Bane*Unknown
Deep gray brute stalked in, turning silvery eyes upon the lands that had once been his home. A deep growl left his kissers: it had been almost a year since he'd left, and now in another few moons he'd reach two years of age. Now, only the scent of fresh blood could draw him back. Apollo's corpse was fresh on the ground, and Bane had come back to gloat. He had warned them, and now... now it was too late. This was no longer his home, these no longer his family. He had a new father now. But he could come to rub it in their faces... oh yes...
A snowy shadow padded silently behind him, keeping carefully out of the young buck's scenting. Anyone coming to greet the whelp would spot him immediately, which was just what he was hoping for.
Bane let a devious grin fall on his face and let out a howl, his face still fixed in that silent snarl.
Come to me, all ye that have betrayed me...
Moon Phase
The silver vixen lifted her dial, a somber action as she was in the rut of a depression. Her son was dead, and her strong mate was in the same state as she. What would become of them and the pack? As she thought, the scent that had long since left tis pack had returned, and she could only blame it on her state. He wouldn't be back here, it was impossible. She must be going crazy. After a few minutes when the scent did not disipate, she forced her limbs to push her carcuss off the ground, not bothering to remove the dirt which now clung to her. Her limbs stretched out with each step, taking her time to both try and raise her spirits, and to just be sure she was not becoming an insane old coot. The howl however make her freeze and her eyes widen, it was Bane. Her pace quickened further, and dial jerking to finall face her son who had left more then a year ago. "Bane?!"
Bane*Unknown
Bane nodded coldly to his mother, a greeting of sorts, nothing more. But then that fiendish smirk plastered itself upon his mug and he sneered at her. Ah... I see you remember. How... quaint. I understand Apollo is dead. How nice. Saves me some trouble. He knew that comment would hurt his mother, and made it deliberately in order to do so.
The white shadow behind him shifted, not bothering to cover the crackling sound he made. A little closer... just to make certain... And then the breeze came at his beckoning, carrying the silver queen's scent to him, mingled with that of another... and it was that scent in which he was interested. Unable to resist, he let out a hissing laugh. How odd...
Moon Phase
The huntress crindged at the words, backing up a step as if they truely had been a physical blow. "Bane! He was your brother! How can you speak of him like that?!" Her eyes glanced to the figure, a scol sent. She did not know to who it belonged, but she already disliked them. "Bane, If you come to mock your family then I suggest you leave" Her threat was othing she could possibly back up. She was weak in mind, which had caused her body too to fail. She hadn't gone out to hunt sicne the death, and she was starting to feel the effects of hunger.
Bane*Unknown*Darkeyes
Bane kept that smirk on his face. With one son's death so recent, he knew she wouldn't hurt him. Oh, and what do you mean to do about it, whench? Send that cringing white brute after me? I think not.
As if the speaking had summoned him, the father came tiredly to Moon Phase's side, scowling at his son. Stop it instantly. You've done enough to this family, Bane. You should... But his advice was lost as the shadowed figure stepped forward, causing Darkeyes to freeze completely.
The white figure padded quietly forward, deep brown eyes on the alphen. The speckling of black upon his face mocked that of the younger male, the lone torn and useless ear the only imperfection in a mirror. His voice was a low hiss as he addressed Darkeyes. Ah... I see that I have stumbled in on something more important than I thought. And he gave a smirk that matched Bane's exactly, baring teeth in a most unpleasant way.
Darkeyes began to tremble uncontrollably, but didn't dare move. He was frozen in place.
Moon Phase
The silver goddess stood in place, her gaze falling to the ground at his words. She knew she would do nothing, and she would not want Darkeyes to do anything either. On cue her mate appeared and with i, her harks lazily directed themselves towards him, catching his hessitation before a new voice entered. She was confused, his words did nothing to answer any questions, and her mates silence only made her fear grow.
The queen turned her dial, orbs looking right at her mate who seemed frozen in time. "Bane leave here now! You chose to abandon this family so follow with your decision and go!" She couldn't even manage a snarl.
Bane*Unknown*Darkeyes
Bane was about to speak, loud and justified, when the older male brushed him aside, taking a step forward.
Ah, now. How rude. I came all this way to have a family reunion, and you would send one away. That might upset me. And his smile grew devilish. And we wouldn't want that, would we, Darkeyes? And two matching sets of brown orbs met, causing alpha male to shiver.
Finally, gritting his teeth, he took a low, regal bow, unable to bring his voice above a whisper. No, sir. We wouldn't want that. He continued to trmeble, unable to stop.
Moon Phase
"What?! Darkeyes? What is this about"
Her mates low bow served to only confuse the huntress further, and her silver orbs shot a strong look staight for the male. Who was he, and why would Darkeyes prove to be so fearful of him? Her mind raced, and a second glance to her mate brought her to take a step forward. A low growl was felt forth, her lips curling back. It was not as threating as she had been once, but it was all she could muster. "Whoever you are, begone! Your presense sickens me!"
Bane*Shaman*Darkeyes
Bane watched all, a confused look replaced his habitual smirk.
At his mate's threat, the white male leapt forward to stand in front of her, voice low. Please, my love. Be careful. Moon Phase... this is Shaman... and he paused, gathering courage. This is... my father.
And Shaman let his smirk widen, taking a mock bow. Greetings.
Moon Phase
Her growl weakend only slightly, her orbs moving from both her beloved mate, and the one he called father. This was impossible, her loving mater, her fellow alpha, was the sun of something who's scent screamed evil all over. His bow only angered her further, hitting a nerve with her. Turning to her mate, she spoke low tones. "I don't need to be careful. He does. He may be your father but you are alpha of these lands, and you should have to bow to no one." A growl rumblined after, not mad at her mate, but just in frustation.
Bane*Shaman*Darkeyes
Bane, now that the confusion had been settled, was grinning again, throughly enjoying the show.
Darkeyes sighed softly, though he never took his eyes from Shaman. His voice was soft. My dear... I cannot expect you to understand the history behind this, for I have never told you. He winced as the older male let out low, mirthless chuckle, but this time he turned to face his mate as he spoke again. But you must believe me, Moon Phase. If there is anyone in all this world that I fear... it is my father. And you know well that there is little I fear...
Shaman continued to grin, tossing his head so that the limp ear went flying. Oh, yes, child. There is much about me that our little fellow here has reason to fear. And, if you were wise, you would fear it too. And his teeth bared in a low growl as he flashed forward, opening a small wound in Darkeyes' side. Leaping back with unearthly speed, he smiled in satisfaction.
Darkeyes had not flinched. Reflexes he hadn't needed in years kept him from moving, from letting out a scream of pain. Too many years that had been beaten into him: show no pain, no fear. Shaman smirked, voice a low hiss again. Ah... so you haven't forgotten, have you boy? That's well enough, isn't it?
Darkeyes kept cold eyes on him as the wound bled sluggishly, saying, Yes, sir.
Moon Phase, Artemis
Moon Phase ekpt her eyes on the brute, although her harks were directed to hear her mates ords. She couldn't stand this. THe brutes motion towards her mate made her muslces tense but even as blood flowed, se heard nothing from her mate, and she was perplexed beyond reason. "Fear you? I don't fear you I dispise you!" And her bodice tensed with a low growl, her lips curled back in defience. She didn't know the male as well as Dark Eyes, that was obvious. But she was not fearful of him, she simply dispised him. Her dial turned to her son, a furry of words shot at him as well. "Bane you've come to admit your joy for your brothers death and you acomplished that! Now leave!" She was getting fed up, and dispite her unnaturaly weak self esteem, she was still willing to fight if need be. She disliked being disrespected, and what's more, she hated her mate being disrespected.
The silver huntress padded through the brush, having found herself ready to possibly to speak to her father about all this, to hear what he had to say. She had not listened before for other reason, but now she was ready to hear what he had to say. However, a furry of growls and yells had cauhght her attention, making her stride slower and more cautious. She recognised her mothers tones, although they were a bit different from before. Her father's tone could be recognised, although his exact words were difficult to catch. But Anouther male, who she didn't know was what brought her to be cautious. He seemed to know her father, at least in some form or another. She continued to move, coming up behind Bane and the male as he spoke. She stood silent and still, and although she did not expect to stay hidden, she strained to hear what was being said.
Bane*Shaman*Darkeyes
Bane didn't even flinch at his mother's reprimand, knowing she was much more concerned with Shaman at the moment.
Darkeyes spotted his daughter almost instantly, and gave her a meaningful look, saying with his eyes No, no! Hide! Run! That done, he came up beside his mate, still keeping his voice low, beyond the other's hearing. My dear... a moment. Before you decide to war against him, let me tell you of things you know not. Please, before you make a mistake. His eyes were pleading, for he didn't want her to get hurt.
Raising his voice,he spoke to Shaman, his words formal and diplomatic. Sir, I find that my mate and myself are in need of rest and food before we venture to complete such a reunion of which you speak. If you might call upon us tomorrow at this time, perhaps we might be more ready to receive you. It was the diplomatic dance he had known the steps to since his birth, and he spoke it eloquenty. The elder wolf grinned again, his eyes showing that he knew exactly what Darkeyes meant, and withdrew, a soft, Hello, child" sent to Artemis as he passed.
Moon Phase, Artemis
The huntress ceased her snarls at her mates request, but her orbs were cold. She hated to think he would fear a wolf to the point of such submission. It sickened her to the core, and had it not been the love she felt for her dear darkeyes, she would have taken her frustations our further. As Shaman walked away, her dial followed, orbs watching his steps, but catching her jaws moving. Only then did she realize that her daughter was here, little Artemis. She didn't speak to her, rather she turned back to her mate. "You fear him, why? You are strong, you are a leader, you should hold no fear!" Her tones were gifted with a small growl, simply from the frustation. Her eyes were wet with tears, although she was not sad. They did not fall but only gleamed from the spring sun.
Artemis stood, her harks peressed forward, catching her faths words. They were his wors, and yet they weren't. He spoke like a scared puppy, one who was mindless and had no free will. She was confused, but she continued to stand until the brute walked by. His tone caught her attention, and the silver fae watched him leave, no sounds emmited, although she was weary of the brute.
Darkeyes*Bane*Taipa
Bane continued to grin, enjoying this. Well, now... this IS fun.
Taipa came up beside Artemis, a smile given to her before she noticed her father, who was looking like a whipped puppy. Questioning eyes went to her sister as she shook with fear. Was there something her strong, unbeatable father was afraid of? The very concept shocked her to her bones. Trembling herself, she whimpered.
Darkeyes shook in the wake of his father's leaving, but turned when he heard that tone his Moon Phase's voice. A low sigh escaped him as he placed a tentative nuzzle, trying to remove the pain from her face. His voice was soft. My love... we were pledged fast on love loyal and strong, but without much personal knowledge of one another. But there are things of the past that I have told you none of, because I believed them to be long since over. HE is one of them. You see, my dear... And he took a deep breath. HE is supposed to be dead.
Moon Phase, Artemis
The alphaess could only lift a single eyebrow at her mates words. "He smelt alive enough to me." Her orbs switched to look at her two daughters together, but flashed over to their brother. A small growl fell from her aws as she took a few steps forward, away from her mate. Her plume was raised and high, fed up now with the disrespect for the day. "Bane, you are not welcome in my home. You've disrespected the spirit of your dead brother, and now your feeding off my patience. Leave now!" her tones were harsh, and spoken in a low growl. She was flustered with rage and confusion. She loved her son despite his rudeness, but she had a duty as alpha, and she was to be respected as such. Her cold silver pools zoned in on her zone, not leaving him as her snarls continued, strong and powerful.
Artemis almost jumped at her sister, but calmed just as quickly. Instead she focused on her afther, and then on her mother, who seemed determined to send Bane away. She had known bane had left home too, but it would seem he was completly unwelcome back. She gave no opinion on this, and instead stayed quiet and still. Her chocolate orbs were alert, and she seemed focused on the mouth movements.
Darkeyes*Bane*Taipa
Bane let out a low chuckle, about to return rudeness for rudeness, when Taipa stepped forward, voice a low snarl herself. You heard her, Bane. Even if you do not fear her, you fear me, though you would never admit it. So hear this, daemon. In the name of my alphess, my mother, leave this place, for if you ever return, it will be by way of my jaws dragging your corpse. Is that clear? Bane scowled. His mother held no fear for him, nor his father, for they loved him to much to kill him. Taipa, though... she might actually do it. His tone was annoyed as he flicked his tail, not even bothering to say goodbye as he left.
Taipa sent apologetic eyes to her mother as she backed away, knowing that she had overstepped her bounds. But she had known her brother would not listen, and her parents didn't really need this kind of stress right now.
Darkeyes let soft eyes fall on his confused mate, voice low. Yes, he smelled alive to me, too. The last time I saw him, I left him for dead, throat slashed... but it would seem that somehow he is alive. And he sighed, the trembling ceasing now that he was gone. Oh, my dear... I have much to tell you. Take a seat. We may be here awhile.
Moon Phase, Artemis
Artemis stood, almost unphased by her sisters forward steps. She was a bit surprised Bane did in fact retreat, but she seemed to stay like a rock. As Ban turned to leave, she too turned, freezing to look back at her sister. "Tell father I was here, and I will return hopefully when spirits favor it" With that, herpistons stretched and pulled back to her body, moving her away from the pack, and returning her to the ranch. She hadn't any time to speak to her parents, but she felt now would not be the time.
Darkeyes*Taipa
Taipa nodded, a soft, I will her only reply. But she gave her sister a small smile as she turned away. Artemis, at least it seemed, had ended her war with their parents, or at least was willing to listen. That was good.
Darkeyes sighed, knowing that she did not mean it the way it sounded. Closing his eyes for just a moment to brace himself, he settled down and began to speak, softly. You are right to say it love, though you take it back so quickly. I really SHOULD have told you this, though I believed it unimportant. And his eyes closed again, this time in pain. Taking a few deep breaths, he dared to open them again, and continued to speak, fighting to make his voice level. I have told you of my sister Kya's death at the hands of the two-legs, and of my coming here to the Valley. It never occured to me to tell you why my sister and myself left our old home. The answer to that is quite simple: our father drove us from it.
Getting to his feet, he began to pace, head down in thought. Coming to a halt facing away from Moon Phase, he spoke again. My mother died when I was very young, Moon Phase. Father was awkward and unsure about raising pups himself, and so we were fostered by another young mother in the pack. The months went by and Father tried his best to raise us well, to teach us the morals Mother had beleived in. But even as the days passed, he grew to be a stranger to myself and Kya. And then... well, then came the war.
He turned to face her again, though he didn't meet her eyes. My Father went off to fight the war, to defend our pack from those who would have ousted the alphas and put new ones in their place. I know not what happened during that war, for Kya and I were still young and were left at home to be protected. But... whatever happened... Father came back completely changed. He was angry and intolerant, having no patience for pups. His sweet, awkward nature had been torn away, leaving nothing but red, haunted eyes and the wonders of thought behind them unknown to any. It hurt us so much to see him, but Kya most of all, for she loved him deeply, in a way that not even I could understand. But one day, she got in the way of his anger, and he attacked her. I leapt to defend her, to apologize to my father, to beg him to forgive us. And the white face turned away again, eyes squinting shut in unbearable pain. He broke my heart that day. I remember the words well. "I have no children. Begone." His head bowed low as he rode memories, he tried so hard to hide the shame. When he next spoke, his voice was barely a whisper. Have you ever had someone you love disclaim you, 'Phase? It is hard, hard to bear. That day my father almost killed me. Only the interference of our foster mother, who managed to slash his throat before he killed her, let us both survive. We left him behind, left him for dead, ran for our lives. And so you see, Moon Phase... I cannot kill him for fear... and also... for old love. The last word was a faded murmur almost beyond hearing, and he lay down where he was.
The stress of the day, the death of his son, the betrayal of it all had finally hit him, and he lay there on the ground, his strong chassis shaking with the racking sobs that escaped him, his cheeks wet with tears. The moon shone above a dreary sliver, casting an indecent light on the figure of the faithful, long-suffering, finally beaten white father.
There are nights when the wolves are silent, and only the moon howls...
Moon Phase
Thje silver alphass let her harks direct full attention to his words, the fae attempting to visualize the tale he wove. It was difficult, but she was able to picture her mate as a small thing, and as the story went, she could feel the pain. Her lids closed as when his father became violent, and she cringed back, and once the tale faded and the sobs too the place of words, she opened her eyes, the grey pools soft and moist. She placed her dial beside his, not speaking, only thinking.
His own father, the once kind, confused male, had turned vicious. But of course, despite this, Darkeys would still love his father. He was his own flesh and blood, he could not atack him the same reason she could not attack Bae. The love was too great. But despite haveing some understanding, she did not understand why he did not hold his ground to some extent. One could love and still be firm. Is that not what they did to their children? They loved them deeply, but they had been stern with Artemis, Taipa, and Apollo when they had done a wrong deed. They were stern because they loved them. This was what puzzled her. They were alpha,s they were the rulers of these lands. This powere gave them the right to stand forward and not have to pup up with back-sass, even if it was from family. She would not expect him to kill his father, however... she wished he could prove to not forget his rank in the presence of the alabaster hunter.
Darkeyes*Taipa
Taipa had stayed back out of hearing range, letting her father speak privately, sensing it was a private matter. But his sobs shot through her like lightning, making tears of her own fall. Stepping lightly forward, she came to rest beside him, curling up on his other side silently.
The white male soon cried himself out, and let out a low sigh, taking a deep breath and looking up at his mate, aside to his daughter. Finally he spoke again, voice more calm than it had been, his eyes a touch ashamed. I am sorry, my dear. You are right. I am alpha male here, and he has interloped upon my lands, my home, without courtesy or permission. He has addressed my family with disrespect, addressed you with disrespect. He does not deserve my acknowledgement, much less my sorrow. And he nodded, seeming to come to a decision. If I am not his son, the he has no hold over me any longer. And he aimed a nuzzle at her, not smiling, but the clouds had left his eyes.
Moon Phase
The silver huntress lifted her dial, harks perked and her mind set on hope. His tones had changed, clearer, though of course not as they once were. But healing would take time, just as the pain had taken time to become so great. A smile formed on his last words, although she wondered if he was saying this to make her feel better. Even so, she now felt that he might be able to live better. Although his father was not here, his attitude would hopefully put the next meeting in perspective.