If I could dream... [AW] }{ Pups be trainin'

[I L Y I C H]

Mahal--

Heat was the only thing I really felt at the moment. Heat and the overwhelming want to just walk away and never look back. But I couldn't do that; That would mean leaving mama. That was not a thing I could do, no matter how hard or cruelly the white fae before me taunted my already hurt heart. I snarled at her, in real furious aggression. Hati's face only twisted into a deeper more vile form of amusement.

This was daily training. This was my daily hell, and moving out here with whomever else had been elected as Hati's playthings for the morning was the one thing I despised more then anything else. It made me want to vomit, the way she brought us up. If she had it her way everything would bleed dry before she let it be. But Lucifer was crowned king and he claimed Abeni to be to pricey to replace.

My poor darling Abeni. My poor little cousin. Oh I knew she was older then me, but I could not help but see her as tiny. As weak and needing of my protection. I could not bring myself to hurt her and I openly opposed those who did. Hati had begun to hold me down and make me watch during other training boughts. I wold only fight her.

I didn't care if I hurt her.

But that was I lie. I was a weak humane beast, and I couldn't stand the thought of hurting even this vile creature before me. No matter how horridly she taunted me. Her taunts hit home hard and cold. I froze into sharp crystal under them. I felt ready to shatter. But m hate for her was lax and my loathing for myself was high. Look at how easily I fell under Hati's too true words. I couldn't even bring myself to pummel her as I once had.

Because that bitch had gone and gotten pregnant.

Any fool could see they were Lucifers, despite the way they treated each other the pair had a disturbing obsession with one another. Any other fool would have attacked her all the more viciously. but I was a pathetic coward and was unwilling to harm innocent children. It didn't matter that they were her pups they were pups. My mind was in a state of exasperation. Never before had I seen how deeply wrong my society was. Now I saw. Now I was forced to see, as if some ninny was holding my eye lids open with a pair of tongs. How I longed to close them.

But I was not allowed to, that unseen ninny wouldn't let me. So I stood, legs trembling with the weight of fatigue as I watched Hati prance away. Her time was done, some other adult would be brought in to teach us some other method to murder. Heat and pain twisted in my cramping muscles as I slumped to the dirt. We children had been brought too deeply into training far too quickly. our bodies shuddered and moaned as they tried to allign themselves to it. So I myself shuddered and withheld my moans as I bit my tongue on the ground.

I would not let myself look weak. I was the prince of this land, no matter who ruled it. I would be strong. I was strong. One day they'd see just how strong that was. Because it was something they didn't have. It was something they never thought of as a strength. My heart could melt them all. One day I would protect my family. I would guard them and I would never let anyone hurt my Mama again. I wouldn't let them.

So I drug myself to my feet, claws burred in the earth and glared into nothing waiting for my newest torment to come. Waiting for the cubs beside me to start their prickling int he absence of our strictest teacher.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Abeni

My mind was forced back to my kit days. I hated to recall them, but they seemed a mere spanking compared to my days now. As the attacks would come, I felt myself coiling into myself more and more, going back to who I had formally been. Before I had actually been considered a member of this family, I was only considered the pet. That had been fine, I had had no rights, but I had not been harmed. But before then, I was not a living being, I was merely an exercise toy, a punching bag made to vent on and train on. I was back to those days.

My body convulsed as my tormenters were brought off me, it not being Mahal's turn to battle. He wouldn't harm me, my dear cousin. It was that leader dog, Hati, who he would fight. If it could be called fighting. Ever since the whore had been taken over by mini-gremlins, Mahal had no soul in the war. He let the female butcher him. I couldn't stand to watch. And even if I could, my body was too weak by that point to ever keep my lids up. I wasn't going to survive this reign of Lucifer and Hati. A being can only take so much before they either snap or simply crumble. If I snapped and tried to kill someone, I would have to be killed. If I crumbled, well, I simply would let go of the thin string keeping me alive.

I watched the prince brawl shortly before Hati's time came to an end. She walked away, giving no encouragement or compliments to her pupils. Just left without a word. It wasn't in me to snarl, knowing I had to keep all my energy for whomever would come to teach next. I always prayed it would be Daiade or Carska, but it was never them. They had so much to offer, but they were not allowed. Too much of the forbidden kindness lay within them. Even Jeremiah would have been acceptable, though he had sided with Lucifer. The dog would have the young fight me, but in a humane fashion (if that is at all possible). He held a grudging devotion to cats, however much he tried to hide it. You can not change who you are, even though he tried so hard to. It was there when he looked at me; pity.

But even he was not the one to come forward next.

"Line up, youngin."

Nimrod stepped forward and my insides curled. The dog was smiling kindly to the children, looking to be the warmest in the pack. He was, in a sense, a very nice man. He had sided with Aunty Carska. I loved him for that.

But Nimrod was a Folami through and through; he hated cats.

Looking to me, he judged my condition. It was law to try and keep me alive, and he would for selfish reasons too. The man fancied Aunty Carska, and Aunty Carska loved me. He would not let me be murdered under his supervision.

Somehow, he must have been convinced I was strong enough to continue being the toy, because he shook his dumb head in satisfaction, looked to the pups, and asked who would like to be the first to fight the big bad kitty. I'm not big, nor am I bad. But I am a kitty and that is reason enough.

Clarimonde

It came as a relief when Hati walsed off and Nimrod came forward. He called us to make our line and I watched Alonda obey grudgingly. I had sided with her in the division of the pack, and yet she hated me with every fiber in her being. Sighing, I made my way to sit by her, knowing I would be no more welcomed on the Carska loving side of the pack. Loyalty does something to people, it makes them intolerant to those outside their group. Of course, evil does that same thing, except then you're just intolerant of everyone. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I recieved a burning stare from Alonda when I tried to settle beside her. I knew she was seconds away from saying something that would surely make me wanted to kill myself or her, so I was quick to respond to the look and dash away. Rejected, I silently made my way away and decided on a patch of dead grass nearby. I realized it was near the Prince and I wondered how the kind dog could be related to the Princess. But the wonderment didn't show on my expression, I only mumbled an obsceneity under my breath and sat. "Hope you don't mind me sitting near you, Prince Mahal. I am not welcome anywhere else." My tone was annoyed, but with a measureable amount of sorrow in its soft sounds.

[/blockquote]

[I L Y I C H]

Mahal-

With a low weak sigh I stood, legs locking to avoid their imminent collapse. At least this was Nimrod. He wouldn't try to get everyone killed, though he may only do so for Abeni out of loyalty to Mother. I ground my teeth as I followed my orders. After all that's all I could do now, follow orders. Such a sad existence I had claimed. My tail drooped as I stood stock still beside Val, the boy turned worried blue eyes on me and I shook my head. I didn't want to worry my poor friend. He was such an odd loyal creature.

Voices in my head... that wasn't good. But no, that wasn't just in my head. Turning to look at the girl, I gave her a weak but warm smile. "I'm not the prince anymore, my friend" I stepped to the side, offering her a place farther into the line. I noticed the dip of a gray skull as Val offered his own welcome, though his was a bit more spiteful. He wasn't sure weather to trust one on Lucifer's side. My own ocher eyes locked on the chocolate set in Clarimonde's face. I on the other hand would welcome them all, maybe I could open them to my poor mother's side. She wanted to love them all, no matter how hard she tried to ignore the traitors I could see that much.

"You'll always be welcome Clarimonde" I turned my eyes towards my sister, deeply distressed by her attitude. I hated how rude she could be, how prejudice. but I couldn't hate her, she had potential, I knew. Alonda wasn't as vicious as she would like them to all think. She had played with me, tussled and given love nips like any other child. Damn them for corrupting her. I sighed, my watered down smile twitching on my lips. It was starting to get so hard to keep it there. I use to be a happy boy, didn't I? I use to be a good boy. Im not sure what I am any more.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Clarimonde

"Oh, uh, thanks."

I hoped to mask the complete and utter glee surprise that demanded to cover my entire being. This dog said I was welcome, but was he not aware that I had sided with the wrong side Lucifer? Why would the son of the Queen I had rejected show kindness, when her daughter that I had sided with showed such hate? The spiteful head nod of welcome from Val was the most I had expected. But this Mahal creature had even moved to let me come closer to the rest of my people. I found myself oddly warmed.

"Well, Prince Mahal, you will technically always be a prince. Your father is still the chosen alpha, placed as the ruler by the humans. And your mother--" I looked to my paws, wondering if I even had any right to speak of the woman I had abandoned after she had shown no hostility towards despite my mixed blood. "Well, your mother is still the alphess is the eyes of many. So, you are a prince by popular vote."

"Clarimonde, since you can't seem to shut up, how about you take care of the lioness first?"

My eyes shot up to challenge the speaker, but I was discovered it to be a frustrated Nimrod. No one had leapt forward, eagerly wanting to battle after the tough training with Hati, so his temper was rigid. And he hated me anyway because I was a traitor--his words, not mind. Technically I was not a traitor since I had not abandoned my pack--ugh, there I was being all logical again. That always got me in trouble.

"But, sir, we are tired. You see, the body is only built to take so much, and we simply do not have the ability to make glucose as rapidly as you are asking us to. Now, if given the opportunity for rest, we--" The man cut me off with a look of pure death. He did not care for my logical conslusions. Idiot! You are going to kill not only us, but Abeni, too! What would your Alphess Carska think then? Despite the hateful look I sent the warrior, I scurried over to the lioness and met her tired gaze. Distrust was there, and I knew she had a right to that feeling. Her brain could not comprehend why I had turned against her and Carska's other loyals.

Something clicked for me at that moment, something forbidden. I could not bring my paw against someone who had not harmed me in some way. It was simply the logic of ethics. Maybe ethics were not a proven science, but there was sincere information in support of the sense behind ethical treatments and reasonings. I would be a hypocrite if I said I was intelligent and a followerer of all things logical if I still chose to be cruel and ruthless.

Turning, I faced Nimrod with defiance. "This lioness has done nothing to provoke me, sir, therefore I see no reason to attack her. I am sorry, but I just can't and won't do it." That was all I needed to say to have the adult leap forward, face me, give me a single smack upside the side, tell me to sit on the sidelines, then turn his back to me and look at the other puppies.

"Okay, so who here is a Folami? A real damn Folami?" Any kindness he had given my pairs before was hidden from view. He was angry, a challenging to see who would dare make him angrier.

[I L Y I C H]

Val--

Frankly I wasn't too shocked by the mixed-blood's reaction. And she had a point, we were all tired, my limbs felt ready to rebel against me. Shacking my head I stood as straight as I could. I wouldn't show weakness, that was wrong. it was bad,and would disappoint Nimrod. He was loyal to my Queen so his opinion was the truth...right? Right. Is this corner of the earth Nimrod was god until proven otherwise. My chin dipped, eyes averting to avoid the scorch of his fury.

Mahal didn't hesitate, and I was not shocked by him either. He looked up at Nimrod, twisted his lips into an apologetic smile and strode after the black and white girl. "I will take your punishment, Sir. I'm sorry." He kept his head down; that damn smile plastered painfully to his lips. He sulked away, seating himself besides Clarimonde. Eyes opened and lifted now he stared in hypocritical defiance at our current master. My teeth ground together. That wasn't what a good boy did... did that mean I couldn't be Mahal's friend? No, no it didn't. I shook my head.

I would be his friend forever and ever. Friendship isn't something you waste!

But I couldn't stop myself from rising despite the trembling in my muscles and my heart. I half limped forward, trying to hide the pain in my leg from the master. What was a real Folami? How could we be real if we were created by man? Ah I didn't know,and I wasn't meant to question our leader. That was for larger creatures, like Carska. I would leave that to her. For now I would face her odd little niece of sorts and order my brain properly as I had been taught.

"I like you as a person, but I can't like your race." the words were turned towards Abeni, and I looked into her tired eyes with a form of chastised hurt. I was a horrible person, a hateful being. But I was a good boy. I stepped closer, teeth bared half out of my own self loathing and half out of real aggression that I would hope to let out on this tired lump of tawny.

I moved carefully, hurt and weak waiting for my instructions. What was I to do? Tell me Nimrod, what? How do you want me to torment this lion I grew up calling friend, and played with calling sister?

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Abeni

They were all evil little nuisances, weren't they? Exept Mahal and the odd know-it-all mutt. They were good dogs. They let me rest. Nimrod even hit the girl and she stood by her decision. What good dogs.

Val's words raised me to my paws, despite the exhaustion. I was tired of the pain. I was tired of the abuse. I was tired of all I had to do just to earn a spot in this family. But most of all, I was tired of being betrayed. "If you hate my race, then you hate me. You're a bad dog and I don't like you." My teeth bared, I challenged the dog with my eyes. Intimidation was all I could pray for. As of now, I was larger than the dog, and maybe stronger. I could only dream that Val would back down from my stiff stance, because Dio only knew how close I was to collapsing. I was bleeding from multiple ebrasions and I hurt all over. But the most exhausting thing of all was the pain in my heart.

All these dogs had played with me, and now they called my lioness?

I dared a look at Nimrod, my eyes angry. "I have a name, the least you can do is use it."

"Oh do hush up, lioness. You are in no position to hold that tone."

Nimrod was agitated, glancing towards the two traitors before looking back to his apprentice. "You show me what you think you should do, Val, my boy. I knew I could count on you." He almost hissed the words, again glaring hatefully towards his appealer's son and the mixed blood female.

I answered his words with a lion-like roar. I rarely made feline sounds, knowing I was part of a dog family. But if these animals wanted me to be a cat, then I would be a damn cat. "I will hurt you if you make me, dog." I gave a dry, humorless laugh. "See, I can use your species in the place of your name, too. Doesn't feel so nice, does it?"

I may have sounded like a child, but at least I was being a pissed off child for once.

[I L Y I C H]

My ears turned, slightly eyes flicking in shock. He counted on me? Right... of course he did. I was a good boy, a loyal boy. My shoulders squared as I tried to shoo Abeni's first words from my head. It hurt, those words. I didn't hate her. I didn't. I said I cant like them. I said cant. I fought the urge to drop my tail and cower under her fury.

I deserved everything she hit me with, no matter how hard the blow. Privately I hoped she killed me, though I knew she could do no such thing. it was a selfish wish, or selfless. We would both die, she would go to her heaven and I would go to my hell. It would be so much easier. So much easier...

I stood silently, teeth still bared fighting the urge that went so deep compelling me to drop to the ground. If the humans were so powerful why didn't they deal with the cats themselves? Why couldn't their own children take on the emotional agony of these endeavors? Ah but man dose not like to get his hands dirty, such vile things are meant for lower species.

Things they could kick aside in disgusting in later years.

Closing slowly, I rocked forwards eyes locking on the defiance of my so called Abeni. I spoke words meant only for her ears, and meant to be a selfish solace to me. "What if I want you to hurt me?" I deserved it after all, and she deserved it, my injury that is. After all of this at least give her the satisfaction of tearing me piece from piece.

I lunged, dodging in several different direction before aiming my teeth perpendicular to her shoulders. If I landed I would have missed her main artery by less then six inches. If I missed I would hit a brick wall of lion and suffer the consequences.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Abeni

I could want anything, but to allow was something different.

If this were a perfect world, we would all get along. But it was not a perfect world. Dogs and cats fought, cats were used by dogs, humans stood at the top. The humans were in charge and they called the moves. I could hate Val all I wanted, but he was only following orders. And so was I. I was under demand to stay on the Folami turf, so I did. At any moment, I could high-tail it and run. But I didn't. It was love that kept me here. And want for acceptance. Val's reasoning was the same.

I stepped forward as Val lunged, giving him a perfect blow to the sensitive flesh that held one of the important features of my body. I quivered at the pain, but relished in it all the same. Val would get praised. He would be a good dog in his masters eyes. And I would have done my job. Everyone would be happy.

Letting my body shake in the agony, I snarled to play up as if I had been caught by surprise. Jumping sideways, I kept my pulsing limb hovering above ground. We were close. My back was to Nimrod. My words were only for Val. "I can hate you and speak of hurting you, but such things are below me." I was not prideful, but I was honest. I could not hurt someone, especially when I understood their terms. Understanding is not agreeing, but it gives ground to living in peace.

Jumping forward, I made as if I would aim for his side. Nimrod could expect no more than lower-grade fighting from a mentally challenged lioness, so a slash to the rib flesh would be no surprise to the arrogant hunter. Like the fool I was, I lifted my good paw to slash at Val's side--okay, maybe I did want to hurt him a little bit--and released a shreik as I fell to my chin and hit the soil. Note to self, when one paw is held up due to pain, do not lift the other leg.

My face welled hot in embarressment as two sets of laughter erupted.



Nimrod

My own laughter was deeper and much more like a chuckle than the pure shrill amusement that came rocketing from Alonda. I may not like the princess, but she at least held the neccessary components to a be a good Folami, if only she could learn some loyalties. My chuckle died away as her own laughter did and I approached the deflated lioness, laying flat in the soil beside my apprentice. "Leave to Abeni to make the mistake that even a newborn Folami knows not to make." I would gladly use her name in an insult.

Looking to Val, I left the lioness to pout in her unmoving position. She was embarressed, as was only understandable. "Good aim, my boy. In an actual battle, I am confident you would puncture the main artery in order to actually kill, but you seemed to have only pricked it here so Carska will not have our heads." I smiled in pride at my little Val, having taken him and his successes as if he were my blood son, though I disagreed in such acts. "Come now, I suppose the lioness is at the point where battling her weak body would bring death."

Padding over to sit to the side, I called the children to gather before me. "Shall we have some free battle, where you can all battle each other and I give silent assessments?" I smiled as I made the offer, knowing a free battle at their age, for me anyway, would have been a most desireable treat. No rules besides no giving serious injuries, and it is a chance to pick who you brawl.

[Kunabee]

Ekshen*

I tried not to be seen. With Hatti it never worked, but now it was Nimrod. So far, with him, it seemed to have been working. I hadn't picked a side. I hadn't picked a side. Do I betray my mother or do I betray the people who were actually right? it was an impossible choice. Alonda and Mahal and chosen so easily.
But they were so different.
I wasn't them, I couldn't know as easily as they did. So I tried not to be noticed. Oftentimes I'd think of a happy place, a happy place where Daddy was still there. There'd be Abeni as a toy, and Mahal and Alonda and me would all get along. Mama would be happy again. I saw her, saw how weak she was, how much she needed me.
But I couldn't. I didn't... I didn't know. I just needed to know. Who should I choose?
If it was my family versus something, anything else, of course I'd choose family. But it was feline lovers versus feline haters, and both had family.
I lost track of my thoughts. I was brought back down to Earth, back to imperfection, when I heard Nimrod's words. Fighting... each other? That'd get me noticed for sure. It'd be me and someone and they'd challenge me.
'Why haven't you decided yet, Ekshen', why why why. For some it would be cruel and cold and challenging. For others it would be just tired, weary, longing. I sighed.
They called each other traitors. If they were traitors, what did that make me? A coward? I was a coward. I was an uncertain coward. I was no better then dirt.
But I couldn't decided. Why didn't I know?
I suppose I just had to wait. Wait... to be fought. Let it be someone nice, please, please, please...

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

OOC//: Sorry for going out of order, but this seemed a perfect time to drag my sinister girl in to try and work her magic....

Alonda

I knew who I wanted to fight without even having to think. Everyone was either for me or against me. Everyone, except one. One who, despite all I did to say otherwise, I cared for. Glancing to Ekshen, I made my way over to my brother with a smile of greeting.

Everyone thought I was such a bad dog. I'm not, honest! My siblings and parents knew I could play nicely, for I had in the den. But I had an image to hold up, I could not show such gentle wrestling in this world we lived in. Not under judging eyes. My paws were made to stand on the leader's throne, so my claws had to be sharp. It may have looked like I was made of pure stone, but in reality I was made of limestone, a much more brittle substance. I had that obligated love for my family, I just knew how to hide it.

"Ekshen, I think it is about time you and I got reaquainted. How have you been, brother?" My voice was dark, holding a venom that it could not be heard without. But my smile, crooked as it may look, was sincere. This was my brother. The only brother who had not yet chosen a side. I needed his companionship or else I could have no one. Daddy was gone. Mommy and Mahal were not on my team. And Cenzolume...well, that dog was not one I longed to chit-chat with. He had this thing for the moon, a love that just seemed awkward to me.

[Kunabee]

Ekshen*

Aw, shit. I was SCREWED. Alonda. My sister, who was possibly insane and definitely an bitch. At least in front of others. I would get absolutely no mercy from her. I sighed, resigned to my fate, and stared at her. I could guess what my eyes read: tiredness and irritation. I loved Alonda, I did, but when there were others... And she betrayed Mama. The whole circular thoughts thing came into my stomach again.
"Fine," I responded, and how it came out shocked me. It was... calm. Just... empty, blank. I blinked, and then focused again.
"So a free-for-all fight, sounds pretty cool, huh?" I said, "Must be your lucky day, being able to taunt your indecisi-" I broke off, getting distracted by a very bright butterfly. That's got to be bad for me. If it was ever a real fight, or if I let a feline get away... It - the butterfly - was a pretty thing, all yellow and orange. So pretty and bright when things were anything but.
If Daddy was still here things would be better.
I drug my thoughts back to Earth. I was only distracted for maybe a couple of minutes. Hey, I was getting better at this! One bright spot in a world of... not so bright.
"-sive brother," I finished.

WOOC; I reallreallyreally wanted to make a post.
I promise I'll wait now xD

[I L Y I C H]

Nothing ever hurt like holding on!


Daiade--
I had been watching them from the shadows, shuddering in fury. They all thought I was a coward, and I was, but I was a furious coward. One day when every box was crossed they would pay. Blind eyes searching, I picked out the black beast's words and crept forward. I did this every time a sparing match began. No one stopped me, not even Hati. She had tried once, and to her shock I had torn her muzzle open. I was just as much a monster as they, and they tended to forget I had inherited my father's size.

"Abeni?" I hovered over her, nose turned down, silver eyes turned up towards Nimrod. I couldn't trust him, no matter what his loyalties. Not with my daughter, adopted though she may be. "Come on baby. Can you stand? Do you need me to help you?" My eyes, useless as they were remained locked on Nimrod, I could smell him. I would not let him punch my Abeni wile she was down. My lips curled in defiance as I watched him, waiting for my child's answer.

I wasn't like Carska. I didn't just hand out trust like cookies at a bake sale. That's why she always got hurt. She was too ready to be everybody's mother. I wouldn't trust this man with my child, and frankly I didn't trust him with either of my nephews. Alonda could take care of herself, she was a strong if not strong-willed little girl.


Mahal--
My eyes slid across the field, harsh anger in them now. We already treated poor Abeni like a punching bag, was it really necessary to sneer at her as well? Why could Nimrod just let her rest? No, that wasn't a real question. I knew the answer to that question. I sighed, standing with the ache in my legs forgotten in my disgust. This is what I'd been born into? How fucking wonderful. The smile on my lips, still held there as an outer shield flinched. I fixed it as well as I could. If they wouldn't be happy for themselves then I had to be happy for them.

It was a weird way to think but It made me think I had some reason to be alive, besides guarding my Mother. That was my main reason for life right now. Mama was a powerful woman, but she'd been hurt and I had to stand over her and snarl at the monsters wile she found every little shattered piece of her heart. My teeth ground together behind my smile, that weak pathetic effort for the world. I shouldn't have to guard Mama. That was Father's job. But he wasn't here, and he'd left his too young son in a position I should never have faced. And some little part of my childish mind hated him for it.

Oh but it wasn't his fault... Oh but it was never anybody's damn fault.

I turned, greeting Nimrod's words with a solidarity I didn't really have and had become too good at faking. "Val don't even do it." I eyed the silver boy as he turned towards me, and he froze the look in his eyes whipped clean. I flinched in shock, what was that? I'd never seen that before. "I mean your too tired and I've had a small rest. Sit for a moment so you don't hurt yourself."

The silver animal hesitated, one paw held up before he dropped his head and hid his eyes. "I can't rest. This is training Mahal and If I get hurt then it's because im weak" he looked up, determination and pain in his eyes. My ears went back. And I thought I was a hurt boy. "Val..." He ignored me, turning back towards the main group of children to limp up and snarl an asking of war.

Shoulders drooping I turned towards the black and white girl. She was part husky, that I'd been told. It gave her a free mind, a thing without the total cage of the pure folami. How I envied her sometimes. Smile still in place I offered her a small bow. "Considering I might be the only one that wouldn't kill you accidentally." my voice grew louder, ears twisting towards my sister as I spoke. Ocher eyes slid side ways, shockingly shrewd for a child of my age. I lowered my voice again. "Would you mind very much sparing with the failed Prince?"

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Abeni

My eyes had been closed, my body too exhausted to lift the lids. The embarressment had washed away with the luxary of knowing my time had a punching bag was done for today. I could rest the next few hours, maybe have tomorrow off if I played this up real well, and then start new the following session. Maybe next time I would push past my boundaries and comfort zones and actually stand up for myself.

Name spoken, I forced my gaze to focus on the dark fae that stared blindly at Master Nimrod. My saint had come to carry me, an angel among demons sent to take me away. His blind eyes were set solidly at an indifferent Nimrod, but I felt reasurred by his presence. The dog had protected me from Hati only days earlier, he could hold his own against Nimrod if the brute wanted to take a final bash at me. But Nimrod did not, he simply ignored my savior's approach, watching his little pupils eagerly.

Facing Daiade without lifting my head, I gave a weak smile. "Thanks..." I was a child in heart and mind, so stubborn and proud. Pushing myself, perhaps a little too harshly, I rose shakily to my paws, grimacing at the effort. Lifting the pulsing leg gingerly, I took a step forward, brushing my skull gently against my father. "I'm okay, honest." All my strength was placed in that one statement. I didn't like when daddy was mad at his family.



Alonda

I was taken aback by his statement, ignoring the pause midsentence. I grew up in a den with this man, so I knew his tendency to drift off into his own little world at the flip of a switch. "What? I don't want to taunt you, brother. Yeah, we can brawl, but we just have not spoken in so long now and I guess I have been a little home-sick." My guard had fallen and I had to quickly regain the cold expression. For a second I had shown how hurt the statement made me, but it was gone now, any sign of emotion simply washed away. I scowled at the kreaton and narrowed my eyes. "But maybe you do need a little taunting. Mom is a good woman, Ekshen, but she has lost her Folami mindset. But you, you can do great things. You and I can regain this pack when we come of age and run the weak out of our lands, making our species the great rulers of this world that they had once been. But only with dogs like Lucifer and Hati leading can you and I get the training to have such a future..."



Clarimonde

I could not watch, for once taking an ethical approach simply because my heart could not withstand the blood. The air was full of it, and I knew it was Abeni's fogging my glands. I was disgusted by it, repulsed and angry. I had never thought so little for my pack, for it had not settled until now that even our young members were capable of illogical murder.

It all ended rather quickly, the lioness adopted father coming forward for her defence. Nimrod gave us free range of who to fight and I began to grow nervous. This could not end well for me...

"Considering I might be the only one that wouldn't kill you accidentally."

I faced the speaker and realized it was Mahal. My ears perked forward and I gave a sheepish smile with his words. It was true. Most dogs did not favor me in the least.

"Would you mind very much sparing with the failed Prince?"

I left my mouth open slightly, surprise spreading across my face. "But, Mahal, I am the enemy. Really, you and Val should fight together. I honestly don't deserve your pity..."

OOC//: I was rushed through this, lol, so it sucks :/

[Kunabee]

Ekshen*
Rarely had I ever seen Alonda blow her cover, at least in public. And I felt bad. I had hurt her, at least a little, and my ears and tail drooped a little further. I listened to her without a word, forcing myself to pay attention.
Once she was done, I blanked out to get my thoughts together. I don't know how long I was away from Earth, but eventually I drug myself back to it and began to speak.
"I'm sorry Alonda," I said, not mentioning what I was sorry about, "But I'm so confused. About everything. I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know who anyone is anymore. I don't want to betray you. I don't want to betray what I believe. But I don't want to betray Mama and Mahal. Mama is a good woman, but she's hurting. We pups are a lot better off then her, but we're hurting too. I just wish... I just wish Lucifer and his bitch never came. That Mama and Daddy saw the light. Felines are pray and lower then us even if they do share our language. I think... I think that if Daddy never did that, it'd be all O.K. But he betrayed Falomi ways, and now he's gone. Now we have to deal with Lucifer and Hatti. And now that all that's happened, has happened, I'm confused. I keep asking myself, 'who am I? Who is that person, or that one?'." I give another pause, not as long as my first one but still long. "I'm not even sure I hate felines as much as I used to. As I want to. But... I also don't want to hate them." I went quiet, silently pleading with her to understand.
"C'mon," I finish, "Let's just start fighting so Nimrod doesn't get upset or anything. Besides. It might be fun, and I know it won't be confusing."

[I L Y I C H]

ooc:// im dragging a slightly more sane Carska in... but I refuse to rp from her pov until Bidziil comes back... just for the shock of emotional change xD

Daiade--
I watched, silent. Her touch was soft, and the scent of blood and scent drew through my skull and pinched at the horrid monster hidden there. Whimper pressing past my teeth, I nuzzled her back. "Come on darling, over here" I shifted slightly, stretching away from her to the length of my nose being quiet sure to keep touching her. "Come on into the shadows here, where its cool" I waved my snout around her head, drawing backward into the tree line.

The sound of approaching paw steps had my head swinging round, a snarl pitched in my chest ready to be flung. Ah there was no need, the woman coming towards us was my little sister. My poor little sister. She smelt better today, her head seemed clearer. A smile pulled across my face. "Look Abeni here comes Auntie Carska." My tail lifted in greeting, though I turned to carefully press my snout against Abeni. The gray girl came closer, circling us touching Abeni gently before giving my ears a lick.

"Auntie?" Weary amusement twinkled in the tones. She hovered, anxious and unsure of how to treat the odd kitten she had pulled into her family in these last few months. After everything that had happened even I could not blame her. The gray fae rocked backward, her heels digging into the dirt displacing it enough to catch my ears. I smiled lightly at her around Abeni's head. The woman gave a low uncertain giggle in return. Dropping her skull and turning it slightly, Carska watched us for a second, silent before she spoke again. "Nimrod is my friend, he will not kill you my kitten." Her voice was thrown low as to avoid being heard.

"I fear what he will do to you in the process" Her head tilted, the fur along her cheek's brushing gently amongst the breeze. Carska sighed softly. I knew that sound. My poor sister was twisted inside. My poor sister had set her heart into her mate, and then with him gone into her children and then when they too split and destroyed her into her pack. Carska simply could not win, it was as if Skoll hated her. I shook my head, not willing to believe such a statement. That damn fire breather didn't have the will to just drop such a broken person.


Mahal--
I watched her, refusing to interrupt the family bonding occurring so close by. It hurt me deeply to think my brother was in such a state but I for one was too stubborn in my mind set to try to force him to see my side. I was like father, Mama said. I wouldn't bring myself low enough to argue with a position I saw as inferior. It made me arrogant and a bit snobbish at times but now it stopped me and refused me to save my brother from Alonda. Sense when did I have to save Ekshen from our sister?

My smile flinched and for the first time in what seemed a very long time it snapped. My face fell in on itself, collapsing in its misery. I turned, ducking forcing my nose into my chest the fur there still thick with the down of childhood. It was hard to think I was still a child. I could die, right now. I had broken in front of a person I should never have broken in front of. Look at her words! I would only make it worse, I didn't want to make it worse. The smile I ripped back onto my face hurt physically. It hurt mentally. It just burned in general.

I grinned like a jackal into my fur. "Sorry. Sorry. No your not the enemy, Ive gotten over that sentiment. Its no good to hold grudges, I think it makes you sick." I paused, breathing through the blackness of my chest. The obvious and less obvious. "I can't fight Val. He's too good of a dog, he wants to be accepted too much" I lowered my voice, weak with fear as my disturbing smile flinched again. "Im scared he's going to kill himself one of these days" I twitched, standing in one awkwardly sharp movement.

"So weird, saying the word scared out loud" I shielded my eyes from her, hiding behind the mask. It was what I had to do, for Mama. For my family. For my pack. If hate ate at all of us then Id be the mutt to go to hell for lying about it. I wouldn't let them see how the twisted me. I spread out my legs, openly daring her to jump me. I wouldn't be bale to keep ground well she could bowl me right over. But she was too smart for that. I was larger and would simply beat her in a ground wrestle. My ocher eyes watched her, the mask clearing out and real curiosity pulling up.

Who was this odd half breed who loved her questions so much? I had never had much a chance to ask her anything. Too much too fast. And then that scent shot over my nose and my head snapped up. Mama was padding amongst the pairs offering well given advice. It was bold of her to do this at all, they could hurt her for it. She was training these dogs to be cat killers, didn't that make her a hypocrite? No, she said once that every animal deserves to be trained in defense. And as I listened, half focused on my own sparing partner I realized every word coming form her was focused on defense.

"Nimrod how goes the teachings of our young prodigies?" I batted half halfheartedly at the air before me, yellow-orange eyes locked on Clarimonde smiling apologetically at her for my distraction. It was a real smile this time. I had not seen Mama amongst her peers in days.