Step To Me [aw.]

[I L Y I C H]

Bidziil was busy with his children currently and while that most certainly should have left Nimrod in charge the alpha had altered it. The man was smarter then I gave him credit for. I personally would not have put it past Nimrod to try and start something dangerous all on his lonesome. The ebony beta could be intelligent if he wished to be, but in certain areas poorly idealized loyalty overtook his rational decisions. Humans would never be anything more then the whip bearer but who was I to judge Nimrod for enjoying the lash? To each their own, but placing me alongside Nimrod at rank prevented such a thing from occurring. Kept the activities that Bidziil did not want at bay against my own fangs. It gave me the authority over my opinions that Nimrod must listen to or face dueling it out. And no man wished to risk injury now.

The time being wear Bidziil's intelligence fell to the pit. There was no preventing the war on the horizon. There was no stopping Nimrod and the other loyals amongst my kind from flocking to their masters when those apes took to the drying land. There was no preventing any of it, and Bidziil should be home to sit his throne and observe. But petty emotion had gotten the best of him. The man wished to see his children and remain with them. A rational thought process in normal times but he lost out on so much knowledge trapped in my sister's camp. So that left me in charge of keeping a careful catalogue of what occurred. Observing the influx of test tube dogs and over seeing their recruitment training. They had all done well. Passed and been welcomed by their fellows into the fold.

It was all in all a disturbing development. I would not name myself a kitten hugger in any terms, I held little sympathy for most things, but I did quiet enjoy having my family close at hand. Though I had met neither my sister nor my other nieces and nephews my blood boiled at the way these new dogs spoke of them. My own blood kin. That aside Carska and Vea Apxn as a whole had proven itself with it's breaking off and the civil war that had occurred after. Proven in their strength the worthiness they held in being separate. And if they loved one another so be it. I felt no qualms in saying I loved my students. All of them right down to my now again group sessions with Tam's young pups. Anything that was willing to learn and grow deserved to live, in my book. This was simply how the world worked. One was taught and one continues to be taught until they find a lesson they can not best.

Vea Apxn had not yet reached that lesson, and looking into the future and what I could assume would occur I found it doubtful this oncoming storm would be the lesson that ended them. Man was a prideful species, and in their pride did not learn from the animals about them. Did not learn from us. In doing so they doomed themselves to failure from the very beginning. Acting like children with weaponry. An army of ruthless toddlers. It was truly a joke and in looking about myself I could not help the disgust that pooled in my gut at the soldiers marching through the afternoon sunlight. All brainwashed by their silly little masters. Too stupid for their own good, because all they could damn well focus on was their people. Selfishness was a sign of intelligence and the utter selflessness I saw on a daily basis in reference to human demand turned my food to bile.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Several weeks ago Bidziil had step off his throne for something he had described as ‘grander than power’. I did not understand the statement, for that was what even being a father was, correct? The need to set your face into the minds of your children so they can respect and honor you, willing to march into war at the very snap of your fingers? As far as I could see, Bidziil had pushed aside power and rank for power and rank of a different degree. It was maddening to think about. He would rather be put on the petistool by his two newest children, than an entire pack. And the humans. I knew that had to be his reason--he was defying the humans. No man in his right mind would hand his pack to others unless they wanted to spite their puppeteers.

My lip quivered in frustration at the thought, chocolate eyes drifting carefully over the camp from my low perch at the edge. I had feigned interest when he visited just days after the birth of his children, pretended like I was interested in how adventurous Michelle was, or how adorable Irwin’s studded ears were. Or maybe it was only me I was lying to--I couldn’t fool anyone, I was curious about this second litter, just as I had been the first. Though nothing fascinated me more than the update that came alongside the excitement over his new children--Val and Alonda were to be parents. I had seen their friendship grow, but I couldn’t help a hint of guarded pride for the boy. I should have been disgusted at my child gone so wrong, but maybe I had a bit of Bidziil in me. My life had not been what one could call pleasant, but I was so deep in my ways and too old to change now--there was still a chance for the short child I had come to think of as my son.

My thoughtful gaze fell heavily on Theodora across the way. It had confused me why Bidziil had not just left with me to take up his responsibilities. The brute and I were not as close of friends as we once had been, but I could not bring myself to believe he would question my political abilities simply because of what I did to Carska and Alonda. I deserved the hate he gave me--I had foolishly attacked his daughter and, though I would do it again in a heartbeat, the family oriented man could be expected to never forgive me. But I was a damn good folami and he knew I respected contracts as much as he did. I would not attack Vea Apxn without him first warning them the contract is void, which he would never do. And he could not expect to stop the war simply by sitting Theodora of equal rank to me. If the humans came marching in with weapons drawn, no amount of snake-talk from the woman would cease the attack. I wouldn’t even have to give the word--it was no secret that many of these newer dogs are here simply to add numbers to our pack as the humans prepare their attack. So whatever convoluted reason Bidziil had for naming Theodora Alphess beside me was done in vain, but I wouldn’t complain much. The woman was the only other dog here even mildly worthy of the position. Rickalaru had disappeared recently, and she wasn’t Alphess material anyway. I cared for the woman and was concerned for her where-abouts but, unlike Bidziil, I could not let family affairs come between me and my work.

I stepped off my seat and made my way over to the Alphess, flicking a glance towards Meli as she curled into a ball in the shade of a pine. Her emerald gaze met mine for a moment before she turned away, clearly annoyed with my presence. I wouldn’t say I didn’t feel bad for Tamriel’s children, because I did, but I wished they took more pride in their disabilities. They have the gift of allowing human research, but without being trapped in a cage for all of that. Though, I suppose, when your blind, deaf, can’t feel a thing, or have no sense of smell, it is almost better to be in a cage. Meli, for example, knew to lay in the shade now, because she can’t feel when she is overheating. She was sick for several days after having laid in the sun on a hot day for too long, having been unaware how dehydrated and dry her body had become. “Theodora, mind if I ask how Tamriel’s children are coming along? I imagine their particular situation is a new one for you.” My voice was low, knowing how annoyed Meli became when it was pointed out how different her family was, but my tone was concerned.

I was not a bad dog, I just did bad things.

[I L Y I C H]

Flicking one ear to the sound of paw steps I cast a glance at the ebony beast moving towards me. Nimrod it would seem had woken from his own thoughts as I had just woken from mine. Refocusing golden eyes on the camp before me I settled back into my military stiff sitting position. "Sir." Perhaps it was incorrect of me to use such terminology. It was quiet odd to think that we held same rank in this instant in time, but old habits were poorly broken and I tried not to damage this one. It was after all a well put together habit and worked quiet effectively most of the time. That aside I did not believe I had ever spoken this man's name, and I found it personally too awkward to start now. Sir was Nimrod's vocal name to me, and that was that. Turning my gaze away from those wandering through finally, I relocated it to Nimrod's dark face. Curious. The beta had not placed much interest in my activities as of late.

"Of course." Voice soft as snow like always I brushed it carefully across the air. It was a well controlled thing, and even at general speech I could not quiet drop my charade. "As you can see they are very quick learners as children should be." Meli had not suffered her heat stroke well, and Tamriel had suffered it worse having been out of camp at the time. Guilt was a stranger mistress. One would assume having a lack of reason to feel it would make it less of an issue. The woman had after all been elsewhere and not able to warn her daughter at the time. Yet she continued to feel guilt, though that was not quiet as interesting to me as the utter fury she felt for everyone else who had left Meli alone to suffer her dehydration and overheating. "Strong minds will overcome weak bodies no matter the situation." Flicking my ears slightly I shifted enough to make room for my fellow Alpha in the shadow of pine needles.

"And do not suffer a child's upset Sir. Her family is different. She must be proud of it or it will destroy her." Casting a long look at the black child's back I frowned heavily. Darkness was a thing that followed all of our paw steps like our own shadows. Sins to be committed simply for what we were. A child did not need to add to their own coming troubles by way of their own bitterness. It was in the end simply childish and not befitting someone with so much potential. "Take the girl for example. Meli can feel no pain. Will not be cowed to the ground by simple blows. A thing to use to her advantage but to put too much trust in it will get her killed." Rolling my shoulders, I removed my focus from the girl to look Nimrod directly in the face. "But just as tired muscles and bloody fur wont be noticed, nor will broken bones or torn ligaments. It is a danger just as it is a weapon." But then all things acted in much the same way.

"Quanah is having few and far between problems. A nose is not as vital as one would thing in a battle situation." He obviously would never be a tracker of any sort but such things were expected of him. I was not asking for him to be perfect, I rarely looked for such things in my pupils. Perfection was a remote lie. "When the boy finds his potential in sheer power I will be pleased." I had little to say of the other boy, Kuchukia. The control in that little experiment. What an interesting litter they made. Such angry little rats they were. Humans should know better then to toy with such things. They have created such an angry group of children. A furious mother. And all of that raw pent up emotion was focused solely on their hands.

"As for the deaf one he is doing better as well. Learning to lip read. He uses his nose like ears. It's quiet clever, in all honesty." Though I supposed when one was born in such a way it was not quiet so clever as it was normality which just made it by far more curious. Which led right into that pathetic little mess Tess. "And that blind one. Tess. A mess of a child that one. A pupil sooner willing to sit in back and be 'shy and cautious' need not come to my training sessions." Her size would not bother me quiet so much should she be willing to use it to her advantage but her lack of willingness to involve herself sent her into the less liked portion of this pack. I held no sympathy for the ones not willing to work past themselves. Sighing sharply I gave one hard shake of my head. "I do so miss when my nephew and Brian still had mandatory training. At least the two of them were always attentive."

I griped of course I did. Such things were in my nature, but I was enjoying these new children. They were despite my complaints quiet willing to learn for the most part. Willing to look around what had been done to them because it had already been done. It would not stop the bitterness I knew, but I hoped to remove some of it from their veins at the very least. "And that new child. Jackson, I believe his name is. You may wish to speak to that one. An anxious one he is. Maybe showing him some continuity will help him." Flicking my ears slightly I lapsed into silence. Considering. I'd done far too many trials in these last couple of months. Too many older folami coming in not needing training. It was... worrying.

"I wonder, as you do as well, I would assume Sir. It is quiet obvious what is going on here" I made a low motion with one paw to the fullness of camp. "When will we hear gunshots in these woods?" Licking my teeth I watched the motion about us in elongated silence. "I feel it will be soon. I wonder if our humans are considering every outcome." It was spoken low and careful, ears perched forward on my skull as sharp eyes roamed slowly across the faces of the dogs around us. How many of them followed false gods who could do little but manipulate morons? Ah but how many of them were truly stupid enough to think pride could win any war? "It is most likely assure that metal will trump tooth" I lied in my normal tone, the ice sickly smooth as it always was. "But what if they don't? I doubt they are fools, but I know us to be. Are there back up plans? Secondary fail safes?"

Eyes cutting crossly down to the ground I let out another rough sigh. "Do not mind an anxious woman." Looking up with a low hint of annoyance I stared bleakly into the furs of the newest hounds. So much arrogance in so few bodies. It was all too revolting. "Excuse me. But I can't help but worry if only for the common rabble that has been thrown into our camp these last weeks." Flicking my tail roughly I kept my stare hard on the face of one and in the end Corbyn looked up and looked away just as swiftly. "I've never seen such a sense of arrogant self belief in so many mediocre to average folami." Lip curling I looked back to Nimrod with true anger heating the ice in my tawny eyes. "I don't want my students catching their stupidity."

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I absorbed the update thoughtfully, not really looking at Theodora, or anything in particular as I did so. I was a formal dog, perhaps, but only amongst superiors. Theodora could continue her carefully polite use of the word ‘sir’, but that did not mean she was below me. When Bidziil returned it would be up to him whether she simply hold my own secondary rank beside me. Unlike the alpha position, mine was chosen by folami, and thus can be changed or added onto. The humans had given me permissions in my training that suggested I was destined for my rank, but such missions could have been dealt out by a normal hunter, as well. When Bidziil had first come here he had had no second in command, and when he had chosen one it had been Vindicate. I had only risen in rank when Vindicate was killed in a hunting accident, but I had been following the humans orders of keeping Bidziil safe and on the right track since the brute was given to us.

My ears sat back, annoyed, when Theodora spoke of Tess being so resistant to the lessons. I had had more faith in her than any of them. Daiade had been one of the best folami we had, despite his obvious physical and moral drawbacks. Sight had not been a factor. Daiade had proven sight is a minor sense. I myself relied mostly on hearing and scent, my sight having blurred with age. I sympathized with the children, but only so long as they continued to try and work past their disabilities. I would have to make mentioned to Bidziil on his next visit that he needs to speak with Tess, or at least Tamreil. I was a threat to that family, I was sure--the child might listen to Bidziil.

I had been avoiding the new dogs for the most part. I helped assess them in their joining, but after that I set them off on their merry way to do as the humans had instructed. I remembered names and faces well, having made a point of doing so since Bidziil had failed at it in his earlier years. I would be lying if I said I didn’t know what all these new recruits meant, and lying further if I said I was uneasy about it all. I trusted my humans in their decisions. When they attacked I would fight beside them, even when I knew it would be against dogs I cared about. It was selfish of me to have reservations against the upcoming war, after all the humans had done. I would not let my newly beating heart get between what is right and what is wrong. It didn’t matter what I thought anymore. What I thought was wrong. I was prepared to prove I was not one of my weaker brothers, even though I knew I was.

“I will make a point to talk with Jackson. Anxiety is a distraction, and I would hate to see such things kill our soldiers when the humans do decide to march into battle.” I sighed carefully, trying my best to cover up how much the thought urked me. I could be loyal to the humans and still be bothered that dogs would die for them. It was a worthy reason to give your life, of course, but that doesn’t make it any less permanent. I shuffled a bit more space between us as she continued on. I wouldn’t tell her I was scared, nor would I show it, but her words were my own terrors.

“The humans won’t lose.” I didn’t say it harshly, but rather a bit too heavy. “They can’t. Because they won’t stop until every single mistake is corrected--even if that means dying themselves. We had to get out stubborn nature from somewhere.” A nervous laugh was forced into the words. I was not a dumb dog. I knew I wasn’t safe just because I stood beside our worthy masters. They didn’t love us, they never had. If it pushed them forward in the war, they’d kill every one of us. I wasn’t blind. We weren’t important as individuals--the outcome of the war was all that matter.

And I was fine with that.

[I L Y I C H]

Casting a look aside to the ebony king I gave my teeth a slow brush with my tongue. Now Nimrod was an interesting case. So much trust placed in human nature. So much loyalty placed squarely at the feet of a species that cared less for him then the food on their tables. One wrong step with a hand close enough and dear Nimrod would be dead as a door nail. Yet here he was loyal to the bone and proud of it. This beta made alpha was a good dog despite himself. Not made to be, perhaps, but he did care for his species. He simply did not count them in his foremost thoughts at all times. For some reason Nimrod believed that man deserved his loyalty. I wondered if it was partially fear that aided the man, though I found that doubtful. Perhaps awe, or simply thanks for having been allowed to be born. All worthless reasons for such devotion but mothers and children shared the same such bonds and those were so dreadfully difficult to break.

Flicking one ear I brought focus back to camp. "According to his mutterings Jackson thinks we'll kill him if he so much as makes a mistake." Searching out the brown and cream boy I settled a heavy stare on his back. The boy was sat alone, picking quietly but seemingly contently at a haunch of red meat. The lad didn't seem all that bad off now, but in training he was tight to the point where I assumed his muscles would start snapping. "Perhaps it is wise to explain our training system here." One ear flicking back I frowned heavily for a long moment before replacing my quiet look of disdain that seemed almost constant now.

I so loathed this place. These folami. All of them such utter moronic meat heads they couldn't even see a different picture. What if's were all what if's and nothing was ever certain. Yet these brutes all walked about with their arrogance flung to the wind cooing how they'd already won. To the east my sister trained her pack into specific duties meant for a suited to each of her members. A very carefully laid out ranking system providing a route of knowledge and continued adult training. A system this pack could very much use, but never would. To proud. A boot camp didn't need medics or herbalists. Wounds would heal on their own. A warrior obviously knew all he needed to be taught by the age of one year. No that wouldn't get him killed in his first real fight.

These dumb ass animals would learn when metal rose against Vea Apxn. They would learn that all their mediocre preparation meant nothing. It was not from the ground up. Worthless. All of this teaching and no learning what so ever. What folami wants to listen to another folami when they think man has taught them all they must know? Intelligent ones thats who, and all of these new bastards flung into my camp were not intelligent in the least bit. Children really. Just like their masters. Toddlers with weapons. While our supposed enemy at out flanks were exceedingly well prepared and in-fluxed with their own children whom they would prepare with far more careful ability then we had ever possessed.

The times when I had wished for Carska's company had once been few and far between, and now it pulsed like a heart beat. At least she was clever, despite all of the fault to her exceedingly loyal heart. One would keep her alive while the other killed her. Never the less I wished to be there for the process. Less because I cared that we were blood related and more because I held respect for her ability. A thing I did not hold for Nimrod, or myself. Perhaps for Bidziil. But I knew Nimrod was no alpha and would do nothing without approval from one source or another. And I knew damn well that I was no alpha nor beta. Not at all. I was a teacher in the art of fighting. A master perhaps but no leader of any kind.

"Ah yes stubbornness. It's the drink of the foolish." Eyes narrowing I glared balefully out into the forest finally falling to ignoring the degenerates in camp. "Stubbornness keeps a soldier in a place he can not survive. Keeps a fighter in danger with deathly consequences." Standing abruptly I gave Nimrod a long look. "There is no strength in stupidity. Perhaps they stay here. Perhaps someone important is killed. A cog is broken. Something else happens to disrupt the machine, and what happens to machines when something goes wrong?" Leaning forward despite myself I fixed my cold stare on Nimrods face and curled my lip. "They break down."

Turning sharply I took a step away moving towards my nephew who had just walked back into camp looking for all the world like an ruffled chicken. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've work to do to keep this machine from making foolish stubborn dammed choices. As impossible as that goal now seems." Skulking away I made for Moran and the boy came to call the second he'd noticed me. A good child. A proud respectable boy but not one stupid enough to be brought to ground by such a thing as his pride. A good soldier knew when he was beaten. Only the weak or cowardly refused to admit defeat. "We go to the forest to hunt. Fetch Brian." Dipping his head my grown warrior turned on a heal and moved to locate his oversized black pelted friend.