Iridescent Lagoon Stars Kissing Goodbye

[Sudden muse for this <3 ALL WELCOME :D Dated one week after Shade's conversation with Lachesis in the pack den]

Shade gazed around the clearing in the fen, there was something almost strange about it. Everything had fallen into place, he had everything figured out, but something felt strange almost, still, he pushed on. He padded through the clearing and into the forest beyond; he was far from home, very far from home he would also say. Still, he didn’t care, he needed to do this, and this friend meant a lot to him and that was why he took time out to visit. He personally wanted to visit her because he had sent Silver over to her, and he hadn’t visited himself. He had gotten sidetracked though, he was in a place he knew well, the place he took his first paw steps into the Lore, and then some. It was here he met Skana, who ended up joining Willow Ridge shortly after he had.

So many memories were on the side of the lore that he barely visited anymore; west of the Serpent’s Pass. Memories yes… but most of them were bad, and so he left his life there behind for a new one, with new wolves who respected him, trusted him. A new life with his two little pups who had their mothers blood, but not her looks {what a good thing for him because he was an emotional mess when she left}. He remembered Rosealia so clearly, she had the sweetest accent that could woo any man into following her, and she had the most adorable smile. His eyes were filled with sorrows as he thought about when she started to distrust him in a way. He thought that Nina had told her something of his past that he had purposefully avoided. He… in a way... regretted many things that had happened, and that was why he settled down in Dragonfly Fen, in Pitch Pine Trail, to get away from it all.

The evening sky stretched out above him, the setting sun was off on the horizon as he arrived at the lagoon he had visited more than once. The place was almost sacred to him. He recalled when he had run into Nina, Sloane and Narime at the lagoon, and shortly after he had felt unwelcomed in there little gathering and he had left. He wasn’t a very popular or even a much liked man. He was pretty sure that Nina hated her, and Koda might have started taking to his mate’s beliefs that he was ‘evil’ or whatever she thought Shade was. Shade still remembered the first days, when Narime always had that smile, her eyes were always shining bright and she was always so happy, but when he had seen her last it wasn’t the same. She seemed to be duller, like she was worn out, though he would expect as much from pups and that shining in her eyes seemed to be gone. But at the same time, she had caught him deep in her territory so it was probably just leftover hostility for his little mishap.

He felt like clawing at a tree, or perhaps scraping at an animal, what animal he didn’t care, with his eyetooth. He was frustrated, because he was having a hard time doing the one thing he wanted, dropping the topic of everything of his past, Rosealia, the pack that he use to serve and protect. Part of his heart had been left behind when the other ninety nine percent had moved on. Now, he was stuck in this phase of transition. He had a lot to look forward to going home, he had the thoughts of Spectre, the woman who served beside him, and who would, when spring came around, he a mother. Then there was his two little pups who were always so energetic, even when they had a bad cough like Karpos had. But part of him feared going home to the pack.

He figured out a lot, like the reason he fell for Rosealia, and later on Spectre. Rosealia had been so frail, fragile, and he had trained her, did everything in his power to make her strong and in that process, they fell in love. Then they had a terrible fight, one thing led to another and she was avoiding him. Then, something magical had happened, they had recovered, and mended the wounds, she healed and then they had two little children before she disappeared, taking that one percent of his heart with her and leaving the pups for dead meat until he had found Anastasia who cared for them. Spectre had been lost in the woods, only a name she made up herself to go by, she had forgotten who she was, and in a way, he thought he could turn her into Rosealia, though he realized how silly that was.

Spec had been an amazing wolf, many things were thrown at her and she overcame them all and now she stood at his side for everything, or almost everything. He had promised her that he was over Rosealia, but that one percent, that one percent was getting in his way. He looked into the water, fading out until it reached the upper parts of his leg. He gazed up at the sky and howled; that was all he needed to do. He just needed to howl everything away, though he would not dare to how back home, where everyone could hear his sorrows that he saw as his weak state. That might encourage wolves to challenge him for his spot as leader, which of course he would be able to take care of them easily with his 5 odd years of fighting experience, excluding when he was a pup himself.

The stars in the sky had started to faintly appear as the sun sank even lower in the sky. It was like they were all there with him, Shadowstorm, his mother, everyone who had passed that he had ever cared for was singing to him from the stars. He was foolish in his own mind, perhaps he had gotten in over his head even with that. But he would never back down, and that was final. He was falling up, and he was just a heartbroken wolf on the road to recovery.

(This post was last modified: Aug 01, 2014, 02:37 AM by Serach.)

An obvious fulfillment touched the features of the darkly colored woman as a smirk played upon her greying lips. Each step she took within her trot was high and proud, a bounding of her steps on long, sturdy limbs and a sway to the thick hips she wore. After her child having wondered so far out into the Hush Meadows and after her visit with Arlette (whom she had not seen in years) and direction for her son to return back to home, Elettra Archer had back tracked with an eagerness for a hunt to her own, one she had not had in quite some time. She was feeling happy at the moment, where her worry of Tempest having gone missing washed away momentarily by the re-entering of Arlette within her life. She was the last and only thing she had now that reminder her of Jaysyek, of Alexander...
There was little to be thought to slay her mood, with the moon high in the skies and the scent of moisture in the air as she made her way towards the lagoon, surely where some prey might end up for a midnight drink. The rays of the night caught the highlighting of her silver hues, the undertones of golden glow. But there was a certain call which shuttered her, causing her to stop in her tracks and listen to the mournful melody until it's finish. A sound, much like a hiss, echoed over the parted jaws of Elettra, now unturned into a grimace with the flashing of her teeth. She had not seen nor heard from Shade since the meeting, since he had up and disappeared from her pack, taking his little slut with her in the night. No honor, no loyalty, no respect was offered to the woman who had let them both in and not only this, allowed their courtship without reprimand. She had trusted the lie which they had fed her, that they would never breed and break the law of the pack. But their betrayal still lay sour on her tongue and no justice would be offered without vengeance.
Instantly, a predator display takes her: her head levels with her spine and hunches back with forth shoulders as her limps bend, taking a stalking position as though yet still on the hunt for prey. Her ears of silken black slick to her skull and her eyes are glowing slits of silver in the moonlight. As she nears further to the Lagoon, she can see the dark chocolate colored man wading within the shallows and the stalker things smart to keep within the shadow and tree line around her.
She is standing along the length of the Lagoon's bed when she strikes, coming at him with a burst of unimaginable speed. Her intentions are set, made for her front paws to slam into his side as she comes barreling at him, jaws agape to grip at the side of his unprotected neck and slam him into the water to pin him there - to drown him there! But in her rush, in her speed and the slick water floor, she slips and oh how horribly she does! She looses her footing and trips, sliding fully past Shade in her attempt. She manages to stay upright, whipping back around to face him off to his other side though an obvious pain shoots through a twisted ankle from her highly embarrassing move. She does all she can to play it off, making sure her defenses are secure and offering a snap of her jaws in warning: Run, run while you still can!

Shade turned when he scented Elettra, his eyes were not filled with fear, nor were they filled with pride. It was anger as he still had the belief that Rosealia disappeared because of Elettra and her pack of vicious and demeaning wolves whom he once belonged to. The scent of Pitch Pine Trail had faded a bit, since he had been away for about a week, but there was still the distinct scent and Shade knew when she attacked it would be a fight he could not lose. If he lost, Elettra would easily be able to track the scent to everything he now knew. She could track it to Ace, Capella, his first followers as well as Anastasia. Perhaps she would seek out his pups directly. She flew right by his side, he had moved a bit in natural reaction that caused her miss.

He hissed at the female he once curled his tail at in fear. There was a growl in his throat towards the female as he leapt at the form of Elettra, latching onto her shoulder with one fluid leap, biting down hard. His tail was raised and lashing back and forth in pure anger, aggression. He just figured this was a good way to deal with everything. It was a way to deal with the death of Shadowstorm and the disappearance of Rosealia. Venting his anger in a fight was always what he seemed to do best, especially when he facing old enemies. She was like a demon, plaguing his mind with worry that she would one day find them and wreak havoc on the pack he work so hard to create. It was simply, complicated. He hoped to hold to shoulder and weaken her.

(This post was last modified: Aug 08, 2013, 01:06 AM by Shade.)

Had Elettra known his thoughts, she would have been disgusted, further then she had felt disgust for him already. He had betrayed her, he had lied to her, he had walked out on her. For sure he held his followers, but her concern was not to him nor the motherly children which he had forced to struggle in youth as loners. In fact, if he had been away from his pack for a week, perhaps there was a likeliness he would return no longer it's Leader. Elettra had every intention to cripple the man, cripple him like he had crippled her and her ranks. If it was up to her, he would be broken enough to where he would not be able to travel the heights of the mountains in order to return home any time soon.
All odds would point to the agitator, the aggressor in this feud, though it was Elettra who thought herself the better man in this war and she would not leave until she gained her share of blood, received her pound of flesh. As teeth latched onto her forth shoulder, sinking into the front left blade, Elettra's head turns to the left, seeking the facial features of the man who now placed himself so closely to her. With harboring no defense, he proved his outright foolishness. Perhaps he was too caught up in the fight to protect himself properly! Her teeth lash, slicing painfully into the flesh of the left side of his face, seeking out the area specifically for his eye. She would snap wildly and quickly, striking out with an attempt to slash him over and over until he freed her. It should not be hard at such close range and without attempting to slit his gaze for protection. In the meantime, Elettra's own eyes remained in slits, head still leveling with her spine and her limps splayed, bent at the joints for further balance. Her tail was like a banner behind her, high, anticipating her victory.

So new to these lands, Partessence found it hard to keep to the Ridge. She loved the trees, the way their branches hung so low, offering protection to those that slipped through their reeds. She loved the pack den, which she'd finally chosen to sleep in, at least until someone decided that she wasn't yet welcome. It was warm, sure, but what was wrong with a little camaraderie. She may have been a lone wolf, once she may have been, but now she found herself with packmates, and she desired to know them and gain their trust. She was smaller than the lot of them, but there was nothing wrong with that. Perhaps it might've made her weak in strength, but she was certainly strong in spirit and had many other redeeming qualities. It wasn't all about fighting tooth and nail, Partessence had learned.

As a scout of Willow Ridge, she decided it gave her the privilege to stray a bit far from the borders, see what her ears would have her hear and maybe bring something back for Elettra. In late afternoon, she left the willow trees behind and trailed westward, keeping her pace even and quiet. But as evening came over the land, Partessence grew faintly tired. Her mind had been working, and her paws had been running mostly on autopilot, and as a body of water came into view, she realized that she might have strayed a bit too far from home. And she had nothing to give Archer in her absence. But it seemed that even if she had found some curious tidbit, her leader wouldn't have been home to hear it.

Vicious sounds pierced the evening air, causing Partessence to instantly crouch down, hide herself like she was so good at doing. There was the scent of blood, and Elettra, and a stranger. Her nose wrinkled, revealing her teeth as she found the scent disgusting and infuriating. Pulling her body forward, the fight came into view. It was her leader and a stranger, locked in combat. Perhaps her yellow-eyed view was skewed, but Party seemed to think that Elettra had the upperhand. At least right now. Her hackles rose, and her mind raced. Party was small, she was not a fighter. She was small and not particularly quick on her feet. But something needed to be done before someone, especially her leader, found themselves too injured.

The fiery woman sucked in a deep breath and leaped to her paws. Teeth still bared and body held defensively (on the off chance either of them decided she would make an excellent addition to their fight), the plain-coated woman barked a the pair, hoping to surprise them, perhaps break up the fight. If she were wise, perhaps she might've let her leader win, but she had no desire to see Elettra injured at all, not with three children and a pack to take care of. But she also didn't want to force them apart. What right did Partessence have? All she could do was hope that her bark had had some effect upon them. She also feared that Elettra would call her to arms. Partessence was no warrior like her leader was. But if commanded, what could she do? <b style="color:#8f8806">

(This post was last modified: Aug 09, 2013, 01:53 AM by Party.)

Shade had wandered off, and at first, Spectre had given him his space, choosing instead to remain in the pack lands and try to get a feel for the members of the pack she now led. She was unused to leading, but everyone had to start somewhere, so the ivory female had chosen to remain, to spend her time getting acquainted, and also to see how the others reacted to the rather sudden and quite nonviolent change of leadership. As the days passed, Spectre began to worry that Shade would not return, and hoped that he would not do to her like he was so worried about with his previous mate, Roselia. She began to fret that he had found the other female and that her reign as Pitch Pine Alpha would be the shortest yet.

She had remained in Pitch Pine Trail for two days after he had left, but when he had not returned, she had grown worried and left to follow, pausing just long enough to give Anastasia and Ice the warning that she was to go after their alpha. The pack was her duty to keep safe, but so was her mate. She left only after making sure that the pack was in good paws should she be unable to find Shade within a few days. If she didn't find him after three days of hunting, she would return and lead the pack without him at her side.. Though she hoped he was not silly enough to go so far away. At first, his trail had been easy to follow, though she grew extremely concerned when it led to the west. Far, Far to the west. She ran most of the way, stopping for water, an to hunt small game to fill her belly. She paused long enough to catch a few hours of sleep.. But upon waking would follow the quickly dying trail.

She had been away from Pitch Pine for roughly three days since beginning to follow Shade...And was ready to turn back, now that his scent was growing cold.. Spectre paused, in a forest she was unfamiliar with, surrounded by gods only knew how much new land or other wolves and lifted her muzzle to the sky. She hoped to call to Shade - to at least make sure he had not met an untimely end like he feared of his last mate. The howl that would have lifted from her lips was cut short, however, by the howl of another.

It was the howl that pierced the air that lowered her head, ice blue eyes turning towards the source of the sound. A whimper escaped her throat as she turned and followed the sound, ears trained for any following howls or cries. Spectre hoped that she would be able to reach him before someone else did - that someone else being Roselia. She was quite certain that if she saw the female, she might be tempted to make sure she never saw Shade, and that he was unaware that she had returned.. For the snowy wolf felt that he would return to her without a second thought.

What met her eyes when she arrived was not anything she could have feared. A black wolf was attacking her mate, and with such a vicious desire that it had Spectre's hackles rising along her spine. She surveyed the scene and noted that a third wolf was there, standing off to the side. Surely it was no ally of Shades, which left her even more rage filled. Who was this to bring backup when fighting the leader of a pack? Such a weakling could never rule a pack. The females long legs took her closer to the fighting pair, her triangular ears erected as she focused her gaze not on the fighting ebony wolves, but on the third, standing off to the side.

Jaws parted to reveal her ivory fangs, the rumbling snarl rising up from her chest as Spectre gave the fighting pair a wide berth, her tail arching over her back. Legs remained straight and stiff, her intent to stare down the other wolf and ensure he or she would not join in the fray. Spectre said nothing, but instead remained as a silent ally to her mates fight, though if it appeared Shade would be killed, she had every intention of picking up where he left off against the unknown ebony female. She also knew.. They were not close to Pitch Pine Trail.. If either of them sustained terrible injuries here... that was liable to be it for the pack, not to mention reinforcements were but a dream. Though she trusted that Anastasia would step up once again as the lead female - and that Ace would take Shades place.

She had made the trip from Pitch Pine to ...wherever here was in roughly three days of non stop running. The pale female was silently thankful for the brief break in movement, simply to stand and posture at the other. She had few intentions of stepping in, but she held few doubts that should the other creature raise an alarm, they would be surrounded. No, they were not trespassing, at least she did not think so - for she did not smell the border markers of any territories on the way. But still, that did not mean it was not still a danger. She would not allow her sense of self to finagle her into believing that they would emerge unscathed from this fight. And to be truthful, she was worried that one or both of them would die here, in lands completely foreign to them. Would it be so bad to die at the side of one you loved? Perhaps not, but it would be if that meant leaving two young puppies without a father.

Anastasia, she knew would care for them - as she already had been doing for their entire lives. Ace, she hoped would step up and help protect the pack. She had told the two wolves that she would be gone no longer than seven days, for she would range three days out, and then turn and return to the den if she had not found Shade in that time. It worried her now, that they might not return in enough time to give the two pack seconds ample warning.. She hoped that she would be brave enough when the time came to make sure they were to make it out alive. If he was killed, she doubted very much that she would remain and fight overwhelming odds to avenge him. If there seemed to be a true chance of both escaping with their lives, she would fight for all she was worth. If not, she would have to make certain that at least one of them returned to the pack alive.

Word Count: 1145

Shade hissed, letting go of her shoulder, but then rushing himself into another attack. Sure he had left, but he saw it as his way of freeing himself, though his thoughts might have been a little twisted, he launched and clawed at her side as he past her left side. When he landed, his eyes widened, another Willow Ridge wolf by the scent.... and Spectre. What had she been doing here? He only put more effort into it, his eyes cautious now though. Spectre was there, and he was dumbstruck, had she brought more of the pack? Shade knew that the pups could never make it over the Pass, so they were at least on the other side. He had so many things to fight for, and he knew that if Elettra did have her wolf join in, he had Spectre to hold her off. No, this was between him and Elettra, and him and Elettra alone.

He didn't care about the surroundings suddenly, his tail lashing as it was curled up in aggression, a snarl on his muzzle, his teeth bared for a fight. This would end with one of them respecting the other, or one not moving, perhaps one submitting or even one fleeing. He just hoped he had the strength, for it not to be him. He had no doubt in his mind that Elettra was a strong wolf, he knew that because he had served under her for 6 months, even leading beside her for a weak and she always had that strength, but he knew, or at least he believed, he had the will power. A hiss, his eyes locking with his enemies, a fierce determination in his eyes. He may be older, a bit weaker than her, but none of that mattered in his mind.

diagram of exactly where she bit is here, directly behind the molaris.

A woman of war, the Archer line was born built for the glorious gore of bloodshed and victory. Large wolves born within large litters strengthened the Torbine country to it's finest within the region known to them. Elettra Archer, though of medium proportion, a woman, and a trained medic, was of no exception. Though Partessence's bark was heard, the scent of viewers taken into consideration, a blinded, tunnel-vision raged the woman with a certainty of the battle. Like a beast in rage-mode, she would fight until she could no longer or until she was victorious.
Shade's injuries went undetermined to her, as he moved more to her left, freeing the shoulder blade he had once held to. Whether she was successfully blinded him in his left eye would be determined later and for the time being she allowed herself to focus on his next attack. As he launched and clawed at her side, a wicked laugh echoes past the parted jaws, a sneer on her expression. He lunges at her wildly, claws with a wolf's dull nails that scratch deep at her fur and skin - but only this. To his shameful maneuver she counters, twisting her front left to her left and her back end to her right, moving to that she might face him off once more. Her jaws once more seek the left side of his face (the same side which she had attack prior), this time latching onto the area just behind his jaw bone in hopes to hold him and hinder his ability to move his head. With every effort, she pushes downward, dropping her weight into her upper half in order to slam him into the shallow water they fight in. She would drown him, make him choke his submission if she could!

injuries to attend; deep punctures in her front left shoulder blade, claw slashes which have torn the skin on her left side

Her bark had done little to draw her leader's attention away from the fight, and Partessence felt a sinking feeling in her gut. The woman was certain Archer would come out on top. She had to. But who knew what damage could be taken in that time? Willow Ridge wasn't far, but Party did not desire to see Elettra leaking blood all the way home. The small, yet muscled woman thought she could carry the dark woman home if she had to...but she only hoped it wouldn't come to that. All she could truly do now was watch and jump in should Elettra need help...

Or perhaps not. Party flinched back as she realized the presence of another, one that must've been allied with the male that Elettra was tearing into. <b style="color:#8f8806">"Fuck." Party muttered, unsure of what to do. The white woman was clearly aggressive, and whether or not she intended to attack Party was unknown to the yellow-eyed girl right now. Perhaps she just didn't want her to assist Elettra, which made sense. This woman was larger than her, as were most, though not as large as Elettra was. That didn't mean too much. Party, regardless of the size of her "opponent", was not a fighter. If this woman planned on attacking her, Party had little to fall back on other than her stamina. Her own hackles rose, teeth bared as she turned her body away from the fight, and towards the white woman. Well, if this lady was gonna stop her, Party would do the same. Their leaders would chew on each other below while the women above snarled, and prevented the other from intervening. <b style="color:#8f8806">

Everyone has permission to skip him to keep the thread moving

The reason Kasai was wandering away from Willow Ridge borders was because #1 He had finished marking those very borders, and #2 the man had been interested in the two scents he found leaving the borders. The first scent, Elettra's feminine odor, he left alone thinking that the dark alpha might be out taking a break from her pups and the pack. Or perhaps she went hunting.. He could imagine her lithe form chasing a plump rabbit through the willows quite easily. The second scent the burnt man came upon was that of a stranger. Closer inspection of the trail gave the Tainn some comfort as he noted the pack scent on the strangers trail. Though he was pulled by curiosity about the new wolf. Kasai finished his round of the border patrol then retraced his steps back to the new womans scent. From there the dark wolf began to follow Party's trail through the meadow and towards the lagoon.

As the guardian made his way closer to the lagoon he kept his nose on the trail and his ears splayed atop his regal head to listen for danger. Sounds became apparent to the man, sounds of snarls and of alarmed birds calling out in the distance. Something was wrong and it made what was left of his pitch black fur stand on end. Rushing forward Kasai spotted the lagoons shining surface in the distance. The reflective light blinded him to the forms moving someplace in front of the man. However he could smell what was going on now. The smell of water, blood, Elettra, the stranger from his pack, and two others came to his nose. The dark Tainn snarled as his eyes picked out the pair of wolves fighting; both with coats of varying dark shades. The burnt wolf recognized Shade from his run in with the wolf quite some time ago, and Elettra who seemed to be holding her own in the fight.

Slowing his pace as he entered the clearing Kasai flicked his gaze from his leader to the white and gray wolves also looking in on the fight. A deep growl lay plastered on his scarred maw as Kasai walked slowly towards the two females. He picked up the gray and red womans scent noting that it was laced with his own packs smell. Turning his yellow eyes onto Party Kasai gave her half a smile.

He was on her side.

Flicking his yellow gaze back to the fight Kasai let his snarling muzzle flatten only allowing a small growl to slip through his jaws. "Hello pack mate..." He flicked his tail against Party's flank as Kasai passed by her slowly padding towards Spectre.

The Tainn noted the white wolf's scent matching what was held within Shades mixed smell. They must come from the same pack then. he concluded silently while giving the white wolf a good hard stare. As long as she didn't jump into the fight to aid Shade then Kasai wouldn't attack her. Instead the dark wolf paused giving the white wolf a good five feet of space. Then he turned his eyes towards the fight once more.

"Beat the shit out of him! Show him your the strongest alpha female in Lore!" Kasai encouraged Elettra from the sidelines with a mighty snarl then looked out of the corner of his eye towards the white wolf to watch her movements and what her reaction might be.

(This post was last modified: Aug 09, 2013, 09:07 PM by Hotei.)