Fire And Ice [Aaricia]

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The shrill cry of death seemed to echo across the landscape, a doomed desperate plea of a departing soul. She was the hunter, and the lifeless hare, plump and stained by its own spilling vitality, was the prey. As the limp creature’s digits swung loosely from her jaws, Datura felt a sense of satisfaction that accompanied any kill, her face marred with the warm crimson blood. The sweet taste of the fresh kill trickled down her throat, tempting her. The female was in no hurry to devour her prize – for it was now his prize, an offering to the beast who now called himself an alpha. Her formerly sunken features and skeletal ribcage had vanished as the muscle swiftly hardened to their former state. Despite the weight gained, the fae was still a mere shadow when compared with her superior, but he was called Goliath for good reason. The femme had been his first and most ardent supporter.

Life had been very different for Datura in the months that passed since her first encounter with the wolf who would become her alpha, when she was little more than garbage washed ashore. Starved. Pitiful. No – her perverse alliance with the hulking brute had taken the much smaller fae from the bottom tier to nearly the top. With Goliath, she was far more privileged than she could be surviving on Anikira without him. The island of Ina’mos had been claimed by the Kairos pack, with Goliath and an equally impressive appropriately named Titan, with whom Datura had little interactions with so far. Her initial impression of Goliath had altered as his dreams for power had progressed swiftly – with her new alpha, she would always find protection, an easy meal, and the strange sense of satisfaction of being his – and while she never said so aloud, in her mind, he belonged to her, but in a different way. She had never been one for friends, or others who were not herself – but now it was changed.

She was loyal only to one, the singular greatest achievement to be found across the mainland of Anikira, and the only creature deemed worthy of Datura’s esteem. Because of Goliath, she was no longer the pathetic loner she now realized she had been her entire existence. Instead, she was an object of his bizarre fascination for those he towered over, who he could dominate as easily as slaughtering a moose on his own. She had inwardly decided by now that the control Goliath had, her own abandonment of independence, were inconsequential when compared with the many advantages that accompanied being the lone female in a newly conceived pack.

There were only three wolves there now – at least, as far as Datura knew, there were just three occupants on the island. She had not seen Goliath that day, but she willed herself to resist the temptation of the plump hare she had caught as she began to scour the island in search of her lord. An arduous hike brought her to the edge of the island, a location she was not terribly familiar with. She stepped tenderly about the sharp volcanic rock that littered the island, but stopped suddenly in her tracks when a foreign scent flickered into her consciousness. Immediately, her lip curled back in a snarl, and the dead hare dropped from her mouth. ”Who is out there...?” Her words were little more than an angry whisper, as she spoke more to herself than to the trespasser that had made the mistake of coming to Ina’mos.

words: 590
tag: Aaricia

[Aaricia]

Aaricia had always enjoyed the look of water, despite almost drowning in it as a young pup. She had long since gotten over her fear of it. She accepted it as a beautiful, but deadly necessity. She had decided to go sit by the water's edge today. Goliath had left yesterday after hearing her story of how she was attacked by that monster, Xion. She knew that a day was too short a time for anyone to make it to the desert and back let alone if that individual was searching for someone. However, Aaricia thought that maybe she'd wait for a few hours to see if Goliath would return.

”Who is out there...?” The voice was a low and angry whisper.

Aaricia hadn't thought that anyone would be out by the water's edge. Though she hadn't officially met Titan, she assumed that it wasn't him as the voice was too feminine. There was another female here, Kiva, whom she'd seen once or twice but hadn't met. Aaricia thought that it might be her.

The snowy fae stepped out in clear view to see a multi-hued femme who was definitely not Kiva. Kiva was a silvery wolf with an odd marking around her eye. Aaricia noticed that the other fae had caught a hare. "Another huntress," Aaricia thought. The fae was slightly smaller than herself and compared to Goliath, no one was frightening.

"I am," Aaricia answered. Her voice was sweet and calm, not wanting to make enemies just yet. She wasn't sure if this fae belonged here or not. She was by the water front. She could have easily swam from the main island. On the other hand, Goliath could have allowed her to stay while Aaricia was gone. The young white fae, younger than the multi-hued, had only been home for a day. Not to mention the fact that she was still in recovery from the attack.

What's your name?" Aaricia said, tilting her head slightly to the left. Aaricia wanted to make herself seem harmless and non-threatening. She wanted the fae to relax a bit. If she was going to be around for a while, Aaricia wanted to try to make friends with her. Though in the back of her mind, Aaricia wondered why Goliath was allowing so many females, similar to herself in size, to stay here. She thought perhaps he was trying to replace her. She didn't think that the multi-hued fae was very attractive but she would keep that to herself. Goliath's motives were sometimes a mystery to the snowy female. But, she intended to figure this one out.

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The white pelt of the stranger caught Datura’s attention mere seconds after her foreign scent, and her eyes narrowed in the other female’s direction without a second thought or moment’s hesitation. Certainly Goliath would have informed her of new pack members upon their arrival – at least, that was what Datura had believed. She made no attempts to be friendly towards Titan nor any others who may have joined, but this one was a new – and unwelcome – face. The doubt placed in her mind by the powder puff of a wolf, along with the sweet-as-sugar voice that parted her lips, irritated Datura further, who made little attempt to hide her displeasure as she eyed Aaricia with cynicism.

The snowy stranger was larger than Datura, but this was something the diminutive fae was growing accustomed to. The still-healing wounds littering the white wolf’s form brought a sidewise smirk to Datura’s muzzle. Obviously, this one had been in a fight that marred her otherwise picture-perfect pelt, and from the look of it, she had not been the victor of this violence. The vague hint of disgust was barely veiled on her features. Datura took a step forward so that her body stood defensively, shoulders squared, with the dead hare in a bloody heap between her sandy front paws. The other appeared innocent, pretty and pristine in spite of her injuries, but Datura was well aware that looks are often deceiving. Either way, she looked in no condition to be picking more fights, judging from the wounds she wore.

Datura was not necessarily looking for a fight, but despite the size difference between herself and the white fae, she carried herself with an air of confidence. This was her home – something she had never had before, or ever dreamed she could have. She did not take her position within the pack lightly. She was not the strongest in the ranks of Kairos, clearly, but she would defend Goliath’s territory if the opportunity presented itself. Her prey’s blood was beginning to dry around her muzzle, giving Datura a particularly savage look.

A long, uncomfortable silence passed when the other attempted to learn Datura’s name. The auburn-kissed fae had lied on more than one occasion about her identity – if she needed to cover for something she had done or was about to do, it was a convenient way to avoid getting caught. But she felt she had no reason to offer the white wolf a name, either a feigned identity or her real one. Datura’s dark nostrils wrinkled in disdain as she looked down her snout, her head held high – after all, she belonged there on Ina’mos. ”Listen well, Snowflake, I don’t know who you are, but you are not supposed to be here.” Sharp ivory canines flashed in the autumn afternoon sunshine.

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tag: Aaricia

[Aaricia]

The multi-hued female hadn't even attempted to hide her irritation with Aaricia. Though, the snowy fae couldn't put a paw on what exactly had made the smaller female so much disgust. Of course, the expression on the other female's face didn't exactly make Aaricia like her any better. Who would look at stranger with such contempt without even knowing their name? Aaricia assumed it had something to do with her injuries. The multi-hued female must have seen them as weakness. To most, losing a fight may have seemed weak but to Aaricia, it was strength. Aaricia had the strength to recognize when she wasn't going to win and was smart enough to leave before she died. A fool would have stayed to keep their pride in tact but they would have lost their lives in doing so. Nothing was more important than life. Aaricia had escaped with hers and that, was a win.

However, it was strange to be looking at a fae smaller than herself. Aaricia was used to being the smallest in the crowd even though in reality, she was about average sized for a wolf. The smaller femme stood defensively, although Aaricia wasn't sure why. Had she attempted to steal the hare? Had she threatened the fae in any way? She had been nothing but kind and friendly to this fae and this is how she responds? What a sad life she must lead. Not only was her beauty sub-par (in Aaricia's opinion) but her disposition was sour as well. She thought that there was no way Goliath would have allowed such a mean spirited wolf to join their ranks. What possible skill could she offer that wasn't tainted by her rotten spirit?

The multi-hued fae's confidence was shining through her face like lightning lighting up the dead of night. She looked down her nose at Aaricia, like she was better that her. Aaricia couldn't help but laugh when seeing the fae's obviously pious and self-righteous expression. It was rude, yes - but, Aaricia couldn't help herself. This other female looked absolutely ridiculous in Aaricia's baby blue eyes. It was funny to think that this fae could think that she could intimidate her. Aaricia hadn't been looking for a fight. She wouldn't dare start anything in her given condition but watching this fae's reaction to a pleasant and reasonable question was too much for Aaricia to handle with a straight face.

After refusing to answer Aaricia's question by ignoring it, something came out of the other female's mouth that she'd never thought she'd hear.

"Listen well, Snowflake, I don’t know who you are, but you are not supposed to be here.”

Aaricia's face turned completely serious. "Now, you're insulting me?" Aaricia thought to herself. How stupid could this femme be? Couldn't she recognize that she and Goliath shared the same eyes, the eyes of their mother?

"I'm not supposed to be here? Darling, I live here. My father owned these lands before my birth and my brother owns them now. If anyone isn't welcome here, it's you. My brother would never allow such a pretentious, spoiled, insecure little girl to stay here so why don't you just swim back to the main land where you came from." Her tone was similar to that of a queen's. It was educated, informative and calm but with a little spice and a little bite. Aaricia was not about to let this stranger insult her in her home. She felt as though the smaller fae needed to be put in her place.

Aaricia had wanted nothing but a peaceful conversation to figure out of this other female belonged here or not but now it was escalating. Aaricia was finding it slightly more difficult to hold in her temper than it was before.

"I wanted nothing more than a casual, pleasant conversation but instead you insult me and try to throw me out of the very land I was born in? I have seen rotting corpses less offensive than you."

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Pleasantries could only take one so far in life, and politeness had never played any part in Datura’s life. It was do or die, kill or be killed, and she had no need for friends when she was keeping herself alive. Pack life would prove to be a challenging adjustment for Datura, but she was done running. She was also done bowing down to others who were not deemed worthy, or tucking tail and running away. The other laughed, but this did not seem to phase Datura, who watched the other carefully, unsettling eyes observing the other’s physical reactions to her discourteous behavior.

Both corners of her dark lips curled up into an amused grin as the white fae began to grow upset. An incredulous look crossed her expression when Aaricia referred to her brother – Was she lying about knowing Goliath to save face? But Datura had been called worse than a corpse, and she was not trying to make friends, regardless of the white wolf’s shared heritage with Goliath. She did not fear death, for only the rotting corpses were truly free from the suffering and sorrows of life. She had once envied the dead. How simple, how easy it would be to lay down and give in to the eternal sleep that every living creature would eventually succumb to. They were each born to die. They shared the same fate: to fill the bellies of scavengers and the buzzards.

She pushed the morbid thoughts away to focus again on the snowy female, who carried herself with the air of a queen, but looked more the part of helpless victim. Datura was not impressed. ”Oh, darling,” she mimicked, ”I live here, too. The place I was birthed is of no consequence. Now, I am Kairos. I have no intention to leave.” She spoke the name, forcing the same dignified tone and expression that Aaricia had adopted. Maybe Datura was not the offspring of anyone important. She did not have family in high places – or any family at all, for that matter. All she had now was Goliath, and Kairos and Ina’mos. Datura did not have the patience nor the capacity to share all three with this self-righteous princess.

Goliath’s opinion was the only one that held any sway in Datura’s mind. The flame-kissed female’s original outrage had melted into a strange ironic sense of bemusement – how could this be related to Goliath? With a final discerning glance over the white female’s form, Datura clicked her tongue.  Her stance relaxed, but barely.  ”Goliath chose me. I will follow him until the end. No matter what,” she muttered, more to herself than to the white fae.  Then, with an overly cheerful smile, she added, ”It seems as if we will be getting to know each other quite well, eh, Snowflake?”

words: 461
tag: Aaricia

[Aaricia]

Aaricia had always found politeness and other pleasantries to always be beneficial. It kept a safe distance emotionally but also didn't burn bridges. It allowed Aaricia to get to know other wolves without them getting to know her. It gave her the opportunity to "size up" others to see what their character was like. The snowy fae liked to believe that she had a good ability to judge the moral character of those she met within the first conversation. Wolves revealed a lot about themselves when they talk to strangers. They reveal their weaknesses, their strengths and their fears. Aaricia had had a rough life after Ferus was destroyed. She was left to fend for herself. She knew that it was a dog eat dog world out there. Loner life was not for the weak. This place had a way of weaning out the weak. It was the main reason behind why most loners died - they were too weak to make it on their own. However, Aaricia prided herself in knowing that she not only survived on her own but she was able to keep true to herself. She hadn't been lost. She hadn't allowed the rough world around her to change who she was. Sure, it made her tougher than she would have been had she grown up within the safety and warmth of a pack but for the most part, she was the same. She was stronger than the "wild." Only the weak were changed by challenge. The strong overcame challenge and came out the other side the same way they went in. Her true strength had been tested and proven over the past year. She had made it to her first birthday on her own. She had survived by her own wits and will. Aaricia would have liked to believe that this female was something that she could easily handle but she could tell by this conversation that she was going to give her a run for her money. She was strong, tough and stubborn much like Aaricia herself. It was amazing how even wolves so similar to each other, when they pick opposite sides, become enemies.

”Oh, darling, I live here, too. The place I was birthed is of no consequence. Now, I am Kairos. I have no intention to leave.”

She lived here? Oh hell no. That was gonna have to change. Aaricia could not allow her to stay here. She had to leave. "You're bold for taking the name Kairos for yourself. That name must be earned and it is to be held with the highest respect. Not thrown around like any other meaningless name. All I've seen of you is a disrespectful, ill-mannered child. Let me tell you something, Sweets. You may have no intentions of leaving, but you will. This pack will break you and send you running for the hills. I promise you I will make your life full of misery."

Aaricia sort of hoped that the female would stay so she could make good on her threats. Aaricia couldn't remember a wolf, other than Xion, that she hated so much and the weird thing was, she wasn't totally sure why. There was just something about this female that made Aaricia furious on the inside. Like always, she remained cool on the outside. Rage was a dangerous thing and she was careful to keep it in check.

”Goliath chose me. I will follow him until the end. No matter what."

So she had made her decision. She would stay and Aaricia would get to make her life a living hell. "We'll see about that," she said in response. They would see how loyal this female really was and how dedicated she was to following her brother. Would she put up with everything Aaricia had planned to follow Goliath to the end like she claimed? Aaricia doubted that this female knew what was coming and it's severity.

”It seems as if we will be getting to know each other quite well, eh, Snowflake?”

"I suppose so," Aaricia said with a little smirk and a not-so-cheery tone. She had always been the sane one in the family but Aaricia had the same blood as Goliath and this female was about to find that out. The snowy fae was always careful to think things through and to not allow the darkness that infected the minds of her family members to sneak it's way into her brain but instead of getting easier with time, it was getting more challenging. Her brain was growing tired of fighting it. Her defenses were weakening.

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Her status as Goliath’s companion afforded the smaller female with protection – and besides, she was not intimidated by Aaricia and her uppity attitude. There was not much that the battered white female could do, and the haughty tone behind her idle threats were met with a quirked brow and the faint suggestion of a laugh caught in Datura’s throat. ”Child?” She repeated the word incredulously. It only proved that Aaricia was as clueless as Datura had expected. The very notion of a childhood was lost on her.  ”This pack,” she echoed, ”will succeed because of me. Without new blood, what a dismal future we would have.” The emphasis on we was intentional, for Datura was not going anywhere.

She would not go as far as stating that the pack would be hers, as it was not her place to claim equal status with Goliath. He was the strength of Kairos, its nonpareil lord and leader. Datura had no plans of leaving – on the contrary, she intended to climb her way up from the bottom, a place she had lingered for too long, to as close to the top as Goliath would allow.

For now, Datura had no real direction within Kairos. Everything would be different once she gave birth to Goliath’s pups, but the opportunity had not yet presented itself. For now, she was simply biding her time until the mating season arrived. In the past, the idea of allowing a male anywhere near her during that time was outrageous, inconceivable to the feisty fae. She would have swiftly neutered any brute who dared to attempt. But those wolves were not Goliath, had not been worthy. Datura would deliver divinity into the world.

She was unconcerned with the obvious fact that Goliath was significantly larger than her and the many discomforts this would create. Naturally, these considerations had floated into Datura’s mind, but the benefits of being the mother of Goliath’s creation far outweighed the dangers. Her position within the pack would be secured – even if Goliath’s seed spread across Anikira, Datura was confident her own offspring would be the preeminent heirs to Ina’mos and to Kairos.

The very thought of her promising future pleased Datura, and her expression had slowly altered. Despite her initial irritation, Datura smiled in response to Aaricia’s lackluster words as if they were white flag. The smile she wore was not a pleasant or amicable smile, but the smug expression of the victorious. The pretentious white fae’s presence could be tolerated if indeed she was Goliath’s blood relative, and by this virtue alone. Datura would defend herself when necessary, as she had for some years now, but she was not the type who sought out trouble. Her small frame did not allow for such overt ruthlessness, but her diminutive size was no indication of the furious violence she was capable of. She had not made it this far by making friends with strangers. With the recent exception of Goliath, Datura had no need for companionship or social skills as she regarded the other with her characteristic iciness.

”We follow and obey the same wolf, like it or not. Where is he?”

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tag: Aaricia

[Aaricia]

Aaricia couldn't imagine why Goliath would choose a companion such as this mixed hued femme. She was sure that she was manipulating him and taking advantage of him. This fae didn't frighten her and she would expose her for what she truly was - evil. She must have plans to destroy her brother and her family. She would rip them away from each other once more and Aaricia could never allow that. The mixed femme wouldn't be laughing for long. She thought this was all fun and games but reality would crash down on her like a ton of rocks. She would regret this day and the day that she met her brother.

"This pack will succeed because of me. Without new blood, what a dismal future we would have.”

"Is that how you see yourself? As a savior? You think that without you Goliath would allow Kairos to fall. You are right about one thing though and that is that without new blood, we wouldn't have much room for growth. However, you're forgetting that you are replaceable. If something were to happen to you, we'd simply find a new female to take your place but, Goliath will never have another sister. I'm irreplaceable. You're just water on his back. Remember that."

Goliath would always side with her. Why wouldn't he? She would do the same for him. Aaricia would choose her brother over any male companion because they were family. They were blood. They shared the same womb and had been together since conception. She owed her loyalty to Goliath and he owed his to her. She knew that this mixed fae thought she had some place in the pack but really, she was just a filler. Aaricia had intentionally used the word "we" as well but not to reference the pack. Instead she meant it to talk about Goliath and herself. Aaricia saw herself and Goliath on the same level. They had different roles and played different parts but they were the same. Goliath was the strength, he was the alpha, he was the boss. Aaricia didn't have any of those things but she certainly wasn't his slave or his servant as this mixed fae seemed to be. Aaricia was forever loyal to her brother but she would not be held captive under Goliath's paw like the rest of the pack.

"We follow and obey the same wolf, like it or not. Where is he?”

"He's not here. He went to the main island in search of someone." Aaricia figured that this fae at least deserved to know where her master was. She hoped that the mixed fae would go looking for him. It would give her at least a few weeks without this insufferable female and perhaps she'd even get lost and never return. One could only hope.

Aaricia, not having anything else to say to this female, turned to leave. She knew she wouldn't try and attack her even though she was in an injured state. Aaricia was safe to do anything she pleased here and no harm would come to her. She was making this point to the mixed femme by doing so.

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”Goliath is my savior,” she replied willfully, correcting the other’s assertion. ”Only death could keep me from him.” A brow arched questioningly over piercing chestnut orbs like a challenge, unspoken and incredulous. She doubted very seriously that Aaricia could stop her from following Goliath. Whether or not Goliath would defend her honor was yet to be seen. She had to make herself worthwhile in the months before she could become pregnant, to prove her loyalty and her commitment to Kairos and the domination of lesser packs.

She was not conceited enough to believe she was on the same tier as Goliath. Her place in the hierarchy had not yet been secured, but Datura had a plan ruminating within her skull that would help her along, closer to the top. Certainly, she would be more important to Kairos in the near future, as soon as her season arrived. Even if Goliath’s offspring littered the entirety of the damned island, Datura would be the first – she was determined to make it so. She had no previous interest in the maternal side of life, but for Goliath, she would do whatever it required to give him children worthy of following in their sire’s massive paw prints. Her offspring would be exhaulted, and it was the one thing Aaricia could never have. She would forever be his darling sister. Datura would be much more than a plaything for Goliath if she played her cards right.

There were other ways to expand their numbers. Without other males, Goliath would have an endless buffet of females to bear his young. Without other males, their army would never be feared and dreaded. The main island was rife with rogue males, and any wolf should feel grateful to join the ranks of Goliath and his ilk.

Everything she did was calculated. She had no reason to attack Aaricia – the stuck-up snowdrop was already injured, and she had her back turned. Datura was not a chivalrous soul. In other circumstances, she would ignore these weaknesses and take advantage, but she restrained herself. Aaricia was a waste of energy. As the white wolf turned to depart, a stealthy smile spread across the auburn-kissed female’s muzzle. ”By the way!” She called out, her tone mimicking cheerfulness. ”My name is Datura. So lovely to make your acquaintance, dear Snowflake.” With that, she turned away, but she couldn’t break her stare. ”And worry not! I will return soon to these shores.”

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tag: Aaricia