Seeing Black and Red [open]

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Red was spread all around, under her, above her, and all around her. Her black coat stood out against the earthly color as she climbed higher and higher. Rays of sunlight and heat blared down on her back as the sun was at its highest point. Though it was extra hot, the heat didn't bother her as she focused on climbing. She wanted to, was determined, to reach the highest point of the red rocks. She enjoyed being alone, not having to worry about anyone bothering her. She actually the caged like feeling the rocks gave her. It was just her and her thoughts with a few hawks flying overhead. While she wouldn't complain if she ran into someone as it would just let her have fun scaring them off, she enjoyed the moments of slight peace when it was just her.

She had been moving for a couple hours now and could see the tip of the rocks not far off in the distance. She had no real motivation for wanting to climb the rocks other than simply wanting to be at the top. She enjoyed the various textures of smoothness and roughness under her paws as she moved and though her head was held high as always, her tail swayed side to side in relaxation. After another maybe thirty minutes, she finally found the highest rock and made the last couple steps up. Once she had made it, she laid down for a couple minutes as her legs burned from the constant movement, though it felt good to her. Once she had a chance to recover, she stood and walked to the edge of the rock. She growled at the thought of getting into a fight up here and getting the other backed up to the edge only to shove them off and watch them fall. This was definitely an area that she liked and she caught herself wishing someone would actually wander up.

[Aaricia]

Aaricia had traveled a long way from Tiyar, a long way from her brother. Perhaps it was an odd move for one who had just been reunited with her long lost brother but Aaricia feared going back to Ina'mos even though she had agreed to do so. She wanted to avoid going back there for as long as she could. She had told Goliath that she had some unfinished business to do in the south before she could return to Ina'mos. However, it was really more of a test for herself. She needed to ease in to moving back home. She had no idea what the hunting grounds were going to be like there so she decided to spend a week or two down here in the south were the conditions were less than desirable to see how well she would fare. One could hardly blame the young she-wolf. She had spent the past year on her own hunting for herself. It was only natural to fear not having enough food to sustain herself. At such a young age, not even sexually mature, Aaricia had been thrown in to the harsh world all on her own. A part of her had grown accustomed to being alone. The solitude was sort of nice in a way.

Solitude was exactly what she was looking for. She wanted to clear her head and be away from Goliath. He was really the only wolf that she knew. She had tried to keep herself distanced from other wolves since her pack was slaughtered. It was lonely but at least that way she wouldn't care if anyone else died. She had longed for companionship but refused herself that luxury. Now that Goliath was back in her life, he would provide someone for her to talk to. Someone to listen to her. However, he wouldn't understand the mental battle she was going through at the moment. She needed to do this alone.

White paws climbed up red rocks. Aaricia has spend last winter here in an effort to avoid the cold. As an arctic wolf, one would think that the cold would be her comfort but really, she hated it. She much preferred warm sunshine. The climb was exhausting but she knew what would be waiting for her at the top. A beautiful landscape that would surely help her solve this inner battle. Sure, there were beautiful places much closer to Tiyar where she wouldn't have had to travel so far but the long journey was all a part of the process. It had given her time to concentrate on other things.

She reached the top and saw a black female wolf. She was taken by surprise as she had thought that these lands were still loner-friendly meaning there wasn't a pack here and no one (except her of course) in their right mind would be down in the south where the hunting was horrendous. "She must not be familiar with the migration cycles of prey," she thought to herself. Regardless, Aaricia thought that she would introduce herself

"Oh, I wasn't expecting anyone to be up here," she said bashfully. "My name is Aaricia, by the way."

The thought of having to go all the way back down was not one that she wanted to entertain. She hoped that after some formalities that they could both just sit up here in silence. She wasn't really interested in conversation. She really just wanted to be left alone but of course, that wasn't going to happen. Perhaps the black female was just finishing up and would be leaving soon. One could only hope.

[Deleted]

Standing a top the red rocks and looking down at the land bellow her, the trees, the water, the grass that seemed to stretch forever, brought flashbacks to the black she wolf. One thing she remembered better than others about her father's land was a large hill that stood alone nearly dead center of his land. It had always mesmerized her when she was younger, though she was never sure why. It could have been how the land was flat and then out of no where rose up into the air before going back to being flat. It may have been how it seemed like if you stood at the top, you could see the entire island, though now that she was full grown, she knew that wasn't true though you could still see for a couple miles. More than likely, it was the thrill of the idea of not getting caught if she ever dared try to climb it. Her mother would often catch her looking at it with a kind of longing and a sense of adventure in her eyes, always making her mother worry and warn her that she should never go up. It was her father's spot, the highest point in his land, and going to the top was a privilege. A privilege she would never be given. Her mother told her that if her father ever caught her going up to the top, he would not simply turn and look the other way. Instead, she would be disciplined and it would be made clear that she was not to do it again. She never found it fair how her brother's always got to go up but it made sense and she understood why. To her father, her brother's were strong, powerful, miniature hims, and they would be the next alphas. He had to teach them how to rule, how to look down on others, and how to be manipulative and enjoy causing havoc. But in her father's eyes, Xion was a weakling who had to fight every day just to survive under his rule. Xion was very much the omega of her father's pack and as much as she may have wanted to get to do the things her brothers did, she knew she never would.

With her father being dead, killed by her own paws, and being able to walk to the top of the rocks without a second thought, it was obvious how far Xion had come since the night her father first attacked her. Although she missed her mother and the lighthearted playful wolf she could be around her, she was slightly thankful for her father. He showed her how harsh, cruel, and unfair life could be. He made her learn how to survive and how to excel, even though he never expected it. He taught her how to not only fight but how to ensure a win. He was the reason she learned the thrill that was being bad. As much as she wished she could be her mother, she really could not complain. Thanks to her father she was now strong, powerful, unstoppable, and deadly. She couldn't ask for more.

Xion was lost deep in her thoughts until the sound of another she wolf snapped her back into reality. She growled at first, startled as she didn't hear her come up though she shook her head once she got a better look at all. She seemed shy, maybe even a bit skittish. She was the opposite of Xion, even her coloring was the complete opposite. It was clear X had nothing to worry about from her. In fact, she wandered if her wish had come true but only time would tell how things would play out. If she was aggressive from the start, the wolf could very easily turn and go back down the rocks. Xion had to wait for the right moment before she acted and act as if nothing was up until then. "Hello Aaricia, I'm Xion," she bowed her head slightly in greeting, showing she meant no harm, or so she portrayed. In order to make her stay, she had to play her cards the right way.

[Aaricia]

It had appeared as though Aaricia has snapped back the black she-wolf from deep thought. She had introduced herself as Xion and had given a respectful head nod. Aaricia returned the respectful gesturer. She didn't want to start any trouble. The white fae took a moment to take in the scenery around her and it reminded her of why she had made the long journey here. It was truly breathtaking, perhaps the most beautiful landscape on the entire Island.

"It's beautiful up here, isn't it?" she commented.

Aaricia had been given a rare opportunity to travel all of Anikira, to see all that it had to offer. If her pack had stayed in tact, she probably wouldn't have been able to see any of this. When she went back to Ina'mos with her brother, all of her traveling would be put to an end. She'd no longer be able to go wherever the wind blew her. She'd have to stay in one spot for the rest of her life. It was a scary thought. Aaricia had grown to love travel and not having to stake claim anywhere but her own heart. She loved the freedom that she had had but it was lonely. She guessed that's why they called pack-less wolves "loners." She had taken that word as a badge of honor. It meant that she could survive all on her own without the help of another soul. She hunted for herself, protected herself, did everything all on her own. It had given her a sense of pride. She had dug deep within herself to find the strength that she needed to live. She found that she was stronger than she had ever known. She had been brought to the brink of death and back. Now, nothing could take that strength from her.

That strength was exactly what she was going to need to call on when this pack was formed. She would have to face all of the horrible feelings that she'd been dreading. She'd have to look at the place where her family was murdered. She'd have to go back to the place where she used to play when her life was nothing but a blissful dream. It would take every ounce of her being to go back to that place, not to mention that they'd have to cut through pack territories to swim back there which was not something she was looking forward to. Sure, Goliath would probably be fine if they got caught but Aaricia might have a more difficult time. She was concerned that her brother had not thought of that fact. Territories were large, it wasn't like they could travel across them in one day. Not to mention the fact that they'd have to conserve energy for the swim. Aaricia remembered it being very long and very trying but again, she was only 6 months old at the time.

Aaricia allowed herself to get comfortable. She walked a few steps forward, not sensing any danger from the black she-wolf. She seemed pleasant enough. She sat down, giving herself and Xion some personal space. Aaricia was only here for the view. It was helping her clear her head. It had reminded her of all of the trials she had been through. All of the hardships she had endured were represented right here. The climb was dangerous and every decision had been life or death but now that she was at the top, she could rest comfortably. The landscape represented everything that she could have and everything that she wanted. If only she were brave enough to take it. That was why she had Goliath. Goliath was brave. He took whatever he wanted without fear or reservation. He was giving her everything she wanted by forming this new pack. He was giving her safety, beauty and a family. She had not been able to see that until now. Her brother knew her better than she even knew herself. He knew exactly what she wanted. In that instant, her mind was made.

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The last time Xion could ever remember thinking that something was beautiful, pretty, or any other word of that sort was when she was just a young pup, before her father first attacked her. As she grew up, and she learned as well as fought to survive, her vocabulary and her thoughts went from being kind and innocent to dark, hateful, and gruesome. Instead of seeing the beauty in things, she saw the level of fatality that something had. She saw the opportunities that she had with things to kill or to hurt others. She saw the strength and power that she would gain from conquering one thing or another. She did not judge things on how pretty that something was but on how useful it could be to her.

Xion nodded half heartedly at the other wolf's question. "It is pretty up here but I could show you much more breathtaking views and places." Even though Xion's reply had sounded innocent, in reality,  it had a much different meaning than what it had sounded like. Instead of meaning pretty, she meant deadly. The drop from where she stood to the ground was certainly deadly and if she got lucky enough to make her victim hit the jagged rocks on the way down then it would also be bone crushing.  However,  the black she wolf had seen much more deadly places during her travels. Places that would quite literally take your breath away. The only part of her reply that sounded the exact way she meant it was when she said she could show her those places. Xion would have no problem moving somewhere that she could have a lot more fun in torturing the innocent white wolf. Sure, she wouldn't mind pushing her off the rocks and watching her eyes go wide as she hit the ground but she would love to be able to drag out the kill somewhere where no other wolf would see them.

[Aaricia]

"It is pretty up here but I could show you much more breathtaking views and places."

It was with this sentence that Aaricia noticed something a little... off... about Xion. Aaricia's first impression was that this was a peaceful and quiet wolf, much like herself. However, she had sensed a twinge of hostility and a desire for violence in the wolf's tone. It was discrete but when one grew up around wolves who were mentally unstable, one learned how to detect the slightest hint of danger.

Aaricia wouldn't let on that she was becoming afraid. That might only encourage whatever violence Xion might have had planning. "That's very nice of you. I too have traveled the island and I've seen many of it's wonders," Aaricia replied, keeping her tone sweet and innocent. "Though I must admit, not much beats the rolling hills of Tiyar," she added while remembering her time there. Her plan was to spend the summer and perhaps the fall there but those plans had changed. She was now going to Ina'mos where she would live with her brother. Now that the decision had been made, the thought of it wasn't so frightening. She could now accept the risk of not knowing what lay there waiting for them. A pack could have already been formed there. Aaricia hadn't heard anything about the small island being claimed but she had also never been in ear shot of it. She held no doubt that Goliath would protect her should they get attacked but she felt guilty for relying on him for her protection. She wished she could do it herself. She'd like to think that she wasn't completely useless. Her hunting skills were getting better and better with each passing hunt. She knew it didn't come close to all of Goliath's skills that he must have gained over the past year, but she had to focus on the positive.

Remembering the possibly dangerous black she-wolf, Aaricia decided it was time to leave before anything happened to her. "It was pleasant meeting you but I must be getting back to my brother. Have a good day," she said as she turned to climb down the rocks. She hoped the climb down wouldn't be as horrendous as the climb up.

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Xion nodded as she listened to the other wolf speak of the rolling hills. She had to agree that they nice and peaceful and reminded her most of the old hill that used to be in her land. However, she preferred this place over the hills because it was more deadly and therefore, they were more fun. The midnight black wolf chuckled at the fear she could sense in the other wolf and found it amusing that she tried to hide it. Xion was a cold hearted killer, she could read others with ease and she never could understand why other's tried to keep their feelings to themselves. It made them look like cowards, afraid to say how they really felt and it disgusted her. If this wolf was afraid, that let Xion have two different choices. She could either act now and satisfy her craving to push her over the edge or, she could let her go with the warning that if she ever found her again, she would not be as kind and she would not get away unhurt.  She pondered the outcomes of both possibilities and finally reached her decision. 

"You have to get back to your brother?" She asked with a sly smirk, eyes dancing. "Can you not protect yourself? Or are you just too disciplined to miss curfew? Or maybe even, your brother is stronger than you and controls you?" She chuckled at the ideas and almost hoped that the last one was true."Either way, it just shows how weak you really are," She growled as she moved in front of the other. "How do you know he wants you to come home? Are you certain he's not glad that his weak sister is away? That you're not dragging him down or slowing him down? Maybe, he hopes you won't return so he doesn't have to focus on his weak and useless sister. I'm sure he has better things to do." She chuckled darkly and moved closer to her, eyes aflame and she moved to her ear, teeth bared, "I think I should do him a favor."

[Aaricia]

"You have to get back to your brother? Can you not protect yourself? Or are you just too disciplined to miss curfew? Or maybe even, your brother is stronger than you and controls you?"

Aaricia was a tad surprised by her response. Not only was it rude but it was also none of her business. Aaricia had expected to leave in peace to travel back to Goliath and their home. But now she was being insulted and ridiculed. She would not stand for this disrespect. She had been through too much to allow some stranger to speak so rudely to her like this.

"Yes, I have to get back to my brother," Aaricia replied with more irritation and snark in her voice. "I will protect myself and yes, I am disciplined unlike savage rats such as yourself that can't pass up any opportunity for violence and confrontation. " Aaricia spoke like the true nobility that she was. Though her voice was laced with an edge that warned the black female not to push her any further. Aaricia expected a fight to ensue. The black tundra female was only 20 pounds heavier and Aaricia had escaped much more dangerous situations than this one. "My brother is stronger than me but he in no way controls me. Do you honestly believe that if I were under the control of my brother that I would be hundreds of miles away from him? If you do, you clearly do not understand the meaning of the word "control." It would make sense though; seeing that you have none." Aaricia would not allow her feathers to be ruffled for that would be giving this unruly she-wolf exactly what she wanted.

"Either way, it just shows how weak you really are."

Xion stepped closer, attempting to be intimidating. She obviously didn't understand Goliath's great size and stature. Next to him, no one was intimidating. Xion growled at Aaricia but the white fae was content to keep herself composed while getting her own verbal jabs at the black female. "You know what I think is weak, Xion? The fact that you believe that threatening strangers while having absolutely no evidence of any of your claims will prove your dominance."

"How do you know he wants you to come home? Are you certain he's not glad that his weak sister is away? That you're not dragging him down or slowing him down? Maybe, he hopes you won't return so he doesn't have to focus on his weak and useless sister. I'm sure he has better things to do."

"Stop embarrassing yourself," Aaricia said with snarky smirk on her face. She was in no way afraid of this wannabe tough wolf but her expression quickly turned from snarky to completely serious. "Do not pretend to know me or my family. You. Know. Nothing." Her voice was low and slow. Her words dripped from her lips like a double edged sword.

"I think I should do him a favor."

Xion chuckled and moved even closer, still trying to intimidate the white fae. Did she think that her "scary eyes" would be enough to back Aaricia into a corner? No. "You will do no such thing," Aaricia now informing Xion on what she will and won't do. "Now, I am not a violent wolf but do not think for a second that I won't throw you from these rocks myself." Aaricia paused for a moment to let that sentence sink into the black female's brain. "I wish to leave in peace and return to my family. However, if you cannot show some restraint to allow each of us to go our separate ways unscathed, I will have no choice but to make good on my... "promise." Aaricia had yet to bare her teeth or even raise her hackles. She saw this as a diplomatic meeting. Now, Xion's motives for wanting this unnecessary violence were still unknown but Aaricia fully planned on making it off these rocks and out of Xisyn relatively unharmed.

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Xion couldn't help but smirk and chuckle silently as she watched her efforts clearly get to the white wolf who very obviously knew little to nothing about her. She loved watching her remain calm even though it was obvious she was getting to her. Even if she wasn't instilling fear in her, anger could often prove to be just a blindly and fatal as fear. The black wolf would settle for either or considering the outcome would more than likely be the same. Xion chuckled at being called a savage rat. While she didn't mind the name, she didn't mind any bad name she could be called, she loved how little that proved the other wolf knew about her. If she wanted to see a savage rat, she should have seen her father. He would have killed her the moment she walked up onto the rock. He knew no boundaries, no limitations, and never held himself back. Xion however knew her boundaries, knew how to first approach situations and when to just keep walking. She stopped herself from killing or injuring many times where as her father never would have. The black wolf may be a savage but it was her father that was the quote on quote savage rat. The arrogance that rang through her voice made Xion want to force her to submit even more and the warning tone she heard simply made her even more deadly.  When X heard her say she didn't know control she had to force herself not to die from laughter. She was raised under such strict control that one wrong move would have seriously cost her, her life. She knew more about control than any other wolf she had ever met and certainly more than she wanted to know. Xion continued to silent even when she talked of her being weak and embarrassing herself. She didn't need to know if what she said was true or not as long as it had an effect, which it obviously did.Why should she care if she knew something as long as she could use it against whoever she chose to be her victim?  She simply different.

It wasn't until the white wolf crossed the line of threatening her that she finally had enough. Not only was she larger than the other wolf but she was also a skilled killer. She knew more about fighting and killing than the other wolf and she was more than willing to bet that she was stronger than her as well. "If you are so sure of yourself, so certain that you can beat me and are stronger than me, then why don't you stop talking and prove it?" Xion said in a chillingly calm tone. If the wolf was so arrogant and full of herself than let her prove herself. Otherwise, Xion would do it all herself.  

[Aaricia]

"If you are so sure of yourself, so certain that you can beat me and are stronger than me, then why don't you stop talking and prove it?"


It was obvious that this black female had not accepted her offer to end things peacefully. Of course, Aaricia had expected this response from the slightly larger Xion. "Fine," she responded with an unimpressed sigh. Now, she had already assessed her surroundings as she had seen this fight coming long before now. Because of her earlier attempt to leave, Aaricia was in the safer position with her back facing the exit. Xion, on the other hand still had her back facing the cliff. Of course this could change at any second. She could still escape easily if she had decided to back down and allow Xion to have a small ounce of satisfaction but Aaricia had already made the decision to fight.


Aaricia wasn't a stupid fighter but she hoped that Xion was. Aaricia had to assume that Xion was a better fighter and had some kind of a plan. With this in mind, she could calculate her moves as well as get ready to take a hit. Making the first move was always risky as it left room wide open for the opponent to counter it.


Aaricia had decided to keep her distance from Xion because she knew that Xion needed to close that distance in order to strike her. Staying just out of reach would force Xion to come forward to attack her which would give her a split second to strike her while she was close. Aaricia has shifted slightly to stay on Xion's side, rather than directly in front of her. This would turn Xion into her own obsticale.


Aaricia breathed deeply to remain calm. The calmer she was, the harder she'd hit and the less usceptible to injury she'd be. Hunting and pecking for the opportunity to strike would only get her hurt. She planned to give Xion the first move, knowing that an opening would present itself. Xion may be skilled but she wasn't a god. She would make a mistake and Aaricia would be there to exploit it. Aaricia established her balance so staying on her feet would be easier. She had to assume that Xion was an experienced fighter as that would be the only way to maximize her chances of making it out of this fight. She had to treat this as if Xion was the best fighter on the island. Going to the ground was dangerous for anyone not trained in the art of fighting. However, should Xion not take this opportunity to strike first, Aaricia had a few moves up her sleeve.


Aaricia waited like a snake waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting mouse. Xion was more than arrogant and unnecessarily violent if she thought this would be an easy fight, she was ignorant. If she thought that she was so high and mighty that she couldn't be beaten, it all the more proved how beatable she was. This wouldn't be an easy fight but Aaricia suspected that it was one that she could survive, if not win.

[Deleted]

Xion could tell that the white, elegant wolf standing in front of her was not a trained killer like she was. To the black wolf, that was obvious to tell for a couple reasons. The main reason being that she was too.... proper and stable and held herself too high. No killer would be that sane, that regal. She was also only fighting because Xion didn't listen to a kind hearted threat. It was as if she was fighting more to defend herself than to actually fight and much less kill. Any real killer would be fighting for the thrill of the fight and for the final kill if they were lucky, not to defend themselves. However, even though she knew she was not a killer, she knew that the other wolf would at least know how to fight a little. Even if the only knowledge she had was from something like hunting, she was bound to at least know something. Especially if she was brave enough to make a threat and talk the way she had. The black female snarled at the thought that this would not be an easy fight but she should still have a leg up in it.

She knew that the other was waiting for her to make the first move so that she could play defense. She crouched into a ready to attack position and her eyes scanned over her target. Xion was indeed unnecessarily violent but she certainly did not make the mistake of rushing into things. She never fought blindly nor did she ever let her arrow get in the way of seeing her rivals strength. Just because she had only ever lost one fight did not mean that others were more weak than she was. That was certainly not the case. The fact that she always won was not due to strength but to the skill that she had. As she looked over the wolf, she could see in her eyes that she was formulating a plan and so the first thing Xion decided was to aim low because a bite to her back would not be as bad as a bite to her throat or underside. She then formulated what would be the best first attack and to that, her eyes left the wolf only long enough to study their surroundings. She was currently against the drop off while Aaricia was against the entrance. That was indeed a big red flag that would have to change. With the knowledge of how to start the fight, her eyes returned to the wolf who was on one side against a rock and on the other the opening. She looked straight at the wolf, moving slightly straight forward. However, she very quickly, keeping her eyes perfectly straight, leapt to the side of the wolf, landing in front of the entrance and snapping at the wolf's side, keeping her posture low. Now that she wasn't against the ledge, she could focus solely on making the other move to it.

[Aaricia]

Until now, Aaricia had been proud to call herself a non-violent wolf. A wolf who only fought to defend herself but in this situation, she could see that that would not help her now. A trained killer, she was not. Aaricia hadn't ever killed anybody and she hoped that she wouldn't have to now. Being proper and stable was how she kept her sanity. Growing up surrounded by insanity, Aaricia was lucky to have figured out how to keep it from infecting her mind. She didn't have a choice but to be the regal and elegant wolf she is today. However, she was now wishing that she would have gotten a little spice, a little spark, of insanity. She could see that Xion was already planning her next move and the move after that. Aaricia had to think of something fast. She had positioned herself in the optimal area, near the exit. Aaricia knew that if she turned to run, Xion would follow her and the fight would not be avoided.

Xion crouched into an attack position and Aaricia knew there was no backing out now. No negotiations, no deals, only a fight. Of course, she knew a wolf as vile and ill-mannered as Xion wouldn't have listened to reasonable deals. She was controlled only by mindless violence. Had Aaricia's life not been on the line, she may have even felt sorry for Xion. But now was not the time for sorry. Now was the time to fight. Xion lunged forward and snapped at the white fae, forcing her to jump slightly to the side to avoid sharp teeth. However, Aaricia wasn't quite ready to give up her position by the exit. It was too valuable a spot. She knew if she moved over to the other edge that Xion would merely push her over the edge to her death. That was not about to happen.

Aaricia decided to take a different approach, a less violent one. While Xion had decided the best place to first attack would be the throat area, Aaricia decided she would take out Xion's knees. This would force her to fall down and leave room for Aaricia to pin her. Now that they were in close combat, Aaricia would need to move quickly before giving Xion a chance to attack again. Aaricia lurched forward, grabbed Xion's knee with her teeth and pushed it forwards as hard as she could manage, against the way wolf knees normally bend. She was sure this would incapacitate Xion long enough for her to either be pinned or allow Aaricia to get a head start down the rocks.