Nomads Pass Beating of the Drum

mapplethorpe

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"Thank you for coming so swiftly," Rhysis' voice graced them. Mapplethorpe's heart gave a leap, the simple token of gratitude confirming his decision in following the dark King was a good one. The frenzied facade he harbored had yet to crack, and upon hearing that Rhysis was truly planning on feeding this band of misfits a rather greedy smile formed on his muzzle, a pale pink tongue poking out to lick his lips.

"We will split into two parties," Rhysis continued, "Flank the group either side and I want one wolf to lead each side. Do we have any volunteers?" If Mapplethorpe had been a year or two younger, with the vitality of his young adult years still pulsing in his veins, he probably would have volunteered. As he was, blinded by his ambition and hunger and actually somewhat fragile from his years of nomadic wandering, the best he could offer to the pack was his presence. An eager set of jaws didn't hurt either, he decided, and as a young voice threw an avid "I could" to the air, his tail gave a hearty wag.

Casting an excited gaze in Rais' direction, his jowls parted in a sort of wide grin, his excitement becoming apparent with the sound of a whine and a low whimper. Tracking and making caches might have been his main suit, but he was not about ready to admit it, wanting to be assigned a task or a team in the meantime. He began to slightly tremble, his slender limbs itching to give in to the hunt. If it weren't apparent enough, Mapplethorpe hoped beyond hope that his build - with what little muscle he had managed to build up from his starvation-filled expeditions - would lend some insight into his ability to herd and chase.

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The air was bitter with far more than wintery –or so Romanis perceived. Attentive to every sound and shift that soon surrounded her, Rome was well aware that many of their relationships remained on the very ledge of acquaintance. For they were all strangers in one way or another and furthermore it seemed that every wolf amongst them possessed a similar disposition of distrust and caution. Perhaps one day their commonality would draw them together and even form a unified group persona, but for now it was nothing more than a bother.

Flicking her ears backwards as she quietly waited for Valiant’s arrival, Rome was at first careful not to make too much of herself. Hoping to remain small and out of the direct attention of any one wolf –it was ultimately with regret that she noticed a failure in this effort on every which level. First, there came the sweeping glance from the dominant male and then another such swipe from an unknown male. Unbothered by Rhysis’ attention and rightfully so, it was with contrasting inner ire that Rome received the other male’s attention. After all, she was just as much a member of a whack-a-doodle group as any, so it was with a narrow mind that she assumed the meaning of his flickering eyes.

Narrowing her own for a second before turning away, it was with a much happier heart that she noticed Valiant coming in from that very direction. Warmed by the mere point of his presence, she shuffled an inch closer before becoming attentive to everyone again.

Ultimately there were a few things said, some of great importance but others which Romanis attempted in vain to read between the lines of speech. When it came time for the wolves to divide and take to their chore she couldn’t help but to hope that her Valiant might take up the task at hand.

carry on, oh, little lonely prince

Adonis Aquila

He listened as the dark man spoke, working hard to keep his eyes from narrowing. He didn't take authority from anyone but his mother well, and this guy was getting on his nerves. He made his mind up then that he should have a little discussion with his darling mother about who exactly that jerk was and why on earth she had picked him out of all the others, over Valiant too, in order to lead them. For now, he held his tongue and listened, he might not like the jerk but he was going to make an extra special effort to fit into this pack for the wolves gathered around them were now his family and with any luck they would be much better and nicer then the others they had left behind at the lake... paws crossed that was.

The talk of a hunt, of food made his stomach grumble; it was an exciting thought but he didn't want to be on that guys team, no way, so he stood without looking at the dark leader and made his way to his mother, the point hopefully clear that he was sticking with her no matter which team she was on. His head held tall, he took to standing aside her, ready for action as he glanced around at the other nomad's that had joined them. He would have to make an effort to get to know them all, that was for sure, but right now they all needed a good meal looking at the sorry state of most of them.

His heart flickered in respect as Rhysis, or otherwise known as "Wolf" approached his throne, addressing all who had responded to the call. "I hope you've all had a chance to get a feel for the pass by now. We're moving out to hunt and I don't want anyone to fall behind. There has been a herd moving through here, not too long ago now and if we're lucky we might be able to catch them before the clear the mountains. I want us to bring back as many as we can to build up the beginnings of our cache so that we can all eat like kings this winter. We will split into two parties, flank the group either side and I want one wolf to lead each side. Do we have any volunteers?" The ideas the king put out warmed Ten's body. Food. Mhhhmm. They would eat and hunt better than any pack in the valley. Everyone would see them enviously feast on their caches in the middle of blizzards. Nomad's Pass would be fat and happy. He would surely rub it in Kamota's face...Namara's face as well.

Volunteers? No one would see cowardice or absence in the loyal and ever so responsible.Tenzin Laylani. His ears perked as Rais eagerly yipped an, "I could!" into the cold air. Rais' team would probably have the swiftest wolves in it. is maw formed a grin as he barked out towards the others, "I will." His lava-shaded amber eyes glinted as the bleach sun steadily drifted from behind the clouds. It was a nice hunting day, even for wintertime.

I know the round's over, but it hasn't restarted yet so I thought that I could at least post... XD

Short post is short.

She watched as Rhysis gave the orders, unable to quell the warm feeling that grew in her stomach. She may have been pissed at him for trying to order her around with the rest but he was still her mate. And he was still the wolf she had chosen to lead at his side. Not that she would be telling him as much, or letting it show any time soon. She still wasn’t convinced he wasn’t just a ghost, a figment of her imagination ready to vanish with the next gust of wind.

She was pleased when Rais volunteered to lead one of the hunting parties, and even less surprised when Tenzin offered to lead the second. Noticing that Valiant had moved to Rhysis’s side, she moved closer to Rais, with a small glance to Romanis and Adonis. This would mean that Rhysis, Valiant, Tenzin and Mapplethorpe would make up the second team. Next, her glance fell to Rhysis, waiting to see which way he would send them. The caches were non-existent. Both parties would need to be successful to offer them any chance to relax this winter.

Ok! We'll split the teams as follows:
Team 1: Leader > Rais, Romanis, Naira and Adonis (Chasers)
Team 2: Leader > Tenzin, Rhysis, Val and Thorpe (Attackers)

He waited in silence as the group before himsorted themselves. He felt a sting of annoyance as his son moved towards Naira without so much as a look in his direction; it was painful to think the boy didn't even know who he was, but he would rectify that situation sooner rather than later, once they had gathered their other children from the lake. They all needed some time to recover, many of them had been loners before coming here, so they would need days, maybe a week or so to build back a little fat in order to be more of a thread to the pack they would soon march upon. This hunt, could not have come at a better time.

"Good. Ten, you will take myself, Valiant and... Mapplethorpe." he said, lingering for a moment on selecting Thorpe for the team, but he would feel a little happier having the rather creepy wolf with him, rather than running around with his female and son at this point in time. Between them, they were the largest and strongest of the pack- the first line of defense in a war and the braun in the hunt. They would be the cock of their bottle neck attack.

"Rais.." he began, thinking for a moment. The younger wolf had courage, but he wasn't sure on his experience. Though he wasn't one to judge, hell he had a female and a pack just after his second birthday- age wasn't a factor for him, but it was a large responsability for him to have. He hoped the younger male would do well. "You will lead Naira, Adonis and Romanis." he said with a nod before he slipped down from his boulder to mingle with the commoners. He sauntered without a second glance at Naira, who had remained silence since her arrival, no doubt she was pissed at him but for the time being they needed to work past that. He moved to address the group as a whole.

"I scented the herd nearing the east border; our best chance would be to get ahead of them and push them back. Rais, that is your job. Steer them back into the territory and we'll be waiting to ambush." he said, playing out the scenario in his head and causing a rumble from his hungry belly. "Take what you can - if needbe, injure them but don't kill, move on to another and we can pick up the injured later. We need quantity at this point." he added before he slipped towards the males whom he had teamed himself with. "Any questions? Ask now, because if you fuck up later, you will suffer the consiquences." he asked once he reached his destination and shot all of them with a stern look- speak now,or forever hold thy peace seemed a fitting phrase.

ooc: not entirely sure how much ya'll wanted covered, so if I need to edit in more or less just let me know :)

Rais glanced towards Tenzin as the man's gruff voice barked out across the gathering, volunteering his efforts as well. At his name though, his attention was drawn back towards the black leader, and Rais could hear the hesitance in Rhysis voice as he considered him. The yearling's black-clawed toes curled in the dirt in anticipation, shifting limbs still for a moment, but then with Rhysis orders he was wriggling again, excitement and fire in his eyes.

The plan of action laid out, Rais got to his feet with a shake of his scruffy fur. He had to admit he was a bit relieved he wasn't in Tenzin's team. Even though they shared a pack now, he still wasn't entirely sure about the man. Maybe their patchy start could be mended, but at least for now Rais wouldn't have to follow the scrooge.

Rais had no questions, too cocky and self-assured for need of them. He waited for anyone else to ask or anything to be answered before he'd go. When it was time to move he slinked back past Rhysis's throne, then cast a respectful glance to the earth at Naira's paws before he ducked low and moved past the woman. It would be strange to lead the leader, and he wanted it to be understood he knew he wasn't anywhere above the queen. With a backward glance he caught the eye of Romanis and Adonis, expecting them to follow in his journey further down the slope towards the eastern forest.

OK I haven't heard from Romanis in a while so I suggest we just PP her movements for this which means Adonis is up and then Tenzin gets the hunters moving. I am letting Val go inactive so he can PP'd too. Lets knock this over!

The younger wolf was clearly reluctant to offer her any disrespect and it was with a wry smile and a flick of her mottled tail that she followed a short distance behind the speckled bounder. Even now his movements were jumpy, bouncy almost and she couldn’t help but smile. It had been a long time since she had been involved in chasing prey rather than dragging it down and she was looking forward to the opportunity although she was sure the other smaller wolves would leave her well in their dust... but that did not mean she would be completely useless.

Happy to be amongst family once again, she allowed her eyes to rove over the place they had come to claim as their own. Come spring she knew the snows would melt in the pass, nestled on the downward slope of the far side of the mountain, although the peak of their mountain home would probably maintain it’s snowy cap. It was a different world to be surveyed down here, to the east, and it held many more dark memories for her than the Lake, and yet the land as a whole felt so much more welcoming.

Telltale tracks in the snow and the ever enticing scent of food. It was true they were almost on the very eastern edge of their markers and ears swiveled towards the wolf that was leading them, wondering if they would split into two teams to loop around and herd them back or if they would stick together. She looked to her son with a smile certain that this would be his best hunt yet.

Sorry for the delay! Team 2 are up to post next with Romanis MIA. Let's get this spit out aha, it's so old now!

carry on, oh, little lonely prince

Adonis Aquila

He felt his nose itch to wrinkle. He didn't like this guy giving out directions, but he was glad he got to be on the team alongside his mother. He would have done as he was told either way, but it would be good to be alongside her. This would after all, be his first real hunt and he wanted to show her what he could do and make her proud. With a nod, he moved to his tawny's mothers side where he planned to stay until instructed otherwise by the other young silver male who was for now, his captain. He didn't know much about the hunt, so would be relying heavily on his teams directions. Deep down, he felt a little sick, both with excitement and guilt- what if he messed this up for everyone? Oh gosh. He took a few deep breaths and as his mother smiled in his direction with fondness, he tried his best to push down his angst and offered her a reassuring smile in return, but it was evident all over his body he was concentrating hard- he hated to let anyone down. Even the loser who his mother had put in charge.

Tenzin was oblivious to the tension between a few of the members. He was high above this crap, and he honestly didn't care. All he wanted to do was get on the hunt and make it home with food. His ears perked with his name, and he glanced Mapplethorpe gladly. Although the man was an odd one, Ten was glad to have him around. There was something oddly comforting about his presence, although he would never admit that to anyone on the planet. This would no doubt be the attacking team. He zoned out as soon as the man started to babble about Rais. The sound of Naira's name forced his eyes to focus and his ears to perk, but this was only for mere seconds as he realized that she would be on the opposite team. The one that would chase the food. His eyes regulated to the word around him as Rhysis appeared in to his side. Listening carefully, the brute nodded his head in understanding. So, basically, they were going to flank them, most probably in a semi-circle manner so that they didn't get a chance to run up or down-only forward, towards the attacking group. His eyes narrowed. The satrap king had just growled out a threat about "fucking it up." That was something Ten would not do, because he wasn't a fuck up. He was an almighty Laylani wolf! Ready to get this show on the road, he looked at the small silver man in front of him as if urging him to go first. That team's movements would calculate his. The best way to get a right angle on trapping the herd and chasing it would be by following the other team to see where the herd was currently. Just to make sure that they weren't waiting in the wrong place. code by SWITCH | graphic by GREY | photo by DAWNTHIEVES.DE