.: OOC :. This is welcome to anyone and everyone! I'd like Shandom to meet ND peoplez, and everyone eventually! Also, my posts are going to be long and babbly. I'm not much for small, little posts, and I'd like to complete SSWM. Soo.... LONG ONES IT IS! 8D .: WC :. 1107
Being here, in this new, wonderful pack, in this New Dawn, was incredible to the alabaster male that currently trotted through the Northern lands, hell bent on finding himself a little bit of mountain to enjoy. The alabaster male was filled with energy he had not experienced in a long time; the newness of this pack made him feel like he did when he was a child, jubilant and gregarious, eager to meet other wolves head on as they came. He hadn't made himself well known to anyone - the pack was far too young for that - and Shandom was eager to meet new friends, potentially ones that would last his entire life. The white male could not foresee any circumstances that would force him to leave his new home. With his increasing age, the Qi'Vaex man knew it became more dangerous for him to be a loner, though he did not feel particularly old. Sometimes, he wondered if the virus that ran through his veins helped slow down the aging process. Shandom would like that - the opportunity to have more time, and perhaps settle down. Find a family, a mate...
Thoughts of a mate reminded Shandom what could make him leave New Dawn - the same circumstances that made him leave everything else he was attached to in this green, jealous world. Linquilea flooded his mind, dark and terrible and overwhelmingly wonderful. As he roamed through the land at a brisk trot, the alabaster male wondered whether or not she knew where he was. His sister and his love always seemed to be one step ahead of him, waiting and watching for him to get comfortable before she made her terrifying appearance. The ebonite monster would never forgive him for his transgressions - as she shouldn't, he had ruined her and everything he once held dear - but he could not stomach the idea that the black female might be a threat to his new pack. Linquilea delighted in chaos and torment; she would certainly, if she found him, try and morph New Dawn into something equally twisted so as to follow her perverted mind.
Shandom had noticed that, as of late, his thoughts of Lea weren't as adoring as they had once been. Certainly, he loved her more than anything in the world. His heart still thrummed faster when he thought of the shining black fur he'd grown up with and loved fiercely, and seeing her golden eyes soft once more would bring him unparallelled happiness. But an acceptance of reality was certainly in the making; Shandom could not ignore all the rumors he heard about the horrors she caused in both claimed and unclaimed lands. He'd seen for himself the impact she could have on families and lives - beautiful Keliyya Dawnsinger and her sister, Yajaira Ryn'Hax, were the only examples he truly needed. In their youth, they had to watch Lea and the strange guards that moved with her enter their den, entirely unprovoked, and slaughter not only their parents, but their sister Jadzia as well. It made Shandom shudder to think when he recalled how Keliyya said how easily Lea killed the puppy. The Lea he knew, the Lea he loved, would never have it in her to kill a defenseless child. It would have gone against everything she stood for, everything she cared about in the world.
Stories like that forced him to the conclusion that Lea was no longer herself, and not just in the sense that she was a murdering, destructive, rampaging machine. For so long, Shandom held on to the grain of thought that his sister might be salvageable, that the girl he grew up with still might exist within the terrible demon that possessed her large and beautiful body. But stories of pup-killing repulsed him, even though he was in violation of that particular rule himself, and he could find no reason as to why Linquilea Yae would do such a horrible thing. In his youth and immaturity, killing Xyvi and Kora had not been a mistake; it was something he had to do in order to get the love of his life back. When he was so inexperienced, it was a way for him to show his ultimate love, a way to break down all barriers that stood between them so they could be together forever, an eternal mismatch somehow melted into perfection. It was almost painful, he remembered, to see Zalen and Titania together. Black and white, large and small - it was like Linquilea and him from a distance, though the roles in their particular situation were slightly reversed.
One day, he would perhaps reveal his past. When the Alphas were more comfortable in their own pack, when he was more trusted - then, he would tell his story. But, at the same time, what good would it do? There was, obviously, the slight possibility that Lea would come to New Dawn and destroy everything in her path, if only to seek him out and personally murder him. Shandom knew, in his heart of hearts, that would be the way he would die. If there was any justice in the universe - and he firmly believed there was - Linquilea Yae would be the one to draw crimson life out of him until it flowed free from his body and his soul was sent to the Spirit World. The very thought was terrifying, humbling, and strangely erotic. To think - her touch, no matter how vicious, would be the last tangible thing he knew of the living world! For so long, she gave his scarred heart reason to beat, and she would be the one to take away that ability. Shandom knew the thoughts were morbid, and was grateful nobody here was possessed of the ability to read minds.
The cloudy male slowed the rhythm of his paw steps to a casual walk. As he was alone, the male showed no submissiveness nor dominance - his tail was in a casual banner, and his ears were relaxed. He stood tall, though it was not exaggerated - it was merely the white man's height. Shandom had no excess pride nor disillusion of where he stood in New Dawn, but he would not force himself to the ground when nobody was there. Moving like a silent ghost over the snow, the male came to the base of a particularly tall rock formation. Examining it with his good eye - there was, after all, only one of those - Shandom wondered whether or not he could still climb well. It had been all too long.
Prince. She’d called him. Hah. He thought. He was certainly no prince. She knew nothing of the dynamics of pack life, of the lives of wolves and their like. How could a dog ever comprehend when they themselves had become docile and frail, altered by the very man that now lay extinct rotting somewhere beneath the ground. She carried a knife, enough to make Augustus bristle with a curious loathing. Gone were the days of fang and claw in the Court, they had been replaced with the weapons of those who had once been their masters. Dogs. He nearly spat, but reigned that particular urge in, unwilling to despoil the earth of his newest haven, one that would be now and forever his home. His thoughts drifted to Caspa often of late. She was the very thing that they detested most, but was, however, one of the few to show him kindness in his first days in this new land. He owed her that at least, but even their tenuous friendship did nothing to withhold him from the glory of New Dawn. He’d embraced his new pack, as he had his new brothers and sisters. Their bond already strong despite knowing them so little. Luperci were among the ranks, but he was loath to alienate them as they had chosen to deny the life most of their kind had set up for themselves in order to return to the life of their ancestors.
He was impressed by his Alpha, especially, already revering him as wise and strong. He was everything he could have hoped for, and a far cry from the tyrant his father had been. He found his past had become less and less of an issue now that he had a new family a new pack, and one that had not been founded on hatred. It was a new beginning for some, and an object of wistful longing for others finally brought to light. Alike to a dawn that light was bright and full of promise. Augustus could feel its call pulling him from the very moment of its mention on the sable males lips. So strong was its pull that he had not even cross the borders of the Cour de Miracles to bid his farewells. Instead, he had called them in the way of those who came before. He was surprised they had even come, but they recognized his voice and soon joined him. He stood on one side of that invisible boundary, and they had stood upon the other. That itself had been a powerful act. They must have known what was coming.
He dismissed his thoughts in order to return to the task at hand. He was eager to demonstrate his prowess and had spent the larger part of the day tracking the movements of a herd of elk. Their prints dotted the earth before and behind his large bi colored frame. He had been studying their movements and was more than ready to inform his Alpha’s of his progress. When the herd came into view he took a moment to scout for those who’s movements seemed slower or more labored than the rest. At the second pass of his yellow and green flecked gaze he noted a doe of sufficient weight who seemed to have taken on a recent injury. She favored one of her hind legs and drifted further and further towards the back of the somber train of the brown beasts. He licked his lips habitually, but left her there. He would not attempt a kill on his own, not with so many brothers and sisters who, he knew, would be hungry to assist him. He gazed upon them one last time before turning tail and heading back to the den.
On his return journey he noticed an alabaster figure drawing near. His ears twitched curiously forward and he slowed pace. It was not the feminine crimson dashed form his Alphess and proceeded without dominance or submission. When he extended his snout to fill his nostrils with the scent he concluded that it was the scarred male whom he had glimpsed in the days before during the meeting of his new pack. He had been enthusiastic to introduce himself to this male even then, happy to have found a northern brother. They were of similar breed, although he was not fully an arctic wolf, his blood had tones of the Alaskan wild. It showed itself in the black hues saturating his mid back in a saddle and was also on his face. A black strip on his muzzle fading into white the further it crept up his forehead. His black rimmed ears were perked and he stepped up to the male, his tail in a slow wag. Brother. He said quietly in greeting, hoping to break the older wolf’s reverie as gently as possible..
.: OOC :. Yay! It's a little shorter this time XD .: WC :. 715
He wondered, while he contemplated the stability of the rocks before him and the small foot holes nature created for his climbing pleasure, whether or not there had been any creatures like him in Cour des Miracles. Shandom could not regret his actions in the Court - it was only natural for a wolf like himself to be alienated and standoffish in a situation such as that. They created strange labels and ranks that did not make sense to the traditionalist man; how was he supposed to understand hierarchy if it didn't appeal to his natural instincts? For a while, he blamed himself and his own perceived lack of intelligence for the slower learning curve, until he realized that he was not the one at fault. Shandom had no desire to develop hard feelings to the Court of Miracles, but he could not help but question their methods. Living each day in such violation of the natural order of things could not sit well with the Gods. Even if the Gods created this virus, this sick thing that infested his bones, Shandom could not picture them desiring wolves to change their inner being.
It was strange, to contemplate such heavy things. Shandom's mind was constantly whirring and philosophizing; the wolf, as he aged, had become something of an intellectual. He'd heard rumors that some wolves learned to read and write as humans did, and he supposed that made them more educated creatures, but Shandom would rather chew off his foot than indulge in such strange behavior. At the meeting, Zalen had encouraged not ostracizing their Optime forms, and yet... The white male had no occasion to shift into that strange bipedal form unless it was, of course, for the magical realities of sex. He held no grudge against those who chose to do so - it was, after all, their own lives and decisions as long as they did not force it upon him - but Shandom would not change until it was absolutely necessary. The middling form, perhaps. It was close enough to his natural state, as it existed on four legs, but the sensation of his bones lengthening and popping was not something he was in love with.
As he sank further into reverie, the male was lucky to notice the faint scent of an approaching creature. He wrenched himself out of it slightly, though did not waver his gaze; it took him a moment to place the smell, and he was slightly concerned it might be an intruder, or someone who did not realize these lands were now claimed. Dark eyes narrowed momentarily, though his stance did not waver. The element of surprise was often a valuable one, and Shandom would not give it up if this creature were not of New Dawn. However, the scent soon placed itself in his mind, and, with his enhanced smell (due to the blindness), Shandom realized it was one of his pack mates. Turning at the newcomer's greeting, Shandom smiled kindly, drinking in the sight of another wolf. It was a relief to live among those on four legs.
Though he did not know this wolf's name, he was sure they would soon become acquainted, and hopefully friends. Zalen was correct when he called them a family at the pack meeting, and he hoped that would ring true. Two sets of milky fur stood in the valley, blending against the white of snow. If they remained still, and perhaps the viewer was slightly visually impaired, Shandom presumed they could melt into the snow, like they were not even a part of reality. He enjoyed that anonymity. My Brother, the male smiled, moving forward to sniff the male's body so as to become more familiar with the scent to prevent any confusion in the future. If this stranger would let him, he would also bump heads gently, a customary greeting in this four pawed form. Much better than the strange handshake. I am Shandom Nightslayer. May I ask your name? His voice was deep and soothing, like chocolate on velvet. The older man was lucky to have such a calming voice to counteract the intimidating look of his countenance. It would not do to be frightening in a land where he had no right to be.
He noticed the male tense in the slightest, having spotted him before Augustus had. The elder wolf’s half-blindness did not hinder his abilities, but seemed to enhance them, especially scent. He respected this male upon sight, his age and scars a telltale sign that he had seen much strife in his lifetime, but had overcome it and joined them here. He wondered where he came from, and how long he’d been in the territories of Souls. All that and more he wondered, and knew his questions, in some extent, would be answered soon. He picked his way through the rocks with care, not wanting to slip in the male’s sight. He’d never seen a mountain such as this before; his birth pack having lived on the cold harsh rolling plains of the tundra. He broke his gaze from the wolf in order to revel at the mountain above for a few moments. Another thing they seemed to have in common, both white beings succumbing to the magnetic pull of the peaks.
He would never leave this place, he knew that in his heart. It was what he had dreamed of all his life, and he was eager to make a name for himself, and in time hoped to become a valued member. The Alpha he respected above all others not only because of his high status, but because of how he was. By the way he spoke and behaved Augustus could see that he would prove a noble and just leader. He hoped to prove himself to his new found family. He was young and strong. The marks upon his body but small lines marring the left side of his face. They did little more but decorate his visage, his left eye unharmed. The wolf before him had scars of his own, although much more severe. He wondered what path had life taken him down in order for him to receive this fate?
He did not yet give voice to his queries. He sniffed the Shandom as Shandom sniffed him, happily returning his nudge. He took in his scent, memorizing it as he had many others. When the elder wolf‘s lips broke into a smile Augustus couldn‘t help but mirror it, tail continuing to wag behind him. When Shandom and introduced himself Augustus felt a little strange at the mention of a surname, as he had none of his own. He did not let it show, but remained curious. It only intensified as the name triggered something inside his memory. Shandom, he repeated internally. Where had he heard that name before? It came to him after a moment of thought. The wolf had been mentioned to him before by the coy wolf Terra. He saw now why she’d drawn the comparison. A small world it must have been, or perhaps an act of fate that he would know the name of his brother before they had the chance to meet.
I am Augustus, it is an honor to meet you, Shandom Nightlsayer, my northern brother. He dipped his head with respect, before finding a suitable perch beside the wolf and relaxing to a sit. Your name is familiar to me. He admitted. I’ve heard it before from the lips of another. Terra. Do you know her? His ear twitched absently as he waited for a reply. He would not soon forget the coyote, always acting too big for her breed. It seemed she was rather well traveled.
.: OOC :. It was delayed, it's short... Ugh. Nothing good. I'm sorry D: No hate pls?! .: WC :. 556
This white man appeared to be much like him, if only in the appearance and formalities of speaking. Shandom, since coming to these lands, had not encountered someone who spoke with such exacting precision. Augustus, as he revealed his name to be, spoke like the wolves of his childhood; Shandom liked that. Etienne held manners and tradition above everything; their society was such that outsiders found it strange to acclimate and even stranger to encounter such speaking wolves outside their natural ranks. When Shandom came to this strange land, this human-meets-wolves-meets-tradition-meets-why-can't-I-go-home-again, they spoke like strangers, and the once aristocratic man found it brutish. It was strange for him to try and deny his heritage, filled as it was with royalty and leadership, but he'd found it growing more and more comfortable as of late. He would never want to live at the bottom of a pack - it was not his style to not aspire to something greater - but Shandom enjoyed the leadership of others. He also was quite appreciative of the fact that he was now downright approachable.
He gave Augustus an easy smile, his countenance friendly and open. Shandom liked that he did not have to express any outright submission or domination around this unfamiliar man; they were of the same rank, and the wolf held himself with dignity but nothing too offensive. The pleasure is mine, Augustus. I am pleased to find someone like you to share the day with. He dipped his head before pondering the next question. Yes, of course he knew Terra, but he was not sure whether or not the female had given Augustus a suitable impression of him. Regardless, he would have to answer. I am familiar with Terra, of course. She is a sweet girl - slightly naive, but filled with energetic spirit. I lived with her in Cour des Miracles, for a time, before I chose to come North and reclaim my wolfish instincts. The Court is a friendly place, but I find their clothing strange. A deep laugh spilled from his lips as he remembered the strange outfits many of them had donned. I prefer the protection of my natural coat, and I couldn't imagine trying to force myself into those strange contraptions.
Shandom realized that what he'd said might have been offensive in some situations, though he was rather confident that in a place such as this Augustus wouldn't draw too much from what he'd said. I mean no offense, of course, if I caused you any. How do you know Terra, if you don't mind me asking? Shandom felt perfectly comfortable asking questions in this sort of situation. There was no question of hierarchy, no debate as to who held the higher rank; Shandom liked it like that. Of course, he enjoyed the structure of New Dawn itself, but it was a relief to relax and not have to contort his body into exceptionally strange positions.
He could feel hunger rising in his belly, and his sensitive nose could scent several deer that could not be too far in the distance. Perhaps once they were done with conversation, the pair could make a meal for themselves - and perhaps more of the pack, if they managed to slay a larger creature. That would certainly help their case for rising within New Dawn.
Shandom was a breath of fresh air to the young wolf. He was beginning to feel an outsider from the other Souls wolves, wolves who had lived within these lands all their lives. It was a bit disheartening, feeling like an outsider in his own family. But in their defense, the pack was still new and although the bonds of a wolf pack were strong, their own lives were not yet truly intertwined, as even Augustus himself was not quite familiar with the remainder of the pack. Especially the Alphess, Beta, and her mate, but also Deuce’s son- Noah. He had seen the stuttering male in the den the night before, but had not yet gotten the chance to introduce himself. That would come in time, he was sure and he gave his full attention to the elder wolf beside him. He nearly regretted bringing the subject of Terra into the meeting, for there was so much more to discuss and do, but he couldn’t help but remember how she spoke of the male. It had been true what she’d said, they were similar in their own ways.
Augustus allowed a small, yet warm smile to grace his lips as well, comforted by Shandom’s relaxed air. His body eased a bit more as well into a more casual posture, no longer feeling the need to express himself in such a way. The man had gotten the point that they were equal. And Augustus surely did not see the rank of Omega in his future. As am I, he replied amiably, head turning to address him. His brows furrowed when he mentioned the Court, however momentarily. You lived in the Court?…When? No wonder the coy wolf knew him. He was not offended as the male went on. In fact, he agreed with him whole-heartedly. I admit I was perturbed the very minute I set foot on the border.He replied shamelessly. It was Strelein who met me…wearing the very…contraptions you speak of. He nodded slightly while saying. It was very off-putting. If it hadn’t been for Caspa I wouldn’t have even been there, and even deciding in the first place was a struggle. I almost lost hope of finding a place like this. His eyes swept the valley below them. Meeting Zalen, couldn’t have come at a better time.
I took no offense, brother. I agree with you. He reassured. Ahh, Terra. He sighed slightly. He did owe it to her. Well.. He started. She was the first one to meet me when I arrived here. I wasn’t in..the best shape. He spoke haltingly, remembering. She cleaned my wounds. He turned his head so the scars were visible to the white male. They were a gift from my father. His voice was almost bitter for a moment, but he shrugged it off. The entire journey here was rough for me. I lived in a pack all my life, and not only that the cuts kept reopening. She scrounged up a meal for me…I wasn’t the most gracious. His gaze lowered to the ground a moment. But still, she didn’t mind. I owe it to her for what she did for me. I met her in the Court later. She’s a bit…odd. He chuckled a couple notes. but I’m not exactly a charmer either… It felt good to speak so openly. Had it been anyone else he might have retrained himself, or muttered, but he was confident when speaking to this male- his new brother from the North.
His own belly hungered, and he could smell the deer near-by as well, he’d been scouting the local herds the previous day, and he tried hard to recollect what he knew of these in particular. He’d found an elk doe with a limp, but the deer he wasn’t so certain of. He was sure the male beside him was pondering their course as well, and was hopeful that he may accompany him to investigate even further. He broached the subject himself, more than eager to demonstrate his strength, for these were large prey, his favorite. His strength and mass gave him an advantage here, as opposed to smaller, quicker prey. With a predatory smile he glanced at the male. Hungry, brother?
Word Count → 713 :: first two paragraphs are needless babble!
There was something easy about talking to the new white man, although August was was significantly younger than Shandom. It was strange, really, being in a pack like this again - while he loved it, and could not think of a place in 'Souls that better fit him, Shandom realized that, aside from the two mated women, he was the oldest in the pack. He had almost completed six turns of the seasons, and, with a bit of shock, realized that he would be approaching his time to relinquish his throne, had he stayed in Etienne. That concept was strange, and felt foreign in his mind - though Shandom thought of his home often, it was always in the context of him being the leader and continuing on the Qi'Vaex tradition. What would happen to his bloodline, with him gone? It was strange to think that Odin might have assumed the title of Alpha, though he was almost certain that was what happened. Odin shared the same life-blood as Shandom; both had identically illustrious pedigrees, but the younger Qi'Vaex had, for one thing, been slightly more golden than was traditionally accepted. While the New Dawn man was confident it wouldn't have prevented the pack from accepting Odin as their Alpha, it would be strange to see the color of the Qi'Vaex line shift to a darker hue.
Then again, if he were being realistic, the same thing would have happened if he had fulfilled his supposed destiny and mated with Lea. Fur as dark as hers could not be denied; it was highly unlikely any of their children would have been blessed with the traditionally strong Qi'Vaex white. It would have led to potentially interesting color combinations, and Shandom, having thought about it as much as he had, wouldn't have been surprised to see children shot through with silver or greys or were a motley assortment of blacks and whites. Regardless, it would not have been white, as was expected from the Qi'Vaex Alpha. Shandom could not help but hope that Orin had taken control of Etienne, and mated with a white female (though he could not recall any close to their age that would have been viable). Tradition was important to the scarred man; it was a leading reason as to why he chose to leave the Court and come to New Dawn. Thinking of the Court reminded Shandom he was actually talking to someone, and was now showing incredibly rude manners by not responding. A sheepish grin spread across black lips as the older male refocused.
I lived in the Court for a short time - from the beginning of the turn of leaves until the first snows fell. I was never comfortable there, though, and did not spend time with the rest of the clan. Terra is.... The male had trailed off, chuckling a little bit with a bit of sarcasm in his tones. Terra is quite the girl. She's a sweetheart, really - but, ah, a little too rambunctious for this old man. His smile was cheeky; Shandom did not really consider himself to be old, that title was reserved for wolves with muzzles shot through with gray. However, he could not help but wonder what his lifespan now was. He was changed in the middle of his life, and while he felt more youthful than he thought he would at this point in his life, he could not grasp the notion that the virus he both hated and loved was also some strange fountain of youth.
Shandom wasn't uncomfortbale with the discussion of scars, and returned to that for a moment. I understand scars, he said, with a shocking lack of bitterness and a proliferation of simple acceptance. But they make us who we are, and tell us who is truly our ally. The white man did not elaborate, but simply shook his large head before shifting his attention to the idea of food. But I am hungry, brother, both for food and the incredible thrill of the hunt. Shandom's feral smile was wide and predatory as his stance automatically and perceptibly shifted into something more dangerous, more deadly. Shall we find something large and wonderfully delicious, and then perhaps bring it to our other brothers and sisters?
Augustus watched the older man expectantly. Moments passed and silence fell. His eyes drifted off to the lower reaches of the terrain before him, and he stared hard into the distance, searching for any hint of movement or flash of brown fur. He thought he saw a dot of color on the horizon, but it could have been his eyes playing tricks on him due to the intensity of his stare. He could smell, them, though. That he was sure of, they must have been just out of sight. Shandom seemed to break out of his reverie then and his attention returned to his alabaster frame.
The young wolf nodded silently as his elder brother spoke. I had been living as a loner for a couple months, then. When Caspa offered…I couldn’t help but accept. It wasn’t what I thought it would be. I was new to the land as well, then. I didn’t know the first thing about any of the packs and just how many there were. I’m still not familiar with all of them. He paused, his face set with determination. That will change. He promised. He’d found a home here in Nova Scotia, it was about time he learned more about this place; its residents, its packs, its terrain, and weather. You were already gone, then, by the time I joined. He concluded. If you were still there, we could have left together. He offered a small smile. But I’m glad our paths finally crossed. The topic changed to Terra again. You made quite and impression on her. He laughed. Makes me wonder what she says about me. He contemplated for a brief moment before continuing, Can’t be good… He confessed, but didn’t think on it. The conversation seemed to flow easily between the two. And he was unashamed for speaking at such length. He almost forgot how good it was to talk to someone, actually talk about something other than his past, or the weather.
His comment about being old passed without objection. Shandom was around his father’s age, and by non-Luperci standards, a little past his prime. It was strange, though. He didn’t look it. He had much to learn when it came to the virus, several facts seemed to escape his grasp. He’d puzzled at Soran and Deuce as well, in his eyes, they were as old as them come, like to keel over at any moment. Little did he know the virus slowed the aging process in all those afflicted. It would be a while now before that became common knowledge.
He listened to the man as he spoke of scars. He had his own and they were far deeper than his own. He wondered about the extent of his vision through his damaged eye. What he said next was very true. It was his own father who had struck him, severing all bonds in one foul swipe of his paw. He had learned his lesson, then itself. Although, there was more to it than he was like to ever understand. Shandom dismissed the topic himself and Augustus was happy for the change of subject, and the fact that the scent of deer had reached maddening proportions. His mouth watered, and he followed the others lead, slipping into a lowered stance. Lead the way. He said shortly, not wishing to delay it any further.
