Keep Calm [open]

[Deleted]

I wish they would just come back.

The shuddering sigh slipped from the Mackenzie Valley female's lips, emphasizing her displeasure as she sat quietly, staring over Zozyr's Glory. It was truly a beautiful sight. Even in the cold depths of winter, the ocean waves still lapped gently against the rocky bottom of the cliffs, caressing the walls time and time again. Edrianna had always enjoyed coming here when she was younger, and she could simply sit, staring out across the ocean, for hours at a time, losing herself in the beauty that was the ocean.

But everything was changing now. Ever since Kiddo and his pack waltzed into Tiayr, she felt lost and confused. The alpha obviously held disdain toward her, and she refused to leave the territory, even if she had to be forcibly removed. How could it be so difficult for him to sympathize with her? Did he truly believe that she was just being troublesome for the sake of it? If it had not been for the strong memories throughout Tiayr, she would have packed up and left, just like the others. But she was different. This place was home to her in a way that nowhere else ever could be. It was the only place that she knew how to survive, and the skills she had honed, in her mind, may not be as useful in other places as they were here. She knew the territory like the pattern on her tail; every last inch of Tiayr, she knew. Years of wandering the land merely meant that she was an asset to Kiddo, yet he acted as if she were a plague on Amar.

Truthfully, she did not care for the alpha all that much. But if it took joining up with the blasted pack to keep from being unceremoniously tossed from her home or killed, by god she would do it. Edri just could not fathom a life away from Tiayr. She would even opt to guard the territory on their behalf if the pack as a whole chose to return to their original territory. All she asked was to be left alone, and they could not even accept that. She was no harm to their "safety." Hell, she may have been a decent fighter, but she had no intentions of attacking anyone unless her own life was put in danger. However, it felt just like that. Her life as she knew it was in danger, and everything was hanging in limbo. The spiteful little female was still fuming on the inside, furious at Kiddo's treatment of her as if she were a petulant pup. He obviously did not have the sense to realize that she knew she was outnumbered and could not combat an entire pack. If she had come to greet the pack, if only in hopes of convincing them to leave, did he honestly believe she had thought herself able to walk away not being part of the pack or dead?

Edrianna missed her parents horribly. She wondered if, somewhere south of Tiayr, there were siblings of hers frolicking in the snow. Surely they would not have abandoned their mother and father as she had done. They were likely more loyal to their parents than she had ever been. She was spoiled and catered to for so long that the mere thought of sharing them was unthinkable, and all it had wound up doing was making her lose them all together. Life was not fair, and it was looking more and more true as the days went by. She was forced to keep a cool face now, even when an unbridled rage was boiling just below the surface. She did not truly feel like Kiddo would ever accept her as a legitimate member of Amar, particularly because every time he looked at her, he had that... knowing look in his eyes. It was as if he could see that there was something wrong inside her, but there was no proof for him to use against her. She would keep it that way, too. Sacrificing her life for her pride was not a worthy trade. As much as she wanted to blow up in the arrogant, prideful male's face, she would keep her composure.

There was no hope for her. Either she had to remain here with the devil's pack, or she had to leave her home. Either option seemed painful and troublesome for her, as she was certain that Kiddo would not take kindly to desertion. It was likely in her best interest to stay, but at what cost? Her freedom? Her sanity?

[Deleted]

Countless and long nights he had spent alone in these lands, traveling day by day to find a suitable enough pack for himself. Though, it seemed, everywhere he bothered to go, he found a good enough reason to not join a group of wolves. There had been little to go on, honestly, and he had no reason to not join any of the ones he had passed by. He had gone as far north as he had been capable and had turned around to visit the lands of the few he had skipped over. Part of him wanted to avoid finding a place to call home, at least until he could be reunited with Peggy. Hell, even now, he prayed so desperately that she was doing well on her own. She was a perfectly capable female and he had complete faith in her ability to survive on her own. How much longer would it take, though, for her to return to his side? He ought to have found a pack by now, but there had been nothing he'd been able to have faith in.

Steven had little idea where he even was. He knew the lands by name and he knew the pack as Amar, but there was slim to none he could find to like about it. He had observed several things from afar just as he had done any other pack, even asked a few questions, which he had yet to do with this group. He wasn't so inclined in doing so, though. Most packs had left him with disinterest. At this point, Amar was included on his list. He would wait for the opportunity to find something perfect. For the day, he would pass through the edge of the territory to avoid causing trouble. He padded along the stones where the waves grabbed up at him with frothy, needy fingers. The scent of the salt invaded his nasal cavity, reminding him of the several distasteful days he had spent flailing helplessly in the water's depths. The salt had cleared his sinuses and broken through the soft barrier of his eyes, making it impossible to see. He'd had health problems during that time; he was lucky to have survived.

The slight breeze that passed softly through his snowy pelt brought another scent upon his nares, causing his blue eyes to flicker to and fro among the scenery around him. There were few places to hide and even then there were only larger stones, but this femme was making no attempt at it. He paused in his walking to drink the smell in further, finding it to be of the lands, but not necessarily of the pack. Such a thing made him wonder, but the more pressing question was of if he could get some information of the area. Though he had practically ridden Amar off his list of places to be, which would pretty much sum up a lack of places for him and Peggy to live, there was still a nagging curiosity. If he knew anyone else willing to do so, he would have long started a pack for himself, a place where things would work to his advantage. While he was a decent leader, he wasn't entirely a fit alpha. Beta was more his standpoint, as he had been for some time.

Steven released a low bark from his throat to announce his presence, pacing closer to the light colored female, though keeping his distance respectful. His head lowered in a bow, a sign of respect he showed to all females as he had been taught to do. After a moment of holding the bow, he lifted his head with a gentle smile resting upon his maw. "Afternoon, ma'am." His tone was deep and had a slight gravel sound to it, though that was probably the damage from the salt two years ago, something that had seem to stick with him. Much like his habits, which consisted of countless things, including his manners shown towards females. He didn't care if others deemed them worthless or gods, he showed them the same amount of respect as he would any femme. He held them in higher esteem than males. "I happened to be passing through this territory. If you don't mind my asking, are you a member of the resident pack here?" He did not know if she was or not, but would not judge her on that fact. He merely wanted a small bit of information, then he'd be on his way. After all, she didn't seem much like a damsel in distress.

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A stranger was in her presence. There were no words that slipped past the Mackenzie Valley female's lips as the male strode up to her. It was obvious that he was not a member of Amar, as he lacked the strong arrogance of the members of the band of easily angered, tight-assed wolves. She could not, in good conscience, stay here. It was foolish to believe that Kiddo would allow her to remain here, particularly after her display in front of the pack. She had openly challenged his decision to claim Tiayr, and hell, while she thought he was a downright fool for believing her to be inadequate for his pack - and also for making snide comments about not wanting any more members - he was weak. She could not in good conscience follow an alpha that she did not respect. If it meant leaving her home, then perhaps it was time for her to go in search of her parents.

This male was obviously no threat to her; if he had been, he would not have bothered to greet her and inquire if she was a member of the resident pack. "If you know there is a pack residing here and you are no part of it, then you are a fool for coming here," she droned out, the life exiting her words fleetingly. "This pack is full of angry souls and lifeless, heartless individuals who think it is alright to tear someone's home out from underneath them. Leave, while you still have the chance," she lashed out with her words at the male, intent on making him see what a foolish choice he made in passing through Tiayr. "For I intend to do the same."

Verbalizing her intent to leave made it all the more real. Edrianna had never truly thought she would leave from the hills of Tiayr. This was where she was born and raised, yet Kiddo and his merciless pack was enough to drive her insane. She could not, with her thoughts on life, remain with such a heartless band. They obviously lacked both feeling and common sense. If the alpha male could treat her so coarsely without ever knowing her, then he did not deserve to have her as a member of his pack.

She would head south, following her parents' path of old. She could either find them and make amends, or she could forge a new pack away from here. Kiddo was going to go down eventually, and Edrianna would do everything she could to ensure it. It was obvious that his pack did not trust her. Why in the world would they want her around if they felt she was not trustworthy? Edri understood the idea of keeping enemies closer than friends, but she was not going to have any part of it. It was time for her to leave this place, and no one was going to be able to convince her otherwise. "I'm serious, brute. Leave while you still can."

While his words had been nothing but kind to her, Edrianna was beyond angered by her situation. The more she thought, the more bitter she grew at the actions of Amar. They were self-righteous and felt entitled. They believed that Tiayr was god's gift to them, that they had some sort of right to traipse in and unroot her from her home as if it were nothing. She could care less about the welfare of his pack. There were other, less-inhabited territories south that would have been more than suitable to the damn pack's needs, yet they chose her home. She was suffering at their paws, and she would see to it that they were punished for their misdeeds. She was meant for more than a foolish pack like Amar, and she would make absolutely certain that they knew this in the future. Things were looking grim for Amar; they would rue the day they ever decided to scorn Edrianna.

[Deleted]

Steven did not know of the female's plight, but he believed he had little business in doing so. He had never been one to pry unless he believed whatever one was hiding could be a threat to him, others, or the wolf themselves. The air around her seemed to crackle with an uncomfortable and angered electricity, the femme seemingly deep in thought. He had never been so good at reading a female's reactions, though, as situations with his love had proven to him time and time again. Irzkine had told him, as well as others, time and time again that the moment he thought he knew what went on in a female's head was the moment he was very well screwed over. He had learned not to make assumptions over time, keeping his distance and such when they seemed to need it, being there when he was wanted. It probably had to be one of the harder things in life he had to learn, and it certainly wasn't anything his mother had prepared him to deal with while she had been around.

Steven often found himself as no threat to any wolf. He did not purposely go and seek another canine to fight unless he had a good reason to. If they threatened him first, he would find a way to back out of it to avoid getting anyone hurt, but would defend himself if it came down to it. Many often called him a coward, one who ran away. No, he had the dignity to stand away from unnecessary banter, because he was not a child and therefore had no need to act like one. A fool? His brow scrunched slightly at that, pondering about her current displacement. He listened to her tangent as she went on it, the stressed huffs in her tone that indicated she was in no particular mood to deal with the stupid at the moment. "I see. I appreciate the information, ma'am." Perhaps this pack had ripped this home from her. There was every chance she had been born and raised here, but the pack came after and she had no desire to let them have it, but had no choice. It was merely an assumption, though it seemed likely.

He could understand if that was her situation. He had felt remotely similar once he had found the intentions of his old pack out. It had broken his heart, knowing they had every intention to take things from others and not help them at all instead. How could he have joined in on the intentions of those wolves? His love had the same feelings and they had managed to rally others who would oppose the leader, several packs and loners coming to their aide when they needed it. He was glad that they had managed to overthrow them, otherwise things would have long gone south from there. It was a traitorous thing that they had done to him, and he could not live with it. He didn't blame her for wanting to leave if it were her case.

Steven couldn't keep himself from asking, though. "What is it that makes you feel such a way about these wolves, ma'am? I have no right to pry into your life, but curiosity seems to get the better of everyone." It surely did get the better of everyone. Granted, none of them were at all cats, but that wasn't really his point. If he could somehow enlighten the day of the female, then he would try his hardest to be capable of doing so. However, if she did not want it, then he would leave her be. He could offer her something she wanted if she needed it, though finding a pack of his own had been difficult. The thought to start one of his own had crossed his mind, but he was not the type to be the alpha. Beta, maybe, but not alpha. Perhaps he would return to Aleru and see what he could get out of it. It would be a nice place to rest for the time being.

Steven had no such intention of staying, but he had no such intention of leaving until he was certain of the things he could and could not do for the aggravated female. She was clearly irritated and something was very wrong. Most parts of him wanted to make sure she would be all right before he left. It was the courteous side in him that made him this way, the mannerisms he had been raised upon practically from birth. His mother had always been proud of his manners, even if he lacked everything else in all other areas. "I do not intend to stay, but to move further to Aleru. Is there anything I can do for you before you go?" He felt the need to ask as he always did. Even if someone did not say they wanted help, that didn't mean they didn't want it for real. Verbal communication was key in most things.

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A dark chuckle slipped through Edrianna's lips as the male asked what had made her so bitter about Amar. Was he truly wanting to know what caused her such anguish? It had been so long since Edri had someone to speak with that truly listened to her, and the urge to spill her entire story came upon her. It was highly likely that she would never see this male again, so it would do no harm for her to tell him exactly why Amar would fall, if it were the last thing that she ever did. Her eyes flashed to his, narrowing slightly at the mere thought of the boorish alpha of the pack.

"I was born here. I have lived here for well over three years, and Kiddo and his band of thugs marched right in here and laid claim on the territory in addition to their pack lands. I had no issues with the last two packs to remain here, but obviously this skag had other plans. He howled for all of us to leave Tiayr, but I couldn't do it," she introduced the situation to the male, watching his expression to see exactly what sort of reaction she would receive. "And so I approached the male and his pack, telling them that this was my home and that I cannot leave here. I informed them of other free lands down south so that I would not lose my home. When the ass informed me that he had no intentions of leaving, I planned to join their pack. Yet there were nasty glares, looks of hatred... They did not want me there. They did not want anyone who would dare to challenge the claim of the great Amar Pack." she droned sarcastically.

"The male was rude. He was cruel. And even after I inquired as to whether I could join to avoid leaving, he tried to tell me that he was not looking for members. Bull. He just didn't want someone who dared to have a brain and some guts," she snarled out, the situation rising back to the surface once more. She was scorned and hurt. All she ever wanted was to stay in the only location that had a connection to her parents, but she knew better than to remain long with such a negative attitude toward her. "All I wanted was to stay here in hopes that one day my parents would return. But not only have they ruined me, they will pay for it," she sneered darkly. The female was tempted to break her own rules. She needed to learn to fight more effectively. Being a skilled huntress would not help her seek revenge on this pack. Until she could find somewhere to go, she would terrorize the members of the pack. They would rue the day that she was turned away.

"You should continue south. I plan to remain here, albeit shortly, to give the pack a piece of my mind," she sang out, an angry glint flickering through her eyes. "Unless, of course, you would like to spar?" she asked sweetly, her previous malice buried once more as she gazed, almost lovingly, at the male. He would make a nice partner to test her skills on; if anything, she needed to be sure that she could hold her own before harassing the pack. It would be a fool's errand to go in without testing her abilities. If she could pin the male, then surely she could take any member of Amar by themselves. All she needed was the opportunity to use her hunting training against the newest prey; Amar.

"So, what do you say?"

[Deleted]

i don't want to kill anyone
i just don't like bullies, i don't care where they're from

CAPTAIN

Steven was the type to care about someone, it didn't matter who they were or what they had done, especially if he didn't know them. There was no reason to judge anything they were doing if he didn't know. If it was none of his business, then so be it; he would turn his muzzle and be on his merry way, continue searching for a place to live. Judging by everything she was telling him, this was not the place for him to be. She had her home ripped away from her like that, and he did not blame her for the apparent anger she felt towards the reigning pack here. He didn't feel she was in the wrong.

"I see you have clear reason for your vendetta against them. I do not hold you responsible for that, ma'am." If it came down to it, in the end, he would probably help her. he tended to get himself into these kinds of situations, not that he entirely minded. If someone needed help, he would give it to them, but only if they asked him for it or if he offered it. It seemed to be the latter most of the time, but that was how he was raised. His mother expected a lot of him on the manners end of the spectrum and that was not anything he had ever lost, not even during the rigorous training that had nearly killed him. Everyone came from different places and did different things, and it appeared no different to him here. This was her home and she didn't want to leave. She was going to, but he caught the traces of the pain in her face. This wasn't just a place to live to her. This was the one and only home she had ever known.

Steven didn't really see a reason any wolf would deny a member in their pack, all things considered. Every creature was useful to the pack setting in some way or another. That was for sure. "If I were in control of a pack, I would not deny you entry. The male is ill-advised in denying you a position. You seem smart," albeit rough around the edges, "and any pack would be more than lucky to have you in their ranks." He meant every word he said, just like he normally did. He wanted to make people feel better rather than be seen and used as a simple soldier. Large as he was and the things he had been through had made him this way, but he had never once lost the heart he had started with and he didn't intend to lose it now. No matter how dark her sneers continued to get, he would say nothing against it. This was not his fight.

Granted, when her demeanor changed and the eyelashes batted towards him, he almost took a step back in slight surprise. Such a temperamental creature. He'd been around them before, but they seemed increasingly difficult to deal with. Spar? He hadn't done that with an actual wolf without the intent to kill or drive off in some time. While he normally wouldn't consider fighting a femme for any reason, he didn't think she was incapable. He had his faults and he knew them. "I will continue south." He gave a pause there to debate the offer on the spar, whether or not to take it seriously. His blue eyes glittered slightly, showing he was up for the challenge. Getting to his feet, he gave a slight stretch. "But only after the spar is called to end." His paws positioned themselves out slightly, preparing.

"Ladies first."


"captain speaking" - #4074A8
"captain thinking"
"others speaking"
END HERE

WORD COUNT: 000 | TAGGED: name
NOTES: words

because the strong man who has known power all his life may lose respect for that power
but a weak man knows the value of strength and knows compassion