No time to back down

For @Yuka

The last rays of light were rapidly fading as the summer sun slipped below the horizon, bringing with it cooling relief from the heat of the day. These hours of twilight were usually ones that the Vuesain enjoyed, finding them peaceful. She was always up and about as the transition from day to night began. Either patrolling, searching for herbs or a new haunt, but always taking time to look skywards. Should the darkening canvas be clear, she would pause to watch the stars come out. Somewhere up there, in another realm, her mother was frolicking among her ancestors. She would be happy, unhindered by the trials and harsh realities of the world.

Neha in contrast, despite her secure place in Vigils Keep, was feeling anything but tranquil tonight. In fact, she hadn't felt truly content for a very, very long time. The reason for her frayed nerves was no mystery. With the confrontation of the invading Driftwood wolves behind them, but still seared into their memories, the pack had to be on high alert. They had rivals now, and they were close. Just a days travel away. After Nineva had worked so hard to form this pack, while becoming a mother, simply moving camp was not an option with young Ellery around. Though her pack greatly outnumbered the Driftwood wolves that day, the incident was an eye opener. Sooner or later, Neha may very well have to fight these wolves while defending her home...her family. The Vuesain female had little in the way of such experience, but with her rough around the edges persona, certainly had the mental willingness. Restlessly, she paced along the pebbled shore of the lake, a clear hint of agitation in her step. Coldly, she glared at her own reflection in the water, scrutinizing herself and any shred of potential she had, perhaps hidden deep within the dark.

Note to self: After rank challenge.

After his rank challenge - which he had lost to @Aytigin - Yuka had resolved himself to throwing himself into his role. Nineva did not need him stirring up drama like some butthurt drama queen. The other man had won fair and square, it had been done with honor, and that was the end of it. The man had no problem executing his job, which was the real reason @Nineva had brought him into this crusade - aside from the fact that they were related. Loyalty was one good thing that had come out of being raised by his foster father. So Yuka committed himself to the borders and finding anything out about his pack mates that he possibly could - not that he was having much progress since they settled, the social butterfly that he was. The russet-hued male was returning from skirting the outside of the borders, monitoring for intel on the coyotes in the area when the site of another made him pause. A pale agouti woman, one of the Keep's, was staring quite intensely into the lake. If there was any time for him to gather intel on their members - and maybe even get to know them - the best time to do so was always when a wolf was vulnerable. Not hesitating to step forward, he spoke calmly, ears perked forward, "Everything okay..?" He trailed off at the end a little, perhaps prompting for a name.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

(This post was last modified: Jul 06, 2018, 04:10 AM by Yuka.)

Thank you TABs

Her moment was soon interrupted. Whether or not Neha should have welcomed the break in the moment, she was unsure. She had grown used to her self isolation, perhaps almost to the point of enjoyment. But on the other paw, her life in Vigils Keep, serving under @Nineva was supposed to be a fresh start for her. A chance at redemption and renewal. The big question is, whether she even wanted it or not.

Her head lifted, with an almost deliberate unhurried sweep, the muscles in her neck flexing as she turned to fix her eyes on her pack mate, standing not far off. She recognized him instantly, by both sight and scent. Nineva's older brother, quite distinguished by the horrid scars that tore up the right side of his otherwise handsome face. Inside she smirked humorlessly to herself, imagining that this might be quite what her heart now looked like. For a long moment she said nothing; only regarded him through slightly narrowed, hardened brown eyes. "Neha." She returned simply, her voice rough and hollow from lack of daily use. She saw no point in adding on her surname. She was no regal princess anymore. Her father was gone, her mother dead, her younger sisters missing. All that was left of the Vuesain lineage was her and Aleister. Hardly worth mentioning, if they could even be considered a legacy to their name now. "I'm fine. That run in with those flea bags just got under my skin, that's all." She grumbled out, pinning her gaze back at her paws, her tail giving a single agitated lash.

Neha can often be found close to Aleister's side and therefore may appear in any of his threads.

S for mild swear

His ears flicked forward when she spoke, a pleasant sound, much nicer than the high pitched one he was accustomed to from most females. It usually gave him a headache, especially if he were in long, drawn-out conversations with them...though they were the ones that usually did most of the talking. The explanation as to what had her bothered interest him. Yuka watched as he tail lashed behind in agitation, a clear indicator that it might not have been the best experience. Yuka had stuck behind-the-scenes mostly, ensuring the safety of his niece while also keeping an eye on what was unfolding. It had not been the most ideal situation but it was what it was, and the creamy russet-hued man imagined they would be dealing with the aftermath in the future. He hummed in agreement, "They were quite bold to trespass, especially on borders that were so strongly marked." If I do say so myself. It was almost insulting how quickly they had flown across the border and things had escalated. Had they not even hesitated before making the decision to go? "Hopefully, we won't have to deal with them again anytime soon. But, if we do, I think we'll be alright." Where did all this comforting shit come from? He was turning into his foster mother. The large man bit the inside of his cheek quickly, amber eyes focused on the woman in front of him to see if her body language had changed at all.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Thank you TABs

Had anyone known Neha as a youth, where she came from and who her parents were, no one would have suspected that she would have turned out like this. Her future had looked bright, full of stability and promise. As a child and a young adult, she had been a typical female. But she had made poor decisions. One after the other, it seemed. Fate had not been kind in dealing the swift and final blow to her spirit, in the death of Namid. She was grateful that she at least had Aleister back in her life, but at times she questioned if he was holding him down.

With that same coldness remaining in her eyes, she looked at him again. Her lips pursed into a tight line. "A bunch of fools, they are. But, we are stuck with them as neighbors." She moved to pace along the shore of the lake again, but not out of his range. When she moved, Neha carried herself in a certain way. Shoulders hunched, head level with her spine, or slightly lowered, her steps seemingly calculated. This was not the language of a wolf lacking in confidence, but of one harboring inner defeat, compensating by donning a darkened, but non malicious exterior. "We should be, yes. But I'm not so sure about myself. I've never fought a single battle." She wasn't asking for help. No, of course not. She wasn't that soft. That weak. She was just stating the truth, even if it stung a little.

(This post was last modified: Aug 02, 2018, 12:51 AM by Neha.)

Neha can often be found close to Aleister's side and therefore may appear in any of his threads.

At least she seemed to agree on the matter of their neighbors, but it didn't seem as if Neha had any ill will for them. That was good. Looking at the woman in front of her was almost like looking at his reflection in rippling water - similar but distorted. The cold eyes were a dead ringer, something that triggered the darker part of Yuka. The part that wanted to kill when he was given a job without a care, without any strings attached. The woman's body language told a different story though. All slunched over with eyes downcast, as if she were disinterested with the world. While the pair might have agreed about their neighbors, having never fought a single battle in her life was something he could not understand. Ever since he was a yearling he felt like he was constantly fighting his battles - both mental and physical. Though, maybe Neha was fighting the former? Amber teal-flecked eyes looked the smaller woman over, his lips pulling into a frown. When he spoke, his voice was softer, not as firm, "Never? Not even a scuffle? We can do that, if you want." He was straight-forward with his offer, especially if it would make her feel better. After all, training to fight was what he did practically his whole life.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Thank you TABs

When she did lift her head to look back up at him, her chocolate eyes were cold...hardened. His own she studied momentarily; amber with flecks of teal scattered throughout. Such an...intriguing color combination. She tried not to wonder how he attained the scars littering the right side of his face. She had no such physical marks to bare, a clue that she had either just been lucky or had lived the easy life up until recently. Her lips tightened accompanied with a harsh shake of her head. "Never. Though I came close...once." She cut herself off there, abruptly. The memory of the time when she had lashed out at her younger sister, @Lunette, whom for some reason she couldn't stand, was too much. This was no time to talk. She wanted to learn to fight. And she wanted to do it now.

Yuka seemed keyed in enough to offer just that. And, his simple invite was all it took. Her posture raised, ears pivoted back while her tail flagged. She certainly had the spirit and the will, but not the experience. She dug in deep to her memories, of her twisted emotions. Let them gurgle and slowly rise, fueling her blood with adrenaline. "Then, teach me." She hissed determinedly through clenched teeth. Widening her stance, she readied herself for whatever move he would toss her way. The Vuesain's brown eyes darkened as she added. "And don't go easy on me."

Neha can often be found close to Aleister's side and therefore may appear in any of his threads.

Teaching dem 1/3

When their eyes locked, all he saw was stone. It was bizarre, how a woman so cold had never come in contact with a fight before. There had to be some damage there though - it was the only thing that could justify the look in her eyes. The Thorben would not press further on the subject of exactly what happened with her almost fight. It wasn't his business unless she chose to share. Russet ears flicked forward when she spoke in a low hiss. His eyes surveyed her, looking her up and down to evaluate her stance, how she carried herself. It was a change from the hunched over girl he happened upon by the water. Yuka's eyes had also hardened, jaw clenched as he looked her over. When he spoke, his voice was firm, "First things first, every wolf has a different fighting technique. Some may be more defensive and others more offensive. Your strategy is dependent on you, but you have some leeway because of your build." Without giving her feedback on her stance, Yuka lunged forward, attempting to knock her over by using his body weight - child's play really, but he wasn't here to kill her. This was purely to see how stable Neha's stance was and to determine how quick she was on her feet.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

(This post was last modified: Aug 28, 2018, 05:54 PM by Yuka.)

Thank you TABs

She listened, albeit a little impatiently to his words of knowledge. Of course, every wolf would naturally differ in their chosen fighting strategy, taking into account their size and build. Neha knew, while almost petite in stature, would naturally have the edge of speed and even stamina, should she utilize the proper techniques. With no further warning nor comment, the russet male lunged to barrel into her. With how focused she was already, Neha allowed him to careen against her side for only a split second. One in which she kept her legs stiff and bent slightly to better absorb the impact.

In the next instant, she nimbly leapt back, away from him. Her hope was to ward off or intercept any other charges at her, hopefully in time to act reasonably. On her on behalf, as a counter measure, she bluffed with a mock lunge, clacking her jaws. Instinct told her to keep him directly in her line of sight, his movements followed by her cold brown eyes.

Neha can often be found close to Aleister's side and therefore may appear in any of his threads.

Yuka kept his breathing even and mind clear as they danced. Usually, the bulky man wouldn't think twice about letting his anger overtake him to get the job done, but Neha was not a job. She was a pack mate - someone Nineva would not want him to brutually maul or kill. When he lunged, she was quick on her feet, a steady base to what they would build on. Her stance was firm and he would be lying if he said he didn't almost slightly lose his footing when leapt away from him. He was quick to regain his footing, however, returning his gaze to her form and watching her closely. When she mock lunged, he took a step back. For every step she took, he took one to mimic her in the opposite direction. His voice was firm when he spoke, "Good form, but attack me. For real this time. Don't hold back." He was enjoying this, perhaps a bit too much. It had been too long since he'd been put out on a job.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Thank you TABs