Shadow on the Sun (Joining)

[Deleted]

Shapes of every size, move behind my eyes
Doors inside my head, bolted from within



The winds of change were upon her, it seemed. The vicissitude was terribly fierce, and left her former habits shredded and useless. Her usual behavior didn't apply to this situation; there was no "go-to" way to act, and there was no way she could have prepared herself mentally for the occurrences of the previous hours. There would be no way to eliminate her current companion's face from her memory, as they had shared too significant of an experience together. "Blood for blood" would describe their connection sufficiently. They had each acted in protection for one another, and were thus equivalent and free of any oaths or favors. That's what was logically true. So why wasn't it that simple then? Why then had she acquiesced for this male to accompany her? There was no point in even keeping her name withheld. "Atriell. My name's Atriell."

It had been silent for the majority of the pair's trek, after a few raucous attempts by Atriell to rid herself of the male's presence. She already felt helpless enough; she didn't need a wolf helping her along out of pity. Of course, this wasn't the sole reason for the castaway following her, but she didn't see it that way. She saw it as him taking pity on her. The she-wolf had eventually quieted her protests, albeit a few mutters under her breath. Truthfully, she wouldn't have driven him away even if she still had the strength left to do so. His presence was comforting whether she wanted to admit it or not. The view from the top of the plains had appeared less daunting with a wolf by her side. During the beginning of their journey, she had growled whenever he had gotten too close to her side; insisting that she would be the one leading. After all, he didn't exactly know where he was going anyways.

Eventually her growls had abated, and she allowed him to pad by her side if he had wished. If she was going to die out on these plains, she wasn't going to face the darkness alone. She didn't want to face the journey alone, not when said journey led her to walking straight into the jaws of the institution she feared. Her paws had become foreign to her; were betraying her screeching aversions by propelling her towards the very thing she had escaped from what seemed so very long ago. She barely remembered how a pack was run, although she did remember the feeling of monotony. Of course, the monotony of her former life was far worse... Her former life. Former... The magnitude of the one word nearly tore the breath from her lungs. Her whole life had changed, just because she had helped a stranger that had washed ashore. The very stranger that was walking beside her. The very one that would be dead without her...

He would be dead if it wasn't for her finding this pack. That's what he had said, anyways. His words ricocheted off the walls of her memory, and it forced the burning desire in her heart to fizzle out. The burning desire to turn around, after travelling all night, and let herself die in her old life rather than live in a new life she dreaded. She had nearly been born into war. At a month old, Atriell faintly recalled being tucked away into the brush a distance away from the dens by her mother. She had passed her tongue over the pup once and told her with loving eyes that she would return soon; told her with stern eyes not to move. She trusted her mother, and despite the deafening pandemonium of war blaring nearby, she remained paralyzed. The cries and snarls and strange, metallic scents were unlike anything she had ever experienced in her month of life. Even when she heard the familiar intonations of her mother crying out in an emotion unfamiliar to her sheltered mind, she only flinched once before forcing herself to be stagnant once more.

Her mother never returned after she heard those ear-splitting noises, and detected those murky scents in the air. Unsurprisingly, she, after learning of her mother's death, quickly associated the sensations with disappearance. At such a young age, she couldn't quite grasp what it meant to die. Atriell still asked from time to time when her mom would return, until eventually it sunk in that she wasn't returning. It was only a year after when the scents and the sounds.. and now the sights of war had reached her once again. Atriell recalled quite clearly having flashed back to the eternity spent in hiding, waiting for her mother to come back. During that battle, she had initially ran to the same bush she had hid in at the age of a month; only to see a lolling body tangled in its leaves. She couldn't hide anymore. Not when the place she had hid in before, the sheltered, safe alcove was coated in the blood of her fallen packmate.

Atriell had remembered going to the same patch of brush whenever thoughts of her mother arose and whenever she needed comfort. She had retreated there then, and knew upon arrival to the haven that cowering had been a mistake. Her running had cost her father his life, in her mind. Atriell had returned to the clearing just in time to be a witness to his final moments alive. She could've helped him if she hadn't been a coward. Atriell learned that whether you ran away from a battle or not, wolves still died. It was just a matter of whether your witnessed it or not. The aversion towards violence still remained, however. The fact that each experience of brutality had all occurred within the confines of a pack she grew up in, a pack she thought had been safe, had shaken her so badly that she never quite stopped shaking from it.

This was only enforced by the year and a half of abuse she faced; also within a pack. The concept of a pack was, in theory, supposed to be a sanction for wolves who found comfort in the presence of many others. The she-wolf had searched desperately and in turn found no comfort in the time spent living as a technical slave in Wraith's pack, and she had only received but slight and fleeting comfort under her father's lead. The cruelty had been so deeply ingrained into her memory, it was a near miracle her demeanor hadn't succumbed to it completely. Atriell abhorred violence because of the bloodbaths that patterned her past and wove her nightmares. She had already spilled enough blood for her liking, and she had surprised even herself by going out of her way to spill more for this male.

"What do you go by?," she queried, the question devoid of any genuine interest. She usually wouldn't have particularly cared to know his name, but these were special circumstances, and he wouldn't stay around much longer if she continued to call him any of the nicknames she had called him in the past few hours. This list included some very charming titles such as "leech", "annoyance", and "drowned rat." Atriell's question was more for the sake of formalities, rather than asking out of intrigue. She wasn't the type of wolf to pry into others' lives, as she wished to know as little as possible about the wolves she came across. Atriell hadn't even asked him why he chose to risk drowning to arrive on Anikira. She was half-tempted to tell him that there was nothing here and that he should swim back while he still could. Atriell's view of the island was pessimistic and distorted, yes, but she couldn't help wonder if maybe there was something here for her.

The red sun of dawn was just beginning to peer over the horizon line, and Atriell was hoping to reach the borders before the darkness lifted, so the midnight stranger wouldn't see the full extent of her injury. Her shadow cast in a long, opaque silhouette behind her struggling frame, and the rouge of the firmament highlighted her face. Her mind was under siege from the gathering apprehension, and the cornered animal in her fueled her urge to flee the encroaching border before the opportunity could evade her. They were far too close to turn back now, though. In thought-filled desperation, an idea had made its way to the forefront of her reasoning. Atriell didn't have to stay in Descai. Not for long, anyways. She'd join, uphold her pack responsibilities until her wounds healed, and then slip off into the night. The she-wolf wouldn't even have to socialize with these wolves. If she played it right, it could almost be as if she was barely in the pack at all.

Atriell felt liberated because of her sudden revelation, and the consternation that had festered in her exhausted body left her. From what she could detect, the pack was large, as the scents that had passed over her from her previous interaction with its alpha had been of an intermingling abundance. Certainly the alpha would hardly notice her presence if she followed the rules and remained silent, right? The two wolves had been ambling along without many words exchanged between them, and Atriell was rather surprised that the male was following her so blindly. How could he know she wasn't leading him to his death? She hadn't even mentioned where they were going. She hadn't mentioned anything, and he still trailed after her. His trust in her made her uncomfortable, and she expended more of her energy reserves just to limp ahead of him. Atriell felt dizzy with disdain; nauseous with the responsibility she had.

The she-wolf didn't want to be responsible for this wolf's death if she failed him, and she didn't want this wolf becoming dependent on her. If he did, she'd never be able to shake herself of his presence. Having little time in the past week to reflect on the recent events that had taken place, she had regained her craving for solitude once more. She wanted so badly to push him away now so she wouldn't have to hurt him worse later. She wanted so badly to tell him to get away, to warn him that he shouldn't be here, with her. To warn him that he didn't know what he was getting into by trusting her so blindly. Atriell would inevitably shatter and trample his growing trust one way or another just so she wouldn't be hurt. It was for the best after all, that she didn't get close to others, because the bridge would be burned in a painful conflagration. Every relationship she had was doomed from the start, so wasn't it likely that every other relationship would be too?

Recognition floated through her as she reached the clearing in which she had met the Descai Alpha. Immediately following this recognition, she was ensconced with the feelings that had took hold of her that night; the dawning of the bewilderment, the turmoil, and the subsequent breakdown of everything that she had become used to over the years. Atriell could only watch helplessly as her whole life changed and decayed before her eyes. She could only gape powerlessly as the maggots made a joke of her former life and ate out its hollow eyes and exposed ribs. Her old customs couldn't last the winter; it had become too weak, too ineffective to stave off the encroaching sickness that had finally crippled it. Walking, or rather, leaping into the fight, she had known intrinsically that helping this male would not only be pivotal, but change her life to a vast degree. It took only a week to overturn her habits and uproot her from her reclusive, lonely little life. How was it conceivable that everything could change so drastically, in such a meager amount of time?

"I happened upon a wolf not too long ago, who had given me an offer I turned down." Her acknowledgment swept over him sharply, seeking his attention. "This wolf happened to be the leader of the territory we're heading for, and I'm hoping his offer still stands." Appraising the location once more, she struggled onward and into the unknown. Atriell had never gone past the clearing, and endeavored to follow the finicky, barely-there scent of the stranger. It faded in and out of her perception, and eventually it faded altogether. She now had to rely on her instinct. Her intuition had aided her well, as she had caught the heightening scents of his pack. The foliage was rapidly thinning out, and in the direction of the horizon line, they left the wispy, spindly trees to enter the approaching plains. The land unraveled before her listless face, and although the sight was fantastic to see, she remained unaffected. "If you want this to go well, you'll listen to me. I think it'd be best if you concealed yourself...", scathing her eyes over the area, her tail gestured towards a small gathering of trees. "There; amidst those trees." They were but a few strands of trees, and they all seemed precariously near to death, but their trunks were thick, and the proximity between each tree was close, so it proved to be a decent place to cloak the presence of a wolf.

"Keep hidden until I speak to him about you. I want to make sure he recognizes me first." Her tone was commanding and left no room for questioning; she didn't care how frigid she came off. This male would not cost her her life by ruining her carefully calculated plan. This is precisely why she worked alone; even when she was still in a pack. Her plans were effective and most often worked, but with the addition of another wolf, they often went awry because the other wolf failed to follow through. Atriell's decisions, calculations, ideas, plans... All of them were singular. Nowhere in her mind was there room for the consideration of other individuals. She didn't necessarily consider this as selfish by her terms, but she assumed that's how she was viewed. What did they honestly expect, though? Did they really anticipate her to accommodate them in her life? Her survival came first, and any loner that had attempted to befriend her in the past fell victim to her survivalist nature. Ell was always confounded by wolves that expected her to be amiable, as if a life that was anything but amiable would allow for that. They seemed to forget that they lived in such a way that offered countless ways to die. Any wolf with sense in their head wouldn't get too comfortable with anyone. The halfwits would soon perish because they forgot that a harsh environment would always cause wolves to think of themselves before others.

Returning from her heated mental digression, she stared in a disquieted manner at him; or more so through him. "If the alpha doesn't allow us into his pack, even just to rejuvenate for a night, we are both out of options." The she-wolf's voice was grim, and flat with cynicism. Although the alpha's potential decision to deny them sanction didn't spell certain death, there were certainly a number of possibilities that would. She intended to share these possibilities with the castaway, as she was blunt and cynical, and would thus inform him of just how many forms their impending death could take. "The alpha has the ability to crush us both as easy as twigs under foot. Even if we weren't injured badly, he seemed experienced enough to be able to have killed us anyways." Her mind wandered as visions of her death unfolded before her. A sick part of her nearly wished for the visions to be real. She remembered having thought that she wouldn't be caught dead near this place again. Now, here she was, loping back to the offer she turned down out of fear and pride. Atriell was mortified at the image of the black-and-gold wolf sneering haughtily at her.

She didn't want to be subservient to anyone ever again, not after Wraith, and now she had to be subjected to this wolf's dominance. She was already finding reasons to potentially dislike him, just for being a sovereign. Ell hated that he would soon have the power in his jaws to end her where she stood and laugh while he did. She didn't want to yield to anyone's will other than her own. The alpha would soon hold power over her, and she hoped he wouldn't make her feel pathetic because of it. Gazing over the border and into the lands of Descai, the wind from the moorland rippled through her fur as she cast her accomplice an impartial glance. "If it looks like it's going badly... Run back the way we came and don't look back. Don't try and be a hero this time; helping me would be futile and result in an unnecessary death. Admittedly, I wouldn't be able to flee if I wanted to so there's no point." Her words were unusually candid for her, with no attempt to uphold her pride, deny her current condition, or conceal any motives. She was far too enervated to attempt a pretense. One could clearly observe her broken spirit and defeated voice. Perhaps her words described a situation more drastic than the one they were in currently, but her view of packs, territories, and dominance had been so skewed that every encounter with a pack was a drastic one.

An expanse of wild lavender was the divide between the trees and the grasslands that housed the border. The wind was once more in her favor, but the alpha would detect his scent lingering with her form. She wished not for the alpha to know there was another wolf with her until she knew he didn't intend to harm her. Atriell would not have herself go through all of these tribulations with this wolf just to have him picked off by a pack wolf. It would be a waste of her effort, and a waste of her ensuring his continued life in the first place. The life in her had been spent, and the spots periodically found her vision again and again as she limped over to the lavender. Rolling in the lavender would be painful in the lightest sense of the term, and even lowering herself to the ground proved taxing. With teeth gritted, she collapsed into the center of the aroma and attempted to smother herself in it. Curiously, she wondered if her companion knew the motive behind what she was doing. It was highly probable that she looked like she was writhing on the ground in pain rather than rolling. He had seemed bright enough from what she could tell.

Peering tiredly at him, she sighed out a slightly teasing, "Don't screw this up." Atriell was no longer annoyed by this wolf, and the anger that had filled her from the fight had now dissipated; leaving only the broken spirit of a wolf who had suddenly been plunged into a new world she couldn't control. Summoning all of the energy and strength within her, she was temporarily restored to her former glory. The glow of blue-fire entered her eyes once more, and vitality brightened her expression. If it weren't for her wounds, a witness would notice no change from the wolf she had been when she met this alpha to the wolf she was now. She couldn't afford to show weakness around the Descai leader. There was no room for weakness if she were to succeed. Ell felt she could be more tumultuous and irritable around her traveling companion, as he had already seen her at her weakest when she was about to be killed. Reaching the scent-marker, her eyes scanned the territory once more. Every muscle pulled taut and she put as much pressure as she could tolerate on her broken leg to make it seem as functional as possible. Her expression set to one of fiery relentlessness. A soft haze carefully shrouded the reaching rays of the sun as it made its debut in the sky, permeating the pale ash of the morning sky with a fervency that flooded Atriell's body.

The fervency entered her electric blue eyes as she paused and angled her head towards the sky. Jaws parting, a howl reverberated powerfully in her chest, rose to her throat, and ascended from her maw. The intonations spiraled into the sky in an impassioned burst of pure, compacted intensity. Melodious in nature and clearly a beckon, the notes fluctuated from high to low in a winding song that seemed loud enough to echo off the mountains. Every bit of desperation, hope, and passion was woven into the howl, and it demanded the attention of the alpha of the lands she gazed upon. All of her energy had been used for her beckon, and even for a wolf with her lung capacity, the call left her heaving and delirious. Atriell's vision faded in and out, and she swayed amidst the throes of a torturous vertigo. She managed to steady herself and gather the last of her composure. Her head was still reeling, but she appeared placid as the dizziness surceased. She had stabilized, and by some miracle she was still standing and hadn't yet passed out from exhaustion. Atriell wouldn't rest until she was either secured within the pack, or dead. Being dead was the easier option in her mind.


Every drop of flame lights a candle in memory
Of the one who lived inside my skin


~~~~

words;; 3,696 words, not including the lyric excerpts on the top and bottom of the post from Shadow on the Sun by Audioslave.
tagged;; @solo Vorilye
musical inspiration(s);; Audioslave, Brand New, Soundgarden.
muse;; Fluctuating, this was done over two days since I've been a little busy.
notes;; Rambling, rambling, rambling x).

[Deleted]

Just the present of her made him feel just that little bit stronger, just that little bit safer, even if she was injured. Solo couldn't believe he was putting all his wary trust into this crazy seeming wolf, for the journey they hadn't passed a word between them, just the odd growl from the she-wolf whenever he got to close to her broken body. He had made sure from the start of their journey to stay back, but also make sure she knew that he was following, keeping close but a safe distance away if she decided to turn on him with her unfemme like fighting skills. This new land seemed to go on forever, upon land of open plains, it was quite the spectral. But still Solo knew nothing of Anikira true form, its true dangers and threats, turning a blind eye to the dark shadow that still lingered in the corner of his eye. The grey brute started to wondered of the perils and adventures still out there in this raw land, the great things he could explore with all his scents. Sadness seemed to bead on his forehead, just like the sweat clinging to his fur. This was all for distracting his mind, stop him from thinking of the things that had made him happy, made him feel like he should be alive.

For the first time she spoke to him in hours, Atreill? Was he saying it right? It was quite the the name, Atreill. It didn't really roll of Solo's tongue very well when he tried saying the strange name in his expanding mind, holding onto the 'r' and making it sound a bit like a growl than a elegant she-wolf name. When Solo had been a care free pup, simply worrying about what to play with next. He had never really been taught how to speak, just the basics of pronouncing, and basic words. The young Solo would just use sign language, like the flick of his tail to tell another wolf he was annoyed, or the flattening of his ears to tell another he was suspicious, just sutlie but affective moments. Solo stayed close to Atreill tail, his head centimeters away from her. To be honest, Solo didn't have a lion's bravery, he was quiet the opposite, but if it hadn't been for Solo lack of bravery, he guessed he wouldn't be here, if that's a good thing or not it was yet to be found out. The brute made sure to stick to her pace, which was becoming painfully slow for the brutes likings, staying behind her he had the change to survey her posture. She was going a fast pace despite her injures, her shadow casting over him and sheltering his eyes from the suns early glaring rays. He had to try again, you never know, it might bring them closer together. Swallowing his fear of her, Solo came closer so that they were now side by side, occadously their fur touching whenever Solo swayed a little out of balanced.

When her treating growl never came, Solo gave the female a side way grin. He was sort of in a good mood, he was always in a good mood when he was on the move, allowing his paws to explore the world underneath him and his eyes to explore the world before him. He had no idea where he was going, again, but at least he now had company and was no longer running. Running was behind him, no more shall he turn his back on the darkness and let it haunt his conscious and unconscious mind, no more shall Eve be the devil in the descise of a angle. Eve was just a drowning memory, but she was real, Solo seemed to only remember her as a dead, stiff body, always dwelling on the dead green eyes. For the first time in months, Solo saw Eve as alive, he beautiful glossy red coat. Her emerald green eyes alive with wonder, just like he remembered her before she died. Her mouth opened in his mind and Solo was so concentrated on his Eve that he forgot everything outside his mind, his paws under their own control. A few steps forward without the commands of a brain was too much for his body and without warning his paws trip up over themselves. Eve seemed to disappear just as a word started to form on her tongue, leaveing Solo eyes to see the ground rush up to him. Solo fell onto his cheek, his back arching upwards from his momentum causing his rump to hang limply up in the air, his tail lying limply on his forehead. Once more Eve was gone

The only way to get back to the ground was to fall like a rotting tree onto his side, leaning to his side that still had a flank, Solo rump hit the ground with a thump, his back arching back into its natural position. Sitting up, Solo eyes strained to the now stronger rays of the sun, Atreill was up front and seemed to have turned a blind eye to his embarrassing fall. Pushing his weak body to its feet, he caught up with her, shaking off the dirt that still clung to his coat. He started to wonder where they were going, all she had simple said was she was leaving and he had gone with her. His feelings for this strange female were mixed, the natural side to him make him want to protect her, keep her from harm of other wolves, like any male would feel if they met a beautiful female. Solo could feel his cheeks warm, you can't push away feelings like that, it was the same feelings he had felt for Eve. But on the other hand, his mind was telling him to run, to run as fast as he could, the side that was sensible.

Solo never got to know his mum or dad, they were simple imaginary visions in his mind, he saw his father as a grand alpha from the Outside, so strong that not even a bear would dare challenge him. His mother on the other had was a scruff grey wolf, living in the confinement of the pack her whole life, same boring day every day until she met Solo's dad. Solo hadn't really thought through what might of happened between his mum and dad meeting outside the packs territory, but it consisted of his dad charming his mum. What comes after Solo already knows, his mum gives birth to him and his siblings, two weeks before the alpha pups are born. Solo kept refreshing the whole story as a pup into his mind, for he knew as he grow would forget everything he knew as a pup, that the alpha had killed his siblings and drove his mother out of his territory and about to kill Solo.

Solo mind wondered to when he last saw his adopted mother, the shaman of the pack. Her warm tongue running over his small head, telling him of the future and outside world, and how her eyes would just search him, not love him. That's when Solo had realized that you can tell a wolf just by looking them in the eyes, maybe that's why alphas don't like being stared at in the eyes encase their secrets are unrolled. Solo's mind had disappeared for too long away from reality, he needed to concentrate on this female, she is the future for him.

What do you go by? Solo paused at the question, what did he go by. Clearing his dry throat, Solo answered with little thought to his reply. "My mother gave me the name Adomas, that is what i was called for my whole life in a pack" Solo replied slowly, making it up as he goes, even though he was born into the pack, he still doesn't view them as 'his' pack. He continued quickly, "But the name didn't suit me, so i call myself Solo" He kept Eve out of the question, he didn't want to be reminded of her again. Solo suddenly started to question his name, it wasn't very creative and even he could of brought up something more than Solo. It sounds so antisocial and uncreative, never mind, to late to change it again. At least she knows my name, stag one complete

As they continued towards a unknown destination, Solo felt as if she hated him. Atriell seemed to show no emotion towards him, other than a blank face and the odd growl for him to back away, it made him feel; Unwanted. Solo could see his pace slowing, he was starting to walk behind her again, his head hanging low to the ground, his posture slacking. Looking up was the hightlight if his day so far, Atreill stood infrount of him, her dissolved frame cast a shadow upon, for the raising sun peeked above the horizon, casting shadows on them all. But hers was the most impressive, Atreill was the shadow, the shadow on the sun. Little did Solo know, his lower jaw was gaping in amazement, he wished to keep this memory in his mind, never let go. Solo seemed to come to terms of what he was doing, he was letting this wolf lead him blind, but still he trusted her. Your just a foul! No one would dare think about letting you into their pack, so your lucky i tolerate your pathetic, useless life The alpha words echoed inside the brutes mind, bouncing off his walls and hitting over and over again. Useless.

He hadn't thought of it yet but what if he was decreasing the chance of this female getting into the pack she was leading him too? What if the alpha didn't want another male who could challenge his authority or worst yet take his females? Solo never dreamed of doing such a thing, but what if the alpha didn't know that? What if nature took control of his mind and he did something really bad, maybe to Atreill? Solo shook himself, as if to throw the idea out of his mind, never would he hurt her, would he? The grey thought quickly, if the situation was to get out of control and the alpha didn't want him, he needed a plan so if it did, he was ready. So, if the alpha didn't want him and forced him to leave, he doubted the female would follow. His injures were short term side affects and he could recover from them easily, just a few buries and deep gashes. On the other hand, Atreill must of at least broken several bones and was overtly in great pain, so she needed to stay in the protection of a pack. Solo guessed he would just wonder around the island, find another pack maybe or just live the rest of his life solo, isolated from the rest of the world to dwell on his mistakes.

The packs scent marks were weak, or maybe it was just Solo's nose. Hatred boiled up inside him, he hated that he was missing out on something big, like the fresh spring breeze that lapped at his pelt, only a blunt taste to his nose. The real disadvantage about having little scent of smell was that he couldn't smell pack boundary, a memory played in his mind. Not that long ago when Solo was running away from, well himself, he had ran blindly into another packs territory. The alpha at first saw it as a opportunity to expand his pack, but when Solo mentioned he was just passing though, the brown eyes had gone cold and hard. The alpha had let him out of sight before sending his warriors after the unwelcome loner, to get him and kill him. Solo hadn't been that surprised when he heard the thundering of paws behind him, the alpha must of thought he was here to hunt in his territory, but the brute guessed it was too late to try and convince this alpha he was simple here to pass through. Solo was much lighter and more agile than the stocky, short warriors, easily gaining ground over them, but he knew nothing of their territory and soon ran into trouble. Before him had stood a sheer cliff, too steep to climb and seemed to be no way around, he was cornered.

The warriors had caught up and attack with no mercy, but when Solo though he was a goner, they stopped. The largest came up to the broken grey wolf and put hid mussel right up into his ear and had whispered. Run Solo had obayed and too no hesitation to grab his himself and get out of their, not even daring to look back. He dosen't know why they let him go, guilt? Kindness? He will never know. Solo came back to the present and saw that Atriell was far ahead, going at a quick trot, he caught up with her ineffective limping strategy. For months the brute had been running, running away from an invisible attacker, but now he had come to his limit, an island, where he has a limit to where he can run away. His thin frame held no fat, just only his wary muscle that could disappear any moment if he didn't supplement himself. His parched tongue hung limply out the side of his mouth, trying to cool its thirst for water. His body was built for running, not attacking, and yesterday had proven that, he couldn't even save his own butt and he was in his prime. His lanky head lowered further, his sky blue eyes dull with pain as they searched the ground for something, anything.

Solo turned his head towards Atreill, Alpha? Turned down? This wolf must be really antisocial. He listened carefully, his face blank but his eyes could not lie, they were full of excrement and fear at the same time. It had been a long time since Solo had been in a pack and had only been alone is his life for the first time only a few months ago and already loneliness clawed at his heart. Maybe it was a mistake to trust her, maybe he should of just let her run off, but again he would be alone, with no one to watch his back. Solo saw the logic to her plan but was unsure about her meeting this alpha head on, by herself. But Plan B, it more sounded like they were just going to sit there, outside the packs boundary and die of their wound or starve. Shuffling uneasily on his paws, he was about to argue that he should stay by her anyway, but the she-wolf left no pause for his opinion, so the grey brute stared sadly at the ground. As the Atreill started to describe the Alpha with the power to crush them both under his paw, an image of a huge black wolf came into Solo's mind, battle scars riddling his body. It wasn't the nicest of thoughts, but it kept him distracted to what would happen if the alpha did crush them under his paws.

His eyes scanned over to the small clump of trees, the dying bodys leaning dangerously to one side. They were too close for his comfort to the boarder at least the wind seem to be in their favor. What if the alpha saw him before she mentioned him and killed her on site for lying to him, what if, what if. The list went on and on but still Solo bite his tongue, she seemed to be well planned out and Solo didn't want to interrupt her thinking. Don't be a hero Her words echoed in his mind, hero wasn't his style, his body mass and built was more for running away than going head first into another wolf. But still how will he know if things are going wrong? When he rips out her throat? The thought sent a shiver down the brutes spin, and even if he did know when to start running, he doubted he could outrun a alpha in his prime, fully fed and watered compared to him. But still he didn't argue, he guessed that was just him, he wasn't smart or strong willed, he wasn't coordinated or organized, he was just a another dumb follower in admits the blind and stupid. That's how Solo always saw himself, stupid and blind.

When Solo was sure the clever female had nothing else to add to the detailed plan, he lowered his head in recognition that he had heard he, he plodded over to the clump of trees. On closer inspection you could see the cause of their painfully slow deaths, ivy clung to the dying trunks with their claw like stems, spindling higher and higher up the tree, suffocating it victim of its lifesaving sunlight and robbing it of its water. The vegetation was thin under the shadow of the trees, sheltering the grass from the glaring sun, but it was good for the brute, less things for his scent to linger on. Having a small look around he decided it was perfect for what they were trying to do, open but sheltered at the same time, also he had the perfect view of where Atreill now stood, the scent of lavender sweeping over to him, well he image it was. This wolf was clever, of cause Solo knew exactly what she what she was doing, he would do it before he was sent off to scout, but never had he thought of flowers, normally he would just roll in animal dung, not the most pleasant feeling. Her howl echoed through his ears, rolling though his mind, it had only just dawned on Solo what they were doing, they were going to give themselves over to a pack, to do what they please with their broken bodys. It hadn't come to his mind, but what would he do after he was healed?

Solo's eyes scarred the land for any wolf like forms in the morning sun, his ears on full alert. Solo was perched behind the largest of the trees, the center of the trunk splitting in two from its own pressure upon itself, opening up its unprotected insides. A slight shuffle caught Solo attention, snapping his head around to stare at a clump of rosemary, nestled deep into the bush shadow lay a petrified fawn, its legs shaking in fear but still its body lay rigged and unmoved. Its small nose flaring in fright, eyes wide to show the white around the outside. Solo was memorized on the spot, he hadn't noticed the small animal because its camouflage worked well with the dead leaves and uncovered dirt. The brute couldn't tear his eyes off the small creature, what should he do? Kill it so it doesn't give away his position? The thought of its warm blood coating his mouth, blood lust in his eyes. No, he couldn't, he couldn't mess this up just because he was a little hungry, Ok, very hungry. Atreill words rung in his head, Don't mess this up He shouldn't disappoint her now they had got so far. Leaving the fawn to shudder in fear, Solo turned his eyes towards Atreill.

Words:3233
Tags: @atriell Vorilye
Notes:This is really bad Dx But it's the longest post I've ever done xD Please point out any mistakes, there will be a lot.

[Vorilye]

Once again, the call of a loner rang out across Descai's territory, and once again, Vorilye found himself dragged out to greet the newest victims. Well, they were not necessarily victims, but with the influx of wolves either attempting to cross his territory or join the pack, it was no surprise that he was growing weary from all the treks. Hopefully, Shayde would soon be capable of fulfilling her duties as beta once more. Vorilye more than trusted the female's judgment when it came to new members of the pack, but he also did not want to jeopardize her safety or the safety of his offspring. She was the mother of precious cargo, and that was more than enough reason for him to be skeptical about placing her in harm's way.

So the black and golden alpha set out once more to greet the errant howl; however, what he encountered upon his arrival was nothing that the alpha male ever expected. It's her. It was the beautiful female from the loner lands. The one that he invited to come to his territory if she ever so desired. He never believed that she would actually take him up on the offer, but it had been a nice thought at the time. Vorilye was still more than smitten with the lovely lady, and as he approached her, his head dipped in cordial greeting with not near the dominance he should have held on his own pack lands. A softer smile graced the male's lips as he stared down at his not-so-companion.

"Well, well. This is certainly not something that I expected. Welcome to Kamari, beautiful, and welcome to the lands of Descai. What do I owe this honor?" he inquired, his golden eyes searching the beautiful blues of the female. She was just as devastatingly appealing as he remembered, but things had changed since then. With Sarin's pups as well as Shayde's running about, the pack was so much more precious than it had been before. He was on edge at every turn, and here his mysterious stranger was knocking on his door. For what, though, Vorilye could not fathom. She had been rather adamant that she could take care of herself, so there was no reason that she should have been here now. Vorilye was puzzled, yet still slightly jaded, but the female's arrival.

"I'm sure that there is a reason for you to come here. What is it, my dear?" he asked once more. He wanted to know just what he was getting himself into here. "I may not know you well, but I know you well enough to see that you have no reason to take me up on my offer. So what is it that you want, my beautiful stranger?" She would have to let him know eventually; after all, she was at his mercy here. In the loner lands, he held no weight, but here he reigned supreme. She would not risk coming here unless she intended to seek refuge with Descai or if she had ulterior motives. But what reason would she have to reside within his borders? Just because he was intrigued by her and her beauty did not mean that she was pack material. She made it abundantly clear that she was okay by herself. Any help that Vorilye extended before was in kindness, but it was nothing that the alpha male believed she would ever turn to him to collect.

"Of course, I am more than happy to see you. Though I am a bit puzzled," he stated with a slight smirk, "that you would bring another here and not bother to introduce him. I do believe that you should be more thorough in disguising scents, my dear. So I pray, who is your friend and why is he hiding in my brush?" He almost laughed out loud with his comment. She did not honestly believe that he was not perceptive enough to notice a disturbance within his borders? While the wolf hidden from view was quite silent, he was not quiet enough to go without notice, particularly when the female's arrival was such a flag. So what exactly was her intent? Did she plan to spring an attack on him and try to take over Descai? Such behavior was foolish and far below what this female was capable. She had the intelligence to see that such an action would be a death wish.

But once again, this left Vorilye at a blank. Before, the white female had been alone and without any desire for companionship. Who was this male and what was he doing hanging around her? Before he could stop himself, his lip curled back in distaste, a slight growl rumbling in his throat. Maybe it was a tad bit uncivilized, but he had a strange tugging feeling that he could not place that instantly made him want to massacre the male in the brush. Why was he afforded the privilege of her company? Who was he to her?

"It would be best if you let me know what is going on, miss."

---

Count | 852 words
Muse | So-so.
Tags | @atriell & @solo
Notes | This pales in comparison to you guys. I had to grit to get this out because my muse is in the toilet right now... x.x

[Deleted]

Tell me would you kill to save a life?
Tell me would you kill to prove you're right?
Crash, crash, burn, let it all burn


With startled eyes, she absorbed the sight of the Alpha while in a state of perplexity. She hadn't quite prepared herself for actually seeing him again, and she half-expected for this to be the wrong borders, or that he wouldn't show. The confusion left her, and the doe-eyed expression was replaced with an amorous one. "What can I say, love? I couldn't stay away." She smirked in a devilishly teasing manner but was careful to keep her posture unassuming. They were no longer equal strangers on loner lands, and although he was still somewhat calm and even kind in his approach, he wasn't quite the same wolf she knew him to be when she first met him. Atriell admired his power, and the clear strength that echoed in his large frame and amused eyes.

Perhaps a little flirtation would help, rather than hurt her chances of gaining entry into the pack. She lowered her head once in greeting and never quite let it return to its full height; out of grudging respect for his rank. It was unusual for her to submit to anyone, but desperate times called for desperate measures, and being under his leadership among others was the best of a worst situation. He was more agreeable than any other alpha she had previously encountered, and he even seemed to take a slight interest in her; a thing she couldn't complain about if it meant it'd allow her within his ranks.

Perhaps his interest would also prove tempting and complicating for her if she were accepted, as she wasn't looking to form any bond, no matter how insubstantial, during her time in the pack. This male, the alluring master of her fate, wanted to know why she was here. Truthfully, she didn't quite know why she was there either. "Well, I wish to not be a stranger to you any longer. I wish my intentions were less complicated and easier to explain, but I'm afraid it's not quite that simple. What I can say is that I now have a reason to take you up on your offer." What did she want? She wanted not to be there. As handsome as the male was, and as wonderful his offer was, she wished she wouldn't have to be weak and powerless at his paws. She wished that she hadn't broken her leg, but oddly enough, she didn't wish she hadn't saved Solo.

Atriell was recently discovering an infinite number of anomalies that differed completely from her usual behavior. Listening intently at his next words, a smile broke on her lips that was surprisingly sincere. She was slightly unnerved by his teasing demeanor while exposing her, especially since his capable frame threatened a growl towards the end. What did I expect?, she thought with an inward chuckle, nearly intrigued by how swiftly the Alpha had noticed Solo. She observed the powerful wolf's display of distaste, and perhaps even resentment, with great curiosity and slight apprehension. Was he angry with her, or just amused? Atriell was set on edge because of his contradictory mannerisms, and she was reminded of how difficult reading this wolf had been, and still was.

Atriell probably should've been embarrassed by being found out, but her expression mimicked the Alpha's. A smirk toyed at her maw, and she breathed out a clear, mirthful laugh. "You got me. I should've expected you to see through me. You're just as intelligent as I remembered you to be." And as tempting. Her eyes danced with beguilement that she didn't attempt to conceal, but she lowered her stance to compensate for her bold behavior. She was treating him more as an equal rather than someone in a position of power, as she wasn't very mindful of how to treat a high-ranking wolf. Atriell was so accustomed to being dominant that she couldn't quite bring herself to show submission to anyone; even an alpha.

She beckoned for her concealed companion with a call of, "Solo", and a swish of her tail. The Alpha would likely anger if he remained tucked within the foliage. It seemed that her attempts to keep him from potential harm were ineffective, and he was now as exposed to the possibility of death as she was. Her idea to cloak Solo had potentially done more harm than good, and she was in a position where the Descai leader could think she meant to trick him. "My intention was not to deceive, although I suppose that's how it appears. You see, I wasn't quite sure you'd remember me. I couldn't be certain that you wouldn't treat me with hostility, and I didn't want him to be killed if you had."

Atriell's features were composed of sincerity, and she wore an expression that was perhaps more honest than the Alpha could have ever seen from her. She had no choice but to be honest with the gargantuan Alpha, if she wanted her and Solo to be accepted. "You're curious of my reason for being here, then? I'm- or rather, we are here because of an occurrence that happened but a few hours ago. If the truth is what you seek, I wouldn't be at your borders if it weren't for the situation, although I won't deny the pleasure of being in your presence again." Atriell eyed him first alluringly, then cautiously as her expression darkened, and angled her frame in such a way that exposed the shallow gash trailing along her flank.

She returned to his gaze coolly, and knew she'd have to reveal all of her weakness if she wanted to prove that her appearance at his borders was genuine. She had a feeling he'd know her presence at his borders was sincere if he saw her allowing herself to be vulnerable. Her broken appendage had been just grazing the earth in attempt to hide her malady, but now she lifted it for the Alpha to witness. It was clearly broken, from the way it hung so limply. She couldn't force herself to catch his eye, and she averted her eyes in shame of her injury; her weakness. As if her frailty hadn't been pronounced enough, attempting to lower the paw caused her to waver slightly in her stance before she willed herself to be centered once more. The she-wolf acknowledged him with firm, unfaltering eyes, not allowing the alpha before her to perceive the pain she was in.

Her dignity had already been compromised, and she was already made physically weak, so she wouldn't let herself be weak mentally. "We're in a complex situation...," she started, and settled her sights past the leader and into the distance; recalling the events of the previous hours. "My companion had washed up on shore, and fell victim to two wolves who thought they owned the land he had washed up on. I happened to be in close proximity to him. I saw a clearly unfair fight with two wolves about to kill a wolf who had already managed to survive the sea. It was a moment of weakness; a lapse of judgment, but I put aside my survival for him. I knew I would be hurt, but for one reason or another I... helped this male. I did what I had to do, and nothing more."

Atriell was no longer just telling the Alpha of the events, but reflecting on her own thoughts of the happening before she realized this and noted to remove her opinions from the description. Flashing her searching blue eyes over his liquid gold ones, she sought understanding from an Alpha who had no reason to be understanding. He could just end her life without a word if he should so desire. She had become increasingly more aware of the constant flow of blood from the cut on her side, and her vision went in and out of vertigo as she pressed on with her and Solo's tale.

"I-I had just killed one of his attackers. The male's death was necessary to protect Solo. The other wolf had torn me away from his partner and I didn't have time to land correctly, so I landed on my leg. I saved my current companion, and he had saved me from the remaining wolf just as he was about to end me. That was supposed to be the end of it. I had saved him, and in turn he had protected me. We were even. However, the stubborn wolf insisted that he would follow me, and he hasn't left since." She attempted to remain solemn and bitter in her description of Solo, but she cast a surprisingly lighthearted, joking smile over to her fellow traveler.

The exhaustion was setting in quicker than before as she recounted her journey to Kamari, and her legs quivered with effort. Even the task of standing was becoming strenuous, but she couldn't rest yet. Not until her fate was secured, and hell, until Solo's fate was secured as well. Passing her acknowledgment over the looming frame of the Alpha, her jaw set in determination as a meaningful speech formed in her throat.

"I haven't forgotten your offer, Sovereign. In all honesty, it's been all I could think about for awhile now... If I'm not given acceptance into your ranks, then I will die. There isn't any other outcome, and I wish desperately that there was. I cannot hunt with a broken bone, and I will inevitably perish if I am to remain a loner. I despise my desperation, my vulnerability, but I recognize that the protection you could offer is necessary. My skill is in fighting, and Solo will be able to vouch for this, just as I will vouch for his skill. I may be of little use to you now, but I seek you out now so you'll give me a chance to prove myself."

Pausing briefly, she looked up at him initially with quiet uncertainty, which morphed into something stronger. "Let me prove myself to you." Her eyes were ablaze with determination, and with the strength and feral passion of a warrior. Without appearing dominant, she wanted to show the charismatic sovereign that she wouldn't just fade into the ranks. Atriell hated that she was at the wolf's mercy, that her trembling legs could barely hold her up, and that she was ready to slip into unconsciousness again. She hated her weakness then, especially since she needed to have strength now more than ever. Atriell was nothing if not passionate, although she often came off as aloof and indifferent.

She needed to convince him, at least for now, that she'd be an asset to Descai. Atriell would be, of course, until she slipped away unseen. No matter how tempting the thought of not having to hunt for just awhile, or how lovely the prospect of seeing this male more often sounded, she couldn't stay. She was a flighty wolf that couldn't let herself invest her heart into something fully. Sooner or later one of these wolves beside her or one of the wolves she had yet to meet would exploit her, would hurt her. Trusting them was out of the question, and she knew that she would begin to trust these wolves if she remained within the ranks for too long. The wounded wolf couldn't have predicted it then, but there was still more change yet to come. Change that would alter her very character, her very ideals. Change that might even sway her into staying within Descai.

The scenery was becoming warped again as the lightness seized her once more as she tried to focus her eyesight and return to normalcy. Solo's unmistakably large blue eyes had even blurred, and her vision swooned in and out of blackness until it settled again. She would soon pass out from blood loss or exhaustion; whichever reached her first. Atriell was afraid of finally sleeping however, as the dramatic events of late could weave frightening visions of all the blood that had ever been spilt before her eyes, and all of the demons that had taken up residence in her psyche.

The blue flames that had cavorted in her gaze had been quelled with pain, and they flickered up to meet the Alpha's eyes; gold as the rising sun. She searched his depthless gaze, as she seemed to be doing frequently, and she peered pleadingly at him. Atriell almost looked innocent, if only for a moment, before her eyes left him. She needed the protection he offered, no matter how much she wished she could refuse; she needed it for her and she needed it for Solo. The compassion she thought had left her long ago seemed to have only lain dormant, and lately it had resurfaced. Perhaps the good in her wasn't gone, just lost...


This hurricane's chasing us all underground
There is a fire inside of this heart
And a riot about to explode into flames


~~~~

words;; 2,197 words, not including the lyric excerpts on the top and bottom of the post from Hurricane by 30 Seconds to Mars.
tagged;; @solo, Vorilye
musical inspiration(s);; Hurricane by 30 Seconds to Mars, 30 Seconds to Mars, Panic! At the Disco, Lydia, System of a Down.
muse;; Good! I have a lot of muse for this thread!^^
notes;; There's a lot of dialogue with this one. I tried to have her explain as briefly as possible >.<

[Deleted]

The moment his sky blue eyes settled on the alpha, he almost wished to be the strong, tall handsome black and gold alpha that now strutted purposely towards his 'friend'; if she saw it that way. All Solo life he had been the one cowering under others strong gazes, all his life he had to be the one starving in the corner while others relished the thick red meat, all his life never once had he been the one with his head high and tail raised in pride. All his life he had been the lowest of the low, and still is. Jealousy creeper into his eyes as he watched from his hiding place, the proud alpha greeting the she-wolf like they were old friends. Hadn't she declined his offer? His eyes scarred both of them, his ears straining to hear their proud booming voices.

Love? Solo couldn't believe his ears, they sounded a bit like two tense old friends. His body started to twist uncomfortable around his only protecting tree, his tail flicking over its peeling bark. How could she now tell him? Was this all a scam and they were really just the best of friends, even mates? The brute shook his grey head, if they were mates then why was he being so, unfriendly to her. Solo had only just registered the echoing growl erupting from the alphas flashing jaw, his white teeth reflecting the early sun rays to his eyes. Solo breath hitched, causing him to gasp for air, was he going to attack her? They are decently not mates. A little relief rolled over his thin shoulders, flowing off his visible spine. For the first time in hours Solo seemed to recognise his own needs, it must of been days since his last meal and too many hours of parched, dry tongue.

Solo's large, blue eyes stared deeply at the two forms standing only so far away, longing for the detail of every movement. Should he run, leaving Atreill to her fate. No, never would he just leave her like that, but wasn't that what he was planning to do in the near future? Pack up and leave this strange land, along with it strange wolves. Solo hadn't had the nicest of introducing to Anikira, first swallowed whole by the sea, then being attack for no reason but just a territorial thing. Why did I follow her? Solo was starting to question his motives, he shouldn't of ever run away from Eve's cold body, he should of just lay their, waiting for his turn to feel the bitter sweet end. He wondered if he will ever see those emerald green eyes and glossy red coat. Maybe that's why he followed her, because the she-wolf that stood facing a black and gold god, shock with no fear and seemed to stare at him right in the eyes, reminded the brute of his first ever friend and love.

Solo turned his head to see the fawn, still cowering in the bushes. Slowly, without making a sound, the young brute approached the scared creature. As he got closer, detail struck him of how thin it was, its small ribs pressing ageist it's skin, bulging and dipping with each shaky breath. Its small legs, so thin that Solo guessed he could fit them between his teeth. It's brown eyes bulged with fear as Solo large mussel came closer, until it had been pushed over the line. It's mouth gasped open, its chest compressed as hard as it could and out came the loudest sound Solo thought could be made by such a small thing. Shhh! The grey wolf tried desperately as the fawn whole body started to shake. Gritting his teeth Solo pressed his paw ontop of the fawn mussel, pressing its small mouth closed ageist the hard ground. Out of Solo hard cold panic came Atreill's calling him, she sounded calm and relax, as if call him for a midnight stroll.

Solo eye's softened as he took his paw away slowly, it's small head shivered as his tongue darted out, curling around its small chin. Slowly Solo crept out of his protection behind the old dying tree, splitting at the center, as if lightning had struck it head on. The grey brute stalked towards them, his head hung low, his tail tucked neatly between his back legs, yet again he had failed Atreill. As Solo approached, his body language varied, his posture and frame were submissive, but his hackles stood on end, quivering in the light wind. But most of all his eyes, the brutes blue eyes were glued to the Alphas gold, which was mostly used by higher ranking wolves to the lower ranking, but still Solo could not tear his eyes away, they were like a dark cold flame that was starting to raise from the kindling it was being provided. Sorry He whispered quietly to the she-wolf as he edged closer to them both, finally taking his eyes off the black and gold alphas to look over at Atreill, not really seeking forgiveness, but more for comfort.

Now in closer proximity, Solo's large eyes could explore this alpha, his large, strong frame and sun gold eyes, what he would give to be him for a day. But still Solo didn't seemed to show that he acknowledged that his life hung by a thread, with a sharp rock posed to slice and this alpha could do just that in a instant. Of cause the male did know how to show respect and submission, he had been doing it all his life but now when he needed it the most, it just didn't feel Right. At least Solo knew that this she-wolf didn't want him dead, he listened carefully to her words, trying to sort this whole story out by himself. They know each other, as even a blind wolf could see, the way they spoke and how the she-wolf looked at the alpha, Solo longed for her to look at him the same way. Emeditly throwing that thought out the window the grey brute cleared his thoughts and tried to relax his aching muscles.

Pleasure? Solo was completely confused, first she declined his offer then saids it would be a pleasure to see him again? Jealousy burned in the brutes eyes, turing himself away from the pair, hiding his face in shame. Never should he feel this way, things were the way they were and he could never change a wolf perception on a another, never should he feel the same way after Eve. After a few seconds Solo turned his face back towards them, a distanced look on his face. His injures were his main weakness now, the deep gashes in his cheek and flank, brutes and cuts on his chest and neck, what a fine few hours it had been. The brutes eyes locked onto the alphas again, watching for a judgement on the she-wolf injures, just imagining the thoughts running through the alphas mind, was he thinking them as a piece of rubbish, ready to be thrown away, or to use them, to use Atreill. A cold shiver ran down his spine at the thought, no one will hurt her as long as she's in his sight.

Guilt was starting to built up inside him, churning his stomach to make a uncomfortable feeling. It was all his fault they stood at the mercy of this alpha, it is all his fault that Atreill stood with a broken leg, clearly hanging limp on the skin. How could he live with himself if this female got hurt in the pack, if some clumsy accident happened and it was all over, puff. Blue eyes hardened under the thought, he should of been killed by the sea, drowning with Eve curled up next to him, her bitter, sweet memory toying with his blank mind. If that ever happened, he guessed he would just kill himself, leap off the tallest cliff and pulpit to his fate, no more shall he end others. She should of never helped him, just leave him to his unfair fight and at least die like a brute, instead of having probably in the near future have a selfish, unnecessary death.

Solo was starting to realise that Atreill hardly glanced his way, just keeping her eyes on the alpha as if he wasn't there. He was starting to feel like a third wheel on a bike, drawing her down to where she wants to go, preventing her to go at full speed ahead. The thought dragged him down more, causing his vision to expand and make everything seem further away, causing panic to bubble up inside him as he started to feel more and more isolated. His attention was cut short as a slight shuffle in the bushes where he now longed to go back to, the thin fawn shook its self before taking one horrified look over at the group of wolves, then with a small buck, it was on its way back into the shelter of the trees. Solo eyes followed the small creature, longing for his mind to just inhabit the care free animal and run free with a caring herd, with full protection and no betrays. This thought made his mind roam further, he knew little of the life of a deer, what they eat in winter when there was no lush green shots, or how they cort. Memory flowed in of one sunset, Solo had been on his own walking up a hill when out of nowhere two royal stags had come out, at first Solo had been started and thought about running, but they hadn't noticed him and were too concerted on each other. Within seconds of coming onto the hill, they were locked into a battle of strength and wits, clattering of antlers ringing across the glen.

Solo felt calm now, his thin body relaxed as his eyes once again raise to the alphas. The disturbing memory of the past hours rolled over his head, just like Atreill words as they flowed towards him, but still he noticed her wording, Were even? Did she no longer saw them as equals? Do she just see him as a annoying leach attached to her? Her bitter words struck him hard, he wasn't the sensitive type, just lonely. But the bitter taste was sweetened as she looked over at him with her blue eyes, total taking him by surprise that he didn't know how to return her smile, but automatically a friendly smile tugged at his lips also concern entered his eyes as he watched her wary body was straining under her own weight. Solo too was tired from their long travels and the deep gash on his flank was open to infection, which had already taken advantage of to open wound, yellow puss creeping around under the loss scab. Lets hope this pack has a shaman, and a kind one would be nice for a change.

Listening to her fighting talk gave Solo some comfort facing this large wolf, but still his lack of knowledge faltered him, What the hell does Vouch mean? Is it a necessary word to know for your survival? knowing things can help you in life, but something's are just for pleasure with no purpose to anyone or anything. But still Solo kept silent, he didn't want to jeopardise their chances of getting into the pack with some of his blabber mouth, it's as if he has no filter between his mind and mouth, no check point to be searched for hurtful things. That's mainly the reason the brute kept talking to a minimum and survival to maximum. As she spoke that fighting was her main skill, Solo couldn't think of any way to oppose it, he so longed to be the skilled warrior standing before him. But what were his skills? He could run, that's for a start, maybe not now but when he was all patched up. Hunting was the thing he was brought up around, but not actually doing the kill and all, just more the herding and searching. More or less he was useless to this pack, but he had to seem that he really was essential, maybe a few white lies there and then.

Solo wasn't the loyal type, he must of broken a few hearts back in the pack and a lot have broken his. The brute found it so hard to just Fit in to look at all the wolves he had ever seen that day and think that none of them had judged him on what he looked like, but instead his personality. But even that was a bad thing, for wolves have openly judged the brute for only what he looks like, waving his pride around like it was nothing, changing her personality to that. It was like a dog chasing its tail, whenever it gets close, it is dragged away by its own body, continuously pushing it towards its target and then pulling the target further away. Just a endless cycle until the dog just accepts that it can't get its tail without moving one step forward and two back. For once in his life, Solo would like to feel like he belongs somewhere or with someone without taking that extra step back.

Words:2224
Muse: Im really tired and not happy with this post, but it turned out longer than I thought
Notes: Solo turned suicidal xD And then all peomy, sorry it took so long xD Sorry he didn't say anything, just tell me if you want me to change it so that he saids something so that you have something to go on xD

[Vorilye]

It did not take very long at all for the lovely femme's story to anger Vorilye. He hated anything and everything that would put such a lovely lady in danger, and this new male seemed to have done just that, albeit unwillingly. He managed to keep himself from lashing out at the brute, but he was rather tense while listening to his delightful loner's story. However, his power of observation was obviously waning. How else could he not have noticed the injury to the slightly golden-hued female's paw? An involuntary snarl ripped from the male's muzzle as he reared up in anger. "I will kill every last one of them," he bit out angrily. No one injured one of his lovely ladies and got away with it. But it seemed that the femme did not actually want his aid for revenge or for anything, in fact, except for a place to shelter until her injury could heal. Of course, he never could have told the female no, regardless of what he may show on the outside. Vorilye was not heartless, and in fact, this female seemed to have a piece of his heart that he could not exactly explain. She was crafty and cunning, yet she did not manage to weasel her way out of the situation with the foolish brute who wound up getting her injured.

The male's steely glare fell on the brown and white wolf as he emerged from the brush, his dislike clear in every feature of his face. He did not like anyone who was in cohorts with his lady, and this male seemed to fit into that niche quite nicely. And so the femme's request for both of them to join the pack was a bit infuriating, to say the least, but he knew he could not deny her. And so he bit back his own jealous tendencies and nodded curtly to the male. "Names, please. I would like to know what it is that you can offer Descai, as well, brute," he snapped out instantaneously. A worthless loner had no place in his pack, particularly with the pups running about. Zephyros, Sypher and Zirena were starting to get quite large and would soon be accompanying the adults on their hunts, whereas Valeria, Zofia and Atlas were still in their playful, "trust everyone" phase. He would not have anyone corrupting his children or disturbing the structure of his pack, particularly not a troublesome male. 

Although he would not admit it, Vorilye was still quite frustrated that he did not know the female's name. While very few members of his own pack knew his, that was his right. He was their leader, and what he allowed them to know was a privilege in itself. He had better command over his pack if they knew little about him and his intentions. Instead, he could command them as he wished without question. They would always worry about what exactly the alpha male had in store for them. Sometimes the power was great, yet other times he knew that they had far too much investment in the alpha's orders and not enough autonomy to function properly. He knew this female could offer autonomy, but he knew absolutely nothing about this male. But surely his delightful stranger would not bring a threat to his pack, would she?

Then again, Vorilye knew next to nothing about her. All he knew was that her eyes held some sort of power over him and that she was aloof and cautious enough to survive, and also to feed herself well, as a loner in this harsh world. It was a rare feat, and Vorilye could not help but admire her for it. Yet here she was, at his mercy. Additionally, he would be taking on yet another mouth that could not feed itself. Life was hectic enough with the pups running about, and now there were going to be more invalids bumming around the dens. The alpha male had not seen hide or tail of Bardou since he drove the omega from his presence. It was rumored that the male encountered an untimely death, though it was not surprising considering his foolishness and gimpiness.

"My dear, I will have the pack's shaman tend to your injuries. If she cannot alleviate all the pain, I am certain she can at least aid in the hasty recovery of your injury. It is not good at all that you have had to travel under such circumstances. I never should have left you," he fretted with impatience. He wanted his lovely lady to be well once more, just about as much as he wanted this other male to scram so that he would not have to interact with him. It was likely pure jealous, coupled with the slight tinge of resentment he felt toward males in general, that created such an immediate dislike of the brute. It was quite plausible that he was no threat to the alpha male - though he was severely lacking in the appropriate behavior toward an alpha - but that did not stop Vorilye from cursing the very day the male took his first breath on Anikira.

This presented yet another problem, though. With the arrival of yet another female, tensions were likely to run high. Angel no longer expressed any interested in him - which was excellent, in his eyes - but there was still the mounting tension between Sarin and Shayde to combat. Adding yet another female into the mix of Descai could lead to further problems, particularly when Vorilye wanted nothing more than to dedicate all his time to this stranger. "You are welcome here, love. As for your friend, I do wish for him to show me that he offers something of worth to Descai before I decide," he spat out the last portion with a sneer. "I do not take lightly to unfamiliar faces in my pack. I protect my own," he tagged on with the slightest of smirks. That protection was now extended to his little lady, and that alone made the alpha much more at ease.

It was only so long before he accidentally slipped in his speech to the female that he now considered her to be "his."

---

Count | 1040 words
Muse | Decent
Tags | @atriell & @solo
Notes | This one was better. I'm really sorry about the wait, you guys.

[Deleted]

Never should have called
But my head's to the wall and I'm lonely


Atriell was silently impressed and slightly confounded by the alpha's fierce show of strength, and the protective? anger in his eyes. He seemed to want to keep her safe, a notion that ignited both her curiosity and her pride. She supposed protection was what he had originally offered her, and she declined in return. Inwardly, she felt inclined to turn down his protection once more; being under the influence of her innately free-spirited nature. The aversion the black-and-gold male felt towards her fellow traveler was more than evident, and Solo didn't seem too appeasing in return. For being in such a state of disarray, he wasn't doing much to promote his survival. The she-wolf leered expectantly at Solo, lowering her body as a hint for him to show his own submission.

It looked as if the Descai alpha already had an inherent loathing for Solo, and it seemed he detested him even more as he entered the Alpha's sights. She quickly grew tense as the air became thick with an underlying hostility so fierce it was almost tangible, and she wanted nothing more than to rid herself of the sensation of being trapped and cornered. Atriell fought the temptation to run (although she'd be incapable of such an action) as he asked for their names. She couldn't be here. Not in packlands requesting a place in Descai. Not in a situation she never thought she'd find herself in. Not with an alpha that set her unusually on edge and a sort-of stranger that already knew too much about her. The turmoil and insecurities didn't reach her physical features, which reflected elegance and grace; even while under the growing pain and lethargy.

Softly, her acknowledgement rested on Descai's leader as her mind returned to equilibrium once more, and the slightest of smiles brushed the careful line of her mouth. "My name is Atriell." She allowed the words to take on the same silvery, gentle quality, although there was an inescapable detachedness to her voice that suggested any of her true warmth or affection was just out of reach. It felt admittedly odd, to just be introducing herself now, as she supposed most wolves would know each other’s names within the first encounter. Atriell pondered silently what calling could suit a male of his stature and position, and supposed it would be strong in nature and leave an impression. No idea formed in her head of what his name could be, but she found that her attention had wandered only to return as she heard the last part of his speech.

What Solo could offer? Her gaze fell appraisingly upon the ashen-hued male and allowed a slight smile to swiftly enter and exit her features; hoping she could coax him into being slightly more conciliatory towards the black-and-gold male. “Go on, Solo,” she urged encouragingly. He seemed to have great potential in fighting, although his reaction towards the death of the loner male, which he caused, suggested that he hadn’t engaged in battle often. Although he appeared decrepit because of his injuries, in good health it looked as if he’d have a figure constituted of lean muscle and much alacrity. She also noted that he endured quite well on their way to Descai despite his injuries, and had an admirable, yet irritating amount of endurance and stubbornness. If nothing else, Solo showed potential.

Her expression implored the Alpha to accept him, her pelt burning with self-hatred and embarrassment at having to beg. Being at his mercy made her none too pleased, and had it been any other wolf but this particularly beguiling one, and any other situation, she wouldn’t allow herself to be nearly as vulnerable as she currently was. Her eyes widened ever so subtly at the Alpha’s next words, a varying wave of emotions washing over her all at once. She was admittedly shocked at his seemingly genuine show of compassion, not having heard such a sentiment in quite some time. Her pride also flared stubbornly in reaction to the feeling of flattered warmth that passed over her, biting back a controlled retort that she was, and had always been perfectly capable of looking out for herself.

It was true; she didn’t need protection, but the quiet stirring of her conscience hinted to her that she wanted the compassion that came with it. While all these mixed emotions coursed through her, her face maintained a troubled, distant expression. The emotions on her face swiftly passed, as quickly as they always had, and her face became unreadable once more as a forced smile appeared. “Thank you, I am endlessly grateful. There’s no need for remorse, these injuries and my circumstances are of no fault of your own; they are only the fault of the wolf that caused them. It’s not all bad; I am here with you again, aren’t I?” With the approval of her place in the pack ringing in the air, a sense of relief came over her, although it was short lived as he finished his sentence with a smirk that she couldn’t help but enjoy.

Atriell dared to cautiously cross over the border, managing to conceal her limp fairly well as she confronted him with a submissive dip of her head. Elongating her frame, her gaze flickered warily upwards to watch for signs of aggression as she moved her tapered muzzle to press lightly against the Alpha’s shoulder. The gesture was out of respect, but as she withdrew and backed away, her eyes met his and glinted in a way that suggested the gesture was less than innocent. “You have my deepest gratitude.” She let her honeyed voice trail off as she backed up to the other side of the border and tactfully positioned herself at Solo’s side.

“You will not be disappointed—by either of us.” With a fixed but simultaneously passive look at the sovereign, she meant to convey that she had no inclination to compromise on the details of their arrangement. Atriell knew very well that she was in no position to be making demands, but her… obligation was to ensure both of their lives were finally secure. Her conscience had resurrected once more; the one that had caused her to leap into the confrontation on Endyt was the very same one binding her now. Panic seized her momentarily, as these indications of vicissitude in her life threatened her isolationism and would have sent her into a whirl of temporary hysteria if she were given time to realize the significance of what was happening in that very moment.

Even the simple movement to Solo’s side was an anomaly in itself for her; before these ongoing changes in her behavior she would’ve left Solo for dead or at the very least be indifferent as to whether or not Solo gained acceptance. Until recently, she wouldn’t have defended anyone other than herself. Not as a purposeful act of selfishness, but rather as being self-centered out of necessity; in order to survive. Few saw the reasons behind her cold, ostracizing behavior, but it was because she couldn’t afford to form attachments if she wished to have no hindrance to her survival. Now, she had a cut marring her flank, a broken bone, and the same dance of blackness across her field of vision. She put someone else’s survival before herself and nearly was killed because of it. The oddest part was, she didn’t regret it.

She was admittedly relieved that Solo was alright, and there was but a slight flutter of excitement that she had crossed paths with the midnight stranger again. It had aggravated her that he left before she could, and it was her covert ambition to leave him and his pack after her wounds healed. She could nearly feel the satisfaction already. With the independent spirit of a loner, she hated that she had become dependent on this charming wolf’s pack, and the very wolf himself. She wanted to prove to herself that she didn’t need a pack, and that she wasn’t truly dependent on one by leaving without a trace of regret. Something made the satisfaction grow bitter though, and that something was the all too familiar treacherous loneliness and curious longing for a life more interesting; a life that actually had purpose.

The idea of having a friend with youthful warmth she forgot existed in the world was tempting and exotic in comparison to her days and weeks spent in a depressed state. He half made her hopeful that there was still happiness to be had, and half made her question when the male would open his eyes and see how hopeless the world really was. And now she was in the presence of a magnetic alpha that offered her an opportunity like none other, a chance to have a purpose that extended beyond just her and her survival. It was possible that having companionship for a while didn’t sound so bad as she originally thought… Especially since she already seemed to have the companionship of an irritating albeit amusing male and potential companionship in the alpha, depending if he had time out of his duties to grace her with his presence. As long as she didn’t become attached to either, a little socializing wouldn’t hurt, would it? Her focus centered on the scene playing out in front of her once more, awaiting Solo’s words and the Alpha’s verdict in concealed suspense.


I'm looking in on the good life
I might be doomed never to find

~~~~

words;; 1,617 words, not including the lyric excerpts on the top and bottom of the post from The New Slang by The Shins.
tagged;; @solo Vorilye 
musical inspiration(s);; N/A
muse;; Hasn't been good for a month >.<
notes;; I'm SO sorry I haven't gotten this finished until now, I've had absolutely terrible muse and some irl problems lately. I'll reply faster from now on though!

[Deleted]

i

Solo eye's slowly floated over the alpha, his breath curling up towards him. He did not need the reassurance of a nose to know that his breath carried the foul scent of death, decaying on his very teeth. Such things could not be easily washed away with simply pure water, or the reassuring voice of another. The guilt gnawed at his heart and mind, at first it had been subtle, the small thought of Ricky's hollows eye's, that could send a blood curdling shiver thought the toughest of wolves. Over time the thoughts had twisted and turned in his own mind, being dragged deeper into the depth of his small brain. His short animal memory not hindering the sharp edges that dug into him, not blurring them into nothing so he could go on life with no more suffering. The feeling of guilt could carry anyone into insanity, for those who are lucky, and for others they relive themselves of their suffering, to run from their guilt and not face what they have done.

But Solo was occupied by the two wolves who stood like Gods before them, well one of them did. The black and gold wolf fantasied the smaller grey wolf, his greatness and power were a life goal for many that never came into their clutches. His paw could move mountains if he so wished, they could choice weather a life was speared or ended, and their was no doubt that they had done that before. For the alpha eye's caught the male the most, as with any animal he met. It was almost as if he was judging their eye's upon his own, for he knew that his were uncomfortable to others and did no such good when it came to talking. But the alpha's were just right for his position in Solo's opinion, for they were a royal colour that reflected the face of who he was facing down, giving him the double eye's to bear down on his enemys. Solo continued fantasizing the possible opportunities with eye's like the alpha.

The anger held in the Alpha's voice also shocked the brute too, for a great and powerful alpha should not be showing such concern into the problems of two loners. It would be the equivalent of a king showing pity on a dung sweeper who had his money stolen, something that did not effect the king at all. The blue eye's emeditly floated over to his new friend at his side, he knew that the alpha was showing no concern towards him, but to Atreill. Jealously flowed through his vain again, floating whatever courage that was hidden away in the depth of his body to float to the surface. "That has already been taken care off-- My lord" Solo hardly thought through what cockly spun though his maw, hesitating to put 'My lord' at the end. The brute noticed the alpha's tension in a instant, the way the air between the trio seemed to heavier and denser, suffocating Solo of oxygen. That's what this alpha can do to a conversation, he can make it like a triumphant feast to a deathly hollow talk on weather or not to kill them both. Solo would of had to be a blind wolf -Which he was far from- to not of noticed that the alphas fury was directed at him.

With the alpha directing such things at him, once more guilt swirled up to the surface and dug a hole in his eye's, making then look deeper and guilt infested. It had all been his fault that the lovely female stood beside him, now bore a weakness among her mighty frame. But still parts of his mind went solo and countered ageist his guilt towards the female which he would never batter a eyelid ageist her. She, the great Atreill, had chosen to come and save him, even if it was in sympathy towards the uneven fight. She had chosen to risk herself to prevent Solo from meeting his doom, that had been her choice and it had been wrong, very wrong. For who wanted to fight two wolves, end up with them both dead and you have to look after their prisoner? That's without adding the broken bone(s) and multiple bruises. It had all been her fault. The single thought left a bitter taste on his tongue and unwanted feelings in his gut, he was being ungrateful for the life he had. He was being ungrateful towards the fine lady beside him once again, once more bringing up the thought that he no longer should be in her rare company if he was to be so vain and not acknowledge her decision.

It came to Solo that the mighty alpha had said 'names' plural. A sneaky grin spread across the brutes face, but flashed away when his eyes seemed to once again drift back from a crazy world of thinking and snap into focus when the alphas words struck him. The brute wasn't the best at counseling his face from others, his mind would wounder and his face would leak emotions. It seemed the alpha did not know Atreill's name, even though they have met twice, and as he waited for her to reply, not a single syllable of her beautiful name escaped her lips. Should he give his name? It appeared the alpha had not caught the way the she wolf had called his name, or he would have called him by his name and not by the insulting word of Brute. He might as well try, for why should he give his enemy his identify, for he had a feeling they might meet again. "My name is Alfred, Alpha. But this femme insist on calling me Solo, crazy right?" Solo made up name was from a friend at his old pack, he had been a little... Crazy. As the brute referred to Atreill, he left out her name and all warmth he had towards her, for he had a feeling the alpha would feel less kindly to him if he showed his secret affection towards what the alpha thought of 'his'.

The second part was harder, thinking of what he was good at. Hunting was a part of him, the feeling of the ground between his feet on long scouting trips and the trill of chasing down elk and deer. But something made him stop, his life long dream was to be buffed up and shoved into a ring to fight another wolf -Weird dream, right?- But the trill of fighting another wolf was so much more pleasurable than of hunting, no matter how long he had to run to find the deer. The joy of sinking your teeth into another wolf, was beyond a deer, for you could think like a wolf, you couldn't tell if they were going to flee or fight, you have the same weapons as they do. So Solo hesitated, either tell him the truth so he could get on the good side of the alpha, or tell him a white lie and probably make a foul of himself. But it occurred to him that he probably wasn't staying long and if he got thought this in one piece, it would be likely the alpha would not trust him and put him where the alpha didn't need to deal with him, omega. So he answered quietly and in a tone of unemotional feelings. "My head is with hunting, but my heart is with fighting" It was probably the most stupid thing he had ever said to the most important wolf he would meet in his life time.

Solo let the slightest of sighs escape his black lips, as the alpha spoke to Atreill about her injures and that a shaman will be willing to heal her wounds, not making any so much as a glance in the brutes direction. In Solo's opinion, he had got off light from the two brutes he had encountered on the beach. The three claw scapes on his chest were like medals shining on a jacket, they would soon not be so noticeable when they healed over among his ash grey pelt, but now they stood out with angry, red, mixed with green and yellow scabing. Pride swelled in the brute, it was like he had finally grown into a wolf, no longer a foolish pup. Even thought Solo felt different, his growing stubbornness still hang on. Having sudden emotion changes can frighten some, but the brute felt the completely opposite. He didn't need to show this high and mighty wolf that he had Solo by the throat, with the slight flick of a wrist and he would no longer be of concern. But the one thing Solo did have as a advantage, was that he was the friend of the wolf he ovestly liked. He wasn't fully sure that Atreill considered them friends -since it was so hard to read her face- But now he knew at least that he was closer to her than the alpha, that had to be something, right?

The brute didn't care that the alpha hadn't purposed some comfort from his wound s, Atreill's were much more serous than his. Solo had lost some blood from his ripped out flank, but that wasn't the worst thing that had happened on the way though hell. Deep down in the meat, his meat, a war was waging between the microbes that had penetrated though his exposed flesh and his white blood cells. The white blood cells had never seen these microbes before, confused and frightened for the concern of Solo body, they hung onto the micro sized enemys. Speckles of black nothingness danced in Solo's vision, the sharp lines of the alphas form turned into blurry smoke. Atreill's normal voice a slow motion bark to his ears, everything seemed to soften, to become light and not as frightening as he had once thought. For a fleeting moment, the brute felt like he was flouting in the air, his mind simply a numb, annoying buzzing that for a second was bearable to live with.

The brute came back with a slight shake of his head, his eye's once more focusing on the beautiful she-wolf beside him. She had said something which was a slur in his mind, so he simply nodded towards the alpha, a slow, rhythmic movement that showed no harm. Solo was weak, his body lacked energy to move and think at the same time. His paws trailed along the ground with no real force, brushing over the disheveled looking grass, that was in clumps on healthy and dying. For a moment his mind grabbed back sense and he thought that this scene of basic nature reminded him of something, but it was gone before his mind could clamp its jaws into the thought and once more the world spun before him. The ash-huned wolf hung his head in weariness, his eyelids feeling heavier than when Gord had sat on his ribs. The thought sent a lazy smile upon the drunken looking wolf, how silly the scene must of been for Atreill. It was amazing how much lack of sleep and nutrition could affect a wolf mind in a second.

Notes:Sorry took so long and is scrappy, did it over time so it might vary. XD I'm doing biology and reading a book about down in the meat so that's were my crazy moment with his wounds come from. XD
Words:1925
Tags: @atreill Vorilye

[Vorilye]

This male was going to be a nuisance. The alpha male could not guarantee how long he would offer refuge to his beautiful stranger's companion, but he was fairly sure she would not stay unless Vorilye allowed her friend to remain as well. It was unfair in his eyes, but he did not want to risk losing her. Vorilye smiled warmly as the strong female introduced herself with an equally strong name, Atriell. It suited her perfectly. 

As for this other male, his smart ass comments were not becoming at all. In fact,  Vorilye had half the mind to smack the attitude out of him. The Alfred comment was enough to flare up his temper, and a quiet growl rumbled in his throat. "You best watch yourself, Solo. I do not tolerate rudeness, particularly when you are in no position to respond in such a way," he snapped instantly on retaliation. He had no respect for this male, but if he could fight for the pack, then the alpha was not going to deny him the opportunity to die for his pack. In fact, that would be quite ironic. He would keep the lovely Atriell, and he would never have to deal with this Solo brute again. What could possibly go wrong? He was certain that Rovan could maintain control over the smaller male, and Ryker was more than capable as well. " Perhaps you can put your fighting skills to use then, Solo. I have no qualms in letting you join the ranks of my warriors. "

Vorilye found himself once again distracted and inattentive to the male. He needed for Atriell to get necessary medical care, and he would not mind allowing Sarin to treat Solo with some of hey less tried methods. Either way, he wanted this wolf out of his way. He had his sights set, and anything that impeded his goals was no use to him. Right now, the unlucky one who stood in his way was the poor male that Atriell decided to rescue. It was funny how things worked out sometimes. She saved him from almost certain death to steer him into a situation with an outcome that did not look much bribery. 

"Well, come along then, now. You've made it this far, and the dens are not much further. We'll get you all patched up," he instructed the pair. They could not stay here long or the scent of blood would attract other predators. a wounded wolf was not much safer than a wounded deer when left without protection. The alpha turned on his paws and slowly headed toward the dens, careful to keep his pace reasonable enough for the new recruits to follow. 

---

Count | 450 words
Muse | Okay
Tags | @atriell & @solo
Notes | This isn't very long mostly because I typed it out on my phone. I may add some later but the thread was pretty much concluding anyways.