New Purpose
#1
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Thread Information
Date: October 2, 2012

Heat: 72 degrees Fahrenheit

Time: Midday

Character Form: Optime

Dress: Bow, quiver of arrows, gauntlets, and throwing knife hidden under left forearm
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Ooc

Words – 500+


It was uncomfortably hot once again. After the cruel storm it felt the air temperature should have fallen. The monster that had torn up the land should have been the forefront of winter but here Sangi’lak was under a cruel heat less than two days after the last shower had faded into the wind. But it wasn’t the heat on Jaden’s mind. He paid little mind for the first time as he panted his way through Sangi’lak. Heat would not slow him just as bitter cold could not have frozen him from his purpose. Today he would begin on the path of solidifying himself as leader of this pack. Today he would earn respect or he would instill the fear of dominance. He would live. Jaden would have killed him before, yes. Would have if it mattered. If it changed anything. If X’ies had truly taken his love from him. But none of that was true and Jaden understood now. He knew who was to blame for his broken heart. But not even that mattered. Without love he was left with only one purpose. Sangi’lak. This pack and this place he had built was all he had. Ensuring it grew and prospered and lived for generations to come had to consume him. He would live for them, he would die for them. And it would started today.

It was a plan that sounded better than death but was far more complicated. The first hurtle to overcome would be X’ies. The wolf was ruthless, heartless, and weak bodied. For all his words, Jaden had never seen anything physically impressive in X’ies. It was not enough to talk. Instinct drove only the strongest of body to lead. Wolves had been that way for millennia and Sangi’lak’s nomads would be no different. If X’ies’ superior mind could not be reasoned with then his inferior body would be dominated. Jaden could do it. But there was one thing blocking Jaden from assured leadership and that was the other leader. The Issor had protected X’ies thus far. She believed him worthy of her womb when she thought her Issum not. He knew she would not allow him to shred X’ies if it became necessary. If the wolf’s fear was to be gained, he would have to understand that no one would defend him from death. So he was to find the woman he once felt a deep love for and tell her what he planned. She was weak and could not fight. If she was foolish enough to believe she could beat the Issum while in such a state then he would be forced to subdue her before moving on. Plain. Simple. Instinct.

But he would not leave all his hopes just in her apparent weakness. He had stacked the odds in his favor. He stood on two feet and carried all the weapons he had. Bow, arrows, the gauntlets that had defeated X’yrin once before, and the throwing knife Thana had once given to him hidden upon his forearm. It was tucked beneath the straps which anchored metal to flesh and would stay there unless needed. More insurance. The only thing free from his being was the cougar tooth necklace. He did not scent the air as a loving companion might. She was a leader who would be convinced. His steps forward seemed to echo with the words nothing more as he pressed forward. He would not face defeat this day.



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#2
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ooc:

The bounty of life was growing more apparent now with the passing days, perhaps not seen, but felt now that the woman's heart was open to feel the internal change. She smiled more with hope, dancing along the still damp grounds of the territory with elated leaps and bounds. Even a hunt, a savage and merciless act, was pursued with naught but true happiness on her muzzle and blood drenching her maw. The carcass of a fawn hung limp by the neck, the scent of the kill still fresh and fragrant with but an hour's musk of stagnation. A celebratory meal for herself and X'ies.

Though the pair could hardly look further from infatuated with the other, there were those chance glances or moments when light would touch blue and gold, and then the perceptive eye could see there was more than the mutual respect. There was the shimmer of the bond the two shared, woven over many seasons of time together and memories shared. This would be but another memory the two would have together, taken in silence as the succulent flesh of young meat caressed their tongues, tinged with the quiet accent of celebration.

On flighty paws, she near the mountain keep with prize dragging along the ground covered by the long lengths of her wild mane. Her steps were awkward, but progressive, the lumber of a woman weighed down with life and aching joints but gifted with a will to advance on with confidence. The turning stalks and leaves of leave would bend and break to her force without mercy or care. But those fragrant stems dotted with lingering color would earn her careful steps around so that they would continue to thrive on til they fell on their own. To these she spotted, with muzzle drenched in red, she would touch her nose to the gentle petals, inhale their delicate aroma and press on, leaving a smudge of red as mark of her touch. A taint to purity. And she thought nothing of it.


338 words.



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#3
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Ooc

Words – 300+


The familiar scent was not hard to catch and follow. He found where she had apparently made a kill. She had a deer by the smell of the blood. He would follow an easy trail then of broken and pressed down grass. The mind behind his blue eyes tried to keep itself busy. He wondered how strong she really was if she could catch and kill a deer. Then he reasoned that she was still weak for the size of the drag marks. Such were technical thoughts which danced around his subdued emotions and offered little to know feeling. It wasn’t something he was alien to. He had experience in not reflecting upon himself to avoid guilt and to do so in other situations to avoid different emotions was proving to be less difficult than the Issum had anticipated. It would make him stronger than before and he had to believe it. Otherwise his current endeavor was pointless.

He would catch up with the encumbered she-wolf before she entered the pack’s denning area. Jaden had hurried himself along to make this so. Making a public display of what he wished to do wasn’t productive at this point. Perhaps when confronting X’ies. Then again, his charisma was all he had. If he was given the chance to influence others then that would be more power to his foe. That wouldn’t do. He would have to stack the odds in his favor when tackling that hurdle as well. But he put that aside for the moment as a golden posterior came into view. Issor, He called in a strong voice saturated with a decisive, business tone. I must speak with you. The Issum would stop within a jumps distance without waiting for acceptance. Then his gaze would settle on hers with purpose as he waited to ensure he had her attention before continuing



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#4
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ooc:

Nearing the dens, her pace began to slow and the result of her hunt became more apparent. Her forelimbs still ached, encouraging the weight of her bulk settle instead on her hind hips and legs. The pull of the carcass was reduced to a drag, stretching her neck in preparing for the ascent to the hideaway. But a call still her steps and dropped the kill from her glistening maw.

Her ears were perked attentively as she turned, tail swaying at ease as she greeted her fellow lead with a gentle smile. “Goodday Jaden,” leaving her prey to rest, she padded towards him but stopped upon fully seeing the ensemble he chose to adorn himself. Why by the Ancestors was he armed? Was he intended to embark on some mission, she wondered but refrained from letting her curiosity produce unintelligible words. Rather than leaving the answer to speculation, she mentally adopted a neutral outlook upon the situation.

“Going off to make war?” she jested and tipped her muzzle toward his gauntlets. Had the male been off for a hunt, the bow and arrow she could understand, but the metal guards conveyed something more was in the works. “Just please be sure to come back in a reasonable time.” Smiling, she turned back to take hold of her prey again…


219 words.



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#5
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Ooc

Words – 200+


The weakness in her was visible. It was a certain strain in her step. Jaden would not guess at pregnancy until he could see it so he was glad to see she hadn’t miraculously recovered before he made his move. He watched as she set down her kill and turned to him. There was a happy smile about her lips, the kind he had once thought attractive and sweet. It felt oddly bitter now just as her jesting did. It’s good she moved on so quickly, he lied to himself, Sangi’lak needs strong leaders. But in these thoughts he was lost for words to express his plans concisely. He held no desire to speak with her more than necessary and there was truly no reason to. For the life of him he tried to conjure a sentence that would communicate all he wished.

X’yrin didn’t wait for him to. After her question she simply decided it wasn’t important enough information to know and dismissed him before turning to continue on her way. Jaden mentally noted that action worth analyzing. That she had no desire to know who he planned on battling or why had to hold some sort of meaning. Then he dismissed the idea that this meeting would be done easily. I am going to deal with the Lambda. He echoed his tone from before and watched her form carefully. He was certain this information would unsettle her and he needed to be able to tell just how much. The Issum stood with gauntlets turned forward to hid the blade on his arm and a look of absolute seriousness about his muzzle.



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#6
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ooc:

And then the purpose of this greeting was known before a paw touched the smoothed exterior of the base of the mountain. The carcass again fell from her maw though carefully as she purposefully lowered her head. In gradual procession the hackles rose along her back, pointed and ready as if they were the quills peeking through the thick mass of auburn mane. The smooth sweeps of her tail had become rigid twitches as the words of the Issum sank deeper in and resonated.

“Ah…” the female breathed softly, yet kept her bristled back to her fellow leader. “But we have two Lambda. A brother pair, to be exact. Surely you do not expect to bring war to the both of them… or at all.” Smoothly, she turned on her weathered pads to face the calm but angered Issum. Her own visage was void of surprise or worry, but a silent disappointment remained fixed within her eyes. Of course he would seek to attack X’ies. The inevitable was as plan as the sun rising then falling to make way for the moon in the night. But the reason behind this attack was flawed. A purely, instinctual creature could see this.

“What reason would you have to attack the Lambda?” she inquired coldly, sparing a side glance to her prey that was rapidly losing its warmth. “For an encounter that happened nearly a season ago? I am afraid that if you wish to have your war Jaden, your opportunity to assert yourself as victor was lost the instant you remained silent and let him have the final word from the beginning. Going to him now and attacking him would make you look less of a leader retaining his rite to lead, and more of a bully intending to have the final say.” And again with face placid, she turned to take hold of her precious meal again. “Please remember this, my friend. I would hate for you to follow the actions of a mind clouded from reason.”


336 words.



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#7
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Ooc

Words – 400+


Cold blue eyes watched the warm colored form as she tensed. That was the response he expected. She rounded on him and lectured him the same way she had before. It wasn’t odd that she still poked at the Issum’s old grudge. She was unaware of how radically he had shifted his priorities. If X’ies were truly his physical equal and kept that sharp intelligence then the Issum would bow before him and graciously hand over his title for the other. But that wasn’t the case. So he simply wished to stop their ridiculous go around. Jaden could accept the Lambda and his opinions, he felt, but not while the male pointed out the Issum’s every short coming. Such was not his place.

The Issor knew who Jaden referred to yet she posed the question of his brother. It might have made Jaden grin had he been in the mood. From what he understood X’Uri had less intellect than his brother and no body to fight. He would present no problem even if Jaden had some reason to confront him. He had none so he dismissed the comment as utterly misplaced and turned his attention to her question. She still didn’t understand but it didn’t matter. After a long period of thinking Jaden had come to the conclusion that perhaps X’yrin was incapable of seeing the ass she had truly mated with. They had grown up together so perhaps she was used to it and just assumed others should be immune to his tongue as well. Jaden, like most of the world, had not that tolerance. What his tongue did when lashed at a fellow leader was make them look weak as a pack. They needed unity. This was the Issum’s objective and his reasoning when dealing with the pair of nomads. His other thought was that she simply didn’t care and wished X’ies could just take the place of Issum. This, again, didn’t matter. As long as Jaden was fit to lead, he would.

He waited until his fellow leader finished respectfully before replying. My reasoning is quite clear. He offered this and only this in a calm voice as explanation. You are wrong to assume these weapons are for X’ies. I go to him looking for peace. I will reason with the nomad. But should he choose to ignore reason then, bully or not, I will have the last say. He gazed at her turned back with disdain and paused for a moment. With a slight sigh, he continued, These weapons are for your, Issor. If it comes down to physical domination I will not need these to deal with X’ies. I must be sure you will not intervene and keep me from doing what must be done. There was no question and little emotion in the words. Fact as he saw it and the moment where X’yrin would choose whether this would be easy, or whether it would be very difficult for them.



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#8
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ooc:

Hardly another step was taken and she was made to still again. With ears pulled back she listened to the male Alpha and so subtly tilting her head towards him in the same act. True surprise came not in his admittance of going after X'ies, but that those weapons he chose to carry were for her... of all individuals.

It was an alarming realization, but she smiled none the less, turning carefully to face the Issum and continued her marched toward him. She needn't ask why, the reason was as apparent as the glinting metal that caught the favoring light. Of course she would not allow him to go to X'ies without her council. As well as she knew the male, undoubtedly the Lambda would see this act as she did; a long delayed response to have his final say as Alpha. He would mock the piebald male, triggering the short fuse and the inevitable fallout. Her actions would be predictable; stand before the Issum and Lambda and command they both stand down under her order. But there was a strong conviction in Jaden's blue eyes that led one to assume he would be unwilling to forfeit. Why else would he carry his arms in preparing to bare them against her?

The Nomad clicked her tongue in distaste. "Truly...Jaden. You have strayed from a Shepard's path if you would come to me with your weapons prepared for my refusal." Her tail swayed sorrowfully. "Your actions are...disappointing. But will not be overlooked." The meal forgotten, she looked instead to the cold eyes of the Issum then let her gaze drift down to a gauntlet. "You would attack an Alpha that seeks to protect the life of her brethren, and for what... to make him bend to you? These actions do not deserve the respect, the acknowledgement you think you deserve. If you would demand that respect through violence, then I would gladly defy you here and now. You will not confront him as you are."



334 words.



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#9
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Ooc

Words – 200+


A warrior stood before the Exultare. After issuing his decree of what had to be done she was left with a choice. She could leave Jaden to his business as Alpha or she could stand in his way. She turned, marched forward, and took her stubborn place between Jaden and X’ies. This would change today.

It was just short of enlightening to hear how she spoke to him. X’yrin had a skilled tongue and easily painted the Issum as completely out of place. Wrong. Childish. Something he might have taken to heart before she crushed it. Now they were only words born from ignorance. She did state her desire to stand where she stood but didn’t attack the Issum. He had made it quite clear where he stood and what he was prepared to do. That she hesitated on the attack sported doubt in his eyes. The woman looked confidant enough but how much was for show, he wasn’t sure yet. He looked down on her with the same look about him he’d carried throughout their conversation and spoke decisively, I do not need your approval, only your submission. I will meet X’ies the way I am. Whether you decide to place yourself stubbornly in my way is up to you but I implore YOU to use reason. On a day where you were at your best you could not defeat me while armed. There is weakness in you now… What chance do you have of stopping me?



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#10
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ooc:

From her perception, she watched the spiral descent of reason into madness, though the calm resolve was maintained. She spoke but was not heard. She offered resilience, but he still sought to push through it. Admirable if not misdirected and worth her eye had it not been for a misguided, fruitless cause. Never the less, the autumn she-wolf clung to her stance as a green leaf still cling to a healthy branch in the middle of a raging wind.

“Mistaken…” she growled softly yet let her eyes drift from the hardened blues back toward the carcass still lying on the ground. “You will have neither my approval nor my permission, what you will have is my word that your actions are foolish and will be taken as treasonous.” Lowering her muzzle to grasp the throat of the youth again, she paused to finish her thought. “Surely you are aware that an attack on an Alpha is punishable by death at the very worst… at the best, the attacker is made an example out of. My dear friend please,” turning her head slightly to look over her shoulder, she caught the gaze of the Issum with her own was marked with disdain. “Don’t force me to make an example out of you to our Family. An example of what I will not tolerate.”

She split her jaws to grab the neck again but paused as her ears twitched to the slanderous spout of ‘weakness’ she carried. “Weakness is what I would have carried had I allowed your seed to take root. The weakness of a wolf that would sink so low to favor the flesh of a dog over that of his own kind. To submit to the wiles of a worthless breed… ah… and one that must garnish himself in weapons to disguise his own physical incompetence… that is weakness my friend. How glad I am that I do not have to suffer that any longer…” She snatched the neck of the fawn now turning cold and took a step upon the mountain façade.

344 words.



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#11
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Ooc

Words – 400+


Jaden avoided the grip of anger as best he could. In recent times, his temper would have led him into this confrontation much more quickly and far less prepared. But he was not against irritation which began to swell in him as she eluded his challenge and tried again to instate her dominance. This pride was what had led to his heart ache. Her stubbornness and flawed mindset. His tell of the emotion he felt set his ear flicking once on the word Alpha as he realized she didn’t recognize him as such. Otherwise her threat would be hollow.

The last bit she tossed at him wasn’t defected so easily. The male’s jaw tightened and teeth barred as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. The information he was given so bitterly stoked the rage built in him over time. The same that he had been trying to convince himself did not exist any longer. His fist tightened at the thought of X’ies children in her womb. That she had gone to such great lengths to dispel all they were. The love that he had dashed and called a lie was resurrected and sent that fist trembling with its poisonous power. He was losing himself to the same emotion that had broken him. He realized it and logic began to creep forward. Live for the pack. It’s all you have, he thought and no more than a second later his fist ceased it’s tremble.

Reevaluating his target, he realized that she was angered. It was something he could manipulate to get what he needed from her. He took a breath and recalled what she had said before admitting pregnancy. You’re a fool X’yrin, he said coldly, a proud fool, but a fool nonetheless. I do not seek to kill X’ies. I seek to unify our family by settling this quarrel between us. You would insult and threaten me instead of allowing me something I have a right to. He chose then to push forward a sneer of anger as emotion usually inspired the like in response. I expected more from you. Understand me now and understand me clearly. I am going to find X’ies. If you wish to stop me then do it now or continue on like a coward. Admit your inferiority to a “dog lover” and do not interfere. He narrowed his eyes at the woman and stood dominantly as if to expect her to continue on.



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#12
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ooc:

“You are the one hiding behind your wares, Jaden.”

Was all the female could bother to say, before thoroughly grasping the young fawn and distancing herself from the undesirable misconceptions of the Issum. It was clear her breath was wasted, her offered rationale forfeit for the selfish vendetta the male wished to pursue. She had stated her position on the matter, she had given him his warning. If he truly wished to go against it, then the consequences would follow as the pair of them founded together.

With carcass firm she began her ascent. One paw purposefully and carefully in front of the other so as not to apply too much pressure on her joints. The cargo both in maw and belly was laboring to say the very least, but worth it if she would reach her destination to have the shared meal and lie before war was raged on their doorstep. The conversation was far from over, the conviction in his endless blues spoke of more should he be denied… and deny him she did with firm belief his claim to rule was late and unjust; a pup hoping to receive the acknowledgement he was robbed of but far too late to be worth anything now. The moment was lost the instant he turned his cheek to the Lambda’s first lash. To counter it now with words, even violence, was an act more to soothe his own ego, than the ‘unify’ as he blindly claimed. If anything… his actions would part the Family. Make him a traitor to the eyes of the collective… the eyes of the Nomads.

Lengthy claws grasped a foothold and beneath crumbled away loose soil and rock to the stone underneath. Strong and resilient, a hard white that stood against the earthen hue. She braced against it and pushed onward, stretching and recoiling in rhythm with carcass knocking against the face of rock. Then she paused, and with a toss of her proud head swung the meal over the lip of a soft cliff, then herself vaulted to the cleared ground atop. Her limbs quaked beneath her and breath became ragged, but that as well as the meat was forgotten as she made her priority to pad to the mouth of the shared enclosure and place herself in front of it.


386 words.



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#13
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Ooc

Words – 300+


He did not truly see that she would continue on in shame. He did not believe the woman to be far too hard headed to do that. The attack of words was to force a choice into her mind: fight or be called a coward. He hadn’t taken the time to wonder where she totted the kill in her jaws. But, by the determination he saw in her defiant eyes before they turned and the hustle she forced from herself to scramble up the side of the mountain he could only guess that she went to place herself between him and X’ies.

He grimaced and gave a growl of irritation but did not move to beat her to her objective. It simply didn’t make sense now. Better he bide his time and energy. So he instead adopted a comfortable pace up the steep climb and thought as he went. X’yrin would make this difficult when she knew she would lose to him in battle. Perhaps she felt that placing herself where she was not desired to be would somehow change the course of things. It was immature and annoying but changed little. The Issum would simply have to move his aim from the woman to her mate. X’ies had pride and felt certain superiority. He had to for what he’d done.

Just how well the description “mated pair” fit the two nomads. He pulled himself up over the lip to find a den of sorts the stunk of them both. Jaden threw a hard glance at X’yrin where she had sat herself before casting it about to take in the area. It was a nice place. It would almost seem planned to find one such as this… With a clench of his jaw he dismissed the thought. X’ies, he called past X’yrin’s stubborn form, We must speak.



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#14
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ooc:

A child too stubborn to relinquish his proud thoughts, she expected him to follow, and follow he did right to the place she and the Lambda had called home since their union.

“Under the right circumstance,” she voiced in all confidence, “this determination might be considered a commendable quality.” Raising her head the she-wolf stepped forward and turned the width of her body as if to bar the maw of the den. “But I am afraid this is not one of those situations.” The kind eye of the Nomad turned cold as she looked for her fellow leader. “I would profess to you how your actions are wrong, but without knowing the way of the Nomad, my words would be lost upon you…as I fear they are now.”

Her tail came to ascend in rite of her rank curling bravely over her back in the face of his persistent and defiant behavior. “But surely as a male of the pack, you would acknowledge how your actions far from reflect your assumed rank. You assume as place that was given by circumstance… and not yet earned. But you cling to it, reluctant to break from it and strive for it so that it may become rightful. You believe ‘this’ will earn you your place? My friend you are mistaken… and I no longer say this as your friend, but as your Alpha, your Issor whom you will obey; cease this senseless vendetta and leave before you are harmed.”

247 words.



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#15
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Ooc

Words – 400+


No irritatingly intelligent voice echoed from the mouth of the den. He was left to contend with only the female where she blocked him. He watched and listened still irritated with how his plan had been off and how he had been unable to predict the acts of this woman he once loved. She did not move to guard her pride when he insulted it, neither did she flinch at the thought of combat while carrying young he knew she had sought after so. Those had been his attack points and neither had stuck. Why? Now she stood between him and the Lambda like a bear and her cub… and it struck him then. A realization that explained it. She loved X’ies. For all her heart breaking words and seemingly cold destruction of their relationship, she had lied. She had not fled from love, only approached a different male for it. She had not left Jaden simply because she was ashamed of something he’d done. He recalled how she had been speaking. She talked as she believed. Not only did she love this male but she believed him more capable of the position of Issum. It was why she strove to convince him that he could take time to “earn his place”. A load of misleading deceit. She simply wished for him to leave the Lambda to his whiles and let him take the position without the physical confrontation he could not handle.

As he thought of this the Issum’s gaze skipped away from X’yrin in plain disbelief that he had not seen it before. He shook his head with disappointment in himself. He had believed her when she claimed love was not hers to bear anymore. She had misled him and continued to try and do so. But when his blue returned to hers it was as cold and determined as ever. Your right about one thing, I know nothing of your nomad ways and your word mean less to me as the day goes on. All else you assume… he simply shook his head, Why you still think I would bow because I fear or wish to please you I haven’t the faintest idea. I will earn this position in my eyes and those of my pack members. Not yours and certainly not that of your mate’s. If you wish to stop me, your timing is growing late and your threats hollow. So I will call again: X’ies! Speak with me lest I deem you the coward your Issor makes you out to be! His voice was authoritative and though he called X’yrin’s threat hollow he stood a bit wider for balance and ready should she finally make good on it.



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#16
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ooc: Form;Lupus

For the most part the morning had gone rather well, yesterday evening he had returned with Shylome from the Vinattan borders. A wasted trip that he had yet to report to either X'yrin or Jaden...there seemed no point to such a discussion, at least till he figured out what he was going to say. As the day went on he filled it with tasks, of which included his morning jog; normally this would also involve some minor hunting...however he was allowing X'yrin to do that,she did after all need some portion of an ego to be kept in her current state. As mid morning approached though so did scents from outside the den...X'yrin...meat...and...Jaden? The call that followed would answer all questions. The Issum it appeared had finally given into his anger and had come to challenge X'ies. A smirk crept up the face of the grey male as he listened to the argument going on outside collecting words and ammunition before strolling out in front of the two.


" My what a racket you make..."

X'ies eyes would move up to meet Jaden's, truthfully it had been some time since the two had ever spoken words past each other. It was clear from their conversation that this was something that had aggression and violence at the heart of it. "...Assuming from the reference to coward...you are indicating that I have something to fear by facing you...and judging from what you are wearing....well...you plan to hurt someone....whether it be myself..the innocent pack member...or your pregnant alpha...my...it sounds like my assessment of you when we first met was rather unsurprisingly accurate...". He was of course refering to the point he had made about Jadens apparent killer instinct, that Jaden had been ready to kill even one who appeared as a harmless cripple. "...Or is it just that you don't care who you kill". He stepped forward towards X'yrin and glanced at her for a brief second. "..Perhaps this is why he liked the yellow dog...if his words now are his true demeanor...from what you have told me...very little seems to separate them...".That was a blow aimed at both of them of course, X'yrin for her wishful thinking blinding her to what was right in front of her. And to Jaden for that sinful experience that now stained his position in the collective. Disinterested, X'ies looked back at Jaden.

"...If indeed this is the challenge I have been expecting...For the sake of giving the boy who showed some promise during our travels a chance...I'm going to ask that you leave now and think upon your foolishness...."


Word Count: 434

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#17
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Ooc

Words – 300+


Though he readied himself no attack came. Neither did more useless words from X’yrin. Instead, X’ies finally made his appearance. He strolled out of the den with his usual attitude and an irritating remark. It was nothing surprising and it was what the Issum had been prepared for. He watched the Lambda as he spoke and analyzed what he could from the words. His first remark was misplaced and showed truly how little X’ies knew of Jaden. Had he the desire to kill, there were far easier ways than confronting an enemy face first. X’ies also deferred to information X’yrin had apparently given him. It was a bit surprising that he could deduce anything from the woman who had never been interested enough in Jaden’s past to ask about it. So unless X’ies was making assumptions on Jaden’s mentality for killing by how well he fought hand to hand, he knew relatively little about what the ex-assassin was really capable of. Tying Amy into it might have gotten him a bit closer but, if the blond dog was truly as horrific as everyone told her to be, then she was nothing like Jaden.

All in all, it seemed X’ies was confidant in his knowledge that was very incomplete. Enough so that he would “give Jaden a chance” by asking him to leave. That might have been aggravating if it made any sense at all. Jaden glanced to X’yrin momentarily and wondered if he counted on the pregnant woman defending him. Both of them might have a chance against Jaden even if it showed the coward that X’ies truly was. Turning his gaze back to the other male with an annoyed expression similar to that he had given X’yrin, he spoke, I have come to reason with you, X’ies. Assuming, like your pregnant body guard did, that I have come to hurt or kill you is ignorant. I see no reason you must be damaged if we can come to a civil compromise. He knew what he wanted and he had an idea what X’ies desired. His voice still displayed no raw anger but only an annoyance at his situation.



Jaden does. Jaden speaks. Jaden thinks.

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#18
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ooc: Form;Lupus

" Oh I see so all the armor and weapons are just to help you stave off the cold?...".


Quick jab to the underside of the ego. X'ies was poking holes in Jaden's logic, why come for a conversation so heavily armed if violence was not part of the intent? Also the fact he refereed to X'yrin as a bodyguard once again indicated to him that there was some element of danger to this whole situation,otherwise why would he need a bodyguard? Though it was interesting to see that Jaden was going to attempt to talk the Lambda down, and so he would allow this. Talking wasn't the would-be Alpha's strong suit but it was good to see he was at least making an attempt at self improvement.


"...A compromise you say?...I was unawares that one needed to be made. We have co-existed in peaceful terms even with our disagreements and...mistakes...had a discussion been needed it should have been done at the time....unless something has occurred to slight you today...why so late?..".


X'ies of course thought that he knew the answer. In his travelling experience he had encountered wolves that acted differently,fools that rode horses and wore clothes. Those whose actions were not dictated as they should be by normal instinctual terms, some of Jadens actions reflected upon this. The man knew not the culture or the mentality of those he was trying to lead,and because of this was cursed to be a sheep trying to heard wolves. He would inevitably be eaten alive. "...But then I believe X'yrin may have already voiced this....speak if you must Jaden".


Word Count:269

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#19
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Form: Optime, wearing one feather below his left ear in his mane. The carving WC: 600+. Table by Bria



It had been a couple days since Asgeir had been out, preferring to busy himself within the den despite the weather's change for the better. The chill in the morning was hard on his knees, and so he preferred to wait till mid-day or later to be active outside. This morning he had chosen to work by the fire on an intricate carving of a deer, small enough that when he finished it he would be able to string it on a lanyard by a small hole behind its shoulder blades and in front of its pelvis. The delicate stag sat perfectly in the palm of his hand, right on the largest pad.


His ears swiveled as the voice of the Issum rang out, addressed to X'yrin. Given the direction and the way it echoed within the cavern, Asgeir assumed that the autumn lady was nearer the den than was Jaden. Quietly he laid the small carving among his furs, and after a moment, he added the plaid from atop his head to the pile. He took up his spear and went as far as the mouth of the sleeping area to hear the exchange. He did not understand fully what the argument was about, hearing only parts of the discourse. There was some disagreement between the black and white wolf and a packmate who had been a part of Sangi'lak before Asgeir himself, X'ies. That did not concern him. What galled the man was the fact that Jaden, by his own admission, had come armed, prepared to use weapons against X'yrin if she refused to let him take action against the Lambda.


The golden femme replied with the refusal Asgeir expected. Of course she would not let that course of action take place. He peeped around the lip of the cave to view what was going on, taking care not to let himself be seen in time to see X'yrin proceed toward the path she took upwards, and caught well what she said about letting Jaden's seed take root before she disappeared up the path, but little of what followed from both their lips in the face of his anger.


As Jaden moved up from the path to the flat area before the den X'yrin guarded, Asgeir followed from the opposite direction. The path he took was less clearly defined, and more than once he had to climb to the next flat place, his long spear clamped in his mouth. Twice Asgeir heard Jaden call out for the Lambda to come and speak with him, the second time going so far as to impugn X'ies as a coward. By the sounds of things above, X'ies had at least come to within speaking distance of the mouth of the cave. Asgeir paused to rest on a smaller ledge, merely listening impatiently to the interchange, till one word from two mouths filled him with rage.


He was going to fight, not only a lady, but a pregnant lady? Not whilst Asgeir lived. A final climb and the elder was on the same level as the other three individuals. He held his spear at the ready before him, striding with purpose to stand beside and slightly before his Issor. He addressed the black and white male with bared ivory fangs as his gravelly voice rang out. His pregnant bodyguard has but t' say the word an' her spear-man'll do th' fightin'. Without turning, he spoke to X'yrin. When I joined here, I pledged muh skills and muh life t' you and t' th' Family... And if what I heard is truth, he ain't actin' like family, and he certainly ain't no gennelman. His golden eyes rested coldly on Jaden's blue ones at this last. His position was now clear, and whatever speech needed to happen between the Lambda and the Issum could happen, now that the Issor's protection was assured.


Asgeir

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#20
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ooc: >.> there is no shame in hiding

This situation was growing out of control before it had even reached its climax. She needn't wait for it to escalate to know the outcome as she had seen it times before between X'ies and others. He would pretend to listen, with mocking not too far behind. And with the Issum adorn with his unwavering convictions, he would seek to gain respect from the Lambda, more than likely harming him in the process. And knowing this, X'yrin could not let this come to pass. Despite the male's misgivings, both males in this instance, she could not let harm befall another. What example would that set to the rest of the pack?

The persistence of both carried on as predicted with the Shepard as a mere spectator to the inevitable fallout. The insult on her behalf had fallen on deaf ears for her attention shifted to the molten form rounding over the cliffside to join this tense gathering. Rarely had she found herself in the need of protection, but as it stood, she was grateful for it now and would not look upon herself as a coward for accepting it. With a gentle touch to his hip, she accepted his protection and conveyed her gratitude with a soft, yet audible whine.

"No, he is not," she said sternly without looking to the Issum. Then with a careful eye, she looked to X'ies pleasing silently that he not abuse this newfound defense. Callous and cruel as he was, she believed there was enough sense in him not to exacerbate the situation unless it was invoked by Jaden. Silently, she withdrew from the growing ordeal and allowed the two to speak their piece now that her own safety would be assured.

288 words.



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