in a m a d world only the mad are s a n e;;

[adhara]

OOC:

[Mike and Atreyu, I think. ]

---

Finally, she was alone.

A chill wind blew past, slotting cool fingers beneath her fur. The Eastern Timber padded forwards, lifting her muzzle to the wind, letting it race across her features. An expression of true bliss graced her face; the female was enjoying this brief moment of carefree delight.

She let it go as the wind dropped, but the joy in her face, her eyes, stayed. It was needed. She hoarded the pleasure away for later use, as she did with every emotion that came on. The wolf trotted onwards, her nose twitching and her ears pricked – gone was the time when she could depend on scent alone to track down prey. But she hadn't missed it, had she? She was already good enough, it was only a bonus to her, nothing more. She could make do with it gone.

Adhara's mind was working as furiously as ever, despite the apparent calm outside. She was weighing pros and cons between her choices for food, rating those that she had encountered by their usefulness and danger, as well as trying to sort that unknown presence into a category so she could store it away.

Mike's rating had dropped. She couldn't stick around with him forever, as it'd hinder her plans. She'll only keep him around until she finishes off Argent – and maybe not even then. Aye, I'm fickle, she thought, a cruel mental-smile flickering past her mind. I'll toy with him, then let him go. I'm not one for suffering, but sometimes it's so amusing to watch...

It might be the best not to sever all ties with him, though, Aggress Mode warned. He might be useful, in the future. Keep up that disguise, girl.

Argent was practically begging to be taken care of. She was perceptive enough to see through the façade, and her stupidity was needing a lesson as well. If Adhara and Argent Alku had switched places, the Eastern Timber wouldn't let on any sign that she'd realised what was happening. That carelessness could get her killed – in fact, it would indeed be the death of the Red Wolf, if Adhara had any say in it. The auburn-furred female had been stupid enough to repeat her mistake so many times, it was almost hard not to point it out to her face. Too bad the Eastern Timber was neither kindly nor stupid; she wouldn't complain at an enemy's weakness.

Denali was turning out to be tricky to handle. She seemed like she had vast connections, based on her extensive travelling, and some of those connections could mean she would get news quickly. Though, if the extent of her knowledge on the Zahir Pack's fate was anything to go by, Adhara could safely assume that she wasn't as fast as the younger female at gathering news. It could be because she was scared to enter the Zahir Packlands, and the others she associated with had neither the freedom nor the courage to do so as well. She could be left alone for the time being—

What's that? The sound of hooves amongst grass? A pair of ears swivelled towards the origin of the noise. A few seconds of intent listening confirmed her suspicions. Yes, it was a herd of deer, for some reason frightened. Perhaps a kill had been made recently? The Eastern Timber Wolf slid into an experienced hunter's position, and soundless move through the tall grass. Her mottled fur kept her hidden between the long blades, and in no time, Adhara was close to a small herd of deer. She licked her jowls hungrily and waited for an opportunity. Now, if Mike could just show up, they would snatch a kill for themselves in ease...

Aha! A young doe had strayed away from its family, thinking perhaps that the coast was clear. It trotted a little further, bending its head to nibble at grass – and that was the chance the wolf had been waiting for. She pounced, jaws wrenched open in a terrible snarl, to fasten around the doe's neck. A quick bite punctured its carotid, spurting a hot, red spray onto her chest, and another, stronger one crushed the windpipe efficiently. The deer rolled, kicked and bucked, braying in a panic, tossing her head about, as her herd scattered. But it was futile. The huntress clung on tightly, teeth embedded in her prey, and it soon collapsed, heaving for air as it slowly lost consciousness. Before she was even sure the deer had died, Adhara was eviscerating it, tearing out the liver and gobbling it down. It was the best part of a kill, and she wasn't about to let Mike at it, disguise or no disguise. An excited look crossed her face, and she yapped to the apparently-empty Plains, "Yay! I killed a deer! Me, alone! I'm sooo cool!"

Of course, it was all for show.

[mikewolf]

Mike continued on his path, fear still filling his head. What was that I smelled? He knew not what it was, but made sure to keep all his sense's ready. He finaly cought up to Lauren, watching as she enjoyed her peace. He smiled, feeling calmed, and sat and watched her. She is so beautiful he thought, how was he so lucky as to find someone like her. Then he heard it, hooves, his smiled widened, and body was ready. "Okay now, its party time!" He then ren for his prey, but not before Lauren had leaped foward and snatched a young doe. He was amazed to see her take it in one shot, almost giggling at the sight. He watched as she took her prize, devouring its entrails.

"Yay! I killed a deer! Me, alone! I'm sooo cool!"

He smiled as she praised herself. He then aprouched her, his goofy smile on his face. Hehe, good job Lauren, but you couldnt wait for me? I wanted to help you know. He giggled at his words. Hoping to have the same affect on her. He looked in the distance as some elk were still around, and a hungry smiled creesed his face. Now its my turn, just wait till you see me hunt!

He then ran foward, making sure his paws were quiet as they could be. When he was but a hundred yards away, the elk saw him, and began to dispearse. He quikly turned cornering a small group. He sped around them in circles, confusing them. When he saw his chance, he leaped foward, digging his teeth into an a young males neck. The beast struggled, throwing him all over the feild, almost knocking against a tree. However, Mike kept his hold, squeezing harder, his paw holding down its torso. After the struggling stopped, he then new the male had died. He stood over it body, thanking it for adding to his groups meal.

He grabbed its antler with his mouth, and dragged it to Laurens spot. The struggle had tired him, so he was still a little dizzy. So, what do you think? He asked, hoping he made her proud.
------------------------------------------
OOC: Okay, Edited, I think it makes more sense now.

[Deleted]

"But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.'
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'"

Large charcoal painted paws eargerly welcomed a change of scenery from the harsh elements of chilled salty waters of the ocean and the freezing grains of sand, to the solid terrain of the vast Chamoru Plains. Although large and brimming, the brute's foot falls were light and virtually noiseless thanks to his heavily worn in pads and the overgrown tufts of fur that grew in between the individual toes. Tractable claws embraced the landscape that was littered with the season's short grasses and barely-there shrubs. A sigh escaped his tapered muzzle, relieved that this island contained more than just sandy beaches. Dark emeral pools danced over the expansive foundation of herbavor life. Mingling amonst themselves were great herds of buffalo and elk, along with a sporadic weave of deer. Atreyu could not complain.

"Do you recall what we came out here for?" asked the voice with irritation.

"Of course I remember," Atreyu disclosed, lunging himself onto the open terra, cantering up a hill only to abruptly halt at its crest. The image was nothing less than majestic, from the point of view of those who find an unsung power and boldness mesmorizing. All features and distinction melt away in the shadows of a thick obsidian pelt creating a visual of his brimming shilouhette standing tall and proud with the ability to claim this land of abundant life. The scene looked pristine against a stark white backdrop. Only standing a moment, the brute laid himself to the ground, still feverishly overlooking the plains, occasionaly gazing to the snowy mountain peaks that lined the massive field.

"Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
'Doubtless,' said I, 'what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -
Till the dirges of his hope and meloncholy burden bore
Of 'Never-nevermore.'"

Embarking on his pursuit after the wolven pair he entered the battlefield of the animals gladiators, predators versus prey, buffalo versus wolf. Thickly coated audits interchanged between being laced back against his skull, protecting themselves against chilled and dry wintery gusts that ravaged the plains, to two tall alert twin peaks precisely placed atop his cranium, listening to the most minute detail. He was on a mission. He strode with determination as his leathery nose wafted in the essence of a fresh kill. Lower jaw opened slightly revealing a moist cavern, his tastebuds anxiously waiting to relish in hot crimson blood. The beasts of the battlefield could just as easily smell and sense death amongst them, and were weary of Atreyu's presence. The feeling was equally noted within the brute, as he felt every pair of eyes glare at his frame moving swiftly across the open terra.

"But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.'"

There was no shelter on the open battlefield. No where to conceal one's self. Atreyu had to be bold. Silently he stalked the pair who were endulging themselves in the split stomach of a young doe.
One step.
Stop.
One step.
Stop.
Surfacing out of the silent background noise, a chuckle erupted from Atreyu's deep chest, but as it escaped into the atmosphere and into the lobes of an unfortunate few, the noise would be unfamiliar to any light-hearted chuckle, for the laughter was that from an empty soul. True evil. The voice that sounded shortly after was even more nerve wracking. "I suggest you two leave... Before, anyone gets hurt," rumbled gruff vocals in a tone easily identified as domineering and haunting. Feathered plume was frozen outright behind him, his large head lowered, parallel with the earth. Deadly jowls remained parted - as a saliva droplet fell to the frost bitten ground - revealing a miniscule glint of ivory canine enamal as a damnable grin crossed his mug.

[adhara]

OOC: LOL, two carcasses now. Wonder if Atreyu was going to gorge himself on both?

---

"Okay now, it's party time!"

She spun around, startled to hear the words, and mentally bit herself. How could she? She had let the thrill of the hunt get to her, and she had let down her guard. It had been the perfect opportunity for a sneak attack. She repressed the shudder and brought out her joyful smile, and yapped, "Mike! Here you are! Just in time."

"Hehe, good job Lauren, but you couldn't wait for me? I wanted to help you know. Now it's my turn, just wait till you see me hunt!"

She nodded, emanating eagerness and awe as he stalked a herd of elk. A sense of apprehension stole up her chest: Idiot! Was he trying to show off or something? It was obvious that he couldn't take down anything bigger and an adult cow alone! But then, if he went and offed himself now, it would make her job that much easier, wouldn't it? A smirk creased her face for a moment, one of the rare times she let her real emotions show, before it was replaced by a worried look. "Be careful! I mean, don't hurt yourself, um..."

The Eastern Timber watched as the male latched himself onto a young bull, wrestling with the herbivore until it gave up. Ah well. Never mind. There'll be more chances to ditch him in the future. For now, she dumped a huge, overjoyed grin onto her face and ran in circles about her "boyfriend", treating him just like she would a war hero. To his question, she responded in an awed voice, "Mike, you rock! I couldn't possibly have thought of taking that down, myself!" She nosed the carcass hungrily, sniffing across it. "It's so... big! We'll have enough for everyone!"

She nudged her deer over towards the Grey Wolf. It was more economical to finish off one carcass and bring the other back for Denali and Argent Alku, though she wanted nothing to do with either – especially not the Red Wolf. An eviscerated carcass decomposes faster than a freshly-killed one; already, vultures were circling the kill, and the rich scents of blood wafted out, enough to entice many a loner towards a free meal. The faster they ate and moved on, the less chance there would be of an encounter with unwelcome visitors. So, slurping up a fatty bit of flesh, the female nodded to her companion: "Let's eat this one and lug your elk back to Denali and Argent, alright? It's such a big prize, I'm sure they'll be shocked!"

She was about to continue, to urge the male to start eating – for she didn't want to linger here any longer than she needed – when a cold feeling pricked the back of her neck. On alert now, girl, Aggress Mode warned. Adhara prepared herself mentally for an encounter she didn't want, and tensed her muscles, ready to fight or flee at a second's notice. Her face, still, remained a mask of pride, awe, and joy, as if she had no idea someone was approaching.

A chuckle, a cold, hideous chuckle, rolled across the plains. Adhara felt her fur stand on end, but she was mentally pleased at her calmness: you don't scare me. Outwards, she leapt about ten centimetres into the air, tripping over her own paws in a sudden spurt of energy. Her fur puffed up all over as she rolled and tumbled in the blood-wet grass, standing up shakily a metre away, glancing about in fear. In the meantime, one would have heard a bloodcurdling shriek emit from her maw as she glanced about, looking for the source of the noise. Well done, her mental companion praised. That was the best show anyone could've put up.

"I suggest you two leave... Before anyone gets hurt." The Eastern Timber female swung around, displaying her shock and horror in the most obvious way possible. Her frightened gaze locked onto the new arrival – a large black male of about her age, with glinting, emerald eyes, was stalking towards them, his head lowered in a gesture not of submission, but one that emanated danger. Adhara let out a visible gulp and backed away slightly. Meanwhile, Aggress Mode carefully documented the scent into her mental vault. He was large, with a good, strong build that showed he was one to be reckoned with in a battle. Conversely, it also meant that he could hunt efficiently. A good compromise between speed and strength. From the tone and content of his words, this was a wolf who harboured undesirable intentions, and seemed confident that he could get what he wanted. Useful, if she could convince him to work for/with her. He dared to challenge two wolves for their prey; a show of courage or stupidity, she wasn't sure yet, though she was more than willing to bet on the stupidity side. Too bad she couldn't drop her disguise just yet (or could she?), or he wouldn't know what hit him when she sank her fangs into his jugular. Mmm, the taste of fresh blood...

Jerking her attention from her thoughts, her lack of response easily passable as being fear-frozen, she stuttered out a "Wh-wh-what d-do y-you want-t-t from us-s-s?" She already knew what he came for the food, but she wasn't sure if Mike was going to give it up without a fight.

[mikewolf]

AS Mike lugged hid prize over to the feme, her praise put a smile on his face. making him feel as if he accomplished something great. He always hunted alone, so her praise was something new to him, he enjoyed every word. He could picture showings this kill to Argent and Denali, they would be surprised.

Lauren ran her nose across the elk, they new this would be enough for all of them. He started to sniff at hers, getting a little nibble from its meat. As he chewed, a cold wind blew by, filling his nose with a dreadful scent. It made him freeze in fear,his legs barely keeping him up. He lifted his head from the carcass, looking for the source of the scent.

He looked to see a wolf darker then night, his eyes almost peircing, almost as if he was looking into the young wolfs heart. He took one good gulp, and cuationed himself. He took a submissive, but defending pose, and smiling, he opened his mouth, hoping to make friends with the frightning stranger. However, this stranger took Mikes chance to speak, to deliver his own message.

"I suggest you two leave... Before, anyone gets hurt,"

The very comment made him shiver again, almost to the point of breaking like glass. However, he deciced he would not let this beast frighten him, he would not let him push him around. He then looked to Lauren, and the kills, I have to protect her, and also make sure he doesnt get the food... He stood three steps foward, and took his stance. I'm sorry, but these are our kills, if you want us to share, fine, but you can NOT threaten us. WHo are you to order us anyway? He felt some strength in his action, and boldness, but above all, he fely stupidity. He did not know who this dark one was, and he did not know what he would do. He only hoped he was ready for anything that was to come.

[Deleted]

Fiery gaze shifted left from right and back again, greedily observing each opponent vigilantly until the young male stepped forward, with only the slightest hint of hesitation. Damn fool. Atreyu’s wicked grin stretched further along his mug; this was becoming more fun for him, a game per say, in which every scenario, he came out the winner. Several options ran through his head, and with each window of opportunity, he examined the pros and cons carefully until he decided on an appropriate means of action. All the while, his foreboding figure grew larger, as every hair from his brow to his tail in a linear pattern along his spine bristled with intensity. “Oh really...” he spat, with a coinciding snap of powerful jaws and clashing teeth in the face of the juvenile.

His body stealthily prepared itself for an attack; going unobserved the muscles in his hind legs coiled and tractable claws massaged the soil as his frame hunkered down closer to the ground. The entire act from thought to the follow through of a terrifying lunge, his movements were liquid and flawlessly executed. Fore limbs were held in the lead of his attack, similar to a professional diver, tumbling from the high dive, using their hands as a needle point nose. Jaws parted, it looked as if he would tear out the youngster’s vocals right then and there for speaking out to him. He landed to the left side of the brute, hackles resting calmly along his nape and back. He eyed the second deer carcass taking careful note that the duo had yet to tear into the buck. Long legs loped in a quarter-circle around the back side of the pair intersecting the two kills, strategically placing himself on the opposite side of the doe.
“Smart Atreyu… Very smart! If either one decides to be brave- or stupid rather, you will have the time to process their, lack of a better word, attack,” remarked a voice. I’m not finished just yet… Atreyu responded silently, knowing it would be completely unacceptable to speak aloud.

“If I were to tell you my name, I would surely have to kill you then…” he chided, turning his gaze from the young male who had asked for his dubbance, to the female returning his gaze as gruff vocals formed ‘kill you’. Just as fluent as before, he leapt through the air, although this time he was not aggressive, he only severed the invisible safety line between the couple. “If you must know, my name is Atreyu,” he stated plainly looking to the male, shortly followed by a light head shake of faux disappointment that also allowed him a glance at the female companion. If he was not able to control the scene with fear embedded deep within the hearts of his opponents, he could be in a potentially bad spot, he just had to keep a consistent watch on each one. Barely missing a beat, he picked up the conversation, “See… Now I have to kill you,” he said with a sadistic play of discontent. “But, since you said you would share, I’m sure we could work out a deal.” Tre sounded genuinely sincere, but a gleam in his shallow eyes led one to believe otherwise, but now it was too late.

Spinning around he pounced on to the petite female, claiming her nape with his jaws, forcefully dragging her to the ground. Emerald pools gleamed with delight under a furrowed brow as he glared at the young male who was supposed to be protecting his girl. Placing a single broad paw over her neck, Atreyu attempted to pin her down with not physical brutality, but fear as he hissed in her revealed lobe, “You move, I will not hesitate to spill your blood where you lay…” Tre was not concerned if the young brute overheard, in fact he lavished the moment more as his words drifted to the Grey wolf’s audits.

“Now… If you agree to give up that buck and take your kill elsewhere, I’ll willingly spare here life…” mentioned Atreyu, his tail swishing behind his flanks irritably.

[adhara]

[OOC: 'Scuse me! D:<

I know OOC-only posts are unacceptable, but you're powerplaying as well as autohitting here!

Spinning around he pounced on to the petite female, claiming her nape with his jaws, forcefully dragging her to the ground. Emerald pools gleamed with delight under a furrowed brow as he glared at the young male who was supposed to be protecting his girl. Placing a single broad paw over her neck, Atreyu attempted to pin her down with not physical brutality, but fear as he hissed in her revealed lobe, “You move, I will not hesitate to spill your blood where you lay…” Tre was not concerned if the young brute overheard, in fact he lavished the moment more as his words drifted to the Grey wolf’s audits.

I don't remember giving consent to this sort of behaviour dealt towards Adhara. It's not that I object to her being pinned down -- it's a marvelous plot device I'm eager to work with -- but you could have asked for my permission. If you did, I don't remember it -- perhaps you PMed me on another account? But, anyway, the bolded areas are those that contain either powerplaying or autohitting, both unacceptable in the RPing community.

Oh, and by the way, your first sentence in the quoted section is grammatically unsound. Just thought to point it out that you don't have a subject(or "doer") in it.]

((OOC from Admin: Yes, that bit was powerplaying. Atreyu, please edit the first piece out. The second part, however, is NOT against the rules and simply states what the wolf is trying to do.))

[Deleted]

The mornings depressing skies, overstuffed with slate-grey cottony clouds were beginning to part, miniscule tears in the fabric of the cumulous allowed rays of sun to linger on their back momentarily before retreating back behind the cloak of clouds. The outlook for the remainder of the day was bright, as for the young male and female pair - their fates were not so great. The duo hadn’t travelled far from Endyt beach, and in fact, if the bitch wasn’t so shaken with fear and breathing so hard, the sound of the waves raping the sandy shore could have been heard; but Atreyu cared less about the rhythmic tides of the ocean. He was tuning his senses into the female’s physical reactions to her fear; auds listening to her short and heavy breathing, under his paw he could feel her pulse - pounding rapidly - as the sensation emanated through his limb, the smell of her fear enticing him to taste her. She was unintentionally escalating his high to the point of no return, the deadliest place of them all, for his climax demanded his last sense greedily taste what he longed for. It wouldn’t be long before one of them made the wrong move and he would take what he wanted.

Atreyu remained calm, steadily inhaling and exhaling, his emerald gaze fixated on the younger male, his expression of despair was all to familiar in Tre’s mind, he had seen it over and over again, learning that it meant the same thing… Mike had an obligation to rescue this dame from the black wolf’s tirade. Finally the young grey allowed an unsteady sigh to escape his mug with a half-hearted, “Alright… Take what ever you want-“ he paused a moment, the feeling of defeat overwhelming his words, cutting them short. Too bad. It was exactly what Atreyu was waiting for… Without hesitation, Tre seized the fatale’s exposed throat. In return, although helpless to his intentions, her legs began kicking and flailing about, trying to get underneath her overturned body, trying to escape from his death grip, but to no avail. The younger male in shock couldn’t budge in any attempt to rescue his friend. Atreyu clenched tighter, shaking his head from side to side vigorously, ivory canines ripping and tearing into her flesh deeper, bursting arteries that sent blood boiling from the corner of his mouth. He watched delightfully as she gasped for breath, the need for it still prevalent in her last moment.

Releasing his hold on her jugular her head landed on the frozen terrain with a thud. Voices in his head glorified him for his excellent tactics. His rough appendage went about cleaning his canines, licking heartily to taste every drop, and cleaning his pallet for a taste of a different kind. Gasping for his own breath, the Grey was astonished by the sinister act he had just witnessed; his almond shaped eyes grew wide with horror as they fixated on the lifeless form before him, Adhara’s blood still pouring out onto the plains, staining the ground surrounding her carcass. Atreyu stepped back to marvel at his work, pleased with himself, setting aside the fact that he wasn’t done. Mike moved towards the female’s body, leaning in close he nudged her cheek with his nose, listening for her to breath; he had to prove to himself that she was gone. Enraged as the reality hit him, he began rambling, between the shouting, name calling, and regretful talk, Atreyu meandered over to the still warm buck carcass that the original “bargain” was over. He pushed his moist nostrils into the buck’s side, sniffing generously, eventually making his way to the deer’s long neck. Salmon-hued appendage caressed the beast’s nape, tasting the dried blood that matted the grey-brown fur.

“Why the hell would you do this?!” barked the Grey who craned his neck to face the dark wolf.

“You can’t be serious…” Atreyu mocked. “After all… You’re the one that said I could take whatever I wanted. So I did.” His cold stare returned to the Grey, his expression chilling.

“You knew what I meant!” shouted the adolescent on the verge of breaking into a desperate sob. “Not this…” he returned his look to Adhara’s body; another mistake that didn’t go unnoticed by Tre. Casually he strode up behind the male; coming full circle he stopped by his side, brushing shoulders with the smaller wolf. His presence went unnoticed, the Grey, who was dangerously engrossed by the whole event that played repeatedly through his mind. Looking admiringly at the terrified expression still evident on the fem’s delicate features, he whispered into the male’s aud, “Run.” In response, the male quickly drew in a short breath of fearful surprise. Atreyu waited as the seconds slipped by agonizingly, the adolescent gathering his thoughts quickly, his instinct kicked in and he bolted in the opposite direction. Out here on the plains, alone and defenseless against the demon about to befall him, he ran without a hope. The male didn’t get twenty feet before Atreyu capsized him, lunging onto his back, clutching the back of his head, in between his ears, teeth puncturing the flesh.

Forcefully throwing his body, the young male’s head met a rocky terrain that fractured his skull. Similarly to the female before, Tre’s deadly vise enclosed around the jugular and windpipe cutting his life short. Unlike the female, Atreyu ripped open the brute’s chest, severing his liver and heart from their places and indulging himself on the flesh of the wolven kind. He could come back for the deer, this was priceless.