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Post by Cypress on Apr 11, 2011 14:40:59 GMT -5
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They seemed to come to an understanding, he didn't like talking about his past, neither did she. However she did not let it get in the way of what needed to get done. She had to make sure he didn't either, "Just know that the well-being of my family is of the utmost importance to me. As long as your past does not interfere with the work you will do here, you can keep it to yourself. But if something comes up, it would be wise to tell me." Most of the other wolves that joined were young enough not to have a bad history.
She grunted when he stumbled, balancing the burden until he was able to regain his footing. The caw of a carrion bird made her growl a little, she didn't like scavengers. The male seemed capable enough to deter the bird. Which confirmed her assumption that he was myou. She was raised in a narrow minded pack, viewing most other species as lower than yagi, especially myou. She had known few myou, so she had yet to make any beliefs for herself on the subject. She tried to avoid following in her parent's pawprints.
She was caught a little off guard by his next question, religion? She gave him a wary look, "Each wolf is entitled to their own beliefs and actions, if that is what you mean." She was unsure what he was aiming for with his question.
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Post by salem on Apr 11, 2011 22:22:57 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] | [atrb=background,http://i55.tinypic.com/iw3hq0.jpg,url]Normal! "Talking!"
"Of course." He murmured softly, falling silent. He listened as she answered his question, though he kept his mouth shut. His mind had begun to drift. His thoughts lurked about his religion, knowing that few followed it. He knew that most wolves did not understand the religion of his home, and that many considered it a useless belief system with no importance. His eyes lowered to the ground as his pace slowed.
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The young pup winced as his mother licked the wound on his shoulder. She sighed deeply. "Really, Salem, why must you get in fights? It worries me so deeply." Salem grunted and pulled away from his mothers grasp.
He turned around to face her, a fierce fire burning in his eyes. "They called me a freak mama! They said I was the freak 'cause I obeyed Her laws. They said she wa'n't real, but I know they are wrong." His voice trailed as his mind began working again. His mother had also fallen silent, continuing to lick his scratch with smooth, rythmic strokes. Salem became less tense as a more important thought ran across his mind. He looked up slowly into his mother eyes, not understanding why those other pups had wanted to fight him. His voice came in a shallow whisper. "Mama... Why did they call me a freak? Why do'n't they believe?"
His mother twitched to his question. She stopped licking him, looking back at him. She finally smiled and pulled him close to her soft chest with her muzzle. "Sammy, some wolves just don't understand. They don't want to believe it, so they end up shunning those who do. They don't know the joy She brings by granting us life, that She gives us hope and compassion and understanding. Don't worry too much about it, sweetie. All you need to know is that She is true, and as long as you follow Her faithfully, you'll be granted a magical gift in your life." She smiled and hummed a soft tune.
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Salem had gone into a trance as his mind replayed the memory. His pace had gone to near stopping, his eyes glued to the icy ground. His ears and wings twitched as he continued to relive the past. The only way he could get out of the trance quick enough, was if Cypress jumped him back to reality.
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Post by Cypress on Apr 12, 2011 8:45:51 GMT -5
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She also feel silent to her own thoughts. She was curious how many of the new wolves that joined her pack would stick around. She wondered how this male was with pups, since he was veiled in some sort of past. Things seemed to be coming together nicely, soon the pack would be thriving and hunting large prey. She glanced up at the old stag on her pack. She had been lucky to get the jump on him, as well as escape with little more than a strained neck and back. She could not afford those risks in the future. Especially since her womb was quickening with life.
Soon she noticed that she was pulling ahead of the male. Was he growing tired? She slowed her pace a little to keep him from feeling ashamed of his endurance. However, after a few more steps her part of the stag was slipping off her back. She stopped and looked at the male. He had stopped. "Is something wrong Salem?" She gave him a hard look, she didn't want the meat to get too cold on the way home. She barked a little louder "Salem!"
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Post by salem on Apr 16, 2011 23:15:40 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] | [atrb=background,http://i56.tinypic.com/f41o4k.jpg,url]Normal! "Talking!"
Salem flinched slightly as his mind slowly started to descend, groaning. The images in his head shifted as he thought of his brother. Oh, how his brother had gone into an unescapable madness. He began to relive a second past memory.
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Young Salem stood there, horror across his face as he watched his brother massacre the other male. He gulped, lowering his ears in fear. He thought it very unruly of his brother to do such a thing as killing another, but to actually see it sent chills down his spine. As his brother licked the crimson off his muzzle, Salem mustered up some courage.
"Jamal... This isn't right." His voice was shallow, still in shock from seeing the blood. He looked his brother right in the eye. He knew it was wrong and against their religion, and he didn't like it.
Jamal's face slowly turned as he looked over at his brother. He knew exactly what he ment. His eyes got hard as he came nose-to-nose with him, lips pulled back in a snarl. "Quit with that useless shit Salem! I've already told you, Oroùbe is a fraud!" He growled low as he roughly broke away from Salem.
Salem's eyes burned with anger as he snapped at his brother's tail. "How dare you say her name in vain! He who betrays Her is subject to Her wrath!" Though, he was unable to finish his words. Jamal had flipped around and pinned him to the ground, snarling viciously. Salem had no choice but to submit to his older, stronger brother.
"Shut. Up! If She WAS real, do you think She would have let mother die like that? Do you think She would put us through all this?!" Salem bit his lip as his brother snapped at him. He thought it over; what if Jamal was right? What if She really wasn't real? His brother did have legit evidence...
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The bark made Salem jump. He gasped, his head whirling as he tried to get a grasp back on reality. The sudden sharp light reflecting off of the snow startled him, making him step backwards. His wings flapped in surprise, throwing the stag onto the icey ground. He panted lightly as he glanced around to see where he was. It took him only seconds to recall reality.
Salem looked uneasily as Cypress. He hoped to his dear Oroùbe that she would not kick him out because of this. He shook his head and calmly folded his wings back on his sides, avoiding her eyes as he leaned down and yanked the stag back onto his back. He turned and began to walk with a faster pace, as if nothing had happened. He did not wanting to explain his episodes. His tail twitched nervously behind him.
"... Are we almost there or what?"
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Post by Cypress on Apr 17, 2011 18:00:52 GMT -5
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Her hackles raised in reaction to the male freaking out. She was left with the full weight of the stag, aside the bit that fell to the ground, she crouched, trying to keep the kill from sliding off her back. Her lip curled a little as her temper flared a bit.
"What is the matter with you?" She gave him a wary look. She would not send him away, but she wanted explanation for his actions. " As your alpha, I demand to know. Does this happen often?" She grunted a little as the stag slid a little, she saddled it as best she could, shrugging it back onto her back. She expected him to pick up his half, yet he walked away from it.
"No, we are not there yet. And at this rate we won't get there for another hour if you keep stopping." All she wanted was to get the kill home and go back to sleep. She had been up hours before dawn to manage this meal.
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Post by salem on Apr 18, 2011 18:09:54 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] | [atrb=background,http://i56.tinypic.com/f41o4k.jpg,url]Normal! "Talking!"
OOC; He did pick up his end, after he lowered his wings.
His golden eyes shifted uneasily back to the empress. He bit his lip to her words, not wanting to explain it. Though, he knew he had no other choice. He was a tresspasser in another's territory and was in no position to keep secrets from her. He took a breath and looked back at the ground, relaxing the stag on his shoulders a bit.
"I apologize for my actions. I have... Sporadic spasm's, you could say. I kind of lose my head for a moment and... I guess relive the past a second time." He did not want to go into detail and explain exactly where it had come from. His golden eyes shifted back to hers; he saw her wary look.
Salem quickly looked away. "Great... Nice way to mess things up more Salem." He growled in disproval to himself. "... I'm sorry. I really can't control it." He contiuned to walk onward, closing his mouth. He wouldn't ruin his chances of staying here any further.
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Post by Cypress on Apr 19, 2011 8:22:45 GMT -5
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((OOC: Whoops, my bad. Sorry I missed that. ^^;)
She adjusted her end as he adjusted his. Her shoulders were getting sore from all the carrying, as well as the hunt. She could feel her neck going stiff from her attack on the now dead beast. She was still sticky with bblood as well. A good roll in a snow drift would help her with that. Maybe even a mud-bath at the geyser field.
She was only thinking those things in the back of her mind. Her main concern was this strange male that she had invited into her home. She was not so much concerned with what it was he was reliving, her concern was if it would be detrimental to the pack. "So....You daze off occasionally. Does it happen randomly? Enough to, say, hurt your concentration? Or is it only when you are lost in thought?" His answer would help determine his rank. She could not have a hunter lose it in the middle of a pack hunt. Or even a soldier during a spar or actual fight.
She kept moving, forcing him to move with her at her pace. Maybe she needed to discuss this one with Arkham. Or maybe she could try something else. "So, I take it you have a troubled past. As I said earlier, please do not let it interfere with pack life as much as you are able." She gave him an almost kind look, maybe it was just reassuring, "I won't kick you out unless you hurt one of ours. I think you may have to come to terms with your past if it can pull you out of the present so readily."
Maybe if she kept talking, it would keep him from zoning long enough to at least get to the dens. "If you need help facing it. I can offer an ear and kindred spirit if you need." Sure her past may not have been as rough as his. But she still had some issues because of her family. Being around others had helped to ease the pain of her past enough to take the mantle and run this pack as her own.
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Post by salem on Apr 19, 2011 11:20:15 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] | [atrb=background,http://i56.tinypic.com/f41o4k.jpg,url]Normal! "Talking!"
Salem's tail swayed behind him as he thought over his answer. They were a tad bit random, but they also only happened when he was deep in thought. He looked at the Yagi. "They only happen when I am deep in thought. However, they do not happen all the time. Only certain occasions..." He felt the stag falling a little bit on his side and heaved it back onto him, grunting a little. His paws were beginning to ache from the added weight on their tiredness.
He avoided her eyes again as she noted about his past. He gave a long sigh, talking in a quieter tone. "I do not like to speak of what has been. It already haunts me in my thoughts, I'd rather not speak and worsen them further. I will not allow it to hurt your pack; it only has it's sights on me." He made sure to keep his voice more even and less defensive as he usually was. He fell silent for a moment, thinking over his thoughts.
"I have done things in my past that I feel very ashamed of. Had I been with my mothers pack, they would have killed me the moment I went against Her wishes..." He emphasized the 'Her' part of his words, indicating he was not speaking of his mother, but of his dear Goddess. Though he knew Cypress might not catch that. His ears twitched uncomfortably, feeling his body tense and his fur raise. he couldn't keep talking about it, it enraged him so.
Salem shook his head and kept with her pace. He was beginning to pant lightly, his body begging for rest. He thought this a chance to change the subject. "How much further is it? My paws ache from walking such a long distance." His thoughts were clouded, unable to think of what to do until he got some rest.
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Post by Cypress on Apr 19, 2011 12:05:13 GMT -5
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She felt that it was better to let him speak. He clearly didn't want to talk about it and pushing the subject would no doubt lead to more raised hackles and upturned lips. He was stubborn, much like a yagi. She knew better than to pry after a while, even if she was equally, if not more stubborn.
For the moment she would let it slide. He had already reassured her twice that he would not hurt the pack. No point in looping the already tense conversation. She did notice that he was having trouble. She was determined to get back, she hoped he could make it a few more minutes. "About ten more minutes. Do we need to stop or can you make it?" She didn't want to stop, but she did not want to over exert the male.
She made no move to stop, she just kept walking, if he wanted to stop he would have to say so. She pulled them over one last hill. "The rest is downhill. " The dens were relatively protected by the hills that surrounded them.
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Post by salem on Apr 19, 2011 12:18:45 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] | [atrb=background,http://i56.tinypic.com/f41o4k.jpg,url]Normal! "Talking!"
He rolled his shoulders a little to get his part of the prey at a more comfortable angle, though it did not help. He cursed under his breath as he felt himself slip again, not used to such a terrain. He quickly caught his footing and pulled onward.
He heard her tone and began to go a little faster, despite his paws. He wanted to show that he could push himself and that he could do hard work. "No, I can keep going." He kept up with her pace, wings adjusting repeatedly to balance the stag on his back over the uneven ground.
Salem kept his eyes on the hill. He a little relief as they began their descent downhill, giving his paws a slight break. He took a deep breath and relaxed his muscles. He saw the dens up ahead and began to think about another question through his tired thoughts. "Will your pack feel burdened if I stay for a... few days?"He was really starting to like the idea of the tundra.
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Post by Cypress on Apr 19, 2011 12:50:37 GMT -5
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She was glad that he was willing to push himself, that was encouraging. It would take a few more minutes, but at least the end was in sight. She was fine with curling up in her den and going back to sleep. Some of the snow gave under her paws. She slipped a little, but managed to catch herself before the stag fell.
Her ears flickered a little at his question. She smiled a little, "As long as you pull your weight, you should be fine. " The hit a relatively level patch a ground. It should be smooth walking from there on in.
((ooc: Sorry it's so short, I am a bit distracted at the moment))
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Post by salem on Apr 19, 2011 13:00:04 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] | [atrb=background,http://i56.tinypic.com/f41o4k.jpg,url]Normal! "Talking!"
A small smile played at Salem's lips, something that was quite out of character for him. He nodded in approval to her words. "Thank you, Empress Cupressus. It makes me feel more relaxed to know I have a place to stay for a few days." He felt the ground become even and relaxed a little.
He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking about the tundra. It truely was the perfect place for him to do something about his past troubles. And this Empire was starting to gain his interest. The leader seemed like a hard worker, which was always good for a pack. He then realized that he'd never really been with a pack. The only other wolves he had lived with was his brother and mother. He wasn't quite sure how he would react to being around other wolves every day.
He cleared his throat, sighing softly. "You have a very nice home here." He spoke, reverting back to the conversation a little earlier.
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Post by Cypress on Apr 19, 2011 13:14:44 GMT -5
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She was glad he was relaxing, it would make the transition easier for both of them. After a few more minutes of relative silence, they finally made it to the dens. Her ears twitched at his compliment. "Thank you. It's not much, but it's home."
She came to the center of the den site she shrugged the load off of her shoulders and let it hit the ground with a resounding thunk. She shook out her pelt and stretched her aching limbs. She walked over to a snow drift and plopped down to roll in the powder. It was cold, but it was a relief to get the sticky blood off her face and body.
She rolled back to her stomach, looking a little sheepish at her display in front of the new male. Clearing her throat she stood back up and shook the now pink snow off her pelt. "There should be an empty den over there, if you wanted to rest."
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Post by salem on Apr 19, 2011 15:39:52 GMT -5
[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] | [atrb=background,http://i56.tinypic.com/f41o4k.jpg,url]Normal! "Talking!"
Salem walked with her into the den area, letting the rest of the stag that was on his back to fall as well. He shook his pelt and stretched his stiff legs, not paying much attention to Cypress as she cleaned her fur. He stood back up and yawned, golden eyes catching hers as she spoke.
He nodded to her and looked over at the extra dens. "Thank you, Cupressus. It is much appreciated that you are allowing me to stay here." He nodded his thanks to the Empress, turning and heading towards one of the empty dens. Once he was inside he lowered his body to the ground and let his head fall to his side. He fluffed his wings before closing his eyes and knocking out cold, the sky outside bright from the sun.
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