Midnight Plateau Empire State of Mind

<font style='margin-left:20px;'>A</font>ll was well, that much Adonia knew. With a happy sigh, she listened to Alexander as he gave the news. Giving a slight, welcoming nod to Amelie, she then nodded once more to accept her duties of patrolling. Maybe Atiris and herself could go together on the trip? It would certainly make things more enjoyable! The white wolf had a feeling that as the pack grew larger, the threat of Swift River would grow until it could not be ignored any longer. At least, that's what happened in the other pack she was in. Luckily, they were the larger pack and won every time. She was not sure of the abilities of this pack now, but she hoped that the relations with the Swift River Pack would not come to a fight. Suddenly, Borden made his proclamation. Adonia felt her jaw drop as she turned to look at him. Borden, stepping down from the rank of Beta to go off on his own? Borden, the wolf she had only recently met? Why would he step down from such a high rank that he so recently seemed to acquire? As these questions raced through her mind, she managed a smile at Borden. Although the she-wolf really could not believe the events that had just transpired, the female wolf wanted to at least give a few private, parting words to the wolf she had not really gotten to know that well. Despite the fact that they were not exactly friends, more like acquaintances, Adonia at least wanted to make up for it as soon as she could. Adonia put it on the list of things to do as soon as possible.

♥ ♥ ♥

Amélie was pleased with the way the meeting was going so far. As she perched herself cozily beside her mate, she looked at all of her new pack mates. Truthfully they all seemed to be quite lovely, at least from where she stood. When Alexander introduced her, she smiled softly to all those whom she was meeting for the first time. As soon as his introduction was over, Alexander moved on to inform them all that the pack would be hunting and also holding sparring lessons. Alexander wrapped everything up with allowing everyone to freely add any suggestions they may have had. Borden, the current beta, took the opportunity to resign from his position. Amélie was shocked, clearly, as she moved her gaze away from Borden and onto Alexander, wondering how he would take it and what he would say.

Warm smile was noticed, and she returned a tiny, brief one. What she would do to know his thoughts. The rustle of stone brought head round to Alexander. News of his mate, was not entirely new, now a mere fact. How could she not have a cheery smile? She was happy the pair were together, and they certainly made a striking match. The mention of Borden changed things. Jayse lay paralyzed not for herself, not really but for Borden. The gray wolf could not help let her eyes land on his. Wondering if their recent plans were in his mind or if he'll feel bound to continue his duties, or least for awhile. Nothing could be done at the moment, and with whatever strength she processed she listened to Alex the gray mask held with interest. His affairs went to the borders giving those task to Atiris and Adonia. Least she had gone unnoticed, if she truly was staying this would have bothered her. On the other hand maybe he was leaving it open to help Borden or spar which could be a compliment. Good hell she didn't want to think right now. It didn't matter if she left. Yet here they were having to face this. Alex sounded partially worried of low defenses, maybe this would be nothing short of hard. It was deathly quiet when Borden steadily rose. Feeling herself swallow, front canines bit into the inside of her lips. The words came, and were followed by surprise, even shock maybe. No doubt every eye was upon him, wondering where this had come from. This was when she was torn with decision. Should she step up, and say she was leaving as well. Or should she wait. What mattered, what was the best thing. Would it be safer for Borden to say good bye after he left. Seeming like he went alone, or should she stand and state her own goings; letting them assume what they wished. Pushing from elbows she bent her torso from the ground. In all seriousness, with a confident air she spoke. "I too, must say it is with deepest regret I can no longer live on the mountain." Vivid eyes of blue and gold rested on Alexander,"But I did want to tell you my unlimited gratitude for the home you have given me, and more than anything I wish the best for you two," This was when eyes drifted to Amelie, honest sincerity in her words,"and the rest of the pack." Cast head round to what use to be her fellow pack mates, taking a brief moment to look upon them, trying to convey the truth. She made no hint of attachment to Borden, and left the reasons why she could not stay out of the equation. There was more than one. lost your balance on a tight rope. lost your mind trying to get it back.

(This post was last modified: Feb 25, 2011, 03:00 AM by Jaysyek.)

Atiris looked at Wanderer and would have answered his comment, but the meeting had begun. She felt awake enough that she did not think it would be a problem, but she couldn't always anticipate how things would go. Whenever she was sitting down and listening to someone talk without being actively involved in the conversation herself, she tended to feel a strong pull toward sleep. She hoped that Weldering was right- that Alexander wasn't boring, and that the meeting wouldn't be long.

His first messages were fairly clear- he had a new missus and that was fine with Atiris. She did not know Alexander well at all, and so she was happy for him , but not overwhelmed with giddiness and excitement. She really had no idea who he was, afterall- he could have been an expert at lexicography for all she knew- but that would be far beyond her. She was pretty and Atiris was sure she was swell.

Then assignments- Borden to hunting, herself and Adonia to scouting (which was replied to with a smart nod) and Weldering to sparring. She was quite awake and Weldering's push made her feel a bit stupid and in response she gave him a what the heck was that for? look. She glanced to him with a secretive smile, though, when Alexander told him to organize a sparring session. She didn't think she lacked the skills, but she'd still definitely take advantage of a sparring session. Any occasion in which she was welcome to beat up on her friends was a welcome one.

The floor was open then and Bordon was the first to speak and he shocked Atiris quite plainly. She had joined the pack because he'd invited her- currently, she had no attachment whatsoever to Alexander and her first response was to go with him. Thought needed to happen first, and this was one of the rare occasions in which she actually stopped to think before she let herself speak. Her ears flicked forward and back and she looked toward Alexander for his reaction before she leaned toward Weldering and spoke no louder than a whisper, only for him to hear, na. "Hooo-ee, if all the pack meeting are like this," She commented, "Life is gonna be some interesting!"

The meeting is basically over, but feel free to reply to "discuss" things. XD

It didn't seem like anyone had much to say, which was fine. At least there were no complaints about what he'd laid out. But then Borden got up, and Alexander found himself staring down at his Beta again, worry sudden bubbling up and over in his chest. Something was wrong. Even before Borden had opened his mouth, Alexander knew something was horribly wrong. I am resigning from my role as Beta...leave. Borden was leaving. Alexander pulled himself to the edge of the rock again, his face like stone. He didn't know whether to be upset or absolutely furious. How dare he leave! They...Alexander's chest heaved, and he frowned, but there was so much more behind it. Grief, anger... He wanted to speak to the wolf, but it wasn't the time now.

But before he'd had a chance to even verbally react, Jaysyek also rose up, announcing that she was leaving as well. Alexander's eyes flickered to the white female and then to Borden, and then back again. They were in this together. Something more was growing beneath the surface of all of this. He didn't want her words of kindness, he didn't want any of that. He wanted the truth, and neither of them were giving it to him now. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Get out." Alexander growled, his ears pressed back, and grief lined his voice, however angry the words were. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Both of you." There was temptation to send someone to escort them out, but what was the use? They hadn't started trouble, and they would certainly put up no fight in leaving.

<b style="color:#51b85f">"I'll lead the hunt." He said, shoulders hunched, his voice hardly audible. No one had said anything before all of this, so he dared them to say something now. <b style="color:#51b85f">"This meeting is over." With one final glance at Borden, Alexander twisted around, and stalked off.<b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."

The last thing Weldering was expecting was for anyone to leave the pack just after it started to go so well. His steel blue eyes were scanning the various wolves present at the meeting feeling rather proud of himself. His muzzle lifting with a sense of pride. From practically nothing this pack had gone from strength to strength but now they were going backward. Their second was leaving and alongside him a she-wolf was following. Weldering was surprised yet indifferent. Although Bordon seemed like a nice guy he did not know the brute well enough to comment.

The silver and black masked male continued to watch cautiously, waiting for the Alpha's reaction. Lighting he could feel Atiris leaning over to whisper, dropping his head now so that the smaller she-wolf did not have to stretch so high to reach his large black ears. 'Hooo-ee, if all the pack meeting are like this, life is gonna be some interesting!' Weldering hummed near silently back. He was still not too sure how to react and so said nothing back. Still with regards to Atiris' comment the last Swift River meeting that he had attended could perhaps pip this one for being interesting. Finally Alexander answered, his tone angry and Welde sighed lightly. The meeting now was over and with his injuries that he did not want anyone to notice he felt this would be a good time to leave. <b style="color:#0d5b8c; font-family:geogia; font-size:13px">"I'm gonna head off. See you later Atiris." He muttered quietly using his nose to poke her shoulder in farewell before slinking off.

<center><img src=http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z151/kittykarnage/fishmaster.png></center>

Catching Jayse’s added statement, Borden rose from his place and observed the alpha quietly. She did not mention anything about them being together and he silently appreciated that; although, he was sure the others would pick up that they were a couple. The tip of his tail curled as he watched Alexander sternly eye him and then Jayse. When his eyes returned to the stocky wolf before him, he growled and Borden reacted in the only way he knew how to. The alpha’s piercing gaze and eventual leave only fueled him further.

Underneath his pelt, a place where fire had once burned, sparked and roared once again. The last time he had been given a look like that, his father had sent him away. The fur along his shoulders bristled but he suppressed his own growl and held his tongue, biting it behind his teeth. FINE! his inner-self snarled. Fine… Before he could say something harsh or out of ill-will, he looked to Jayse and took a step towards her as Alexander declared the meeting was over. For a split-second his features softened and he whispered to the base of her ear before placing a ‘kiss’ on her temple, “I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

Taking in the sight of Alexander’s tail disappearing over the ledge, the Lyall scowled once more, not knowing what else to think. If the leader wanted him to leave on unpleasant terms, so be it; Borden couldn’t care less after he had tried to bring up the matter in the gentlest way possible. After seeing Weldering abruptly leave, he pressed his lips together and stalked off. He lightly brushed past Adonia and Atiris and began to slink down the mountain. Once he had finally touched the ground below, he decided he would never return to the rocky heights. He would disappear from the Mountain of Dire and its pack entirely.

{Presto.}

Well, what do you want from me?

The reaction of the Midnight Plateua leader was neither unexpected nor planned for. She hadn't known what the leaving of two members would do, least she had gotten it over with. She could not have manged waiting any longer after Borden left. Some how she knew if she brought it up in private to Alexander after the meeting there would have been no good time. He probably would have gotten out of her why she could not stay. Who knows maybe he would be even more angry. This was much better, quick like a shot, poke it in, pull it out. What was done was done. Silver ears bent round, she nodded at his words. This was no longer her home, nor did she feel the hint of welcome it had had. A silent sigh passed through her lips, she had wanted to end this on good terms. Ha, so much for that idea. She would get over this small cut to her heart, and her eyes found their way to Borden for comfort-to see how he'd taken this. Appearing a hold of his emotions, she could not smile even when he touched softly and said he'd see her in a bit. Nodding like a lone child, she watched Weldering disperse, and the past Beta of the mountain dissapear. Giving a solem look to the three remaning females she uttered no partings. Instead collected her paws, and started away from here. She held no want to make this more hard, and there really was no reason to stay. She would put as much distance to this mountain as she could. This place stuck with memories good and bad. {end} lost your balance on a tight rope. lost your mind trying to get it back.

♥ ♥ ♥

Everything went downhill. Amélie watched as Alexander's usually gentle facade twist into angry and she frowned. Amé could see how much Borden's resignation had hurt the honorable leader. Silently she wondered why Borden was leaving to begin with, and could only assume that he wanted to make a life of his own; to claim his own terrain and bear children. It was an honest request and every single one of them had a right to do so. Perhaps some day Alexander would see that. Until then, she would comfort her love as needed. So with one swift motion, the mademoiselle went after her mate.