slightly as they approached, his stance remained close to Ava as he quietly waited for other to arrive. When Chantille arrived he was glad to see the healer again, though her scent had begun to get fainter and fainter he was glad to see of her return. Silence reigned over them as they all waited for the last member, the last member of whom held a special place in his own heart. She should have been here by now, she would have at least called back if she was close.

When Athena finally started the meeting, his heart pounded heavily in his chest and his pupils slowly became smaller. It was finalized. . .she was gone and it took much of Ash’s strength to push the thoughts away and concentrate on what Athena had been saying. His loyal ears pricked at her words, taking them all in and storing them in his brain for future preference. His green eyes then fitted back towards Naira, the anger he had felt for her slowly leaving his system as the pack was explained the true story. He watched in amazement as the female had a mental breakdown, much like what he was going through in his own heart right now. He remained rooted though, her eyes then moving back towards Athena as she explained something that was to be of heeded highly.

He stored the description of the man in her mind briefly knowing that he was easily going to remember. His gaze then roamed over to Ava, wondering how she was taking the news. Their discussions in the mountains reminded him of her anger. . .and how she hadn’t cared of the reasons. Would a natural disaster be included in this? He butted his equal gently on the shoulder, his green eyes asking the one question that he wanted her to answer, yet the one he would not speak out loud. He sincerely hoped that she would be okay though. He still needed his partner in crime.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

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As Athena spoke, Chantille shrank back. She swallowed roughly; eyes surprised and sorrowful. Rhysis killing his own pup? No. How could he have done such a thing? Thoughts of the dark man raced through her mind- when she first met him, how she healed him... how he brought her back with her to the pack. It was because of him that she was here. What had he become? Now, he was an enemy. An exile.

Shifting uncomfortably, the woman stiffened as she heard Naira collapse. She didn't move. There was nothing she could do for her. Sure, there could be emotional support, but the creamy toned woman felt frozen. Her paws felt as if they had rooted themselves into the rocks below her. Eyes remained wide as her mind drew up blank thoughts.

She brought herself back to reality; she shook her head for a moment. She needed to stay with it. If Rhysis lurked around the lands, this would be something serious- something dangerous.

(This post was last modified: Nov 06, 2012, 11:50 PM by Chantille.)

Sitting in silence, Tlarx listened to Athena as she explained the situation to their pack mates. Ears perked forth as she ended her words, and Naira collapsed to the ground. She seemed to be in disbelief- he could not blame her. As no one asked any questions, the large man rose up to his paws, clearing his voice before taking his turn. "As Athena said, do not challenge Rhysis. Inform everyone of where he has been spotted, but it is our responsibility to take care of him, not yours." His eyes were grave as he spoke; they did not need to lose any pack members, especially with the upcoming winter. "On a note of the upcoming winter- we must prepare for the worst. Filling up on the food cache is highly recommended. We must prepare for the harshest weather, especially now that we have little ones with us."

Stopping for a brief moment, his eyes scanned over the wolves before he spoke again. "Because of the threat of Rhysis, there will be more border patrols. Ava, Ash, and Steel, please be sure to do so. Speak amongst yourselves as to what shifts you would like to patrol on." He turned his head to his mate, eyes locking onto hers before he closed his muzzle fully. He had nothing more to say for the moment- he would wait for questions, if there were any.

I meant to post here a fortnight ago, and even then I was late. Sorry! At least Bella shares my guilt. :<

<blockquote><i>No no no!</i> The call had come at the absolute worst possible time, and even as Bella scrambled up the cliff face at Riddle Heights, she knew that it was a lost cause. She wanted nothing more than to be able to stay, watching the low mist on the forest far below, enjoying the subtle changes in colour that washed across the sky as the sun moved, but she could not ignore her mother. But she was so far away, it was so hopeless, and her mother would be so shamed - could she just walk into a gathering of them all with a straight face? Surely she was going to die from shame. She was a good daughter, a good pack wolf, but this was all wrong! <b>"No, no, nooo,"</b> she whined, even as all of her breath went into climbing, and the moment she reached the top - her body already burning - she sprinted across the rocky ground towards the trees, towards her lake, towards home.

She was so late! Datura was going to laugh at her <i>so much</i>.

With nothing but the wind in her ears as she soared towards the den, aching (and wishing she was an eagle and soaring for real) when faint voices reached her, it was a shock. They had started without her as she had feared, but she had only herself to blame. Her head going hot from shame, she had to stop to breath, exhausted and embarrassed and dreading her entrance. Would it be better not to go at all? But then her mother would wonder why she had not-

<b><i>"... threat of Rhysis, there will be more border patrols..."</i></b> An ear perked at Tlarx's voice, even as her own panting and the sound of her heartbeat filled her head. She had missed most of it, she presumed, but who were they talking about? Threat? Now afraid that she had missed something very important, she began her approach again, slower, trying not to draw attention to herself. The gathering was huge, she realised as she drew near, and quietly she tried to slip in the back, behind everyone. Should her mother notice her, she would cringe and drop her gaze apologetically. Would it be presumptuous to ask what had been discussed? She had not been here, she did not deserve special treatment.

Her sides still fluttering from the ache in her lungs, she hunkered down and hoped for the world to swallow her.</blockquote>

(This post was last modified: Nov 11, 2012, 12:51 PM by Belladonna.)

OOC: Sorry for posting so early. Wanted to get in a post when I had time of when Ash will be taking shifts and what not.

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His attention was given completely to Tlarx when he spoke, his ears twitching slightly. He had already been gone once a day marking the borders. He would double it, and if need be, he would triple it. Nodding his head to his alpha, he announced his shifts, "I will take two to three shifts a day. One at sunrise, one in the middle of the day, and another just after sunset. And if anyone has any conflicts with one of their shifts, if they get it to be I will gladly take up their shift as well." His response rang across the silent clearing, nodding his head toward Steel and Ava. His ears twitched with the approach of tiny paws, and his body instinctively moved, his large frame standing next to the small pup that had finally made her presence known.

He had not been surprised that it had taken her so long, for her legs were still growing, her muscles still developing. His green eyes looked over at Naira, hoping that she would stop her small show of grief soon. His head then looped back over to Ava, an apologetic look in his eyes for leaving her side. He then listened, waiting for their responses so that he could keep their own schedules in the back of his mind if he had to. His tail thumped on the ground once, his muscles flexing beneath his pelt as he stood a seat next to the small form next to him. His head soon snaked down to give her a comforting lick on the head before glancing back over at the others.

I think I've finally seen the light..in you.

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The black and white man watched and listened silently as others appeared and reacted. His ears swiveled and with the barest turn of his head, he laid eyes on a half grown pup. She seemed quite distraught and he quirked his head a bit, wondering what could have made her so flustered. The only thing that came to mind was her rush to arrive. Unfamiliar still with pack etiquette, her tardiness to the gathering never even crossed his mind. With a disgruntled shake of his head he looked away from her, back to the front of the gathering. His gaze fell once more on the lax fae and her gaunt offspring. Although he appeared smaller and very much underweight, he seemed to be the same age as the worried young fae. A question formed in his mind that would likely never find voice. Were they related? He hadn't met the pack's young yet, so he honestly didn't know anything about them.

With an internal shrug his attention returned to focus fully on Tlarx as he continued to speak. He singled out Ava, Ash and himself, stating that there would be a need for increased border patrols. His dark blue gaze briefly looked to Tlarx and he gave a silent nod of acknowledgement, which was quickly followed by Ash's thoughts on his own schedule of rounds. Steel turned towards the other large male and he dipped his head ever so slightly to him, the only acknowledgement he was likely to get on his higher rank. Steel would simply patrol. It was all he did anyhow, pretty much all day, every day. At least now he knew the times that he would take his brief times of rest, when the other large male was actively patrolling. Ava would just fill out the two males.

Sorry for the late post!

<blockquote>Why was it everyone else knew where to go and what to do, but him? The meeting hadn't been expected, therefore when the call came he had taken a moment to work out what the hell the call was for, and then where the hell to go. To say he had gotten lost, was an under statement. The call sounded important, but as long as his legs were it appeared he was still late. As he arrived, he kept his head lowered and tail tucked - more like an omega than the price that he was. His breath heaving as he tried to regulate it; the run had been fast and long, lucky his scent had been left strong upon the land else he might never have found his way back... just like the last time he supposed.

He allowed himself a glance around, turning his head as far as he could both ways to take in all the faces. He had seen a few before, but having kept to himself he might as well have been invisible. Quickly he ducked over towards his mother and sat at her side; a warm nudge against her leg as both a greeting and an apology. He hadn't noticed her shaken state or the dismay upon her face. He had no idea what the subject entailed, but he did notice the tension and grim air around him.

<b>"Mum?"</b> he whispered to her ear. <b>"What's happening?"</b> he asked, his voice kept low as the adults spoke. It was only when he moved closer to her face that he noticed the fear and heartbreak upon her face. Something was wrong... something was seriously wrong. <b>"Mum?"</b> he asked again, a little louder this time, not caring who heard as he moved around to face her head on. <b>"Mum tell me what's wrong."</b> he demanded, his voice strong despite his shy nature- nothing gave him more confidence then his mothers happiness and that it seemed was currently at stake.</blockquote>

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c58/becuffin/caved.jpg) bottom no-repeat; background-color: #301e4e;"> Her son’s gentle nudge slowly bought her back to herself. Her breathing becoming more regular as the darkness edged back from her field of vision. She couldn’t be here any longer. The presence of so many after so long alone was suffocating. Her small boy’s swift demands finally bringing her to. An absent minded smile, barely touching her haunted eyes was all she could offer her son before a breathless, toneless reply of “Nothing dear. Everything is fine.” This wasn’t the family she had left behind. Slowly dragging herself to shaky legs and keeping her posture low, she inched back from the gathering before turning to take her leave. They would continue their discussion without her, it would seem. For they clearly didn’t care for her input as it was. She did not need an escort, for she still knew these lands as well as the backs of her paws or the silver sprinkled fur about her son’s face. She would sleep in the open tonight. Far away from the dens of the pack she once knew. Maybe this was a terrible idea after all.

code by bryony

{Naira Out}