Silence is the Loudest of Songs [pack meeting]

[Masquerade]

Masquerade

There was silence.

Complete, Silence.

Not even a bird, not even the crunch of leaves.
Not even a sound from the stream that the black bitch was walking in.

What was happenening? Masquerade arched her neck down, her snout piercing the cold rushing liquid and scratching towards a pebble at the bottom, from the corner of her eye she saw a bird's mouth moving and then it taking off.

Still, silence. Just aching silence, so loud it almost broke her eardrums.

Masq stood up, a smooth rock held between her jaw – still dripping from being extracted from the water. Already knowing what was going to happen, she dropped it in the pool.

The water rippled. It splashed, but it never spoke. Silence that wouldn't go away.

She stepped back from the stream, stumbling over sticks in her haste - falling on a pile of twigs.

They should have snapped, they should be singing to her right now.

Masquerade screamed, she needed the noise, she needed it.

No, it was silent. She screamed again, lunging at everything she could reach- trees, stones..

Bloodshot eyes jumped open, wide in terror. She was awkwardly crumpled up under a tree. Her brows knitted and she stood up roughly. But she immediately heard the crunch of leaves as she stirred and it sent chills of relief through her.

Just a dream, she thought to herself. Just a dream. She stood up, her hearing perfect and her delicately curved ears pricked and aware. She heard everything. Placing her paw on the tree she heard the sound of her claws travelling along the bark. Each step brought another delightful package of sound.

She examined where she'd awoken. She had no memory when she’d gotten there, but she knew where she was. Her emerald pools flash with her untapped anger and strength as her tones rumble in fierce snarls. Deserted, no recent smells from the filth that deigned to call themselves wolf royalty.

Maw is parted to emit a beautifully raging melody, slightly melancholy. It echoes around the land, seeming to echo from every aspect, reeking of authority and unmet expectation. It's more minor key than many wolves, distinct, alluring, fierce. It's so beautiful it makes your chest ache and your throat tighten, and it’s so dangerous and strong it makes you cower to the ground in submission. It is emitted with the sole intention for any surviving members’ ears.

Posture remains rigid and seething, eyes scanning and re-scanning the horizon for sight of someone, anyone. Nares constantly tasting the winds for some change, for some other life in this territory.

And as those hateful eyes scan the horizon, they scan the damage wrought by nature. Trees are violently torn from their roots, hail damage plagues everything within reach, strewn limbs separated from their lifesources that will soon wither - just a horribly devastated land. Just like the pack, irony.

If the whole pack has jumped ship, abandoned Masq the only time she truly needed those prideful darks to back her up, then her whole plan will fall through. Her painstakingly thought out - and already partially put into action - scheme to reinstate Zuvan, her Zuvan, as the ultimate authority, to exterminate resistance, to establish these once proud lands to their deserved glory before having to turn them over to another. She was aging, she'd been the one who'd founded Zuvan, and she could feel those years. But she would go out with a bang, if she had but a few loyal wolves that remained...

The obsidian alphess resists the urge to howl again, impatience coloring her blood. This was unacceptable.

[/center][/blockquote]

[Shadow]

Enter Dakota.
|.Yes I am, I hope you think you need me.
Hope I start talking crazy before you understand me.
Are we through? You think that I'm beneath you?
But you like the things that I do;
Wrap them up and take 'em with you.|

Darkness seemed to consume around the place. Blood stains etched themselves on the rocks and grass, giving the only color to the black and gray world. Fog seemed to gather around every step taken by the beast, as if drawn to it by some mysterious force.

Nothing out of the ordinary, except the lack of color in the world.

She stood there, stalk still. Slowly the fur was rising on her spine and scruff. With each step closer, her muscles seemed to tence ever more, as if her body was readying herself for a battle that she knew would come. Ears cocked forward, the female finally stopped infront of a massive, bestial figure.

Its green eyes seemed to glow maliciously in the darkness, it grey and tan form moving slowly toward the female. Suddenly, he lunged; the bitch lurched her fore-bod forward, legs extending toward the bastard; but she'd been reaching for nothing, and the other figure dissapeared in a cloud of fog.

Bi-colored optics poped open with a start, heavy panting accompanying the sudden, sharp lifting of the head. Perfectly pointed, furry gray ears cocked forward in sudden curiousity as a world of color flooded all her sences. Her pads tingled with the feeling of dead leaves and grass caught under their weight. Her recepters listened intently to the sounds of birds churping and the rushing of water not yards away from her resting place. Her tongue tasted the dryness of her mouth and throat, and it pressed against the roof of her mouth in discust. Nostrols flared as the horrid stenches of blooming flowers and spring air tingled through her sensitive nose. And her one crimson eye and one, icey blue eye watched inquisitively as the world turned around her, happy to leave her behind. "Ignorance is bliss." She muttered, blanly, tones seemingly sufficated.

For some reason, she felt the need to be with another living, breathing being - that ancient longing to be within a pack life again. It raged inside her stronger than any other wolf out there, for being mostly Siberian Husky, she was used to being constantly pushed and shoved until she found her place in the group. That is, until she became the leader - her reign didn't last long. For now, she was being ruled over with an iron paw, once again forced to show her ivory stomach as if it was a flag of submission. This dictatorship held only one good thing about it - the fact that it was almost certain she were to live. And even if she were to be murdered, the killer wouldn't last even a few moments after she herself closed that horrificly bloodshot glare. As all the wolves who backed her up, would be at their throat before the suspect could mutter 'uncle.'

But what had really awaken her from the horrid flashback, was the calling of her so-named Alpha female. Not like she was around much, so being called the Alphess might even be an overstatement - never mind Queen of the Darks. With a roll of her optics the female stood, a firm shake of her husky-marked, gray and white peltage being given to awake herself even more.

Dakota's back arched, a sigh and smirk being given at the thought of seeing another of her kind again. Not like it was ever a fun experience to be with a group of tempermental jackasses who called themselves Darks, but eh, she couldn't get anything closer to a reunion. Snow-colored pads and legs brought her forth at full speed, propelling her past all other things as if she were simply a ghastly flash. Bodice weaved through trees, amazing agility and grace accompanying each silent step that was taken. Of which were brought to an abrupt hault, just a few yards away from the obsidian form of her Alpha. Skull dips, white chin barely grazing the dead grass at her front paws. Rump lowers, and perched upon muscled haunches, bi-eyes watched Masquerade with intent curiousity, optics attempting to pry at the Queen's own eyes and get to her thoughts.[/size][/color]

[danielle90]

Ares
One; nothings wrong with me
Two; somethings gotta give

Royal paws stretched in front of my massive frame. Colliding with the ashen floor of what was known to most as Zuvan. Red orbs scanned the terra looking for new game that had stepped into the wrong peice of land. Hunted and gutted and would become my and my packs feast when the time came. White streaks still ridded my frame here and there, giving me the appearance of what had happened over the past four years of my life. At this point I looked at life a lot different though still had the qualities to hold my alpha position. Holding while the alphess my Masqy left without warning. Dumb Bitch. Lip raised and growled stifled the air at her memory came flooding back to me. She had left, abandoned her position at my side, the time was brewing for me to pick a new queen, though no bitches in this pack struck me quite the way she had. I couldn't go from bitch to whore like my father had down with all three of his former queens. All of who ended up dead, killed by something or another, though his first flat out left him.

Crown rose, harks flickering to the east of my labyrinth. Listening and listening hard for that vocalization to wash across me one more time. Ah yes it was her. Masqy. Ebon eyelids closed and nares flared taking in her scent that came with the wind. Fur bristled and stood on end. Adrenaline began to pump, that time for her punishment had arrive. She had come back for her demise, and it would be just what she got. Though there was always the case of love springing my heart the moment I saw her. Thoughts began to roll, thinking of her now sitting there in the darkness like she always did. Head held high above all others, showing she was queen of this hell. Features relaxed and calm waiting for her minions to arrive on scene.

Locomotion was made, direction changed. The hunt of food for my loyal servants, was forgotten. Frame moved swiftly through dense trees, in and out of shadows distorting my bodice. Shadows ravaging across the geo as my devilish body moved silently to her. Banner held in normal position, hard to read. What did it say eagerness, to meet my love again, anger of her abbsence, or indifference. Tell me dear and you best not be wrong. I pulled myself upon where she sat, though halted and didn not move into the small clearing where two wolves sat. One the queen, though this other I found myself not to found and lip was raised. It was lowered and then I extequished from the darkness that layed behind me. Instantly look was given to this Dakota, staring without fear into her pits. Seeing the defiance that layed within those peircing daggers of her. Lip raised in greeting; a trademark of myself, and then attention was given to my queen. Pads moving me closer until side brushed against her own. How I've missed you. Nothing else was said, I placed myself beside her. Muzzled lifted into the atoms and howl broke the silence. Calling our pack, this time with no patience. It was growing thin and they were late to greet their queen.

[Masquerade]

Masquerade

Sharp ambers, smoldering with an intense, undousable inner flame, flickered with a malice thinly veiled beneath a shroud of sly cunning. They never broke from their perusal of the bleak landscape, ever watching, not missing a detail. Waiting bored the femme, she had naively expected the response time to be much quicker than this. Her muzzle twitched slightly as she took a deep breath of the static air, reveling in the raw power that seemed to suffuse the unsettled air. It seemed to course through her agile frame, and for a moment, she felt as if she could become one with the wind, fierce, raging, indomitable. A moment later though fresher, more pungent, scents filled her nostrils as they’re carried on the breeze, turning her dark proud crown as if by a puppet string. The Pack.

The first to arrive is Dakota, abruptly stopping just a few yards in front of Masq. The hybrid’s skull dips, white chin barely grazing the dead grass at Masq’s feet, then relaxing into a sitting position – eyeing her queen. Masquerade sits there calmly in the darkness, head held proud, indeed showing she was queen of this hell. Features relaxed and calm waiting for her minions to arrive.

She regarded Dakota carefully, weighing the female up in a few seconds, her expressionless gaze hiddenly calculating, fueled by years of experience. Information streamed in a steady flow through her mind, as if automatically storing themselves away for future use; they would be crucial if this situation turned ugly.

Yes she’d been gone for a substantial amount of time, but it’d been necessary for her plan. She wouldn’t explain her motives – if anyone dared to ask their throats would be torn from their insolent, prying necks. She wasn’t accountable to them, but she was aware of the effect her sudden reappearance could have. A ripple in the stream, a domino that starts off a chain of events that – if what she anticipates is to be – must be suffocated before it could bloom. She didn’t need a rebellion.

And so cold eyes regard Dakota, silently seeking signs of lack of respect, loss of authority, or anything else that would signal an imminent fight. If there was a fight, Masq would most likely win, she hadn't become dark alpha for nothing, but she wouldn’t get cocky nor would she provoke a civil war. Perhaps the pack would accept her back without too much trouble – and even if at least a little was expected, she knew how to reinstate control.

Dial is inclined in acknowledgment of Dakota’s arrival, but Masq does not speak or – other than the small tilt of her head- move.

The second to arrive is the one Masq had anticipated seeing the most. And why wouldn’t she, he was her mate. She’d abandoned him with no explanations – and now she was suddenly back. Her eyes are glued to him, façade staying exactly the same as before but eyes showing the intense focus she was exerting to try and decipher his thoughts, his movements, his feelings.

Even as adept as she’d become at reading him, he was hard this time. Eagerness, anger.. indifference, it was difficult to be sure. But as he brushes into her to sit at her side, she feels heat at his touch. How I've missed you is all he says, and Masq turns her dial to stare for a long moment into his eyes. What was she telling him in that look, however brief, before her opticals once more turned to emotionlessly watching her slaves arrive. What was she telling him…

And now she waits for the rest to arrive, sitting at Ares’ side, she prepares her words carefully…

[Candy!]

Emerald

_{Rustling noises came from the outer edge of Zuvan, a voice so smooth, so calm, so Emerald... I am back, my queen.}

Emerald slunk out of the shadowy depths called Zuvan, Ares, you are back? she had a questioning look in her emerald eyes. I have not seen you in a very long time. I thought you must've been lost for good. she sneered and turned to Masq and Dakota, Greetings, my "friends", for it has been a long time with you to.

[/color][/sub]

[Masquerade]

Kyo

Steam shrouded the atmosphere in a great cloud of blindliness. Silence defined the peace that ever so eloquently united both beast and angel as one. He just couldn’t stay away, couldn’t discipline himself to leave behind the sights of a recognizable tree or boulder, acres with the familiar grass, green and covered in bouncy cloves with the fewest yellow manes of a dandelion sprig poking their heads up from the terra. Trails with the scents of known others and aspects. The scents, yes the scents. Almost, if not more important then the sights. How you knew who had been where, what was what, and what had been born and what had died.

Natural.
Native.
Home.

And another thing he couldn’t bring himself to leave behind. Bones, his love.

...

Golden light spilled down from between the thick clouds, running a river over the shady depths of the reacquainted land that lay so vastly before Kyo’s patronizing eyes. This place was different from how he remembered it, where nothing but the stink of other wolves hung like an iron curtain about the place. In fact, the smells of other lupes seemed hollow in this place, old. Stale. The whole land was seemingly vacant of the pack.

Different.
But not bad.
Not yet, anyway.

A grin cracked his silver maw, impish in style, and he flicked an erect ear, the digits almost as wayward as his smile. A smirk that told of things to come, would come, definitely come because hellhesaidso and that was that.
Quite simple.

He was next in line for this land, the heir, and besides it seemed to have been abandoned anyway so he should just lay claim to it – what? A howl. His head turns automatically toward those antiphonal tones, fey strains that sent both elation and fear through him, like a puppeteer had just pulled his strings. That plangent minor key that made his chest ache and his throat tighten. Masquerade. She was back…

Stilts begin swiftly bearing Kyo toward the call, eyes flitting curiously around, taking in his surroundings. It was so…. comforting to be home. Roka raises his nares to the air –catching, as far as he can tell, only the sickeningly alluring perfume of his queen. Take this land now Kyo’s left eye flashes as a haunting voice echoes in his head – tempting him. His bloodshot or bloodstained, or somehow changed into the phenomenon it was, eye. It was red, while his right eye remained that beautiful melting honey color he’d been born with. His golden eye softens with pity, and Roka shakes his head fiercely as if to shake water from his ears. No, he was in control of his actions – he had no one to blame, he was responsible for his weakness. He would not give in to his darker side. Besides, he would have this land all his own soon enough, she couldn’t reign forever and he was the heir. But his left eye, the bloody red one, is not always rational. It simply craves bloodshed, no matter how pointless.

Kyo comes into view of his queen, tapping his jaw against the ground in respect for the alphess before flitting his eyes up to view her in all her regal, terrifying, power. She was more beautiful that he remembered, and he could see much Bones(her daughter) in her and he feels his skin heat under his silver pelt. Beside her sat Ares, practically a father to Kyo – with that came all the respect and craving to please as a father automatically got from a son – and Kyo speaks in respectMy King, looking at Ares My Queen looking at Masquerade. it’s so good to see you again! he wants to add, but doesn’t. He is prideful, just like every other wolf, and maintains his dignity as he mutely takes his seat – waiting for any other members to show their worthless faces (where’d they been there was no scent of any wolves having passed in Zuvan recently), waiting particularly for Bones…

{ooc}
Status: incomplete complete
Word Count: 675
{/ooc}

[Shadow]

Nakita.
+.I think we have an emergency,
I think we have an emergency.
If you thought I'd leave then you were wrong,
Cause I won't stop holding on.+

+.So are you listening?
So are you watching me?
If you thought I'd leave then you were wrong,
Cause I won't stop holding on.+

"I won't do it, sister. I..I can't." The words were muttered breathlessly into the still air. A pair of bloodshot blue eyes were locked onto the limp body of their sibling. The sibling was fading fast. "You must, though. For you need fresh meat to live - I'm a goner, anyways." A snarl rippled through the white female's body as her sister layed her head to the ground once more, and closed her eyes - never to open them again. Throwing back her head, she let loose a throaty howl, so rich with venom and hatred, so filled with sorrow that it could chill even the Dark Queen herself to the bones. The white mixbreed lowered her muzzle once more, head drooping guiltily. "But how can I...how can I feed off of you? My own blood?" The disease had completely taken over the female now. Her stomach tucked in so much, and her ribs poked out - so lean was her appearence that she seemed almost fragile. "Totally breakable." She muttered, vocals lost in the breeze that blew them away, and ruffled her snowy white peltage. Suddenly, she lifted her head, ears slicking to the sides of her skull as she looked at the black and white corpse of Lakota. "Very well then, sister." She cried, defeated. "For life itself." Lowering her head once more, she hesitated only briefly, then closed her eyes and snapped down on the flesh. A new hunger awoke in her - the bloodthirsty hunger every wolf, Light or Dark, experiences when feeding. A frenzie awoke in her, optics popping open and pupils dialating. She tore at the carcuss, blood splattering at her feet. Snarls rippled from her body as she fed, the carcuss of her own family being ripped to shreds, and devoured.

--

An hour later found her sitting yards away, as if repelled by what she, herself was repelled by what she had done. "I should respect the dead wolven, not eat them." She growled angrily at herself, ears slicking to her head. She snapped at the open air in front of her muzzle, fangs now bared at an invisible enemie. "So this is it? I'm going to be defeated by a disease?" She spat resentfully, standing and prowling away, into the forest behind her. It was then that the howl came, echoing in her ears. "Damn you, Masquerade." She hissed, but loyalty from the Siberian Husky in her forced her to turn toward the pack meeting, striding toward it, anger clear in her brooding glare.

Even as she reached the gathering the fem found it fairly hard to calm herself down. And so, it was impossible to meet the Queen's gaze, even as her head bowed in forced respect. Ears folded back to her crania as her rump lowered to the earth, eyes staring blankly at the dead foliage between her fore paws. AN eerie glow seemed to hover around her pure ivory peltage - as if an evil aura hung around her at all times. For a moment, the yearling took a brief glance around, noticing that her mother, Dakota, had showed up as well. But what of Marrok - her father? And Goliath, her favorite of the siblings? All her blood relatives seemed to have dissapeared without a trace. A small sigh pases from pink nostrols, which were mottled by black - yet another husky trait. Not surprising, seeing as the only real Gray Wolf showing through in the half-and-half hybrid was her size, which in itself wasn't too impressing.

Regally-pointed, lean muzzle is lifted, sorrow filled eyes scanning the small amount of wolves that had showed themselves. No one really stuck out, and none seemed to willing to come and sit by her diseased side - they seemed repelled by her, as if what she had was the plague. "Orpheria..." she snarled under her breath, skull lowering almost guiltily to shoulder level.

What had she done to deserve such a curse?

+.Cause I've seen love die way to many times,
When it deserved to be alive.
And I've seen you cry way to many times,
When you deserve to be alive.+

+.Alive..+

[danielle90]

I sat next to the mate I had so often repelled but yet loved all the same. She looked at me a bit briftly for the moment and I saw that look of love glowing back in her eyes. Of course she was not one to show her feelings so the next thing I knew it was gone from site. Never until the next time we were alone to come show its face again. One litter is all we had and with her return hopefully another would not be to far behind, though my thoughts were cut to short in the pressence of another.

Optics watched as the female rolled in, the scent of Anubis clung to her fur. Only it wouldn't any longer. A silent laugh tickled my throat at the thought of his lifeless body I had managed to kill. I listened to her tones, they dripped in sarcasim. Large built frame raised from the ground. Muzzled wrinkling in distaste, a demonic growl producing itself from my empty chamber. Onyx pad carrying me forward, crown exhibiting higher then her own. I could almost say the same for you. Anubis is dead by my hands, what you think of that now bitch. I drew closer daring her to make a move. Dare her to attack when the whole pack was upon her. Plush slipped out wetting blood stained fangs. Snapping at the air, and lunging. Aiming for her scruff to put her in her fucking place. Never would she again speak to an alpha like that less a Royal. I was done with her ass. I turned away placeing again beside Masqy. I have been gone to long to hear this shit. Dakota was even starting to warm up to me.

Attention turned to Kyo. I watched him approach first giving his attention to his Queen my mate at my side. I watched him, she was first. She had been the one that had been gone to not return. He had seen me practically everyday. But within time he proved the respect. Calling me his King. I nodded My son. Me and Kyo were wolves of worth never saying anymore then needed to be said and to get out point across. A fine suiter for my daughter. Another approached but not much thought was given to her. I looked upon her with her emotions and made a point to banish her from the pack. A weak link is what she was, nothing more. One could bring down the pack and I wasn't willing to let that happen. But I would wait for the right moment.


Ivory pads made their way to the meeting in the center point of the land. Food had been scarce since the storm had hit roughly. Tearing trees and covering for the deer. They had left to Black Spruce but I knew they would come back yet again. Banner was carried up and over, excited to see my mother again, it had been a year it seemed. It didn't take long. The ebon bodice of my parents came into few and I burst into a run. Jumping over fallen logs and directly into my mother. I was embarressed but looked up at her and smiled. Licking the corners of her muzzle and touching my nose to her chin. I did the same with my father. Banner wagged in all its glory. But then Kyo caught my attention. It had been awhile and I felt ashamed. I lowered my crown not in submission but in apology. I approached and placed myself next to him. Gently nuzzling the scruff of his, and letting my colorless head hung below his as close as I could get to him.

Ok sucks sorry.

[Masquerade]

Masquerade

The moon cooled the earth with its lucid glow – or at least one could assume it was the moon as the smothering, funereally gloomy smoke-stained clouds combined day and night into a neutral dim that never seemed to deepen or lighten. The dead and dying grasses rustled with occasional gales, and something almost completely, but not entirely, unlike wildlife simply accented the emptiness and barrenness of this place by remaining entirely absent. There was nothing in this graveyard, save the pitiful excuses for wolves that ranged before her. The pitiful remains of her once proud and powerful pack.

here t o d a y and gone t o m o r r o w

“I should have never left” her mind reprimanded her with poignant regret – to see her subjects, broken and pointless, angry, they had needed their alphas, but she had abandoned them – it hurt her, but she would not show it. She must be strong, she must have purpose and direction, she must lead them back into their former glory. “Ares was here…” she reasons with herself but, resisting the urge to look upon him once more, shying away from the shame that she must hide, the passion that she’d fled from, fleeing from what could have been… dare she even think…love. But that was not the only reason she left, oh no, and yet…-- This encounter could’ve been described as the equivalent of a [human] mugging – taxing and bad for the head.

a w a v e tossed in the o c e a n

Stagnant eyes beadily watch the ranging reaction of the remnants of Zuvan’s Royal Dark Pack. Bloodshot orbs flash with something, something that couldn’t be pinned down as any one emotion and is only describable as unnerving. She watched with a sardonic amusement the different ways she was received, the ways respect was given, some more willing than others, but all at least offering a grudging bow to their returned queen, the way many of her most ‘loyal’ didn’t show up – they better be dead. Masquerade hated the tasks before her to get this pack back on its feet, she would have to completely re-rank everybody, find out if this was all that remained on these scarred lands and work from there. Taking in a deep breath, Masquerade prepares to begin. It seemed these were the only ones who would show.

a v a p o r in the w i n d

Emerald’s sneer did not go unpunished by Ares, and Masq sat calmly and let them settle it. Her eyes revealed nothing of her thoughts as Ares put the cocky fae back in her place, and when he’d returned to her side her eyes gave a slightly bemused sweep of her small crowd as if asking if there would be any more interruptions. Bones appeared, and Masq felt a weight lifted from her shoulders. “My daughter lives” she felt a burst of relief, but attempted to show no favoritism when her dear child – the offspring of the only litter she’d created with Ares thus far, which was relatively unheard of for an Alpha couple of their age to only have had one litter, but Masquerade and Ares were no average pairing – when Bones came bounding her way, and licked her muzzle in reckless affection, and smile up at her Masq couldn’t help but send her tongue out to meet the very tip of Bones’ nose before her daughter had bounded off to Ares and then finally to Kyo. Apparently satisfied that all interruptions were now over, she began.

can anybody h e a r me when I’m c a l l i n g

Standing, Masquerade leaves Ares’ side to enter the direct center of the small semicircle her ‘pack’ had formed as they’d trickled in. Aware of the risk if her words were taken the wrong way, and also aware of not knowing how Ares would react to her leaving his side – would he see it as a challenge, that she’d come back and expected to be immediately back in control – that she was somehow dishonoring him by stepping out and addressing them alone? She willed that he could understand that this was what she must do, but she was uncertain if she even knew him anymore, or he her. Consciously avoiding trotting arrogantly or with unearned swagger, she still retains her pride in some intangible way. Perhaps the way her head was held, magnificent and impervious to the dark glares she was receiving from her betrayed – wolves that would either come right out and fight her, or get over themselves- because she wouldn’t tolerate their sulking in her pack for long. Perhaps it was the way she floated over the earth – her earth – the terrain she’d spent her life one, spilt her blood on, Zuvan – home. Perhaps it was the way the air was becoming static with repressed emotions – excitement and adrenaline making her eyes flash wildly. Or perhaps her pride was expressed through her sliver of bared fangs, dangerous, edgy, yet those pearly whites that’d tasted so many traitors, punished so many, put countless back in line, killed, caressed, those fangs that were once again bared on and for Zuvan. And then she spoke.

can somebody c a t c h me when I’m f a l l i n g

It’s been too long she begins, her words heavy with different tones and meaning all interwoven in a low voice. Her head tilts to the side as she views each of the members that’d shown up with appraisal, equally, her eyes blankly approving and without favor toward any one To see all your bright and shining faces again warms me, but I must spoil all this fun by revealing that there’s going to be some changes made. Firstly, as you seem to be the only survivors, new ranks will be given fittingly. She pauses to observe reactions to this news. It was inevitable, and they must know this, but she wasn’t sure if there would be any sort of opposition to this change. Standing in the middle of the circle, her dial is proud as opposed to defensive, and there was great risk in standing there. Perhaps they would respect her for her bravery. Or perhaps a particularly ambitious one would take the opportunity to take a lunge at her throat and claim this broken land for their own. She had her suspicions on who might take that initiative, but she did not give them the pleasure or provocation of giving them more than the neutral glance that flitted so carelessly from face to face. Would anyone dare challenge this first change, of more to come, would they be happy to have a chance to earn higher rankings – or bitter to have to reprove themselves to claim their previous rankings. She was about to find out. But she was here before them, without Ares for protection or support, just her, Masquerade, alone and returned. How would she be received, this meeting was on a knife point and it had to go one way or another, but she knew she must face this alone.

And b r i n g me b a c k

[Masquerade]

Kyo

Duo-toned eyes watch blankly the scene Emerald causes with Ares, and he is careful not to let the admiration he felt for the Alpha show. When Ares responds to Kyo with a simple, “my son”, he feels he might burst with pride. Like a son who’d finally gained the approval of a stern father, a figure of such boundless respect finally patting him on the back and saying ‘well done’, Kyo has to focus to retain his composure and not look like a silly pup in front of what will someday be his pack. He is focused, emotionless, and the only indication of any effect the king’s words had had on him is a very slight raising of his chest, puffed out a little in an, admittedly childlike, gesture of pride.

And then a white figure that could never and would never be mistaken for any other crossed his sights and his chest dropped in surprise. Eyes widening, he stares at the beauty that he’d had the pleasure of calling his mate – the beauty that’d disappeared from Zuvan without a trace much as Masquerade had. There is a question in his eyes, a question that is meant only for her and when she turns and their eyes meet for the first time in such a long time it is given to her. Does she still want him? That was the question that’d been eating him, had she left him, grown tired of him, found someone else…

Her crown lowers immediately in an apologetic gesture, and Kyo feels tightness in his muscles he didn’t remember tensing release. She approached and the fur on his hackles rose as she placed herself next to him, her scent intoxicating but Kyo determined not to give in and holding stubbornly to his grudge. It was near impossible to stay angry with her, and as she nuzzled his scruff and hung her head as close to him as possible he leaned down and licked her cheek in a tender manner that plainly told her she was forgiven.

[Masquerade]

{ooc}Hey, our pack needs a name! i've been playing around with a few ideas;; Shinigami, Morte, [danse] macabre, Enma [yama]... yea, i'm not great at thinking up names XP. input is needed, and please submit your own ideas for a pack name =]{/ooc}

[/size]

[danielle90]

Ok names. Just throwing a few out there.

Danes
Rebellion
Wraiths
Condemned

lol I'm not good neither.

[Shadow]

enterDakota.
|.I'm alright,
Hope I can sleep for one night.
If not to cool my insides,
Maybe to calm my backside.
Rain on me,
I got a weakness in me,
I think that weakness feeds me.
I don't think you think you need me.|

Jaws parted momentarily, a yawn escaping from her throat as lips lifted breifly to reveal potentially lethal, glishening white fangs. Snapping her jaws closed once more, olips lowering over her teeth again, bi-colored optics searched the darkness for any arrivals. Finally, movement was spotted in the form of a large black, masculine figure vaguely striped by white. Instinctively her crown lowered in his presence; the Alpha Male, Ares, had arrived as well. He gave a small glance toward Dakota, and she flashed him a smirk, her ears flicking back onto her skull. Facade went blank, unreadable once more as she watched the reunion between her leaders. Averting her gaze then at the rustling of some bushes, the fur on her scruff lifts suddenly at the scent; Anubis' mate, Emerald, dared to show her worthless face? Even Dakota knew of the battle that had gone on between Anubis and Ares; a small scuffle which had ended Anubis' life.

Stifling a growl just barely, a snarl tickled her throat at the sight of the black fea. Gray hackle fur along her shoulders and the back of her neck bristled, muscles stiffening as she shifted her weight to her left fore-leg, lifting her right paw into the air; a habit huskies used often to show severe displeasure. Upper lip quivered, daring to show her gleaming pearls; but she wouldn't allow it. No, Dakota found a way to hold back instead, watching steadily as Ares put Emerald in her place; her left, crimson optic churned with blood-lust at the sight. How the hybrid longed to sink her fangs into the obsidian bitch's fur. Standing uneasily with head lowered respectfully, bi-optics stared blankly at the ground between her front paws, muscles quivering as right fore leg remained lifted from the earth. But finally something came to distract the mix breed from her thoughts of murder - the arrival of the heir to the throne, Kyo.

Lowering rump to the earth once more, Dakota watched the simple home-coming of the male, noting the obvious liking between Ares and him - they were like father and son, and for a moment, it dragged Dakota's mind into thoughts about Marrok. The brute who had left her not long after ridding the lands of her forsaken brother, Balkar. But those were the old days - those which were not spoken of, nor to be remembered all to fondly. For yes, she had fallen in love with the male, Anubis' son; but he had left her right before their pups' first birthday.

Speaking of pups, two-toned ovals are drawn to a smaller, dog-like figure appearing close by; a devilish smile cracks her maw. Atleast one of her pups still lived. But what of the other seven? Had they all gone off with Marrok - maybe even died? But as Nakita approached, the stenches of both death and Lakota, Dakota's other daughter, clung to the yearling's fur. Wrinkling her muzzle the three year old cast her look back to the ground, swinging her nose away from Nakita. So Lakota had died? That only accounted for one of the missing family members, though.

With a sigh, Dakota drove thoughts of family away by focusing on the reunion between Bones and Kyo. She had missed most of it, but managed to capture the moment of forgiveness between the two future Alphas; and looks away before any emotion can travel across her facade. She waits, then, for Masquerade or Ares to start speaking; and her wait isn't long. For Masq approaches the middle of the circle of wolves then, and begins her speach momentarily after haulting. Dakota shows no emotion - no surprise nor offence - at the mention of new rankings. After all, she'd only been appointed a simple Guard as of late; perhaps this was her chance to show the Alphas she was worth more than that to the pack. Perhaps they already knew she was. Two many 'maybes' came into question at the mention of her ranking, though - which was not a good thing for obvious reasons. Leaving the decision making to the alphas as she rightfully should, Dakota slowly lowers her right paw back to the ground, sighing silently, glancing breifly around before locking her eyes on Masquerade and anticipating what was to come.

--
status.complete.
word count.715.
mood.pissed/apathetic.[/size]

[Masquerade]

{ooc}So far i like Morte, Danes, Rebellion, Wraiths, or Condemned. Everyone give me feedback if you want to have a say in the pack's new name, otherwise Masq will simply announce one and you'll be - hopefully pleasantly - surprised.{/ooc}