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Post by I L Y I C H on Jun 9, 2011 8:48:24 GMT -5
the burning desire to live and roam free it shines in the dark and it grows within me.
Mahal-- I was only half paying attention to the change in landscape, despite the sudden softness of pine needles under paw. My mind and heart were both focused on my company, over joyed by the warmth I was suddenly surrounded with. Maybe it was selfish, but having them so close, Mama and Clarimonde, it made me happy. I didn't want to go back home. I wanted to stay with them. Out here in the shadows of the pine wood.
Mama had us walking for ages, leaving the denning place and walking north at a steady trot. It was amazing to suddenly feel the power in my young limbs. It was odd for me, who had gone on so many secret outings as a puppy. My stamina level was so much higher, and it made my heart lift with pride. I was a stronger man then I once was, and I would prove as much.
The gray woman moving before us, had long sense fallen into a peaceful silence, turning her nose randomly to take a drag of air form the side. I'd moved myself back to pad shoulder to shoulder with Clarimonde. Aware that I was of higher rank then her, I ignored it just as easily. Rank meant little to me. You couldn't run a pack properly if you only focused on rank.
Terror is not a way to make people do what you want. But I wasn't suppose to think that. I was a horrible manipulator, yes. I was clever, but it still made me feel bad, those selfish thoughts. I had spent too much of my childhood caring for others, it made me hesitant in the care of myself. Snapped from my thoughts from a low gruff bark, I froze entire body locking into stance.
Mother's tawny eyes peered at me with amusement, though a small bite of bitterness was there as well. "Do you smell that? The musky edge to the air?" She closed her mouth, turned her head slightly to the right as she turned to face us. My own head followed her's, nostrils flared. Yes, I smelt it. My nose crinkled up. Roe deer? They smelt nothing like the white tails hunters sometimes drug into camp.
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Post by Bhu ♥ Irwin on Jun 9, 2011 9:09:07 GMT -5
I need another story Something to get off my chest My life gets kinda boring Need something I can confess
I was ashamed to admit that I had never been hunting. I had never left camp, in all reality. Maybe for a second with Nimrod for a quick assessment, but nothing more than that. My paws tingled with emotions as they caressed the soft needles under foot. Beside me walked the Great Prince and before me walsed the Beautiful Queen. Since when did I add adjectives to their ranks? I was so confused. My throbbing brain could not keep up with my beating heart.
Why were these dogs being so nice to me? I was a traitor. I was an outcast. I was a disgusting mixed blood with no future. Before Lucifer, I was an omega in the puppy rank, dubbed to be an omega my entire life. And now I walked beside and behind a royal duo. They showed me kindness, but I could even bring myself to thank them.
Mahal stopped beside me and scented the air. I mimiced the man, though I myself could not dicipher the smell. My brain had collected information for so long, but I could only know what I had heard. If a roe deer walked out of the treeline, I could tell you everything about its anatomy, temperment, lifestyle....but I had never smelled one before. I could place the scent of most cats because of the carasses drug into camp. I could tack on the aroma of white-tailed deer for the humans supplied us with them at times. But this new smell was neither of those two things.
"Yes ma'am, I do smell it." It wasn't a lie. I could place the musky edge because I knew the smell of musk from when dogs returned to camp holding that scent. Was that the scent of roe deer? Had those dogs that smell of it been hunting normal things?
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Post by I L Y I C H on Jun 16, 2011 21:29:29 GMT -5
Mahal--
Mother smiled as she turned her head to look at us, nodding her acceptance of our efforts. My own eyes bounced to Clari, ocher depths flickering with joy. I had never been out hunting, really hunting. Of course I had been that horrid child that always snuck away, I had been out this way before actually, but I had never gone hunting. Really hunting. And it was extra special today, the feeling of pure euphoria had alighted in my heart.
These past months under Lucifer's rule had been harsh, and my soul had been beaten and bruised under them. It was times like these, with my mother and a friend close at hand that I could remember that I had lost nothing. Nothing but a father I had never known well to begin with. Maybe it was wrong of me but I could not particularly miss Bidziil. He had never been exceptionally close to me or my siblings.
And he had left me alone at too young an age to care for our family. Ah there went my martyr complex again. People think that's a good thing, obviously they don't realize just how tired one's heart could become under its constant demand for that damn smile. But my smile was not fake now, for joy was real in my body. It buzzed happily across every nerve ending, and caught fire in my brain.
Mother stopped moving suddenly, and I came up short, bashing into her hind legs. Pressing me back with one large paw, Carska made a shush motion at us with her snout, ears pricking atop her head. Copying her stance, I arched my body in the direction she was staring. There... I could hear it, the soft sound of hard feet against pine needles. Head lurching around to look at Clarimonde, i grinned before turning back around. I was being childish about this, but I was excited. That was allowed right?
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Post by Bhu ♥ Irwin on Jun 16, 2011 22:10:14 GMT -5
The deer were not far from where we were, their gentle sounds echoing the vibrations up my ear canal to be deciphered by my ear drum. Our hearing was advanced in comparison to any other creature, but to hear so clearly meant the animals could not be but less than a quarter mile away. With the wind blowing as unfrequently and at such slow speeds as it is, the sound would carry slow and dissipitate before it got to us if any more distance was between us. These deer were close enough to start stalking...I think. This whole uncertainty thing was wearing me out, forcing my eyes to narrow in deep consideration. I was out of my element and my brain was having difficulty catching up.
Noting the air flow, I directed my ears against it and then followed the sound waves until I uncovered the direct route it was coming from. I realized, then, that the pair were already face in that same direction. As always in a real situation, I was a step behind because I lacked the instinct to just know, I had to logically decipher all that was going on around me in order to have a hint as to what the hell was going on. Embarressment and fury built up in my gut as I scowled in the direction of the deer. Hunting wasn't any fun if I had no clue what the heck I was doing! I wasn't used to be the lower level student, as I so clearly was here.
The scowl vanished as I caught Mahal in my perpheral. The boy who had saved me from my bloody solitude. I did not say a word, I just crouched down low and let a smile come over my maw. Even when I knew not a thing about hunting, I could enjoy the time I had with this kind duo. Goodness knows there were not many chances for joy, anymore.
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Post by I L Y I C H on Jun 22, 2011 22:05:11 GMT -5
Mahal--
"Come on then, Children"
Mother lead us forward, slinking down until her belly brushed the earth. It was the same stance they taught us in camp, and relief swept through me. Oh, I wasn't going to look like a total dork anyway. I copied her as best I could, grimacing when one of my past brushed leaves, due to a slow uptake. Mother's tail brushed over my back in response, though she offered a low breath of a hush in return.
Careful to set my paws correctly now, I arched my ears forward. Happily watching Mother move, I could not help but smile. Carska had been chosen by Bidziil for a reason. She was truly a site to behold. Even in her tired hurt state mother focused her all on her task. It mattered to her whether we brought food home for the others or not. It was important to do this right, and do it with nobility. My smile grew larger as those playful fantasized words flaunted about in my mind. My mama was a warrior, a knight ready to fight the dragon.
I don't think roe deer breath fire though.
The gray tail sweeping before me came to pause, and with it my own tail stopped its motion. Paws drifting as phantom like as I could make them, I edged up beside my mother, her bulk taking up my field of vision as I turned to look at her. The woman lifted her head above me, leaning her skull forward to invite Clarimonde up to us. Closer. I scooted over so she could take the spot beside Mother.
The gray muzzle stretched out, pointing, and as my eyes followed the motion I could barley hide my glee. There in the woods not too far off stood a grazing herd of deer. They were not as glorious as white tails, their stature not as bulky and their antlers not as high, but they stood just as noble. Another thing, even the cow's had horns. Which wasn't good for us, all things considered.
Carska's head dropped, settling with its lip's just beside my newest friend's ear. "Which do you think would be the one to take down, Clarimonde?" Mother was asking her directly, and I knew why. The gray-black girl had been worried a little wile before, and mother wanted to put her back into a comfort zone. Every pup was taught the way to seek out easy prey, but Clarimonde would take it a step further I was sure. She was too smart not too
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Post by Bhu ♥ Irwin on Jun 23, 2011 16:26:08 GMT -5
My ears were burning with uncertainty as I found myself weaseled between both Queen and Prince. The deer were within sight and I instantly found myself scanning the herd for potential prey. It would not be my call, but I was curious as to if my superior would settle upon the same creature I thought.
"Which do you think would be the one to take down, Clarimonde?"
Did that woman just have the audacity to ask one of the omegas to basically lead the hunt? Picking the prey is almost as honorable as being the one to kill the prey, if not more so. My paws shuffled and I looked down to them in a new shyness. I was about to decline, but then something clicked in my brain; logic. Oh, how it felt sweet to have that mass of mush in my head working again. Emotions had pushed aside thought and since I also lacked instinct, I had been nothing more than a sorry piece of useless flesh. But here, now, my brain had woken at the thought of a challenge it could indeed do.
Eyes twitched, I glanced up to focus on the herd of chattering hoofed creatures. They all had antlers and none seemed to have a notable injury. The fawns were not yet big enough to feed a full grown Folami and the adults were dangerous to tangle with. We were a breed bred specifically to slaughter felines. Normal prey was a whole different ball game. Size was useful against the equally bulky cat, but these creatures needed pure speed and agility. We were fine specimens, but never would we ever be mistaken for the common canine when hunting.
Eyes darting around to look for a decent sized weak link, I spotted one adult that seemed rather ill. It moved slow and jagged. Somewhere and instinct awoke and told me that should be my choice, but my brain said a stern ‘no’. A sick animal could pass on its disease through its flesh; it just was not worth the risk. My eyes averting to the buck of the herd, I noticed something peculiar. Normally the buck was highly alert, needing to look out for his herd. But this male was not at all focused on his surroundings, he was far too busy frolicking around one female that did not have any trace of pregnancy nor lactation. Smelling the air, I confirmed she was in heat and the buck was intent on acting upon that.
Standing tall to reach Carska’s ear, I whispered my answer. I had been silently observing for a couple minutes by this point, wanting to give her the best answer my logic could come up with. ”There is one sick female, but I fear her illness would pass on to her consumers. Then there’s the idea of some pregnant females, for they would be slower, but during pregnancy the body creates more proteins to strengthen the girl. A pregnant deer’s kick would be almost a definite lethality. There are no injuries and the young are too small to put a dent in the hunger of the pack. But take a look at the buck.” I nodded my head towards the distracted male. “He is so focused on the heated female that we should be able to sneak around in the underbrush and one of us can get onto his back to nab his neck, making him jolt back to expose his throat to one of us. I Mahal should get on his back because he is bigger than me and he has more spring than you, no offence, just your leg wound could hinder a leap. Then either I can get his throat. Meanwhile, you, because you’re more intimidating than I, should be chasing off the rest of the herd to be sure no one gets at Mahal or me.”
There, my confidence was over. If she declined, I would accept that. In fact, I was sure she would decline because sometimes logic just doesn’t work.
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Post by I L Y I C H on Jun 26, 2011 19:27:31 GMT -5
ooc:// I said I would let Carska stay dormant until Bidziil came back... but I miss her xD so bagh
Carska--
I met the child's shy expression with amusement. The days of my own harshness were long gone. Life changed people, and now looking down at a poor pup who had been sanctioned for her breed I felt nothing but warmth were I once may have felt disgust. Time and pain had ripped my dirty outer layers away to leave behind the white sleek center. I was so happy to find this child who had taken a different side willing to walk with me. Change was a thing folami did not take well, I never had at least. But this pup, who seemed to have a budding friendship with my dear son, was not pure folami. She was better for it.
Tawny eyes resting on her face, I watched with interest as she watched carefully. Clarimonde was a valuable comrade. Observant and intelligent. I smiled warmly. Two traits that made her such a good friend for Mahal. Maybe I was just playing mother, but that girl looked at my black pup with a certain twinkle in her eyes. I'd seen it in camp, and maybe it was just a childish awe or joy for acceptance but I would take it and roll it around in my head. Call it Mama syndrome. Mahal was leaning forward on her other side, not paying a lick of attention to me as he watched her face. The boy's ocher eyes were round and warm. Pure adoration, and trust.
Flicking my eyes away so as not to give away his childish show of affection I looked back to Clarimonde as she leaned towards me. Such a smart child. Eyes slipping sideways to watch her as she spoke I smiled proudly. Good on you girl. Observation was key to these things, a place where this smart little husky mutt would excel. A place where I could begin to build up her confidences. "That's right" I breathed in response to the first bit of her speech, pride flaring in my voice. "That's excellent" I shifted lower to allow my little friend to speak in my ear without arching.
Taking in her plan I nodded slowly, considering. Yes, it was a good plan. My body slunk slightly forward, frame sinking towards the grass. "Beautiful, Clarimonde." My ears arched forward, muscles straining in response to a set plot. "You take Mahal with you and creep up that way" I rolled my nose towards the line of wood farther in towards our quarry. "When you get around him split and go for either flank. Be sure to catch him by surprise and do not so much as twitch towards the woman" If they did so by accident that bull you impale them both. "Once you two have latched into him I will scare off the rest of the herd, so you are not interrupted. Remember that deer have exceptionally long arteries, and these arteries are deeper then our own."
With that I slid away to the left, in the opposite direction then the one they should be going in.
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Post by Bhu ♥ Irwin on Jun 26, 2011 22:24:26 GMT -5
Her quiet compliments were enough to fuel the fire that was my beating heart. For so long I had thought I was the exception to the social rule that lead a dogs life. I did not need anyone for any reason. A desire to acceptance was below logic so, therefore, was below me. But here I was, beaming like a school girl as the Queen leapt on my suggestion with quiet enthusiasm. She took lead, heading in her own direction, and I dared a glance at Mahal, meeting his scarlet eyes.
Something inside me clicked and shoved forward a silly grin and a playful glint into my eyes. There was no logic that I could uncover to explain this weird little expression I had placed upon my normally critical face. But not was not the time to ponder. We had a mission and I was determined to show I could do more than talk the talk. Hell I didn't want to walk the walk, I wanted to run it. The need to excell was in my husky and Folami blood; both were prideful breeds. But, fortunatly, I had a brain to control that ambition. It was not a rise to the top that I sought, it was simply to be able to provide for my pack.
For my family.
Blinking away the childish look, I nodded toward Mahal before falling to my belly, prepared to creep along. It would be Mahal's lead, since I could not do my part until the bull was distracted and exposing his throat. If I dared step ahead of Mahal, the hunt would fail and all those compliments would blow away in the storm of scolds. I shivered at the thought. I wanted to please the Queen.
What logic explained that?
I guess I still had much to learn.
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