Post by Akante on Feb 1, 2012 0:24:26 GMT -5
Beckzilla said:
She was in.
The female padded further into El Dorado's territory, tail waving casually behind her and green orbs observing the packland. Fairah had been in the marshes before, of course, but not in this area. Her former pack had been at the opposite side of the marshes. Her ears were pricked for sound. She was yet to encounter any other members of the pack. Perhaps they were all patrolling the borders vigilantly, or training, but the ex-Queen doubted it. And she didn't like the thought of anyone not pulling their weight. The final words of her acceptor echoed in her ears: If you meet a male by the name of Shark, bite his ear, m'kay?
Well, it had been foolish advice. But if they weren't working hard, well, she might reconsider.
Fairah chose an appropriate place for her den and began to dig, making sure the entrance was south-facing, as was her preference. Her front paws moved quickly to hollow out a decent space for herself, and earth spewed out behind her. Her tail wagged as she worked, scattering the earth away from the mouth of the den. She was an efficient worker, that much was obvious.
When finished, she slipped into the den and tested it out for size, circling a few times before settling down on her haunches. Deciding it was suitable, she paused to begin to lick clean her dirty feet and tail until her coat looked lucious again. Looking out at the territory beyond her new den, she smiled slightly to herself, tongue darting out to lick her chops clean. This pack would do nicely. It wasn't the same as when she had been leader of a marsh pack. Then, she had been Queen, and had been able to do anything she wanted. And before that, she had been a loner. It would be different being a member, a subordinate of a pack. Being told what to do. But she had made her decision.
Leaving the den, she began to trot silently through the territory, grey fur giving her a ghostly appearance. Her eyes flicked back and forth, seeking some form of companionship. She either wanted to socialise, spar or, if she met someone at the borders, she supposed she could accept them. But an acceptance on her first day? Maybe that would be frowned upon.
It was weird having to consider rules.
Saying that, everyone said that rules were made to be broken. But again, perhaps not on her first day. Besides, she had ambitions. Fairah didn't want to be a Queen anymore. But she didn't want to be told what to do by everyone who she met. It would be nice to have some high-ish rank to show for her efforts in the marshes, even if, as of yet, the efforts hadn't been for El Dorado.
But that would come in time.
Shark said:
Shark walked the borders, as he had been doing since the first day he set foot into El Dorado. Lucky for him, all his 'hard work' paid off and he had finally gotten recognized. His first accepted creature had been a horse, by the name of Creek Dancer, he frowned a bit at remembering how it had went down. She had a serious temper after he had gone after that human of hers. What else was he supposed to do though, Deerscream had crossed the borders, and he had gone after her. A long breath escaped him as he weaved through the reeds, he was in the right and she the wrong. Oh well, no need to hold a grudge about it, they were on the same side now, and he had even gotten promoted for it.
Shark jumped over a downed tree, and as he landed, his orange eyes picked up something, someone not too far away. He grinned, perhaps Creek or the other border whatevers could pick up his slack for now, he wanted to investigate this being. Swaying through the reeds once more, he made his way to the more solid part of El Dorado, making his way towards this new being.
Breathing is a bit deeply as he managed to make his way towards the silhouette, he could pick up it was a female. Stopping for a second, Shark's determined gaze shifted into a shifty smirk. He looked to his left at a small collection of water, dipped his paw in it, and tried to fix the hair on his head, almost combing it down. Shaking his paw dry now, he continued towards the female. When he was a few feet away, if she hadn't already seen him, he would announce his, in his opinion, much welcomed arrival. "Howdy there. You must be new." He gave her a friendly, devious smile. Friendly and devious really didn't go together, but he made it work. "Name's Shark, a Watchman. A pleasure, miss..." Nothing like flattering her right? He extended his paw, offering her a chance to give her name.
Beckzilla said:
Fairah paused as a noise reached her ears.
Auds pricked curiously in the direction of the sound. It had been a gentle splashing. Of course, she didn't know that sound was Shark dipping his paw some water to smooth out his hair-do. In fact, she suspected it was a rabbit or some other small creature scurrying along through the marshes. She considered going after whatever had made the noise when the noise-maker himself came to her. Large green eyes watched the male wolf slink through the shrubbery towards her. Ah, the first wolf she had met in El Dorado. Good to know this pack wasn't full of horses. And it appeared to have attracted a good-looking male too. A small smile tugged at the corner of her maw, but Fairah didn't allow herself a full smile. Now, you see, she had reached a small dilema.
As was to be expected, she supposed this wolf held a higher rank than her own. So she supposed she should show some kind of respect - dipping her head or something of that matter. Fairah, however, wasn't skilled in the art of being respectful. And if he only held a slightly better rank, then she didn't feel like she needed to bow and grovel at his paws.
"Howdy there. You must be new."
Well, he seemed friendly enough. Fairah nodded, letting a small smile appear on her muzzle. "Yes, just accepted, actually," she informed him with a wag of her tail as greeting. Heck, she'd decided, no crazy acts of respecting him would be shown. If he wanted respect he could ask or demand her for it. If he did hold a much better rank and wanted his respect, he could growl at her or pin her down or whatever until she showed it. Right now, she refused to make herself look like a fool.
"Name's Shark, a Watchman. A pleasure, miss..."
"Fairah," she told him with a slight laugh and a shake of her head. "Shark, you say? The horse that accepted me told me to bite your ear if I met you." Well, she might be opening a can of worms, but what did she care? Shark and the equine could have it out if the comment annoyed him. And the comment had provided her with some nice smalltalk. "A pleasure to meet you, I'm sure," she added, extending her paw too in...
...some weird wolf-handshake?
Shark said:
When he had made his way, quite skillfully he might add, through the brush his eyes were able to take in the full beauty of the situation. His orange orbs did a super quick scan over of this lovely female before he took it upon himself to straighten his posture. After announcing himself, he could only guess that the small tug on her face was a little, discreet smile.
"Yes, just accepted, actually," After he had introduced himself she added her own name.
"Fairah,"
A grin creeped slowly upon his face now. Being newly accepted he doubted she knew anything about him, or his gentleman/ shady ways to get what he wanted. Lovely. "Well, Miss Fairah, welcome formally, to El Dorado!" It was often for him to overplay his part, but with this female being seemingly well mannered, he would play off the gentleman. For good measure, he threw in a little bow, bringing his paw up to touch his chest he would casually bend, maybe exaggerating the bow just a tad.
"Shark, you say? The horse that accepted me told me to bite your ear if I met you."
In the middle of bringing himself back to regular level, he paused. His charming grin faltering only slightly, before composing himself as he straightened up once again. "Is that right? That Creek Dancer, always a jokester.." Mental note to have a talk with that blasted horse, he let out a convincing half hearted laugh.
"A pleasure to meet you, I'm sure,"
Her paw reached out as well, and this was his chance to make some move. Something that would make him stick out, anything really. Raising a brow, he slipped his paw under hers and lifted it up to his maw, bending slightly he would attempt to give her a slight kiss on the paw. Call him corny, or whatever, but you can't blame him for trying to pull off something. "Pleasure is all mine I assure you." Shark said in his best gentlemanly, sexy voice, before continuing in a more relaxed tone. "So, Fairah, how are you enjoying El Dorado so far?" A pause for him sit, "Any specific rank you're interested in yet?" Small talk, it was merely something to get to know her better. Slowly he would work his way into her heart, little by little. Until finally, at some point in time he would steal the most prized thing any wolf would love to have of any female.
Her heart.
Beckzilla said:
No, Fairah was not familiar with his shady ways.
However, she had her own ways too. When she had been the leader of a pack, she had used to patrol the borders regularly in an attempt to attract any wandering males into the territory. She was an attractive wolf, and she knew how to use such looks to her advantage. Strategy was her main game. Love? Well, that had never really crossed her mind. She tended to keep her distance. But there was no one to say that a handsome young boy couldn't change that. And if her heart was broken? Pfft, she'd keep that hidden. And besides, this boy looked like someone who would have fun, but not much more. But that was fine with Fairah. Girls just wanna have fun.
"Well, Miss Fairah, welcome formally, to El Dorado!"
And then he bowed. Bowing was associated with respect in Fairah's mind. Well, perhaps her initial assessment had been wrong. Maybe this was a genuine guy looking to impress. If we was, however, a good guy, in her current ambitious mind-set she would rip him to pieces. Not literally. But emotionally, she would rip him apart. Strategy was her game. "Thank you," she replied. Regardless of whether he was playing her or not, she liked to be shown respect, so he was winning points in her books.
"Is that right? That Creek Dancer, always a jokester.."
Smiling, she considered how much she already preferred this male to the equine who had accepted her. Yes, he was much nicer. "Don't worry, I won't," she assured him, one eyebrow raising slightly and a cheeky smile flickering on her muzzle. Unless you want me to. Perhaps that was a bit forward, however, considering she'd only known the guy for a few minutes. So she decided to leave off that final part for the moment. Now, at least, she knew the name of the horse. Creek Dancer? Stupid name. The horse had tried to appear all mysterious when they'd met, being all ellusive about El Dorado even after she'd been accepted.
This hadn't gotten the two off on the right foot. Shark was doing a brilliant job in comparison.
As she extended her paw in that weird handshake thing she'd expected, Shark did something quite unexpected. He lifted her paw upwards and... kissed it? How chivalrous of him. Man, this boy knew how to make girls swoon. But she was determined not to let herself be dragged in to genuine emotions and keep a blasé attitude towards this. She couldn't help a girl-ish giggle, though.
"Pleasure is all mine I assure you."
A pathetic smile remained on her face - damn pretty, gentlemanly boys with unknown motives. No, she had to stay impartial to this. Maybe flirt a bit herself to remind herself that she had some power over him too. This was not a one-way thing.
"So, Fairah, how are you enjoying El Dorado so far? Any specific rank you're interested in yet?"
"The territory is lovely, and I'm sure I will fit in just fine. But it's much better now that I've actually met a fellow wolf. Especially one as handsome as you," she replied. Okay, that was a little pathetic, but at least it was a compliment. Doing something for his ego, at least. "I'm a fighter at heart, so I'm assuming there is some kind of warrior rank I could join." She decided to leave out the bit about how she was ambitious and wanted to be the leader of the fighters, or how she was also cunning and manipulative, so would suit a spy rank too. Because if she said she was manipulative, she might scare him off.
And as much as she was trying to stay impartial, she wanted to keep the pretty boys around.
Even if someone's heart ended up broken in the future.
Miss. said:
Practice was what was supposed to make her perfect. For hours and hours had she practiced the simple task known as hunting as there was no one around to show her she had to do it all by herself. Her first attempts at launching herself loudly toward a rabbit had taught her that sneaking close in on the prey gave her the only chance of catching fast prey. And so she practiced just that on birds. First and foremost it was not in her intend to catch the bird at first but learn how to go unnoticed, she soon realized that there was a certain distance where any prey animal was built to be aware of her presence, her smell and sound no matter how little wind moved they would find her if she ventured too close. She also quickly realized that she was yet too small and too young to hope to catch prey of any significance her legs were not developed for the right speed or stamina just yet. Instead she practiced to simply get close enough that IF she had been old and strong enough she could have captured it. Simply getting close without being seen was her first step to perfecting hunting and it seemed obvious that no one should help her, she didn’t need help or teachers she would do just fine on her own and she wasn’t going to let sweat and practice be in vain for someone’s glory. She had heard in the corners that some adopted pups to “mentor” them and so they got the glory of their work. It was important she kept her distance to these adults then it was apparent and essential for her existence.
In hunting she knew she had to be both patient but also fast. If she lingered too long some prey would carry on and simply move even further away making her effort to get close lost. She had to plan her moves, move when they took a step to grass, take a step when something else rustled and moved attention away from her, go against the wind and ensure it didn’t change press her body against the ground and keep still until her next chance of moving. Wolves usually hunted in packs after all and this form of hunting was not instinct to her but she learned it anyway, coming seemingly closer. This time she hadn’t eyed a prey but a predator, a wolf to be exact and likely a member of the pack, not nervous by being here and far enough into the border to be assumed member, but somehow that was indifferent to her. She had kept silent and still in the bushes for very long just waiting and waiting and the female wolf had come right at her and she had seemed to want to carry on her walking until the splash of water made both ears turn. Otim didn’t turn her head afraid she would give herself away but nose vibrated, ears moved and eyes turned in her skull to see what it was. Another wolf and this time a much larger male wolf. She watched without moving keeping low despite there was not a wind touching her or the other wolves. The area seemed to be well suited for hunting the hills on one end bring the wind to a low rustle sometimes and the moist air making it into a mist, cooling the air. The wind was rare at this area that was watered.
The male approached the female and with intensity she watched. It might have been the right move to call things off but on the other hand the female might “protect her” calling it some cute puppy act of attacking a pack member.. Besides she was too small to be considered a spar and all she wished to do was getting up to one of them without being seen knowing she could do it now she had practiced for so long already. While the wise decision was on the table it was thrown off quickly again and she switched the target. The male was the new target and while he was much larger than the female it somehow seemed like a prize she needed to acquire she needed to take him by surprise and prove to that guy she was skilled. Why? The word “watchman” came up in their conversation and that could only be a rank. While the more logical answer could have been to attack the female and prove herself that way she saw his paw on hers and some pouting at it. She rolled her eyes as she had to listen to their adult talk. Impress, impress, words and words nothing was impressive to her, she was far from impressed by the simple talk of the adults way of handling themselves with one another. Both manipulating one another, he wanted her for power, he needed to conquer her like he conquered so many others and she needed the confidence, the greed in her eyes from his power and rank and the charm. She felt in control but the reality was that he was far more in control than she ever would be.
Her breath had been wonderfully under control at every moment of their conversations and by the time the conversation centered on ranks Otim felt an instinct chemical reaction inside her. Launch it said, the chemical released into her brain furiously spit into her blood in an adrenaline rush and as the female encountered a speech about herself and her skills in rank the child was already launched. She had planned her direction pretty well she might say herself. Every creature had their blind spots and for wolves that was directly behind then, she knew that from herself and so she launched from behind the female way too small and short to be seen by the male who even pointed in her direction but she launched in the direct line of the female’s back trotting into the ground with every word the female spoke, the female covering her launch forward into the ground and as she reached the female she darted to the side, like an arrow from the side she set off the ground and launched teeth first against the male, attempted to attach her small fangs into his neck.
Had her puppy teeth caught on to his neck she would give a squeeze and let go, dropping to the ground and tail high in the air, accomplish her own goal pride was likely to swell into some disease later in life. However should she fail and be kicked away, shaken off or seen she would be on her legs soon enough to once again launch her body at him but instead of face on she would run under his front legs and bite his chest. If even that was avoided she would simply have to face defeat and her entire body language would be of displeasure to her loss. She was not much of one to compete, but she would have lost against herself, lost to her own practice she had endured for hours. She did not see herself fail nor did she see herself harm the guy but simply get him and drop to the ground. If he simply looked baffled at her a wide smile would come to her, knowing she had indeed taken him by surprise and the words that was on her mind would escape her little maw ”You would be dead by now if I was your size!” Not the way to create friends but Otim was not around to create friends. She was here to become perfection, the very selfish definition of it. Perfect and perfection.
Shark said:
"Thank you,"
A smile and a wink was tossed her way. This was going so much better then he had anticipated, and she was much, much prettier up close. She even smelled pretty good, which was an accomplishment in itself in this place.
"Don't worry, I won't,"
He assumed she meant she wouldn't bite him on the ear, which he had to admit, he wouldn't mind it if she did. He was such a dirty bird. But, what's this, Shark could've sworn he saw a sneaky smile on Fairah's face as well. Was she thinking the exact same thing he was? Sharks smile grew just a tad bigger at the thought. Perhaps he wasn't the only dirty bird this place had to offer. The fact was brought even more into the light after Shark had done his chivalry thing and kissed the girl on her paw. She let out an amused giggle, and the male was starting to think he had indeed won her over already. There was soothing about this girl that gave off an edge though, so he would have to keep up his game. If only for a while longer.
"The territory is lovely, and I'm sure I will fit in just fine. But it's much better now that I've actually met a fellow wolf. Especially one as handsome as you,"
Now it was sharks turn to let out an amused chuckle. Yes, he would definelty have to work with this one, she knew his game, and played it well. "Why thank you for such a compliment!" It would seem that his charming smile had grown much wider on his face.
"I'm a fighter at heart, so I'm assuming there is some kind of warrior rank I could join."
Ah a girl with some balls, er-- what? No, she had guts! A fighter, a strong woman who could bear some weight, not a dainty little princess. The wheels were turning in Sharks mind, and they were turning enough for him to not notice a little ball of fluff launching herself at him. "Well yes actually ther--- ARGH!" He was cut short by the feeling of needles penetrating his neck, and he was on all fours at once, with little fluffy dangling from his neck. He shook his head and she dropped. His ears pinned back immediately, and a growl escaped him. "What the hell!" Eyes looked around until they found the source standing closer to the ground.
”You would be dead by now if I was your size!”
Orange eyes narrowed, cocky little brat aren't you? "Well I am my size, and you're lucky you're not dead yet, kid." It came out as a growl, but he was a bit perplexed at how this little thing was able to sneak up on him like that. It must've been the fact the he was talking with Fairah-- Oh shit, she'd seen all of that hadn't she? Hell. "Where'd you come from, and where's your parents kid?" Ya, go home and torture them for a while would you? He would turn from her to Fairah, and whisper, "You ever seen her before?" More out of, holy shit I'm so embarrassed do I'll change the subject for a sec, then anything.
Beckzilla said:
Fairah's self-confidence was sky-rocketing right now. It wasn't anything to do with how much she craved male attention and being flirted with made her feel special and warm and fuzzy inside. Flirters came all the time and she didn't have to go looking for them. Have you seen me? Please. There were plenty of males who were willing to try it on with her. It was just so rare to find someone who matched her personality so much. Well, she thought they seemed pretty well matched. For one thing, Fairah certainly wasn't looking for anything serious or any of the lovey stuff or a mate. Her aims were pretty simple: pass on her genes. When she had been raising her first litter, she'd actually enjoyed it. Things of her own blood - they were what she loved. Nothing else. No one else.
For what she was looking for, Shark seemed perfect. A strong male to add to her strong female genes. Perfect puppies.
"Why thank you for such a compliment!"
Things seemed to be going swimmingly between them. There was also another thing which offered some attraction to Shark - he had a rank. Those with higher ranks than her could always end up putting in a good word for her. So being charming and smiling and playing along with his little game might even give her some leverage over him in the future. Of course, Shark might be a scheming boy as far as she knew. But there definitely seemed to be less attraction and advancement to this relationship for him than for her.
Then again, boys will be boys. There was a very good chance he was only here to try and take advantage of her. Well, so what if he did? If he was given some divine permission from the Captain, she wasn't one to say no.
"Well yes actually ther--- ARGH! What the hell!"
And just like that, it appeared she had the upper hand.
Shark's face was priceless as he shook the pup off of his neck. He looked simply furious. Oh, the embarrassment for him. Fairah grinned a little while he was distracted by the kid, sensing the entire equilibrium and dynamics of the situation shifting in her favour. If her flirting had been a little pathetic thus far, the pup had certainly turned things around for her. She recomposed her expression quickly, however. She wanted to be the sympathetic one, who offered a shoulder of Shark to... complain on? Cry on?
"You would be dead by now if I was your size!"
Fairah almost laughed. The kid must have been given a huge ego boost at some point in her life. Eyebrows raised, green orbs locking onto the pup. There was some kind of system for the pups, wasn't there? Not that she fancied this pup to look after and train. Too cocky. Probably wouldn't listen to instructions. And she had just gotten rid of her own kids. Don't need another quite yet.
"Well I am my size, and you're lucky you're not dead yet, kid. Where'd you come from, and where's your parents kid? You ever seen her before?"
The last sentence was whispered to her alone, and Fairah shook her head ever so slightly in response. Stretching her front legs forwards, she lowered herself a bit towards the ground so she was more at eye-level with the kid. "What's your name, pup?" she asked, gaze piercing through the kid. "You've got some balls, attacking a Watchman like that," she added, straightening up. If only to spite the pup a bit, she'd lift her paw, attempting to put it on Otim's head and ruffle the fur. She was wary of being snapped at, however, so if the pup did try and bite she'd whip her paw away instantly, avoiding nasty sharp puppy teeth. "You should be more cautious. Not everyone will be so lenient if you attack them." It was part advice, part warning.
Don't attack me, punk.