Rasalas was pleased when both creatures righted themselves to a much more comfortable posture, the small grin on his face certainly verified his approval. Being the Alpha had not quite set into him yet, what exactly he could get away with doing to others. Both Calandra and Anubis seemed more than willing to bend and give him all the respect he could ever desire; however, the red brute did not wish for that. The only concept dancing through Rasalas' mind now was how to make the pack survive. Certainly none of these canines would stay when they realized how horrifically small this group was, but the poor brute would have to try. 'It is better to have tried and failed then never tried at all,' he attempted to convince himself that this was true. A part of him would never believe it. A brief gaze swept over these others, hardly taking their appearance in any longer. He was searching past them, perhaps if they were here then more wolves would have survived as well. He caught a whimper within his throat before it spilled out of his muzzle, that would be quite an awkward incident.
The Alpha's auds drew sharply back against his skull at Anubis' words, emotions flooded his golden eyes. With a noise that sounded like a cross between a grunt and a growl the brute turned his head away from the others. After a moment the tension drifted from his stance and the brute emitted a heaving sigh before his attention was returned to the foreigners. "I am quite knowledgeable of this lands' desire to kill those that are alone. I have witnessed it myself," his voice trailed off, allowing silence to swarm the air. Thoughts of his younger siblings were playing within his mind, what he would give to have them back. It seemed like an eternity had passed since he was able to nuzzle them, since they were play fighting in the sunshine. Claws ripped at the sandy grounds beneath, trying to show the earth who was in charge now. "You were not out of line in speaking the truth," the brute let out a sorrowful chuckle as his gaze grew distant once more.
Food. It was certain that he was quite ravenous as well, it had been a few days since his last meal. This was more by his choice than anything else, after all he had allowed himself such complete distraction. He was the one who had became overly concerned and enveloped within the past, when right now the present needed to be tended to. If he ignored the pack then they would most certainly break apart, it could still manage to happen. Ryala hadn't exactly been the strongest pack to begin with, they were a group of creatures with disadvantages. Well, they had been anyway. The only survivors seemed to be those with little health issues. That was the desert way, the sick would perish - especially if alone. After some consideration the brute opted to extend the offer he had been waiting to, hoping that perhaps one of them would accept. "A group hunt would be quite nice," his head lowered in acceptance to their offer, still the brute was used to being a Beta. Calandra's acceptance further pushed Rasalas to extend the offer for them to stay within the Occasus. After all, perhaps they would feel welcome joining since they already seemed so acquainted with each other.
And all seemed to have the same thing in common. The desert had robbed them all of their loved ones. It angered the brute greatly; yet there was nothing that could be done now. There was safety in numbers, especially here. The others could realize that, and perhaps Isis and Osiris would turn up. The brute had convinced himself to speak, but the anxiety swelling within his chest was overwhelming. "The desert is a killer, all of you are more than welcome to find refuge within my pack if you would like. There is safety in numbers within these lands," his voice sounded more confident than he felt. This situation would have been different had they requested to join, but no he had to extend them the offer. 'Either way they would make a great asset, they would help whoever is left of us survive,' this much the brute knew was true. He hoped they would stay permanently, but acknowledged that they may not.
The thought crossed his mind of offering a temporary stay to them as well, but the brute decided to keep his lips sealed on that point. If they needed a place to sleep they were more than welcome to ask, after all he had offered them quite an extensive amount of kindness. Right? A few hair prickles nervously, the thought of rejection wounded his soul but he was well prepared to deal with it. After all, they didn't exactly request to stay. They just wanted food and to move on with their own lives, by no means had they mentioned remaining here. His gaze drifted away and for a moment he almost believed he saw Aries walking in the distance. He knew not if she was proud of him or if she despised him, her disappearance had been quite a mystery. The Alpha would move forward, he could continue thriving in these lands without her. 'I have proved that I am able to survive,' the brute grinned, mostly to himself although the others would not have known that.
Everything around the brute seemed to be moving in slow motion. While Rasalas's arrival seemed hasty and did not allow him much time to prepare, now he was starting to feel sluggish and uncomfortable. It was not just the alpha's presence, though the larger male did intimidate the small iranian brute quite well. No, he was more concerned with the fact that it had been days since he last ate or drank. The feeling of lightheadedness was starting to get to the brute, and he would need to do something to combat it soon.
Rasalas had agreed to his idea of a hunt; he would be more than willing to provide the alpha with something in order to show that he meant no ill will, but right now he needed to get his head on right. Calandra and Rasalas would understand, right? Get your head together, the nagging voice in the back of his mind screamed. And don't you dare mess this up with the alpha. He may be your only chance to find Isis or Osiris, and you don't want to ruin that. The firm reminder was enough to bring Anubis back into reality while Amun stood beside him, staring at him with a strange look.
The jackal shrugged when he noticed his companion staring back. "I got bored. I figured I would see how long it would take until you grew uncomfortable," he snarked, watching as Anubis screwed up his face in annoyance. Amun seemed to find pleasure in harassing him when he was at a low point. Either he was trying to take his mind off of things, or he was truly trying to irritate him. He could never be completely clear with the jackal, as Amun had bouts during which he simply tried to be as unbearable as possible to see what reactions he could illicit. It irritated Anubis to no end, but there was little he could do to control it.
As Rasalas agreed with his statement by saying that the desert was a killer, he winced back slightly. "I hope that is not the case any longer," he spoke softly, almost to the point that neither Rasalas nor Calandra would be able to overhear. If he were to stumble across his brother or Isis and not have either be alive, he was not sure what would become of him. His family was his entire world, and without them he was an empty shell. He would still have Amun, but his companion was not blood. They grew up together, but there differences were so drastic that it was sometimes a miracle that they got along. It was only due to Anubis's generally submissive personality that Amun was able to stay in mixed company. Otherwise, most wolves would have chased him off, or worse, killed him, by this point.
Rasalas's invitation into his pack came as a bit of a surprise to Anubis. "I suppose that that is an option for me..." he started, though the hesitance was obvious in his voice. He did not want to commit to a new family if he could find his old one. Amun, Osiris, and Isis commanded a much stronger loyalty in the brute's veins than anything he could offer to this alpha at the moment. His call for the alpha had been mostly out of courtesy and curiosity. Now that he knew his sister did not reside in their ranks, he had the urge to run off on his own once more in search of her and Osiris. But at the same time, Anubis was not one to be rude. Amun was a different story.
"Soliciting pack members today, hmmm?" the jackal quipped, believing himself to be funny. The steely gaze he received in response from Anubis told him otherwise. "You are going to get yourself killed, Amun," he hissed under his breath to the jackal who proceeded to chuckle at his concern. However, it silenced him for the time being.
"Sir, if you don't mind if I take some time to consider your offer...?" he inquired slowly, as if unsure whether the alpha would turn on him for not accepting with haste. It was not that he did not want a pack. He was just concerned about his family and what had become of him. It was a natural thing... Right?
Calandra felt more of an observer in this situation. Really she had no purpose being here other than the still-new companionship she had with Anubis and Amun. And really she owed them little, if any loyalty. Well... They had been kind, and stopped to give her the time of day. But who's to say other wolves wouldn't have? Did she need them, really? Her stomach gave the answer - grumbling insistently, it reminded her that living off of mice and lizards would not do her very well for much longer. Trout too seemed to be pushing for her to stay wi these wolves - even now he had given her an encouraging nuzzle into her neck as she questioned the two others.
And now they were faced with Rasalas, who had accepted their offer to hunt - and then extended an offer to join him! Calandra was taken aback, and her hesitance showed. Black dipped forepaws shuffled in the golden sands, tail drooping and her ears flicking from forwards - out of surprise - to backwards and sideways out of confusion. She'd been wandering for so long... Could she function in a pack?
"Oh please, you'll be fine. Don't be such a whimp." Calandra gave a little growl at this comment, now forgetting that other wolves could not see her black specter. Trout didn't often insult her, but when he did it was always a shock, and very hurtful. He was her only real friend. Catching herself she gave a panicked look and stuttered an answer along the lines of Anubis. "Yes, yes, some time to think would be best. I'm attached to my wandering life, but it can't last forever in a place like this. And really I promised these two that I would aid them." She was rambling now out of the fear that her growl might be confused for aggression.
Trout chuckled a bit and shook his head apologetically. "I didn't mean to get you so worked up." He whispered to her, as she shot a very severe glance in his direction. But then he wasn't there... Where had he gone? Truly she was quite cross with him, but he had never disappeared when she was mad before... Only when she needed time to think by herself. Maybe he thought that's what she needed. She hoped she hadn't chased her friend off, she had been through so much with him. It was only a few moons ago when he had rescued her from treading into a scorpions nest, and then had helped her find Carson by following circling vultures. She worried that without him she would truly be st and alone.
What if he thought that she was trying to replace him by finding other friends and pack mates!? She surely hoped that wasn't it... Trout would always be her best friend...
Rasalas too was growing hungry, his stomach had been jolting and crying out for food recently. The brute knew that his excessively busy lifestyle was increasing his appetite, that and the growth of strength he held recently. Ever since he had first wandered upon the Occasus his life had been non-stop movement. The first night he had conversed with Aries he had to leave and race up to Kamari. The idea of doing that for another creature now seemed pathetic, what good did it do last time? Either way, she was gone and he was stronger. Things would be drawing together soon, once more his life would appear to be in order. A golden gaze ignored the other canines in order to lose itself in the distance. He hoped that if these creatures did not wish to stay within Ryala that they could eventually be chased out easily. Rasalas would still hunt with them, but if they opted to fight or attempt to live within the desert without joining - he would have to destroy them.
The negativity was quickly shoved from the brute's mind, now was not the time or place to get himself all worked up. If anything, he needed to show the other wolves what this land was capable of bestowing upon all who lived here. The Alpha was not entirely sure if he was capable of performing such a task, but it would be attempted to say the least. Softly he responded to the words of Anubis, "I hope the sands are kind to us.' It was cooling off here, but the temperature still remained warmer than most of the other territories. Rasalas was thankful that the desert would not turn into a winter wonderland, that would have risked the lives of all the desert wolves residing here.
His head nodded as Anubis considered his idea of joining, Rasalas did believe it was hasty to extend out the offer so quickly. Somehow though it had seemed the appropriate thing to do at the time, apparently it was not however. Auds pulled themselves back towards his skull, golden orbs focusing upon the jackal. Rasalas had never been one to take lightly to being taunted and now was an especially rough time for him. "I was merely extending an offer to creatures I caught trespassing upon my territory," his tone was dry, with a sarcastically harsh undertone to it. The alpha did not want to cause a fight, but Amun's words were quickly pissing him off. If the little dog wanted to scuffle than they could.
Silence ate away at the brute for a few moments, he listened to both Anubis and Calandra's response to his offer. A bit of disappointment did linger in his heart, but he knew that this would happen from time to time. Not every wolf that wandered throughout the desert was going to wish to stand alongside them. This was simply the truth about being within a pack, there would be trespassers. If these wolves decided to use his land without participating in the pack, then they would be run off. The red creature would give them time though, 'maybe once their bellies are full they will change their mind.' The thought comforted him, but worry still remained etched inside of him. After all, they could simply be using him in order to attempt to take over the Occasus. For a moment the alpha was conflicted, suffering from a mental war on how to deal with loners.
"I will grant you both the option of taking some additional time to consider," he gave them each a brief nod of the head, attempting to show that he understood that they were weary. Calandra's statement about being used to her wandering life worried Rasalas. 'Does she plan on living here without joining?' That would not be acceptable to the alpha. He was not going to let the resources here be depleted because wolves wished to hide out. Certainly there were not many canines within Ryala right now for him to support, but they still needed a safe home. The brute's stance seemed a bit anxious, more tension than before was flooding around him. The jackal had put him more on edge than the brute had wanted to be.
"I understand Calandra, your loyalty lies in aiding them with locating their siblings," Rasalas had soothed over his tone by this point. His breathing was deep, pushing away the anger that had flared up from the jackal's snide remark. Conversation felt as if it was dying on his end, what more could he say? The red brute was not one to become overly conversational, especially not anymore. The kind soul that he had been was gradually diminishing. What was the point in doing everything to help others when they simply were going to leave in the end?
With Calandra's indication that his obligation to assist Anubis was a priority, the brute wagged his tail. It was nice to see that, even in the face of leadership, she was just as willing to help as she had been before. "Thanks, Cal," he murmured softly, his shy eyes meeting her's once more. "But if you really wish to join his pack, I'm sure that I can manage. I appreciate you so much." The sincerity in his voice was nearly tangible. Anubis had no reason to portray falsehood to these wolves; he made his intents very clear.
With Rasalas allowing them additional time to consider his offer, Anubis nodded his head and dipped it cordially to the alpha. "I appreciate the offer, sir," he reiterated, and the idea of staying in the Occasus was certainly appealing. He had grown up here and had many memories with his family among the Sands of Rodorr. It was already home to him, whether he was a member of the pack or not. But what mattered most was trying to track down Osiris and, if he was lucky, Isis. He was starting to lose hope; it had been quite some time since he last saw his sister, and although it had not been long since he last saw Osiris, Amun's words were starting to get to him. Maybe his brother was dead, or maybe he did not want to be found. An errant sigh slipped through the brute's black lips, revealing that he was no longer completely attentive to the conversation before him.
It seemed difficult to focus on anything these days. He was simply so distracted by the possibility of not seeing his family that it made it hard for him to function. Anubis knew that he would need to follow through on his offer to hunt for the alpha male, but right now, there was something that he needed more than food. "Sir, I am in need of a drink. I am going to head to the river and then I will return to wherever you may be. Do not worry, I will not disturb your territory," he softly assured the red brute, his eyes barely meeting the alpha's as he addressed him. He did not want to seem demanding in any way to the brute; rather, he just wanted permission to escape for a few minutes and be on his own. Sure, Amun would accompany him, but the jackal was nearly a part of him after all these years. He would not even notice Amun if it weren't for the snarky comments he felt necessary to throw into his conversations. Surprisingly, the jackal remained quiet after his last quip to the alpha. Perhaps he finally realized that he was treading on thin ice and it was best to be quiet for the time being.
While Anubis knew that it would be more polite to await the alpha's affirmation before wandering through his pack lands, he could suddenly no longer wait. He felt a pull to the water that was uncanny; his throat felt dry and cracked, and the sun was starting to make him dizzy. He could not recall the last time that he had drank, and it was all too possible that his dehydration was causing him to feel nauseous as well. With a slight heave of his stomach, Anubis ground out, "I have to go." With that, he bolted toward the river, hoping that he would reach the water's rejuvenating liquid before he lost all sense of sanity in the desert sun.
Calandra dipped her head to Rasalas as he conceded to understanding her choices. Indeed this brute was of a rare variety. Was he desperate for new members to his pack, or simply was Rasalas this kind? She hoped it was the latter - Calandra enjoyed the desert dearly, and while she had been sneaking around for the last little while she felt sudden guilt for it. Meeting this alpha, and learning of his character, she felt as if she had done wrong. Her ears drooped a bit as this all crossed her mind; the lack of comfort from her constant companion - Trout - weighing on her also.
She was taken suddenly by the words of Anubis, his compliments and appreciation something that was entirely foreign to her. Their eyes met and had she not been fur-covered the blush rising in her cheeks would have been evident. She gave a meek smile, one which obviously portrayed how shy she had now become. But soon Anubis stated he needed a drink, and it was evident that he wanted some solitude. She could respect that. She watched with slight confusion as he tore off with Amun, leaving her with Rasalas.
Casting her gaze down at her feet, she collected her thoughts before looking back up at the red alpha. "I would like to apologize." She stated, her voice soft, quavering a bit as her nerves rose. "I have been wandering here for some time, even after learning of the presence of your pack. If there is any way I can make amends, I would be happy to do it." There now, she felt a bit better. Though she was hot, and panting gently, Calandra felt no need to grab a drink before they set off for a hunt. She shuffled her forepaws, then gave her a head a quick flick, ears flapping.
"Well then. I will follow your lead." She stated in regards to the hunt - her stomach too was grumbling now quite insistently. She was still nervous about this group hunt, but she had given her word and would not go back on it now. She waited for him to give command, and to lead her to where they would hunt. She hoped Anubis and Amun would be able to find them. She was also curious as to whether any of Rasalas' packmates would be joining them. If they were as kind as he, Calandra had little doubt she would choose to stay. Though she would much prefer if Anubis and Amun would stay too.
Was this how everything would be? Rasalas nodded slightly towards Anubis as he spoke; yet, soon after he bolted towards the river. Obviously the brute was in despair, not only was he grieving but starving and slowly dehydrating as well. Did he have the rights to be slightly hurt by his sudden depart? Probably not. Somehow, he did not flip into a fit of rage. The brute managed to stifle that demon in his stomach, shove it all deep away. 'Let him regain hydration,' he emitted a soft sigh, as if half-expecting Anubis to return. He would keep a close eye on the brute's whereabouts if he proceeded to remain a loner. There were far too many wolves wandering the desert, none of them giving a single care about the fact that the Occasus were now pack lands. Had word spread of their Alphess abandoning them so quickly? It was very likely that Ryala was going to fall apart, and the red brute was fairly certain that his desperation was apparent. After all, there were not many that Anubis and Calandra would be introduced to if they chose to join.
It had been only a few of them for quite some time now. He found out how difficult being an alpha of a small pack was, especially a small pack within a vast territory. Hopefully soon there would be more to patrol the borders than just himself. A few creatures that could hold their own would be beneficial; yet, if any wolf attempted to make themself useful - then they would find a home here. For now a body count would suffice in gaining strength, encouraging others to be proud of their pack and home. For a moment Rasalas nearly felt inspired, as if something good would actually happen. Now his demons could continue sleeping, they would not need to snap awake and consume flesh. He would not have to do those deeds that constantly infiltrated his mind. They always tried to drag him away from what needed his attention. He was in charge of Ryala and the pack needed all the love and nurturing he could provide; although, that was not much. Gradually the brute was hardening himself from the world, it was not a conscious decision nor one that he enjoyed. Sadly it was the truth, his kind heart was withering away.
He did not speak in response to Anubis' running off, rather he merely gazed after the disappearing brute. The lingering scent of him still graced the alpha's nostrils, 'I will not be losing him upon my lands.' A wave of protectiveness consumed the brute, drove him to nearly stalk down the two canines that had adventured away. His paws did not move towards them though, he would tend to Calandra for now. She seemed like a darling soul, although there was a few moments that she seemed a bit off. No one was exactly sane though; Rasalas knew well enough not to judge. How could he? Was he not the one who was on the verge of raping every bitch that walked his direction? The idea of Algethi and Adhara returning to him was enough to prevent him from performing such cruelties - for now at least.
At last her words graced his auds, they quivered slightly and his golden orbs casually drifted towards the female. He knew not what to make of her words, it was a mixture of rage and hope. Rather than explode into a fit of rage the brute attempted to hold his cool, words were currently failing him. It seemed as if there was so much he wanted to say, but no words would pass through his lips. None that wanted to form professional and fluid statements anyway. A moment of silence crossed between the two, before it seemed he was functioning once more. "I appreciate your honesty, Calandra." his statement was simple, yet the brute seemed as if he craved to say more. Rasalas nearly wished to indulge their entire history within the female, but certainly she would not join then. Would she? At least the female had not inquired too much about the pack. How small it was - pathetic! As an alpha he was not pleased to have such a small pack within the vast expanse of sand. It merely left the few loyal members vulnerable to attack. Defenses must be built, all eyes needed to constantly be on the look-out. Soon, loners would not be tolerated. Every one of them would be uprooted from his desert.
"We can search near the other end of the river, if you'd like? Are you parched as well?" the brute would leave Anubis alone - allow him time to think. However, he could not bare to completely let the brute wander the territory unguarded. He may not have the best leadership abilities, but he knew well enough that a loner was not to be left unsupervised wandering through pack lands. That could put Scout or Vixen at great risk, Rasalas would not risk that. Slowly he took a few steps towards the river, awaiting for Calandra to follow him.
This had been a rather precarious meeting, with tensions rising and falling noticeably. At times it was almost a physical thing sitting there with them. This fluctuation unnerved the Maned she-wolf. She truly was not a fighter and should violence break out that she was unprepared for she would run - as far away as possible. But this event never came. Instead Rasalas let Anubis and Amun go to parch their thirst and to collect their thoughts. She wondered then what their decision would be - truly Calandra was unsure of the choice she would make.
Noting that the alpha was struggling with choosing his words, perhaps wanting to question her or pressing her for a decision, Calandra decided she best not daly with making one. "I am not thirsty, but I too need a moment to collect myself. I will meet you near the far end of the river - I know the way." Her ears fell back, worried that this too would irritate Rasalas. "I won't be long, and by the time we meet again I will have made my choice about staying." Her tone communicated her honesty and determination to hash out her thoughts and lay everything out in order to accomplish this task.
She took a few stels backwards, widening the gap between the two. Giving a rather deep bow, she quivered as she rose her head to look back at Rasalas. She truly did not want to anger him. Backing up further she turned and began to trot away, her course set towards the looming peak of the volcano. She would head there, near the birth of the river to decide on her future, then meet Rasalas to communicate this, and to hunt regardless. She hoped dearly that Anubis and Amun would show up for the hunt - if they turned out to be liars disappointment would likely ravage the lanky female.
Pausing she looked back and gave a determined nod to the russet alpha then spurred off across the sand.
Words: 338 Muse: Not so good for Cal. OOC: Her next thread is at the volcano, and she's waiting for Ras. =)
A sense of disappointment swarmed over the alpha once again, he had perhaps been too hopeful with these newcomers. Somehow believing that they would save his pack; yet, there was still hope beating in his heart. They could not turn Ryala around, but with their help he could direct the pack towards safety. It was a risky concept, but the brute knew that it was something that he must do. After all, without this pack he would have nothing. No friends, no land, no home. It felt like an eternity since he had been a wanderer across Anikira and the red one was not eager to become that once again. His tail swung behind him for a few moments, golden eyes studying Calandra before they swam back over the land. If she wished not to stay within the pack then eventually he would have to chase her out of the Occasus. It wasn't something that pleased Rasalas, but he could not permit loners to live here with no consequences.
"I will allow you some time," the alpha nodded to the maned female, giving her respect on her own decision. "Simply call when you have made your decision; however, if I haven't heard from you by sundown I will be out searching for you." His tone was gentle, but it held seriousness to it. Ryala was his to care for, and although Calandra did not seem dangerous - one could never be certain.
A soft smile crossed his features as the female padded off, 'maybe she will stay.' The female did seem kind enough in her words that perhaps she was not just attempting to use him and these lands. It was something that the brute greatly appreciated. There was no reason for him to begin to feel better, but somehow he was. A bit of the edge was rushing away from his nerves, the world around him seemed significantly less cruel and violent. 'Maybe this is what it is like to have a family again?' The concept intrigued the brute, but he knew to hold a tight reign on his emotions. Now was not a time to let everything burn like a wildfire in his chest. That would only cause for disappointment in the near future. Permitting a heaving sigh to escape his maw, the brute turned himself in the direction that Anubis and Amun had trotted off in. 'Let's see what those two are up to,' gently his paws began carrying him in the direction of the river.