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

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Abeni

I was comforted by the appearance of Aunty Carska, and even more so by her words. If she felt Nimrod was safe, then I believed her. Her second thought, however, made me weakly turn to eye the old brute for a moment before sighing. "That dog can try all he wants, but I will always stand to face another day." I smiled to the woman and then bid her farewell, turning my attention to Daiade. "I'm okay, really." I was grateful for the dog's blinkness, so he could not see my eyes as they quivered. I could keep my skin from trembling with pain, but eyes could not be silenced. They were honest. Everyone's eyes were honest.

Gingerly placing my throbbing limb down to support my weight as I took a step to escape these battling puppies, having learned not to try and walk with both paws in the air, I pushed myself back towards camp. I saw Alaois sitting in the distant, eyeing the children curiously. He was probably recalling when it was just him as a puppy in training, and occasionally his captive sister. Both Akila and I had been his toys, unable to team up and rise against because she was too busy putting all her energy into protecting me; the stupid lioness. I scowled at myself, but kept it internal. You see, I had taken on a stronger face since the pack had virtually split.

I had to be strong for Aunty.

Clarimonde

My attention settled on the former alphess as she approached the brute who ordered our battle. She questioned us and Nimrod turned to face the Queen with a warm greeting, eager to talk with the mistress. The smile fell, however, as he gave a quick glance towards us...or more specifically, Mahal. "Well, dear Carska, my apprentice and your daughter are as eager to learn and please as ever. Your Ekshen listens and obeys with only some hesitation. But Mahal, as much as I try, is defiant. He will not fight the lioness. I understand the lioness means a great deal to your family, but I can not think of a way to replace the training one can only get from the actual experience of fighting a feline."

Narrowing my gaze, I found myself wandering away from Mahal, even as he began speaking kindly to me once more. "Ms. Carska, I beg to differ with Mr. Nimrod. Your son is not so much defiant as he is strong and wise. You should be very proud." Then, my eyes drifted over to Nimrod, who stared sternly down at me, willing me to wander off. Ignoring the expression, I continued on, though now I held an earnest air to help. "Nimrod, Sir, there are many alternatives to fighting felines. We can get equally trained by fighting each other, seeing as we were bred to have all feline characteristics, but even better!" My tail wagged at the statement. Maybe this would make the Folami quit with the training on Abeni, and switch on over to battles within the pack.

"That may be true, pup, and it may have been able to set the lioness free when Carska ruled these lands. But until that day comes again, we must practice on the cat. I do not think Lucifer would allow it any other way."

I saw the dog's eyes turn to hate at our Leader's name, and I shared in the expression. For once, the two of us held some mutual ground. "Yeah, well, you can make it happen during your training sessions." I flicked my tail and turned away from the pair, dipping my head respectfully to Carska. I looked to Mahal and smiled, having caught some of what he had said to me. "And thank you, Mahal. It does a real man to get over a grudge." I gave a sheepish look, my grin small but sincere.

OOC//: Bleh, I am really hating my (lack of) muse right now.

[I L Y I C H]

Daiade--

I smiled softly at my child, joyous despite it all. "He can not destroy something of greater power then he, Abeni" I poked her chest with my nose, having to duck to do so. "And you have far more of that then he" I pressed against her body, trying to support her injured side. "If your sure... I believe you." I waved my tail against her hip to show her I really did. If I thought Abeni would lie to me then I would be lost. I was sure she wasn't entirely telling the truth, I wasn't stupid. But she wasn't lying to me fully. She could walk after all.

The scent of Alaois twisted her head and mine as well to stare. Such a monster should not be allowed to exist in the world. Not in this world at least.


Mahal--
I twisted completely with Clarimonde to listen to Mama and Nimrod. My face twitched, the smile dropping into a tiny grin. I stepped forward following the words, aware of mother's eyes on me. She wasn't mad, she look... silently proud. "Sir, if I may" I dropped my head as I addressed him. I may be an old prince but I was a humble boy. I wasn't stupid either. They didn't need to know how secretly devious I was anyway. "I listen to every other word you say, its just Abeni." I said her name on purpose and with emphasis. Mother's eyes narrowed slightly, warning me off taunting the man.

I dropped my eyes, shielding myself behind a smile like always. "I-" My words were broken off by the mixed bred girl, and shocked gripped me. My head snapped up and looked at her in confusion, the smile whipped away again to be replaced with a silent 'o'. Mama smiled softly, glancing from Clarimonde to Nimrod. The woman turned her eyes to Nimrod for his answer. She seemed pleased by Clarimonde's reasoning. It made my ears heat under their layer of fur.

"He is right, Clarimonde. Times and trials change with the Alpha. I have no ability to stop this, and Lucifer is far too cruel to end his game" My mother sighed, jaws parting in her annoyance. Shaking her skull the woman sat down beside our mentor. "But right now you should be concentrating on your sparing" She hinted, eyes narrowing with mirth. I froze, mouth pulling up into an innocent grin. My head turned back towards Clarimonde and I smiled back to her, eyes crinkling.

Mother stood again, moving forwards to press her skull against Clarimonde's side. "Come over here, let me show you something" Releasing my friend from her gentle touch mother turned her head to breath on my ears. "You two are a bit different in height so this should work." She glanced sideways, yellow eyes warm. "How would you like to knock Mahal down a peg or two eh?" I groaned, eyes rolling in fake annoyance. My heart swelled behind my ribs. She was getting better. Functioning again. My Mama was happy again. My tail wagged furiously despite my playful mask.

"Mom"

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Clarimonde

Our mentor had dared a faint hint of venom into his gaze when the Prince went as far as to emphasize Abeni's name. My smile crept back, shy but devious as I hid any hint of a giggle at the taunt. Nimrod, if nothing else, was obviously flustered. He wanted to push Mahal down like he would to the others; rough house him into submission. But Mahal was a Prince and Nimrod honored the Royals. Plus, dear Carska was in the area. Everyone knew Nimrod held the woman in high esteem...his genetic makeup demanded as such.

Carska's touch came as a shock and I felt myself take a deep intake, expecting to feel the brute force of my form colliding with the ground. Surely the girl was in the process of taking her much deserved frustrations out on me. I would not argue. I deserved nothing less than abuse, according to the logic of their instincts. It was natural to beat down those of unsimilar species.

The pain never came, but the touch was rather gentle. Realizing the woman was nudging me into a position to have a chance at beating my sparring partner, I smiled deviously at my comrad. His mother was being kind to me, teaching me how to 'defeat her son'. Of course, I understood my learning how to fight Mahal was not so I could dominate my new friend, but so that I could successfully outmatch any future oponent, no matter the size.

I let the woman lead me, my paws accepting foriegn orders. "I would very much enjoy that, ma'am." I mocked an evil smirk, challenging my opponent and eagerly awaiting order all at once. I had to bury the idea that this could only, logically, be a dream. Carska was not just the mother of the one I had befriended against all odds, she was the woman I had mercilessly stabbed in the chest with my words of acceptance towards Lucifer. No one could be this nice, this forgiving. No one would equip the enemy with war skills.

For once, I would let this dream play out. For once, I accepted the impossible because I wanted it to be reality.

[I L Y I C H]

Mahal--
Mother turned to stand to the side of my friend, and I couldn't help but giggle. Mother had taught me like that, bent over so low her fur almost brushed against my nose. Some of my fondest memories came from that gentle guidance. Well and I got to beet up Alonda who at a younger age seemed unable to adapt to defense. Dropping my head and spreading my center of gravity I prepared for what I knew would probably knock me over no matter what. Mama was the queen of manipulative fighting.

Shifting sideways, she dropped her head to nudge Clarimode's front paws forward a bit. "Keep your weight forward, it will put less strain on you when you lunge." Twisting slightly to copy the stance Mother dropped her head, chin almost touching the ground and waited for my friend to copy her. I could see the muscles in her shoulders and neck quiver, as if suddenly invigorated. The mast of hair puffed up over the now scabbed over gun wound did, however worry me.

"When you charge him lower your body and lower your center of gravity with it. The stronger your joints the stronger the attack." She took a slinking step forward as an example before slipping backward to return to Clarimonde's side. Mother's eyes flicked up to me, smiling despite the worry there. She hated training now a days. It made her anxious. It made her think war was coming.Rolling her shoulders Carska dropped lower, almost touching the ground to her belly. "Its kinda like a spider, I suppose" Mother tilted her head slightly. I giggled.

It was funny hearing Mama talk sometimes. Uncle Daiade said listening to Carska speak around Bidziil and a commoner was like listening to the difference between a king's speech and a sailors bark. It was weird and funny and just so familiar. Hearing Mama talk so openly and so roughly to us had me comfortable for the first time in training. Mama stiffened her shoulder muscles in a test before she moved. Without that twitch I would have had no warning and still I had no way to move before she hit me.

Her snout popped aginst my jaw as gently as it could, and it still stung. My head lashed back, her head catching it slamming it down. In one fluid motion she had totally overtaken me. My body was crushed to the ground, half on its side half on its back. I barley had time to yelp. Mother waged her tail at me, pleased with herself. I stuck my tongue out at her as she scurried off of me and padded back to Clarimonde. "Can you copy that darling?" It was a soft question, not the taunt some of the other adults would hold of my newly made friend's head.

I stood back up, shaking my head. Opening and closing my jaw in mock hurt, I threw huge eyes at my mother who respond with a low gruff bark of amused disapproval. "Hold still now, so Clarimonde can get you right good" I froze, biting my tongue to stop my laughter. Staring off into space, pretending to see a bug I looked up in pretend awe.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Nimrod

This was all very awkward for me.

I positioned myself so as to use my bulk to block the image of this little teaching from the curious eyes of Lucifer or his loyals. It was disgraceful for a trainor to be so gentle. Carska was putting me in the most horrid position. It was against my every teaching to show such gentle guidance to the pupils. Even my own apprentice, whom I loved dearly, recieved no more than verbal encouragement.

Chancing a look over towards the proceedings, I caught Carska reposistioning herself beside the mutt. She used a term of endreament; endearment for this umpure blood! I should not have been surprised, she used the same loving vocabulary for a feline, but I shook my head in disgust that I could not sheild. I was behind her, so it would be hidden from my Master's gaze.

"Yeah, I think I can handle that."

The girl had confidence, and I continued to watch. Surely she would not master the move. Dogs just don't learn with that kind of teaching. They had to be disciplined to know how to fight, to learn the moves. They could not be disciplined with such guiding paws around them.

My eyes narrowed as the little child did all that she was told, contacting the 'unsuspecting' victim in a mirror image of what Carska had done seconds before. I huffed an exasperated sigh before padding to stand behind the Alphess, giving a sheepish smile. "Well, I don't like it, but it looks like your teaching tactics work, madam." I laughed softly, more of a chuckle.

Clarimonde looked up at me hesitantly before daring a smile of approval. I hated the girl, but I could learn to tolerate her.

Maybe.

[I L Y I C H]

Mahal-
I hit the ground again, hard. Much harder then the first time. The yelp from me this time was real hurt, but I gruffed through it and grinned up at Clarimonde. "Geez, girl!" I laughed rubbing my spine into the dust. Ouch. Blinking, I scrambled to my paws trying to avoid any shots at my poor defenseless belly.

Mama gave her a loud woof of approval ,shoving her snout forcefully but playfully against the smaller animal's shoulder. Her head lifted, ears tilting towards Nimrod as he approached and spoke. Mama seemed slightly offended to me, but she hid it well. "Course it worked." She turned her eyes down to Clarimonde, their tawny depths glinting with mischief.

Sitting down beside us, Mama gave Nimrod a serious look. "As young pups we were raised with kindness so we may have loyalty to some human. How can we as folami expect our children to be loyal to us if they think we will simply kill them at the end of their usefulness?" She shook her head. Lifting a paw to prod at me as I moved closer, Mama pressed me into a seated position beside her.

"Loyalty must be ingrained not inbred" I smiled up at her, having no idea what she meant by that. My tail wagged slowly, and turning once to usher Clarimonde up closer I turned back to the odd conversation. Carska shrugged, lifting one shoulder and dropping it again in a limp half conscious motion. She looked sideways at me, a suddenly stiff disturbed look on her face. "My son loves me, and would never become a traitor. Because he loves me, no matter what happens or what I do" I nodded furiously, eyes serious.

Because I knew I was her slave. So tightly bound were we, that I could have no notion of a life without her. Let her beet me, let her blind me. I would remain, limping at her side. Always and forever. Always and forever. I supposed that's what made Mama worried. She knew no matter what I would never hurt her, could never hurt her. It disturbed her, that power. It made her quiver with worry at the inclinations.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Clarimonde

This attention, it was all so strange. As Carska gave me affection, I could feel Nimrod baring his judgemental gaze down upon me from his peripherals. I found myself half smiling at Mahal for my own reasurment. I was safe beside this guardian woman, but the young male made me feel secure as well. Both held a power over Nimrod that could only be explained by his genetics. Everything these two stood for bothered Nimrod, and yet he was faithful. For once, the humans had did something right.

I could tell Nimrod was awkward with all this, and I relished at his weak expression. He had the inability to disagree. This was his alphess. Her word was truth, even if it was false. What an awful life Nimrod led! I could not imagine a world where certain dogs decided what was right and what was wrong. If they decided that we did not stay on this planet because gravity held us down, then it would be so. How terribly horrendous to let someone have that much power over your brain! Not let, it just is. Nimrod was bred to obey Bidziil and Carska. Mahal, Alonda, Ekshen, and Cenzolume were a mix of Bidziil and Carska's gentics. Nimrod had a whole family that meant more to him than his own logic.

Of course, all this was good for me. I now had the approval of both Carska and Mahal, so Nimrod would approve. Or, he would say and act like he did. That was good enough. He could think whatever he wanted, long as he left me alone. I had connections now, and for once it was for sentimental reasons rather than logic. Why had I not thought of this sooner? I knew it would have failed at an earlier time; Carska had been too deep in her well of emotions. She was beginning to find her way out of the hole, able to open up and welcome those around her again.

Looking away from Mahal, I gazed upwards at the two adults. "Lab rats." I said it as if it would answer everything. After recieving a frustrated look from the male, I rolled my eyes and continued on. "Don't tell me you never heard of the experiements done on lab rats and their children?" I seemed to be in a state of unbelief.

"I haven't and quite frankly, I don't care."

Sighing, I looked up to meet Carska's more welcoming gaze. "The humans did an experiment on a few families of lab rats a couple years ago. There was two different kinds of mothers; nurturing and neglective. The children raised by the nuturing lab rats were healthy and more than willing to obey orders from anyone. But the ones raised by the neglective mothers were both sickly and disregarding towards any demand." I drew my eyes back to Nimrod as he asked a question.

"Obviously the negective mother's must have had a mutated gene to make them neglective and they simply passed it on to their children which resulted in sick, disobedient beasts." The boy seemed so proud of himself for thinking he outsmarted me that I almost hated to burst his bubble. Almost.

"I am surprised you of all dogs would insult the humans intelligence, Nimrod, sir!" The lethal glare returned to the male's face. "The humans considered that, so they did the experiment over, and this time switched around the different litters, mixing them up so that all parents had some children born of negelctive mothers and some born of nurturing mothers. Same results. Nurtuing mothers raised good kids, neglective mothers raised sick little rascals."

"What's your point?" The boy was fuming now.

"The same goes for canines. If they are raised with patience and love, they will obey their leaders. But, if raised in hate, they will only know how to be disobedient."

OOC//: Sorry, I was brain dead so I had to put this expeirment in because this is something Clari would def do

[I L Y I C H]

Mahal--

I watched her in amusement. Proud. Mother looked amused as well. Then again mother adored anyone who took her side in an argument. Mother had a cruel edge to her despite it all, but it was something I found instrumental in her personality. Mama took those who took her side more readily then those who did not. Her anger went to those lonely souls who argued against her. Mama refused to loose. No better yet she never lost. She chose to stop fighting. Its called a truce, not loosing. I stuck my tongue out, only slightly, but enough for Clarimonde to see.

Mama prodded me aside with her snout, discipline for being rude. I cast an apologetic smile up to Nimrod, sheepish at being caught. I felt like a conspirator in some sort of movement. Standing before the jury and all that. And Clarimonde had just won our case. I poked her, snout turned to jab playfully at her shoulder. A vivid smile on my face. Mother rolled her eyes, but looked at us with interest. Mother nodded along with Clari's words, absorbing the information.

Mama had always loved learning, having as much knowledge as she could hold was a passion for her. The gray girl smiled, half at Nimrod out of vicious triumph and half at Clarimonde in a power-play team spirit sort of thing. I wagged my tail happily. Real smiles, I almost cooed the words out loud. Real smiles that didn't make my face hurt and didn't make my heart stretch in that painful twisting way.

Thanks burned in my eyes as I turned them to Clarimonde. She was helping Mama, and she had my undying loyalty because of it. I had tried to protect everyone before Lucifer, but after he had come I had been so full of hate I had ignored them all. I could only half hear mother bickering at Nimrod about the pro's and con's of child rearing via pleasantries. Now a days I had calmed with my mother,and in calming had found I had left quiet a few children behind in a wake of hate because I had been unable to control my temper.

I leaned forward, pressing my nose close to the smaller girl's ear wile my mother rattled on triumph clear in her voice. It wasn't fair she knew Nimrod wouldn't argue with her, she simply felt the need to vent out her steam. She had every right to though. "I'm sorry for being a bum for the last few weeks. I didn't mean it, really" Towards you anyway. The silent words echoed in my skull. There was one party that would go forever unforgiven. Alonda would be the pariah of my heart until the day one or both of us died.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Clarimonde

My giggle almost burst out as a laugh when Mahal childishly stuck out his tongue, and then was amuseingly scolded with Carska's paw. My eyes curled up to examine Nimrod, who listened half heartedly to what Carska was saying. His mind would not change, but he would play along for the sake of his Alphess, Leader, Ruler, God...whatever Carska was to him. That quality that I would hate to have, that undying loyalty, was a blessing when in Nimrod's paws.

As Mahal whispered in my ear, I felt my cheeks warm up at how close he had gotten. It was strange, the way the blood rushed to my face. For once, I was speechless, not having an explanation for my reaction that I could give myself, and not having a responce for Mahal. I finally shuffled myself to turn my full attention on him. "You have the right, Mahal. It is understandable that you would side with your mother and show favortism towards those who support her. Plus, you have a lot on your shoulders. Your dad was taken, and everyone knows you were his favorite child, so the pack is kind of yours now. Well, accept for the nuisance that stands in office." I looked up at Nimrod before smiling over to Mahal. "That is one use Nimrod, Sir, has; he is dedicated to ridding us of the tyrants. Him and Val."

[I L Y I C H]

Mahal--

I twisted my head at her words, not too sure they were right. When did I have the right to be anything? I had too many people I needed to protect. But I wasn't bitter about that, it was my single greatest solace. Protecting was a thing I could always do. Shaking my head, I chuckled up at mother, who was watching our exchange with interest having given up arguing at Nimrod. Mom snorted, apparently not agreeing with my own denial .

As it was mother turned fully to look at us, Clarimonde and I. Her eyes were warm, welcoming. Mother would always try to like them, even if she failed, but it would seem she genuinely had an interest in getting to care for the child beside me. I opened my mouth, half ready to contradict the words when mother shook her head. My mouth closed again, though my eyes flickered uncertainly. This pack had never been mine no matter my standing.

Alonda had always been the one ready to fight for the title of queen. I had never really felt the urge to take it, or at least hadn't in the past. Now however I was beginning to dream about it. Now I wanted it like air. It made me feel as if I could do something; my royal blood. I had the opportunity to fix things, but I had to grow powerful enough to fight Lucifer for it first. Mother padded around me, tail brushing my ears as she parted ways murmuring a soft goodbye to Nimrod and Clarimonde.

It had been dangerous enough for her to have been over here for as long as she had been. Now those slate gray eyes following her off the training grounds had other problems to look at. Hati turned away in the background, though at this point I really didn't care what she did so long as she stayed out of my face. I tried to be a kind boy, but I could not help the anger my genes provided me with.

Turning slightly to bow to Nimrod, I asked if we would be continuing our training. "What will you show us, Sir?" It was an open question, warm and true. I may not want to hurt Abeni but that did not mean I didn't enjoy fighting. I was a boy after all.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Nimrod

I watched the female go with silence on my lips. I knew all she did was so wrong, but that damn loyalty was plugged deep into my brain. It was as if it were beyond my control. When the prince questioned our next move, I looked to him with a mild grudge on my face. You have the power to lead this pack now that you're father is gone, and I will fight for you to have that right. But I will always regret my decision to be loyal to you. Damn you, kittenhugger.

"The heat is worse than many days have been. It would be wise for you youngins to conserve what little fluid is left in your body. Training is over for today. It was a short day and you best not get used to the mercy." I found myself growling the words as I spun away and trotted off into the forest of dead limbs. I needed to get away from these creatons that held my loyalty so. I wish I could follow my laws without sacraficing some of my beliefs. But I couldn't. I felt so out of control of my life.

Hatred for my pack welled within me, the forbidden emotion, as I wove my way into the darkness and disapeared.



Clarimonde

My eyes jumped over to Alonda, who pulled away from her bother and left him standing without having lifted a paw against him. She had been preoccupied with their conversation and now was trying to keep her dignity about her, despite her forfeit of battle time. I gave Val and Ekshen a quick look before turning my careful gaze onto Mahal.

"That bloke is going to snap on you and Miss Carska one of these days," I shrugged in the direction of Nimrod's exit. "I can not understand his obsessive loyalty to you and your family. You go against everything he believes in." I found myself laughing at the ridiculousness of the Folami mind, but pushed aside the amusement. Mahal was a purebred Folami; the spawn of two dogs who had broken the chains of the humans.

"Hey, want to see if your Mother wants to take us on a hunting expedition? Real prey, not feline, of course." I felt the need to clarify. I hated that this society made me have to explain what kind of hunting I meant. The assumption was a hunt would be a murder of cats. I was assured Mahal would not jump to that conclusion, but living with Folami had trained me to add on the clarification no matter whom I spoke to.

[I L Y I C H]

We're the best thing you had but you pushed us away

Mahal--
I stared after Nimrod, my own anger flickering as I watched. How could he claim loyalty and then act like we had punched him in the gut? Just leave already if you hate it so much. My eyes turned to Val, who hobbled up to slump next to Ekshen, panting hard, before they turned back to meet Clarimonde's. Her words held the ring of a real question, one that echoed in my own head. "Yeah..." Ocher eyes narrowed, ears flicking. "He will, but Mother won't take it. She's become stronger she wont just take any more betrayal"

Mama was recovering, and with it her hear had become an iron block. Only those she let through could reach her, and those others were left slamming at bolted doors. Carska wouldn't hesitate to battle her supposed friend if he ever showed his fangs to her or myself. My muscles shuddered at the thought. Mother was strong but I feared she would not be able to defeat Nimrod without some miracle. And miracles were in short supply now a days.

"It doesn't make any sense, you can't exactly be happy like that" I rolled my eyes, smile twitching to hide my unease. Happiness was in short supply too. It was annoying, that constant ache in my heart. Most would give up trying to be happy, but I couldn't. Simply couldn't. It was too important to my Mother. To my family. To my friends. My watery smile turned to my newest friend, solidifying at her next words. A normal hunt? My face brightened, opened.

"Sure, yeah! Come on then!" I didn't wait for a reply, leaping to my paws and sprinting off. Mama's ears flicked back as I neared her, a mistrustful reaction that softened when her nose recognized me. Tawny eyes turned, locking on me before hopping backward to Clari. "Mum! Would you take us out hunting?" Carska tilted her head, eyes amused.

"Dose Clarimonde want to or are you flying off the wagon again, darling?" My nose scrunched up.

"It was Clari's idea" I huffed staring round eyed with false indignation at my mother. Mama's gray face crinkled up, fighting a laugh.

"Don't make faces, your eyes will get stuck like that" I dropped the expression instantly, shock blaring in my eyes.

"What?" Mama laughed earnestly, her eyes half shut. She apparently enjoyed my horror. That wasn't true right? no it couldn't be, she'd had her joking voice on. I made a face at her, turning with a huff towards Clarimonde.

Mama turned slightly, eyes following Nimrod's exit trail before turning her muzzle in the opposite direction. "Yes, yes fine then. I do believe their is a herd of roe deer close to here." She took a step in the correct direction and I skipped up to fall in line behind her, waving my tail with pleasure.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I found myself holding an amused envy at the teasing between mother and child. It was a strange feeling, for I envied others so rarely, if I ever had. I did not desire the emotional side of a living being, finding emotions to lead to stupidity. But here I was, looking at Carska, wondering if my mother and I would have had the same relationship had she lived.

I wanted to tell Mahal that there was no way his face would get stuck, but couldn't bring myself to do it. Technically, it could. The muscles could lock into that position if a chemical impulse malfunctioned and sent such a demand to them. I decided it best to just ignore the matter, keep the facts to myself. I mustn't confirm his concerns.

It had been a good amount of time since I had tasted deer and I was eager to help fight for one. My paws dropped me into line behind Mahal, knowing both dogs were technically my superiors, even if not reconized by Master Lucifer. His name cringing through my mind sent my eyes towards the camp where he and his pregnant mistress ruled. Would they try and stop us? Carska could taint our minds with false truths, according to them. If they stepped forward I would give them a piece of my mind. I needed to show Lucifer and his bitch that I was not their servant anymore. I had switched sides.

Oh, but I would do that later. I would kill them if they ruined this perfection. I decided this as I glanced forward to the two I followed. My family.