Now I'm Ready [Brushfire/Kiakime]

[Akante]

Kiakime said:

She walked through the jungle, all orange and brown and pale and scar. Golden eyes, slender muzzle, coat a little too bright for her liking, and the body that was half adult and half child. There was little change from the Kiakime of only days before, the Kiakime who had been a useless little Peasant, the Kiakime who hadn't finally started to make something better of herself than dead weight. Strider Raider.

Blade, he'd been the one who had saved her from losing her mind in this hellish jungle. The strongest connection that grounded her in this hellhole of a jungle. But while he'd given her purpose, confidence, she had still been useless. This rank, this gift of the Lief, this would make her...needed. Because while she needed Blade, the prince had never needed her.

And the voids were filled.

Now, she was above the rank of Sentry. Now, she could seek that she-wolf out from before, the one she had met long ago by the side of the river. The orange and grey one who had told the Prince the name of the yearling before she could utter a word. How this had mystified Kiakime, uprooted her assumptions. Because Brushfire had been a higher rank. Higher ranks didn't bother to keep tabs on the lowly ones, the fresh meat. They had all the needed.

So why had the Sentry been able to say her name?

It ate at the timber, chewed away as another inexplicable mystery, grated at her nerves.

And finally, for the first time, she had separated from Blade for a moment's time rather than just being sent away. Granted, he'd been busy, and she'd asked to gain permission before trotting away (although she couldn't take too long -- she was not foolish enough to think that granting permission was the same as assuring her that he'd wait for her return before leaving). But still...she'd taken the initiative.

It felt strange.
Uncomfortable.
She didn't like it.

Almost immediately, Kiakime had regretted it as she stalked into the depths of her home, had even toyed with the idea of going back prematurely. But no, she'd fulfill what she'd bitten off, and she wouldn't try this again for some time. It was too solitary out here.

Brushfire...she'd scented her. Would approach, not cringing as before, not uncertain and easily intimidated and childish as before, would show that she'd become more than just fodder.

And then she'd find out the answer to this damn question so it could leave her in peace.

[Akante]

Brushfire said:

[[Rawr! Keep bumping for me. <3]]

And so she just walked.

There was nothing going on lately. Nothing that the Sentry felt she needed to do. Other Sentries were already taking care of the Sentry Recruitment, and her presence would do nothing but stall the progression. And she knew that Alteron needed more border guards, more wolves to accept those who wished to join the pack. Damn those who did, however, because either they were asking for death or they were foolish enough to stumble here. That had been Brushfire only so many years ago. She had stumbled into these jungles by accident, attracted by the warmth away from the harsh winter. Favored by Blade, she had gotten in by his acceptance, despite the Queen's despise for her. The female didn't care about that anymore, as she knew that there was absolutely nothing that she could do to prove herself to Rapier.
The Queen's hate was inevitable and permanant.

Step by step the timber walked carefully, her lithe paws gently caressing the rotting soil beneath her. Her pawsteps were silent, like that of a spy or assassin. Except this wolf had nothing to hunt down, no one to stalk, nothing to follow. No. She was just walking around, hoping that something might come around for her to be of some use towards. She wouldn't want to be caught doing nothing by those who truly hated her, as it would only give them all the more reason to attack her, physically or verbally. Either way, their ruthless assaults tore her down. Bit by bit, Brushfire seemed as though she could never be as tough as she wanted to be. And oh, how she wanted to be the fierce Sentry she once was, even if it was for a mere few weeks. It had been inspiring, and she only begged for those times to return. But each moment that seemed as though it would recoil that era, there was another breakdown heading her way first. As of late, her breakdown had been Ridge.
Traitor. . .

A scent, all too familiar. It had been that one peasant, that one female that had been with Ru when she was talking to Blade. The one who didn't know when to speak and when to shut up. It was as if that youngster thought that as long as she spoke about herself and her accomplishments, the world revolved around her. What an idiot. Did she not know the pack that she had gotten herself into? Completely idiotic and childish.
It was the peasant, Kiakime. The one who forgot her name. Brushfire couldn't help but stretch a smirk of humor as she ruslted through the shrubs, intent on meeting up with the female. It had been too amusing last time, and this time might even be better. Perhaps it was one of those moments that would build her up to the fierce Sentry. And then she saw her. The pale brown female with her beige and timber accents. A small grin of pride slid onto Brushfire's maw as she trotted out of the shrubbery, proudly walking over to the less-intelligable female. This wolf who knew so little about Alteron and how it ticked.
"It's a 'pleasure' to see you again. . . Kiakime."
Oh, somewhat of a crude remark. But still fun all the same.

[Akante]

Kiakime said:

The other walked out, and well, that was easy enough. It was almost pleasant not to have to ramble through the jungle, endlessly looking for a needle in the haystack. Skulking in the bushes, then? Golden eyes slid to the side, focusing calmly on the sentry; Kiakime did not whirl around, or shift her weight, or show any unease at the approach of the other she-wolf. It wasn't serenity, no, but a cold sort of confidence that kept her head high and her muzzle up, not yielding or quavering. Here, it was the hunter-half that emerged, nott he cringing puppy, and it almost made the timber sick to think of how she had acted the last time she'd seen Brushfire, the first time. She'd groveled and yelped like a keening puppy.

Well, I was a puppy, then: shaky, insecure, untrained, and naive. Maybe I'm not entirely an adult yet, but I've grown out of that at least, into something I can be prouder of. Something with some basic pride, basic grounding. And I'll be damned if some swaggering sentry tries to make that into a regression.

The other was grinning, and those golden eyes slid over the grin, the body, with something akin to a cool disdain. It was not outright offensive, or aggressive, but gaze lidded and the distaste was evident; the approach of the other had not impressed her, had not intimidated her, might have intimidated the puppy Brushfire had once met, but not now. This was simply child's play. Head lifted, tilted, considering, tongue darting out to lick at her lips, hind leg shook a fly away from the hock. Tail curled out, curving up casually.

"It's a 'pleasure' to see you again. . . Kiakime."

The voice, the natural progression of whatever Brushfire thought she was doing/going to do, and the yearling raised an eyebrow. Ugh, when had it become a reflex response of 'orly'?

She stepped, her movement light and graceful, supplemented by what new musculature had been developed in Alteron, stepped in a lazy circle around the sentry. Would she turn, to follow the Raider's face and protect her back and make a fool of herself? Or would she stand defiantly still, and still make a fool of herself? A smile tugged at the yearling's lips and she let it split them, a glittering grin that was sweet enough to match the other timber's. Hey, maybe this would be fun after all.

"I didn't know you were so enamored with the Peasants, Brushfire."

The sweet voice, saccharine, a light emphasis on the other's name that was subtle but tangible. Two can play that juvenile game, dearie.

"Don't the others in your rank care to associate with you?"

The mock concern, so sincere that it was clearly insincere, those golden eyes widening and that brow lifting in such an innocent earnestness that it only supplemented the vocal purr.

"I didn't bother learning your name until I made Raider."

A lie, of course, she'd learned much from the Prince -- if not directly from his lips, then from his interactions with others. A fly on the wall, a shadow behind, and sometimes he would speak to her as well. She had learned Brushfire's name, along with many others, long before making her rank.

But then again -- the subtle presentation of the fact that she was, indeed, a Raider.

Those golden eyes, hooded slightly, and the message itself was clear enough.

I'm not below you anymore, you snotty little sentry. You'll have to try harder with these games to ruffle my feathers.

The sweetly vicious side, and had this been any other wolf, this would not be how Kiakime acted. And yet. They had disliked each other at first glance, Strider and Sentry, and it appeared that absence did not indeed make the heart grow fonder.

[Akante]

Brushfire said:

[[Sorry for the wait, Tsu.]]

The pathetic little brat made her move, those golden eyes staring fiercely at the Sentry. Brushfire resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow, to question what this female was doing. She knew better to. Show no weakness. No flaws. Her maw twitched a bit, raising up ever so lightly so that her fang glimmered in the dim jungle lighting. Her tail twitched tentatively, almost annoyed with this nuisance. She was strutting confidently, as if she had anything to strut. Her lanky body began to circle the brown and grey female. Annoying, much? As if she could intimidate the Alteron senior. Although she wasn't old, Brushfire knew so much of Alteron that even wolves who were here longer didn't know. Her brain carried much intelligence, much information, some sourcing straight from the Royal Family. That was something that this weasal took advantage of.

A taunting grin spread across the beige female's maw, an insult to the Sentry. A moment of fire in her heart, and Brushfire lunged out. Her maw opened wide, fangs bared, throat roaring a snarl. She would not be tempted so, not without consiquences. But the she-wolf kept herself under rope, slamming her forepaws to the ground to brake before she rammed into the other. Her auds were planted forwards, firmly, aggressively. Kiakime best know who she was dealing with before laying out the cards to play.
"Watch yourself, brat! You may have the Prince playing under your little paws, but He knows me better. He trusts me with a trust that you could never dream of. . " Her maw crinkled back, her tongue rising against the roof of her mouth. "One word from me, and he could crush your pathetic skull back into the dirt, where it belongs!"

Despite the reputation that Brushfire had in Alteron, she also had her moments. Especially when she was betrayed by a backstabbing Margrave. She was in one hell of a mood, and sure as hell did not want to be bothered. Especially by this brainwashed fool.
"I didn't know you were so enamored with the Peasants, Brushfire. Don't the others in your rank care to associate with you?"
Another growl rumbled over in the Sentry's throat. Her pelt bristled, her tail flickering from side to side. Oh, she wanted so badly to bite this mongrel on the maw, perhaps on her tongue. That could shut her up. But she remained still, for the moment. Her auds flickered, daring this fool to say one more word against her.
"I know the fools who enter Alteron, including you. It's my job, as one who builds up the bulk of this pack. A moron like you should show more respect towards their own. . . But, of course, someone so naiive needs a bit of helping knowing the basics of pack-life, don't they?" The tone did not turn out as harmful as the female had hoped they would. She could never be as truly cruel as she would want. It was genetics, something that she hated. But it wasn't something she could overcome so easily. Her copper eyes watched as the fool continued to circle her, the pawsteps slow and deliberate. Sure, this wolf could walk with her so called 'grace', but she could never fully comprehend the meaning of such a word. Her advancements would be put on hold if she continued to learn her ways from the wolves of this pack. One with true knowledge needed to learn from the outsides, the ones who knew of the outside. It would be impossible to flourish, otherwise.

"I didn't bother learning your name until I made Raider."

"That shows how damn lazy you are. . ." She muttered, her head lowered in tension. The fur on her nape rose to a standpoint, defiant towards this Raider. She may be equal in rank, but not in honor nor worth.

[Akante]

Kiakime said:

((Okay I've definitely had long enough to sulk.
I apologize for abusing the italics mercilessly. xD))

---

The Sentry lunged at her, paws slamming into the ground in a show of force that would have been quite impressive if she weight more than...eighty pounds? The Strider blinked, an involuntary reaction, but didn't flinch, and the expression took a bored sort of garb on, a tint of 'is that it?'

"Watch yourself, brat! You may have the Prince playing under your little paws, but He knows me better. He trusts me with a trust that you could never dream of. . "

Lips quirked. Upward.

"One word from me, and he could crush your pathetic skull back into the dirt, where it belongs!"

Head lifting slightly, peering down her muzzle at the other she-wolf, lips not quirking now but stretching in a grin that was somewhat snakelike. As far as expressions from influences went, this one held more kin with the astral noble than the tricolor royal..or perhaps more of the Knight than either.

"Seniority... You think it's the same thing as being favored, do you?"

Eyes flashing for a second, malicious amusement, words curling from her tongue in a lazy drawl.

"Go on...ask him. Test that. You're not scared you're...wrong, are you?"

Head lowering again, one paw raising to jab at the timber's chest.

"Silly Sentry. You're obsolete. What do you think you give him that's so worthwhile? Rank? Power? The prestige of having a Sentry available to..review recruits?"

It wasn't as if she was a particularly valuable pawn. The Raider would be content to be a shadow, where this one keened for favoritism..and she'd be more useful while she was at it. Yes. Not because of any personal worth, but because failure was unthinkable. Impossible. She'd rather break than fail, would rather fall into the yawing mouth of the depths of the jungle than one day wake up and find herself like Brushfire.

Was it out-of-character, to have such a dislike for this one, to enjoy it so immensely, something serpentine coiling in her chest and giving the verbal barbs a desirable coating? making it pleasant for her to laugh at the other tricolor, to scoff at her, tell her precisely what she thought of her?

Of course it was. And yet, the orange-and-grey seemed to bring out some hidden traits that weren't necessarily..desirable.

"I know the fools who enter Alteron, including you. It's my job, as one who builds up the bulk of this pack. A moron like you should show more respect towards their own. . . But, of course, someone so naiive needs a bit of helping knowing the basics of pack-life, don't they?"

Feeble. So feeble.

"Someone else has been helping me learn the basics.."

The grin, a twisted, shit-eating expression that was no expression of joy but amusement, ridicule.

"He does, I watch. And eventually I'll pay him back..by getting farther than you could ever dream of getting..."

Hopefully, higher than she was now. That'd be embarrassing, if she just stagnated. True, she was still growing into the rank of Raider, and not exactly the powerhouse of the group, but..it was still an accomplishment. Right?

"That shows how damn lazy you are. . ."

A snort, not particularly ladylike, but really, was that a major concern here?

"Really, Brushfire? How much work have you done lately? Which recruits have you accepted?"

She hadn't personally heard of a single one.

"I was accepted by the Count and the Lief...where were you while they were doing your job?"

[Akante]

Brushfire said:

((This is my first post with her, so please excuse the inconsistencies between it and Akante's posts with her. I'll adjust soon enough.))

"Seniority... You think it's the same thing as being favored, do you? Go on...ask him. Test that. You're not scared you're...wrong, are you?"

Another threatening snarl vibrated from the sentry's throat. This raider was testing her far too much. It it went on much longer, even this kind tricolor would not be able to contain herself. "You're scared I'm right, admit it." She began pacing around Kiakime, flicking her tail and daring the raider to do the same. "He treasures me more than you could ever hope to be treasured by Him. My very survival is because of Him."


"Silly Sentry. You're obsolete. What do you think you give him that's so worthwhile? Rank? Power? The prestige of having a Sentry available to..review recruits?"

So she was playing that game, huh? Trying to make her sound useless. Gray auds were pinned flat, but not in guilt. It was in increasing anger. How dare she even suggest that bullshit. Brushfire resisted the growing urge to rip the brat's tongue out for her insolence. "What I have to give Him is none of your business, little raider." Would she see this as denial of anything useful? Probably. That was the nature of this little bitch. Let her think that. It would bite her in the rear one day.

"Someone else has been helping me learn the basics..He does, I watch. And eventually I'll pay him back..by getting farther than you could ever dream of getting..."

She scoffed. Really now? "You think you'll get farther than me by sitting on your brown ass all day? Don't make me laugh. She prowled closer now, lowering her head to protect her throat as she bared her teeth. Blood would be shed soon, if the raider didn't shut the hell up.

"Really, Brushfire? How much work have you done lately? Which recruits have you accepted? I was accepted by the Count and the Lief...where were you while they were doing your job?"

Ohhh no she didn't. She let out an even louder growl before snapping by Kiakime's cheek. Not an attack, but one hell of a warning. "How dare you suggest I don't do my job! There was another group undergoing acceptance at nearly the same time as you. I was with that group, and be grateful I was. I would have chased you out of here faster than you can blink!" Enough chatter. This was getting nowhere. The sentry lunged at Kiakime again, this time attempting to grab onto her shoulder. If she made contact, she would bite down hard before pulling away and leaving a gash. If she missed, she would jump back and hope she didn't get hit by the retaliation.

Time for a catfight.

[Akante]

Kiakime said:

((Alive! now that ru has a player. =3
btw these two pretty much dislike each other. period. hehe.))

---

"You're scared I'm right, admit it. He treasures me more than you could ever hope to be treasured by Him. My very survival is because of Him."

Kiakime sneered at Brushfire, deliberately mocking her by staying still. It didn't matter if she lunged and bit -- it wasn't like she could do that much damage. Little lightweight she was.

"Words, words words -- I know you're not right. So unless YOU'RE scared...let's find Blade right now and ask him. But you won't, will you? You know that you don't have half the influence you brag about."

What a silly little useless creature. She thought she was so important, that 'someday' she'd do something useful. Didn't she know that today was just yesterday's 'someday', and that tomorrow when she said the same thing it'd eventually just spiral off into decay? Such an obvious lack of action would never be rectified unless something major disrupted her cushy little lifestyle.

"What I have to give Him is none of your business, little raider."

None of her business...now where had she heard that before? It made her laugh to realize, a genuine bark of laughter, because the syntax and context was just SO ABSOLUTELY PERFECT.

"Ahahaha do you know who said something like that to me before? Blade's failure of a peasant brother. You know what I think, Brushfire? I think that's the national anthem for loser bitches."

No shit.

"You think you'll get farther than me by sitting on your brown ass all day? Don't make me laugh.

The grin she returned was an ugly one. If Brushfire really didn't want confrontation -- then, we'll she'd be slinking off somewhere else. That was the difference between them here -- Kiakime wanted to chew her face and didn't mind admitting it. Maybe she'd be ugly enough that Blade would do himself a favor and toss the obsolete little Sentry away into the jungle.

"Let's see -- so far, I've made Raider, gone on a Raid, killed intruders at the borders, sparred the Baron, the purple Knight, and went with--"

-- went with Skirr to appear before the King.

But that wasn't coming out here, that wasn't something Brushfire deserved to know, and there was more but she wasn't going to blabber on and on and so the Strider cut herself off with a smirk. Not for your ears.

"You tell ME now, what you've done that's so...helpful. Prestigious."

Brushfire snapped at her cheek, but it was predictable, and Kiakime didn't even flinch. Had it been intended to draw blood, she would have taken the attack and laughed - just laughed - at the childlike little blow.

"How dare you suggest I don't do my job! There was another group undergoing acceptance at nearly the same time as you. I was with that group, and be grateful I was. I would have chased you out of here faster than you can blink!"

She smiled again and her jaws were beginning to ache (apparently this was damn funny) and it was a slow, taunting smile now, and when she spoke it was patronizing.

"Really-- two groups and you couldn't take all of them? Good thing the nobles are here to help you out, little girl. You really should help out with the Soldier training, make it equal. You can be their target."

And as she sneered, Brushfire attacked, but really -- it would have been smarter not to give a warning if this had ever been the intent. After Kotake's lightning monster rampaging charges, it was hard to take this seriously. Kiakime leapt lightly away, evading the attack, then doubled up and whirled around -- hind laws slammed into the dirt and propelled her towards Brushfire with an attack that was a surprisingly whiplike blur of motion.

Jaws to aim for Brushfire's face, wherever she was, to draw an identical scar across the top of her muzzle.

For insolence.

[Akante]

Brushfire said:

Thoughts, anger, drumming into her head like a mad man from safri duo, as she pulled her head back and away from the fangs of that orange monster of a nightmare. She felt lost and on the edge of crying in despair, but her body pushed forward leaping again, her fangs edging after the girl's ear to tore it off. Ru was no monster, but enough was enough, and leaving a fair warning in the future only seemed fair to Ru when she reached after her ear. her heart were beating faster than ever, her paws stepping on the line, slowly, insecure, but now leaping and in an attack. Something she had not done for so very long. She tried to collect her insecure legs and scared feeling of losing. Losing face.

Whatever or not Ru would hit she would pull back again, away from her fangs as she would lure on the girl, wait for an attack. She couldn't let her guards down toward her, she wasn't supposed to lose She had to remain strong. For who? The voice in the back of her mind melted toward her own thoughts and reality, her legs feeling numb when she once again leaped forward toward Kia and this time it was her right paw that stroke toward her left eye. What was happening. Why did she feel so. Wrong? And uncovered mask were peeling off.

She felt different, something changing, an undiscovered face appearing under all the masks of fake Brushfires, the truth coming forth? No. No just a new fake self, a new one to disgust and hate, a new of numbers of reasons to hate herself and the life she tried to live in this jungle she didn't belong to, never had belonged to. Somewhere very deep inside a part of Brushfire felt like the orange one were right about her. It was a fight in her heart and mind, but if she had even given thought to it she would have realized. She just didn't want to be what the orange one said she was, what she made her. She wanted to be different. That was why. That was why she felt so. so.

So. alive.

But why? Why now, and why here? It made no sense to her. Again after her leaping she took a step back and away, feeling confused and somewhat hurt over so many undiscovered things, that she now just glanced toward the orange girl with an empty but aware look. The numbness were spreading toward her shoulders. She felt so sick. Ru bit her lip, as her eyes felt blurry for one moment. She blinked, loosing her guards despite she had decided to not to, she felt ashamed when she realized this was the second and moment the orange bitch would leap at her, the moment she blinked.

It was a change of event.

---

---

[Akante]

Kiakime said:

There were no more words now, words were banter and they had been a mere prequel to this little saga. Neither she-wolf respected the other, neither she-wolf thought the other deserved their position, and what more needed to be said? Alteron was a steamy jungle, but that didn't mean that jawing back and forth wasting hot air was acceptable here. There was a dispute, and it needed to be settled with jaws and wounds and blood and final submission.

Kiakime would settle it.

Punish her. Punish her for that same 'insolence' with the same type of attack, and she missed the first time around as the other tricolor dodged, so the Strider landed, and the Sentry attacked her -- a paw towards her eye. A paw? Seriously? That was all she could do, all she could attack with? What the fuck did she think they were, batting back and forth in a boxing ring?

Before, the orange she-wolf might have felt a rush of adrenaline, or intimidation -- but she'd already fought Claymore, and won. True, the target was nothing to boast about, but any victory at all was a level-up; she'd come in here a useless, cotton-headed yearling, and she had gained knowledge and loyalty. what she needed now was another notch on the tree of fight experience -- to fight every underling in Alteron, repay old debts and find her own ability and show that she was stronger, better than Cue.

That she could replace the treasonous Knight.

A dodge, as she landed; Kiakime simply propelled herself forward, Brushfire's paw missing her harmlessly. She whirled, fast on her feet, clementine blur -- and when she saw Brushfire blink

an opening

she lunged forward and attacked again. Jaws scythed down to scar a line across the top of the Sentry's muzzle, the attack supplemented by all the speed and weight that the Strider could muster. One short, fast, hopefully-unavoidable blow.

If it hit, every time Brushfire stared into a pool or water or touched the top of her muzzle, she'd remember this fight -- and how the 'child' had been the one to deliver the blow.