Velvet & Others

"Tell me, little birdie..." Sitting lazily near the entrance of their grand temple, Velvet had one claw-lined paw pressed gingerly over the panting frame of a young falcon. The brown and tan-colored avian struggled briefly a few times, hissing and spitting out insults, but was no match against the lioness that had him pinned so effortlessly. "...what really happened."

"I told you!" Forest screeched as he swiveled his head, looking past the terrifyingly sweet smile Velvet gave him, to where Khala was perched on a nearby stone. The larger falcon, and his half-sister, spoke nothing in her smaller kin's defense. "I wasn't anywhere near here! I swear! Khala, tell her, please!" Forest struggled again, and winced sharply as claws pressed warningly against him, pricking through his feathers.

Sprawled along the front area of the temple yard, Martimoor, Little Tuft, Leopeson, and Callholm were all watching the interrogation idly, and paying little mind to the enemy that had been captured. And stalking through there ranks, Tersek looked slightly on edge about something, but didn't make any remark just yet - the wolf only kept his dual colored eyes on the lioness and the raptor, waiting to see what would happen with the interaction. It was Icestar who first voiced any protest over the situation, and boldly stood up to the far larger feline, “We’re in a ceasefire, and you know it.”

Velvet’s coy grin raised to greet the brash young wolf, “The ceasefire ended when they sent a spy our way. Isn’t that right, Khala?” Claws flexed against the falcon under her paw again, forcing him to bite back what he was about to say with a cry of pain. Still unmoved by her half-brother’s plight, Khala nodded her head solemnly and explained, “I caught him snooping around the eastern edge of the Temple, and spying on our guards.”

Icestar looked decisively between one bird to the other, wrinkling his muzzle into a reproachful growl, “You’ve been up to something for a while now, Velvet, and this is just another one of your dirty little schemes. For what, I don’t know – but I’m not going to stand for it. Let him go, or-”

“Or what?” The lioness’s grin darkened, and as if on cue, Martimoor stood from his resting spot a few feet away and stared icily at the wolf. Leopeson and Callholm joined in the gaze, and it was more than enough to make Ice’s threat die away in his throat with a low rumble.

Bandit

With Icestar distracted by Martimoor and the other lions, he would not have noticed the one that approached him from behind. He rounded on Icestar, his feral yellow eyes fixed on the other wolf, filled with a glimmer that was frightening to behold. He moved like a ghost, flawless and deliberate, a silent war-tank. Bandit made no sound: those eyes flashing with such raw power, and that body packed with almost unrivalled strength and dexterity, as he stalked Icestar much like the hunting cats the other wolf had dared challenge. Bandit quickly slid up behind Icestar, his jaws parted ever so slightly, and let his breath fall over Icestar's neck, "You know better than to undermine your superiors." His voice was a whisper, only loud enough for Ice to hear, but filled with a lingering promise of violence, and sure enough he lashed out, trying to land a vicious bite on the back of Ice's neck, where a mother would usually carry her pup by the scruff. His teeth drove for an unwavering hold, and if he managed to succeed, he bit down hard. Then, in mere seconds, he released his grip.

The action was more like a serpent than a wolf, and with the effortless leap over Ice, his fluidity suggested nothing less; perhaps Bandit had been spending too much time with the snakes of the Haunters, or maybe, just maybe, when you act like a snake, you slowly, slowly became one.

Bandit had been sat on an old stone from the Temple, one of the areas of roofing stone that had fallen. Worn smooth with time, it now laid not far from the main entrance, shielded by trees and other debris, the perfect shaded spot for relaxing. It had been here where the hybrid had lay, watching Velvet carry out her interrogation with sick fascination. It even went so far as to put a smile on his face. Not only that, but to watch the Coalition use their power and sway to silence Icestar...it was, quite frankly, brilliant. He had never formally asked to join the Coalition, it had just happened. Onslaught and Ghoul were part of it, so it was almost expected that he would be part of it too. His disappearance had not halted his progress, if anything, his experiences away from the valley had made him more fearsome and powerful than Onslaught had ever imagined. It was no surprise really, considering he outweighed his brother by a good 60 pounds. Yes, Onslaughts 130 pound frame was slight and quick, but Bandit’s power was enough to send his littermate spiralling into a lower rank in the Coalition to make space for the 190 pound Bandit. The original group, Martimoor, Little Tuft, Leopeson, Ghoul, Onslaught and Xuvan had changed, with Bandit pushing out Onslaught and replacing him. Of course, Onslaught was still in the Coalition, but Bandit had fitted into the ‘higher ranks’ like a hand in a glove, and it was like he had been there all along. He was the ultimate warrior, like his mother Incalia, strength, agility; perfection.

He signalled to Khala to come and perch on his back, to signal her siding with the Haunters, and then approached Velvet, offering the cat a smug smile; much like that which she carried herself. His eyes glimmered with dark humour as he fixed the pinned raptor with a casual gaze that was so piercing for all its carelessness, it was difficult to relax; if anything, it was frightening and unnerving. Bandit flashed a toothy smile, those fangs glinting in the midday sun, a subtle (or not so subtle) warning, “Now, you will tell us why you were spying on us,” he began, his voice as cool and calm as mist, “and you will offer Velvet a sincere apology for ever questioning her,” he said to Icestar, his eyes shifting to fix the wolf with a sharp stare, before returning to the bird.

It was not a request. It was a demand.

Angel

Angel sitting down in blue jeans that had slight dust on them, and a t-shirt that had a torn on the sleeve. She had been watching the terrigation silently as she sharpened arrows. She knew the bird wasn't from here, and by Velvet's acting she wasn't pleased. Than Icestar, a wolf, stood up attepting to stop the feline's way of questioning the falcon. Eyes narrowed as Bandit came in to punish Icestar. It wasn't too pretty really the way the feline was trying to get answers. Wouldn't it be easier to simply ask, and maybe he'll answer. She didn't move, yet. Her hazel eyes not wavering as her black bangs fell almost to her eye level. She was the daugher of Mahala and Jasper. They had left with Tumult and his group, but she had stayed.

The gray with white ears and black muzzle fea rose from where she had been sitting with Angel. Pepper had been watching her pack mates squabble like chickens, and it didn't please her at all. They could find better time in helping the pack with work. Velvet might think she was helping out the haunters, but if she didn't get any information it wouldn't help. She might get answers if she stopped torturing the bird. She knew she might not be wanted, but the daugher of Windsong was going to stick her nose in. And if anyone thought her nosy, than screw them.

Getting to her feet, front black sprinkled legs, as are her sides and back, she moved closer to the group. Her fluffy white tipped tail hung in subordient position. Something you might notice was that she had strong legs, a deep chest, and was very powerful for a wolf. Her golden eyes staring unblinking as she moved forth. One other thing was that she was in season, and had been sticking close to her siblings and Angel for protection. She hadn't wanted to give birth to pups, not yet at least. She was quite cautious as she came forth. She watched Velvet and Bandit as she sat down, as if showing that she was going to be here for awhile.

She glanced at everyone else, but didn't speak to them. Her eyes lingered on Icestar to look at the wound, if he had one, to see how deep or bad it was. Than she turned back to the two by the falcon. Honestly if Bandit had wanted to prove something, did he have to harm a pack mate, especially if they might have a battle comming. Hmm, I guess violence quicker than talking she thought with slight amusement. No, Pepper wasn't a fighter, but she did it to protect those she cared for and herself. Her voice came forth softly spoken, but loud enough to be heard. She wasn't trying to undermind anyone, but simply curious as to what the bird had meant from earlier.

"Velvet, if you don't mind my asking, what his this falcon told you already?" Was Velvet not talking, when she should be?

Greyfell

The black zebra really liked being the boss. He ran things how he wanted them to be. He watched over and protected his herdmates.

Greyfell walked out of the Temple, having heard word of a possible spy. Within a second or two, his front hoof came crashing down beside Forest. "Bird, what are you doing on Shadow Haunter territory?" He questioned with a snort. "Tell the truth, bird, because if you're lying, I'll know."

Velvet & Others

Velvet's way of slyly imposing her power on others, through subtle references to the coalition and veiled threats, had not gone unnoticed by Icestar. The alabaster brute was looking forward to a calming in the Valley and an end to all the fighting he'd seen and heard of, but all of that was threatened by the way that this particular lioness continued to talk of their 'enemies' and how they must be vanquished. Nonetheless, as strong as Icestar was, he couldn't hope to stand up against Velvet and proclaim his feelings without the real risk of getting trounced or seriously mauled. So he grudgingly began to back off, daring only to hold his gaze in a reproachful manner and resolving to speak to Greyfell about it; but the little confrontation wasn't quite over yet.

Icestar held back a yelp of surprise when that voice whispered in his ear, knowing instantly just who's venomous words were creeping into his ears. Had it been just about any other canine, the wolf would have whirled around and delivered a sharp nip for their troubles, but he knew better than to mouth off with one of the higher Coalition members. He did attempt to sidle to the side when the jaws came at him, but even when they closed around his nape, Icestar didn't retaliate the attack. That would just invite more punishment. Instead, he snarled sharply, and hastily scrambled back once he was released, adopting a half submissive, half defensive crouch as he glowered at Bandit, "I'll respect my superiors, but I won't stand for them undermining the pack as a whole!" Slowly, the canine backed further away, moving himself closer to Pepper and further away from the boring eyes of the Coalition.

"I didn't do anything!" The little avian screeched out again, wriggling once again when Bandit showed up, and then again when Pepper spoke out. His heart was running like a jackhammer, thumping so strongly in his chest that Velvet could feel the pulse through the sensitive pads of her paw. "I wasn't even in your territory, I swear!" Forest flinched when Khala's shadow swept over him, and carried on across the ground until she landed on Bandit's back. "She attacked me, just south- ackkkhhhh! Ow, ow, ow!!!" His words were stopped when Velvet flexed her wicked claws, burying the tips across the front of his chest, and down across one rumpled wing.

The twisted grin leeched further across Velvet's muzzle, garnishing a chilling look that matched Bandit in the cold dread that it could awaken in their enemies. It was this look that she shared fleetingly with the high-ranker of the coalition, right before switching it over for Pepper, "Not much. He continues to lie to us." She's another one we'll have to watch. Mentally noting this of the wolfess, Velvet soon had her attention shifting abruptly to their leader. "Greyfell, I was just going to send for you." The grin dropped away, leaving room now for a more respectful facade, and a voice that sounded all too calm and informative, "Khala found this little rat spying on us, here on our own turf. He refused to admit as much, however..."

Forest began to tremble at this point, pretty well scared witless by all the creatures around him, any one of which had more than enough strength to snuff his life out. "Please, I'm telling the truth!" The brown raptor tucked his head down a little, as if trying to make his already tiny frame look smaller, "I wasn't even in your land! They're all lying!"

Greyfell

Greyfell looked down at the little bird with narrowed eyes. He didn't take well to spies. It took him only a second or two to come to a conclusion. "Velvet, Bandit, bring the spy down to Dima's Temple. Instruct the guards to watch him at all times. Do not harm him unless he poses a direct threat to you or tries to get away. Stay within earshot and eyesight of the guardians. I do not wish for this ceasefire to end." He lifted his head away from Forest. "I will speak about this serious matter to Lyckos."

Naturally, he wouldn't really be speaking to Lyckos. He knew Velvet was a dirty liar. He just had to catch her. He nodded to Gavina, who flew off to hide and await in Dima's Temple.

Pepper

Pepper allowed Icestar to come closer to her without moving away. Indeed she felt sorry that the brute was getting bullied simply for trying to stop Velvet from hurting the small falcon. Her gaze went to Velvet and Bandit once again, her eyes were formal, but held no warmth toward them. Pepper wasn't so easily scared as she stood so close to the group, with only herself. They wouldn't dare to attack her for no reason. They weren't that screwed up in the brain. Besides even if they did, they weren't the only ones with family and friends that would back them up in a heartbeat. Her ears pricked as the bird began to talk, and she tried to ignore his fear that was showing clearly. However the bird was caught off when Velvet's claws got him again.

"Velvet, why did you do that? It's not nice to interrupt."

Pepper's voice wasn't rude, but it held no friendlyness either. What was Velvet hiding? The fea didn't like the feline's grin either, and it showed by the way Pepper's face hardened with coldness. This lion was sick and deranged. She ignored Velvet's words that were spoken to her, due to she didn't believe her. This bird looked like he was too scared to lie...besides why wouldn't Velvet let him finish? Each time he tried to explain she cut him off by shredding him.

When Greyfell spoke to take the raptor to the temple, Pepper spoke up. "Lord Greyfell, maybe you should have the raptor tell his side of the story to you, completely." She spoke softly as she suggested it to her leader. Her face held nothing but calmness as she spoke. Some instinct told her not to trust Velvet or Bandit. For some reason, something was telling her to trust the raptor that had been tortured by Velvet. She didn't like the fact that the two would be delivering Forest to the temple either. If they still did, Pepper would go to the temple a few moments after them to make sure the bird had actually made it their.

Angel watched the scene now completely. Finished with the arrow had placed it in a old, dirty backpack that was holding plenty already. She wondered what Greyfell was thinking of all this. Clearly he believed that the bird had done something wrong. Angel standing to her feet, put the backpack on and grabbed her own made bow, before walking to stand near Leopeson and Callholm to watch now.

Bandit

Bandit had been watching the bird, dark humour swirling in those bright yellow eyes, but then he sensed another presence. How could he not? He could tell she was in season, any of them could, but he was most drawn to her because he was, of course, a canine like her. He had thought about spreading his genes, but he did not want to be like all of these other wolves who mated with anyone and everyone. No, he wanted strong pups that would be attributes to his cause and bloodline, not runts. Vicious may have produced strong children for Incalia, and Bandit was proof of such, but he did not want to end up like the infamous old wolf. His legacy would not be for being responsible for a population explosion, it would be for something far greater.

So, he fought the urge to follow up the fact she was in heat, and instead focused more on his plan that was ever ticking away in his mind, and had been for a while now. Yes, he would have to do something about that soon, but for now he would play along. For now, he would be the warrior that he was supposed to be; his plans would be in motion soon enough, and Velvet had caught his eye very much as someone who would be very useful in his schemes.

Just a matter of time...

He was pulled out of his thoughts by Pepper's question, which was delivered with a rather sharp undertone. Bandit's smile faded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sized up this other dog. Still, she had her body held like a subordinate, and so she should. She was around the Coalition, and they should be shown their proper respect. The question was directed at Velvet, and Bandit held back jumping in himself. He had his own toy to play with in the form of Icestar, who had seemingly not learnt his lesson, and continued to backchat. Bandit laughed darkly, a rumbled with sounded like thunder in a storm; threatening. "The pack's ultimate goal is a Shadow Valley, Icestar. How can we be strong enough to rule a valley if subordinates do not respect their leaders? Velvet and I protect the goal from being tarnished, surely that is an honourable thing to do? Do you really believe we seek to bring this pack down from the inside out?"

He was about to advance on Ice once more, using his body language to make the other back down further, but Greyfell's appearance and Khala's landing on his back made Bandit stay put. Those feral eyes shifted to Greyfell, looking the leader up and down, but saying nothing. He had, after all, addressed Velvet and Forest. He had moved to stand beside his Coalition brothers, gently woofing a greeting at them all as he sat beside them to watch the others deal with the intruding raptor. He had barely begun to relax when Greyfell called on him to take the spy to Dima, but with the orders of nothing to happen to him, except constant supervision. His eyes shifted to Velvet, flashing with something sinister, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. Only she would see it, and only she would understand that Bandit was perhaps thinking of ways to get around those instructions. It was always much more fun to hear your enemies scream...even if they were currently not enemies.

Needless to say, Bandit still very much considered the Lurkers as a threat to be removed. Admittedly, a union between the Shadow Packs would bring about the realisation of Shadow Valley, but the long feud between the two sides was not lost on him, and he still firmly believed that the Lurkers were not to be trusted.

Bandit stood, moving to Velvet's side with an expression that had suddenly become very serious, and devoid of emotion. She would take the bird and he would follow her. There was no need to set his plans in motion just yet.

Velvet & Others

Fur bristled like a row of quills along his neck and back, with a little tinge of red from where Bandit's chastising bite had broken the skin. His ears and tail were back however, and a low growl of discontent was all the more that Icestar dared to voice of his feelings when Bandit made a move to stalk forward. The canine might have stood up himself and gone fang-to-fang in defense of his views, but he didn't dare tangle with any member of the Coalition, particularly when the others were right there to back up their wolfish brother. "I think you're hurting our already tenuous truce with the Lurkers by torturing one of their allies." Icestar retorted pointedly, even as he took another step back to place himself one paw closer to Pepper.

A quick, decisive flick her her tail hinted at the annoyance beginning to fester in the lioness. Truthfully, she was grinning on the inside as her thoughts ran nearly parallel with Bandit's, as far as their mutual dislike for the Lurkers went. And as far as she saw it, Pepper and Icestar's dissension were working nicely in her favor, if only she could spring her next plan as nicely as this one was going. "It's not nice to spy, either." She stated this curtly to Pepper, and to flex her own powers, the feline shifted her paw and rolled the falcon over none too gently, "As you wish, Greyfell." Another polite bow of the head was her reply to the zebra before Velvet took up the bird in her mouth, carefully pinning the tiny body between her keen teeth so that he wouldn't be able to tag her with his claws or beak. As she was moving away from the group, she caught Bandit's look, and turned another one to him. The expression in her devilish gaze was as brief as his, and just as powerful in its message - follow me.

Perhaps the most levelheaded one of the Coalition, or at least of his feline brethren, Leopeson didn't share the cold, threatening glare that his other brothers did. His loyalty to them was not at all in question - he was one-hundred-percent with them, but he just wasn't quite as caught up in all the devious plotting that his sister had hooked them into. While Martimoor stood and followed after his sister and Bandit, Leopeson watched Angel approach with an idle gaze. With a heavy sigh, the lion rolled onto his side, letting his eyes slip close as he relaxed in her presence.

"I don't like this." Icestar muttered under his breath, keeping his quiet words strictly for Pepper, "We can have Shadow Valley without tormenting others. I've enjoyed the peace, and if they continue with their attitudes, they're going to upset all of that."

Bandit

Bandit did not bother to reply to Icestar. Instead, he had the nerve to wink at him, an ominous promise lingering in his eyes, of pain and torment. Greyfell's orders were the first matter of business, however, and with Velvet's look, Bandit followed closely beside the lioness, bumping gently against Martimoor in a show of camaraderie, but otherwise silent.

Pepper

Pepper eyes remained cold and indifferent. When Velvet replied to her, she ignored the lioness. She was still waiting for Greyfell to answer her. However the two took the bird away before he could. A low growl was about to rumble from her, but she stopped herself just in time. Instead, she listened to Icestar as he spoke to her. A nod was given to him before she replied in a soft voice. "I say we follow them, I think their going to kill the raptor. That bird may be the only thing that could help us..." With that said she went after the two, wolf and lioness. Pepper wasn't stupid though, she remained out of sight and smelling distance. One sniff, and they might find themselves in deep trouble. Than again the two have nothing to accuse her and Icestar of. This was their home to, and they could go to Dima's temple if they pleased. Besides she thought the Coalition a joke these days. She had no reason to fear who was in it, and besides she could start her own group if she wanted. Bandit and them weren't the only ones with brains and brawns around here. Besides they'll find that out soon if they're really starting trouble for Pepper's friends and family in this group.

Angel smiled when she saw Leopeson. Quietly she petted the big feline, careful to watch him as she did so. If he didn't wish to be petted than she wouldn't. She saw her friend, Pepper got off with Icestar, but she didn't go. She had no reason, cause it seemed Icestar would help protect Pepper from any roaming males she figured. Or any stupid ones in the group. Sighing softly she shook her head. She slightly wondered if her parents were okay. Sure she didn't believe in what they stood for now, but she still loved them.