The devil's den
#1
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Word count: 358
Form: Optime
Time of Day: Late morning (approx. 11AM)


The day had been long and unforgiving for Chishio. First, he’d narrowly escaped an old human bear trap while he was hunting; then, he almost got his head stuck in a bee hive after he had been shocked awake by a bat flying into his face. What’s more, he had a sore spot on his nose from when a mother bird had mercilessly pecked at it until had been able to swat her down from the sky. She and her helpless chicks had made a nice breakfast. He chuckled at the memories, but frowned as he rubbed his aching snout.


As he wandered into Amherst, he checked the empty streets for other inconveniences with wary eyes. The last thing he needed was another sore spot. Having found nothing to stop him, however, he proceeded down the gloomy boulevard with his hands buried in his shorts’ pockets. Gray clouds blocked any warmth the sun wanted provided, and the winds whipped angrily at his unprotected back. Everywhere he looked there was evidence of neglect and decay. The town was nothing short of depressing, but it was quiet, and he couldn’t have asked for a better place to bunker down and enjoy a quick nap.


Eventually, the Itou found himself climbing a rotting staircase that led to the roof of the tallest building he could find. The guardrail was broken and useless, and the stairs weren’t much better; they’re only saving grace was that they were made of cement. As he hopped over a gap in the path, he grunted disapprovingly. It was a shame that the humans had done whatever it was they did to themselves that allowed such a place to perish. He thought of what he could do to fix up one of the houses in the area, but quickly shrugged the idea off as silly and impossible.


It had taken him a little while to get there, but he finally reached the top of the old building. He promptly sat and sprawled out on his back across the broken roof and closed his eyes, enjoying the whisper of the winds and the silence that followed soon after.



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#2
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WC: 374 // Thanks for starting! Sorry I made you wait~ c:


Amherst. It had been a long time since Colibri Haki had explored a cityscape like Halifax. Despite her obvious preference for her Optime form, she tended to shy away from human artifacts, instead embracing the world of nature. The tall buildings made her uneasy, seeing how crumbling and decayed they had become. Still, curiosity overcame her vague sense of paranoia, and she padded lightly down the cracked sidewalk to look around. Perhaps one of these places would be habitable, and she could finally claim a den. It was a little far north for her comfort, though, which had her frequently checking over her shoulder to make sure no envoys from the nearby packs were following her. She wasn't soon going to forget the welcome she had received at the borders of the Pictou river.


She tread lightly, staying close to the dilapidated faces of the structures, catching distorted reflections of herself in the broken glass of the windows. It was far too silent here. Wind was the only melody, rushing through the eroding stone, concrete, and metal to produce an eerie keening. Coli's hackles rose slightly as it echoed, put on edge by the atmosphere. No, staying here would not be an option. Perhaps she should take cover from the buffeting wind indoors - it smelled like there might be rain on the way - and later, find her way back out of the suburban maze.


Coli ducked through a doorway, finding the door sagging off its hinges. Inside, the ground floor was dank and musty with rot. She crinkled her nose, deciding it was too unpleasant, and padded her way up the staircase. The cement felt cool beneath her pawpads, and was at least more solid than some of the floorboards she passed. Whatever this building used to be, it would not be with this world for much longer. A flood, an earthquake, or maybe just more wind and rain, and it would all come toppling down into rubble. Laying her ears flat with distaste at the unshakeable mental image of it trapping her, she rushed up the stairs, bursting forth onto the roof. In her haste, she did not look where she was walking, and felt herself trample something warm and furry...



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#3
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Word count: 306 // Sorry for the shortness x.x Muse is kind of dying…


He had been so close. A minute more and he would have been sound asleep and by himself for once. The idea was nice, and time alone was his biggest craving of late, but life had other fantastic plans for him apparently. Chishio’s brow furrowed and a frown crossed his lips. He never was fond of life.


The wolf grunted as he felt something weight upon his stomach. His eyes snapped open and landed on the figure of the offender, narrowing quickly after in anger. His ears flattened against his head as he bared his teeth, a threatening rumble rising in his throat until it burst violently from his jaws.


You’d better tell me there’s a rabid bear after your hide or I’ll find one and serve you to it for dinner,” he warned as he lifted his body from the ground and brushed his fur off.


The gray brute shifted his feet shoulder-length apart and folded his arms across his chest, keeping his eyes trained on the intruder. She was smaller than any other female he’d come across before, but it was her lack of a tail that prompted him to stay instead of leaving her for a quieter place. The stubby thing looked out of place and unnatural on her; a mark of shame if he’d ever seen one. A wolf without a proper tail made him wonder just how weak she was. He spat his disgust in her direction before addressing her once more.


Did the bear eat your tail, Stubby?” he inquired with a tiny smirk.


He swayed his own tail mockingly, making sure to bring it to her line of sight with each swish. How ugly she must have felt without her tail—perhaps a bit off-balance, too. Chi’s nose scrunched disapprovingly as he looked her over again. Yes, ugly indeed.



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#4
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WC:301 // I try not to concern myself much with word counts! Your post sounded good to me~ C:


As soon as Coli felt the 'ground' wheeze and grunt beneath her step, she realized her mistake. Immediately she sprang back, the roof's rusted guardrail behind her, not sure how to react to the odd encounter. She had been ready to apologize for her foolish and embarrassing misstep, but once the male opened his mouth, that impulse swiftly dissipated. She clenched her hands into tight fists, eyes bright with indignation. "Try not passing out in front of doorways, moron," she spat in retaliation, ears laid flat against her skull. She had been a very timid wolf in her youth, and had been pushed around as a result. She was older now, and she had nothing to lose anymore; it made her very testy at times, sour at the world.


His masculine height was intimidating to her, for she knew all too well how frail and small she was. But she wasn't about to be scorned by this mangy layabout -- if he tried to physically harm her, she knew how to defend herself with the pouches she wore around her throat. He wouldn't be mocking her once the poison kicked in. As he smirked and waved his plumy tail to add insult, she gritted her teeth, a low growl lacing her voice. "If I'm stubby, you must be tatty; what happened to your ear, were rats chewing on it while you were taking a nap? Scars all over, fur falling out, you're a real mess. Even the bear would spit you out." The stranger had definitely hit a chord; the loss of her tail had been humiliating and painful, and she did not like being teased about it. It had been months before she could even balance properly enough to run, to hunt again. How dare he tease her for it!



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#5
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Word Count :: 333

Chishio’s eyebrow rose in amusement when she spoke. He’d found a feisty one! The very thought of a good verbal battle sent pleasurable chills running up his spine. A devious smile crawled onto his lips as he stood before his newest victim, tail high and waving proudly behind him. It was obvious that he’d struck a nerve in the woman, and he would pursue that line of torture until he grew bored of it.


I’m afraid that the bear would more likely go after you, missy,” he began; his voice cool and collected despite the insults thrown his way. “I’m not the one that looks like a liddle bunny rabbit.

He pointed a finger in her tail’s—or what was left of it—direction and sneered. Were he a better man, he would have left the woman alone and been hurt by her words; for it was true that he was a mess. His body was riddled with unfashionable scars and graced with an eye from which he could hardly see. His ear was marred and misshapen; a souvenir of a fight he would rather soon forget. His stomach churned at the thought of the drugs that had ravaged his body long ago, and he cringed from the throbbing pain of the self-inflicted wounds upon his legs and back. But a better man he was not, and he was left unscathed when she threw her insults in his face. Chi stood proudly before her, very aware of his disgusting faults, but unwilling to admit them to a beast like her.


Hop along, Peter Rabbit,” he said as he motioned for her to shoo. “Go find your own pitiful excuse for a building.

He crossed his arms again and lowered himself so that he could sit, staring at her expectantly through disapproving eyes. The more he looked upon her, the less inclined he felt to stay and torment the woman. Should she return his abuse in an acceptable manner, however, he would consider reconsidering.



ooc: I am enjoying this thread x3

Table by Kitty! Textures courtesy of ArtOfDecay-Stock, ninja-pi, Sirius-sdz & Wolf photo by Dirk Duckhorn

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#6
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WC: 247 // Sorry again for the failwait! ;n;


His devious smile showed triumph; he knew his barbed words had stung her, and it made Coli grimace in response, lips pulled back to bare fangs. He continued to bait her, immature and infuriating taunts worming their way under her skin. She had never been good at hiding her emotions, but at least she could muster some small control over them. "Now I'm a rabbit?" she repeated, clenching her little fists even tighter. She had never punched anyone before, but the idea was highly tempting. "You're right about the bear, I'm sure vultures and maggots are the ones who prefer to dine on dead flesh. Although how you became a walking corpse remains a mystery to me." She snorted, pleased with her retort, and waited to see if she had gotten to him.

"No," she spat, crossing her legs and deliberately sitting across from him. "I think I'll just stay here. If you don't like it, you can find a new roof to decompose on." She raised her nosetip haughtily, glaring at him through veiled eyelashes. Here was the only wolf alive that Colibri Haki could look down upon. Seeing that he did not immediately strike her for her insolence had given her that defiant edge of stubbornness, the perverse desire to see what she could get away with. She would probably end up regretting it, as she had with the pack sentry that chased her away from their borders, but it was already set in motion.



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