Turtleback Lake horses in the drift

aleister vuesain

Time passed slowly since they settled, his paws itching to just move, so he continuous kept up on the borders. Ensuring they were strong and detectable, though honestly it was mindless work. It got him through the day though, his efforts to keep away from a routine were futile. The Vuesain was rooted to the packlands as long as his sister stayed, his heart and trust taking longer to reach the monochrome leader and her claimed lands. Aleister couldn't desert Neha again, he would rather be buried 6 feet in the ground then deal with the guilt of that again.

As he almost finished another run of the borders, Nineva's urgent call screamed through the trees for the Keep wolves. A dustcloud was all that remained when Aleister followed her call, knowing full well that this wasn't good and Neha was certainly going to be there. His mismatched eyes quickly spotted the situation and the tawny form of his sister herding the intruders from the land. Pressing his body to his limits, he raced to catch up with his sister, his eyes pinned on her form. She was his first priority. Reaching her flank, he snarled at the nearest intruder, the one nearest to Neha. His teeth snapping in their direction.

Judas ARCHER

by the light of the moon, we run

Lazily did he roll about the dirt during the light of day, content to spend his time more awake during the night with the Moon Mother's light on his back side, her rays forever guiding him way. Though when his Queen's call echoed over their territory, a high demand for her members because intruders had come into their home, Judas was scrambling on his long limbs to stand and rush towards the edges of their claimed lands.

As he rushed closer the scent of deer waft into his nose along with a collection of unknown wolves. Even if they had been on a hunt they should have stopped. Even if they had been unaware the new pack was here and had still intruded they coils have stopped once they realized and quickly left. But they didn't.

When Judas made way into the crowd the intruders were not dipping their heads and lowering their tails in apology. They were not leaving either, but standing their ground even as their prey slipped away. Rage filled the black wolf and he followed suit with his members, finding a placement somewhere near his brother as he did so. The four intruders would stand no chance. Plunging forth, Judas aimed to smack dab into the nearest enemy, a slate grey and white wolf named Mako.

☾

Guardian dem 1/3

The demanding call from his sister snapped Yuka from his work. Lips curled back in an ugly snarl, distorting his face into an even more ghastly visage. The Left Hand did not hesitate to move from his position, his large body moving with large force. They were up against coyotes or another pack but either way, the brother was ready to get his paws bloodied. The assassin was one of the last to make it on the scene - but before the father of Nineva's children. The Thorben would have readily jumped in on the action, as he surveyed the scene calmly, but the scent of his dear niece caught his nose, causing his head to snap in the direction of a nearby bush. Lips pulled back into a scowl but did not waste time with his disappointment. He would ensure that his sister's child was returned to safety, to the heart of the pack. When he first arrived, it seemed as if he pack had the situation handled. Amber teal-flecked eyes landed on his pale niece and when he spoke, his voice was rough, "Ellery, let's move." His tone did not leave room for argument. He motioned with his head towards the center of the pack. She was only a month old and he would remove her by will had he wanted. And had she been a little older, he would have had no qualms with her being near the fight and he would have been able to enjoy himself.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

(This post was last modified: Jul 05, 2018, 08:56 PM by Yuka. Edit Reason: Add in dem )

Thank you TABs

Guardian dem 1/3

————

Vigil’s Keep wasn’t too different from the Surge, considering Ayti thought they ran things pretty similarly and were a very strong pack. Nineva was the only leader, and Aytigin was content with that for now, but whether that would change was yet to be seen. The massive male was currently content with hanging around, marking borders, and establishing their land.

Their land, which was being intruded upon.

There Lachesis went again, sticking his nose in where it didn’t belong - and outside his borders this time. They weren’t on their territory, they weren’t doing anything wrong.

Unfortunately, by the time the massive wolf had reached the dispute, Ellery was already there. Lachesis, Lilya, Mako, and Jynx were there from his previous pack, but they were sorely outnumbered.

”Are you all insane?! There’s a child here!” he snapped, running in and leaping in front of Lilya in particular to block her from going any further. ”There’s no need for this! You have children at the Surge, right? Go back to them alive!”

He didn’t want to harm any of them if he didn’t have to.

”All four of you need to leave right now, before actual blood is shed,” he growled loudly, baring his fangs... though it looked like one or two of the younger wolves had jumped the gun. ”We can settle this when you’re off our land.” Hazel eyes flickered over to Nineva, waiting for her to decide if he had stepped out of line too far. He wanted to be as diplomatic as possible.

(This post was last modified: Jul 06, 2018, 02:53 PM by Aytigin.)

@Jynx next. 
Just a reminder/request that if this comes to a fight to use the dice to make sure things are fair. DS will only fight with dice.

They almost had the damned thing, just by a hair, but then their neighbors appeared in full force, a wolfish wall separating the hunters and their prey. Mako was so frustrated he could scream. And actually, the sharp snarl that left his jaws was pretty damn close as he watched the deer agilely slip between the phalanx of the rival pack, the deer dashing off into the territory beyond unharmed. It wasn't fair, they had done all the work and here these wolves were just standing smack in the way. Never mind they could have all turned around and pulled the deer down easily in one big dogpile. 

Mako was fuming, his amber eyes practically bugging out of his head as he skid to a stop to keep from ramming into the large black yearling charging towards him. "Oh come ON!" Mako shouted at nobody in particular, "You're just gonna let it get AWAY?" He seethed, too riled up on the adrenaline of the hunt to really have his priorities straight. In his opinion, the only blood that needed to be shed was that of the swiftly departing deer. 

(This post was last modified: Jul 02, 2018, 10:36 PM by Mako.)

@Lachesis

Had they not been interrupted, then perhaps the huntress could have meshed a plan together, to swing the deer around and drive it back into their own territory. But it was too late for that, as a nearby cry of war broke the silence. They should've expected as much. Rarely did outsiders get away with trespassing undetected. Short claws digging against the earth, she skidded to a halt, coincidentally brushing against Mako's side. Wolves from the opposing pack swarmed in immediately, most bristling and posturing aggressively, angered by the invasion. They didn't even bother with the deer, which leapt away out of sight, disappearing into the forest beyond. One particular dark yearling had been brazen enough to take a snap at Mako, who luckily, darted out of harms way. Tail flagging over her back, Jynx shot the Keep wolf warning with a curl of her lips, yellow eyes narrowed. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but the young male was becoming like a second son to her.

With the hunt beyond salvaging, the Surge wolves priorities had shifted. They were greatly outnumbered, even with Lachesis and Lilya, who had been trailing the hunt. Four against eight. Not good odds. But in her own eyes, even outnumbered like this, Jynx still would not be intimidated. Would not apologize for their wrongdoings. A meeting between the two packs was bound to happen eventually and with the way she had seen Lachesis take to the evidence of another group so close to their own doorstep, she knew it wouldn't be a pleasant one. Her eyes flicked momentarily to the retreating form of a young pup, tucked away for her own safety. Then a voice belonging to a man who once was one of their own, rang out. Aytigin. So this is where he wound up. She said nothing, but the scorned look on her face told these wolves everything. They knew they had settled too close for Driftwood's comfort.

@Nineva - again, DS will not be fighting without dice rolls. Lachesis does not want to fight (today) but if any of the VK wolves decide to attack a DS wolf please request a dice roll :B

What a debacle this had turned into…

Lachesis had expected some of the pack to respond to their blatant trespassing, but not for the silver female to call for the entire pack. Clearly she was not interested in a diplomatic meeting, even if the Surge wolves had disrespected their borders. But, the newly formed pack had disrespected the mountain pack by claiming the land less than a day’s walk from their borders. If they had been interested in forming a relationship, or alliance, with Driftwood they had gone about it the wrong way. But there was no way Lachesis would have been civil with them—even if they had approached his borders and introduced themselves. They had infringed on their hunting territory; what else was Lachesis supposed to do? He had been chased from his home once before, he’d be damned if he allowed a bunch of scrawny idiots do the same thing to his pack in the north.

His large paws skidded to a stop as his upper lip curled away from his ivory canines, a silent snarl forming on his pale features. His tawny mate had appeared, her fur bristled as she took her place among the trio of Driftwood wolves. Lachesis had no interest in fighting with these wolves—not yet. He had wanted a meal for his pack and intel on the new pack, not a fight. This pack, whatever they called themselves, would not get a fight out of the river wolves. Not if he could help it.

He watched as more wolves arrived, the corners of his mouth now curling up in amusement. The only flaw with the silver female calling her pack to the borders was that now Lachesis could assess the members and, so far, he was not impressed. Especially when he saw the familiar bear-like shape of Aytigin. He couldn’t stop the laugh from tumbling off his lips, although his posture remained tall and dominant. Got kicked out of the Surge and decided to settle next door? He scoffed, his chartreuse eyes rolling as the words tripped off his tongue. You don’t get to speak to us that way—you lost that privilege when you were exiled from our pack. I have no interest in speaking with you. I only want to talk to the leader of this pack. The final word was spat off the tip of his tongue as his peridots turned to the silver female who had initiated the call. I assume that’s you? His expression was dark and displeased, his nose wrinkled as though there was a bad smell beneath it. That bad smell was this pack.

Sure, they had crossed their borders, but Lachesis was not interested in being courteous. The new pack had lost any ounce of respect Lachesis might have given them after settling so close. If it is a fight you are looking for you will not get one—not today. These are our hunting grounds; that is our deer. His lips pulled back once more. I did not realize it would take us trespassing for you to introduce yourselves, considering you decided to make yourself home so close to ours.

(This post was last modified: Jul 04, 2018, 06:05 AM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you

Mathéo had perhaps not been as attuned to the comings and goings around Driftwood Surge as he should have been – but the mind was a strange thing like that. The betrayal and hurt he felt towards Risaela’s departure had fizzled out in the aftermath, leaving the wolf feeling hollow and cold. It was not unlike when his mother had been murdered by the cat, either, but he was not a boy this time. He had a name for this dark, suffocating cloud that hung over his shoulders like an impressive mantle meant to keep a man warm – instead only buried him alive in the summer heat.

So perhaps the yearling should have been aware, but he was not. Life was treated with mild ambivalence and nothing else. Not until he was doing his best to enjoy a quiet moment with Lachesis, discussing something about the summer’s sudden (and intense) heat – and then it seemed utterly inane to even consider such a thing, for the man was summoned to something much more urgent, and Theo was trotting behind, the faithful page following the manor’s lord. Green eyes crinkled as he observed the scene folding out before them. “How careless of them,” he breathed softly, tail lashing behind his lanky form. His ears folded backwards, especially as eyes settled on a familiar form – Aytigin. He didn’t know the wolf well, only that he often railed against Mathéo’s own sister. But he was served his punishment for his hypocrisy, in the end. That these were the wolves this female alpha was collecting, though… What other thieves and liars might they have?

He turned his head to Mako – he was not sure he was friends with the shark, but the grey male was the closest thing he had to such a thing. “ Tomorrow is another day.”

Or perhaps later still. But they would hunt. It seemed just, after all, given that these fools decided to settle on a clearly hunted ground.

Speech directed at @Lachesis -- then addresses @Mako specifically.

(This post was last modified: Jul 04, 2018, 05:10 PM by Matheo. Edit Reason: open tag. )

@Nineva

Mother had stashed her away in the vegetation and told her to stay. The girl obliged obediently, laying down with the mindset that maybe they were going to play a game of hide and seek. However, it soon became very clear that this was no game of hide and seek. So many things seemed to happen at once that she didn’t really know what to do. Practically everyone from her pack came, all of them looking particularly angry. In fact, she’d never seen any of them look so angry before. And the stranger wolves were angry too. She wanted to go help, wanted to stand next to Mother and do...whatever it was that she was doing. But she’d been told to stay, so she did.

Then, her uncle came to her. He was also very serious, his voice gruff and commanding. Her brows knit together in confusion. “Mother say stay?” she replied, tiny voice lifting in uncertainty. She knew she was supposed to listen to the other adults when Mother and Papa weren’t there, but Mother was right over there! Who was she supposed to listen to? Would Mother get mad if she disobeyed? Where was Papa?

leader dem 2/3

Her pack was quick to answer her call, but with it even more intruders appeared. At this point, anyone would be hard pressed to convince Nineva that this hadn't been planned by their new neighbors; it was difficult to imagine this all being an accident, so many wolves so far out of their way for one measly deer. It was far more likely that they were purposefully making some kind of statement; a very ill-advised one. She thought that would be the height of her anger, that she was already as disgusted as she could be with their actions, but then the white one opened his mouth and let out the most ludicrous sentences she'd ever heard.

Like a child who broke his own toy and then tantrumed that everyone else was to blame, Lachesis attempted to paint the Keep wolves as unreasonable in their response to strangers aggressively surging into their clearly-marked territory. She would have audibly scoffed and rolled her eyes at the absurdity of it were she not so indignantly angry with the man and his followers.

Before anything else, however, he saw fit to scold Aytigin, her subordinate. She knew of his exile, had talked it over with the man long ago, and they had both conceded that it would be wise for him to keep a wide berth of the foothills pack's territory and certainly never be involved in any scouting ventures to the Surge. Admonishing him for existing in his own home, however? He'd committed a crime, and served his punishment, but apparently Lachesis had expected the man to lay down and die rather than continue on with his life. He was here to do better, be better and it was just another ember on Nineva's internal fire that the stranger would try still to drag Aytigin down through the mud.

She had clacked her teeth in warning and moved to stand in front of her chocolate-coated Queensguard, and the call to knock it off would have included words had the pale man not drawled on, undeserved arrogance dripping off his pristine fur and salmon tongue.

"I'm not mightily inclined to give a shit about what you want right now," she declared, in response to his not wanting to fight.

"You sure as hell don't have a leg to stand on in making demands and telling my subordinate who he may speak to. Clearly, these are not your hunting grounds, they are our home, and you damned well knew that. There is absolutely no reason for what must be more than half your pack to circle around to damn near the opposite side of one of the Lore's largest bodies of water for deer."

She knew the path the wolves must have taken, due west quite a ways before doubling back east to reach the Keep's shore. It was astounding that they would think they could claim any kind of innocence after a trek like that.

"I know where the other packs lie as well, and your relation to them, and so I know well enough that you could hunt the entire expanse of the Fjord and the forests and tundra directly north of you. You can't say they're lacking game recently either, as we've only hunted in Kingsfall because we were aware of your territory."

As for not rushing over to say hi while establishing their pack and raising Ellery, she wouldn't waste the breath in trying to justify herself. If they were so butthurt about it all, they certainly could've sent their own envoy before committing such a drastic transgression. As she saw it, the Keep had done nothing actually wrong, and believed any other level-headed packs would be quick to agree; these wolves just wanted to go out of their way for a pissing match rather than living to let live.

"Now: Leave."

If any Surge wolf wanted to launch into a speech, they would be swiftly interrupted by snarls and clicking teeth before Nineva began another charge to chase them out. She was done talking, and definitely done listening. If they wanted anything from her the opposing pack would have to start by getting the hell off her lawn.

(This post was last modified: Oct 08, 2018, 08:52 PM by Nineva.)