zombie
Rookie Stray
Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.[M:-340]
Posts: 83
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Post by zombie on Sept 9, 2012 21:49:44 GMT -5
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I wanna swim away but don't know how.....
It was an unseasonably warm night, that combined with Vivian's mile eating pace was leaving her uncomfortably warm. 'Not much further now...' This was no aimless stroll nor a frivolous search for a midnight snack. No...Vivian knew precisely where she was headed...The Scarlet Forest....a fitting place to encounter the Scarlet Pack.....And more importantly Zealot. On occasion Viv's quiet nature came in handy, indirectly she had been led to this pack by the hushed whispers of a couple mongrels. An all wolf pack they said....along with many other things about her kin she cared not think of lest her blood boil in her veins. With a slight shake of her skull she forced herself back on task....She had to find this pack....see just what they were like....what this Zealot was like. Who knows...maybe some of her more... unappreciated talents could be put to use once again.
Sometimes it feels just like I am fallin' in the ocean...
She had expected to have some difficulty locating the newly formed back, wrongly assuming that their borders would not yet be defined. However as she neared the forest it became increasingly clear that someone had laid claim to this turf.....and was making it very obvious to any intruders that they best turn back or face the wrath of the pack within...Interesting....perhaps she had been led to believe that this pack was smaller than it truly was.....Or this Zealot was a very persistent lupine.
Let the waves come and take me down....
Vivian was no fool, she knew that to intrude on someone's turf...especially newly claimed was an act of war. So she stopped on the very borderline of where Zealot's powerful scent began.....Those dogs had said a female was leading...something unusual to say the least, but it appeared she was not allowing her sex to hamper her duties. Her scent markings were just as powerful if not more so than a males...how many time had she trod these paths in the last few days? Curling her tail beneath her haunches Vivian sat. Several moments later a deep howl pierced the muggy night air. It was not the smooth voice one might expect, but rather a jagged throaty sound. Speech did not come easily to her, the words not transferring from her mind to her tongue as fluently as she would wish. As a result her vocal cords were much neglected. With her call completed Vivian lowered her skull until it was horizontal to her shoulders, her golden gaze falling to the moist earth at her ivory paws. She did not want to risk any dominant gestures.....As it could be the easiest way to toss herself into an early grave. Silently she waited....
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Post by CROW. █ on Sept 10, 2012 7:49:40 GMT -5
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The task of marking her borders had been arduous. The territory she was claiming was miles in area, and seemed forever in perimeter. At least, she assured herself, every last bush and rock surrounding the forest would carry her scent. The black and tan wolf paused, her form silhouetted against the green of the foliage. She had made maybe three circles of her borders today, and four or five the day before. Simply going once would have been enough to satisfy any other wolf, but not Zealot. The female knew how stupid and ignorant dogs could be. She wanted to make sure not even the dumbest dog could walk blindly into the forest without realizing it was home to a pack.
On the up-side, doing so many revolutions of her territory had given her a good knowledge of the border. She had spent little time in the heart of the forest, but already knew that there were at least three creeks, if they weren't all the same and simply forked, and that Deadman's Ridge lay to the north. Mountain surrounded the other sides, making the only truly accessible point a path over the Ridge. This pleased her greatly, meaning that anyone who came looking to enter the forest would come from one direction--unless they wanted to navigate a mountain or two. The wolf's jaw hung open in a light pant as she stood, silver eyes scanning the path to come. The pace she had set for was grueling, but she only allowed herself small breaks such as this. The need to complete one more circle was pressing.
A ragged howl echoed across the woods. It alarmed Zealot in it's proximity until she realized she had made it back to the northern border. Without hesitation the wolf moved back into her tireless trot and headed up the path. She wasn't sure if it was sheer dumb luck or fate, but the path she was on would take her right where she wanted to go.
Zealot wound her way along the game-trail. It didn't take long before the trees began to thin and the terrain became more rocky. This was the point that led to Deadman's Ridge. She paused, peering through a bush, trying to locate the wolf that had made the howl. At first she almost didn't see her. The grey and black of the wolf's pelt made her nearly blend in with the greyscale backdrop of the ridge. The wolf had a look of concentration on her face, her head in a carefully neutral position. A glance at her paws showed that it hadn't crossed the border. This one deserved a greeting.
"Hail." Zealot's voice was rough as she emerged from the foliage. Days of having no reason to speak showed. "I am Zealot. I assume that, if you are here looking as you do, you know who I am and where you are." She hated making long speeches. Why dance around the point when you can get straight to it? "Am I also to assume you would like to join this pack?" Zealot came forward further, head not necessarily raised, but higher than the stranger's, tail curved over her back in an upward arc. She stopped just far enough away to avoid an attack, if one should be made, but close enough to read the wolf's body.
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zombie
Rookie Stray
Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.[M:-340]
Posts: 83
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Post by zombie on Sept 10, 2012 8:32:00 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; height: 572px; background-image: url(http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/253/1/8/vivian_by_looserfaceman-d5e94qv.jpg)]
She had assumed there would be a wait....with a territory as vast as this one the likelihood of anyone being near the border was slim. Rolling her shoulders forward the silvery female began relaxing her muscles one by one. She scented the other wolf before seeing her, with her eyes being downcast her dark form was nothing but a blur in her peripheral vision. The voice that greeted her was not soft and sweet...but neither was it in anger...Zealot.....well to be greeted by the alpha herself was a privilege. She would have to make sure she didn't screw this up. She blinked, surprised by the bluntness of the female...Perhaps this conversation would not be as drawn out as she had expected it to be, with subtle nuances behind every action and word. Keeping her eyes down her rough voice rumbled forth.
"Greeting Zealot, I thank you for your prompt response to my call. I am known as Vivian."
She lowered her head a tad more, to let the other wolf know that she was aware of her stature....and had no ill intent towards her. She hated the thought of rolling onto her back.....exposing the tender fibers of her neck to this stranger....But if it was demanded she would comply. Thus far though it seemed that her meager submission had been enough. As she came to the topic of joining Vivian's voice hitched in her throat, her mind reeling as she tried to put her thoughts in the correct order to best convey them. This.. was precisely why she was mute most of the time.....words seemed....inefficient....and hard to articulate.
"Word of mouth has brought me here....I..heard rumors that a new pack was taking shape."
She paused for a moment, clearing her scratchy throat. Was she really going to join? She had come here out of curiosity....what had she expected the alpha to think? Perhaps.....perhaps it was time for her to join the ranks of a pack once again.....It had been too long since she felt the gratification of a task well done. Though she had never served under a female wolf alone she assumed it would be much the same.
"So I came to offer my services, in exchange for a membership within the pack."
Vivian was no fool....she knew her rank would start low....it was to be expected. Any leader who freely distributed ranks was a fool....and would likely place someone in a place of power who would just as soon turn on them as assist. Her peace had been spoken, and it was a relief to no longer feel the need to speak.....to try to form those complicated strings of words in her mind. Now she just had to wait for Zealot's decision, hopefully this trip had not been a waste of her time.
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Post by CROW. █ on Sept 10, 2012 13:26:32 GMT -5
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Services? Zealot thought on that for a moment. What kind of 'services' could someone offer her? She wanted a pack that hunted together, that rolled over because it was necessary to have a hierarchy to survive, that actually cared for the well-being of its members. Could someone who was offering her 'services' would fit in to that description? There was only one way to find out.
Zealot moved toward the strange wolf, confidence written in every line of her body. If Vivian truly wanted a place in the pack, it would be more than just an exchange. A wolf pack was a lifestyle, not a status, and she'd have to start by showing she was willing to play the dominance games that the pack employed every day. The black and tan wolf came to Vivian's side, laying her head over the wolf's shoulders and standing stiffly. She applied downward pressure on the shoulderblades beneath her chin, her tail holding a stiffer curve. This was a position of dominance, one that demanded the wolf beneath either challenge or give in. Just how the strange wolf decided to act would tell a lot about her true personality. It is difficult for one to simply force themselves to submit.
Zealot had yet to perform this test on anyone else; Vivian was the first wolf to appear at her borders. She hoped that it would be a good judge of character and more concretely identify those who held the traits she desired for her pack. If the wolf were to challenge, of course there would be a fight and they would be sent packing. But if they were to give in... it also mattered how exactly they went about that. Simply rolling over and exposing the vulnerable spots was the behavior of a good Omega. The Omega's job in the pack was to keep the other pack members calm, especially the alpha. It would submit to everyone in the pack so that they didn't feel the need to constantly challenge each other, possibly incurring wounds that would hamper survival.
If the wolf were to crouch down, tucking their limbs beneath them, it was considered defensive submission. This was the path of a wolf who would submit to the alpha, but would be dominant among the rest of the pack. It wasn't a bad thing until you put two dominant wolves together with no distinct hierarchy. They typically made good hunters, even if a squabble would break out over who ate first at a kill.
Then there was the true submission. To turn their head away to expose the throat, make their ears face out to the side, and crouch down to put their body beneath the level of the domineering wolf. This was the normal behavior displayed by many different personality of wolves. They would give way when needed and without hesitation. Just as a good pack member should.
As she stood there, head over the wolf's shoulders, Zealot wondered which this female would be.
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zombie
Rookie Stray
Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.[M:-340]
Posts: 83
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Post by zombie on Sept 10, 2012 15:21:10 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; height: 572px; background-image: url(http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/253/1/8/vivian_by_looserfaceman-d5e94qv.jpg)]
She went rigid as the other female approached, not knowing what to expect. But her reaction was nothing more than an oppression of her dominance. She felt the firm pressure against the bones of her shoulders, could feel the tension in the air. It grew thicker by the second...each moment without submission was an act of defiance. Purposefully she let the time pass, counting each second as it ticked by. Not wanting to seem too eager to roll at her feet....but feeling the pressure to give in to a more powerful being. At last she sank away from Zealot's touch, pressing her ears down flat against her skull. Tucking her limbs tighter beneath her form until she was as small as possible. Her belly was on the earth now, her tail still beneath her rump. She rolled her head slightly to reveal the side of her throat but kept her belly against the earth....Trying to prove that she would indeed submit....but that she did not take pleasure in it. She wanted to project power in a lesser manner than her own.....a pack was after all like a well oiled machine...One parts failure would cause the rest stress and eventually fail as well.
As she lay there with her head cocked to the side memories flitted through her cluttered mind. Memories full of crimson, the blood she had spilled. Tore from the very veins that ran along her own exposed neck. It left a bad taste in her mouth....but submission was necessary for her. She did not have the eloquence needed to lead a pack herself, nor the patience. She had no innate love of pups as most females of her age did, but their presence would be tolerated and protected if need be. Vivian would best be described as a hired hand.....she knew who the boss was, and would carry out their wishes without question for the majority of the time......There had only been a few instances where she had balked at an alphas orders....Once of which being the elimination of another packs young, it was a tactical decision...she had known that. With no future warriors or hunters the pack would dwindle and weaken. But when she crawled into their birthing den the fuzzy little pups showed no fear. Coming and licking at her jaws to beg for food....they trusted her......And it broke her resolve. She separated herself from that very pack not a week later, taking with her scars the beta had given her as a parting gift.
But this was another time....It had been several months since she had been part of a pack. But the moves were still ingrained into her psyche. Still as stone she dare not move until the alphas dominance was assured.....whether that be a bite to her neck or a verbal cue.
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Post by CROW. █ on Sept 12, 2012 14:11:44 GMT -5
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The moments were tense, passing excruciatingly slow. Zealot began to wonder if Vivian was even going to submit. If she didn't, there would be a fight. The black and tan wolf's tail stiffened in its arc, a slight kink appearing. She could feel the tightness in the shoulders beneath her chin. Just as she was about to lift her lips into a snarl, the wolf slowly sank to the ground, tucking her limbs safely away. The alpha looked down, posture still stiff. This wolf was submitting, but it was defensive. Instinct urged her to roll Vivian over, force her to expose her weak points, to be utterly defenseless beneath her weight. Logic told her that this was enough. This wolf had just submitted, albeit begrudgingly, to a complete stranger. That alone was a testament to her will to obey and want to be part of the pack. Zealot placed a paw on the other side of the wolf, standing completely over her. Her muzzle lowered, brushing her ears, and pressed, perhaps a little too hard, into the female's neck. Her fur was warm. It smelled of oak and earth. Zealot held her position, half out of a want to take in the female's scent, and half because it was a final test of the wolf's resolve.
Finally, Zealot stepped back. She grasped at Vivian's muzzle gently, placing it between her jaws to accept her into the pack. She released. "I am surprised and pleased by you, Vivian." Her voice hummed with delight. "You are part of the Scarlet Forest Pack." Those words meant more than just what was said, they implied something greater than themselves. In a single sentence Zealot conveyed her relief at having her first pack member, at having found someone to run with, and let slip a sort of initial affection. She let her tail fall so that it was even with her spine, her muscles relaxing. This wolf had proven herself, there was no more reason to remain on edge. Deal with the threats as they happen, don't anticipate the future. This was the way of the wolf.
The alpha turned her head to stare into the forest. "I would show you the territory, but I have only finished its borders." It still frustrated her that she hadn't had the time to explore the interior. Her silver gaze turned back to Vivian, a hint of mischief in their gleam. "We should need to find a den for the pack." Though the words were stated as an order, their tone implied a request. Zealot wouldn't force the new member to come with her, but had extended and invitation all the same.
NOTES. you can end the thread, if you wish :3 if you want to continue then Zealot is going to, with the help of Vivian, decide explore the interior of the territory and pick a location for the pack den. ^-^
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zombie
Rookie Stray
Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.[M:-340]
Posts: 83
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Post by zombie on Sept 12, 2012 23:29:58 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 450px; height: 572px; background-image: url(http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/253/1/8/vivian_by_looserfaceman-d5e94qv.jpg)]
It was strange...the soft tingle along the ridge of her neck, the feel of her warm breath playing in her fur for but a moment. She almost forgot herself...almost....it was a welcome touch....albeit a rough one. It had been months since she had received even something so insignificant as a nudge......fights notwithstanding. Her silver ears twitched when teeth settled around her maw, her breath catching as her only defense was taken. But it was short lived, Zealot having stepped back and was now welcoming her into the pack. Slowly Vivian came to her feet, her golden eyes moving to linger at the paws of her alpha. She dipped her head slightly to show that she had indeed heard her, a soft whisper of a "thank you" being her reply.
She was apprehensive about meeting the rest of the pack, expecting a scrap or two as that was the only way to decide who would dominate who. Not that she was worried mind you....Vivian knew how to care for herself, but there was a limit to the amount of damage you could inflict to your pack mates....And at times she found it hard to hold herself back when the blood began to flow. But as her lead continued on she was relieved to hear that there was not yet a pack den.....so if there were other wolves there would be few. So she would have a chance to establish herself a bit, she hoped. Her tail twitched behind her bum as she silently listened to Zealot speak, cocking her head a bit at the bizarre gleam in her eye. Was this another test perhaps?
She stepped closer to the other female, to her side yet slightly behind. To lead the way would be presumptuous....she knew nothing of these lands. And it probably would not impress Zealot if she led them to a dead end somewhere. Now that the introductions were complete Vivian was happy to remain silent. Letting her body and actions show her willingness to obey . She took a small step forward, letting her golden eyes lift to the canopy of trees above their heads.....yes....this was a wonderful place for a pack....Briefly the strange tingling of her skin from their earlier contact nudged at her cluttered mind. But she forced it down....mating had never been a top priority of hers.....or even on the list really. But it was unsettling that this strong female had stirred such thoughts....
OCC: I am fine with continuing if you are ^_^
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Post by CROW. █ on Sept 13, 2012 15:27:32 GMT -5
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Zealot's ear twitched as she heard Vivian move up beside her. So she would come with her. The black and tan female couldn't stop her body from vibrating its contentedness, not that she tried. With a resolute nod, the alpha started forward into her tireless trot. She could cover miles on end with this trot, gliding smoothly over the terrain, eyes and mind free to wander. The trees and foliage welcomed her back into their bosom, and the moon disappeared behind the green canopy.
As she traveled, Zealot was happy. She had no worries now that she had a pack member, and no stress as they were heading out to complete the final task that needed attention. One they found a den she wouldn't need to scrape out hollows beneath bushes to shelter from the cold of the night, she would have another body to keep her warm, and a real shelter to lie within. The thought distracted her enough that she missing her footing over a small branch. She found her muzzle buried in dead leaves, her hind end in the air. With a snort she regained her composure, pressing on as though nothing had happened.
Zealot had stopped before a small hollow beneath the roots of a tree. They weren't quite to the heart of the forest, still on the northern side, and had yet to find the streams she had seen on the borders. The alpha squeezed down inside of it and sniffed around briefly, testing the dirt with a paw. It would be easy to enlarge as the dirt was soft and moved readily, but it was small. Then again, it would house the members of the pack only until young were born, then it would become the home for the mother and her children. There could be termites, ants, spiders, any number of insects that posed a threat to the pups. Zealot turned a questioning gaze on Vivian, asking her opinion. If this wasn't the place, they could always keep it on a list of possibilities and search further.
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zombie
Rookie Stray
Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.[M:-340]
Posts: 83
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Post by zombie on Sept 14, 2012 13:55:26 GMT -5
[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 550px; height: 550px; background-image: url(http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/254/7/1/vivian_by_looserfaceman-d5ecb6g.png)]
And they were off, moving at a swift mile eating pace that both seemed content with. Always just one step behind Zealot, Vivian kept her golden eyes open, taking in the terrain that was now her new home...Scrutinizing certain areas with scrunched eyes, watching for any location that might be suitable for a den. She was so preoccupied with the task at hand that she did not even see her alpha fall, only glimpsing a two toned rump suddenly thrust into her face. She slammed on the brakes to keep from driving Zealot's nose even further into the earth. The two of them must have looked pretty comical, and to one who had a provocative mind possibly inappropriate. With Zealot's fluffy rump thrust straight into the air....and Vivian nearly spread eagle behind her. Although most wolves would have laughed at such an instance Vivian did not. Her sense of humor could use work...and she couldn't even remember the last time she had laughed. She had been jokingly called a statue before....for her lack of emotion and nearly constant silence. Pressing her teeth together she waited to see if a whimper would emerge from Zealot's obsidian lips....but with little more than a snort she righted herself and continued on. It brought just the hint of a grin to her pale lips, her alpha was no whiner. Though the urge to ask if she was indeed alright lingered on her lips Vivian suppressed the urge..no one liked having their mistakes or mishaps noted....and bringing it up to her alpha of only about a half hour might not be the smartest of ideas. She was still wrestling with the conundrum when Zealot stopped to sniff at the roots of a tree. Her sharp claws making quick work of the soft soil. It seemed she was scouting this place as a potential den.....ever the warrior Vivian's analytical mind was taking in all the weak points of the location....there would be no way to keep the rain from running inside as there was no overhang, while the earth was soft and subtle enough for the two of them to easily dig it a den it would also mean that if pups were born to the pack it would be just as easy for a raiding party to dig them out. It would be warm......something essential in the months such as this one.....In her mind the cons outweighed the pros. But she did not want to contradict her alpha....for she of course had the final say in where they would reside. However Zealot turned to give her a questioning glance...perhaps asking her take on the location. It was interesting that she did not automatically decide this was to be the den sight....but had the insight to ask the opinions of another....It was a promising feature in a new alpha.
"I think it would be hard to secure...."Vivian's pale lips twitched as the husky words emerged from her maw. She let her golden eyes search the surrounding landscape, hoping to find a location she could suggest....ah...and there it was. Brushing lightly against Zealots fur as to alert her of her find, gingerly she padded up to a small bank not far from the tree. It was like a miniature hill...more of a mound of dirt really.....Dirt filled with an assortment of rocks and roots....There was just the beginnings of a small crevice dug into its side, where a smaller creature{ probably a fox or rabbit} had started and failed at digging through the packed rocky earth.....It would be tough work.....but Vivian estimated that in about two days she could have it hollowed out to a point large enough to house a small pack, sooner if Zealot chose to dig as well...though she probably had more pressing matters to take care of. Leading a pack was no easy task.....and if needed Vivian would willingly take care of the den for her. Vivian moved up closer to the mound, pressing her nose then her paws into the hard earth.......It would be difficult....but once dug out it would make a good den in her opinion....the earth below the cavern would slope downward, pulling rainwater down and away from their home instead of into it.. But ultimately the decision would be left up to Zealot. Twitching her ears she turned back to the oddly colored she wolf, keeping her eyes away from her own line of sight....She was tempted to take a step closer to her, feel the light brush of her dark fur against her shoulder.....though she knew not why....it was perplexing to her...having never felt an emotion even remotely like desire. Quickly she shifted her gaze back to the mound, awaiting her decision.
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Post by CROW. █ on Sept 15, 2012 12:10:51 GMT -5
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The alpha looked back at the hollow beneath the roots, her ears twitching as she listened to Vivian's words. Yes. Perhaps it would be too easy for someone else to dig their way in. Zealot took a step back, lifting her head to inspect the tree above the hollow. It was old, many branches dead and barren. The wolf lifted her chest, placing her forepaws on the tree. She stuck her muzzle into a small crevice in the bark, inhaling deeply. Zealot came back to the earth, sputtering, sneezing, trying to get the smell of rot from her nose. The tree was dead, its insides already home to a plethora of insects. She felt a brush of fur and turned to regard Vivian.
This new site was only feet from the tree, a fact that already worried Zealot, but she came forward anyway. The alpha female lept on top of the mound, her muzzle lowered, nose sniffing around her feet. She turned a circle, her paws centering to a small space just beneath the core of her body. For a moment it seemed she would topple, with all four paws scrunched nearly on top of each other. Instead, the wolf let out a huff and climbed down from the mound with a simple leap. She came to stand beside the silver wolf, staring into the crevice. She remained silent for several moments, considering.
Finally, she turned her head so she could peer at Vivian through one eye. "The tree," She motioned back toward the dead oak. "Is full of insects." Normally this would be a good thing, as pups would practice hunting behaviors on beetles and the like. "At least two any colonies, big ones. Spiders." Zealot's eyes expressed her concern. If the wrong spider were to somehow end up in the den and bite a pup when it was so young... The result could be disastrous. Especially given that spiders could continue to bite and deliver their toxin. Not to mention the damage even just ants could do in groups. "We could use this as a bolt-hole." She finally conceded. "But I would not be comfortable with it as a den." With that, Zealot turned and headed further into the forest.
After a while of fruitless searching, Zealot spoke. "It would be better if it was hidden within the forest anyway..." Her words were but a mutter to herself, though they could easily be overheard. A slight shake of her head, then silence. The trees ahead were growing thicker, larger, and seemed closer together. Zealot paused for a brief moment to peer up at the leaves. These trees were old, ancient perhaps, but still full of life. She continued forward. They were nearing the center of the woods.
Suddenly the brush became impassable, forcing the alpha to a halt. She stared at the foliage, searching for a weakness. Finding none, Zealot simply pushed forward. Heedless of the branches that grabbed at her coat, the wolf crouched low and pushed through the green wall. She took a leaf to the eye, her teeth gritting in pain, but made it through. And she was glad she had. Before her stood a small clearing--just a tiny grassy area, really--and close to the treeline stood two boulders. Boulders might be an overstatement, as they were scarcely five feet tall, but they definitely not just rocks. The one on the left sat as it was, very round and squat. The one on the right was oval in shape, and lay over, resting upon the other just so that a hole was created between them. On either side of the den--boulders, Zealot reminded herself, she couldn't just assume this place would be right--the earth rose in a soft hill, culminating behind the structure so that nothing but dirt was behind it.
The alpha trotted forward eagerly, sniffing at the rocks, the crevice, the grass. She climbed the hill and stood atop the thing. It was a splendid view of the clearing, however small it was, and was even high enough to see over the foliage and into the woods. Zealot turned her wondrous gaze on Vivian, once again asking her opinion. The silver wolf had found error with the last location Zealot had chosen, and the alpha knew that two minds were better than one. Vivian would approach the location in a different mindset, see things differently, and probably find cons and pros where Zealot had not.
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zombie
Rookie Stray
Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.[M:-340]
Posts: 83
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Post by zombie on Sept 15, 2012 15:17:00 GMT -5
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Zealot seemed to consider her find, moving upon and about the mound with a critical eye....But when she came back to stand at Vivian's side her voice was one of concern...not praise. Her silver skull tilted slightly as she listened, golden eyes flickering over to the rotted tree when she felt Zealot's gaze on her skin....Yes.....she had not even thought of the spiders that might make such an old tree their home......or the ants that in large numbers could kill a pup. As her bright eyes climbed upwards she noticed yet another problem with her find..... With such a large rotting tree only feet away if it were to collapse the den would almost definitely be within its range. She frowned, feeling failure wash over her like a wave. "It would be better if it was hidden within the forest anyway...
Vivian felt the kind words had been for her sake, softly muttered yet loud enough for her sensitive ears to detect. "Of course" She said, her voice almost soft. And with that they were of f again. She was careful to stay but a few steps behind Zealot, which became rather difficult when they encountered a thicket of sorts. Thorns and branches bloomed at eye level, inwardly she flinched as a stray leaf tore across Zealot's eye. But she forced on...once again proving her strength in Vivian's eyes. Her trail was much easier, seeing as how Zealot had already torn her way through. Once they finally broke through t o the other side Vivian took the chance to sidle up beside her new alpha to get a chance look at her eye.
But ever the busy one Zealot was off again, moving to sniff at a pair of boulders in the small clearing....It was quite beautiful really......And what with the surrounding foliage it would be moderately safe...No one would be able to slip through without a good amount of rattling branches. And the large thorns would deter most smaller predators that might see a fox pup as an easy meal. The hill would help keep rain from sinking down into the soil....from filling an underground cavern. The boulders created a safety of sorts for the mouth of a den.....It was ideal...In Vivian's mind at least. And as Zealot perched atop the rocks a small smile flickered on Vivian's ever stoic face. "..perfect." She said softly, quickly dipping her head to tare her eyes from the other female. Moving over to the boulders she sniffed at the earth, taking a test scratch with her long black claws... "...I can take care of the den if you like." It was a calm statement, she would feel no ill feelings towards her alpha if she needed to venture elsewhere....Vivian knew nothing of the pressures an alpha must feel having never been in the position herself.....She was more of a hired hand.....but in this case her payment was not in food but in the comfort of a pack.
With a last glance at Zealot's dark paws she began digging at the earth, digging with each front paw until a small mound of earth gathered. Then pressing both her paws together she created a scoop of sorts, throwing the earth out behind her.
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Post by CROW. █ on Sept 17, 2012 6:29:02 GMT -5
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The black and tan female regarded Vivian as she inspected the site. Her silver gaze slid over the wolf like a snake, taking in her obvious satisfaction. The alpha relaxed. So this site was good. Zealot set her rump to the stone, ignoring the chill bite of the rock through her fur. Of course, there were be little things with this den location that they would find out as time went on. She couldn't expect less. But she was happy that, for now, the place was chosen. It felt easier to breathe with the knowledge that the pack would have a place to shelter from the elements. And, judging by the cold edge to the wind, it couldn't have come at a better time. Zealot blinked, returning from her thoughts, to notice that Vivian had disappeared. Leaning forward, she peered over the rock to spot the silver wolf already digging into the crevice. A wolfish grin split her maw. This wolf left nothing to tomorrow. She liked that.
"It should slope up slightly," Zealot had slid carefully down the face of the rocks and now stood behind the other wolf, peering into the den. "And have a long tunnel with one main chamber large enough for a mother and her pups." She wasn't sure why she was telling Vivian this, the wolf surely would know from instinct, but she didn't regret her words. Zealot sat down again, tongue lolling out as she watched her pack member work. After awhile she spoke again, this time in more of a mumble to herself. "The pack will sleep in the tunnel when weather won't permit them outside. When the pups are born they'll..." Her voice trailed off as memories flooded her body. Painful ones. She shivered.
Suddenly the alpha stood up, shaking out her coat as though to shake away her thoughts. A wolf cannot dwell in the past as it would leave them wondering of the future when the present was most important. The alpha lay her muzzle gently on Vivian's shoulder, asking her step aside and take a break. It wasn't in Zealot's nature to let her pack do all of the work.
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zombie
Rookie Stray
Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.[M:-340]
Posts: 83
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Post by zombie on Sept 17, 2012 22:40:44 GMT -5
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She took Zealot's instructions as they came, pausing every so often to survey her work thus far and make sure it was satisfactory. Rolling onto her side she dug with her paws against the dirt to try to create the upwards slant that as Zealot explained would be needed, she was nowhere near digging the chambers yet but logged that information in her mind for when the time came. But as Zealot started to speak of pups she suddenly went quiet, pausing in her work Vivian shifted her golden gaze to her and was surprised by the tremor that racked her frame. It seemed speaking of pups had brought a bad memory to the front of her mind....what could it be though Vivian wondered. And at the same time felt a pinch in her gut at the thought of her alpha having pups before, well...not as much the thought of her having pups...but who with perhaps..Twitching her ears she forced the nagging thoughts from her mind. She should have ask if Zealot was ok.....what had happened to make her so melancholy.... but words were not so easily formed in her mind. Zealot suddenly rose, and with a shake of her fur moved closer. Quickly averting her gaze Vivian felt the pressure from her muzzle on her shoulder. She lingered for a moment, just enjoying the pressure of another body against her own before quickly moving out of the way. She took a few steps back to give Zealot room to work, marveling at the fact that she was not leaving it all to her....when she very well could have and most alphas would......But she was starting to see that Zealot was not like most alphas...she was something different entirely.
Pressing her sharp teeth into her tongue Vivian tried to stop the fumbling words before they fell from her lips, but it was no use....she was curious about this powerful...beautiful female, and wanted to know what memory would cause her so much pain. "D.....did you lose a litter of pups?" She was overstepping her boundaries and half expected Zealot to turn on her with a show of dominance....She would deserve it. She had always been taught that an alpha would share with you what they felt was necessary...and to ask for more was disrespectful. But she wanted to know so badly...it was like an itch she could not scratch. Not once since their meeting had Zealot shown a sign of weakness, so a chink in her armor was worth investigating....even if it did result in a good lashing.
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Post by CROW. █ on Sept 18, 2012 7:05:05 GMT -5
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Zealot moved back to allow Vivian room enough to step aside, then took up position within the crevice. Flexing her claws, she grasped at the dirt a few inches above the floor and pulled. The earth came tumbling, collecting beneath her chest. She clawed a few more times before pressing her paws together in a scoop, as Vivian had done, and pushing the dirt behind her and out of the way. She enjoyed this work. It was hard, but demanded little brainpower. The alpha continued to carve into the hill. It was difficult to create that slight upward slant that she was looking for. To do so she had to grasp at the soil near the middle or top of the wall, using all of her abdomen and rear leg muscles to brace herself properly, to avoid simply creating a flat floor. She had already decided that the slant would only be needed for the first few feet of the tunnel: a way to keep rain from infiltrating the den. Zealot had almost finished that slant when Vivian's voice came to her.
The black and tan female paused, one paw stuck into the dirt before her, the other beneath her to support her weight. Her sides heaved as she breathed heavily from the labor. She held this position for a good few heartbeats, trying to decide if Vivian had really just asked her that question or not. Without a word Zealot went back to her work. She threw herself completely into the motions, flexing every muscle, using every ounce of her strength, trying to force back down the knowledge that Vivian had stirred up. She went on like this for nearly ten minutes before she finally spoke. Without slowing her progress, Zealot's voice came from the tunnel that was now large enough to mask her entire body.
"I never lost a litter." She grunted, struggling to keep the pain from her voice. "I never had one." The alpha worked on in silence for another few minutes. Finally, she decided that she had had enough of the digging, and that this issue needed addressed. With a huff she began scooping dirt from the tunnel, moving backwards as she went to clear the entrance. Finally she emerged, rear end first, dirt covering nearly her entire front half. The wolf busied herself with spreading the dirt out into the grass, flinging it as hard as she could to make sure there wouldn't be little mounds here and there. Zealot knew that her last words left much to assumption, and knew that one could easily think she was barren for her sentence and attitude. It was time to dispel that myth.
"It was not easy for me to come to terms with what I am." The alpha took a moment to shake dirt from herself, inadvertently showering Vivian with some, and then turned to face the silver female. "When I found out I was homosexual, I prayed it wasn't true. I don't believe in a God, but if there was one, why would they damn me so?" This time she allowed the pain to filter through her words, winding and weaving its way into every syllable. She wouldn't run from it any longer. There was no point in perpetuating the pain. In wallowing in self-pity. "I could not understand why I felt nothing for males. Nothing but an instinctual carnal desire when my heat comes. I could not understand why I couldn't take one as a mate. I thought I was cursed." The alpha's tail drooped, her silver gaze staring through, rather than at, Vivian. "I tried, many times, to become close to a male." There was a crack of a stick in the woods, and Zealot's attention was momentarily taken, her usual posture returning.
When she deemed there was no threat, she continued. "In the end it was females I ended up being attracted to, and I hated myself for it." She paused. Her gaze flickered. "In some way, I still do. It means that I will never have pups." Finally admitting her woes made the wolf feel queasy. "I will never bear young because I long for a mate of the same sex, and pups that share our blood. It is impossible." Her stomach clenched, her jaw tightening shut as she fought to keep the bile down. Being open about her secrets made her anxious and nervous, even more so because she knew that an alpha should never give in to such things. She wasn't supposed to show weakness to the pack. Zealot shook her head gently, finally releasing Vivian from her gaze.
NOTES. lol thought: Zealot says "pups that share our blood." misunderstanding could be funnyyyyy xDD -shuts up-
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zombie
Rookie Stray
Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I'll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.[M:-340]
Posts: 83
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Post by zombie on Sept 18, 2012 9:37:02 GMT -5
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On no......when would she learn to keep her big mouth shut? This was why she never spoke in the first place....this was why her jaws were always clenched so tight. She expected a reprimand, a bite to the face....anything but the glimpse into her heart that Zealot allowed her. She didn't even stop digging, though perhaps that was best...Vivian was not a conversationalist...and it sounded like this pups thing was a painful issue of hers....Was she infertile perhaps? Vivian has known few wolves who indeed were unable to have pups, but often times they were cast out from their packs with the sickening title of useless. Vivian herself had never mated...ever. Never even came close....even the thought of it made her face grow hot. Suddenly Zealot pulled herself from the dirt hole, shaking herself vigorously to dispel the dirt. Vivian took a couple steps back, her ears pressing down against her skull in the expectation that pain was to follow....But it never came. Instead her voice continued on.....what she was? Oh.....oh....Vivian grew increasingly uncomfortable as she went on, not knowing what to say or how to feel about what was being said....On one paw there was the thought that Zealot was not attracted to males which gave her a strange feeling of satisfaction....But the sound of pain in her voice was enough to smoother out those feelings of satisfaction. Vivian could not look at her....did not want to see the emotions playing on her face....was not sure she could even comprehend them. She had never been in the position Zealot had been....never tried to feel love for a male, or even a female for that matter. She had never had the desire. Her heat came and went with little more than a throbbing in her belly....no real desire to speak of.....If she were to actually feel desire it would be foreign to her and she would probably misinterpret it as another emotion. "Oh...." Was all she could manage to say, her muscles twitching at the unexpected snapping sound. She didn't even turn to investigate it...so lost was she in her own thoughts.
Zealot quickly soldiered on, and Vivian nervously listened. Her tail playing back and forth across her legs like a pendulum. She was perplexed yet fascinated by this female.... and had an overwhelming desire to comfort her..though she knew not how. Hesitantly she took a step closer to her alpha, testing the waters before she plunged in....But then something rolled off Zealot's tongue which left her gasping for air....Wait?....What?.....'Our blood'....as in 'their' blood??? With all the confusing emotions already running through her cluttered mind that last statement had left her utterly dumbfounded. "..O...Our blood?" She almost whispered, keeping her gaze on her paws all the while.....feeling so much blood rush to her face that she was sure it would swell. She had been propositioned before...numerous times by males only seeking to spread their seed...But was that what she meant? Was she perhaps just talking in reference to someone else?....But then why did she say 'our'.....
Vivian was almost trembling with apprehension, her long limbs twitching slightly under her unwavering gaze. She needed to say something.....to speak....to tell Zealot that she knew nothing of mating or even love....That she had at times wondered if she was even asexual.....But here she was feeling an odd pressure in her chest, wanting to make Zealot feel better....make her happy. Finally she forced herself to speak though her words were little more than a whisper. "...I....I see...." But she didn't understand it all...couldn't with her limited life experience....While she was a trained killer she knew nothing in the ways of comfort.....how to provide it. Slowly she took another step closer to her alpha....and another until she was standing just to the right of her. Cautiously she extended her neck to let her face press into Zealot's powerful shoulder....was this right? Was this how one showed compassion? She did not know....but for the moment with Zealot's warm fur against her face she was content. She did not sit, but remained standing. Her long limbs threatening to give out from beneath her....this was all too much for her to take in....but she didn't want to move, it was like Zealot was her anchor even while her mind was spinning out of control.
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