Someone Anyone (ily)

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

A new pack. I toyed the thought cautiously. Scox had come home with a nasty wound and I had demanded a reason. A golden folami had done it when Scox had attacked, mistaking the stranger as a lion. I smirked at that thought, wondering how a lion sized dog could have overpowered my warrior enough to bite a chunk from his back. That meant this dog had to have had some skills, for Scox is a snake of a fighter. This dog had had a ‘pet’, but Scox’s claim. And he thought there may have been a pack, so I assumed he had picked up more scents in the area. If the man had simply pissed off a wandering pair, I would have offered some way to patch his wounds and then carried on with my life. But a pack. They could be a threat, at least to my reputation.

Nimrod had advised--oh how I loathed having to turn to my Second in Command for anything and pretend to actually consider his words--I take a patrol out and try to persuade these rebels into joining our ranks. We had one pack more than we should have already, so Nimrod thought it’d be best to take this one down while it was still small and unheard of. I had simply nodded at him and told him I would think about it, then headed to bed. This morning I had woken to the sun glaring through the cracks in my make-shift den, ears alert to the sound--silence. It wasn’t raining, and when I got out, I realized it wasn’t even misting. A crisp, cool morning, but aside from the morning dew, it was dry. I allowed myself to take this as a sign of good blessings. I told Kevin to take out Brian to hunt over near Zonta lands and not return until I went to fetch them, watched them leave, told Nimrod he was in charge while Kevin, Brian, and I went to ‘take care’ of the rebel pack. He was hesitant about taking an unpredictable dog like Brian and a dog we knew very little about, Kevin, but I dismissed his concerns with a shrug and saying this was a perfect opportunity to get the child trained, and to get to know the man. He gave in, I looked in on Tamriel and her children, and then I left alone.

I could smell the dead blood in the air as I made my way carefully through the plains. Scox’s wound had been bad, but it was clear he had shed some blood from the smaller dog, as well. I came to a spot where the drying soil was tinted red with crusty life-fluids, the dirt turned up where a shuffle of paws spoke of a fight. I pushed on and found a set of smaller paws leading towards where I had just passed the scene of the attack, and then came to where those small paws walked beside a separate set of paws. The separate set stopped at one point and then dashed off towards the direction of the ocean. The smaller pair that kept going must have been the pet Scox spoke of. I wondered absently why the one who had been accompanying him went away when the smell of blood was probably in the air, and contemplated for a moment that maybe his set would lead me back to their camp and he had gone to fetch him.

Rain started as I came to that thought. I could feel a couple drops hit my ear and sink down to chill the top of my skull. I flicked the moisture from my ears, but it did my no good. The pressure grew heavier. It was not a downpour, but the rain was falling steady after only a few seconds, washing away any chance I would have had to track the footprints of the fleeing dog. “Damnit.” I said it calmly, more of a statement rather than a defeat. My paws started in the general direction of the ocean, paws not even trying to land lightly in the quickly-becoming marshy earth. I was not here to surprise and attack what could be a new pack. No. I was here to investigate.

There could be more than one pack, and I would not deny someone else the chance at having their family.

[I L Y I C H]

Michael had come running up to me not ten minutes ago, breathing so hard I thought he was going to give himself an aneurysm. Now I was all but storming through the newly started rain, fur bristling violently. He'd seen the Alpha close by. Too close. The kid had looked like he'd seen a ghost. Apparently he'd thought Bidziil was dead. I'd told them all to stay in the Office until I got back. I'd stuck Jack and Ryan in charge of keeping the stupider ones safe for the time being and I had little doubt that nothing would occur there while I was gone. It had taken far to long to convince Michael to stay the fuck put and I was hauling ass back in the direction Michael had pointed out. Said the black beast was moving for the water but wasn't anywhere near it yet. I could cut him off easily enough with the Office where it was he would come dangerously close to our strong scent trails. Even the rain couldn't wash away the smell of a track that was used daily.

Panic and fury bubbled in me as I moved. Skoll only knew what Bidziil was like in person, but I had heard all the stories and all the nasty little tales surrounding the ebony alpha. I wasn't about to have this man damage anything. I'd been on alert with everyone else for the last ten hours ever sense Joel and Ray had come limping back into camp, the smaller folami fighting to support the half-breeds slumping body. The wound was nasty but the older man had denied that anything would happen. Said it was some dick named Scox and that apparently he pulled shit like this all the time. Paranoia had told me Joel was wrong. Paranoia was right. Scox had obviously run right to his master and it was a miracle that half the pack wasn't at their leaders back baying for blood. I didn't care. I didn't care if there was probably an ambush out in the grasses. I didn't care that the alpha was built to be a fucking alpha. He was probably a tank, but I was no limp noodle. I'd destroy him.

Lips pealed back and body all but trembling with rage I skulked forward. Nostrils flared I picked up the man's scent pressing around the rain drops. Weak but there too fresh to have yet been washed away. Not that it mattered his inky fur was all too plain in the early morning light. He was made for the shadows. To instill fear. It was almost comical in the day light. He looked so out of place. But my anger was thick and my fear was heavy in my gut. Humor had no place right now. My head lifted further, tail arching high and aggressive over my gray back. Making no move to hide myself I stormed after the man, bristling my threats. "Oi! Shithead! Who the fuck do you think you are." My voice was high and reedy as per usual, cracking at the edges. Funny maybe. the others liked to make fun of me for it, but they all admitted that I could be scary as hell when I wanted to be.

So I forced as much murderous anger as I could into the tones and all but slammed to a halt not ten feet from the beast. Bidziil would have to face me. I was massive, if not just as large as him. I was a threat. An aggressive threat, and he would not ignore me. Maybe I was being a bit cruel. Vicious in fact, but it was necessary. He wouldn't hurt my family. But he was a father too wasn't he? If I remembered the gossip from the loners correctly. So I narrowed my eyes and fixed him with the hardest sternest stare I could. All but demanding with my face that he listen very carefully. "I don't want to fight you but I will. I've got kids to protect." And that was the only hint of empathy I allowed before curling my lips into a deeper snarl and dropping my head threateningly. The little fucker would leave right now or I would make him.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I hadn’t wandered far from the attack scene when someone called, rather rudely, from behind me. My ears had caught a faint shuffle a few minutes ago from that direction, and I had first dismissed it as a squirrel escaping the sudden rain. My nose had caught a faint breeze of canine scent, though, but by then a a minute had passed and I had assumed the noise-maker had gone to fetch reinforcements. I had been heading in the wrong direction, I had decided by that point, but I made my pace slow so when more dogs came, I would be easy to find, though not make myself seem too alert. Sometimes a dog being aware of everything was intimidating, as if it meant that dog was expecting attack, which could mean they were doing something wrong. I had crossed no marked boundaries here, so I was not trespassing. Which is why I was a little thrown off by the blatantly hostile voice that forced me to turn and face the folami.

It wasn’t a golden one, and it had no notable wounds, so I knew this was a different dog than that which Scox had encountered. He was also much too large to have made the paw prints of the pet, or the one who had been walking with the pet before turning in running towards the beach. I was confident in Scox’s assumption, now. There was a pack nearby. The one that had caught my attention earlier had a different scent than any I could read where the attack had happened, so it looked as if the pack was at least five dogs big, probably more.

I let my demeanor fall into one of equality, if not leaning a little to the submission side. Even if this was not this man’s territory, I was closer to his home than to my own. I assumed he was the Alpha, by the way he approached me and held a dominant aura about him. My tail fell loosely to hang, not in fear, but far from dominance. I eyed him curiously, not daring to smirk at the way his voice cracked. This was his home and I had obviously upset him with my presence. The last thing I needed to do was insult him because my lips curved upwards in an amused smile, which could be misread as arrogance or superiority. So I gave him a stern facial expression, purely professional, Alpha to Alpha. I realized I was the trespasser and I accepted that. I was not here to take over this pack like Nimrod had urged me to do. We could coexist. If this man allowed me some pardon, I would make sure his pack was not discovered by mine. When he mentioned children, this was no longer a question. I would protect this little family whether it wanted it or not.

I allowed myself to give this man a curt bow before standing with my skull slightly lowered, another motion towards submission. “I am Bidziil, Alpha to the Human’s pack. I assure you that I do not come here for blood.” My tone was rough and low, but not in a way that I meant to be intimidating. That was just my voice, the voice anyone who knew me would know was casual. “May I ask whom you are? I received a...message that one of my warriors attacked a dog in this area. Was it one of your dogs?” I urged the man mildly, trying to get him to admit to there being a pack without asking the direct question. Asking right off the bat may come off as threatening, me trying to assess the situation so as to lead an attack. “I wish to apologize on behalf of my warrior. He was mistaken in his identifying of species.” The apology was thick there as I focused on the man’s snout. The last thing I wanted here was to fight. I would prefer to avoid a fight in all occurances, but the thought that maybe there were children present made the need for peace that much stronger.

I don’t harm kids.

[I L Y I C H]

Blue eyes cut across his bow and I relaxed if only a small fraction. It was practiced and careful. A motion to a fellow alpha. Not a thing I would have expected from an arrogant man. Shifting myself on my heavy paws I let my lips drop and picked my head up slightly, nodding in response. I would give no more ground but the gesture didn't go ignored. Not on the basis of rumor. Perhaps that was what had me rushing here. The horrible blood bathed things that had whispered into my ears. This ebony beast didn't smell of violence, though the scars on his body told a very different story. But then I had my fair share of agonies and the scars cutting across my body were no less cruel then his own. Perhaps not as numerous. Dark backed ears lifting and curving forward I frowned thickly at the man before me. A fellow alpha. A fellow father. My muscles loosened, though they did not relax enough for the threat of ambush to be deadly. Those stupid shits needed me.

"Geoff Ramsey." I offered, voice a fraction calmer though the bitterness of stress and anger still tainted the edges. The little bastard wasn't going to weasel shit out of me. I wasn't stupid, my eyes narrowed at him burning daggers into the air between us. I'd had my training too. I knew the ways adults had spoken when I was a child, using turn about words to try and get information. My pride had done it too. Beating around the bush. It was a really annoying as fuck tactic. "You could have come here for fucking ice cream and I would have reacted the same way." I huffed the words out, trying despite myself to calm the situation I had roused. Maybe it was counterproductive of me to simply rush fangs first into situations like this, but I couldn't help it. After everything that had happened in the past I had long sense learned what folami were like. Man made machines with their neat little programming that read 'destroy whats not me'. It was safer this way.

My ears flicked sharply in reprimand unable to help the annoyed expression that cropped up on my face. I didn't own any of the guys. they weren't my dogs. They weren't my anything, except for what familial titles they decided to use. "Joel." I corrected coldly, voice even despite the bubbling annoyance there. Giving Bidziil the right to mess up maybe was the better way to go. I mean he'd lived a certain way for a really long tim hadn't he? Formality might just ooze through his blood. Letting out a heavy sigh I let my tail drop to a less aggressive position finally falling into a minimally defensive stance. "His name is Joel and yeah he said as much. Pretty stupid as fuck mistake but whatever" I stared hard at the darker warrior. Wondering. Running up to the other alpha I hadn't expected an apology. Not in the least. I had expected a rush of teeth and an attempt at my death. I'd seen it happen before after all.

Wrinkling my snout slightly I turned my head to look back in the proper direction. Following my stare to a sound I had heard. A rustle. Fucking hell. "I swear to Skoll Michael if thats you I will bury you in a fucking tomb." It wasn't the chocolate mutt who strode soldierly out of the brush though. Low and behold it was Joel, his shoulder doing better today as he all but ignored what I would imagine was a pretty painful as fuck tugging. The mixed breed didn't say anything and he stopped a good few feet from the two of us, his brow heavy and his ears slightly back. It made me realize that Joel had been a member of Bidziil's pack until little under two weeks ago. His dark blue eyes stayed locked on his old alpha for a moment before flicking to me, lessening in it's intensity. Protectiveness all but oozed from the man's pores. "Jack said to tell you to not do anything drastic" Of course. I grimaced at him. Of course Jack would send someone all the way out here, fucking hurt none the less, to tell me not to pull anything stupid. Man might be my beta but for Skolls sake he was a pushy bitch. "Oh and I volunteered, Dad." Joel's lips curled slightly at the end, pulling out a shit eating smirk that I grimaced at. Pulling fucking dad cars when he was older then me.

"Go home you dick" Stupid bastard all but saluted me, throwing one last glance at Bidziil before turning around and stalking back into the grass. Surely someone had convinced Jack to let Joel go. I didn't have a doubt in my mind that one of the younger guys had begged the shepherd to go see what was going on. The lot of them acted like fucking puppies constantly and then wanted to know why I treated them like misbehaving children. Gaze remained stuck to Joel's back I glared after the older man careful to keep my perefrials focused on the threat to my front as I did so. All distractions and stupidity aside Bidziil was still a thread. A massive threat. Turning my eyes back to those crimson orbs I glared at him. "So whats the plan Mr. Big shot? Cause if you attack us you better know I'm going to take you out with me."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Perhaps it was informal, but I smirked mildly at his declaration. I knew 'ice cream' only by rumor from my human child all those years ago, and I remember the thought of it lighting his world. Ice cream was a good, pleasant thing. The man had his humor, and I could respect that. Perhaps it was my upbringing, but I was dry. I tried to crack at silly little statements and all it did was leave the crickets chirping. Yet, despite this being an otherwise tense encounter, the man gave a solid joke of sorts. I admired it. Humor was something I enjoyed, even if I was no good at interpreting it half the time.

"It was." I nodded at his statement about my warrior, Scox. I made a mental note to perhaps use names. This man had corrected me with Joel's name with a little bit of bite to his tone. I couldn't help but let my smile grow a little bolder with it. This man was like me, but better at it. He was a father, not an alpha. I wanted to be that, but traditional teachings often got in my way. It clicked then, as I thought more carefully about names, that Joel was vaguely familiar. I remembered him as being golden underneath, but darker on top. A half breed with some shepherd, if I could remember correctly. I could feel a little heat of frustration rise to my cheeks, dragging away the soft smile that had planted there. If this Joel was the same as that Joel, there was no way he mistook him for a lion. I contemplated questioning further, but then we were not alone and the 'devil' of which we spoke of was indeed the 'devil' from my past.

I listened to the exchange guardedly, watching Joel in silence until he was gone. My smile was gone, but I kept my body lose, even sitting back on my haunches confidentially but nonthreatening, while they spoke. My ears fell black ever so slightly, which was the only give away that I was indeed angry. I would have some choice words with Scox when I got back from this little political trip. He had attacked a folami unprovoked, from what I gathered here. I could not just sit down and let him run rampant, screwing around with innocent strangers. But, for now, I focused my attention on what Geoff had to say, Joel now having disapearred in what I assumed to be the direction of their camp.

I couldn't contain the amused snort that slid up my throat at his 'mr. big shot' comment. I was still sitting down, fur slicked back by the rain, ears back to being forward in an almost child-like curiosity. This man had at least one of my former pack mates in his own ranks now, and he was openly a father figure, as Joel's teasing calling of him 'dad' so clearly displayed. So, maybe there were no actual children (though the dog Scox called Joel's pet had smaller, yearling sized feet). At this point I didn't care much if there were month old litters, or simply a bunch of old folk that loved each other, I would not let my pack be a threat to them.

"As you should, Mr. Ramsey. You have a family, and it is your right, your obligation, to protect them." I couldn't help twisting my head sideways and giving him a curious look before my gaze traveled in the direction Joel had disapeared to. "A good warrior, that one, true to who he is, if I remember correctly. Was never what was wanted in a folami." I paused, chewing on the inside of my cheek. I had to hide my feelings about my kind around my own pack, but Joel being in the ranks of this one excited me, made me feel a little more at ease. "You're fortunate to have him." There, a total stranger now knew my alliance was not with the traditional ways, the ways of the humans. Only my own wife and son knew this, and here I felt completely comfortable spilling it here. It felt good to be honest with him.

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Big Shot here doesn't hurt children, and tries fucking hard not to tear about families. I would wish to inflict that sort of thing on no one." My eyes were sad with the statement, but everything about me still spoke of pup-like curiosity. Yes, I had butchered my family emotionally to pieces, but I had learned from my mistake. I would not ignore this second change I had been given with my family.

I knew what it felt like to lose everything, and I would never be heartless enough to do that to anyone else.

[I L Y I C H]

Arching one brow at the man I offered him a small nod. Maybe the guy wasn't as bad as he was made out to be. People changed, even if the things they had done stayed ever present in their past. Watching him closely I guessed Bidziil wasn't quite what I had thought he would be. I'd expected violent arrogance, a thing so commonly bred into our kind. Expected aggression in return for aggression at the very least. Neither had come. The beast had kept his calm and a certain reserve to himself despite how I had approached him. It was impressive. At least I thought it was. Rather regal and all that. I snorted at the thought. The king that was born an emperor. I felt my face twitch slightly, a small half unwelcome smile creeping up at the edges.

I wasn't a very serious man. I couldn't keep this shit up thought I did still feel a twinge of uncertainty. Look at Joel and how easy he spun crystal clear truths that were in fact blatant lies. The mutt could make a rock believe it could fly and I had no proof that this wasn't what Bidziil was doing. So i kept my guard up, though I couldn't puff up my chest and keep playing big bad wolf. "We are" I agreed softly, glancing back in the direction the half breed had left. The man hadn't been with us more then a week but he had chased off an enemy and drug Ray back home screaming about how he was going to back out and kill them. It had taken less then a week for the older man to all but secure himself a place. It had been easy. Another protector. He'd obsessively followed Gavin around at least, laughing hysterically at stupid jokes while he tried to help keep injury to a minimum. Poor Joel was a mess of anxiety but he was strong willed and a good sport. I was proud to call him my brother.

Focusing back on Bidziil I offered the man a somewhat tentative smile. I still wasn't entirely sure if he was playing me or not, but I was willing to concede that he probably wasn't. There was sincerity in the way he spoke surrounding Joel that I highly doubted was fake. I perked my ears as he continued speaking, blue eyes widening back out. Curious in turn with his curiosity. "Oh? Your a sarcastic shit aren't you?" I huffed, allowing a certain level of guarded friendliness into my tone. Granted my attempts at friendliness were a bit brash and rough around the edges but hey. "So." Blinking slightly, awkwardness surfacing I looked up slightly into the rain before glancing back to the alpha. "If your not here to fuck shit up why are you here? Just plain old curious?"

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I had won some brownie points. The thought warranted a smile, in which I obliged by curling my lips into a mild little half grin. Just because Joel was within the ranks, didn't mean I could suddenly be entirely at ease. I was still a threat to these dogs, and I wouldn't put it past younger, or perhaps simply less trained dogs to decide all this chatter was going nowhere and action needed to be taken. My unease was displayed by the way my ears constantly shifted, glazing over every angle to be sure I would catch even the most muffled of sounds. Paranoia bit at the back of my skull, but I fought it down enough to keep it from being dominant. I wanted above all things to come off as friendly to this alpha, father dog. My pack had enough enemies without adding to the list for no apparent reason. Uncontrolled distrust was threatening, because a nervous dog is a foolish one. If I came off too alert, too uncomfortable, Geoff may get nervous himself, or maybe a rebellious observer in his pack, and initiate a fight that didn't need to happen. I was not arrogant enough to think I could defeat an entire pack single pawed. I was created to be strong, but humans have not yet figured out immortality.

Besides, whose to say I would have the heart to defend myself?

His question gathered my attention to be back almost entirely on him. Ah, yes, of course he would want reasons. I didn't know if I should keep up this professional charade and just explain the political reasoning's. They were not my real push, but I had toyed them for a moment and they would be the most appropriate. Or do I just come right out and continue with my honesty? What harm could come of it? Even if this man ran himself right to Nimrod and spit out my every word, Nimrod would ignore him, have someone kill him, and then push the body under the carpet. It was his job to keep my reputation up. The humans would be upset with him if he let me look bad, even if I tried my very hardest to work against him. Nimrod was many things, but independent was not one of them. He was human lead and would do exactly as they told him to do--even if it meant sometimes turning a blind eye and ear to me and simply shielding the view from those in our pack.

"I don't have just one reason." I started carefully, smile gone and tone cautious. I had not yet come to an official decision as to how much to disclose. I would start simple and consider along the way. Or jump right in head first. That worked, too. "I had to pretend to come out here to persuade yall to join us--to take care of the rebel pack." I rolled my eyes, obviously giving up on professionalism and falling back onto the teenager side of me I so often denied. "Hell, I even had to send out two other members of the pack off to hunt randomly so the stupid puppet boy thought I was bringing a patrol." Was I giving reasons now, or just ranting? It was freeing speaking so casual, but I felt...light with this man. I could be open and honest because this man wasn't part of the pack and wouldn't give a shit what I did. “Then, I also actually did come to apologize for Scox, because the dumbfuck would never do it himself." I chew on the inside of my cheek again. Why stop there? Why not go all the way and just spill my guts? “I had to come out here and see if there was a pack. Because, if I know there is a pack, maybe I could actually do something to keep them a secret." I glanced whimsically back in the direction of my territory, eyes a bit heavier than they should have been, and chest a little deflated.

“It gets so lonely, sometimes. Maybe I just wanted to see for myself that family still exists."

[I L Y I C H]

There was never just on reason of course. That would be far too simple. It made me a bit grouchy of course, but that was understandable. No one ever had only one reason. Things piled up on each other. Shit wasn't that simple. Pricking my ears I nodded along with his initial sentence. Agreeing. Always more then one reason. Bidziil went on though, and I didn't expect him to. I'd assumed he would just drop it at that. No reason to tell another alpha his business. But he went on, and I couldn't help the mild shock that went through me. The Alpha had lied for us? To come check us out? My fur ruffled up in surprise. A part of me didn't believe him. His was the leader of the original pack. The human's main toy. But there was so much sincerity in his face and the way his eyes rolled. There was real humor there and I could see it in the curve of his mouth. It was that last sentence that got me.

I turned abruptly. "Come on dude" I sighed heavily. Most likely gonna regret this but hell. The guy was whimsical as shit and I knew what it felt like to just want to see some little semblance of sanity again. Tail curving up slightly I padded a few paces away pausing only for a moment to look and see if the brute would follow before speeding up my pace. I was no Ray or Gavin I couldn't haul ass like that but I kept up a decent pace and Skoll knew my endurance levels were far greater then a sprinters. I led the way to the side of the office, not close enough for the ebony brute to get a look at it but close enough for sensitive ears to catch the sound of my call. "Jack! Come here a second would you?" The sound of the man's slim tall frame pressing through the brush turned my head slightly to the left watching him move carefully out only to pause uncertainly upon laying brown eyes on Bidziil.

The ginger man's eyes turned questioningly to me but he trusted me. He always had. Moving forward on light paws Jack offered a polite bow as was his nature. Dude just couldn't stop himself. Besides he'd come from the original pack as well. Bidziil had been his alpha for a year and a half before he'd come to join me and Gavin in the glorious land of freezing lonerdom. Sitting down on my haunches I nodded to Jack. "Pretty sure you guys already know each other kinda, but this is Jack Patiillo. He might as well be my beta." Jack offered a smile in response. We didn't really have a ranking system here. "Like Nimrod except nothing like him" Jack seemed to be pulling a funny but seeing as I had no idea what a 'Nimrod' was I just rolled my eyes and refocused on the brush line. I'd expected the others to not be able to contain themselves the second Jack left. Ryan might be bigger then all of them but h couldn't contain them.

Michael was the one who slipped out of the hiding place, his face twisted into a scowl as he skulked within a yard but moved no closer. "I thought you were dead." Apparently the half-breed's fear had dissipated into anger. Not that I really blamed him. A great deal of what was wrong with the poor kid had initiated under Bidziil's nose after all. The thought made my frown, good mood wavering slightly. "And that ball of sunshine is Michael Jones." Now I knew the chocolate dog had left the pack at a young age with his mom but I wasn't entirely sure how or why. It made me curious as to what Bidziil's reaction would be. Blue eyes bounced to the larger folami before turning back to Jack. "He said he wanted to help keep us on the down low" I added in leu of explanation. Jack blinked in surprise, turning his pale lips up a notch his normal smile growing slightly but Michael interrupted him before he could respond.

"And you believed him?" I focused a hard stare on Michael's openly hostile words. Sure the kid had a valid point and an opinion of his own but that didn't mean he had to be a dick about introducing it. Joel beat me to the punch though having moved out into the open already and only now stepping forward. "You just don't do optimism do you?" His face was bright, almost chidding and Michael snarled at him. "Fuck you" Before proceeding to sit down roughly and glare daggers in both Bidziil's and my general direction. Jack chuckled, amused by the chaos apparently. We were a dysfunctional family I guess, but hell Bidziil said nothing about 'normal'. I'd just wanted to show off just a little bit. Maybe entice him away from any thoughts he might have to bringing back a patrol. We'd keep careful watch obviously. I was already planning that. I wasn't an idiot, but if this could help us in some weird way then so be it. Besides Bidziil deserved a little bit of a welcome. Guy had a sorry sense of humor and he looked to be in the need of some actual company.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Ray was the only one that did as he was told. Once Jack was called away, Michael and Gavin followed suit. I hadn’t expected Joel to obey my quiet ‘stay’, but I thought he would at least back me up. Not a chance. Him and the two younger males were gone almost immedietly after the words came from my mouth. I glanced downwards at the broad-shouldered brindle leaning cautiously into my side. He had been very responsive towards me ever since the day he and Joel had wandered in with Joel’s wounded shoulder. Perhaps whatever happened out there had finally made him realize the world is dangerous and he would get hurt if he didn’t start behaving.

I nudged the boy softly, gesturing with my snout that he should stay close to Joel, but he could follow ahead. He hesitated for a moment, blinking a silent thanks, slapped on a curious grin, and bounded after the older male. I followed behind carefully, pushing my boulder-like skull through the brush’s greedy fingers. Weaving my bulky form through, I found a seat behind the large ebony male. My eyes caught the slow movements of Ray nudging Joel before leaning into him fondly, staring in silence at the stranger. I shifted awkwardly where I sat as I saw this, but I forced my attention to travel elsewhere. Gavin had taken a defensive seat beside Michael. The newcomer, Bidziil, shifted slightly towards Geoff, shoulders tense as he was clearly a bit uncomfortable. It amused me, but I didn’t let the emotion show.

“I would hope not.” Bidziil chuckled response to Jack’s statement over Nimrod caught me off guard. Rumors said Nimrod was the beta of the pack, so why would Bidziil openly disregard him? I had clearly missed an important detail here, because this was not the man I expected the alpha to be. His size was massive and his body spoke of seeing many wars, but his eyes were light and almost playful as he scanned over our faces, offering me a smile as he noted my position behind him. I allowed a stiff dip of the head, but he had already turned his gaze back to Geoff and Jack. “May I be so bold as to come right out and apologize for any wrong I may have dealt you in the past, Mr. Patillo?” His voice was rugged, but there was a gentle sincerity behind it that seemed out of place, yet so very honest. This was not the man I had heard tales about, or been trained by the humans to worship.

It was at this point that Michael spoke. Though Bidziil had glanced over everyone, he jumped faintly with Michael’s words, as if the man had forgotten it was not simply him and the two older gentleman. Emerald gaze turning to the half-breed, I watched Gavin tense and climb to his paws. There was a skeptical look in the white child’s eyes, guarded and unwelcoming. I found it strange, but decided the child was feeding off Michael’s blatant hostility. We all knew the two adored each other, and I wasn’t all that surprised they were connected even at an emotional level. “I was dead, for a while.” There was no light ring to his voice anymore, just the rough tone, ladened with a swallowed dread. What could that statement mean? I almost spoke up to ask him to explain, but Geoff spoke to Jack, and Michael immedietly bit back with a hostile tone. I almost pitied Bidziil by the way he cringed away from the child, eyes falling to the floor. I saw recognition and realizations flood through his gaze. He turned his head away, eyes still focused on the mud.

“Michael Jones, now I remember. You played with my children.” The word played came out a little choked, as if he was scoffing at the word. My gaze narrowed in a guarded curiosity. Did he think playing was a foolish activity? I saw Ray tense, smile faltering as he pushed closer into Joel’s side. There was something about Bidziil’s tone that upset the child--I could feel the tension in the air rise from around Bidziil. I could almost hear the frantic thoughts flashing through his skull. “I apologize on my daughter’s behalf, and my own. She knows now that such petty things as breed do not matter, and I realize my mistake in letting the taunts go unpunished.” I knew he wanted to say more, I could feel it gnaw at his brain, dance at the tip of his tongue. It was not allowed to be spoken, however, because Gavin was suddenly nose to nose with the much larger dog, slim ivory frame contrasting with the bulky ebony.

“You and your fucking daughter are responsible?” The heat in his voice made me rise to my paws. This could only end badly. I prepared to defend the foolish child, but I realized there was no need. Bidziil did not cower, but he made no move to force the child away. His eyes were sad, but he allowed them red to meet green and provided his full attention. “I swear to fucking Skoll I will end you.” Bidziil still did not tense, even as I could hear the challenge in the child’s tone. Bidziil was not about to fight him, even when it was clear Gavin was egging him on, trying to force the beast to make the first move. My eyes traveled to Ray, whom had pulled away from Joel and now stood tense, tall, and broad-shouldered, head level with Gavin’s rump. His ears were back and eyes ablaze. X-Ray and Vav, my son would fight for his friend. I tried to catch Ray’s eye to hand him a warning glare, but he was focused on Bidziil alone.

“All I can say is I am sorry.” Bidziil’s voice was defeated, but earnest. Without turning his attention to the white child that clearly didn’t give a shit about apologies, Bidziil spoke to Michael. “Alaois was killed because he never grew up and he picked the wrong battles. Alonda grew up and now is even friends with Clarimonde. Remember her? The husky-girl? The times have changed us all, Michael. Nothing can change--” He was cut off as Gavin had clearly decided he’d heard enough. Pouncing, the smaller, though more agile creature took the beast by surprise and knocked him off his feet. Bidziil, oddly, didn’t even tense his muscles, but rather fell lax. Gavin pinned him down and Ray stood to the side, tense and ready to jump in. I saw Gavin drop his snout to Bidziil’s ear and heard a threatening tone, but couldn’t make out the words. As quick as it all happened, it ended. Gavin was off Bidziil and sitting back by Michael, Bidziil was back on his feet with his skull lowered and eyes laying apologetically on Geoff, and Ray was back beside Joel, though not touching and body still tense and unhappy.

“I am sorry, Mr. Ramsey, my past is not a friendly one.” And the tone, so defeated and quiet and filled with apologies....I felt bad for him, slightly. He had made his mistakes and he would be punished for them the rest of his life. And so I decided I would speak now, not moving and not even changing the firm expression on my face.

“Not everyone can have a past to be proud of, but we cannot let it define us.” I felt Ray’s glare, I had expected it, so I did not look at him. I heard a small growl of protest rise quietly from Gavin’s direction, but I chose to ignore it.

My eyes set firmly on Geoff’s, the only dog here everyone respected.

[I L Y I C H]

Apparently Jack's funny had gone over well. I cast a confused glance in the ginger man's direction still not having any idea who Nimrod was. He just shrugged, grinning in return to Bidziil's words. Apparently this Nimrod was just generally disliked by everyone, even the alpha he was supposedly serving. Which made no sense to me, I mean come on man it was your beta do something about it. But I guess that's just not how the human's pack was run. Damn bureaucracy. Looking back from Jack I focused on the ebony soldier's secondary sentence, surprised. Well damn he was just giving out apologies all over wasn't he? It made me wonder what had changed recently. What had gotten so far under Bidziil's skin so as to make what I was sure a once arrogant dog bow before his faults and try for forgiveness.

Jack himself looked shocked, those normally warm brown eyes jumping almost dark for a moment before he offered forward a sheepish smile. Shifting enough to hold out one paw as if to touch the older man's leg though Jack didn't actually initiate contact. "No. I was never troubled by you. I had joined up under Lucifers rule. Things change." More names I didn't recognize, but Jack had taken on that almost pained look to his face that I recognized so I didn't ask. Jack didn't have much of a chance to say anything else before Michael all but jumped down Bidziil's throat. I half expected the alpha to ignore it. We all had learned a long time ago that the husky mix couldn't be appeased very easily. It was simpler to just let him have his side of the argument and calm down before intervening. But Bidziil spoke up and I frowned heavily. How can one be dead and come back? I cast a questioning look aside to Jack who barely mouthed the word 'humans' before I let out a sharp huff.

It was always humans.

Michael shifted slightly on his haunches, orange eyes narrowed slightly. He was obviously looking for some other meaning in Bidziil's response, though the kid didn't seem to find one. Frowning thickly Michael cast a look towards Gavin when my son stood up. "Mahal" he corrected looking back at Bidziil with a slightly less hateful glare. "I only played with Mahal." You could all but hear the hiss behind the words. Another statement entirely. The rest where assholes. Shifting slightly on my own paws I parted my jaws to speak but Bidziil was still going on. Another apology. Hoping for some for of forgiveness. It was Michael's turn to look shocked, and he honestly did. It was rare to see the halfbreed taken by surprise and I couldn't help the small smile that curved at the edges of my frown despite the tone of what was being spoken of.

Not that the secondary shock was any less because of it. "Gavin!" I snapped the words, locking my eyes on my son's green glare. Knowing he wasn't going to back down or even look at me. His anger had been drug up, and though my own had sparked I had long ago learned that the past was indeed the past. Gavinw as young. His hurts hadn't been told to me but knowing the boy I found it doubtful that he had yet learned that lesson. Gavin wasn't a forgiving person by nature. Ray step forward in time and I took a threatening step towards them both. There was no reason to start a fight. We could talk this out and no blood would be shed. My hard blue stare locked on ray, lip curling slightly. He was far more likely to listen to me then the others. Joel had stood up as well, though his step forward was one towards Ray and not one towards out visitor.

Michael didn't say anything for a long moment, though he did shoot a glance at Jack when the older man moved to sit beside him. Comfort maybe or just a warm body to say very clearly that he wouldn't have any more ganging up on Bidziil. At the mention of the first name some of the ill boy's aggression fled away, replaced by skepticism. The second name stood his fur back on end, all aggression flailing away to be replaced by shock. "Gavin! Get the fuck off of him" Michael had moved forward a good couple of paces standing with the rest of us now, and he all but shot venom out of his eyes at Gavin when the larger folami seated himself along side. "Clari's still alive? is she alright?" I turned my own shocked glance to Michael's half desperate words. It was obvious he thought this old friend of his had been killed.

I shot a glance towards Joel, looking for answers but the man just shrugged. He hadn't been there when the pack split up. Didn't know who this Clarimonde chick was. I huffed at the older man and Joel just frowned back at me, his muscles still tense though he made an effort to lean into Ray for a moment obviously trying to calm the younger folami down. My head swung back to Bidziil, eyes locking on him aggressively though that aggression wasn't focused on him. More so on my stupid family who all seemed hell bent to make themselves look like grudge holding fools. "No ones past is happy. And my name is Geoff." I shot a rough look at Gavin. I knew he was upset. I knew how much damage childish trauma had done to his friend, to my other kid. But it was just that. Childhood trauma. How many people actually took bullying seriously even now a days? It was a horrible few, and those that didn't never thought they were doing anything wrong.

Even if it had been horrible. I wouldn't forgive this man for the things he could have prevented but I wasn't going to attack him. Once long ago I had been a machine too. I knew what it felt like to want to speak up but not knowing how. I couldn't imagine what it was like to try and be alpha to that pack of lunatics while retaining some semblance of self. So I tried to convey my thoughts to Gavin via telepathy not that it ever worked and refocused on Bidziil after shooting a quick thankful look to Ryan. "Calm the fuck down the lot of you. Just sit down and listen for once in your fucking lives." I looked around quickly, frown almost murderous catching Jack's eyes as the man all but grinned at me. Well I'm glad someone finds this all fucking hilarious. Letting out a thick sigh I sat back down, flicking my tail to rid it of the last of my agitation. "We've got a chance here to fix shit whats happened. So stop being dicks and listen."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

It was clear Bidziil wanted desperately to leave all of a sudden. I couldn’t blame him. Gavin had responded to Michael’s demands by backing off, but the hate was still clear as day in his eyes. Ray had pulled away from Joel at first, watching Gavin from his peripherals, angry questions dancing across the rounded features. I imagined he wondered what Gavin was speaking of, blaming Bidziil for. The fury had been about more than just emotional trauma. I met my son’s eyes but he quickly looked away, clearly upset with me for even mildly defending this former king. Ray was loyal to his friends above all things, their fights were his own, even if he did not know the story behind it. That had been very clear all along. In belittling Gavin’s aggression, I had pushed away Ray. I decided not to fret over it, he was safe by Joel’s side. I watched the younger boy finally give into Joel’s touch, pushing into it with a need I did not understand. I chose to not read into it, for this was not the matter at hand.

Bidziil took a breath, daring to look at Michael once more. “Clarimonde is thriving. Her and Mahal are closer than ever. She is the delta herbalist of Vea Apxn. She works under Ayita.” There was obviously something he was hiding, but the hint was so faint I questioned my translation of it. His words were coming out fast, perhaps a little eager. It was clear he trying desperately to mask over the fact that he was digging for some semblance of forgiveness. “Mahal is a delta warrior, he works under a rather new dog that knew Carska as a child.” He paused, and I caught the tug of his eyes as he forced himself to stop talking. It was almost pathetic, the way he groveled with his eyes. If this man wanted to be forgiven for his past, he had to first forgive himself. It was clear he was not doing that initial step.

“Geoff.” The brute repeated my friend’s name as his eyes swerved to sit back on the gray man. It was clear it would take some time for him to really fall into the informality we held here, or more like, felt worthy of it. I blinked cautiously, eyes narrowing as I cursed myself. I was thinking as if this man was here to join us. I allowed myself to put the wall back up, forcing myself back to indifference. My eyes moved to Gavin, who still seemed ready to shed blood, though it was clear the mood was slowly passing. I decided it was because of Michael’s view change. It took a second, but I noted a quick twitch at the mention of Clarimonde’s name. I rolled my eyes, instantly aware of the jealousy the boy was doing very well at hiding. I wanted to whack upside the head at the foolishness of it. Just because Clarimonde was another half-breed husky, and just because Michael was concerned for it, did not mean anything. I hid my interest, but I was just as curious as everyone else about when those two would finally become a pair so we could stop staring and waiting.

At Geoff’s sharp tone, Gavin’s eyes flashed to the Father. I could tell Gavin had been doing everything in his power to avoid looking in the man’s direction. Despite everything he did, disapproval from Geoff was not something he took well. If he had not been so consumed by fury, something of which was foreign to him, thus hard to control, he would have stopped his brawl with Bidziil at the first mention of his name coming from his father’s maw. Instead it had continued until it was Michael, because Michael was not a voice you could just ignore when he told you to do something. With all the heat gone, Geoff’s voice had pierced through the white child, drawing his attention to the only level-headed dog we had around here. Even Bidziil locked his gaze respectfully on the bloke which, by now, should not have been a surprise by me, but it still caught me off guard.

I watched a transformation take over Bidziil as every pair of eyes lay rested on Geoff. The leader’s words seem to remind Bidziil that he was an alpha, someone who should be holding himself with quite a bit more dignity. He straightened up, calmed his muscles, wrapped his tail neatly around his paws, and looked around at the gathering that was semi-circled around him. This was not dominance, but there was still a sense of pride in the way the man was suddenly conducting himself. It settled my nerves, seeing him grow a bit more comfortable, rather than feeling so much guilt that he turned into a blabbering child. “The pack has split. I will not get into the details of the war, just know many good dogs died in it.” His ears fell back and I could see there was sincere grief in his eyes. “My wife and children lead a side built on family values. They are good dogs. I was taken prisoner of the war and my experiences as a captive changed my life.” His voice was sure, as if he did not question himself anymore. I could imagine he, at one point, did not even know which way was up--his values suddenly so drastically different than his mate and children’s. “Sadly,” his voice was a little heavier, but his confidence did not waver, “when given the choice of whether to join Vea Apxn as an actual member, or return to my position as Alpha in the human lead pack, I chose my initial responsibility. However,” His eyes flicked to Gavin, who’s neck fur’s were beginning to rise again, “I only did so out of obligation, not my own morals. If I had not returned, a new alpha would have been created, and this dog would have jeapordized Vea Apxn, my family. As alpha, I can ensure Vea Apxn’s safety from the more traditional of our kind.”

[/b][/i] His eyes landed on Geoff.

“As alpha, I can ensure the safety of--” He was cut off as Ray bounced forward, filling the man in on our name with an enthusiastic smile. Bidziil stared at him in surprise for a minute, clearly caught off guard by the formerally hostile child’s drastic switch in moods. I smirked, knowing this to be the Ray we all loved, unable to hold a grudge or keep a frown. Bidziil smiled after only a moment, too, nodding his head in gratitude as Ray backed up to lean into Joel once more. “As alpha, I can ensure the safety of the Achievement Hunters, too. All I ask is that you try and forgive me,” he looked to Michael, then to Joel and Jack with that statement, “and try to trust me.” Eyes now on Geoff, I couldn’t help but believe the man. I saw in my peripherals that Gavin was looking at Michael, ready to react according to him. I only looked at Geoff. I would stand by him.

That’s what you do in a family--you support each other, even in the wrong decisions. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]