Stonehenge

A bright light, and the form of a wolf. All in the pack reacted differently, some seeming afraid, others rapt with the site. Shelyn, however, went on the defensive, a natural reaction for the druid to take. She knew of some of the old magics, but this one was strange to her, and therefore not to be trusted.

Oddly enough, when Rebekka approached the light, Shelyn stuck protectively to her side. With her acceptance of the Lyngve wolf, she'd inadvertantly just hired a bodyguard. It was a hidden blessing, however. Lennox was a devoted member, but would be better council to his fellow male and his alpha, Jo, for he seemed intolerant of the female gender. Shelyn would prove to be his foil, wary of the lead male, but devoted to the protection and counsel of his female. A right hand for each ruler, perhaps, but only time would tell.

She stood close to the female, fur standing on end as the prophesy was spoken. This was indeed a strange magic, but one that the alphess seemed familiar with. She stayed at the female's side, her demeanor different from the cocky attitude she had met the group with, something more serious and deeply concerned. She suddenly had a stake here, a small one, but more than she had before the shadows came.

Shelyn was not one for the interpretation of prophesy. Bright and cunning, yes, but not one for riddles of words or inverted speech. She was straightforward in her challenges, and didn't bother with rhyme and riddle, and thought such spells were almost always designed to confuse rather than aid or entertain. Shelyn was no fan of trickery in any form.

When Rebekka mentioned splitting into teams, she spoke up. "Begging pardon, Lady Rebekka, but if I might, I'd be honored to join up with you as well. I go where m'lady bids, of course, but I want to state my preference in these matters." When the female asked to go with her mate, Shelyn felt compelled to go to. She'd have volunteered with any group the alphess went, but now she considered it a matter of life and death. Jo was, to Shelyn, a lazy brute, unlikely to defend the female in the case of danger, and incapable of doing so even if he were so inclined. In short, she trusted Jo as far as she could throw him, difficult for a creature without arms and hands to do as it was.

Wolves Addressed: Rebekka

"Hey! Get you female fiddling jaws off my pelt!" 

Jo brought his head back in shock at the male's snapping attitude. Now it was not strange to hear the male's tone the way it was, but the words he chose to display were a little colourful, but the male knew how to take it with stride. “What? My jaws? You mean I can't do this?” He smirked as he licked right over Lenny's face with a chuckle. Sometimes Jo wondered if his teens years ever left him.

He side stepped away from the male and made his way back to his female's side, right where he should be and always would be.

Then a sudden light struck the forest hard, scaring away the darkness. There was something familiar about this light, but Jo could not put his paw on it. The way it captivated him. Enticing him to join it. He felt like a fly to a flame. Nothing was able to stop him looking away. His gold eyes seemed to sparkle as the white light hit them.

Then a figure bloomed from the light and appeared infront of him. His eyes locked toward this wolf and a smile spread across his muzzle.[color=cyan] “Came back for seconds, did ya?”[/color] Jo smirked at the wolf spirit. It was the same spirit that had forever locked Jo and Rebby together. There was no doubt that this wolf was her.

Jo listened carefully as the spirit spoke. Her riddles were soft and enchanting. Jo just wanted to listen to her speak even more, but he knew that as soon as she finished her job, she would vanish.

And Jo was right. After the last word was uttered from her lips she was gone. He mentally cursed at the spirit. She couldn't just tell them what they had to do, but give them stupid riddles that Jo could never get his head around.

Jo turned his head as a female came running his way, but the look on her face instantly told Jo that this wasn't about to be good. And indeed it was not. Jet, one of the first wolves to join the pack, was gone. Jo couldn't believe it. He was talking to him this morning and now he was gone. The world was just too crazy sometimes. However, times were rough and the dead were gone. The living had to move on. “Thank you” Jo replied to the female with a strong voice. Though, his features softened as he gentle nuzzle his female. Rebby was sensitive, where Jo was not. The two were perfect for each other, but no flame was sparked between the two. Nor would it be.

(Insert what Rebby and Lenny said)

Jo was glad to have two very intelligent wolves in his pack. “You guys are stars!” He cheered he gave Rebby another nuzzle. He turned to Lenny and gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheeks. “ Oops. I forgot that my jaw is filthy” He smirked as he sat down with his tail wagging.

He looked back at Rebby and nodded as the pack splitting up idea. They could cover more ground that way. “Okay, Pack listen up. Go find this stag and his doe in whatever form she's in. We'll split into groups. Lenny, Champei, Luna, Amada and Alison in one group. The others in another. Pidge, myself and Chewbo will stay here just encase anyone needs us. Now go!” He order with his voice strong and powerful. Hopefully his pack could find the lovers before the whole of Delean- De starved to death. With the death killing everything the pack would die. So finding the stag was important. "And no, Sheyln. You are the only one who can handle Boga, so you need to be with him" Jo ordered as he stood infront of his mate. Jo wasn't asking her to go, he was telling her.

A chuckle stole his attention and Jo looked back to see a wolf rolling around like a mad man. “Pidge?” He asked, wondering if she knew what was wrong with the male.

Wolves addressed: All!
Notes: Lame post
Word count: 685

The female frowned as Lennox said he couldn't explain the love she desired to know about. Looking down she replied softly, "Oh, okay..." Shuffling her paws, she went to lie down again. Solving riddles was not her thing but she had liked the pretty poem. She repeated it in her head again, humming a little tune to go along with it.

After she had gone through her tune a few times Lennox spoke to the group. Champei giggled as he strode in circles, not sure what he was upset about. She didn't understand why they needed a stag though, they were for eating and it didn't sound like they would be eating this one.

As Rebekka came over, she sat up, listening to what the female said. She started muttering about a mixed up gender, making her giggled. "Genders aren't mixed up, that's just silly," she giggled. She was still giggling about this when the Alphess suggested they split into groups. Looking around she wondered who she would be with. She hoped it was with someone nice. Maybe she could make some new friends, not having met many of the wolves around yet.

Suddenly seeing Jo slobber over Lennox's face really got Champei laughing. She fell over onto her side her legs running in the air. Laughing so hard she almost missed Jo's next announcement. Slowly she let it fade away to pull herself to her paws still letting out snickers every few moments. Controlling the giggles for a moment she said with a wide smile, "Let me just grab Steve before we go." Quickly she scooped up the flower in her jaws. "Ready!"

Wolves addressed: Lennox, Rebekka, Jo
Wolves mentioned: others.

Ailis's legs shook as the adrenaline left her, but her eyes narrowed, seething. They simply acknowledge her and the death of a pack member with just a "thank you" and resume their positions? Now, try as she might, she couldn't care less for this pack of bumbling fools. She even gave them the benefit of the doubt, as they had seemed clever and friendly wolves when dealing with each other. Apparently not. It took all of her willpower to suppress the rising venom-laced words and growl that threatened to leave her throat. Ailis quickly shook her head to clear the thoughts of past memories long pushed down begging to rise again, and simply observed each of the wolves present.

From experience behind her and obvious body language, she managed to figure the main relationships and personalities of those who showed enough of it. Or at least, take a wild guess in the dark and hope for the best. Quickly, Ai smirked to herself, a cruel plan beginning to form. Oh how delicious! Already they fought among themselves, something obvious even to the blind because of the suffocating tension in the air.

And after all, when was the last time she had this much fun? Oh, she always had fun poking and crumbling the bonds between wolves who had offended her, but this was just too good to give up.

Whoever said she was one to give up grudges easily anyway?

Her Cheshire grin disappeared not a second later, and she slowly raised herself and put her body in a position that clearly displayed weariness and exhaustion. Her tail swayed lazily, ears flicking here and there, and her frown deepened when the plan of splitting up was brought.

"Pardon me," she said, hoping the tone sounded sincere enough, "but I believe I am not a part of this pack, therefore I do not currently follow orders. However, seeing as how the shadows block my way home, I must stay here." She grimaced at that last statement. What home? "Do I stay with the pup," her golden gaze flicked to the chubby-looking pup, waiting to be someone's meal, "and you two, the alphas, or do I go among the groups? I can be of service, as your pack territory has offered shelter against death, and I have no where left to go."

Oddly enough, her words were laced with spite and a cold edge to it that can chill even the hardest of hearts. It was often something she couldn't help; when her emotions controlled her mind strong enough, she sometimes lost her control. On the brighter side, though, she could follow a new wolf; a colder character, longing to return home.

Delicious.

She lowered her head, a form of bow, before raising it to her full height. "I am Gail, a wolf belonging to the pack named Ceatharn Aingeal, or roughly translated to 'Warriors of Fire', if you will. To end a long and convoluted story, I was sent north along with others to scout new territory when I came here. Yes, it rained, something we don't particularly like, but it was bearable; there was plenty of water, land, and food. However, then that," she tossed her head in the direction of the shadows lurking in the distance, "has ruined all of it. It came when I was speaking with the fallen member of your pack at your den, asking for permission to speak to you about having my pack settle here alongside yours."

She scowled, obviously displeased, but for different reasons than what she said. For those observant enough, they would see a battle in her eyes, a battle between her thoughts and feelings. "Now though," Ailis spat, venom lacing the words dangerously, "I cannot return home. My fellow warriors were scouting the same land as I, and now they may be dead, along with my pack's hopes." The copper wolf lowered her head and, making sure not to glare at the pack, growled. It was deep, primal, and was born through her fury and hatred; thankfully enough, those emotions were strong enough in flare to support her claims and make them genuine.

She raised her head, then quickly continued before any of them had a chance to respond. "However, I am bound my clan's traditions. Because a fellow of yours has helped, because I am invading your territory yet you have not yet attacked and instead had shelter against the breathing death in the trees, I owe a debt." Her face was solemn, but she lowered it downward while still looking at them. "Be warned though; I will tell you only this much. As soon as the opportunity arises that I may leave, and you feel my deeply-embedded debt has been payed, not even the swiftest winds and sunlight can race my paws bringing me home."

She snorted, and closed her eyes, with a knowing smile playing at her lips. "Although, as I am now your technical slave or servant, I don't see why you would ever let me go." Ailis opened her eyes again.

Hopefully, they would take the bait. Half of it was genuine, but even the dullest could tell, there was something lurking in the atmosphere around her. It reeked of longing, displeasure, hate, and most of all, hostility. At the very least, they supported her words to make them appear genuine.

Oh yes, those emotions quite fitted her words and mood well; matching the two together despite the fact she, the trickster, had lied through her teeth to get what she wanted.


She always did.


Wolves Mentioned: Jet, Chewbo, Jo, Rebekka, rest of pack
Wolves Addressed: Rebekka and Jo

(Alison, can you please make sure that your posts are 100 words of your own words please. Thanks, hun. :3 )

Rebby felt the warm nuzzle of Jo's head when he could tell she was upset about Jet's death. She nuzzled into him and took a moment to collect herself. “I'm sorry” She whispered to herself. Jet had not been a close friend of Rebekka's, but she never wished death upon anyone. The thought of it made her worried sick. What if that happened to any of these wolves here. She tried to compose herself to the best of her abilities...which wasn't very well (Rebby was a terrible liar). Though she didn't want the pack to see her as weak. She needed to stay strong in this moment of crisis. Though Rebby was getting more and more exhausted by the second. She couldn't wait for this shadow to leave. That way she could curl up in the den and simply sleep. She was surprised when Shelyn stood beside her in an aim to protect her from the wolf spirit. She admitted to being scared of Shelyn to begin with, but now that she was on her side it made her smile slightly. She never thought that she would have the power to get a wolf like Shelyn as her bodyguard, but apparently she did. Apparently Shelyn saw something in her that was worth it. Rebby didn't know what it was, but she felt a little happier knowing she hadn't offended this prideful wolf. Rebekka watched as Jo began to tease Lennox. She let out a tiny laugh before hiding away her face so Lennox wouldn't be mad at her....even though it was funny. Jo certainly knew how to brighten her mood. She bit her tongue and kept the laugh to herself, though it was plain to see that there was amusement in her eyes at the constant kisses that Jo was giving to Lennox. At least it gave Rebby a break. She nodded as Jo gave out instructions and kept an eye on the copper wolf. She frowned at her slightly; Rebby didn't like that wolf's attitude towards her, but of course, she said nothing about it. She simply flattened her ears and lowered her head. She had a bad feeling about her. She didn't know what it was, but something about that wolf made Rebekka uneasy. Though before Rebby could stay down for too long, she heard Lennox shout towards Jo. She raised her head to see Champ laughing and Jo retracting from laying a slobbery kiss on Lennox's face. She stared for a moment before she bit her lip. Though a snort of laughter and blush ensued before Lennox's outburst towards Jo. Rebby was once again surprised and managed to keep her laughter contained. She raised her eyebrows in amazement at all the words Lenny used for Jo. “Whoa...alphabetised hate. Pretty impressive” Rebby stated in slight awe. She chuckled at the words Lenny used and nudged him, “Maybe you should keep that tongue to yourself?” She paused for a second, “And when I say maybe, I mean for you to keep it to yourself. I don't want out best Beta to go killing the Alpha of this pack, okay?” She didn't want to admit it to herself, but Rebby couldn't run this pack by herself. She's have a nervous breakdown before that happened...especially if things continued the way they were going. “Sorry Lennox. I'll try to keep Jo in line for you.” She tried not to smile in amusement, but out of politeness towards Lennox. She liked the guy, despite the fact that he disliked all women...she hoped that he had a little place for Rebby. Just a tiny tiny part that slightly liked her.

Wolves Addressed: Lennox, Jo Wolves Mentioned: Shelyn, Jo, Jet, Ailis, spirit.

Shelyn's features hardened, momentarily. She did not, did NOT take orders from Jo. He was a scoundrel, and Shelyn was a wolf of honor. She refrained from arguing with him, though, when she saw the exhaustion on Rebekka's face. The little alphess had been through a lot today, and part of it had to do with her and their contest. She didn't need to tire her further with quibbling.

"If it would please my lady I will go. My mind and strength are at my alphess' disposal." She would make it obnoxiously clear to Jo that she had no interest in doing him any favors. At least, not until he could prove himself worthy of Shelyn's service, or Rebekka's help. She had little understanding of what the alphess saw in the male, but didn't dwell on it.

With the darkness dispersed, she followed the wolves who had gone through it. Bogatyr was pretty easy to track, moving with purpose, but slowly. She did have to jog to catch them, though, since they had a decent head start.

She arrived just in time to hear Bogatyr's comments about hunting the stag. Personally, she thought the idea ludicrous, but wouldn't miss the chance to see him and Luna try. If this creature was more spiritual than mortal, fate would not be on their side. They were already pressing their luck, having walked out into the blackness that had killed so many others.

"If you're hunting, m'lord, perhaps I can join in." She chimed, stepping outside of the reach of a potential snap of the jaws. She narrowed her eyes at the other female, remembering her tricks from before. She was not a wolfess that Shelyn would seek out willingly, as she considered her to be a less than honest wolf, and flippant to boot.

"You're quite the fishmonger, stranger." She said to Luna, a sneer in her tone. "Can you handle larger game?"

Wolves Addressed: Jo, Bogatyr, Luna

Champei was bouncing around waiting to go when another female started to sing. Bounding over she said to her, "That was a nice song! You have a pretty voice!" Champei wagged her tail before running off her complement given. Going back to Lennox's side she wondered what wolves were supposed to go with them. "Luna! Amanda! Alison! You're coming with us aren't you? We're off to find the stag! The stage to kill the darkness!" she sang.

Bounding off, the russet brown female followed one of the trails through the darkness. As she went she was humming the tune she'd made up for the spirit wolf's prophesy. She started to wonder how a stag could stop it though. What could a stag do anyway? Maybe his antlers were special? Champei wanted special darkness killing antlers.

Trotting along a spring in her step she paused briefly to look back at the other wolves. "How long do you think before we find this stag? What do we do once we find it?"

The pup opened it's eyes and looked around once the sudden chaos are witchcraft or whatever had been happening stopped, this was nothing like anything he had experience in his old home, why, these wolves were magic in his eyes! What would they do with him!
He popped his head from behind his father's leg and looked up, "Whot's gonna happen to us?" He asked looking quite shaken up, where was everyone going and why would anyone need his help? Spirits paired wolves here together? Maybe this one wanted Chewbo to find his father's pack?

Addressed: Jo
Note: Lame catch up post.

Wolf mentioned: Bogatyr and Sheyln
Wolf Addressed: Bogatyr and Sheyln

Shelyn was careful to avoid eye contact with the male. Wolves of his kind never took kindly to direct gazes, seeing it as a threat. She knew that to threaten was as dangerous as to quail in their presence. To remain level was imperative to keeping them level as well.

"I find it better to be over-courteous than to show disrespect." She said dryly. "I will choose my words more carefully from now on, Bogatyr. I mean you no offense." She seemed intent on that, and completely ignored the other female's comments. A jab here and there was fine, and she would let her comments die on the air before she would bicker with her. It was such an ugly thing females did, fight with words. Let Shelyn use her teeth over her tongue any day. She wanted others to see the hurt she could inflict an offender, and pride bore no visible scars, yes?

"And you can call me Shelyn." She added, giving the male a serious look. "But not skuchat." She matched his tone and word choice to make it quite clear. It made sense - if he was not her lord, then he was at least her equal, and would be asked to be treated as such. She didn't know the meaning of the word, but she didn't like the intonation.

She seemed to test the air for scent, wondering what it was exactly she had gotten herself into. She couldn't help but doubt they would catch this beast they hunted, and was unsure if he even existed in a form a wolf could kill. There was a place for hunting nearby, full of game. Perhaps they could try their luck their. Shelyn was reluctant to take the lead on a hunt with Bogatyr and Luna, preferring to ride the tides of his anger and steer clear of the other female's perceived treachery.

So, she merely began to attempt to track, searching for a game trail while watching the treeline for the return of the darkness. She had found out it hadn't killed these wolves, but the long-term effects of its poisons were still unknown to her. She did not intend to personally find out either. She was now a few lengths ahead of Luna and Bogatyr, tracking with the majority of her attentions, but still with an ear to their conversation. She would not be caught off guard or mocked by either of these wolves.

Wolves Addressed: Bogatyr
Wolves Mentioned: Luna, the pack

"Whot's gonna happen to us?" Rebekka turned her head to the chubby pup and smiled. She lowered herself to his level and gave him a comforting nuzzle. It was slightly hesitant as Rebby didn't know if the pup wanted to be comforted by another female who wasn't his mother, much less his fathers mate, but she decided to try it anyway; she hated seeing such a small pup so scared. “We're going to be okay, sweetheart.” Rebby said gently as she looked the pup in the eyes with a little smile, “Jo..uh, your Dad and I will be here to take care of you, while the others go searching for the Stag.” Rebekka found it strange to call Jo a father. Eventually she would want pups, but she was sort of holding it off with Jo as her mate. He certainly liked the activity of creating pups, but she wasn't sure what she would be like with them. She doubted that he would be as comforting and caring as she'd like, but seeing him interact with Chewbo made her smile slightly. He wasn't as bad as she thought he was going to be with the pup...still, not exactly a role model, but Rebby wasn't expecting a miracle. She gave Chewbo a motherly smile, “Just stay with us and you'll be fine. We've got a strong pack that can take care of you, and when you grow up, you'll be strong too.” She tilted her head up at Bogatyr, Luna and Shelyn as she watched them converse, “I really hope that they don't kill each other before finding the stag.” Rebby muttered to Jo as she looked slightly worried, “Do you think it was a good idea to let them wander off...alone...with all these shadows around?” Rebby questioned with worry tainting her voice. She had developed a sort of respect for Shelyn since asking her to join the pack, though she had no doubt that this wolf could hold her own against another wolf. What worried her was Luna's knack for annoying Boga, and Bogatyrs knack for fighting with other people. Rebby gave a sigh and watched them go, “Hopefully they'll find the stag.” Rebekka sat down with a tired look on her face. She was exhausted from the days events and so actually sitting down felt nice. She leaned slightly against Jo's legs and looked up at him, “So what are we going to do now, Jo?” She questioned innocently. Though as soon as the words left her mouth she realised that Jo would twist her words into something else.

Wolves Addressed: Chewbo, Jo Wolves Mentioned: Boga, Luna, Shelyn

Ailis eyed the female alpha as she lowered her head. Interesting, she thought, this one is quite easy to offend. I suppose I should make it a priority to not get on her bad side. She is, after all, higher in power. In response, she frowned a bit and then lowered her head awkwardly as a form of apology.

"I'm sorry, I did not think my words would offend. After all, I only seek to go back home to my family as soon as the darkness leaves. Surely, you understand?" Her tone held a bit of sadness to it, a sprinkle of apology.

However, she crinkled her nose at how the alpha perceived her offered aid. "I beg your pardon, but I would serve as any type of servant, with a few exceptions. For example, no, I'm not like that." Ailis rolled her eyes, but smiled lightly at him. Quite the amusing one, isn't he? "But I thank you for giving me this chance. Perhaps I can offer aid as to where the most likely places elk may be?"

She twitched her nose and swished her tail, a sort of wolf-like shrug to say "What-do-you-expect-me-to-do". "I can't work miracles, but I do have, as one would call it, an uncanny ability to detect weather. I can say that an elk would be in the direction of clear skies." Well, whose to say she's totally useless? Not in bringing the elk down, no, but more of a sort of different guide.

Maybe.

She sighed, but resisted the urge to sit down. The copper wolf still had to find her place among the three splitting groups. "Where am I to go? I am no use physically, for the toil of exploration has weakened me. If you allow it, may I stay with you? I can act as a sort of detector, in a sense." Again, she "shrugged". "Maybe not the best of help, but I suppose I can give warning to most danger, such as weather or any incoming creatures. After all, stealth is my strong suit."

Ai smiled broadly at that last statement. Perhaps a bit too pridefully. Ah well, doesn't do much harm to be a bit proud of one's abilities. "I await your answer. I would suspect it would take a long time to consider, as a stranger wolf offering help would be a bit suspicious and would need to be thought on." The wolf nodded to the both of them, then lumbered over to one of the large stones to lie in the shade. If one were to describe her movements, it would be something akin to comical, for she stumbled over a rock before reaching her destination and just lied there, too tired for anything else.

Pffft. There goes my image of a fierce warrior, she thought.

Wolves Addressed: Jo, Rebekka
Wolves Mentioned: Jo, Rebekka, the groups

The pup's head darted around slowly as everything around him seemed to be happening, he blinked a bit when he felt an odd coldness against his fur and turned his head to see what it was, backing away slightly as he saw who the nuzzler was, Rebbekka. He pawed at the nuzzles a bit, lifting his nose away from them, it was an odd feeling, this wasn't mother, he didn't want to be comforted by her, and yet, her voice still was.
“We're going to be okay, sweetheart. Jo..uh, your Dad and I will be here to take care of you, while the others go searching for the Stag.”
His nose was scrunched up a bit, as he mostly looked like a mix between annoyed, and confused, who was she? What was this Stag? How could she take care of him, she didn't even know him, no one would like Gene had.
“Just stay with us and you'll be fine. We've got a strong pack that can take care of you, and when you grow up, you'll be strong too.”
The motherly smile that was on her face made his racing heart calm down a bit, though it was awkward, it seemed sincere. The shaking in his stubby paws stopped as he looked up at her, finding it hard to make his tongue speak a word to her with all the mixed feelings he had, "Oi am strong!" he claimed, nosing a rock over. Superwolf.
“Yeah, what Pidge said.”
The pair of sea blue eyes rolled around a bit in his head as a paw was set on his head and began ruffling his brains out. He shook it, only making the ruffled fur poof a bit and fall over his eyes, "Pidge?" Who was Pidge? Was that his step mother's name? He scrunched his nose a bit in his confusion and looked at Rebekka once more, well she didn't look like a Pidge. His gaze went back to his father who he blinked at, it was odd that his mate of all wolves seemed to be the one taking him in more easily than his own dad... had he come all this way just to be shrugged off by him?

Addressed: Rebekka, Jo

(Chewy, if you don't want Jo to pick up Chew, I'll edit it. :3 )