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Post by Akki on Nov 15, 2009 10:30:16 GMT -5
The caves were moving, their ghosts haunting the empty paths. No... Akki's ears perked a little, listening around the sound of Halspar's bulk settling onto the cave floor. She had heard a faint scuffle a few minutes earlier, the sound of dirt collapsing on the ground. She had thought nothing of it, passing it off as the normal sounds of the den... But now she was not so sure... Was there someone in her Den?
A defensive instinct bubbled up inside of Akki's chest. There was someone in her home.
"Can I have position into your pack then?"
Akki turned a somewhat distracted face to wards Halspar, attention more to wards one of the tunnels behind her. She had pin-pointed the sound to that branch, and she could have sworn that another faint noise had echoed back to her. Seasons of silence spent learning the sounds of her Den had made Akki sensitive to any changes in the voices its walls made.
"Yes Halspar, you may join my pack. You will begin your training as a rogue. You will learn to cooperate with other pack members and obey my orders without question. From there on it is up to you whether or not you advance in ranks... Who knows, maybe someday you will actually be able to kill me. Unlikely as it may seem." Akki's voice was joking, a smile hiding just behind her glassy eyes.
Yes, there was the sound she had been looking for... They had company. Akki could feel the strangers eyes on the back of her neck... This was interesting. Not many could beat at the game of hide and seek... And sneaking up on Akki, now that was impressive.
Akki's heavy body stood up slowly, as if loathe to leave the warm patch of her cave floor. "Well stranger... I would like to congratulate you... But tell me, why are you in my caves?" Akki turned her head towards the shadows where she knew the stranger lay in wait. "Quickly now, before I loose what little patience I have remaining."
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Post by Mercy on Nov 15, 2009 17:12:23 GMT -5
Mercy found it interesting that the big brute had been twitchy but unable to pin point her. His strengths were definitely more for that on an open field, instead of that of the mind. No offense to him, of course, but the young Heus would need more patience it he was survive his own impulsive nature. She waited silently as the two conversed about his acceptance, which he was unsurprisingly given. The pack seemed member-less for the most part. Well, hopefully that would change.
Her ears pricked forward, a tiny flick heard in the dark tunnels. It pleased her to no end at how nervous the male was. Halspar. That was his name. She liked the fact that already she was an intimidating factor without even trying to be. But her attention was for the Alphess, who had no rose heavily and spoke her congratulations. Mercy knew that patience was waning for the cold fae and without hesitation, stepped forward with the grace of Sasriel cousins, shoulder hunkered low in the short tunnels. She came into just the small bit of light and stopped, nodding just slightly to the Alphess. The Alphess wasn’t afraid of her, she wasn’t nervous, she was just the wolf Mercy would want to follow. The other wolf was sheer entertainment. For a moment, her dark blue eyes lit with the frail light of the den and her ebony fur shined. There would be no doubting her Sasriel heritage . . . she was undoubtedly taking a great risk if this didn’t go right. She slightly averted her eyes away, just enough so that she could still what the Alphess’s actions might be, in case she needed to turn tail and run.
“I have to come to offer you my services. To walk in winter bitterness when you cannot. To scout other lands without suspicious glances.” Her voice was like clear cut stone, her words straight and to the point. “To spy for you and play a different game.”
The charisma in her voice was alluring as it always had been, but it was whether or not the Alphess chose to trust her that mattered, and Mercy knew that. She remained stoic, unblinking and then stepped forward, daring to move her sapphire eyes up only with the slightest movement. The frail light caught her face fully now and brought her eyes to a sparkling blue fire. Her long, thin frame remained entombed by darkness.
“My name . . . is Mercy.” She concluded softly.
Much never needed to be said with Mercy, her posture usually said all she wanted to say. If they wanted to know more, they would ask. She hardly spoke anyway, it was easier to keep your thoughts in order that way. She waited just as patiently as though she were a statue and averted her eyes again. This leader she could respect, this leader she could trust and remain loyal too.
This leader would not let her down.
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Post by Halspar on Nov 15, 2009 23:59:00 GMT -5
Halspar grinned as he was given a rank as rogue; it would do. All he needed was a pack, and now, he was home. He would get his revenge eventually . . .
He said nothing however, could say nothing because of the wolf that was coming from the shadows. Akki had noticed her without a doubt, asking her to come forward. Halspar remained tense and on his feet, baring his impressive fangs, digging his claws into the earth. Something was not right about this newcomer . . . Heus did not sneak. Heus . . .
She wasn’t Heus.
This was obvious straight away. A thick coat of pitch black fur covered her body, which was tall and graceful. Her eyes were a deep, sapphire blue and the way she stayed with the shadows, hardly seen gave a hint to her personality. She spoke in a quiet, alluring voice that made his mind stop thinking straight, but her words were short and precise . . . when she said her name, he growled. There was no mistaking her heritage at all.
“Hybrid!” he snapped, growling low, lowering his hulking form as though readying himself to spring. “Why should we trust you at all?”
He realized he had spoken out of turn a second to late and danced back, out of Akki’s reach in case she chose to bite at him. He flattened his ears and continued to stand, his fur prickling, his eyes glowing with hate for her.
Sasriel . . .
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Post by Akki on Nov 24, 2009 18:36:20 GMT -5
Akki stared unblinking at the stranger as she stepped foreword. It was curious that this wolf was here at all; not many knew how to find the many entrances to Akki's dens, and not many would be able to find their way so stealthily to where Akki had made her home. The wolf was most obviously not Heus, her black body sleek and beautiful. This alone was enough to cause Akki discomfort. Her species had long been wary of outsiders, especially the sneaky ones. Akki met the wolf's gaze, holding it unblinkingly until the stranger looked away. The intensity of the blue eyes held Akki's attention though. There was something in their gaze that made a part of Akki... Understand this she-wolf.
"I have come to offer you my services..."
The hopefuls were wandering into Akkis home faster then she could count apparently. Not that the pack members were unwelcome. But these caves had been deserted for seasons... Their walls had all but forgotten how to echo the voices back to where they began. Forgotten the sound of paw steps. Forgotten the warmth of a pack.
Akki raised her head a little higher, heavy tail erect. A spy? A part of Akki knew that this wolf was dangerous. She could probably worm her way into the confidences of any who she desired... A spy was one who would betray those confidences without regret, or hesitation. Perhaps she was come to spy on Akki and her pack?
Halspar growled his disapproval, voicing some of the thoughts running through Akkis mind. Akki shot a glance at him, "Patience, Hali dear. You will wait, your time for revenge will come. That I can promise. Now," Akki returned her attention to the one who named herself Mercy, "I will not ask you why, as Hali so bluntly stated, why we should trust you. In fact I simply do not care. But instead I will ask this: are you willing to play my game?" Akkis words promised something terrible, "No matter the cost or the risk?"
Akki had begun a slow pace around the she-wolf, judging her reaction to an uncomfortable situation. Moving closer Akki pressed her forehead against one of Mercy's flanks, putting some of her weight against the wolfs, unannounced. Halspar had proved his physical prowess in his fight. Though he had lost, he had been cold and starving, Akki had no doubt that he would have been able to put up a better display. Mercy came meekly, acceptably submissive...
Akki turned away, advancing to wards Halspar. Nudging her shoulder into his still shivering body, Akki directed him to wards her hot spot on the floor. "Lie down Halspar, the caves will warm you." The hare she had abandoned earlier lay untouched. Akki picked up the fat hare, and deposited it in front of Halspar. "Eat. Or you may not survive to show the Winged Ones your fury."
Akki positioned herself next to Halspar, standing protectively in front of her only pack. She was the Alphess now, and Halspar, though annoying, was her only pack and family.
Though, probably not for long.
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Post by Mercy on Nov 30, 2009 14:05:14 GMT -5
Mercy waited in quiet scrutiny, flicking her gaze up to the male behind the Alphess. So he had a problem with Sasriels, did he? Well, at least they had one thing in common. She blinked at him, expressionless as the female told him to lie and wait. When the Alphess turned back to her, Mercy remained frozen as she spoke.
“Not matter the cost or risk?”
The corner of Mercy’s mouth twitched, only a little. She gave a short, acknowledging nod. She could already tell the direction this was going. This Alphess used pawns . . . how clever.
“That’s the beauty of my position, Alphess.” She flicked her intense blue eyes up again. “I’ve nothing to risk, save my life perhaps, but such a little thing can be . . . overlooked, wouldn’t you agree?”
She followed the Alphess closely with her eyes, their blue depths intense. What was she up to now? But she was quiet, sure that there was a reason for the circling. She studied the female’s movement, stiffening her legs in case the situation changed and she would be forced to fight in this cramped situation. She said nothing, her posture giving off a relaxed yet cautious language. She found out when Akki came closer and pressed her head unexpectedly into her flank. Mercy’s already tense muscles caused her to give slightly, but her paws did not shift. She bent down to take the weight of the might Heus female. It was sure knowledge on both ends that it wouldn’t take much to knock her over. This simple physical test was a mere reminder of that, but also a reminder that she had been taught to react instinctively to these types of situations. When the Alphess came onto her other side, Mercy continued to follow her closely, almost hawk like, as though she were watching prey. She stood up straighter once the Alphess had left her side and nudged Halspar over to lie down, offering him a hare.
She stared, unblinking at them both, remaining in the shadows, wondering what the Alphess’s decision would be. She kept her ears perked forward, ready and alert.
“I enjoy games, as well, Alphess.” She murmured quietly.
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Post by Halspar on Nov 30, 2009 20:12:06 GMT -5
Halspar pricked his ears attentively, shrinking down in Akki’s gaze. He said nothing more as he studied his Alphess and Mercy, a tingle starting down his spine. There was something off about this black fae that he didn’t like. Grumbling to himself, he sat heavily and kept his eyes on her. She sorely outnumbered if she thought she would be fighting to do away with them, she would be even he wasn’t here. Akki could take her out easily if she wanted to.
But she wasn’t.
Instead, Akki’s own questions started and the way Mercy answered them disturbed him a little. Now humbled, he watched as Akki made to circle Mercy, placing the nimble wolf in an uncomfortable spot. He smirked. She may be taller than both of them, but her strength was next to nothing compared to theirs. He watched, an already triumphant smile on his maw as Akki brushed her head into Mercy’s flank.
He snorted when Mercy didn’t give. The she-wolf didn’t even speak through the process or snarl or anything. She stood there, as though made of stone. Dark, graceful, stone.
He was surprised when Akki nudged his shoulder and he stumbled back to her spot on the floor, looking at the hare she dropped in front of him. He nodded quietly, his mind still on Mercy. She was scary beast, unpredictable. He cocked his head, eyes glinting.
But would Akki consider her?
He thought about the possibilities if she did. He didn’t trust Mercy, but maybe she wasn’t looking for that. Besides, if she did betray them, there was no doubt she’d be killed. One way or another, he felt that that was one thing Akki wouldn’t let go unpunished. But still it bothered him . . . She was part Sasriel. One of the Winged Ones.
With a sigh, he reached out and snagged the hare by its neck, its body still somewhat warm. Blood leaked into his mouth but his mind wasn’t on food. Even as Akki stood in front of him, he continued to gaze back at Mercy, her startling blue eyes showing nothing, giving no hint to any sort of truth or lies.
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Post by Akki on Dec 3, 2009 14:29:33 GMT -5
The wolf stood up to Akki's physical testing with relative ease, only swaying the tiniest fraction when Akki put her weight against her. Mercy's eyes followed Akki, taking in her every movement. The she-wolf was ready for what Akki might throw her way, a confidence that Akki heartily approved of. Akki was beginning to think that the pack would benefit from this descendant of their enemies.
“I’ve nothing to risk, save my life perhaps, but such a little thing can be . . . overlooked, wouldn’t you agree?”
From her position in front of Halspar Akki laughed. The she-wolf had understood her almost perfectly..."Mercy my dear, life is never a little thing. With out life a pack is not strong. With out life you are of no value. It is life that we must learn to value." Akki grinned, brown eyes flashing with a new found vigor. Here was a pack she could be proud of. A warrior; dumb in the ways of elegance, yes, but physically strong and willing to fight. A spy; an asset to any pack, who would betray those who trusted her with out a bat of the eye...
“I enjoy games, as well, Alphess.”
Akki's grin widened, and she took a step closer to the she-wolf. "Good. Join my pack Mercy, live by my rules, play my game. My first rule is this: betray me, and I will find you. I will kill you. I am the only one you should ever be afraid of Mercy. Betray my trust and you wont live to regret it." Her brown eyes caught Mercy. "Join me as a rogue, prove to me that you are worth my time."
A pack to be proud of indeed.
((OOC: Since it is Spring we need to wrap this thread up. One more post for Mercy and Halspar both! I will get Akki started somewhere else in a different thread soon.))
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Post by Mercy on Dec 3, 2009 18:16:06 GMT -5
Mercy said nothing for a while, waiting for the Alphess’s decision. At least she valued life. She was a wise Heus, different from her predecessors who had ruined not only their pack, but the rest of the land as well, setting everything into turmoil. This time would be different, she was sure. She blinked as Akki turned back to her, telling her the “rules.” Mercy appeared nonchalant about it, expecting it more or less. Death would be expected of any spy who betrayed those they sought out to gain the trust of. She remained stoic, as though unfazed by Akki’s words. She respected the Alphess and her power. To fear her was a different matter.
"Join me as a rogue, prove to me that you are worth my time."
“It’d be my pleasure, Alphess.” She said, meeting Akki’s hard, dominant gaze with even vigor. “When you have need of me, I’ll be around. Now if you’ll excuse me, your dens are far to warm for me. I wont be far. Alphess, . . . Hali . . .” she nodded to each in turn and then backed into the shadows before turned her back to them.
Her quiet paw steps were barely audible as she found her own path down the tunnels, smelling for the cold air that once pushed her in here. It would feel good to cool off. Her long coat was just one more thing she hated from her Sasriel bloodline. These caves would provide unneeded warmth for her. It looked like she would be a loner in the winter, sleeping in the snow. But that was fine, she was a loner by nature.
But now she had a security net.
Stepping up and out into the cold air, she sniffed the area tentatively. No sign of life stirred around her. With a sigh, she slouched over to a low hanged tree branch and curled up tightly underneath it, her eyes bright as she scanned her surroundings. She would get used to it, she figured. She would get used to the darkness in this place, the cold emptiness. The woods that seemed to conjure up the images of ghosts and past events. When she was content that she was alone, she curled up tighter, hardly unmoving, at peace in the chilly winter air. Slowly she closed her eyes.
For now, at least, she was home.
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Post by Halspar on Dec 3, 2009 23:08:54 GMT -5
Halspar silently ate the hare, biting down with a bit more force than was needed. The fur along his spine was splayed out to all sides, showing his anger at the situation. Why should they even trust this wolf? This dark fae? Sure, she would die should she ever choose to cross Akki, but still, this wasn’t enough to content him. She was half Sasriel. For him, that was already a crime.
He looked up as Akki mentioned her one rule, trying to see the expression on Mercy’s face. But he saw nothing but her emotionless features staring back. It was like . . . she didn’t even care. He stared harder . . . as though looking for the secret she was hiding. He hated it that she seemed so unfazed. It annoyed him. He grumbled as she accepted the position.
Great. Now he’d actually have to put up with her, his skin prickling as she called him . . .Hali . . . Normally, he would say something, but he could tell his Alphess’s nerves were on end as it was and he chose not to push it. He watched her retreat wordlessly, eyes narrowed as her dark form slunk into the shadows of the den. To warm.
Yeah, so she liked to rub it in.
He snorted in disgust and returned to his meal.
((Thread done!))
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