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Post by Misery on Nov 26, 2008 12:19:12 GMT -5
Nica sighed. Her one dead pup still lay on the edge of the nest she'd constructed, and she couldn't leave it unburried. She stood wearily, with shaking legs. She gently picked up the still pup, just as if it were living, and walked to the entrance of the cave. Her paws struck the floor heavily, and she flicked her ears in anticipation of the cries that would come when her sleeping pups woke to find her gone.
She stepped into the light of the outside world and blinked. One of the males was wading in the water, and she caught an anxious glance from him. Her lips pulled back in a small smile, before she turned and walked toward a soft patch of dirt. The other male had remained at the carcass.
Nica set the stillborn pup on the ground next to the patch of dirt and began to dig. Her claws grabbed at the earth and pulled it back, and then dug farther into the ground and pulled it back. Her digging became more frantic as she heard the cold cries of one pup in the cave, and then the other two joined in. When the hole was big enough, she hurriedly picked up the limp pup and placed it in the small hole. She licked it once and then began to scrape loose dirt over the body.
She turned and looked back at the two males. She swished her tail once and trotted back into the cave. She licked each of her pups to calm and warm them. When they were quiet again, she returned to the mouth of the cave. She dipped her head to the one in the water, and stepped back into the cave. She stood near her nest, watching the squirming shapes. She glanced back at the entrance, wondering if he had taken her invitation. |
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Post by lexi on Nov 26, 2008 13:45:21 GMT -5
Zoran's head popped up as the female came out of the cave and he smiled though it faded as he realized why she come out. A mournful whine escaped his lips and he took a step closer to the water. He shook his head though and lay down watching silently as he tried to contain his emotions. He so wanted just to comfort her but he tried to aviod the thoughts. It really wasn't worth it. |
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Post by Rose Petals on Nov 27, 2008 4:44:13 GMT -5
Enrique tilted his head awkwardly in wonder and disbelief. He was almost certain that the female wanted him to enter the cave with her, but also he was worried that it wasn't an invitation and he would have his head bit off. Only a couple minutes led him to his chance decision. He swam towards the cave entrance. Stepping up onto the solid rocky ground, he slowly and cautiosly peeped his head into the cave, not even for a moment letting his gaze divert to the pups, but he kept his full attention on the new mother. He didn't say anything or move another muscle, except for breathing, until he was granted permission to enter.
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Post by Misery on Nov 27, 2008 10:44:53 GMT -5
Nica smiled as Enrique poked his head into the cave. She swished her tail again, seeing his uncertainty. She was still unsure about the males, but she had the feeling that she could trust them. After all, they were in Kiba's lands.
"It's alright," she said, as much to reassure herself as him. She looked down at her pups again. She huffed in amusement as the one female pushed the larger of the two males, the red one, causing him to roll away from the twins. Nica muzzled him back into the warmth of the small huddle and turned back to Enrique.
"You aren't from here, are you?" she asked, out of curiosity. She looked him in the eyes as she spoke, watching for any sign of a threat. She saw none, and relaxed a bit. She wondered where exactly he had come from. She wondered if he used to be a loner like her old friend Serabi, or if he had been one of Lokken's, like Kani. She flicked her ears at the thought. A wolf in Lokken's pack wasn't likely to change sides. She turned her eyes back to the three pups, waiting for his reply. |
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Post by Rose Petals on Nov 28, 2008 5:07:18 GMT -5
Enrique was relieved that Nica was allowing him to be around her pups. He came in a bit farther, still staying away from her pups, though, and sat down closer to her. When Nica asked if he was from these lands, he stopped breathing for a quick moment. A good minute passed before he was able to speak, though the awkward silence seemed a lot longer. "Well, um," he stuttered, "no. I just found this place, Orchard Falls, it's called? a short time ago. I had been traveling for a few moons, trying to find a place to call home, and Kiba accepted me into her pack graciously." Enrique was surprised at how easy the words flowed from his mouth after he started explaining. He left out the minor detail of previously belonging to Lokken's pack, though he was almost sure that Nica sensed it.
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Post by Misery on Nov 28, 2008 12:49:07 GMT -5
Nica eyed him, wondering why he wouldn't tell her where he'd come from. She became more suspicious that he was from Lokken's pack, but she hadn't the heart or strength to tell him that. She nodded once, accepting his answer simply because she didn't think she wanted to know anything but what he'd told her. She regarded him once more and then turned her attention back to the pups before she could get carried away with her thoughts.
Too late. She had to know. She absolutely had to know. SHe opened her jaws to speak, but winced as words came to mind. She didn't know if she could say his name. She shuddered and turned her eyes to Enrique again. She tensed and forced the words from her maw. "Did you know Kani? Was he there?" She was implying that he had been one of Lokken's Followers, but she daren't say the words out loud. She looked away and let her muscles go slack again. As soon as she did, her knees buckled, as if the words had taken all of her strength away. She sighed and moved to curl around her young in the nest. When she had settled, she looked up at the male expectantly. |
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Post by Rose Petals on Nov 30, 2008 2:31:17 GMT -5
Enrique lost track of breathing for a moment. Though he had heard of a wolf called Kani in Lokken's pack, he honestly had never met him, nor even seen him. His eyes slanted in question to keep from widening with surprise. Though he was taken aback by her question, he also knew there was a reason she wanted to know about this he-wolf, and he also wondered how she knew he used to slave under Lokken. Enrique answered her as honestly as he could without trying to give away his cover, "I'm sorry, but I don't know who you are talking about." Enrique hoped that Nica wouldn't question him further, but he also knew that if he lied, he would be caught in the lies, for he knew that his brother was just biding his time, and would come after him at any given moment. Seeing Nica curl around her pups gave him such a longing that he hadn't felt before. He wanted so badly to just lay beside them and their mother, comfort and warm them, and be their father. 'That's impossible,' he thought to himself. 'Once she figures it out, I'll be her kids' dinner.'
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Post by Misery on Nov 30, 2008 11:44:48 GMT -5
Nica watched his reaction to her question carefully, searching his eyes for a giveaway. She looked away again as he answered. She shook her head, still suspicious of his previous pack, but let it go. If he didn't want her to know, she would find out some other way. She would have to travel on her own, to find the father of her pups, and kill him. Her eyes hardened at the thought of seeing him again, but she wouldn't let her anger envelope her. If she did, she might lose her mind, and then she could hurt her pups or someone else. She rested her head on the edge of her nest, thinking. Should she tell him? Tell him these pups were fathered by an enemy?
"I'll kill him," she said, her voice just short of a growl. "I swear I'll kill him someday. He's a murderer. He deserves to be dead." She stared at the wall of the cave as she spoke, lacking the will to look at him. She wondered if he would know who she was talking about. Though her words could be spoken about two wolves, at least that she knew of, she only spoke of one now. She looked at her young, her eyes almost hateful, regretful. But she let her gaze soften. It wasn't their fault. For a moment her thoughts drifted. What would she name them? She had to think of names. It wouldn't do to leave them without identities. Her mind wandered, away from the cave, back to her puphood, to Serabi. She'd heard her old friend had a child now, but she hadn't seen the black wolf in so long. What had she called her young, how had she come up with names?
Nica pulled herself away from the image of her friend, back to the problem at hand. Names. The gray one, the smallest of the three. He was different from the others, his fur almost pure gray. He was slate, like rock, like granite. Slate. The others, she hadn't a clue. She glanced at Enrique, wanting to ask him for ideas, but she remembered their current topic and decided not to. |
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Post by Rose Petals on Dec 1, 2008 2:29:56 GMT -5
Enrique wondered who Nica was talking about killing, then he decided it was the wolf she had spoken of. Figuring he knew what incident had taken place, he tried to comfort her with the only thing that he knew to say, even though he was sure it would give away his secret. He would have to be honest with her, though, if he ever hoped to gain her trust. "I have an enemy after me, too," was the only thing he actually managed to think of. He watched the pups closely, every second he came to admire them more. "What are their names?" he asked Nica. The female looked like a majastic bird that could take flight at any moment. She looked to be like a Pheonix, a bird that could never die in old myths, and maybe this wolf would be one that could never die, or at least be very strong and enduring. Enrique didn't mention his thoughts to Nica yet, for he was sure they all three already had a name to themselves. Enrique wanted so badly to lay beside the pups, but he didn't want to offend Nica, so he just lay down in the spot he had been sitting, still watching the pups and their mother, waiting for an answer.
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Post by Misery on Dec 2, 2008 18:24:25 GMT -5
Nica looked up as he spoke of an enemy, her eyes curious. But she didn't press the subject anymore, for now the conversation had turned to the three little bodies by her side. She smiled, glad he was showing interest in them. "The smallest, the gray one, I think I'll call him Slate, for his fur." She paused. "And... I haven't thought of anything for the others." She looked down thoughtfully, wondering at the second male's calling. She sighed when nothing came to mind.
"What about you? Does anything come to mind?" She asked, looking up. She gave a little thump of her tail, encouraging him. |
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Post by Rose Petals on Dec 3, 2008 3:17:06 GMT -5
Enrique couldn't help but smile. His tail, too, thumped on the cave floor, three times. He chuckled a bit as he said, "You might think it's a dumb name, but the felme there, I was actually thinking she looked like a phoenix. You know, she looks like her name would be Phoenix. She is beautiful, and I think she will be very strong and enduring," Enrqiue paused as he explained, smiled, and added, "just like her mother." Enrique wondered whether or not Nica would name her daughter Phoenix, but he hadn't a clue as to what name the other boy should have.
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Post by Misery on Dec 6, 2008 11:25:40 GMT -5
Nica smiled at the suggestion. The little female did look like she could be called Phoenix, and she was already pushing the others around. After a pause, he said something else. Just like her mother. Nica looked up, and wondered if he'd guessed already. She smiled a little and nodded. "Phoenix is a fine name. It fits her well."
She pushed the bigger male, the unnamed one, back into the middle of the nest after he'd rolled away. She chuckled and gave him a quick lick on the head. "And what about him? He'll need a name. What about Blitz? He'll be the biggest." The name came out of nowhere, but she thought it fit the little red male. |
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Post by Rose Petals on Dec 12, 2008 5:15:10 GMT -5
Enrique was surprised that Nica liked the name he suggested, and was joyed that she had stuck her with that name. 'It fits her well,' she had said. He thought for a moment about the name of Slate and Blitz, and decided that her trio of nals had the perfect fitting names. "I think Blitz is a wonderful name," Enrique agreed. He pondered on the thoughts of what they would be like as they were growing up, and who they would choose as adults, if they changed their minds on the war. He wished for them all three to stay in Kiba's pack, for they had protection from her majesty. He slowly creeped his way by crawling towards Nica and her pups more so that he was only a few inches away from them, hoping that she wouldn't mind the extra warmth for her and her nals.
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Post by Misery on Dec 14, 2008 16:15:34 GMT -5
Nica sighed and rested her head on her paws, tired from the day's events. She closed her eyes and was soon completely enveloped in sleep.
3 months later...
The pups had grown incredibly since their birth. Blitz was invariably the largest of the three and always the most keen to play. He was a cheerful young thing, always playing and laughing. He was quite the prankster, and his siblings often got tired of him.
Phoenix, the middle child and the second largest of the three, could match her brother's will to fight. She was always willing to explore, but she was equally protective. She had begun to show an independent streak, and it was often that Nica was worried out of her wits for not finding the little felme.
And last but not least was Slate. The smallest and most picked on of the siblings. He wasn't afraid to stand up for himself, but he was much gentler than his bigger siblings. He would join Phoenix on her adventures sometimes, and together they would scare their mother to the brink of death.
But of the three, quite the contrary of most litters, Nica was most worried about the female. Even today she had to step in to keep the young felme from hurting her siblings. She was afraid that her daughter would grow up on the dark side, though she hoped with all her heart that she wouldn't. Nica watched the three pups gamboling on the bank and in the clearing, scowling as Phoenix tackled her brothers again and again. Nica didn't think she meant to hurt her siblings, but she tended to get carried away in her play. Nica knew her daughter could be dangerous, but only time would tell.
Nica looked over at Enrique, wondering if he was under the same impressions. She had grown to trust the male greatly, and she liked having him around. It was good to know that not all males in the world were brutes...
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Post by Rose Petals on Dec 15, 2008 10:25:29 GMT -5
Enrique smiled at Nica, too shy to make the first move. He didn't understand why he was inable to tell her how he felt, for he had never really been shy before. Nica just made him that way.
He watched the pups play, and noticed that Phoenix had sort of a mean streak about her, though he was sure it wasn't intentional. Pups were playful, and they got carried away - no big deal. He knew that with her attitude, there was a chance she would turn out on the wrong side, but he didn't understand why she would ever want to leave Kiba's pack, for the wolves here had it made - beauty and protection everywhere. He sighed and shuddered at the thought that Phoenix would join Lokken, for she would be a great attribute to whomever she was with.
He barked playfully at Nica and pawed at her. Rolling to his back and pawing at the air, he gave her the advantage of winning, as a gentlemae should.
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Post by Misery on Dec 16, 2008 19:01:11 GMT -5
Nica smiled when he offered to play. She jumped to her feet and wagged her tail furiously. She bowed down with her rump in the air and nipped at him. She kept one eye and ear out for the pups, but it was nice to forget about everything for once. She barked at him, wanting a little more of a challenge than him immediately forefeiting. She smiled and pounce at him, landing just inches away. She nipped at his fur, careful not to break his skin.
Slate stopped playing to watch the two adults begin their own play. Phoenix bowled him over in his moment of vulnerability, and he snarled and growled in a high-pitched puppy voice. And then Blitz was on top of both of them, crushing them under his weight. Even Phoenix protested, twisting and turning to get out from under her big brother. And poor Slate was squished underneath the heavy ball of raging fur.
"Mama! Papa! Help me!" He let it slip in his desperation, and all three pups froze. Slate opened his tightly shut eyes to stare at Enrique, afraid he might get into trouble. They all thought of him that way. He was the only father they had ever known, but none of them ever dared to call him that. Even Nica turned to look at the gray pup, blinking slowly. But her gaze turned to Enrique, wondering what his response to this would be. Blitz quickly scrambled away from his siblings, more intent on being left out than in the middle of it. But Phoenix just stepped off her twin brother and stared at him, her tail wagging approval.
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Post by Rose Petals on Dec 17, 2008 11:22:04 GMT -5
Enrique heard the name 'papa,' but didn't understand what to do. He looked to Nica for guidance. He was speechless, even though he was honored that Slate had called him such. He wanted so badly to be their father, but he didn't know how Nica would feel about it. Staying silent for what seemed like a long time, though it was only a few seconds, he waited to be told what to do by their mother, Nica. Secretly he wished for her to give her approval and be able to go and help his son.
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Post by Misery on Dec 17, 2008 20:33:04 GMT -5
Nica smiled as he looked to her. She couldn't deny him the chance. And she couldn't push him away. There was no telling what would happen if she did that. The three pups would surely resent her, and they would grow up without a father, which they desperately needed.
She motioned her head toward the nervous young pups, happy that she wouldn't have to raise them alone now. She needed a mate just as much as her pups needed a father. Someone to protect her and someone to spend her days with. Maybe even someone to have pups with. She sighed at the thought, and watched to see how he would handle the rough play.
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Post by Rose Petals on Dec 17, 2008 20:50:59 GMT -5
Enrique smiled, then stood up. He nodded his head in thanks to Nica, then ran to Slate. He pawed at his son, then licked his head. "For what service may I assist you?" he joked. He bent down with his rear end raised, his tail wagging, and growled playfully at the other pups. He was happy to finally be able to be a father to these pups, for he felt he already was. He was waiting for his chance to actually be one, and his chance had finally come.
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Post by Misery on Dec 17, 2008 21:39:49 GMT -5
All three pups began to wag their tails excitedly. Enrique was officially Daddy, Papa, and every other word for Father! They didn't have to be careful what they called him anymore. Slate grinned, all troubles of rough play forgotten. The adult's words remined him, though he didn't say anything about it. Instead, he pounced on his new father's head, growling playfully. Phoenix and Blitz soon joined in, the little felme tugging on his tail and Blitz nipping and trying to climb on Enrique's back.
Nica laughed and shook her head in amusement. Well, at least now they were a full family.
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