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Post by Taint on Jan 20, 2006 8:55:42 GMT -5
Taint's eyes filled with sympathy for Lou, and she shuffled closer to the female so their sides touched, bending her head to lick her muzzle.
"Listen, Lou. I'm here for you, ok? If you ever need any help with the pups or anything. And your brother, Bullet. He's good with cubs, right? I apologise about my brother... he shouldn't of left. I know he loved you, more than anything... I don't know why..."
She sighed and bent her head. She, too, was suffering. She had only been with her brother so breifly before he was cruelly snatched from her. But Lou's loss was more painful. The female's would have to comfort each other.
---
Jewel lifted her head, limbs still spread about her from her recent tumble. The world had stopped spinning, although she still felt slightly giddy. Getting to her feet, she grinned at Hedwig.
"Ok!" She chirped, Ghost forgotten... for now. She padded to her cousin's side, then stared at her expectantly.
"Where're we going?" She asked the larger pup.
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Post by Keeper on Jan 20, 2006 21:01:11 GMT -5
Ghost's orbs fluttered open at the sound of the pup's speech. The words "adventure" and Jewel's squeak of "Where we going?" made him stand up, blocking the entrace of the cave.
"No one going anywhere." He growled softly, glaring down at the pups.
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Keeper shifted uneasy as he watched the tears flow between his mate and the now deserted Beta Fae. He stepped up to brush against Taint, to remember her that he was here whilst lowering his head respectfully for Lou.
He stepped back behind his mate and once again, tested the air bravely. Several scents reached his sensitive nares, making him quiver. These scents weren't new!
And one.... Was too familiar. A scent of himself...
He snorted hard and shook.
"Taint." He growled lowly, "Smell the air... Do you smell what I smell?"
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Post by Taint on Jan 21, 2006 5:54:14 GMT -5
Jewel looked up suddenly from her cousin as Ghost spoke, and she giggled.
"He's funny!" She whispered loudly to Hedwig, before peering up at Ghost again.
"Bye!" She chirped. She obviously hadn't really listened to a word he had said. "We're going on an adventure!" She laughed again and scampered forwards, shooting straight between Ghost's legs...
---
Taint smiled as Keeper brushed her side. Her mate was still here. Achilles had left... but at least she had known him. It would have been awful if she had never met him. 'Better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all...'
She lifted her head to smile gratefully at her mate. Then, her brow furrowed and she lifted her maw to sniff the air.
A familiar scent hit her nares, and for a moment she thought she was simply smelling Keeper. She tilted her head to the side, about to question him, when she detected a difference in the scents. His was more pungent... a male scent. The other was female.
Now that she was really concetrating, Taint found that a whole host of strangely familiar smells were vying for her attention. Her amber eyes widened.
"Chase?" She said, her voice wondering, then: "And... the former beta male. And that... that.... Atch? Aff? Ash! I can smell them. Oh my," She leapt to her feet, smiling. "They've come back?!"
But Taint knew she couldn't greet them now. She had to see the pups, to console Lou and Bullet, to grant Ghost his new rank... She sighed. These were more important tasks. Besides, she would not desert the Scarlet siblings in their hour of need. She had promised Lou that she would do anything she could to help, and she planned to keep that promise. Keeper would have to greet the returning members.
"You should probably greet them, love." Taint said. "I have to stay here, with the pups. I also should organise a pack meeting. Bring them to the Third Cave. I'll meet you there." She smiled, reaching forwards to lick his maw, then she turned to Lou.
"May I see the cubs?" She asked gentley, tilting her slender head to the side.
ooc: Bleh... long but bad post. XP
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Post by ©Lou Scarlet© on Jan 21, 2006 6:29:20 GMT -5
Hedwig wrinkled her nose at Ghost. SHe had hoped that he would've just let them be. But no adults were so over-protective over cubs.
"You're not my father," she said, bluntly, her small brain whirring as she tried to figure out how to get away without the others noticing.
Lou smiled at Taint, inclining her head once more, "Thank you Taint ..." she repeated, so greatful for the Alphess' kindness yet unable to put it all into words.
It was then that the scents reached her. All were slightly familiar yet Lou could not place them until both Alpha's exclaimed names out loud, the names of members from old.
Ash, Chase, Icyen ...
Chase and Icyen had been mates ... the previous Betas ... Lou winced as she thought suddenly of Achilles. Ash ... she could see his image in her mind yet ot was not as clear as it once had been. None of them were.
Hedwig noticed excitement between the grown-ups and this excitement brought confusion to the young cub. What was so exciting? She followed Jewel (as the other ivory female dodged Ghost) and reached her mother, looking up at them once more.
The Alphas were discussing meeting someone ... or lots of someones. Hedwig tilted her head to one side for a moment before seizing her chance and sneaking round the outside of the cave mouth.
She flicked her tail at Jewel, signalling for her to follow and follow quickly. There adventure was to begin.
"Of course," Lou said as Taint inquired about the pups. She had not noticed Hedwig's escape. "They are just in here ..."
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Post by ©Lou Scarlet© on Jan 21, 2006 6:29:51 GMT -5
Ooc| I'm going to move Hedwig now ^^
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Post by Keeper on Jan 21, 2006 10:13:15 GMT -5
Ghost, more worried about Jewel and not noticing Hedwig, followed her retreat out between his paws, Growling sharply, daggers exposed, he turned quickly grabbing her roughly by the scruff.
He, also did not notice Hediwg's escape.
"No one.. Going.. Anywhere." He growled around a mouthful of nape and fur.
(ooc- Sorry if I spoiled anything, Taint)
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Keeper's mind whirled slowly. Even though the scents were familiar, the names weren't.
He looked at Taint questioningly. "Chase? Icyen? Ash?" He blinked for a moment at her, then sighed.
He growled gruffly. His mind would come back when he met them. Or so he hoped. But there was one name that bothered him: Chase. It seamed so familiar, yet so distant.
"I'll go greet them. I guess I shall see you at the 3rd Cave then." And with that, Keeper spun on his hanches and whirled away.
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Post by Taint on Jan 21, 2006 11:22:03 GMT -5
Taint smiled after her mate, her heart suddenly full of gratitude that he was there for her. To help her. To comfort her. A shoulder to lean on.
This reminded her of Raif, which, in turn, reminded her of the dead Jewel. She sighed, shaking her head. Lou had endured so much in such a short space of time. She smiled bracingly at the beta femme, getting to her feet.
As she turned towards the cave, her amber eyes fell on Ghost, his jaws full of a squirming pup.
"Put me dooown!" Jewel moaned, writhing to and fro. "I want to go on an adventure!"
But Hedwig had already dispeared. Jewel sighed, going limp for a minute. Then, she shrugged. There was plenty to do at the sixth cave. She would explore at a later date. A grin slid across her muzzle, and she lifted her head to fix Ghost with wide sapphire eyes.
---
Phoenix, meanwhile, was watching the proceedings with a grumpy eye. He growled softly to himself as Hedwig and his sister attempted to slip past Ghost, then got to his feet. He decided he would go after Hedwig. It was better than sitting around here, bored, surrounded by stuffy adults and his bubbly twin sister.
So, while the adults were occupied - Bullet had fallen back to sleep, exhausted as he was from lack of it (he had not slept much while in his depressed state of mind.) - Phoenix simply ambled out of the cave. He prowled behind Hedwig, keeping to the shadows, a silent, miniature shadow.
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Post by Keeper on Jan 21, 2006 19:08:19 GMT -5
Ghost growled slightly as Jewel struggled in his grip, but as she wiggled, he kept his jaw locked firmly. Finally, she stopped stuggling and looked up at him.
He sighed greatly and lowered his large head and placed Jewel back on the floor of the cave. He looked back into her eyes. head co-cked inquisitily.
(ooc- uninspired... When shall the pups be noticed that they are gone?)
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Post by Taint on Jan 22, 2006 4:58:37 GMT -5
ooc: Probably when Taint and Lou go to look at them. heehee. De ja vou! Cotton!
bic: Jewel was finally lowered to the floor. She twisted around to face Ghost and met his eyes, and a musical laugh escaped her lips. Her tongue slipped from her jaws, and her tail began to beat the ground, her large blue eyes meeting his.
After a moment, Jewel leapt to her feet. Her tail was now thrashing the air as she barked up at Ghost, then bounded forwards, taking up her former game - annoy the older wolf. She reached his long fore-leg and reared up on her hind-legs, leaning her own miniature fore-limbs on his. Her head tilted backwards again, and she growled playfully up at Ghost.
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Post by ©Lou Scarlet© on Jan 22, 2006 11:46:02 GMT -5
Lou smiled at Ghost and Jewel before taking a few steps into the cave. She saw Afisch, Flynn and Robynn all curled in a pile sleeping soundly on the floor. But no Hedwig.
"Hedwig?" Lou said, giving the pile that was her children a small nudge. Afisch opened his eyes and stared into his mother's face.
"Afisch, have you seen Hedwig?" Lou asked, panic rising in her chest. How many things could possibly go wrong?
Afisch was wide awake in an instant.
"Yeah!" he replied, "She said something about going to find that male who made you sad." He got to his feet. Now he was ready for an adventure.
Flynn and Robynn were also stirring.
"Hedwig's missing?" Flynn asked, as he wriggled over to Afisch.
Lou closed her lids for a moment. Hedwig had gone to find Achilles. Achilles could be out of the territory by now ... surely Hedwig couldn't have gone that far?
"Come with me, you three," she said, wearily, "let's go find your sister."
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Post by Taint on Jan 22, 2006 13:18:13 GMT -5
Taint followed Lou into the cave and watched with rising apprehension as she noticed her missing cub. The alpha female ventured forwards, stopping at Lou's shoulder. She was sympathetic. She remembered Cotton disapearing after a miserable pack meeting, and the panic that had gripped her.
"Don't worry, Lou." Taint said with a comforting smile. "I'm sure we'll find her. I'll set the whole pack on a search mission."
Her amber eyes swept quickly over the remaining cubs, and they began to shine. Three healthy pups before her, plus the one in Ghost's mouth and Hedwig. That made five...
Keeper said there were six... She thought, then bit her lip. She loathed to inform Lou of another missing puppy.
"Um... Lou. I don't think Hedwig's the only one missing..." Taint said gentley.
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Post by Keeper on Jan 24, 2006 12:43:46 GMT -5
Ghost stepped aside slightly to allow Lou and Taint pass. He looked down at Jewel and rumbled a low growl of his own, tail swishing slightly.
But, when the news came that one of the pups were missing, he stopped growling and looked up.
One, two, three, four- he thought, counting each pup in turn.. There were two missing!
Another deep growl, this one meaning business escaped him. Stupid Brute! You were ordered here to protect the pups. And you let two escape!
"Lou, you stay here. You tired. I look for pups. I guard pups, I find pups."
His gaze fell on Taint questionly.
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Post by ©Lou Scarlet© on Jan 24, 2006 13:47:04 GMT -5
As Taint suggested that another cub was missing, Lou instantly realised that the second ebon male was not with them. Phoenix.
Crap. she thought, bitterly I'm a really bad mother ...
Another tear slid down her cheek as Ghost offered to search.
"Thank you, Ghost, this means a lot ..."
"Can I go with him, mamma?" asked Afisch, "I wanna go on an adventure!"
"Hey, I'm coming too!" yipped Robynn.
"And me!" added Flynn.
Lou raised her eyebrow, but was sure they'd be safe with Ghost.
"Alright, but be careful! And don't wander off! Stick with Ghost at all times!"
Ooc| Mish ... crappeh post
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Post by Taint on Jan 24, 2006 14:09:01 GMT -5
Taint smiled at Ghost, nodding her head in agreement. She decided she would announce his new rank at the pack meeting that would soon have to be called. She chuckled as the pups all piped up in their high pitched voices, announcing that they wished to accompany the great white brute on his retrieval mission.
"I'm coming too!" Jewel barked, looking pleadingly up at Lou for a moment and sliding down Ghost's leg. She grinned triumphantly as her ivory aunt accepted her own three cubs. If they were allowed, she was! Simple as that.
"C'mon, Ghost!" She chirped, beaming up at the pale wolf, large blue eyes shining. "We have to go rescue them!"
Her tail began to wag furiously as excitement rushed through her veins. She was going to get an adventure, after all. Turning, she ambled to the mouth of the cave.
Taint smiled fondly at Jewel, deciding that she was a mirror image of her desceased mother.
"Oh, and Ghost," She said, turning to the male. "Please bring the pups to the Third Cave when you're finished. I am going to announce a meeting..."
She then turned her russet head to Lou. "They'll be fine. Don't worry. Ghost will find them."
She smiled reasuringly, remembering the blind panic she had experienced when Cotton had disapeared. Comparitively, Lou was taking this very calmly. She was a strong wolf, and Taint admired that.
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Post by Taint on Jan 24, 2006 14:19:25 GMT -5
Bullet, meanwhile, was waking again. Dark lids peeled from jade eyes, and his maw streched into a wide yawn. He snorted softly, smacking his lips, his vision and hearing hazy. Then, voices peirced his sleepy mind, and he was awake, feeling more refreshed than he had in a long while.
He listened to Taint, Lou and Ghost speak and his chest suddenly constricted, his emerald occuli widening. Adrenaline was released to pump through his veins with, causing him to feel quite giddy for a moment. He had promised to protect the pups, and instead he had fallen asleep on duty! Fallen asleep and let two escape.
Bullet was on his feet in a second. He met Lou's brown eyes, looking extremely guilty. If anything, he was taking the pup's absence worse than she... or, at least, on the outside.
"I'm so sorry, Lou. I will go with Ghost. It's my fault they're gone. I shouldn't have fallen asleep! Phoenix was right next to me!" He stared at the place where he and his nephew had been lying. "dunk!" He cursed, more to himself than any other wolf in the cave.
"Ok, Ghost, let's go." He said, turning back to the wolf who's mother he had been so infatuated with.
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Post by Keeper on Jan 28, 2006 11:27:27 GMT -5
Ghost looked down at the pups, rolling his eyes.
My new rank is going to be 'pupsitter' by the time this is all over and done with. The direwolf thought, not to amused.
He turned as he heard Bullet rise, but still, Ghost noticed that even though he was standing, Ghost was still a head taller. This made the direwolf grin, daggers exposed in a toothy smile.
But Bullet was on his feet and bounding away.
Ghost turned and glared at the pups. "You heard him. We go." And with that, Ghost turned tail and leapt away after Bullet.
(ooc- Yea,crappy post. Bullet, lead the way!)
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Post by Taint on Jan 31, 2006 12:46:37 GMT -5
Taint watched the two males leave, followed closely by the pups. She smiled, eyes shining, certain that they would find the missing pups. When they had disapeared into the foliage, Taint turned to Lou.
"I must go now to call a Pack Meeting. There is much to be announced." She said sombrely, thinking of the deceased wolves. "Follow at your own pace."
She dipped her head in farewell to the pale beta female, then turned and trotted to the mouth of the cave. Her amber eyes swept briefly over the sloping grounds before her, illuminated by the gentle afternoon sun. Then, her slender legs were put into action, carrying her towards the Third Cave in a graceful lope.
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