A Living Nightmare [Tate, Mari, Crow]

[Brightness Darkly]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/gdgvnvbnvcopy.png] The sand shifted beneath his paws as he strolled the beach. He took in a deep breath of the salty evening air. He was enjoying his time hanging out with Crow and Mari but there was a nagging feeling in the back of his head. He need to return to the Children. Well he didn't have to but he felt the urge to. He wanted to see Moonrose again and being this close to the Mafia was making him nervous, even with a swamp in between him and there. Brightness was ready to return to the Valley. Though he would definitely return here to visit Mari every now and then. And hopefully he would run into Crow again. A forceful wind blew salt and sand into the hybrid's blue eyes causing him to buck and squint. He let out an annoyed whine at the sting in his eyes. A creak of a twig made Brightness freeze. His ears swiveled to where the source of the sound. He tried to open his eyes wider but they watered painfully. "Is anyone there?" he asked, his voice a worried whimper,"Mari? Crow?"

[°Crow°]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/fhfghghcopy-1.png,true][scrolly:h(150),w(300),sy,c(transparent)]Crow emerged from the brush near the beach, a Jackalope in his maw. He came up to Bri and squatted, dropping the fresh kill at his feet. "Sorry bout that... I couldn't say anything cause I had my mouth full. I figured since you fed me the first time we met, I should repay you." his tail wagging furiously, he was pleased to see his friend eagerly looking for him. He liked feeling wanted by someone. letting his stomach get the best of him he started to rip at the rabbit's flesh. Mmmm did Jackalope taste pretty good when you were starving.[/scrolly]

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[oomara]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/oomarafincopy-1.png,true][scrolly:h(330),w(220),sy,c()]Oomara wandered through the palm trees along the shoreline, up until she heard Bri out there. Her heart skipped and she charged trhough the brush only to see Crow there and Bri looking slightly frightened. Disappointment races through her when she saw Crow hanging around, but she hid it. She padded up to Bri and sat beside him, trying to comfort him. "You okay hun? He didn't scare you did he?" Mari asked.She watched Brightness, then looked at Crow devouring his jackalope. Ugh. Food hog. She stood and wandered off a bit just to watch the scene. She wasn't much of a guard but when it came to those she cares about she's as ferocious as a dragon. [/scrolly]

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[Nightmare Darkly]

Nightmare trudged along the coast, in a foul mood.

Mama had decided to go on another trip, and Brightness had apparently gone missing. This meant that there was almost nothing for him to do. Even Flynn wasn't as fun to mess with these days.

So Nightmare had decided, completely on a whim, to go on a little adventure. He had set off in a random direction away from the Mafia and had ended up here. His yellowish eyes scanned the water curiously. He knew nothing of the art of catching fish, and therefore had no reason to go swimming. Having realized this, he uttered a low growl. Why did he bother coming here again?

A voice carried over the wind, faintly familiar. Nightmare wandered in it's general direction. Thoughts of stumbling across Mama out here ran through his mind. He wondered if she'd be angry... but couldn't see any reason for her to be. He hopped onto a small boulder and looked down at the wolf.

He sucked in his breath. First it was shock, then anger, then pure, terrible pleasure.

"Brightness," he hissed. Another wolf, a yagi from the looks of things, joined him, then what appeared to be a lupus, padding up and speaking to him. Nightmare's eyes glittered.

Brightness! So this is where he went off to! He hadn't beaten anybody up in awhile, so this was a great find! Never mind the other two, he could deal with them later, right now, his only thought...

He leaped down from the boulder, landing in a low, predatory position.

"Hey, little bro!" he said with a half smile, "Long time, no see!" He nodded to the other two, then sidled up to his brother, licking his ear, "Where ya been? How've things been goin'? Keepin' outta trouble?" His toothy grin hinted at the dark thoughts stirring in his head, and a fire flared up in his chest.

A coppery taste filled his mouth. He could almost feel the blood running down his chin. He would drag this little freak back to the Mafia, and when Mama got back, he would make her proud. Maybe he'd even get a promotion!

Oh, yes, this would be fun!

[Brightness Darkly]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/gdgvnvbnvcopy.png] Brightness let out a sigh of relief when Crow came into sight. He shook his head to rid the rest of the sand and tears that had gathered there. "Thanks," he smiled tiredly. He relaxed as his Yagi friend dug into his catch. The goof ball was impatient but Brightness didn't mind. His ears swiveled upon hearing Mari's voice. The hybrid smile brightened when he saw her. "Yeah a little," Brightness laughed sheepishly. His heart felt at ease and the warm feeling he had felt a few times before returned. It was truly nice to have friends who cared about him. Even if Mari seemed frustrated with Crow. It was kind of entertaining to be surrounded by so many different personalities, instead of like the Mafia where nearly everyone was blood thirsty. "Hey, little bro!" The warm feeling fled in an instant. His whole body froze except for two blue eyes that shifted to the form approaching them. Brightness trembled with fear as his brother 'affectionately' licked his ear. He shied away, his whole demeanor changing. Brightness bowed his head and lowered his wing submissively. He was tense, braced for the pain that was sure to come. Crow's and Mari's existence was all but forgotten. Brightness was back in a place where they didn't exist. Back to a year ago with Nightmare's teeth in throat. "N-Nightmare! W-what are you d-doing here," Brightness stuttered. His brother may have only been two inches bigger but a life time of terror made Brightness weak against the other hybrid.

[°Crow°]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/fhfghghcopy-1.png,true][scrolly:h(150),w(300),sy,c(transparent)]The Yagi stopped all that was happening. Why was the air suddenly thick with fear? His umber orbs rested on the other wolf that was acting overly friendly to Bri. This didn't look good at all. Crow remembered what the other Keiyou had told him before about his family, if only vaguely about it. "Who are you?" Crow decided that even if he was acting coy with Bri he could still be the enemy, he never knew people to really lie but he was on his guard for once. Ever since his encounter with Tsunami, he wanted to be prepared. If they threatened his friends, he would make sure they wouldn't again. Even if that meant messing with this wolf mentally over physically. He waited to see Mari's reaction, she seemed just as close, if more to Brightness. What was this closeness they shared and why hadn't Crow felt the same way? Was it a bubbly feeling like he shared with Tor? He shook the confusion off, trying to focus on what was stressing one of his only friends.[/scrolly]

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[oomara]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/oomarafincopy-1.png,true][scrolly:h(330),w(220),sy,c()]Oomara snapped her head in the direction of the stranger and her beautiful face turned into a hideous snarl as her lips curled up over her ivory teeth. The fur began to bristle along her spine and her copper eyes narrowed with irritation. Who did he think he was to go and interrupt their hangout? Now she might’ve been irritated at Crow for being the loof, but this was anger. She was clearly pissed off at the newcomer for striking fear in her best friend! Why did she feel so strongly like this? She never has before. Was it because maybe she liked him? In her mind she shook it off. No, she hasn’t loved anyone before so why should she start now. A growl erupted from deep in Mari’s chest, a warning to the bigger wolf. She may be smaller than him, but she packed a lot of power. “How dare you! You just stroll in and terrify Brightness? Who do you think you are mutt?” Her voice deepened in trying to threaten him though his appearance was frightening her. But she cared more for Brightness than for herself. She stood up and shook off her pelt, trying to get the fur to flatten on her back. She failed. She tried to snuggle a way in between this terror and her friend, sitting close to Bri to try and comfort him. She also sent a warning glare to his opposer. [/scrolly]

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[Nightmare Darkly]

Nightmare turned away from his brother and eyed the Yagi with admiration. Being half Yagi himself, he couldn't help but appreciate the rough majesty of the beast.

"Name's Nightmare," he said with a nod and a smile, "Nightmare Darkly. I'm Brightness's big brother!" he placed a paw on his brother's head and ruffled his ears, "Things sure have been different around the Mafia withoucha, kid!"

"Who do you think you are, mutt?"

Nightmare turned, growling, to the female.

"Mutt, eh?" he snarled, "What d'ya think your pal here is, huh? He's as much of a pure blood of me!" He raised a paw, wanting very much to smack her, but then lowered it, shaking himself, "Bah, not worth it," he muttered, spitting at her paws, "I'm here for my brother."

Nightmare turned another sick smile on Brightness.

"Ya know, Mama's been really lonely without you around. She misses her ikkle baby Brightness. I'm too big for her to play with now. Why don't you come back?" he lowered his eyes, "You know, I've heard Flynn misses you the most!"

Nightmare shivered on the inside, imagining the terrifying cannibal Myou. How many times had he been told that he would be sent to Flynn if he didn't do as his mother told him to? However, he didn't show his fear on the outside, instead widening his smile, as though Flynn were the nicest wolf in the whole of the land.

"Don't you miss Mama and Flynn, little bro?" he hissed, "Don't you wanna come home?"





((OOC: O.e that was... crap...))

[Brightness Darkly]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/gdgvnvbnvcopy.png] Sky blue eyes were dragged away from his brother when he herd his friends speak. A new type of fear ran through him. One much worse than he had ever felt before. It was similar to how he had felt in the painted cave, waiting to hear if Moonrose was alright. He had no idea what would happen then. Here he knew perfectly well what would happen and what Nightmare would do. Quickly Brightness moved in front of Mari and Crow. He had to keep his friends safe from his monster of a brother. The golden hybrid wouldn't forgive himself if anything happened to them. It was his fault for attracting Nightmare and bringing them to his attention. Shivers ran down Brightness spine as Nightmare mentioned Mother and Flynn. Those were two wolves he hoped never to see again. Hell he had never wanted to see Nightmare again. Why was he out this far anyway? Did mother think Nightmare was old enough to be let out now? "Thats not my home," Brightness' growl sounded more like a whimper," I'm not a pup anymore, you don't scare me!" It was a sad excuse for a lie but maybe if he kept Nightmare's attention long enough Crow and Mari could get away. Brightness was fairly sure Nightmare wouldn't kill him. Though if he took him back to the Mafia Brightness wouldn't be alive for long.

[°Crow°]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/fhfghghcopy-1.png,true][scrolly:h(150),w(300),sy,c(transparent)]Crow remembered what Brightness had said about his former pack. If this guy was going to make Bri do something he didn't want to do... Crow would just have to show this other wolf who was boss! Well, with the help of Bri and Mari... right? "We don't need you to protect us, were your friends... we should be helping you with rats like this you don't like..." The Yagi growled lowly, trying all he could to look fierce and show this relative of Bri's that he was not a joke. His tail waving rapidly in the air. Horns aimed at the stranger. ((Sorry xD it's late and I forgot to post earlier... I don't have as much muse atm for this thread and I'm wanting to get started on my other characters @w@))[/scrolly]

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[oomara]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/oomarafincopy-1.png,true][scrolly:h(330),w(220),sy,c()]Oomara huffed. Bri was trying to protect her and Crow when he himself could be seriously injured by this nightmare. A lightbulb clicked in her head. If his name was nightmare, the mutt must’ve been named after his personality. She stood and shook off, her subconscious giving her legs good control for the moment. She lowered her regal head and snarled, a growl erupting from deep in her chest. She had nothing to protect before, and she was always the one being protected. Now it was her turn. Instead of standing behind Brightness, she padded forward to stand beside him. Turning her head to look Bri straight in the eyes, she spoke words that she hadn’t before; meaning every sharp edged word. Friends ‘til death. The fierce cael turned back to Nightmare and snarled, her ivory teeth glistening like blades. Whatever attack may come, she was there to fight ‘til the death for Brightness. Even after so little time, he was her reason to move on and fight. Now was her chance to shine. OOC: duh duh duuuhhh….. LMAO [/scrolly]

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[Nightmare Darkly]

Nightmare laughed at his brother's defiance. It was cute to see the little weakling try to stand up to him.

"Not afraid, huh?" he chuckled, "You look pretty scared to me!" He leaned in close to Brightness's face, letting his putrid breath fan out around him, "Ikkle baby Brightness, you'll never stop being afraid of me. Remember when we were little, bro? Back in the Mafia? You'd roll right over every time I so much as breathed in your direction! You've always been a little suck up. Did you think running off would change that?"

He pulled back, aware of the fact that the Yagi was speaking. Since he was part Yagi himself, he felt a certain awe for the beast, but now that awe was souring. Something so big and tough, hanging around with a pipsqueak like Brightness? It was an insult to the Yagi race!

"A rat, huh?" he growled, "I think I'll take that as a compliment! Rat's are sneaky and tough, not afraid to fight for their territory. I once heard a story about a wolf who lost most of his face to a rat, then died later from the disease it was carrying. Evil little bastards, rats are, but I do have some respect for them."

Next he turned to the "lupus."

"Friends 'til death, huh?" he laughed again, a sharp, bitter sound, "I'm not here to kill anybody, but if that's what you're lookin' for..." he turned another smile to his brother, "Remember what Mama used to do to the creatures she caught? All the pretty pictures she made with them? Remember that wolf she brought home one day? Wasn't he a joke! He thought Mama wanted to 'play' like that. I still have his skull somewhere, I think..." he turned his eyes back to the she-wolf, "Anyways, I've always thought about trying to learn the family business... and you know what they say: 'Ain't no time like the present!'"

His grin widened into a venomous smile. He lifted his wings a little way off of his back, and his mane stood on end. He lowered himself closer to the ground, a crazy light in his eyes.

"Who's first?" he asked, sweeping his gaze across the three other wolves.

[Brightness Darkly]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/gdgvnvbnvcopy.png] The support of his new friends choked Brightness up. He was touched, even through the fear that held him near paralyzed. How could they risk their lives for him? What had he done for them? Then again he also had that protective feeling towards them. They had listened to him and hadn't judged him. Lately he seemed to be meeting a lot of wolves like that. The thought gave him hope and strength. Brightness was forced to focus on his brother again when he laughed. The large youth balked when Nightmare leaned in close and dragged up the past. Who he was back then, saying he would never change. But Brightness had changed. He growled when Nightmare began to threaten his friends. It was easier to stand up to his grayish-green sibling when he had someone to stand up for. He especially didn't like when he implied he'd be willing to kill Mari. There was no way he would allow Nightmare to terrorize his Cael friend. She had been through enough without getting dragged into his family problems. Brightness shuddered at the memory of the wolf who thought mother was interested in him. She had always liked to do that, use her female charms to snare males then destroy them. He also remembered her offering their carcasses as dinner. Brightness had never participated in those feast. "Your out numbered Nightmare," Brightness reasoned, his voice was still shaky but there was no stutter in it."And I don't want to fight you. Look, even if you could kill one of us you wouldn't win in the end. Even you can be logical, you always knew when to back off when taunting Flynn." Brightness shuttered as he spoke the Myou's name. " Anyway, there is no benefit to you what-so-ever if you attack us." The golden hybrid wasn't sure if logic would get across to Nightmare but he squared his shoulders and stood at his full height. If he was big when he was hunched he was even bigger now. Only an inch or two smaller than his brother. He was even bigger than Crow, which was hard to tell when he was slouched.

[°Crow°]

((I don't really have anything to say here... skip me! I want to see what nightmare has to say to this ))