Ghost in the night - OPEN

[Pantera]

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[atrb=background,http://heart-tails.com/images/sotes_stuff/panteramiddle.png] An owl let out a cry startling Pantera. Her eyes searched for the source seeing peeping yellow eyes staring her down. Just a dumb bird She watched it as she padded away from it, to only find herself sink into a shallow wet muddy hole. It was attempting to swallow her like a black hole as she could feel herself getting deeper into it. She revved her powerful hind limbs, and managed to pull herself out of it long before it was able to even swallow her knee deep. Off to another shitty night... A sigh escaped her jaws as she leaped over the source, and shook out her peltage. A growl of irritation set into her throat, as her sonars pinned to the side of her skull, showing her irritability. Orange pumpkin eyes glowered through the night as she dimmed her eyelids with disdain. It just wasn't her night. Smoke grew from her feet as she padded along, then turning into full fledged flames. A signal not to mess with her, and one would be sorry if they did. If one was smart enough to know they get burned from playing with fire. Just as this happened a cackle rang out through the thick dark swampy marshed forest. Looking through the darkness seeing only the silhouette of the trees, where mist surrounded them like a thick fog. It was like a heavy depressed cloud of sorrow in the air, as the air stood vacant and stale. Eyes turning to a yellow, her formation grew into a ball of flame in defense, ready to fight what was out there. Dare show yourself... Play with fire you get burned... She hissed between her pearly whites. She padded on. Another loud hideous cackle rose into the thick stagnant atmosphere. Turning to look behind her, she could feel eyes watching her. Turning away after not seeing anything, the area grew cold all of a sudden. Her breath could be seen as she pressed on, engulfed in her protective fire force field. Another cackle, then a low toned snarl emitted just by her nape. Pantera stopped in her tracks, afraid to look what was breathing upon her. Her eyes grew red at this point, not sure if it was fury, rage, and fear mixed into the bag, but they were all there. She could feel her nape hairs standing on end as she slowly turned her face to see what was lurking by her. Her eyes met the eyes of a demonic creature that looked like her father. Pantera... It growled right in her face. Pantera's eyes grew wide. It was not her father, it was something else. There was something in these swampy woods. Trembling she sparked uncontrollably as she was still a ball of flame. She darted out of the way of the demonic creature, sprinting through the woods as fast her her flamed feet could carry her. This is only a nightmare.. This isn't real!

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As she ran, she could hear her mind screaming at her.

Panteraaaaaaa......

Looking over her shoulders, she snapped her skull back to look ahead of herself as she ran, to see where she was going, to only find she confronted the demon once again. A gasp emitted her as she stopped, to stare it in the eye. A long, and loud blood filled scream carried through the air like the sound of a drill penetrating the wood. Something was haunting her, whatever resided here, was fucking haunting her. Pantera growled.

Leave me alone!

She stepped back lowering her body slightly getting ready to run the other way now. The only thing she could see was its head, there was no body of this demon. It opened its jaws, and let out a menacing scream as it darted toward her, and flew over her head. Chills ran up Pantera's spine forcing her a kick start to a full speed run.

What the fuck is it?! [/b]

She had never experienced anything like this before. Perhaps she walked on the wrong turf the wrong way, or wrong time. Whatever the issue, she knew she trespassed on some angry spirits land. Pantera bolted like a bat out of hell, attempting to leave the forest. She knew she could not win a fight with an unseen or unknown force. Fire wouldn't do it.

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[Hafalong Rambling]

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[atrb=background,http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/lilDiablo_/hafmid2.png] There is no rhyme or reason in the mind of a wolf who's gone insane. There is only simplicity, bordering on peaceful ignorance. Better to only know a word of black and white than muddle through the misty grey. Hafalong understood black and white. The yin-yang mark on his chest reflected across his whole body, displaying an equilibrium that existed only outwardly. Inwardly, his mind was a reeling mass, pulsing and fluttering and scrambling. Nothing clear ever came out of it. Nothing except... "Hey, buddy. Whatcha thinkin' about?" Turning his blue eyes skyward, he met the lopsided gaze of his only true friend, the ghost Mortus. Half of Mortus' face was gone, exposing the grinning skeleton beneath. His tail was likewise exposed in several places, and his ribs were visible, the pulsing glob of a heart still fluttering in it's cage. "Thinking about... this and that." Hafalong replied, turning his eyes away. He was the only one who could see Mortus, a gift and a curse. He didn't remember how he had come across this power. He supposed that he had always had it. Mortus snorted at him through the fleshy half of his nose and drifted off. Left to himself, Hafalong pondered everything and nothing simultaneously. There were no complete thoughts for him. There were only scraps, little tears in his mind that danced and hopped and scattered. Among them was a name, a name he had grown to hate with all his being. Tiatsu. For the longest time, Hafalong had considered it to be a simple figment of his imagination, or the remnants of an unimportant memory. He couldn't focus long enough on it to trace it back anywhere, but he was put at ease thinking that it was only himself, nothing that he needed to worry about. And then Mortus had spoken it. He had tried to recover, hastily fixing his sentence. Hafalong knew that Mortus thought he was mad, with a bad memory and no ability to grasp blunders such as these. However, when it came to the world of the dead, Hafalong's mind was sharp and clear as any wolf's should be. He noticed the name, he noticed the blunder. If Mortus had simply played it off as something he had picked up during their chats within the depths of his mind, he might not have remembered it so clearly. But fumbling like that... Hafalong licked his nose, wishing that he could remove the ghost's other eye. He would make him talk, one of these days. As he thought this, his ears became aware of a crashing in the foliage ahead of him. Curious, he padded forward to investigate. With a growl, he jumped back, narrowly missing being bowled over by another wolf as she fled from... what? Hafalong peered back behind her, shifting his vision to accommodate the world of the dead. Aside from a few of the normal, moaning spirits, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. Turning to face the direction she was heading, he looked around. He had lost her already. Even more curious, he took off after her, plunging through the insubstantial bodies that clustered around the swamp. As he neared the other wolf, he swerved to the right, passed her, and then cut in front of her, digging his paws into the soft earth in an attempt to ready himself for a possible collision. "Wait!" he barked, hoping that she heard. He bunched himself up, closing his eyes, and prayed that she would stop in time. Mind, bubbling, bubbling, boiling over, but curious too. Another necromancer, maybe? Or something else?

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[°Nepara°]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true][tr][atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/2woo-1.png] The night shrouded everything from the eremus' view. She kept her chin up however, her home could not scare such a bold wolf, after all, if she wanted to lead a pack here she needed to keep her cool at all times. Then there was a sudden cry of birds and splashing of water nearby. Nepara started to quiver in fear but shook the feeling as she remembered her future depended on this. Depended on making a fool or a leader figure out of herself. "Whatever's out there! Show yourself!" her chest puffed out and her tail held high. Her ears elongated towards the sounds. A bark came forth of another wolf as she made her way swiftly towards the two. Her pelt slowly engrossed in the swamps murky waters, her legs refusing to elongate for her to avoid the muck. She shook the sticky water from her sopping wet gray fur now. She swiftly began to lick the ooze away so her white hairs underneath could breathe again. She blew her small tuft of blonde fur a top her head and finished shaking the water from her pelt as she continued towards the noise. "What's going-" she paused seeing the familiar fire lupuse approach her, and a black and white figure in her path. "Watch out Pantera!" she growled to get her acquaintances attention. The other stray wolf smelled of an all too familiar pack. "Mafia member! Who are you? I don't remember seeing you at the festival last fall..." she inquired. Her albino like eyes sparkling in the moonlight now as the few trees and foliage swayed in the evening gusts. She felt something of uneasiness stir inside herself by gazing upon this wolf. She couldn't think of what it was about him that bothered her. Only that he had strayed into the swamp, suspiciously. Wait, why suspiciously??? Nepara realized she was soon thinking of a closed mind and needed to lighten up a bit. "Well, I guess it doesn't really matter, I'm Nepara. Are you perhaps new to the mafia?" the question lingering in her mind. They just seemed like a whole lot of misunderstood wolves to her. Yeah, that had to be it.

[Pantera]

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[atrb=background,http://heart-tails.com/images/sotes_stuff/panteramiddle.png] The sound of feet intensified as another being joined in on the run after her. She panted hard and fast, as she kicked up speed. Pantera had always been a really fast runner, and not many could keep up. She offered a few growls in defense as the other wolf passed her, and cut her off to face her. She watched as he bunched, but her feet kept moving like a whirlwind of speed. The male would have been in for a hell of a blow to the chest, where it'd knock the wind right out of him if it weren't for Pantera's swift reaction skills. She maneuvered upward and leaped right over the male catching herself upon all fours behind him; almost falling over from the wetness of the mud singing out the fire on her feet. She heard Hafalong call out for her to wait, and it forced her to whip around with a light snarl. Was it you who was trying to scare me? She inquired as she stepped out of the mud and looked him over with a stern eye. Mafia or not she wasn't afraid of him. But something about his demeanor was too calm for him to be reading towards her as a threat. She took in a deep breath, and looked away ashamed of her instant reaction, then quickly looked back at him. I'm sorry.. I mean.. She was cut off by a familiar voice. Watch out Pantera! She looked as if she were about to duck, as both ears pinned to the back of her skull, and she grew tense as she lifted her right paw, then slowly recovered her position as she realized nothing was after her this time. Perhaps she didn't see or hear Nepara upon running past her in a whirlwind of speed like a bullet train moving too fast to stop for anything. Pantera was about to ask what she was to watch out for, but closed her mouth as soon as she opened it. Mafia member! Who are you? I don't remember seeing you at the festival last fall..." Her eyes shifted back to Hafalong, now looking at him she wasn't at all surprised, but Pantera never discriminated another wolf from who they were. She studied the oddly handsome male who stood in front of her. She offered him a slow awkward smile. Well, I guess it doesn't really matter, I'm Nepara. Are you perhaps new to the mafia?" She looked to her acquainted female friend, who introduced herself to him. Hi Nepara... Her expression was slightly dark still annoyed from the chase by the invisible being. As she had been here a few times before and never had issues. No one usually bothered her, but for some odd reason or another, tonight was the night she was getting haunted by an unseen force. What the hell just happened?! Confused, the sound of demand was in her chords. A snort fell from her nares as she assessed the area by shifting her weight a few feet away from the two, and looking back from where she came. All she could see where dark trees surrounded by thick heavy fog; nothing stirred in the darkness. She looked back over hr shoulders at the two, then decided to turn herself around and re-face them. She studied Hafalong once more; soaking in his features of oddity. I'm Pantera. Why were you running after me? You asked me to wait... Why? She sounded like an investigator as she pressed on him looking for answers; however, she was soft voiced about it, as she was quite curious about this fellow. Her eyes shifted back upon Nepara to see what her expression may be. She stood there and waited for Hafalong to reply.

[Hafalong Rambling]

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[atrb=background,http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/lilDiablo_/hafmid2.png] Hafalong flinched as the other wolf leaped over him. When it became apparent that he was not about to be smashed into the ground, he turned to face the female. Her voice struck him almost instantly. Although the snarl was light, it still startled him. Lowering himself to the ground, Hafalong whimpered softly. "Scare you..? No, not me. I'm a good dog. I was only trying to see what you were running from, honest!" he took a chance and glanced up at the other wolf, eyes flitting around her form. Just behind her, he caught sight of Mortus, who smiled and winked with his single eye. Is she..? Hafalong studied the other wolf closer. Lifting himself from his crouching position, he took a step closer, peering into her eyes. A tendril of desire coiled through his mind, but he managed to suppress it. It wouldn't do him any good to kill her now. "You... do you see the ghosts too?" he asked, "The one with only half a face... he follows me around." He was going to continue, but he suddenly became aware of another wolf shouting at him. Mafia..? Each time he heard the name of his pack, it took him a moment to remember that he did, in fact, live there. He opened his mouth to respond, but became instantly distracted. This new wolf had the most interesting eyes he had ever seen. Eyes were always among his first impression of a wolf. In fact, he usually carried around a little pouch of leaves woven by an earth-wielding lupus (her eye was among those carried within). Even now, his little treasure pocket was tucked in the branches of a tree somewhere in the swamp. The new wolf's eyes were different from those he had seen before, though. Their coloring was strange. They were... unique. Something his collection lacked. Even stronger now was his desire. His whole body tensed, and he prepared to attack. Never mind asking politely, never mind all of the polite pleasantries he usually exchanged first. He was ravenous with blood lust, and only taking one of those eyes would please him. "Wait awhile, buddy. It'd be two against one in this fight." Mortus spoke in his ear, ever the voice of wisdom. Hafalong relaxed. "Festival..?" now that his mind had been released from his obsession, he could pick up on the conversation that had been going on over his head, "I... don't remember a festival. But... I'm not... well, maybe... how long have I been..?" he shook himself, as though it would disperse some of the mangled thoughts that were tripping him up,"I must've joined after that. I don't remember a festival of any sort." That said, he turned his attention back to the first wolf. "Why did I chase after you..?" he pondered this, "I was... worried. You... looked... afraid. I was..." here he paused. To say that he was going to try and help would be a lie. There was every chance that he would have simply watched from the shadows and picked up the pieces later. However, there was a part of him that insisted that he would have helped, if only to kill her himself later, "I was worried." he ended up repeating himself, "As for why I asked you to wait... I just... didn't want to get run over, is all." "Why doncha introduce yourself, kid?" Mortus advised, still grinning mischievously. "Ah! You're right!" he spoke this aloud without thinking, and made no attempt to recover from his mistake, "My name is Hafalong!" He smiled, wagging his tail happily. Two eyes in one night... a full pair! I'm a lucky dog as well as a good dog, aren't I? he thought, pleased.

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[Pantera]

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[atrb=background,http://heart-tails.com/images/sotes_stuff/panteramiddle.png] OOC I was gonna wait until Nepara replied but I just can't wait any longer lol IC: The male whimpered and showed submission by lowering himself to the ground. Pantera backed up a few feet to grasp a safe distance in case he were to lunge at her. She eyed him, taunting him; as if to ask him if he had enough balls to lurch toward her. She offered another growl, but this one a dominant one as she rose her tail and bared the tips of her fangs. Her eyes glowed a red color, as hostility was on the edge if he made a wrong move. "Scare you..? No, not me. I'm a good dog. I was only trying to see what you were running from, honest!" Dog? A dog was he? Pantera narrowed her gaze upon him and snorted as he dared call himself a mutt. She puckered her lips and twisted them, as if she was inquisitive as to why he called himself such a canine. She studied his unique body how half of him was white, and the other half of him was black. She studied the entire wolf before her without turning an eye. A good dog eh? Hmmmm... Her voice was calm, seductive, and yet it held power as she spoke; almost Godlike. She almost forgot that Nepara was there but she could see her standing there from at side of her left eye. A devilish grin spread across her chops like the black plague. She wanted to play with him, make him her puppet. If a wolf was so low enough to call himself a ''dog'' He was worthy of being used like a system slave and Pantera had enough manipulation skills to do it, when she wanted to. She snapped a slight gaze to Nepara, then her eyes were back upon the lowered male. She offered a fake smile as friendly as possible. You... do you see the ghosts too?" The one with only half a face... He follows me around." He stipulated. She killed her smile and looked at him with seriousness. The male was from the Mafia, and if Pantera could take them all out one by one she would. Or have them all turn against each other and end things in a bloody rage. Ah what fun thoughts whirled through her tainted mind. She wasn't sure of the ghost part of things, but it was something she was seeing. She didn't want to sound unsure of herself so she bought a few lies. Yeah. He follows me around too. He likes to play games with me. She started. Yeah games to capture her minions and destroy them in the end... Good one Pantera Another smile grew upon her features, this time an amused one. Watching him tense up once more she saw the whites in his eyes, as if he were to attack her. Pantera breathed in a deep snarl in fair warning to keep back or else. She didn't trust this wolf, not yet anyway. Even if she had him under her spell, she still wouldn't trust him. He was the Mafia, but then again not all Mafian wolves were assholes. Pantera was an asshole herself, and loved it! Festival? I... don't remember a festival. But... I'm not... well, maybe... how long have I been..?" Yup. The male was confused. Scattered brained, muddled minded; was what he was. This was going to be fun! I must've joined after that. I don't remember a festival of any sort." So the last sentence had made sense.. Perhaps he was startled by her snarl again? Maybe. "Why did I chase after you..? I was... worried. You... looked... afraid. I was...'' He paused. Pantera narrowed her gaze. I was worried. Quite repetitive was he? Perhaps a Compulsive Disorder was in him? As for why I asked you to wait... I just... didn't want to get run over, is all He told her. If Pantera was any decent sort of wolf she would up and left and said whatever and have a nice day. But she wasn't that at all. She was always interested in seeing what the day would bring by turning the page. She knew about the Mafia around here, but they didn't know about her. And getting to know each individual would help set her plans. She had a thirst for power, and was going to quench it alright. Her vulgar display of power would be simply getting each wolf turning on one another, and striking out those who didn't. They either followed her in her soon to be formed Chapter, whom which were going to be the Heaven's Demons; or die a horrible unforgettable death. I saw you... She spoke dryly. Ah! You're right! My name is Halfalong! He finally introduced himself. That's a nice name Hafalong... She spoke calmly as she offered a smile to his gesture of tail wagging. A pleasure to meet you! She grinned.