Temptation

A black female walked slowly into the allies, her head low, gold-silver eyes glancing quickly in a gesture of fear. "H-hello" She cried out before slinking down. Hearing none come to her aid, she curled into a box and began a soft crying.

Skeil

Returning from one of her patrols, the alabastor pit-bull picked up on a most unwelcome scent. Tension had risen quite a bit following the stunning defection of six members, though the remaining Lurkers were as close as ever. Of all of them, Desmon was taking things the hardest, and it infuriated the mother to see the kindly hybrid so dismal.

This had made Skeil all the more irked when she scented Haunter on the wind. Before getting too close to the source, she turned her chocolate eyes skyward, searching against the darkened, star-speckled heavens for the silhouette of one of the Lurker's friendly fliers. None of the falcons soared above, but then, their eyes weren't so effective in the night hours anyway.

Cautiously moving along, Skeil made sure she didn't travel down any alley that would leave her cornered and vulnerable should this be an ambush. Her floppy ears were perked as high as they could go as her nose worked over-time. Moving silently, she honed in on the tresspasser, until the sound of... was that crying she heard?

The pitbull shook off an uneasy feeling as she continued onward, until she finally came to the box where the enemy was taking refuge in. Fangs were bore in a lethal grimace as she circled around to the front of the box, and glared inside. ",b>Haunter scum! What the hell are you doing here?" Hackles rose as a shiver of fury ran down her spine, tensing her muscles and sending deep wrinkles along her muzzle as her snarling facade grew all the more menacing.

Temptation

She was in her own sulking as she heard foot steps tacking in the alley, she didn't even pause to act as if she acknowledged the other being until they were on her in a ravage snarl.

She rounded in surprise, he back arched in fear as her eyes grew wide with tears streaming from the corners. Her tail went between her legs as she shivered in her corner. "H-Haunter?... I- I was born in the Haunters, But I have not lived with them since I was a pup. I r-r-ran away and have been living with h-humans. B-b-" She couldn't let out the words, she had to pause and make a hard swallow behind her tears. ",B>Th-They came after me with their-their guns an-an-and the other dogs turned against me an-an-aaaahhhh!!" She broked down into a heaping mess. Her face promtply covered by her paws as she shivered. True she had been with humans for a while, but it wasn't because of being their pet. Well, sort of. She just took food from them and lived on their lands long enough to get the Haunter smell enough out of her coat. Other than the soft smell of Haunter, she was very dainty and fragile looking, lean and a little boney. One not fit to do much combat.

Skeil & Bullet

From the opposite end of the Alley, Bullet was quick approaching the scene. Despite the cover of darkness, Pirqua had been able to pick out Temptation making her way along the streets, and alerted the large brute.

Of all the Lurkers, it was Bullet who had the bad habit of sympathizing with the enemy, from Dream to Immortal to Dance, he generally tried to give a good word for those that he thought were truely innocent or deserving of a second chance. And knowing this, Skeil bit back a groan when she saw the hybrid heading their way.

Normally she might have been swayed by such words from the terrified wolfess, but her mind was screaming with alarm. These times were too dangerous to allow for pity to cloud her judgement when it came to an enemy, "What is your name, and who are your parents?" She demanded next, furious in herself for second-guessing her instincts. She knew she should attack and at least drive off the trembling wolf, but it went against her nature to slaughter one that was cringing with such fear, and posing no bit of threat to her or her family. All she could do was to try and find a reason to attack.

Temptation

Temptation cowered still. Hesitating at the question as she tried to recall the names of her parent's. Soon a wave hit her and she lifted her head. Her swollen eyes looking around in her memory. "I... I d-don't recall. All I remember is b-being with the Haunter Mother's. I don't know who my p-p-parents are...." With the thought of not knowing her background, another stream of tears flooded from her eyes "I-I.. I don't know." Dribbles of snot, saliva drooling, it was convencing. "I-I heard the Haunters s-s-steal pups... I-Is that true? W-W-Was I stolen?" She was only a year at most, her childish side could be easily seen by her slightly undersized body.

Her eyes looked around frantically now... "M-My name, wh-what if it was changed... I... My... They named me Miki. B-But I- I remember hearing someone call me StarChild once... I-I don't remember who it was..." The conversation was both to herself and for those who could hear her talking to herself. A mental conflict clashing in her mind could clearly be seen.

Skeil & Bullet

The pit bull continued to reguard the wolf with skeptical hostility, although her previous thougths were beginning to waver somewhat. And it didn't help that Bullet was now looming beside her, looking at the Haunther with the most sympathetic and concerned gaze.

"I think she's telling to truth." He offered, tilting his head to the side and he lowered into a half-crouch, "Poor thing, she's scared half to death!" It didn't take much to win the hybrid over, for he was more like a big teddy bear when none of his family or friends were in danger.

Skeil rumbled with annoyance, "It could be a ploy, Bullet..." But even in her tones, there was that touch of uncertainty. Temptation was very convincing in her act.

The hybrid's tail waved from side to side, "StarChild, that's what we'll call you." Bullet piped up, in a more cheery voice, being fully convinced that this was just another victim of the Haunters, "It's hard telling, with them, but I'll warrant they did still you. They have a bad habbit of taking pups from their mothers." He added, his tones dissolving into a more solemn note, "How would you like to live with us?"

At this, Skeil gave her friend a pointed look and lifted her head slightly, reminding him that it was not his call to decide such matters. Bullet dipped his head appeasingly at this, offering her a sheepish smile, "Aw, come on. At least give her a chance."

"That'll be up to her sister, and she's not in a very 'chance-giving' mode, either." Skeil reminded, but couldn't help but relent to her friend's ethusiastic optimism. It was hard to ever get made it Bullet. Unless, of course, you were Hydras.

Lyckos

The hazel eyes of the usually placid hybrid were narrowed in bitter anger. The scene that had just unfolded in front of him at the den had caused a seering rage to boil up inside him; Aurinka had defected from the Lurkers for her scum-bag of a mother, and not only that, but had insulted the Lurkers and Hydras in particular before leaving to start her 'rebellion'. A quiet, but not means less ominous growl rumbled from his throat, as the large canine paced through the alleys, trying to work off his pent up rage.

His large ears soon picked up voices, two of which he knew, but he could smell three others. Wondering if one of Aurinka's brainwashed mongrels had tried to infiltrate the Lurkers, Lyckos decided he would investigate (but it would probably end nastily, due to his foul temper).

It was at this point, as he rounded the corner of one of the smaller alleys, that he picked up on the scent of a Haunter. A soft scent, but a scent none-the-less. Bullet and Skeil were both around the young Haunter, and Lyckos came up behind them, his eyes flashing dangerously as he lifted himself up to show his rank. "Who the hell is this and what on earth does she think she's doing here?" surged forth his deep voice, that was laced, unusually, with an undertone of darkness. He was fed up of Haunters coming here seeking refuge and then defecting; Aurinka sprung to mind.

Skeil & Bullet

With the arrival of their alpha, both canines rightfully adopted a lower stature, though Skeil's head was still raised to its fighting position as Gamma, while her posture was ridged and tense with uncertainty. She shot Bullet a warning look before answer her leader, "She claims to have been raised by the Haunters, and says she escaped them as a youngster." The skepticism in her tones was thick and accussing as her eyes hardened on Temptation. Her previous judgement of the wolf were rekindled by the darkness she heard in Lyckos' voice.

Bullet, still, had been more or less taken by the act. "She isn't so old, I think - I think she's telling the truth." He offered, meekly, as he spared a glance up at his leader. He was all appeasement at the moment, body lowered, ears back, tail brushing against the ground.

"Age doesn't count anymore, Bullet." Skeil cut in, giving her friend a pointed look, "Have you forgot how young those six traitors were?"

Bullet lowered his eyes, nodding vaguely. He hadn't been there during the actual defection, but he had heard all the details from Honthale and Moonshadow. And if Desmon's attitude was anything to go by... the uncle sighed heavily as he turned his wolvish eyes back on Temptation. His heart went out to the frightened female, but he didn't hold the rank to decide her fate. He could only make suggestions.

Lyckos

Lyckos' eyes narrowed darkly, his unnerving glare now turned to Temptation as Skeil filled him in. Oh dear, another Haunter seeking sanctuary, eh?

The dark brindle brute revealed the tips of his fangs to the youngster. Normally, he would have conversed with her to find out the details, but right now his temper far outweighed his sense of moral judgement. The fierce rage that still threatened to break loose inside him urged him to take out his anger on someone, but he managed to hold onto his aggression. "Don't come here seeking aid, pup. We have had far too many betrayals of late to risk anymore." He was obviously talking about Aurinka, and her apparent disreguard for everything the Lurkers had done for her. They had taken her in, given her a home from the Haunters, and she had seemingly left them for a mother that, in his eyes, had never been there for her.

Skeil's words gained a nod of agreement from the alpha, as he glanced down to Bullet. "Truth or not, we cannot risk another betrayal. If our enemies hear our members are defecting, we shall make ourselves a bigger target. We took Aurinka in as a pup, and I questioned my own judgement about her staying with us. It turns out I was right to be worried. No, from now on I think we should only take in those who are in good ties with us, or who have no past or present alliegance to our enemies."

Now, his gaze was fixed back on the sobbing Temptation. "While I would never normally turn away a frightened youngster, StarChild, the omens of today have made up my mind. I cannot accept you into the Shadow Lurkers; the risk is too great."

Chinue

The Fierce Snake slithered through the alleys. The Lurkers should know to be careful around the most venomous snake in the world. Until now, Chinue had been an ally of the Ancient Guardians, and helped them and the Lurkers out in battle. But once Bamboo heard what happened, they immediately changed sides. Tainted told her everything - how the neutral coyote was turned away, and how the Lurker pup was exiled.

She hoped that the Lurkers would still believe that she is an ally. She had to play this one well. She stopped a few feet from Lyckos and the others, hissing threateningly at Temptation. She was silently saying that she had better follow the alpha's orders...or else. Of course, it was all a show. But Chinue had experience in faking it.

Temptation

The young wolfess lowered her head even more when Lycos came closer. Her tail clamped between her legs and she whined. "I-I am only in the allies for food... I-I d-don't know how to hunt, I was never taught. I would always eat scraps from the humans. And the humans in the city want me dead, I came here because the smell of human is a little less. I can't live without them, I-I-I'll die.. I don't know how to feed myself. A-A-and...." Another stream of tears tied into the ones before, making the act more intense. "I-I don't even think a human would want me any-anymore. Wh-What do I do i-i-if I can't live here? Wh-wh-where do I go?!?"

She curled into a ball, her eyes down on the ground, to afraid to look into the other's stares. And then a snake came and a shiver was sent down her spine. The whites showed ans she quickly leaped so that her back end was guarded by a stack of trash bags. "Wh-what is that...?" She was shivering something awful, having a hard time holding herself up.

Skeil & Bullet

After Lyckos had spoken, Skeil nodded in assentment, "I think that would be the safest measure to take. Times are too sketchy to let down our guard." Backing-up her leader's decision, the pit bull stood strong as she looked down at the cowering Temptation.

"It seems wrong to just leave her..." Bullet hesitantly put in, keeping himself cowered close to the ground as he passively rebuted what Lyckos and Skeil had already decreed. A slight rumble from Skeil warned him to keep his emotions to himself right now, but Temptation's act implored him on, "...maybe, I can lead her to the Woodland Farm? There will at least be food there."

The pit bull gave a heavy sigh to express her thinning patience, even though her voice was even and calmer than it had been previously, "If Lyckos approves, I don't see any harm in that."

Lyckos

Bullet didn't agree with him. That much was obvious. Lyckos narrowed his eyes, the tips of his fangs just visable, even though Bullet was submissive in his ideas. "You may take her there, but take one of the falcon's with you. Be quick Bullet."

Shooting a dirty look at Temptation, the hybrid spun round and began to head for the Den. "Come, Skeil," he called over his shoulder, "this mutt has wasted enough of our time."

Temtation

The black she-wolf looked helplessly from one Lurker to the otehr as they decided her fate for her. To the woodland farm... To the sound of this, there was a slight perk in her ears, but her eyes grew grave and frightful. Something she quickly hid as though keeping a secret. She would have to tell Bullet alone... he seemed to be the type to easily fall to lies and good acts. She had already plucked the sheep, all she needed to do now was sheer it until it became her lovely coated pet. Now she had thoughts going through her mind to help her stratigize on how to turn this one into a defector Lurker. - Although the plotting was completely invisitble to the others around her. All they could see was a worried yet semi-submissively agreeing face.

Skeil, Bullet, & Pirqua

Skeil began to follow after her lead, though paused briefly to look back at her friend, "Don't take long, Bullet." And then the pitbull was padding away towards their home base, her alabastor frame melting away into the shadows of the narrow alleyways.

Slowly, the big hybrid eased himself up from the ground, ears still timidly back as he went over his thoughts. He knew he had pushed his luck with Skeil and Lyckos, and if his sister had been present, he may have very well gotten a muzzle snap for his insubordination. "Well then..." Bullet gruffly cleared his throat as his ears slid forward and his tail hung more loose, "I'm sure you'll love it at the Woodland Farm. It's a safe-haven for everyone, and the humans there are very nice." He assured, attempting to ease the fear and anxiety that was not really there in Temptation.

As Bullet prepared to leave, Pirqua soared high over the two. Having been summoned by Skeil under the order of Lyckos, the falcon would keep an eye on Bullet and be sure he came into no trouble.

Temptation

Temptation kept her wary eyes on Lyckos and Skeil as they left before she cowered closer to Bullet. Her eyes grew 'compassionate' toward the hybrid as the other's walked away and she whispered so low "I know that look..." she made it loud enough for Bullet to hear, but not enough for Pirqua. Her tail clenched between her legs as she let herself get comforatble by the male's side. "W-What of the dangers on the way there.... a-are you strong enough to handle them?

Bullet & Pirqua

He let his tail wag a little, "There's no need to worry, StarChild. I can handle myself." At this, Bullet gave a lop-sided grin, trying to use a bit of humor to lighten up the mood and make the fae feel better. "And I won't let anyone harm you." The words were offered more sincerely and with certainty, for he felt badly for the timid femme and wanted to make up for the bluntness of his friends. Offering Temptation an encouraging nudge with his shoulder, Bullet began to pad away through the Alleys, on his way to the Woodland Farm.

Pirqua continued to circle about, covering their path and keeping a watchout for any trouble. If any strange canine came anywhere near the departing group, her call would alert Bullet of the danger before the enemy would have a chance for a surprise attack.