Greater Love Hath No Man [Roka]

[Aurik]

The heat was a new experience, and with each passing step, Aurik grew more and more skeptical of his mission. Surely even though he and Roka had parted on good terms, she would not be interested in his stalker-esque tendencies... But he just had to make sure she was alright. In the back of his mind, he could not help but wonder how she was acclimating to her new surroundings. Whereas he had grown up in these lands, Roka was both new to the continent and struggling to acclimate. He had not been pleased when his friend set off on her own path, but he could not blame her either. No one would want to be infinitely burdened by him, that much he was aware. He simply could not lay the thoughts to rest until he was able to see it with his own eyes.

Aurik was not exaggerating his tracking abilities. Although the path had grown fairly stale at times, the grey male managed to follow the she-wolf up to the boundaries of the desert. It was there that the nose full of sand dissuaded the male from continuing to track by scent alone. He was close; he could tell. Roka was around here somewhere, but what would she be doing in the desert? There were very few wolves that were suited for this terrain, and she would not be classified as one. He simply could not put the worries in the back of his mind until he was able to see her with his own eyes. It was obvious to him that he would not make any more progress this way. So the male resorted to the only remaining idea he had.

The grey wolf threw back his head, a howl erupting from his throat as it swirled into the air with the blowing sands. His old friend would have the option to either continue on her way or to respond to him and come to greet him. At this point, it would be up to her. What if she thinks I am crazy for coming all this way? he mused silently, the worry seeping back into his body. He had had every intention of heading to join one of the northern packs. His interactions with Roka had renewed his trust of others; if she could be friendly with him, then clearly not every wolf was abusive and harsh like the loners he had encountered. But each time he had tried, he could not move past the nagging feeling that something was missing. He was just too alone to feel comfortable in a pack at that point, and he could not move on until he could make sure that his friend was also taken care of. Roka, where are you? he thought, his brown eyes scanning the horizon in hopes of spying his old friend.

Roka

[Roka]

Roka had succeeded in her mission of finding Sabaoth, only to have him leave her to return to his island. The storm had come and gone leaving her with the choice of swimming to the pack and facing the giant known as Goliath or seeing how long for Sabaoth to return to her. She needed to face the alpha on her own if she was going to claim any standing within the pack if she was introduced as his mate. She needed to find the alpha by herself and earn hi trust as well as his respect. Being his mate was something that she wanted, but it wasn't something that she needed to rely on. Roaming around this sand gave her ample time to come up with a reason other than that male to seek out the pack. They seemed to be founded on ideals of strength, a quality that appealed to Roka. Overall she was just trying to see if it was really worth it to remain in this land for nothing more than a male. Perhaps that was why she was trying to hard to find a reason to stay here. Wanting him was something that she seemed altogether unwilling to compromise on. The more she thought on it the more heavily she settled on the need to stay, even if it meant never seeing her northern home again. She missed the cooler temperatures and the lack of a pack presence that made it feel like home. She even missed the male wolf she had met when she first crashed here. Aurik. He had been her first friend here in these new lands, her only friend. Despite being deaf he still possessed the strength and determination to survive. He didn't rely on others like so many others had a tendency to do. He was also someone that she enjoyed talking with. When she had first gotten her he had been the one to sit with her and practice her speech until she had improved exponentially.

Wandering through these sands she could swear she almost smelled his scent carried on the breeze. It was all a trick though, the constant shifting of the sand wiped away all kinds of scents. Looking around she tried to decide where to go next. She could turn towards Ina'mos and swim to her fate or she could prolong what felt like the inevitable. Choosing Sabaoth had been easier than breathing air, his temper and power tempting her. He was also someone that she respected not just for his strength, but also for his will and intelligence. There were times were he was one step ahead of her, besting her at her own game. Other times he would just sit and watch as she worked herself into a fit. She didn't know how to explain the instant attraction that had pulled her in and now that she was in she had no urge to leave. Again she caught the scent of Aurik carried over the breeze, but she couldn't tell where it was coming from. When his howl finally did pierce the air she realized that her friend really was here in this desert. Following the sound as it echoed around her proved more difficult than she would have liked to admit. Climbing over the ridge of a sandy dune she finally laid eyes on him as he looked about. Roka wondered what exactly it was that he was searching for in these lands. She could see no reason for him to have come such a great distance and so close to a pack. Perhaps he had decided to leave the north as well, forsaking the beauty of that region to discover what other treasures this continent had to offer. For whatever reason she doubted it. Something more pressing had drawn him to this place and she was going to find out. Barking out in reply to his howl she trotted down the slope of the dune, sand spraying all around her. When she did reach the bottom of the dune she approached him more slowly, trying to take in as much of him as she could, still not convinced he was really there. "Aurik. What brings you here?"

Aurik

[Aurik]

As the male sat in wait, his eyes gently scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of an approaching wolf. Perhaps his tracking skills were not as great as he once thought; maybe Roka was nowhere near here. And even if he found her, what was he going to say? Sorry, I got lonely so I stalked you across the continent because I have absolutely nothing better to do with my days than hunt down the only wolf that has made me feel like I am not a piece of trash, he thought with a quiet scoff to himself. As if that would go over well. Truthfully, Roka's friendship was one of the only things he valued in his life. She had shown in, albeit in a roundabout way, that not everyone was out to get him. It was possible for strangers to interact amicably. Not everyone was mean spirited and out for their own betterment. And yet above all those things, Roka had shown him that he was not too pathetic to be worthy of a friend.

It was only that quiet assurance that convinced him that, in the even Roka actually approached him, she would would not run off, disgusted by his appearance. Surely the fact that his heart was in the right place would help with the matter? He simply could not bear to think that she might have gotten herself into any trouble. There were rough wolves on the continent, many of which she would be in a tough situation if she fell into them. Aurik was concerned for his friend, so much so that he put his own life on the back burner in order to make sure that she was doing alright. Surely he was no worse than a concerned friend or parent might have been. And while he was no parent to Roka, he did feel a sense of duty and protectiveness over her. He could not quite figure it out himself, but she had been on the forefront of his mind since they had parted ways.

It was only by sheer coincidence that, as Aurik's brown eyes glazed over the horizon, he spied a speck in the distance that actually seemed to be moving toward him. And lo and behold, Roka was here. The male could not help but yip out in greeting, his ears not picking up the cry that Roka had initially made but his happiness was evident by the full body wiggle and madly wagging tail. "Roka," he breathed out with relief. Not only did she appear to be in one piece, but she looked far healthier than she had before.

Gone was the drowned rat of a wolf that Aurik had once shared a meal with in order to save his own hide. In her place was a strong, proud femme. The difference between this Roka and the one he had initially encountered was so drastic that he nearly had to do a double take. But it was really her, here in the flesh. Hopefully what he did next was not stepping over any boundaries, but the male rushed forward, gently nuzzling his former companion in greeting. "I had hopes I would find you, Roka," he admitted softly, not sure what to say now that he had found her. "I did not know if you were well, or how you were in general. Your speech is sounding much better, dear," he complimented her with a soft smile.

There was something that almost exuded from Roka that Aurik had never before encountered. It was some kind of happiness, but it was differently. There was almost a glow coming from her, and it was both unsettling and intriguing at the same time. What had his friend been up to? What was making her so happy that she pretty much glowed like the noon day sun? "You seem happier, Roka," he pried gently, his brown eyes locking on her lips in hopes that she might open up to him.

It had been far too long since he had spoken with his only friend.


Roka

[Roka]

No sooner then when she reached the bottom of the sand dune Aurik was greeting her. His tail wagged wildly causing the rest of his body to shake in unison. He pushed past the mental boundary that she had set for him and moved closer, nuzzling her. It took everything in her not to reject his contact, but a part of her tensed at the gesture. She wasn't used to this kind of greeting and it had caught her off guard. After a moment she composed herself forcing her body to relax. Aurik was her friend and he wasn't there to cause her any harm. When he finally did step back she flashed him what could be interpreted as a grin of sorts. Even though she was glad to see him she was curious as to why he was here. Thinking over their last encounter she could recall no reason for him to have traveled such a great distance. He avoided her question choosing to instead compliment her on her speech. It probably did sound vastly improved to him since he hadn't talked with her since her arrival on this continent. She probably looked a lot better than the scraggly wretch that had met him on her first days here.

He claimed that he knew not of how she was doing, but Roka wasn't aware that would have given him a reason to travel so far. He was in fact her only friend so she had no idea what was expected of her as a friend. Was she supposed to travel north to check up on him as well? She had no idea what being a friend actually entailed. One way or another Roka would figure out exactly what had drug him down here. She wanted to know why her friend would suffer in this unbearable heat. Perhaps he had found someone else, another friend to follow about, exploring the continent together. His eyes seemed to roam over her and his next question caught her off guard. Was she happier than the first time that they had met? Not much had happened since they had last met. The only thing of significance was her travel to this region to find Sabaoth. The real question was did Sabaoth make her happy. He made her angry to be sure, angry and frustrated. Underneath it all she suspected that she did enjoy his company just a little bit. If she didn't like him it wouldn't make sense for her to trek down here. "I suppose I am happy. It feels good to be back to my normal self I guess, now that I am not starving. Now no more avoiding my questions. What brings you so far south?"

It just couldn't click in her head that he would follow her down here just to check on her. It made no sense. Even though she was glad to see him it made her a little wary. Was there something wrong with him? Was he running from something? Whatever it was she would get to the bottom of this mystery. Looking him over she tried to discern if he was hurt, but came up blank. "Enough about me. How are you?" She tried to use her other senses to determine if anything was the matter, but she could detect nothing that suggested distress.

Aurik

[Aurik]

It took less than a fraction of a second for Aurik to realize that he had messed up. Of course Roka did not want him to touch her! The male threw his body weight backward as if he had been burned, scrambling to give Roka the space that she clearly wanted. "I apologize. I overstepped," he murmured gently, momentarily unable to meet her gaze. He would manage to throw away the only friendship he had managed to ever form. That was, if that friendship was ever really there. Perhaps he just imagined that they bonded all that time ago. Everything Roka said and did seemed to point to confusion that he would even seek her out. Was that not what friends were supposed to do? But everything kept coming back to him.

"I don't understand," he admitted softly, his eyes slowly rolling back up to meet Roka's gaze. He was virtually useless without his sight anyways, so it did not make sense to make himself any more vulnerable at this point. "I suppose I must have misunderstood. I thought that I would look out for you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he admitted. He had to fight every urge in his body that screamed to back away and flee while he still had the tiniest shred of dignity left. "I'm sorry, Roka," he murmured, his ears flicking as the sand swirled around him. "I don't know what I was thinking. Of course you would want to continue your life. I will go back north. Perhaps I will find something there," he almost managed to keep the mounting disappointment out of his voice. Everything seemed to fall flat for him. He was ruining the only semi-good thing to happen to him in ages.

Why was he even here? What had he planned to gain by stalking Roka across the continent other than a title of a true weirdo? He could not come back from this one. She would most certainly think him to be a loser and a threat. It would be back to his old lifestyle. Being alone had never seemed to matter much before, but now it just felt different. There was an emptiness there as Aurik came to one solid realization.

He was a failure.

Tags: Roka
Notes: Must... not... cry...

[Roka]

Roka realized that she had hurt Aurik's feelings and that made her regret her actions. She had spent so long around Sabaoth that she was becoming more gruff with each passing day. Aurik had been so kind to her when they had first met and now she had hurt him. Sure he had been uncomfortable with his contact but she should have just understood that it was Aurik. She had forgotten how sensitive he was and that she couldn't treat him with the same gruffness that she treated others with. After all he was her only friend. She didn't give that title lightly, but Aurik had been there for her when she had been going through a difficult time in her life. He had been there understanding as ever to help her regain her ability to talk. Now look at her, she could speak almost as fluently as she had ever spoken before.

Watching him now would have broken her heart if she was a more feeling kind of wolf. As it was she already regretted her actions. He was doubting himself, that much she could see from the way he looked at her. He was trying to keep the hurt out of his eyes, but Roka could still see it. With renewed purpose she took one careful step towards him and then another until there was only a small space between them. She leaned down to give him a nudge on the shoulder, hoping that it would comfort him. "No Aurik. I overreacted. I am not used to being touched is all." Roka hoped that her explanation would at least soothe some of the hurt that she had caused.

Did she really want him to return to the north? At the very least she needed to catch up with him and find out how his life had been since the last she had seen him. The fact that he wanted to look after her was a little amusing. "Do I need looking after? I wasn't aware that I was in trouble." He talked about leaving and heading back to the north, but she didn't want to lose him. For whatever reason she really believed that if she allowed him to walk away from her she would never see him again. Stepping back she planted herself firmly in his path. "Take one step away from me and I will skin your hide." She growled a little allowing a bit of her anger to come out. The thought of losing her only friend did not sit well with her and she would allow herself to be misinterpreted. "Besides, you haven't told me about yourself yet."

Aurik

[Aurik]

It was so whiplash-inducing, this conversation. When one minute Roka seemed overly suspicious of his intentions, the next his hide was being threatened? Aurik visibly flinched back at his friend's harsh words, pausing momentarily to reflect on his life. What had he really done since he and Roka parted ways? Nothing. You never do anything new, his inner voice taunted him. Sadly, it was true. Since the two headed in different directions, Aurik had reverted much to his old self. He was not only skittish and untrusting of other wolves, but he was a loner. It was virtually ingrained in his existence at this point. But the fact that Roka seemed genuinely interested in what he had done was the most brutal realization.

She was living her life, and he was nothing more than wasted space. Why was he even bothering her?

Roka had most certainly moved on with her life. She was making something of herself, and he was stagnant. "I... I haven't really done anything," he admitted, shame flooding into his eyes as he fought to keep his gaze fixed on Roka. "I just don't really know how to interact with others," he confessed, his ears falling flat against his skull. "Like with you. I don't think I know how to be a friend to someone. What do you do? To make friends?" Perhaps it was Roka's turn to help him in a way that he could not help himself. He was socially stunted from all those years on his own, and there was not much he could do to change that. But perhaps he could start to move forward, with help of course. "I am sorry, Roka. I must have outstepped what is normal," he apologized sheepishly, attempting a half-smile that did not quite reach his eyes. He could not figure out what was bringing him down so much, but it was there.

The looming doubt was resting right on the male's shoulders, threatening to set down. It was only a matter of time before he either had to shrug it off forever or allow it to consume him.

What would become of him then?

Tags: Roka
Notes: He is kinda making me sad XD

[Roka]

Sounded like Aurik had experienced a peaceful few months not having too much going on in his life. Roka was a little envious of the fact that he had that kind of quiet going for him. She herself enjoyed the solitude and serenity that being alone brought. He claimed that he had no idea how to interact with others as if it was a bad thing. Roka had learned from an early age that interacting with others brought with it too many complications. Most of it greed and drama that Roka had no time for. "Sounds pleasant to me." It seemed like Aurik was displeased with the way that his past few months had been spent. Perhaps if she had remained in her solitude she wouldn't have met Sabaoth and she wouldn't be so far down south. She would still be up north enjoying the cooler weather. Licking her lips she began to notice that she was getting more and more thirsty. There was little water here in this sandy wasteland, but somehow the animals and plants here managed to thrive.

"You don't seem to be pleased with that? Were you hoping to meet more of our kind?" She never understood it but some of her kind enjoyed the company of others. She was going to have to at least pretend if she wanted to survive in Kairos. The pack itself was full of giants, but if Sabaoth could make it there than so could she. He was the only reason that she had decided to join up. Her main intention had been to follow him down to this land just to see him again. A part of herself was convinced that it woul have been enough, but it wasn't true. The dark and violent attraction that seemed to simmer between them could not be tempered with one occasional meeting. It was an ever burning flame that threatened to consume her every time they met.

She didn't expect Aurik to understand, but if he was her only friend so maybe she was obligated to tell him the news. If she was going to join a pack after all he would find out eventually. "I have some news for you my friend." She paused wondering if she should continue and tell him about Sabaoth or if she should just limit it to the basics. Perhaps the basics would be better for now. Sabaoth or not she had made up her mind at this point and she would follow through and join. She had tried to find some reason for her joining the pack other than her male. Otherwise what would keep her there once he had finished the deed. What would make her stay once she discovered exactly what it meant to belong to Sabaoth. "I have decided to join a pack."


Aurik

[Aurik]

There was one major problem with Roka's question about what he was hoping for from the last few months. Aurik had no idea.

That was his biggest pitfall: an inability to find purpose in his life. It seemed that at every turn he had had an opportunity to better himself, but he was too busy tucking his tail and running from those who might think to oppress him that he had not stopped to see what he could have become. It was far from Aurik's mind at most times, but when he was standing here, seeing how much Roka had transformed herself in a matter of months, it made him yearn for something different. He did not want to be alone for his entire life, yet how could someone accept someone as flawed as him into their life? Whether it be a pack or a mate, Aurik was not sure. But somehow, that longing for companionship had driven him to migrate across an entire continent for someone that he felt nothing but platonic feelings for. He was lonely, and he was lost.

"I am not sure it is that as much as I do not know what I should do," the male confessed sheepishly, his eyes dropping to Roka's paws once more as he fought to keep eye contact with her. Something about admitting his insecurities to someone else made them that much more real. If he kept them to himself, he could at least provide a semblance of a put together life. When he spoke with Roka, though, he did not want to lie to her. She had been a catalyst in his life that put him on a new path. He could not bring himself to be dishonest, for that would be tarnishing the friendship they had forged all those months ago. "I have never been able to speak with anyone but you. All the others were harsh, judgmental, and aggressive with me. They see me as useless because I am flawed."

It was a horrible cross to carry, but this would be his life until the day he died. He could not change who he was or the hand that fate had dealt him; he simply had to keep moving forward. But what Roka confided in him next doubled the size of his eyes as he gaped in silence. A pack?

Now Aurik had not known Roka long in the grand scheme of things, but he was innately aware of her discomfort around others. Why would she subject herself to constant wolves in her space? It simply did not make sense to him... There had to be more to the story than she was telling him. "Which pack?" he asked cautiously. While he might not have wandered this far south in his lifetime, he was aware of many of the established packs throughout the continent. They were each different and known for specific behaviors or accomplishments; some good, many of them bad. It was their location that thwarted Aurik's deduction. There were no packs here in the desert, nor had there been for several years. There had to be something that he was missing here.


Tag: Roka
Notes: So something about making a new character has kicked my muse into high gear.

[Roka]

Roka watched as her friend continually tried to put himself down. He didn't seem to be able to see his own worth and found it difficult to assert himself. In a wolf's world you either dominated or submitted that was how it worked. Aurik seemed to content to submit to whatever awful treatment he ran into and Roka wanted to growl in fury. He had a worth that he was so blind to all of the things around him, how others might see him. His deafness was a weakness, but the fact that he was able to rise above and survive showed strength. She knew that he possessed it within him, but he was so unsure of himself he wouldn't let it out. Deciding that now was not the time to get into it about his inability to shine she simply smiled at him trying to once again put him at ease. He confessed that she was the only one that he could talk to and to an extent that pleased her. "I am not so easy to talk to. We will simply have to find you someone who has the same interests as you."

Her attempt to keep him in the dark about her plans hadn't worked as well as she had hoped. He was curious about why such an independent wolf as herself would subject herself to the life that she had dreaded for so long. She knew that the reason was Sabaoth and no matter how many reason she found to respect her new pack he was the only one that mattered. She had followed him to this lace to be with him as foolish as it sounded. A part of her didn't want to share that with him, but his piercing gaze seemed to be able to see right through her. She could see him become wary of her decision and he asked what pack she was joining. He had been born here so of course he knew all of the packs and knew which one she would be joining. All for the sake of a male. She made it sound like it was a bad thing, but Sabaoth was the only male that had ever made her consider the choices she now made. "I am joining Kairos." There she had said it. Now all she could do was wait to see the reaction that Aurik, her only friend, had.

Aurik

[Aurik]

The curiosity was eating away at Aurik as he patiently waited for his friend's response. He could only shrug in response to her statement that he needed to find more wolves with similar interests; the male was not sure that those existed. He was not exactly the most interesting character around. In fact, his only redeemable quality was his loyalty, which he was not even certain that Roka wanted at this time. He had seen the unease in her eyes when he tried to dance around why he was here. He was not sure that he could truly admit to her that not only was she his only friend, but that he did not forsee that changing any time soon. Those who lived normal lives could not see things from their perspective. In a twisted way, they were the same, albeit inherently different. They had both been dealt rough hands in life, and they would each handle their struggles in their own way. However, what Roka finally enunciated about her decision shocked Aurik in the worst way.

Kairos.

The male had never believed that the pack spawned of the insane of the continent would amount to much, but somehow the alpha had amassed an empire of epic proportions. Quite frankly, the grey male was frightened by the mere thought of encountering one of their ranks. And now Roka wanted to join them? The grey male could not keep the shock and fear hidden from his eyes as he stared straight into Roka's. "Roka, why?" 

They were the only words that Aurik could utter, too stunned by what she had just told him that he did not know what else could be said. He could not say that he never saw her joining a pack, but Aurik knew that beneath her rough exterior, Roka was a good soul. While he avoided Kairos like the plague, the stories of their conquest and reign over virtually the entire western sea border, along with parts of the new, mysterious land of giants, spread like wildfire. The rest of the packs truly had something to fear, and Aurik was not certain if he, too, had a reason to be fearful of the pack. What was to stop them from venturing into the loner lands, spreading like a disease throughout all of Anikira? There had to be a reason behind Roka's decision, but the male simply could not see what would be important enough to stare into the mouth of the dragon.


Roka

[Roka]

Roka had no explanation for why exactly she had decided to join Kairos. None that would make sense to Aurik. Her only reason was Sabaoth and she knew that he would never agree with her reasons for that. Roka's only friend would not accept her decision to pledge herself to the male that had so much power over her. She gave a reluctant grin before she let out a breath she hadn't even been aware that she was holding. It was strange wanting to explain herself to Aurik, but she wanted him to see it the same way that she did. Wanted him to know that she wasn't cray. Perhaps she was crazy for wanting the ebony male that had power over her from the moment she saw him. Perhaps not. Whatever her reasons were they were her own and she couldn't change them now. Even if Aurik disapproved.

She paused her thinking, taking a deep breath before starting her story. She didn't delve very deeply into how she felt for Sabaoth, but she did tell Aurik that he was the reason for her change. The reason that she was making such a drastic decision. Kairos was a pack that she could learn to respect with time. Even now as she sat here trying to find a few other options for her almost irrational behavior. She had never really felt like this before, but she could only do one thing, follow her instincts. They had kept her alive so far so she had to keep trusting them to lead her in the right direction. "I don't know what else to do Aurik. If I want him then I have to join this pack." Roka didn't know if she had any other feelings than desire for the brute, but for now this was enough to drive her on. "I have to join this pack."


Aurik

[Aurik]

There would be no changing his friend's mind, of this much Aurik was sure. He still was not certain how such a female had been lured in by one of the Kairos heirs... How things had changed in his absence. He could not fault her for wanting companionship, as he, too, wanted someone to dote on and care about them. He was mostly concerned for her security within that pack. Kairos was not known for their kind nature, and Aurik feared for Roka's safety in the heart of the lion's den. His face contorted slightly, deep in thought as he cocked his head to one side and stared at Roka.

Her feelings were not imagined; Aurik could see this much. He had no qualms with Roka branching out and putting down roots, but Kairos? Of all the places to find a home, that would have been the last place he imagined for his friend. They were both wrought with problems, and Kairos was the "perfect pack." He was certain that she would not find the stability in anyone but Sabaoth there, and he simply could not imagine it for her. There was only one thing that could be done to alleviate this problem. Her heart was set on this, whereas Aurik was a free range loner. He had to protect her; it was the only thing he could see doing with his life that would give him meaning.

"I will go with you."

The words were softer than his normal speech pattern, so much so that Aurik was not even certain his friend would hear them. He would be an outcast within their ranks due to his disability, but what other option did he have? He would not allow Roka to be unprotected, and this was the only way he could make sure that she was cared for by this male the way she should be. Roka was his only friend, and he did not take that title lightly. He would go to the ends of the earth for her, or in this case, to the Kairos pack.

Into the lion's den.


Roka