Walking With Shadows [Open]

[Hurricane]

The golden crown weaves from side to side, manuvering through the underbrush. Amber specks within the orbs of the older wolf flick to follow movements as tiny critters scatter beneath the folliage. It was just another day, one of the slower ones that matched the ones proceeding. Hurricane had made it his duty to take the border patrol on this early morning, anything to escape the holding cell that used to be called his home. For many moons he witnessed his packmates become less mobile, all eventually catching the defeated aura that stalked the shadows of the den. Even the pups no longer played about, chasing leaves blown about with the summer's breeze became a pass time forgotten.

Hurricane too felt defeated, unsure of how to raise their spirits. The sudden stillness took over the pack like a deadly illness, threatening to turn them all into stone. He ached to find a cure, to bring back the livelyness that used to be shared in abundance. But his efforts were nonrewarding, and soon came a real sickness. The land became ridden with a plague, scaring off prey and leaving the soil dry. The Rain wolves struggled to survive, and each day the death count rose another number. Those who have yet to die clung to life as their pelts clung to their bones. Even now as Hurricane went along with patrol, he could feel this bones moving against his skin.

His breath was staggered and his movements awkward as he raised his crown to the sky, his eyes faded. "Please help us," he asked of his ancestors, those who had already been claimed by death. "... Your punishment has been heard and carried out, please bring back the rain and wash away our suffering." His eyes searched the sky for a sign that his plea had been heard, but once again the sky remained silent and his voice faded to blend in with the silence that surrounded him. With a low sigh Hurricane lowered his crown and returned to his walk, his tail dragging the leaves behind him.

Word Count: 347
Muse: Good, a rather depressing post however to match the low ammount of activity on here. Who will step up to bring back the happiness and joy that was once known to the Rain Wolves? Or will they stumble upon us and join our suffering?

[Hurricane]

Axel

The black male had grown tired of taking shelter within the den. All around him were moans and groans of wolves complaining, their tones mixing in an annoying pitch. If he were to control himself from lashing out at the next closest complaining wolf, Axel knew he had to leave the cave. Most days he would be out there anyway, avoiding the den at all costs. But something strange was happening across the land. There was nothing to prey upon, and the sky remained a constant grey cloud as it cast an eerie shadow. Even he, who used to live and prey in the safety of the shadows, was uneasy about the change. Axel’s need to escape grew when he recognized a familiar pelt venturing out into the woods. The thought of entertainment was enough to push himself up from his spot along the stone floor and make his own way to the exit.

With newly cautious pawprints Axel followed the male, avoiding the rocks and twigs that would give away his position. It was not long before the Beta came to a stop. Axel’s steps ceased and he became still as he watched with greedy eyes as the wolf raised his head to peer into the barren sky. Axel’s ears folded backwards as he viewed the wolf begging to the gods for an end. How pathetic! Praying to the gods would not solve anything, as far as Axel was concerned there was no such thing in gods. Bad things happened, and it was a test of strength to see who could make it through. It seemed Hurricane had drawn a short straw.

Revealing himself Axel stepped out in front of the pathetic creature in the middle of his path. A low rumbling laugh escaped him, mocking Hurricane as he gazed down upon him.

”Imagine that, our oh-so-mighty Beta cripples in on himself and begs to the gods for forgiveness. How pathetic.”

Axel hisses the word, his blue orbs ablazing with life. He had not been as humble as Hurricane, Axel had eaten every piece of scrap prey he could find and shared with no one. The result left him in better shape than Hurricane, although the curves of his bones could still be seen beneath his pelt. Axel makes a sharp clicking sound, shaking his head slightly.

”I can’t say I’m surprised, I think everyone knew this was coming. Your willingness to help others may place you high in Dusk’s list of respectables, but it will be the death of you.”

----------------◘----------------

Word Count: 430
Muse: Good
Notes: I wasn't planning on writing by myself, but here we go. Axel vs. Hurricane. You can expect some bickering to be coming along, but don't be afraid to jump in at anytime!

[Shadow]

Dhiren had escaped from the den at the first crack of dawn. For him, he still felt like an outsider while with his fellow packmates. His strange ways caused many to eye him with distrust as he attempted to assimilate into them. Fortunately, those higher up appreciated his efforts so because they tolerated him, he only received odd looks but no other torments. In the time of need, he knew his duty was vital to the pack. If the pack continued to decline, soon they would turn on each other and he knew, he would be one of the first to be run out of the territory. Keeping this in mind, he set off in hopes to find prey for his pack knowing he had more to lose than the others.

In his mind, he pictured howling to the pack of his success and having them come running in glee. He would stand over the dead prey proudly as they all praised him. His eyes would glimmer with hope and he would be accepted- no longer doubted for who he was. As he pads along, he shakes his head from such impossible thoughts. No one had made a large kill in moons, so why would he be any different? Lifting his crown towards the sky, he sniffs the air and scents his packmates among the other smells within the forest. Deciding to be bold and knowing hunt with others would be easier, he allows his paws to lead him towards the scents.

After walking quickly along the territory, in silence as a trained fighter, he glances upon the Beta- Hurricane along with Axel. The fur on his neck rises at the sight of Axel- he never seemed nice to any of the other packmates, but surprisingly, he never had it out with the wolf from the far-away foreign land. As he comes closer upon them, Hurricane spots him momentarily, but focuses his orbs back on Axel. Once in ear-range, Dhiren hears Axel's harsh words. Without hesitating, a growl begins to form in his throat as he makes his appearance known to Axel who whirls around.

"Then he shall die along with his family as a respected Beta. A leader who helps others is a grand leader at that. Most, would never have that kind of discipline," Dhiren announces, his voice coming out with an even tone despite the glimmer of anger in his orbs. "But within the Rain Pack, we are a family and if one's death is required to benefit another, so it shall be."

[Hurricane]

Hurricane

Amber colored eyes flicker in sudden movement as a black figure steps amidst his path. Was it a demon, sent by those who heard his plea and had decided to end his suffering with a final blow? The thought was almost pleasant, the thought of his own death. But as soon as it had came it passed, swept away by images of those he loved. No, he could not abandon them. It was wrong for Hurricane to think so selfishly, he was a Beta. He had family to protect and those who looked up to him would fall further into despair if they found his body in the dead of night, his still body covered with dew that settled in early morning. Hurricane did not have long to ponder whether or not this was a price he was willing to pay, for the demon spoke with the voice that belonged to Axel.

Hurricane’s alertness faded away as the brute began to speak. It was the usual banter, using words that made him second guess himself when alone with them echoing in his mind. But today was different from past, Hurricane was tired. Hurricane was hungry. Hurricane had no patience for Axel today, and did not extend even the slightest look of kindness towards him. A low snarl grew in the back of Hurricane’s throat as Axel let his words roam freely. A flicker of movement causes Hurricane’s orbs to escape Axel and instead land on Dhiren. Confusion appears in Hurricane’s eyes, but it is gone too soon for Axel to notice. It is a free country and Dhiren has as much a right to go out and roam the woods as he or Axel.

Before Hurricane can do much to stand up for himself and fire his own sentences Dhiren speaks up, causing Axel to whip around to face the third party. Hurricane blinks a few times, hearing the words he felt he needed to speak. For a moment they make Hurricane feel proud, but then he remembers how minutes ago he had been hoping for death. This realization strips him of his pride, and Hurricane suddenly feels unfit for such words that Dhiren uses to describe him.

Word Count: 367
Muse: Adequate. Poor Hurricane is torn, I'm not much good at writing depressing passages, but I assure you that's Hurricane's main mood in this topic. Not to much fun to write, but I can manage. 

[Hurricane]

Axel

Axel feels a surge of accomplishment as surprise comes over the beta’s features. He goes on, feeling powerful as the male’s facade seems to be stripped from him. Perhaps he would even get a sort of reaction, or maybe even a swat on the cheek from Hurricane. The thought unusually excited Axel, he hadn't had a good brawl in what felt like years. All the moping and depressing auras were etched into Axel’s head, and he yearned to feel something different instead of despair. Pain would do, at least then the pain would be physical. Blue orbs blaze with apprehension as he hears the sound of a warning echoing from Hurricane’s chest. Just a little more, it couldn't be long until the Beta lost himself and lashed out at Axel. Then, he would have a reason to fight back. Nobody could blame him then, his reason to others would simply be self-defense from a Beta driven crazy by illness. The perfect back story…

A growl emerging from his blind spot caused Axel to break from his imaginary picture and whirl around to face another wolf. The voice erupted from within the wolf’s chest, announcing himself with a certain level of sternness of which a teacher would use when instructing his pupils. Axel immediately glowered as the wolf spoke about such things related to honor and praising Hurricane of being a right and just leader. Axel resisted the urge to roll his eyes, instead keeping them trained on the male. Just who did he think he was? His own growl came to life as he spat his words in response.

”Tell me then, wolf, if He was to give his life in a failed attempt to save others, who would be around to remember him once everyone else was dead?” 

Axel snorts, suddenly finding the males words humorous.

"Honor? Discipline? You think he who lays down his life in selfish self sacrifice is honorable? Only a hopeless fool was take his own life in attempt to save others. There’s nothing disciplined about taking ones own life. It is when a wolf is weak and burdened with despair and lost hope that he takes his own life just so he won’t have to struggle anymore. He does it to save himself from suffering, not to save others.” 

His laugh fades into an eerie tone, chilling to the bone. He takes a step towards this wolf, whom he still did not know his name. Axel’s fur bristles above tensed muscles, his lips lifting from their resting place into a murderer’s smile as he leans forward to whisper in mockery.

”Now tell me, does that sound honorable to you?”

Word Count: 444
Muse: Great! I think I enjoy writing for Axel a bit more than I should.

[Shadow]

Dhiren's orbs met with Hurricane's and he dips his crown towards the Beta, before re-focusing his attention on Axel. As Axel lets out his own fierce growl, Dhiren stays rooted in place, refusing to back down. Instead, his claws slip into the ground and his tail lashes once, out of anger. But, his orbs display a calmness in them, almost as if accepting Axel's behavior for who he is.

"Bravery through actions and dedication to the pack is the best reward anyone can achieve while they are alive. For their story shall earn them the role of a hero, which will be passed down for generations as others shall strive to also acquire similar mannerisms in hopes to live on through history," Dhiren answers coolly, his voice coming out in an even tone.

Dhiren watches Axel snort as if in disbelief of his words. It was not the first time someone had the reaction to his foreign words, but it no longer bothered him as he had learned to accept it. Instead, he blinked his cool eyes back at Axel and allowed him the chance to speak his mind once more. All the while, Dhiren planned what his next words would be, while analyzing his opponent's argument, who seemed to let his emotions control him.

Dhiren's orbs remain calm, despite the words from Axel. Did Hurricane not wish to be part of the pack anymore? What about his duty to the pack? To Dusk? To Shadow? Out of the corner of his orbs, he sneaks a look at Hurricane who refuses to meet his gaze. As Axel, steps closer to Dhiren he does not tense but stays calm, letting the wolf do as he please to him.

"The motives for each wolf's actions lie alone with them and cannot be analyzed from an outside source without bias. Hurricane has always been wise in his actions, knowing the consequences, and now I expect nothing different from him for he has always been an honorable wolf and shall continue to be," Dhiren answers, his voice not faltering. As he meets Axel's gaze, he dips his head once in respect of his opponent's argument, despite him not agreeing with it.

[Hurricane]

Hurricane

Torn between pride and selfishness, Hurricane listens quietly as the silence between the small group becomes deafening. Axel’s chest expanded with rough breaths, startled momentarily by Dhiren. A hint of a smile twitches as the corners of Hurricane’s mouth only to slowly fade as Axel speaks of an eternal death sweeping along the pack. Unbelievable as it was that every wolf would die, the thought still made his stomach twist. The unruly laugh that expelled itself from within Axel caused Hurricane’s ears to pin back and his hair to stand on end. Piece by piece Axel rips apart the words Dhiren had spilled.

As Axel takes a step towards Dhiren Hurricane’s muscles tense and he mimics Axel’s movements as a shadow, taking his own step closer to Axel. A twinge of surprise flickers as Dhiren hardly flinches, standing his ground. The only sign of his own anger was the single lashing of his tail. Even as he speaks to Axel, his tone remains calm and disciplined unlike Axel who uses his emotions to fuel his actions. He dishes out his own retorts, which Dhiren calmly wipes away as he focuses more on proving his point by using Hurricane’s past actions. He even goes so far as to dip his head in respect to Axel, one that Hurricane knew would only fuel Axel’s anger. Dhiren clearly has grand control over himself and his emotions, and seemed unworried of the anger that brewed inside the demon standing in front of him.

Hurricane takes his chance to clear his throat during the silence that followed Dhiren, not so much as he felt like he had to speak up for himself, but instead to prevent Axel from lashing out at his opponent. He does not bother to regain his composure or hold his head high above the others. He simply puts one paw in front of the other till he came to stand between the two. He was at a lost for words about how to end the argument that had unfolded about himself. He stumbled over his words, not sounding the least bit confident.

”Fighting about what I may or may not be will not solve anything… um, you both may have your opinions but We aren't getting anything accomplished out here. We should do something useful, freshen the borders or search for sources of food or... something. Stay here if you want, I--I’m going to go look for food.”

Hurricane exhales unevenly, not holding eye contact with either of them for very long. Unsure if he should add something else or wait for their replies, Hurricane’s body rocks slightly back and forth. He eventually decides to go ahead of them, and begins his walk away with hesitant steps.

Word Count:453
Muse: Ha! Awkward Hurricane is somewhat fun to write! 

[Hurricane]

Axel

Axel rolls his eyes as the male goes on about stories being passed down from generation to generation, as if Hurricane was some kind of legend. He wasn’t even close. To be a legend took incredible strength, physical and mental, and an act of heroism that motivated others to follow his footsteps and worship the ground of which he walked. All of which Hurricane was currently lacking. Axel’s eyes narrow as his murderous smile fades following the wolf’s response. It appeared he looked up to Hurricane, which would not be surprising if Hurricane was a better Beta and not quite as soft bellied. A mysterious glimmer was cast in Axel’s orbs, pondering how to use this to his advantage. The space between them was eletric, each wolf waiting for the other to make his move.

But the next movement did not come from either of them, instead from Hurricane as he made an attempt to make his throat clear. Keeping his gaze locked onto his opponent, not giving him the upper hand as to look away, Axel noticed in his peripherals Hurricane coming over to join their little party. He lacked his usual demeanor with his head raised evenly as theirs and his form seeming to cave into himself. Again the term pathetic came to mind. The image only increased as Hurricane stumbled over his own words and avoided meeting his eyes. Not that it would have made a difference, Axel’s were still locked onto the male.

Axel waits for Hurricane to unload a long speech about being in a pack and working together and all that. Instead, Hurricane’s lips seem to lock themselves together. The unusual silence caused Axel’s gaze to flicker towards Hurricane in confusion. What, no lecture? He was unaware that he actually spoke those thoughts as Hurricane made his way slowly away from him and the other wolf. Axel glares after him, not entirely calling this little game a win in his book but not sure if it is a loss either.

With his main game piece leaving the board Axel turns his gaze toward the male. His jaw tightens as he ponders in thought what to do now with this him. He wasn’t exactly a fun toy, he thought too much before he acted and Axel guessed it would be hard to get under his skin without knowing him better. A rough grunt was his only sound before his departure. He did not have beef with this male, not yet, therefore their fun was over.

--------------------◘--------------------

Word Count: 420
Muse: Eh, okay. I don't suppose Dhiren will go after Axel now that Hurricane has departed. But will he follow Hurricane and aid him in his search for food? If so just give me some indication after your last post and I'll create another thread to continue on in the meadow. Or you can make the first post if you want ^.^

[Shadow]

Dhiren's gaze pierces into Axel- for once his large orbs not betraying any emotion. Why had he stepped forward? Whose team was he on to be fighting with a fellow packmate? Lost in hi8s thoughts and doubts, he does not notice the silence or hear Hurricane's attempt to join the conversation. Despite the questions swirling inside of him, he portrays not of it on his exterior. His ears twitch at the sound of someone walking nearby. Breaking his gaze from Axel, he spots Hurricane approaching. Without saying anything, he returns his gaze to Axel not trusting his own packmate, which makes his stomach turn. What had the pack come to? It was turning into his own past.... The blood. The murders. The broken trust.

Once again, despite his presumed recovery, he no longer felt safe to trust others. He narrows his orbs at Axel in concentration as Hurricane speaks, noting that his voice is quivering with fear? The words that Hurricane speaks resonates with the questions in his head, which makes him take a cautious step back. Had Hurricane heard his own fears? Narrowing his eyes now at Hurricane, Dhiren's gaze flickers with some unregistered emotion to those around him looking. He could see that Hurricane was done with his part as he gazed at the two of them. A rather short speech from the Beta.... perhaps the hard times were starting to get to them all. Why waste energy on words when prey was more important seemed to be the new motto for the pack.

Realizing his silence was enough for both wolves, he snaps back to reality blinking his orbs as he does so. He notices both of their retreating figures- in opposite directions. Feeling as if he ruined everything, he begins to slowly follow after Hurricane. Not loud enough for the other wolf to notice because of the distance between them. Despite trying to be a faithful packmate, Dhiren now felt like the pariah of the pack. Not knowing how else to be useful, he decided to follow after Hurricane and make an appearance to aid him when the prey was in sight... it was not as if Hurricane would wish to speak to him anyway. Watching his packmate in the distance, Dhiren shook his head once and as he always had done in the past, he trudged on letting his thoughts tear him apart inside.

~~~~~~~~~
You can make the next post

[Hurricane]

OOC: Here's The Hunting Topic. Started it rather early. Hurricane and Emma caught a rabbit, but there's still more of a hunt to come! Sorry for jumping ahead, trying to get the site moving again.