I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 10, 2014 1:25:38 GMT -3
How had it... come to this? Crawling back to the ones she had driven away. As she walked, Iris was trying to keep her head up for the sake of the girl trailing behind her, Dila, who had for reasons unfathomable to Iris, left with her. However hard she tried, her head kept bobbing down to hang and she knew she was going to break down soon if she didn't get a hold of herself. She had made some horrible mistakes, it was time to own up to them.
How?
She knew that her father would always help her no matter what she had done, but he wasn't here now - because of her - and who would help her? Gabe? Mom? Giselle? Would they? Should they?
They shouldn't. Shouldn't forgive her so readily after all she had done and if they... if they turned her away, Iris wouldn't begrudge them. It was their right.
Every so often Iris would remember that she had to at least appear confident, and she'd force her head up, but then it would fall again. Her tail dragged against the ground and quite honestly, she was pathetic.
A complete wreck and the gods knew that she deserved it. This was her punishment.
Raising a paw and batting at her right ear, Iris shook her head as she looked up, turning to glance back at Dila as if to make sure she was still okay.
Dila had come for some god know reason, and Iris was going to make sure she didn't mess this part up too.
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Knight
31 posts in 16 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Dila on Jan 10, 2014 2:36:11 GMT -3
They didn't really know where Gabe and his rag tag team, that was, as much as Dila was embarrassed to admit, a much more stable pack than their old one, had gone. Towards the Gorge, and out. This right here, was exciting to Dila, this alone. This was the farthest she'd ever been from home. To think there was a land outside the series of mountains she'd lived within was almost unfathomable. But clearing the gorge, she could see things in the distance. She'd heard about the Village from snippets of conversations from the dogs who'd come from them, but she'd never though she'd see it. They were so close, it made her fur bristle with agitation. What if Gabe and his pack were no where near here? Iris wouldn't be able to travel like this for too long. Two days had already worn on her and she was having a hard time holding her head up.
But then, as they reached the forest to the north, it hit them like a barrier. Gabe's scent. A line, scent markers. Oh thank the Gods, they weren't far. The younger wolf wagged her tail and walked up to stand beside Iris. "We're almost there," she breathed with excitement, stepping over the line and into the forest. "Come on, Iris, we're almost there."
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I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 10, 2014 3:03:56 GMT -3
Yes she could smell it, and she could tell she should be excited, but Dila was excited enough for the both of them and Iris was pregnant with what felt like a large litter, probably 3 or 4 which already had Iris groaning. How could she raise 1 pup let alone 3 or 4? The gods must hate her, rolling for such a large litter. It was tiring to walk for so long and so far, to eat so very little, only nibbling on a few herbs she vaguely recognized as edible and some grass.
Iris felt like she should be taking care of Dila, after all Dila was so much younger, but Dila was taking care of Iris if anything. Without the younger wolfs energy, Iris would have been happy to lay down and feel herself slip away, not even having the will to go one for the pups inside of her. Which only made her feel worse, shouldn't a mother love her pups enough to do anything for them?
Why didn't she want to go on?
Taking a deep breath, Iris bobbed her head unenthusiastic-ally in response to what was to her a pup. "Joy." She replied dryly, looking into the forest cautiously, feeling like a scared little pup and wanting nothing more than to turn around and run away from here.
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Ranger
23 posts in 40 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Luke on Jan 10, 2014 3:22:33 GMT -3
How many moons had it been. The large mountain dog was walking quietly through the snow, the night upon them already. The squires were already all in the camp, nestled with their families or together. The changes had been harsh at first, but the pack was flowing like school of wish. They were in sync. Despite it being winter and being in a new territory, there was enough food to not starve, and the squires were always busy. When the oldest litter of pups had reached eight moons, there had been some confusion as to what they were supposed to do for mentors, ad Timber had more than enough on his paws. Gabe had stepped in and assigned them mentors and declared from now on he would be doing so.
A few wolves had seemed miffed at the idea at first, but later on that night, once many of the younger ones were asleep, he'd quietly explained to the elders, damns and senior pack members how he wanted to make sure all squires were being train equally. This had quieted the dams fears, thankfully, and there had been no protest.
Luke didn't have a squire yet, but he was okay with that. Maybe when one of the dogs had a litter. He stiffened as he heard movement and paused, lowering himself so he wouldn't be spotted as quickly. The dusk had come down enough that he blended it quite well, but he couldn't help but give out a quiet gasp, giving away his position, when he saw who it was.
She looked both drawn and rounder all at the same time, and it didn't take a genius to see that Gabe's older sister was pregnant. Beside her walked Dila, the other traitor's daughter. Both didn't appear to be in an attack stance, if anything, their tails were lowered with caution and Luke, several tail lengths off, stepped into their path.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
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Knight
31 posts in 16 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Dila on Jan 10, 2014 3:41:03 GMT -3
She hadn't expected this one this close to the border, and so the canine who stepped into her path scared her, like a ghost from the past. But that's what he was though, wasn't he? He'd been the one to walk into camp with Bobby's dead body on his back, carrying the large wolf as though he weighed nothing to him. Luke was as strong as any wolf, she knew, but she'd never thought much of him.
She bowed her head in respect and submission. Luke had never been the violent type, but her father had killed his friend, little annoying one. He hadn't deserved that.
"We, well, we came in hopes of joining Gabe's pack." Wow, that sounded lame. She struggled to find better words, "Iris is pregnant and we couldn't stay there anymore!" There. That sounded more urgent.
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I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 10, 2014 3:53:07 GMT -3
Iris may have jumped if she wasn't so tired, but when she heard a voice her head lifted a little and looked at him, trying to keep her head up but failing. Of course she knew Luke, he had been her Mom's guard. He had carried her father's corpse.
At Dila's words, Iris blinked tiredly. She would have phrased it differently, but it got the message across alright. Iris felt like she should explain, but she didn't want to have to confront all of her wrong doings, not to others. It was hard enough to do so with herself. Looking up at him once more she quietly asked, "Can you... take me to my brother?"
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Ranger
23 posts in 40 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Luke on Jan 10, 2014 4:00:26 GMT -3
Luke, well, as much as Luke wanted to turn them away, he couldn't. A dam couldn't survive on her own, and even with little Dila helping her, they'd likely starve to death in this winter, especially if another storm hit. And it wasn't his place to turn them away. Gabe needed to make this decision, the pack needed to make this decision. Jenlee has been accepted back with open paws, but that was because she'd not fought to drive them out. She was Gabe's squire.
Dila and Iris though. Iris had killed Bobby. Iris was the reason this had all come to pass, even if that rat bastard Linde had provoked it, Iris had been weak enough to do it.
He turned and nodded, "Follow me."
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I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 10, 2014 4:07:01 GMT -3
Iris wanted to remain strong, and for a split second the old her shone through as she tried to walk with her head held high, but that didn't last long. After all, not only did she just not have the will power to do so, but it would make her better received. She had no right to walk into their camp, even less of a right to walk in with her head held down.
She should be walking in as a prisoner.
Silence was how she finally decided to go, flicking her tail once to signal Dila to follow, though it would be a futile effort as Dila would know to do so anyway.
How would she be received?
Probably with shouts for her to be thrown out, left in the cold or to be killed on the spot.
She couldn't blame them.
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Post by Sable on Jan 10, 2014 4:24:11 GMT -3
It was a nice day. It was cold, yes, but nice all the same. Sable was lying near Libby, watching the other female nurse the fawn she'd adopted, feeling grateful that Libby had enough heart to accept the little deer. Not many would be willing to nurse what they considered a prey animal, and Sable had been keeping most of the adults away, showing a flash of her former spirit as she warned the curious ones away. They didn't need to get any closer; they could see well enough that this was a deer, and yes, Libby was nursing it. She could understand their confusion, but she ignored it.
Motion. Sable glanced around to see Luke. Back from a patrol; nothing special... or so she thought at first. Another form followed him in and Sable blinked to make sure she wasn't seeing things. Blink. Blink. Stare. It couldn't be. Standing near the entrance, head low, eyes flitting from one wolf to another, her daughter stood there... Iris stood there. Sable began to gasp again, and the picture changed; she saw Iris again, standing over the limp form of Bobby, her paws red with his blood, her eyes fiery, laughing, an insane, mocking sound.
The picture faded and she was once more seeing Iris in the present, but it didn't make it any easier to see the defeated look in her eye, the dejected posture. She looked like she'd been through hell, and Sable struggled to hold back the laugh that unexpectedly bubbled in her throat. She rose and took a few steps forward, staring at the female. When she spoke, her voice was quiet but hard. "How dare you?"
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I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 10, 2014 4:43:22 GMT -3
She didn't even feel the cold. Well, she did, Iris felt nothing but cold. It was the cold of winter she didn't feel, the cold of... everything distracting her from such a menial thing. Instead Iris tried to be aware of what was around her, blink away the exhaustion and... something darker, that ebbed away at her and made it hard to focus on much of anything. Blindly the she-wolf followed Luke, only looking up to make sure that Dila was still here and with her. Dila hadn't left too.
When Iris finally focused, it was on the form of a woman that Iris was absolutely terrified to see. For a moment, Iris was staring and it took longer than it should have for her mother's words to reach her and to process. Iris blinked once, and then she blinked again, and then she was blinking more than she should be and she was looking away and blink.
Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink.
Keep blinking, don't let any tears pass.
Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink.
Keep calm and don't let them see, have to stay strong. A tornado.
A tornado crashing down, fading away into a whisper and into nothing.
Body shaking and breath coming fast, no more blinking, squeeze eyes shut so very hard, blinking isn't working. Too much.
Whispers reaching her ears.
Shouts more like, whispers to her.
"WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE???"
"SOMEONE GET GABE!"
"THROW HER OUT!"
"I think she's pregnant...?"
"GREAT MORE RATS TO INFEST US!"
"Now you're talking just like she was!"
"DRIVE HER OUT LIKE SHE DROVE US!"
Whispers apologies. Asking for her Mama. Almost asked for Daddy, but stopped. No. No. No. So sorry, I'm so sorry. Forgive me, please don't- please.
Don't open your eyes. Don't blink. Don't even blink. Blink and you're dead.
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Ulfric
84 posts in 42 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Gabe on Jan 10, 2014 5:02:17 GMT -3
It had been a normal enough night. He was settling down in the den he had claimed as his own. He would have invited Giselle to share it with him as they had done before, but she had been sticking close to their mother, which was a smart idea. He was calling it an early night since he would be going on patrol in the morning and as he yawned and stretched, before his eyes could even close, he heard a ruckus. A loud ruckus. He stirred, but he hadn't even had a chance to rise when one of the dogs were there.
"Sir, we have a problem," The canine grunted and Gabe rose and pushed past him towards the edge of the camp where he could see the pack congregating around Luke. And someone else. "She's pregnant, we can't just chase her out," Gabe heard one of the dams mutter. He blinked as his eyes fell on his sister.
He's never seen such a sad sight in all his eyes. While most of his family and pack felt nothing but hatred to this she-wolf, he couldn't bring himself to feel anything Maybe it was because he'd been pushing aside the grief of his father's death for so long, but he couldn't feel anything. Not anger, not sadness, no rage, not happiness. Nothing. The only emotion he could feel, tugging at his chest, was pity, looking at the shadow of what his sister had once been.
Like a true Alpha, he didn't need to cal for silence. As he stepped into the clearing formed by the pack, they all fell silent, waiting for him to speak. A second form part of him had been expecting since the day Jenlee had showed up was right besides Iris. Dila. She seemed to wish to speak on their behalf, and Iris looked so lost he accepted it.
"Sir, I know we have no right to ask to join you're pack, but we realize how wrong we were. The dogs were pack and they didn't deserve this, none of you deserved this and please, even if you kick me out, let Iris stay. You'll kill her pups if you make her leave and they haven't hurt anyone," She pleaded.
Gabe flicked his tail and looked at the group of people around him. Luke had a steeled expression, blank, but Gabe could see the pity in his eyes. He knew where the mountain dog, his second, stood. But there were others to consider in this decision. Timber stood with his brook, Libby still in the back with the fawn Sable had saved. But Vitani, Stasia, Mila, Cendra and Bronze were all there, by his paws. Timber's eyes were hard. It seemed split, as he looked at his pack. About half wanted her chased, ther rest seemed to take pity on the pregnant she-wolf.
"Gabe," Timber called roughly, glaring openly at the younger she-wolf, "She does not belong here. Not after what she did." More barks rose up in agreement and soon some of the dams were quieting their mates, "Would you really turn out a pregnant she-wolf, damn her pups without a second thought?"
More voices, spinning Gabe's head like a hornets nest. Should she stay or should she go, Dad, what should I do, kick her out, or raise the pups that bastard Linden probably gave to her- kick her out! But her pups! And what about the traitor's daughter!?
"SILENCE," He roared, baring his fangs at his pack. "All of us, move to the cave, we will discuss this live civil beings and not like a frenzied pack of mindless killers!" He snapped, turning to stare his packmates in the eyes, daring anyone to defy him.
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Post by Sable on Jan 11, 2014 1:10:32 GMT -3
She wanted to scream. To scream, and cry, and accuse Iris of the murder of her father, and Sable's mate. Of plotting with Linden, and tearing the pack apart. She wanted to order her out. She'd dug her den and now she could lie in it.
And yet she could not help but see the miserable look on her face. And then she felt bad; and then she felt angry. How dare she walk in here, after what she had done. How dare she. And have that look on her face, that utter look of helplessness, like she was at the end of her rope, when all along it was her own fault. Sable lowered her head, staring at the ground, the voices of the other wolves boring into her ears, the words blurring.
She couldn't deal. She just couldn't. Her eyes hardened. And when the wolves began to drift toward the cave, she rose and followed her pack mates.
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Squire
33 posts in 12 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Faith on Jan 13, 2014 4:00:55 GMT -3
Faith had been in a large den that her and some of the other squires were sharing, and while most of them, warn out from their days training, were about to drift off to sleep, they were all startled by a loud explosion of voices coming from the edge of camp. Faith was at the entrance of their den first, and she cocked her head to the side as the other squires pushed up around her. They ducked their heads as they heard their Bolverk, Timber, growling loudly about something. What was going on. Go and see, one of the younger squires urged her and she swished her tail, boldly stepping out into the snow. She shivered, the shift in temperature from the warm and populated den to the cold winter air great, but her curiosity overwhelmed her.
But then the crowd of pack members broke and she could here her uncle using a very stern voice. She flicked her ears and the other squires moved to join her, but her eyes widened the most when she saw who was walking into camp.
Her aunt. And her friend. The squires all hushed and stood still as the pack moved towards the low lying cave system they had made camp near along the side of the mountain. No one seemed to be paying the younger wolves any mind, so they followed, slipping into the cave with them as they formed a circle around Iris and Dila. Does your aunt look fat to you? One of the male squires asked her and a friend of hers shoved him over, speaking harshly. Faith barely heard them, but her eyes did move to look at Iris's stomach. Pregnant? But who was the father?
She tried to catch Dila's eyes as the pack settled, but found herself looking away from the wolf she'd once called friend, and toward her uncle.
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Knight
31 posts in 16 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Dila on Jan 13, 2014 4:11:44 GMT -3
Yeah, the pack had felt so much smaller since the dogs and other wolves had been chased out, but had their numbers always been so large? Looking around at the wolves and dogs are encircled her and Iris, leading them to these caves, how had her father thought he could win a fair fight against them? Maybe if all of the wolves had turned against them, but they hadn't. Bobby hadn't been alone in his support of the other canines, that much was very clear now.
Maybe he'd never intended to fight fair. Had he always planned to threaten a pup? It was possible, though Dila didn't think so. Her father would have assumed that all the pups would be with the dams, at least she thought so. No, he'd seen the opportunity and had taken it. She was ashamed of it now, especially when she saw Libby, Cedar's mother, and the pup's sisters. More eyes upon her. She turned to gaze over at them all and as they came to a halt in the cave, she caught Faith staring at her, here eyes almost hazy, as though stuck in her own thoughts. She tried to give a small smile to the pup who'd once been her friend, but she looked away as Gabe entered the circle his pack had formed around their prisoners. She pressed herself closer to Iris and bowed her head to the Alpha. Gabe was soft, sure, and she hadn't understood why Bobby had picked him over Iris, but it was there in him. Bobby had been the only one to see it. Perhaps it was a good thing. It was likely the only reason he hadn't attacked them on the spot.
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I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 13, 2014 23:53:30 GMT -3
Iris didn't know if she regretted leaving her home to come here, because in the moment she felt utterly miserable and seeing her family, her pack members all the way over here made her riddled with guilt. Timber's words, as well as the shouts from many of the other members cut her and she was having trouble focusing. She could feel it around her paws, a pool of blood that kept rising.
It would consume her, blood she spilled coming back to haunt and suffocate her. Blood of her father, with her mother there, watching with a cold hatred, or at least that was how Iris saw it. She couldn't look up and meet anyone's eyes, it took miles of effort to keep concentrated enough to take steps as Gabe's voice cut through, silencing the pack and ordering them into... caves?
Was he going to side with them? It would make more sense, she wouldn't be able to begrudge him throwing her out or killing her where she stood, and Iris wouldn't fight it. She had no fight left in her, and for once she was truly at the mercy of her family.
Then again, hadn't she always been at their mercy? Dependent on them for their approval and affection? Too dependent that when she felt she'd lost it, she'd been so easily led astray and manipulated? Yes.
She'd always been at their mercy.
The she-wolf wondered if she was expected to speak, but really, what was there to say? Ask for forgiveness? Beg for a place to stay? No. She had no right to do so. Instead, Iris walked alongside Dila, going where the younger she-wolf went, relying too much on her and trying to stop that shaking, and above all, refusing to look at her mother.
Too much. A trail of blood behind her, she could feel it soaking her fur and marking her as the traitor and the monster she had made herself out to be.
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Post by Vitani on Jan 15, 2014 3:24:25 GMT -3
So many noises and chatter! And then Daddy was leaving and so were all my sisters and brothers, so I followed, even though I was the youngest, except for Taler, and the smallest. I wound between Mama's legs and purred excitedly, but she seemed worried. I could here daddy over with the rest of the pack and they were yelling. I asked Mama what was wrong, but she didn't really answer me.
But then everyone was moving. A pack meeting! I walked excitedly with my family, pressing against them occasionally. "Why is everyone so upset?" I asked one of my sisters, but they didn't know either. But then I smelt them. They were new, but full grown, like mama and daddy, two she-wolves. Had they been caught trespassing on our territory? I puffed my chest out with indignation, but no, that wasn't it, not by the way our Alpha led them to the caves. The elders and some of the dams slept in the very back of the caves where it was easier to keep warm. We'd slept there too, for while, but then Daddy had found us a cozy little den in the roots of the trees in the clearing with the others. I liked it more than the caves, because the caves were dark and gloomy. The front of the caves were where we had pack meetings. Were they loners? Looking to join the pack? Made sense, the pack was great! I bounced my weight from paw to paw in anticipation. I wanted to hear the news and then go play in the snow again. Come on, come on.
Then I caught sight of Grandma Sable. She wasn't really my Grandma, not like Nalto was my grandfather, but Sable was alwasy playing with me and Taler, which was fun, cause sometimes the other pups didn't want to play with us, especially Taler. She was upset about something, and I looked back at the newcomers. Everyone was upset. Had something bad happened? Was someone dead? I bristled and then realized the one she-wolf was big, like one of the dams. Was she going to have pups? I wagged my tail, flicking it back and forth, slowly crawling through the forest of legs and paws to get to the front so I could see better. But I tripped, and stumbled forward, past the line of legs. I shook myself, looking up at the she-wolf.
It wasn t bravery, in fact, it was probably very stupid on my part, as they were obviously here for a Pack Meeting and Gabe did most of the talking at meetings unless he called on others. But she looked so sad. "Hello, why are you sad?"
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I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 15, 2014 3:51:35 GMT -3
Trying hard to focus her mind and escape the flood of blood, Iris looked up at Dila, and occasionally she'd glance toward Gabe and the on watchers, but she could never meet their eyes, only scan their bodies to see where they were and wonder if they were attacking yet. Her ears were an odd combination of straining to hear their verdict and trying to block it all out, pretend none of it was happening and they weren't saying those things.
Then, there was a little puff of fur, tiny in comparison to all that was around. Popping out from the crowd of wolves and dogs was a small little thing. Iris only could vaguely put a name to it, a cat. It was a kitten, small and just like a pup. What was a kitten doing here, in a pack of wolves? The she-wolf raised one paw, not in a threatening manner, and pawed the ground in front of her once, in the direction of the small kitten as she tried to make sense of it. It seemed so breakable and fragile, which in reality it probably was. Another thing for her to destroy. One hit and the kitten would go flying, hit the wall of the cave and fall to the ground, breathing no more. It was too easy to imagine and Iris wondered when she had reached the point that such an image could come be so simple to conjure up.
A question that dug deep.
Why was Iris sad?
The she-wolf took a step back, toward Dila, the only person here that she truly knew would support her and even that support could diminish in a second. She couldn't rely on even it, but Iris needed something not matter how false it was. She threw her head a little toward the kitten, in a motion that could be interpreted as wanting it to go away, not wanting to listen to these questions and see the innocent sincerity in the kitten's eyes. Innocence that Iris could remember feeling once, a pup herself that had done nothing but look up to her mother and father, want to make them proud of her and do everything she could to live up to their standards. A pup who thought little of power in anything more than who would play the Fenrir or Rhea in the little games that she, Gabe and Giselle would play. It was too reminiscent of all she had destroyed and Iris was losing grip, she knew it. Losing her grip on the control of her shaking body and quickening breath, racing heart rate.
She tried, gods she tried. To be the strong wolf, in control and sure of herself, confident, that her father would want her to be. That had been respected by all who now watched, but it was all slipping away as everything seemed to press down on her mind. Innocence and silly little childhood games. The passion and hope for a better future, untainted by selfish desires for power and just power over the welfare of her pack. Love from her father and her mother, loyalty to siblings above all. Even the feelings she had had for Linden and that she had imagined him having in return.
Iris took on more step away, unaware of how she appeared, panicked and her eyes glazed over as she seemed to be unable to really concentrate. Her one step being more of a stumbling backwards, trying to escape the memories that seeing the kitten and hearing that question seemed to force upon her. Breathing fast and seeming absolutely terrified, lowing her head this time and trying to make herself smaller. Timid and fearful.
Why are you sad?
Everything is falling apart.
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Ulfric
84 posts in 42 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Gabe on Jan 15, 2014 4:43:03 GMT -3
As the group gathered, even those who had not been standing with them before were walking into the caves. The ginger wolf took a seat on the elevated rock he always sat upon during pack meetings. It wasn't to place himself above the rest because he viewed himself as greater, but so during these meetings her could see all of his pack, look them in the eyes and know if anyone wished to speak, to offer their opinion, he would see and hear them. As the dams and elders, who had been curled up in the back, joined them, the pack pushed together, forming a tight circle of a couple tail lengths around Iris and Dila. Dila was looking around, as though trying to catch sight of her sister.
Had she come to find her? The sister she'd spent moons tormenting? Perhaps she really had realized what she had done was wrong, but there was no way to know for sure. Iris, his sister, his enemy, the murderer of his father, the one who drove his pack, his friends, his family, from their home. But he couldn't bring himself to bear the same hate tat the dogs and wolves in the pack did. And even then, not many of them seemed to bear it either. If anything they were worried. Was this a trick, was this the start of an invasion to massacre them? Gabe didn't think so. They far out numbered Linden's pathetic tribe and were unfamiliar to the area, knowing absolutely nothing about their land.
Even as he was ready to begin the meeting, he noticed something. Oh no. He withheld his grown and couldn't help but stare at the kit with a ounce of affection as she innocently looked upon Iris. Vitani and the others too young to remember their old home, did not know what this she-wolf's crimes were. They did not know the hate and anger they felt. So innocent and caring were the words, Gabe turned his attention to Iris to see how she would react. She seemed to be in shock, but did not attack. Instead she backed as though scared of the little thing. He'd seen enough.
"Vitani, sit with your mother or Sable," he commanded and the little kit looked back and forth in confusion between the he-wolf who she had unknowingly given a panic attack to, and the Alpha. With a slight shrug of her little shoulders, she moved along the rim of the crowd to slip in between Sable's front paws. He hoped Libby had kept the fawn away, of that would be a whole other pile of rot to deal with.
"You wish to join the pack, but the pack that you seek to join is the same that once lived with you. We were once one, and it was your actions, Iris, that tore us from our homes. Wounded our friends and families, threatened the lives of innocents while taking not only one, but two of our own from us. The death of the terrier and Cedar's pupnapping are not easily forgotten and while I wish to be able to forgive you for what you did-"
Suddenly his mouth went dry and he had to paws swallowing as memeories bubbled to the surface. The sight of Bobby, limp, dead, bloodied, on Luke's back. Why? Why sister? "You killed our father, who had done nothing but offer peace and love and done nothing but tried to make everyone happy," He snapped. His anger wasn't getting the better of him, but this, this was long over due. He'd kept his calm, he'd been the reasonable one in all this madness, but now he needed this. He needed her to know how hurt he was, what she'd done to him, not just to the pack. "You tried to kill me, all for wat? Because father chose me to lead instead of you?" Hollow laughter, "Iris, tell me, why, why in the Hel did you think this, that this was the path you were meant to take?" He demanded. His pack shuffled uncomfortably. He was voicing their concerns, yes, but they'd never heard him speak much on the topic and to hear the raw emotion in his voice was a bit unnerving.
"Why, sister? Why?"
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Post by Sable on Jan 23, 2014 1:05:15 GMT -3
Iris's arrival had nearly completed Sable's recovery. By the very sight of her, the old female was pulled from the last traces of misery and grief; they combined and strengthened into a desperate mix of anger and hatred. Maybe it was directed at Iris, and maybe it wasn't... maybe it was directed at her because there was no one else to rage at. The female pushed her way forward to sit near the rock Gabe had claimed as his during these meetings. She sat straight, her eyes fixed firmly, unblinkingly, on the pregnant female... on her daughter. And she swallowed, and her anger wavered, allowing the misery and confusion to sneak in again.
Her eyes shadowed, but she kept her head held straight and forced her body to remain still, fighting back the memories that crept round and round in her mind, like scavengers waiting for the right moment to pounce and bring her down. Stock still, hardly daring to move, she could not stop herself from trembling nonetheless. Why was Iris even here? Hadn't she gotten what she wanted? She'd killed Bobby, become Rhea, and chased out the dogs and the wolves who enjoyed the company of dogs. Why, then, was she here? But she didn't need to ask who had impregnated her. Only one came to her mind when she did wonder about it- the male who had helped and plotted with Iris the downfall of the former Fenrir.
Her gaze then did shift, toward the kit she had all but adopted as her own- an odd sort of daughter, as Taler was an odd sort of son. The cat wandered over to Iris, and Sable jerked, half-rising; Gabe's voice rang out, ordering the kit to sit by her or Libby. And some part warmed when Vitani chose to settle down with her, even though she knew it was probably more that she wanted to be near the meeting, rather than with her adopted mother and away from the trial. Bending her head, Sable licked the kit between her ears once, before straightening up once more.
Now Gabe was speaking, facing Iris again, and in his words, Sable found solace. He spoke the words she thought, almost as though he were pulling them from her mind. Sable's gaze flicked around the crowd of wolves and dogs, keen eyes taking in the sight of the looks directed toward the pregnant she-wolf. Most faces wore masks of hatred, most hungered for vengeance for the death of two of their number and the kidnap of another. Only a few faces showed any sort of mercy, and she could not help but wonder if those few would still be so sympathetic if Iris were not pregnant. Would they turn against her too?
Blue-violet eyes drifted back to Iris, and her head listed to one side as Gabe's voice reached her once again, still cold and furious. Was it hate he felt? He longed to understand. But what words could Iris use to explain herself? How could she justify her actions? She had betrayed them, all of them; she had turned her back on the family and even worse, she had personally killed the head of the pack. Had killed Bobby- the Fenrir, the leader of many moons, the father to three, and Sable's beloved. Bloodstained paws, mirthless laughter, an exclamation of victory.
"No reason. No reason! None that would ever be good enough!" Sable was on her paws. "H-he was so proud of you. When you were born- you can't remember- our first daughter. When you teethed, you chewed on his tail. He never minded. When you were little, he played with you for hours, never tiring, and nothing else mattered. He put aside all duties of Fenrir aside whenever you asked him to play." Laughing, crying, the memories swelled and crashed over; Sable's voice shook but she could not stop. "He watched you train as a Squire, cheered over each accomplishment, and I thought he would burst with pride when you became Remus."
Her throat swelled, her voice broke off for the moment, tears blinded her. "Everything... everything you did. So proud. You were his first daughter. How could he not be proud? And then..." She could not get her breath. Her sides heaved as she gasped, her body a-tremble. "You turned away from him. You did wrong, Iris. You're pregnant. He'd be proud of you for that too... maybe he is, despite it all. But we can't know that, Iris, and it's your fault. Yours, and that bastard's. Bobby and I- we were fools. Fools, to trust so blindly. We should have acted sooner.
"He called you a tornado. And he was right. You plotted, killed, tore us apart... and no amount of apology can ever be enough. Bobby's dead."
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I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 23, 2014 1:44:37 GMT -3
Every word was truth. There was no denying it, and with every word, Iris wanted to run. There was no point to remaining here; just go, go, go, get away from the words that are tearing into you and crashing in, filling your lungs, making it hard to breathe-
No. Can't run, no where left to go. Instead, Iris' ears were pressed back and she was bowing her head like a child that didn't want to hear. Her paws were moving, and she could hardly think through the words of her brother, the blood that soaked her fur and was drowning her. In her nostrils, lungs, eyes and ears. Everywhere.
She was drowning in the blood of her father.
Why?
Why?
Why?
Because I thought that was what would be right. The pack could not survive with the dogs there, taking valuable resources and not giving- prejudice it may have been, but it was what she had truly believed. If the dogs stayed, the pack would fail.
No.
That was why it had started, that wasn't why.
The why had been that she needed love, and through the first why, she felt the rejection of her father and brother like a razor. Plotting together to humiliate her, build the expectation in not only her but the whole pack that she would be heir, only to give the position to Gabe, to call Iris a tornado, too unpredictable-
She could not find words, no words to combat the ones he threw.
It ended up that she did not need to, another voice was speaking. One that made her feel like a pup again, looking up at her mother and feeling so ever ashamed. Could only look for a moment before looking back, every word making it harder and harder to breathe, to swallow, to stand.
All those things. Daddy. That was who she needed, her daddy.
But she'd killed him.
It's your fault.
Yes.
It is.
Squeezing eyes shut, can't think. Trying to open her mouth, trying to find words. Reply with the eloquence that she once had been capable of and issue a proper apology, admittance of guilt and a plea for mercy for the children within her. No such eloquent and proper words could surface and instead, Iris was holding herself so low that the fur on her stomach grazed the cold floor of the cave. Quivers ran through her and she was hyperventilating.
There was something wet, dampening her cheeks and escaping with odd sounds. Trying to suppress them but failing, they came out ever so odd, strained.
Speak.
Speak.
SPEAK.
Opening her mouth once more, all that could come out was unintelligible. Something that was almost sounding like the apologies that wouldn't ever be enough. No. No. No. That wasn't how this was supposed to go. She wasn't weak and helpless, she didn't breakdown in front of the pack. No. She was strong, someone Daddy could be proud of- she was strong and Remus and- and- and-
She was a murderer.
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Ranger
23 posts in 40 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Luke on Jan 25, 2014 14:40:05 GMT -3
As the pack had settled for the meeting or trial or whatever this was to be, Luke took his place at Gabe's other side, his mother already taking one. He smiled warmly as the kit moved forward from the group, though for once the entire pack seemed ready to jump to the kit's defense from the "traitor."
Now that he wasn't so overturned by her arrival, he was able to get a better look at the two she-wolves. Iris didn't look well, beside being pregnant. He's known her at primarily two stages in her life. First she'd been the one everyone knew would become the heir, she was the Remus. She may have greatly disliked the dogs, but she didn't seemed to have a strong hatred of them. She organized patrols and helped hunting parties, acting as one of the high ranking wolves should. She was strong and proud and efficient. But then there was stage two, after Gabe had been named Heir. She'd become unraveled, but not weak. Her mind was breaking apart with madness and anger, but she seemed to have a focus. Once Luke had thought the focus had been on keeping the pack strong, and he'd never imagined what she was actually plotting.
But this was a different Iris, from either of the other two he'd know. This one was broken, which perhaps was a good thing. Like a jar that had contained water, her walls broke and the madness seemed to seep from her, leaving her sane but broken. Instead of hearing Linden s words as supreme she'd finally come to realize what her actions had brought on. Her father was dead and never again would he be able to praise her or love her, nor his pups, mate, or grandpups.
He had spaced out thinking about this, but then suddenly Gabe's and Sable's harsh words brought him out of his head and his own thoughts and he blinked. Gabe had been the prime example of leadership since their move, but whatever emotions he'd kept in were now pouring out in a very bad fashion. Despite whatever the she-wolf had done, she was clearly punishing herself more than any of them could, their words only further proving to her what a horrible wolf she was.
Taking a deep breath and steeling himself, he stood and stepped forward between Iris and her family. Dila looked like she was about to do the same, but he shook his head at her.
"Alpha, you and I and everyone here knows you are a both a brave and loving leader, so as your second I am going to remind you to put aside your hate. She was sick with madness, much of which was bred from Linden's words of hate. I firmly believe none of this would have happened if that coward had not influenced her." There were some sneers of displeasure from the pack and Luke stared down his packmates, daring them to speak against him.
"I plead for you to let your temper calm because you make a rash decision that would effect not only the life of two she-wolves, but also a litter of your unborn nieces and nephews." He kept his face determined but otherwise blank. He hated Linden and would gladly rip him apart if he ever saw the mongrel again, but Dila was not him, and the pups Iris carried were not him. They deserved mercy.
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Ulfric
84 posts in 42 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Gabe on Jan 27, 2014 13:55:53 GMT -3
When his second stepped forward, part of him wondered if he meant to attack, but Luke wasn't that kind of dog. It took a lot to make him snap. But defense was the last thing he had expected from the dog, who had no only lost him home, for a second time, but also lost a friend due to Iris's actions. Even if Linden had been behind it. But as the dog scolded him like he was a pup, Gabe was humbled and bowed his head in shame. He loved Iris, but he and her were not the same, not at all. Had he been hurt, he would have turned to them for comfort. To his family. His pack. He took a few deep breaths, coming himself, but Timber didn't wish to see his leader back down and growl out a demand, "We should kick her out to fend for her own as she did our dams and pups!"
Gabe blinked and looked back to his sister. He was drained emotionally and knew that Luke was right. He had chosen the dog wisely as his second. Despite his loyal nature, Luke did what he thought was right and didn't hesitate to put his Alpha back into his place.
"We will allow Iris and Dila to reside in the pack for the time being." He called out, his answer ringing through the cave, and none of the pack dared argue the final decision of their Alpha. "If they prove trustworthy, they will be accepted into the pack come spring."
With that said, he stepped down from his perch and nodded in appreciation at the Ranger and nodded at his sister, approaching her cautiously, not wanting her to feel threatened. "Welcome home." The words were somewhat formal, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything else. "Luke will show you an empty den where you and Dila can stay for the time being."
Raising his head to look at the rest of the pack he said in a commanding voice to the group, "Meeting dismissed.!"
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Post by Libby on Jan 27, 2014 22:28:10 GMT -3
Though Libby was not part of the meeting, she knew what was going on. She could hear the words spoken, because the canines a part of it were not being subtle or quiet. Ears pricked, she listened carefully, soundlessly cheering on Gabe and Sable as they tore into the she-wolf who had disrupted her life and allowed the kidnap of one of her pups. She missed Cedar, and she didn't even know how to get him back; she couldn't leave her other charges, and she could only hope that her baby had someone to look after him, to make sure he had enough to eat and stayed safe until he was back at her side.
But she was glad. From the sound of it, the Ulfric and the old female who was his mother were about two seconds from tossing Iris out on her ear, and she deserved nothing less, in Libby's eyes. She dropped her head, licked Taler between his floppy ears, and set her chin on the ground, only idly listening now. She was just waiting for Gabe to order Iris to get her sorry tail out. Dila- Dila could stay. Dila had done nothing wrong, and probably had been as much victim in all this as the Stormsoul wolves. She had not betrayed her pack, stolen pups, killed a beloved old leader.
But then Luke was speaking, and Libby's mouth dropped open in disbelief. He would speak for the backstabber? She growled, rose, and turned back for one moment. "Stay here," she ordered her pups and Taler, before stalking over to the meeting place. "Out of my way!" she snapped, and pushed her way into the cave, coming nose to nose with Luke. "You might be blinded, Ranger, but I am not. I do not want this wolf to stay. How do we know she was not sent here to spy? She's dangerous, Gabe, and she's proved it!" She gave Timber a nod. "Kick her out. She deserves it. She gave no thought to our well-being when she split the pack and exiled us! Why should we show her mercy when she has shown none to us?"
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I Just Want Someone To Love Me
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The Stormsoul Pack
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Post by Iris on Jan 28, 2014 0:34:00 GMT -3
There was so much talking everywhere, she felt both hyper-aware of every noise, naturally falling into the habit of taking it all in case of battle, an instinct she had developed moons ago while at the same time trying to shut it all out. She couldn't even wallow in her own misery, it was all simply confusing, and she could feel it completely overwhelming her as she raised a paw once and batted at her own ear, shut it all out- shut it out-
Around them was whispers, and then the dog- who had been his mothers guard, was approaching. Talking, saying something. The gist, something about letting them in, he was defending them, that much she could figure out. Then Gabe, allowing them habitation, safety, he came to her, spoke and she tried to nod, wanted to speak and say something proper, but she couldn't think and nothing would come out. Instead, the she-wolf could only nod once, taking another instinctive step back, away from all the noise.
Which was growing louder, another stepping forward- Libby.
Yes, there was a pup back at... sleeping hallow, who had been ripped from his mother. Iris had not thought of him in her haste to disappear, another thing she hadn't thought through. More words, more needles in her, and another step back, pulling head in and wanting to get away.
The words of Libby riled up the crowd once more, renewing their protests. Somewhere within them was some who listened to their alpha, and in fact most of them were quiet even if disagreeable. However, it was the few that disagreed vehemently and voiced such opinions that would be heard.
"Exile!"
"Make a show of her, put her back into the cold!"
"She wouldn't have shown you mercy!"
"She's a snake! There is no trust in her! She killed her own father!"
"JUST KILL HER NOW! BEFORE SHE TURNS ON US!"
Bat her ears again, block out the noise and needles. Just once, just once, she whimpered. All too much for her to handle, not now. Not all the noise and yelling and how the crowd was getting restless- even moving forward a few paw steps. Getting closer, coming after her, after her pups, after Dila.
All because of her and him.
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Post by Sable on Jan 28, 2014 3:18:06 GMT -3
Standing there, staring at Iris, struggling not to break into a million pieces, like a stem of grass or a leaf, frozen through so that it shattered if it was poked or stepped on. Breathing hard, nearly hyperventilating, the old female stood stock still, trembling, wide-eyed, not even seeing anything that was going on, not hearing anything that was said. She didn't know what to do. What to say. Could she even move? She was trembling, she knew that. But if she tried to lift a foot, would it work? It ought to. But then, since when were things that ought to happen really happen?
Daughter were supposed to love their families. Wolves were supposed to be loyal. Packs were meant to stay together. None of these things that happened, so why should lifting her leg work like it was meant to? No, she couldn't. She couldn't do anything except stand here, gasping desperately for air, feeling like she was suffocating even though she knew somehow she had to be getting air or she'd have passed out by now. Ragged gasps rocked her and her lungs burned, feeling desperately empty. Was she even awake? Or was she dreaming? This had a very dream-like quality to it. That was it then. She was dreaming. It was all just a horrible nightmare. Any moment now Bobby would wake her and their life would once more be perfect. Because if there was one thing she could be sure of, it was that her life with Bobby had been perfect. Real. And things happened like they were meant to. With Bobby, her world made sense.
Words. More like noises, battering her ears. Something was happening. Sable blinked, and her vision cleared. She turned her head and saw Libby now, standing nose to nose with Luke, and the look on her face was fierce. She looked like a mother. A mother hell-bent on defending her pups. Sable knew that feeling. Spirit. Ghost. Judo. Gabe. Giselle. Iris. Her second litter had never met her first. They had died. Pain surged through Sable, once more, as she remembered the pups that had not survived and the ones who had who had grown. Gabe, the biggest, the strong one, leading the charge into some adventure or other. Giselle, the quiet one, who watched and missed nothing. Judo, like his brother in all but coloring. And Iris... little Iris, her precious, smallest daughter.
Iris, teething. Chewing on rocks, sticks, Bobby's tail, her own paws, and that innocent little face and pudgy body rolling around on the floor of the den. Iris, tripping over too-big paws as she scrambled to follow her brothers wherever they went. Iris, sick with a fever and a cough. Her little body curled against Sable's belly, soft happy murmurs as she was groomed. Gods, so many memories. They kept coming, one after the other, a lifetime of them... leading up to this one moment. Iris, pregnant, needing sanctuary, heavy with the pups of a conniver and killer.
And all Sable could think, right now, was, 'How could she?'
Voices. Loud, angry voices. They broke through, and Sable turned to them. Her eyes narrowed.
Iris, darting up to her, holding a stick twice her length, seeking approval for her 'catch.' Iris, tripping over her paws and falling hard on her chin, crying, looking around expectantly for comfort. Iris, toothless, sitting on her neck and gumming her ears hour after hour, thoroughly saturating them until they dripped on the floor of the cave. Iris... her last born, damp and wiggling, squealing in a high pitched voice as Sable licked her clean.
A fire lit in Sable's eyes. No matter what- Iris was still part of her and part of Bobby.
Iris was her daughter.
With a snarl, the old wolf whipped around and sprang at Timber, fangs bared. She bellowed an order at the pack, daring them to argue.
"My daughter stays!"
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