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Oh, my, my, you're oh so sly.
___ Mel and her Gabriel.
Let's leave unsaid what's left unspoken.
___ As the day slowly began to fade away, colours in the sky changing and dimming, much of the day was only beginning for Hybrid. He had slept his way through the day, lazily retiring to his den in the afternoon to enjoy a rabbit he had caught only moments prior. One thing led to another, and before he knew it, he was fast asleep. He had awoken just as the sun's rays penetrated the opening in his den, exposing him to the last breath of light. Surprised at the time of day, Hybrid had stretched, moving more like a feline than canine, and headed out to the water's edge. He spent a good ten minutes sitting on the sand as the waves lapped at his paws, unmoving, unblinking. He did not contemplate anything, did not think at all, but simply watched the sky. It did not sound intellectually stimulating, but being able to clear his mind for that period of time had somehow made him feel much better. It was almost as good as killing a wolf, or better yet, a few wolves.
___ Hybrid remained there until finally deciding to move, standing up and shaking his fur to rid it of the sand that still clung to him. He took a few steps towards the ocean, wetting his paws, and then part of his front legs. He dipped his head in the water, giving it a jerk to rid his fur of the blood from the rabbit. He resurfaced, shaking his fur again. He moved slowly, walking through the water, watching as he disturbed the sand, creating clouds of smoke in the water. He shook his head again, leaving the water and trotting onto drier land. He sat down again, this time sitting with his back to the ocean. Again, he remained there, motionless and silent. Like he were waiting for something that would never arrive.
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[html] No more did such days of absent-minded ideality linger with Gabriel. His life belonged to this clan, his new wards, and the woman he had brought into his life. This was not to say he did not find time for himself; in fact, he often took off from Inferni when he finished the wide lap of the lands. Often he went nowhere in particular, though he had found himself following her trail and stopping on the edge of a vast unknown frontier. Where had she gone? Was Eris with her? Was something wrong? Did she leave them to die?
Of all the things that he thought about, that idea remained with him most of all. It hung like some thick curtain, obscuring what truly might have been there. Was his mother about to die? Had she died? She was over her prime, this was true, but was there anything that might have happened? He hadn’t seen her in weeks and these things were piling up with each passing moment. In time they would fade, but Gabriel was still her son.
His thoughts brought him back, moving along the sand mechanically, eyes unseeing, ears unhearing. He didn’t notice that Hybrid was seated not five yards away, oblivious to all but the dim discussion in his head. [/html]
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Oh, my, my, you're oh so sly.
Let's leave unsaid what's left unspoken.
___ Hybrid often wondered if he had missed out on something at some point. He could wait and wait, but still never find anything, hear, or see anything. He could wait all he wanted, and unbeknown to him, the thing he so desired might walk on by. Could he long for something that he did not even know of? Was that what everyone truly wanted, though? He knew others who longed to fall deeply in love, and others, deeply in lust. But was it really affection they craved, or was it the hidden nuances hiding behind the false pretences of it all? It was strange to think that he might want - or need - something he did not even know about. Perhaps that was why he was waiting, now. Perhaps he needed to find it first, long for it later, and lose it in the end.
___ The entire debate was both confusing and extremely simplistic in itself, and Hybrid found himself lost in the continuous cycles of 'what if?' and 'but how?' that lurked within the recesses of his mind. His thoughts were not completely all-consuming, as he was able to distance himself from them for a few moments as he heard the sound of a coyote approaching. There was no doubt in his mind that it was a coyote, for the slow sureness of its pace. A wolf would never dare walk with such sureness on their sands for a number of reasons, and for that reason alone, Hybrid was tempted to ignore the approaching figure. His curiosity, however, forced him to turn his head, and glance over at the other, blinking slightly in the fading light.
___ It took him a few moments before he recognized the other, and when he did, he was not sure what to do. Gabriel, the newly appointed Aquila, leader of Inferni: what could he say to him? Everything important had already been said, and he did not see the point to blurting out silly sentiments or hollow threats. In the end, a simple greeting would suffice. "Gabriel," he greeted as he stood up. He dipped his head, lowering his tail, pausing. He moved to peer at the other, crimson eyes examining him for a few moments before looking away, staring off at the ocean. "It's all yours, isn't it, now?" His gaze remained focused on the horizon for a few seconds before it swept over the other male, watching him, waiting.
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[html] Not long ago, Gabriel had given this man a royal order to allow him to be judge, jury, and executioner. Though his…would they be considered relations now, with he and Faolin the way they were? Perhaps. They were all blood here. It was a family business, the bringing about of a new world order. The voice tore him from his own thoughts, and Gabriel’s eyes changed—they seemed, in the frankest sense, to turn on. Light sparked back into their gold-yellow color, the eyes of his mother, and he saw the figure for who and what he was.
It was a stupid question. Gabriel thought that before anything else, but his face showed no outward sign of any thought. He felt detached from himself. “Yes,” he said blankly, shifting his weight and settling onto his haunches. “Along with all that goes with it.” He paused, turning his focus away from Hybrid and out to the sea. It was always a constant, and something that held sway over them all. [/html]
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Oh, my, my, you're oh so sly.
Let's leave unsaid what's left unspoken.
___ That momentary pause allowed him to examine the other for a few moments, eyeing him as he responded. Though he showed no expression of emotion, and there was no change in his voice, it made Hybrid curious as to what he was really thinking. Sometimes he lied, and other times, it was the straight and honest truth. No matter how skewed his perception might be (or, in another's eyes at least), his words usually held a double meaning. When he was with Vitium, there was always an innuendo implying a want, a desire. With Nyika, it had always been a constant annoyance, and with Gabriel? What was it? He had never known how to approach the male, and they had been neither friendly nor hostile towards one another in the past. But even still, what could it mean?
___ He glanced at the other male one last time before casting his gaze back to the ocean. Gabriel, too, was looking at it now, the long expanse of water that compelled the coyotes of Inferni to see. Where Hybrid saw sheer strength in the ocean, a bold representation of power, he wondered what Gabriel saw. "Not everything, though," he stated, keeping his gaze focused on the horizon line. Try as any coyote might, there was only so much they could have, only so much they could conquer or inherit. Here, it was easy to see the vast difference there was between their species and the ocean that taunted them. Were they weak? Only if they could not recognize their weaknesses. Were they foolish? Only if they refused to admit to themselves such things.
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[html] Gabriel thought of many things, but at the same time, he thought of nothing. His world was a simple one, with a complex visage below. An iceberg equation, as it were. He repressed, he denied, he avoided the truth. He hated himself sometimes, but it was not his place to live in arrogance. Sinners were born every day, evolved over time, and died without finding any answers. There were a few who managed to find their place in the world; this was his, and it always had been. That knowledge settled on him like quiet snowfall, and he sunk in and deeper and deeper.
Words, words, he heard them but did not hear. The meaning was lost on him, vague and hollow. Shifting his weight and turning his head to his companion, the doggish male spoke. “I don’t aim to conquer the world.” It sounded strange, hearing himself speak. “Our numbers are too small for that regardless,” he added. [/html]
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Oh, my, my, you're oh so sly.
___ That was a nice post. This is not.
Let's leave unsaid what's left unspoken.
___ Hybrid did not know all the answers. Indeed, no one could ever truly know, and anyone who tried to find all the answers was simply a fool. In his mind, it was not something that another creature could argue like the worth of a female or the usefulness of an item. It was a truth, a fact, a certain knowing that he had to remind himself of sometimes. No matter how much he wanted to know - mostly in how to fight, how to kill - he would never know everything. But he didn't want everything. Realistically, he wanted very little, and did not have high aspirations for himself. It was a strange thought that such a cruel beast could not want more, but so long as there were wolves to hurt, a place to sleep, food to eat... what else was there? Perhaps he was ignorant. Perhaps he was even more so for not minding this. Perhaps it did not even matter when one examined things from a distance. Perhaps he really was just a fool.
___ Again, Gabriel spoke, and again, it was everything that Hybrid seemed to think, but more. No matter how large their numbers were, strategically speaking, it wouldn't make sense. If he were to be honest with himself, he did not care for the fame, the glory, the happiness. Perhaps he was masochistic in a small, strange way, but that was who he was. A sinner. "Always the tactician," he remarked with an amused expression. He did not smile, for they did not convey a feeling of entertainment. "But we've no need. We don't even know how big the rest of the world is." He shrugged. It didn't matter anyways.
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indent Materialism belonged to capitalist and existentialists. Gabriel was neither. He did not concern himself with such trivial thoughts, believing that this life was not the true end. When he died, his soul would leave this shell and go to a better place. That was one reason that he had never feared death—he had nothing to loose. “Larger then you think,” he said quietly, gaze returning to the sea. “There’s another ocean if you walk far enough west.” Gabriel knew; he had seen it, staggering out of his madness, collapsing into the water as a city burnt behind him.
indent “We’re still Inferni. We are still feared and hated.” As strange as it seemed to think, Gabriel was glad for that. Above all, they had their mask—and their weapons. Two wicked daggers and one righteous sword. In time, that amount would grow. Even if he did not fully see it yet, if he did not accept it yet, a third madman would join his army of the damned.
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[html] Of all the things established by the leaders of Inferni, removed, and brought back again, it was the ferocity of the coyote clan. Thought some tried to instate peace among the coyotes and wolves, it was never meant to be. There would always be competition between the two species for they sought the same food, and saw one another through different eyes. The strength of the clan, though dwindling at times, would always be remembered for its past deeds. They would always bear the mark of the deadly and be remembered in years to come, no matter how peaceful the war between they and the wolves became. It was the only thing Hybrid could count on, aside from the much-clichéd imminent death awaiting him.
"We're fortunate. For as long as Inferni lives, there will be someone who remembers it." He smirked. "Their fear of us protects us, sometimes. Other times, not. But at least it is ours." He could see that there was a downside to everything, but there would always be a price to pay for their strength. There would never be a time when they could assume the title of the most feared and not have to pay for it with the blood of their own. No matter what happened, there would always be blood. Hybrid did not mind, though. It was all part of being feared: you could only use that fear to such an extent.
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LOL, let's have an NPC hunt.
indent Inferni had gone to war many times. Gabriel had been there when they were at war with Clouded Tears, and during the raid on Syemv. He had killed during each. His place in this clan was not simply from his mother’s name—it was marked in blood and on display at the borders. Those skulls were his design. Madness flowed in his veins even if he did not show it so openly. He hated, but he was a politician first. Things had to settle and the pressure built, right up until the points where he snapped. As a leader, though, he had to keep his head.
indent That much he knew. “Yes,” he began, turning his face back to the coyote (who was, in part, wolf). “Now tell me, what do you think we should do to keep that image up?” It was an offer, in part.
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[html] Like another in this thread omg?
It was their mask. Their hatred, the death and destruction they brought upon the lands. It was their calling card, and now, Inferni had their very own capable leader, too. Kaena had done a fine job leading the clan of bloodthirsty coyotes, but Gabriel could weave himself in and out of another's mind in only seconds, attacking them not only with claws, but words. Ever the politician, he had said, and it was so very true. Though many of the members of the clan showed their madness openly, willingly if anything, Hybrid suspected that their Aquila succumbed to a very different sort of madness. It was comforting to know that Gabriel was 'crazy,' if in a more muted, quiet way. Kind, gentle coyotes were disconcerting and strange; no true politician could ever lead a clan of coyotes. They had to have some sort of madness residing in their bones. That was why Roane had left after only a day, and why Segodi had returned, but without his memories. They had taken the madness of the clan with them, but could not handle it. It had destroyed them.
"We should spread the madness. Inferni's gift to many, curse to some. We need a reminder. Subtle, but effective." He smirked once more, his grin widening to alarming proportions. "What do you suggest, your Highness?" Bleeding Souls knew of the madness, heard of it, and some were even privileged enough to experience it. But it was never enough.
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Yes! Go find one! 
indent Sanity was something that varied greatly upon ones definition and uses of the term. Gabriel walked a fine line, neither light nor dark, holding God’s word and spreading his justice as his grandmother before him. He didn’t know that, though. There were few who could recall her name, her mission, or her mark. Her son, his father, had overlapped them all—even now, Gabriel stood in his shadow. Nothing he could do would ever be enough. Kaena and Ahren were titans in their own right, giants whose lives had been blown up greater then the things they had wound up becoming.
indent Rising to his feet, Gabriel felt the muscles in his shoulders flex and move, and was aware of each and every single one of them. The ache in his shoulder had not fully left, but he chose not to feel. “What Inferni does best,” he said, his own mouth spreading to a thin and vicious smile.
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[html] Here came the madness. It reared its massive head, prowling the battlefields, slinking through death and decay in search of its next victim. Although sometimes it could be found elsewhere - in cheerful lands of meadows and plains - for the most part, Hybrid suspected that Gabriel's madness was lingering somewhere blank and hollow. It had been waiting; now it was allowed to roam free, if for a time. Hybrid's smirk widened at Gabriel's words and the prospect of allowing their combined madness to accomplish something great, something terrible. He remained silent for a few moments, as if contemplating his words. They both knew what his reply would be, but there was no reason he could not pretend to be thinking the proposition over.
Hybrid shook his head, watching as Gabriel stood up. Hybrid followed, rising to his feet in silence. He scratched at the sand with his paws, taking a few steps back, then forward. He was itching to move, to find their prey. "Shall we find a wolf, then? I'm sure there is one relatively close to the borders. Close enough — there always are." He shrugged inelegantly. There would always be wolves and they would always be their prey. Not for consumption, but simply for hunting. They existed to be killed, mocked, and maimed. It was Hybrid's duty to see that such was done.
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indent They had called him mad. Called him everything under the sun from prophet to devil, though to Gabriel this mattered little. He was what he was, and he would wander the earth with the sure and steady pace he always had. There was a plan; everything that happened would happen for a reason. It was predetermined, it was manifest destiny. Hybrid spoke, and moved, and Gabriel was off. They trailed the border until finally crossing it, slipping into the wooded area near the end of the sand.
indent It was here that they came across the stranger. He was a burly male, with a ruddy gray coat and uninteresting brown-yellow eyes. This mattered little, his appearance, his name, anything. Gabriel lifted his head, advancing coldly. “What are you doing?” It was more of a demand and less of a question. The wolf, pulling back his lips, snapped. “It matter to you, halfbreed?” Gabriel growled lowly in his throat, and the wolf snorted. “What, that piss you off? Why don’t you and yer boyfriend get out of here?”
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[html] They followed the beckoning scent of their madness until they reached the border, moving slowly to pinpoint it. The two trekked back and forth across the edge of the borders, moving out farther in search of the ever-present enemy. They both knew they would find something - someone - if they looked hard enough or had enough patience. It was not difficult, for no matter how many corpses littered the edges of Inferni territory, there would always be one to ruin it for the rest of them. The one who would end up becoming the next corpse, the next warning sign.
Hybrid grinned as the wolf spoke, chuckling quietly. Gabriel was not his lover, nor was he even a friend. Hybrid felt no closeness for the Aquila and saw no reason to pursue friendship with him, or any of the other coyotes of Inferni. "It's not your words that piss us off, wolf. It's you. You're disgusting," he snarled, advancing slowly. He laughed merrily, enjoying the time the wolf had to think that he was safe, that no harm would come to him. It was all a lie, and soon the wolf would pay for his foolish thinking. He would become another corpse.
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Feel free to powerplay the situation with the NPC. >:]
indent They weren’t friends, no. They were simply members of the same organization, even though by all accounts Hybrid was his brother-in-law. It didn’t mattered, though, what tied them. They were both hunters, both wolf-haters, both ready to find blood even if they were the ones to draw it first. “Fuck off,” the wolf snarled, turning his attention to Hybrid. He was distracted enough that Gabriel managed to sidle towards his side, as slick as oil. “You ain’t got any right to talk to me like that, y’fuckin coyote. Go back to fuckin’ yer sister or whatever you mongrels do--.”
indent His words were cut off by a sudden yelp. This was a reaction to Gabriel snapping his hind left leg, breaking the bone with one powerful bite. Spinning on him, the wolf simultaneously forgot about Hybrid.
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[html] The wolf would pay for its insolence. Hybrid would see to it that it would feel just as much pain for insulting not only the Aquila of the clan, but Inferni and their inhabitants as well. Like the wolf that had chosen to ignore his warnings, this wolf would meet just as dishonourable an end. He would die from a strike to the back: a cowards death. A fool's warning.
Through distraction, Hybrid managed to lure the wolf's attention away from Gabriel. The other coyote attacked, this time forcing the wolf's attention back to Gabriel. Hybrid darted around the wolf's side, launching himself at the wolf's back. He grabbed a hold of the wolf's fur with his teeth, scrambling to attack with his claws. The wolf jerked in response, lashing out. Hybrid let go, yanking his head back as soon as he got a good hold on the wolf. Fur, muscle and skin went flying as Hybrid stumbled back slightly, eyeing the wolf from a safe distance. He laughed, and the wolf snarled in pain.
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indent Hybrid’s attack forced the wolf to turn again, and Gabriel dove at his side, teeth sinking into the soft belly. He jumped back, taking flesh and muscle with him, opening a torrent of blood. The wolf again cried out in pain and Gabriel bared his teeth in a vicious grin, laughing without making a sound, laughing as dogs do. His eyes looked mad, and he very well might have been. As the wolf began to grow smarter, and turn his head from one opponent to another, Gabriel kept his head low and waited.
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It would have been a stalemate were it not two against one. For all that the wolf was worth, Hybrid loathed to even think that he could be compared to coyotes as one being. He was scum, dirt: a disgusting creature that had less rights to live then their prey. Deer and caribou fed them. Wolves were nothing but a plague that was slowly trying to take over Bleeding Souls. The wolf would be eliminated like so many before him.
Hybrid, too, grinned, as the wolf glanced between one grinning madman and a laughing one. The wolf snarled, stepping forward but losing its footing as its left hind leg twisted under the pressure.. In that split second, the wolf had made a dire mistake and Hybrid, who had been waiting for this, ran at him. He circled around behind the wolf and attacked, snapping at the wolf's other back leg. He dug into the wolf's flesh as soon as he made contact, eyes dancing in delight as he heard muscles and skin give way to his teeth. He jerked his head, taking a large chunk of the other back leg and spitting it out as he lunged again while the wolf snapped at him.
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indent Were life to be compared to a play, Aristotle’s timeline would have followed suit. This climax was simply the unfortunate end of one rogue male who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. And thus he fell, as thousands had fallen before him, loosing control of his hind legs and snapping wildly at Hybrid. Gabriel moved at that moment, as if this had been rehearsed, and threw himself at the wolf’s side. The force sent him to the ground and it was there that Gabriel struck again, teeth sinking into the soft flesh where the eyes were held.
indent And as he stepped back, the wolf began to realize he would die. Blinded, he could do nothing but snarl and shake and wait for the end.
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