PRAETOR

Oh how he craves the darkness, the utter silence of being alone. Praetor hasn’t lived in pack since he was small, only a year old. Strange for a creature who is supposed to crave the companionship of his kin. His lifestyle is his choice, his preference. One, because he can’t afford to live with a pack. It would make him too easy to track. Mainly, though, because he cannot stand other wolves, the noise, the inability to have a thought and carry it through until the end. There’s no privacy, no peace. And anyway, he would have to be concerned for their well-being. He would have to help them. Praetor is a self-interested creature, only looking out for himself. He has no hesitation when it comes to killing, even if it means killing his own kind. The lives of others mean nothing to him, a plus in his job.

Praetor is a head-hunter, a killer for hire. He learned early on in life that he had a....talent for killing, and then learned that he also made a fair tracker. Self-trained and self-sustaining, he has become quite good at what he does. Quite good indeed. It’s hard to tell from Praetor’s placid face but he relishes every kill he makes, particularly when the victim is human. He carries a deep-seated hatred for the two-legged kind. It derives from a time when he was still a pup, still vulnerable and helpless. Well...now he’s getting a little of his own back.

Thanks to the humans and their need for scientific subjects, Praetor was well-nourished when he was young. That, and genetics, not to mention several of the experiments he was subject to, helped in creating his large size. His legs are long and powerful, chest deep and well-muscled. He moves with practiced precision and hardly any sound, even over the dried leaves of the forest. The thick fur adorning his massive body is as black as a peccadillo, making him all but invisible in the shadows of the ruins. His eyes burn a brilliant orange and reflecting on their burnished surfaces is a deadly mixture of malice and intelligence which makes him deadly.

Despite his lack of position in any pack whatsoever, Praetor holds himself with regality usually reserved for alphas. He’s proud and self-assured, though never a fool. He always seems to be thinking and despite the intensity of his gaze, there’s always a far-off look about him, as though he’s left part of his maggot-infested mind in some other time and he keeps going back to it. He’s strange, sadistic and calculating though has a reason for every kill he makes. Usually it’s in return for food from a pack. He can hunt for himself...though big game like moose are impossible to take down alone and he so loves the taste of them. Of course...he likes the taste of many things...or maybe he just likes killing. Sitting there in the doorway of the ruins, he doesn’t look particularly dangerous...one look into those eyes, though, is an entirely different story.

P R A E T O R

Taijya

Not long... not long at all...

Golden spheres held a steady gaze, focused on the ruins which lay some paces ahead. With each step it felt as if she was being drawn back in time, sucked into a black vortex.

Her mind had been calm, the venture nothing out of the ordinary. It had been a simple break from the regular sprees of killings, and her scent did not even contain that of a latest victim. It was her true scent, one which few knew. She had been rather trusting. No...too trusting. She had been but a foolish whelp, falling right into the trap of Kuma and Raptor. Their purpose had been well hidden upon meeting, but after a few short moments their true colors were known. But it had been too late. By the love of the goddess she had been given a second chance. By the curse of the god she was saved by none other then the humans she wished to destroy. Filthy human hands... filthy...

Still stuck in the moment a low growl grew from the depth of her vocals and freed itself from the confines of her trap. It was like an alarm clock with stopped the motion of her paws, and forced her lids to snap open although she was unaware they had even closed on her. It had been a good thing her vision had been interrupted. I it hadn't been, she would had ran right into the ebon brute before her who stood in the entrance of her pasts gravest mistake. At first she found herself in a state of clumsy confusion, forgetting who she had made herself. But soon she regained all of her knowledge back, and like an alpha returning back to her pack to find an invader, her plume rose up as her lamps narrowed to allow only the smallest bit of amber lit to shine through.

What is he doing here?

The thought lingered as her gaze rose and fell, examining the beast like she would prey. Finding another life where she had learned too well that those unknown were best made dead, made for a slightly for tense meeting. Anywhere else she would have been less prone to one of her attitudes. However she was here, not there, and her attitude had surfaced with a fiery vengeance. Not only was she suspicious of any soul who appeared here at the same time she did. But it was males who she grew most tense about. The only male she truly trusted was Fajebin, and their trust was nothing more then an 'I'll save your butt, you'll save mine' kinda deal. As she stood there with her vision locked on the wolf before her, she grew more aware of the scar left by those wolves months earlier. It nagged her mind, reminding her over and over about her mistake. As if she hadn't thought about it enough. It was enough to drive one crazy... That is, if one is not already crazy to begin with.

PRAETOR

For the first time in what feels like, and may very well be, months, Praetor finally feels as though he has a piece of the world to himself. At last he can concentrate on something other than the thougths and actions of another creature. He never gets any rest around them, for out of habit he always follows their every action. He’s in tune with subtle changes in those around him and facial expressions, the tensioning of jaws and wariness of eyes. No, it’s far better where he can be alone and not have to worry about all of that.

Instead, he allows the surroundings to sink in. He breathes the warm, sweet air, filling his lungs ‘til his heart is content. He listens to the goings on of the creatures in the canopy above his head, and takes notice of the feeling of the wind against his fur. It’s so calm...so quiet...

Black nostrils flare and he takes in another deep breath, expecting nothing more or less than the scent of the trees and earth, of the stone all around him. What hits his olfactory nerves is a very unpleasant surprise. His eyes too had been shut, though he’d done it purposefully for the sake of peace. Upon smelling the female, he opens those orange orbs and the glimmer in the shadows with cat-like intensity. P

raetor watches her slow approach, head held high, not a single muscle on his frame moving, even when she comes within a few feet of him. She seems to be concentrating on something very unpleasant, though he has no idea what might’ve filled her wicked mind. The look she gives him very nearly pleases Praetor. Her thoughts shine through into those narrowed, yellow eyes, though he does nothing but stare back at her, refined head tilted downward slightly. He’s a tall male, even sitting.

Though he too is taking in her feminine form, he’s less obvious about it. His eyes roam slower, his face devoid of everything but a very mild interest. His vision rests on certain points of her body: her eyes, her scar, the muscles in her legs, her high, alert tail. She doesn’t smell of anything in particular but herself and Praetor can only guess that she’s packless, as he is. He smells more wild, for he’s a traveler, nomadic, and carries the scents of many lands about him. There’s always that linger aroma of blood though. It haunts him and always will. It has become of a part of his identity now, a part of his scent.

After a moment of staring into her cold eyes, he grows impatient and this emotion shows itself in the form of a single, raised brow. He speaks to her in a deep, calm voice. "What?" His tone is sharp but not demanding, simply curious (if not nosey). Though rather softly spoken, it’s still loud and carries a weight of power behind it.

P R A E T O R
i hit the ground...bang bang...

Taijya

For the longest time her orbs stared forward, tip of her plume twitching ever so slightly. As she stood there, the scenes of being ambushed by those two played in a mental movie theater. It seemed the crazy audience in her mind favored the introduction those two made before showing their true colors. It was what drove her most crazy, for it proved her judgment wrong. And even though she seemed so contently focused, she seemed to replace the male before her with Kuma and Raptor, it was infuriating it was...

His words seemed to smack her mug like a branch held out of the way to allow her threw, yet thrown back at the last second as a foul joke. Something a young pup would do to a sibling or friend. His tones, although not entirely rude, had come as such a surprise that her right back hind seemed to slip back some on impulse, readying her for an easier attack. Like just about everything at the moment, it took her a second to realize he was not threatening her. So paranoid! Silently scolding herself, her lamps once more fell on the male before her own mug parted slightly.

"Nothing you have any business knowing"

Within her tones clung small fragments of growls, strong emphasis attached to the word you. She had nothing personal against the brute, just all males in general.

PRAETOR

By the moment, Praetor begins to feel more and more amused by the creature sitting before him. Ironically, it’s wolves like her that kept him away from packs, wolves that judge before they get to know another. Very unwise. It’s humorous though, for, in his solitude, Praetor has found the company he sought most to avoid in the first place. But then things tend to happen to him that way.

Her words don’t stun him or offend him...Praetor merely sits there, unfazed, blinking rather boredly as though watching a mildly interesting television show. It takes him only a couple of seconds to respond and when he does so, his tone is slightly condescending, though his superior air is hard to catch. "Calm down...you were the one staring at me"

He looks her over once more and again his intense gaze comes to rest on her glowing, yellow eyes. His brow furrows. "No...I don’t suppose it’s anyone’s business...not that it’s even worth the time trying to find out anything about you in the first place." He smirks. "Quite a waste of energy, really...I’d rather just let you be on your way and have you leave me to my own business to be very honest."

The look on his face grows slightly stern and his voice hardens in annoyance. He sees her suspicious as nothing but foolish, presumptuous conceit, or rather narcissism. What makes her think he’d even give her a second glance in the first place? She’s of no importance to him and he should be of equal unimportance to her.

Praetor can’t help but be interested though and as he sees her body shift, he readies himself for her to jump on him at his words. She doesn’t look hesitant to attack, though he’s a great deal bigger than she is and would prove hard to push around. Neither of them know how adept the other is at slaughter.

Taijya

"Don't flatter yourself. Had your mass not been in my way, I'd have no reason to glace in your direction"

Her words snapped back as soon as his first tones came out. They were speedy and sharp, yet surprisingly hid the snarls that previously surfaced. It stunned even the demoness who spoke them, for although her attitude was far from rainbows and daisies, she still remained in control of herself. It was out of her character to be so easily offended. And even more so that now she didn't even catch herself. It seemed the movie goers in the depth of her mind had once more turned on the clip which continued to play over and over in her mind. Kuma and Raptor... How she now wished to grip their scrawny throats between her jaws and slowly suffocate them. Given the chance she would not be as merciful as to allow their windpipes to snap and end so quickly. No she would slowly suffocate them, then their blood run dry over an extended period of time. Once she became bored, she would leave the corpse for the buzzards, still barely alive, relying on but a few more drops of blood to sustain their pathetic lives.

By now her gaze was glazed over as if the movie screen had been lowered over her eyes. A movie only she could see and only she could understand. It drew out a blood lust she had felt only for the family of collies at the ranch who she would finish off soon enough. It was something uncontrollable, even though had she been aware of what she was doing, she would have put an end to it on the spot. And had it not been for his eyes, it may have been ended without a confrontation. His orange globes seemed to add the last bit of fuel to the fire that wanted her to attack, and by this time, she had blocked out all words, and only the tones which they were spoken in could be understood.

Without warning, other then her previously moved ped, Taijya took a chance at attacking the brute. She had started a physical fight with Praetor, a male she knew nothing of, but in her mind it was as if she were fighting Kuma and Raptor. She saw Praetor, saw his ebon pelt and sunrise painted pools. She knew he was not the one's she wished to destroy, yet something had triggered. Her jaws, without any hesitation, took a well aimed snap for his shoulder.

PRAETOR

Praetor has made his living by being a stalker and a murderer. His time alone has been devoted to tracking others, waiting for the right moment to attack, and killing well-trained warriors. It that time, he has learned how to read others. That was one of his reasons for not being among his own kind. He didn’t want to have to concentrate of their actions and expressions. It’s an unconscious habit but at times like these, it comes in handy. The female is no exception to this. Her words to annoy him though, for she’s obviously not thinking sensibly and if there’s another thing he can’t stand, it’s when those around him are too blinded by their own stubborness to see the truth.

When the strange she-wolf’s body tenses and she grows quite, Praetor’s body grows ready as well. That is his warning more than anything. That and the look of sheer bloodlust on her face. He almost speaks, almost issues a low growl of a warning, almost tells her not to. Something inside him, though, says it wouldn’t help anyway. Praetor has full confidence in his fighting capabilities, though he won’t underestimate the creature before him either. He can tell by the look on her face that she enjoys killing just as much as he does.

He’s ready for her as she lunges for his shoulder and Praetor curves his body ‘round, moving his shoulder away from her and his head toward her. As she nears him, his jaws part and he rises onto his feet, lunging back at her for her exposed side. Despite his readiness, he’s surprised she’d actually attack him. Praetor is so huge, he’s hardly ever considered that the initiative to fight would be given by anyone but himself. He doesn’t hold back, though, and it’s quite amazing the difference standing adds to his height. His chest is broad and powerful...every bit of his body is powerful, though his actions are still very fast. He isn’t the best runner but his reflexes are to die for.

Praetor won’t hesitate to kill the female if it comes to it, thus his vicious attempt to maul her tender flank. That’s her warning, placed upon a tender area of the body, a chance for the pain to bring her pack to her senses, if indeed his aim is true enough for a hit. If she doesn’t come back to reality, though, she may very well find herself on the ground, dinner to both Praetor and the scavenging crows. He withdraws slightly after his own attack, body tense and at the ready. He’s giving her a chance to back down. Whether she knows this or not is quite beyond him. Praetor speaks to her in a low, rough, strong voice. "What do think you’re doing? Are you really that foolish?" All the while, his eyes never leave her threatening frame.

Taijya

It came to the duchess as a surprise to feel pearly whites sink into her side. Although she is quick to get free, and her peds touch down within the 'sanctuary' of the ruins. It was as if time had been frozen, and she stood, orbs wide in disbelief, staring straight ahead. She was staring at one of the stone walls, body not moving, over then her chest with moved in and out with each intake of breath. Not even her vocals could produce any sort of movement. In her state, his words finally reach her peaks with their actually meaning, and finally her muscles in her limbs seem to relax some. Slowly her rear finds itself on the earth, and her lids shut all the while keeping her body in the same direction she had ebon facing.

"Maybe I am..."

Her voice now seemed to float, her calm and thinking side taking control. A few drops of crimson ran down her ebon pelt where fangs had penetrated, but she did not even bother to clean them up. It was nothing serious, and Taijya realized this the moment her senses returned to her. So paranoid... so broken. This was the great Taijya? Growing unstable with a visit where death came a bit too close for comfort. It was a sickening thought, and for a moment her dial lowered in shame of her foolishness. In that moment her actions flashed before her eyes, and slowly her dial turned, golden spheres placed once more on the brute. The blood lust was gone from their reflecting surfaces, although it had yet to be replaced with any real emotion. Just as before, her eyes looked him over. However this time she saw clearly, and a small, smile laid itself to rest on her features. She really had been foolish. The male was huge compared to her, and although she considered herself and extremely strong fatale, it was extremely obvious that had a real fight presented itself, she would have been on the wrong end of battle.

In the end, her orbs were placed on his, seeming to burrow right into the pupil. Out of no where her jaws parted some, the insanity gone completely from her voice. "The humans made their mark on you I see..." She held no fear in her words, and turned the instant they had surfaced. Something in his eyes told her what little she knew. Humans. She saw it in many a lupin eye, yet it appeared most prominent on the male. Now she remained silent, not expecting much of an answer out of one she had much such a fool of herself in front of. It was comparable to a battle scar, wore more proudly on some then others.

PRAETOR

The killer feels his teeth sink into her flesh, tastes the warmth of her blood, and, for once, his jaws slacken, allowing her to break free of his grip. He pulls his head back quickly, staring down at her warily. Though still tense, she seems to have quieted down a bit. He’s no fool, though. Praetor watches in silence as her body grows more relaxed. Seeing her rear lower to the dusty earth, the large male drops his guard just slightly and moves around to face her, also allowing himself to find a seat upon the ground, though remaining behind her just slightly.

He stares, patiently, at her for a few more seconds, his body also beginning to relax, the last of the adrenaline taking leave of his system. When she speaks, his eyes narrow slightly. This is a different wolf than he’d spoke to before. He wonders momentarily if she’s insane, though is severely doubtful. One can usually sense insanity in another creature, an inability to control themselves. She seems, mostly at least, to be of sound mind.

He doesn’t react to her as she turns her head to look upon him once again, this time with changed eyes. Praetor does, however, react to her strange smile. He quirks a brow at her, though it does little to change his stern expression. He’s slightly unnerved by the piercing look she gives him, though it’s far better than that crazy-creature glare she’d spat at him earlier. He’ll take silence over madness any day.

As she speaks once again, his eyes widen slightly. He will never know exactly how it is she read him so clearly and he sure doesn’t know now. After a soft, stunned silence, he nods, peering at her sideways, more curious than ever. "Yes...more than you know." He looks out at the forest, reminiscing about those dimly-remembered early days of his life. That was the only time he ever spent with humans and it was the worst time of his entire life. The very worst. That was when the killing began, though he wasn’t the first to murder. It started with his mother and the culprit was man.

He takes a deep breath, as though emerging suddenly from a place in which he was unable to breathe. "Very observant of you...I take it you too have been affected by humans in some way...or perhaps you simply have experience with them." How else would she know? How other than to know what humans can do to a creature would she have been able to figure out such a thing. Praetor normally makes a point not to talk about his past, though she has, in her own way, earned a clear answer from him, despite her actions, which he has to ask about, of course. "Why so eager to attack?"

Taijya

Glad to actually receive a response from the male, she could only give a slow, solemn nod to what he said. She had much experience with the humans, she had killed off enough of them. However, her past was not as tainted by the humans as his were, and although she did not know the details, the way he spoke gave her reason to believe he had more of a personal problem with the two leggers then she. She had been satisfied with his first response, and slightly encouraged by his second, which received, once more, a simple slow nod. It was however his last comment, which although something obvious to bring up, could not be answered too easily.

"Why?"

She spoke the question allowed, her mind taking the thought and running with it. To tell him or not. She really knew nothing of the brute, and although he said he had issues with the humans... there was always a possibility of it being a trick. She paused to once more look at the male, before her dial tilted back and her gaze fell to the heavens. "This place I suppose... has a negative effect on my mind. Memories and such..." It had been thought out, and although vague, she had contemplated spilling her past. But no, that would leave her too vulnerable to a stranger. And could in some strange way, set off the scenes to again be played within the confines of her mind.

PRAETOR

The trees are so bare right now, their pallid bodies exposed so cleanly to the winter air. Bared branches reach upward, like skeletal hands clawing at the azure hem of the vast sky above them. Praetor’s breath condenses in a cloud before him, a silvery vapor which rises into the sky, slowly disappearing; the shadow of breath.

He gives her as much time as she needs to think about her answer, knowing well how she might be hesitant to reveal her past. Praetor is a bit more open simply because he knows that, if he tells her too much, he just kill her and no one will ever have to know. It’s eerie to think that he would still not question killing or fighting her for his own benefit but then Praetor really doesn’t value the lives of others before his own. He may value their causes...but he very rarely goes out of his way for another.

He accepts her answer, not wanting to push anything from her. She’s suspicious; he reads this in her hesitation, though doesn’t hold it against her. He decides, instead, to change the subject. "I see. My name is Praetor. I’ve not been in these lands long...I’m nomadic and have lived in many places, helping others with their...problems...in return for food and temporary shelter." He ponders the word “problems” in his mind for a moment, turning it over again and again, wonder how much, if at all, she’ll read into it. He looks back down at the female. "And yourself?"

Taijya

THe raven fae listened, not seeming to eager, although her harks flicked at his words. He did deed for shelter? It was indeed an interesting thing to think about cause for al this time she had lived in the wild, fending off whatever came her way. Long ago she did reside in a pack. heck she ruled the pack. But she had left for a more dangerous life, one that a responcible alpha could not take on. So she had given up the position in exchange of a loners life. That and of course... the life of a killer. When finally he questioned her a small smirk fell on her features. So sure she was proud of her name. Who wouldn't be after it became known by many of the creatures in the land.

"I go by Taijya. I've lived here for a few seasons, although I came from lands south of here when I reached three summers. I'm a loner myself, although before I gained my... title... I headed one of the many packs that inhabit this land"

To be truthful, very few knew she had been part of a pack, let alone held an alpha ranking. She felt no need to expose it in most cases, for it was a thing of the past, left behind long ago.

PRAETOR

Praetor nods, silently, as she speaks, enjoying the company for once. Now that she’s calmed down, she’s proving to be quite the interesting female. He can’t help but have heard of her from both animals and humans alike. He actually smirks at her name and looks at her sideways, brows raised in curiosity. She’s quite notorious indeed. "Ah...I’ve heard of you, Taijya...from several individuals." So her “title” had been spoken in much the same way as he had spoken 'problems'. He speaks again. "es, I know what you do..."

He pauses, nostrils flaring. "I believe I’ve smelled you before...you wouldn't happened to have been to one of the ranches lately...at night...killing humans...would you?" He gives her accusatory stare, though it’s meant mostly for humor. "I’m a killer for hire, just so you know. I figure it’s fair this way. We both know each other’s professions." His eyes remain locked on hers, awaiting her response. He too has lived in a pack, though it was a long time ago and didn’t exactly ‘work out’. When they found out what he did, they tried to kill him and ended up running him out of their lands. He would’ve stood and fought...but there’s a difference between bravery and asking to have your head ripped off.

Taijya

A satisfied smirk slipped onto her features like a serpant as he recognized her name. She was well known, and to hear that one so new to the lands had heard of her reputation, was even more gratifying. Her plume flicked slightly at his next comment, a light chuckle emmited as her lids closed and her dial tilted south for but a moment. When she once more focused ahead, it would seem a gleam apeared in her eye. "I may have possibly been present..." Her words slipped out in a snake like manner, as if it slithered through the air. However, it was hearing about the brutes own profession that brought her harks to attention, and yet another laugh force.

"Professions eh? I suppose for you it may be a profession, but for me... it's all fun and games... especially when someone gets hurt."

At her last statment her tongue coyly ran over her fangs as she envisioned the fight at the barn. She had done a lot that night, and eventually it would catch up to her. But for now she enjoyed it all, soaking up the glory the slaughter had brought her. Soon she would be presented with the consiquence for her deeds, but soon had yet to come. If she focused too much on the future, then she would surely be killed off by the fear of dieing, rather then mans fire stick, or fangs of some revenge seeking mutt.

PRAETOR

Praetor nods his large head upon confirmation of her presence. Of course. How she not have been present at such a slaughter? He takes note of the smug look on her pretty face and his smirk curves further up his dark jaw. He considers what she says for a moment, smirk now gone from his handsome facade. Praetor and Taijya do many of the same things but they do them for entirely different reasons, if in fact they have reasons. The female kills as a hobby, because she finds it fun and exciting. Praetor kills because it’s fun but also because it douses the vengeful fire that burns against all humans. He is a misanthrope, a hater of human kind altogether. He kills to satisfy his revenge.

The dark male looks back at Taijya, his face thoughtful. "Perhaps that’s a better way to think of it...just as a game, just as something to do when you get bored. It’s my profession only in the sense that I am a professional at it...or at least there have been a few people who consider me to be so. I have it in my to join a pack...I just exercise that ability. I prefer this life...I’m sure you feel the same. Why else would you be here?" His intense eyes bore deeply into her own, as though searching for something beneath those golden surfaces. "I wonder though...do you ever get lonely? You said you were once an alpha...do you miss that life?"

Insanity

The white wolf moved to the Ruins his body bleeding from multiple lacerations in his hide. He whimpered softly and gazed around him seeking his sister Psychopath but his searchings were to no avail. Muttering softly to himself he began to pace up and down further irritating his wounds but he paid no mind to them. The schizophrenic male whimpered softly to himself and lay down hiding the black marks on his stomach. Blood oozed from his wounds as he gazed all around him his blue eyes always searching for Psychopath.

Softly he began arguing with himself over his most recent battle. Had he really killed that dog Yersinia? Had he attacked another and broken its leg? Or had he dislocated its shoulder? Insanity couldnt remember the first thing he had done. He could hardly remember where he was. Suddenly the small voice inside of his head began talking to him once more.

You know Insasanity that its only a matter of time before they find you. That dog was a well respected member of the Shadow Lurkers pack and those Shadow Lurkers are going to be wanting revenge. You need to take care of your sister as well how are you going to manage that? Its not going to be easy is it Insanity?

Again and again the voice whispered to the male until he was curled tightly into a ball whimpering in fear. The voice was only really bad when he was seperated from his sister or when he felt he had been abandoned. Suddenly the wolf screamed SHUT UP JUST SHUT UP AND GO AWAY!!! his body shook from his sudden outburst and blue eyes opened and appeared glazed and confused. He had no idea where he was or how he was going to find his sister or his pack. What was he to do?

PRAETOR

A few minutes pass after their conversation and Praetor hears footsteps somewhere out there in the forest and catches the scent of another wolf...as well as the scent of blood. He gives a serious look to Taijya, though remains utterly silent, and begins to move towards the unfamiliar smell. After a few minutes of walking he stumble upon the form of a strange, white male. As the other he-wolf shouts, Praetor’s body jerks slightly in surprise, though he highly doubts the male is speaking directly at him.

Very slowly, the gigantic, black male approaches the exposed form of the white beast, orange eyes studying his entire, beaten form, wondering how much it’s worth to try and keep him alive. Taijya and himself have made enemies...they could use all the help they can get. She is the most sought after wolf in the lands and he has aided in the murder of a human, as well as attempted to kill a member of the Shadow Lurker pack. Praetor slowly moves to the male’s side, regal head held high, eyes bearing down upon his prostrate form like a hawk’s. He moves around to face the stranger and speaks, his voice deep and calm. “Take it easy...my name is Praetor. You’ll be safe here...for now.”

Taijya

Taijyas orbs catch onto the smirk that formed on his own lips, not quite surprised by the devilish look. He seemed the type to have such an expression, such as those movie vampires that held a dangerous smirk upon their fangs faces. It was strange however that as his smirk faded, she held onto hers, knowing well her statement would ahve caused some thought to occur. By the amount of killing she did, one would assume she killed for a true purpose. But it was all truly fun and games. Although over time her purpose had been to kill off the ranch pets, and even then it all started with a need for fun and games. As if something called her, her golden spheres focused more on his own pools then they had previously. She did not speak until his speech makers fell silent, and only then did she even allow her mind to process the question.

"Lonely? Not really. I have the others. Fajebin... Kaida... Magick."

From the moment she started her dial had dropped, lids shut, envisioniing those she spoke of vividly. Even magick, who had fallen only nights ago at the ranch, never to stir again.

"Packlife is something I do no miss. The life of an alpha has it's restrictions, and the benifits can be gained without the confines of set boundries. The only part of that life which I have missed is the closeness of a family. As I said, I have the others, but we are not a family, simply a group of comrads, who as you can obviously see, do not stay too close together." Her dial turned slightly, looking out into the distance as if to prove her point. And once more she was back to gaze more directly into his orbs. Only the sound of foot prints moved her, her harks flicking instantly as her dial turned to point in the direction which the sound had originated.

Slowly and without noise, her peds lift her off the stone earth, paws set one in front of the other as she followed Praetor towards the other. His scent was new to her, and the blood which covered his rose many question in his mind. However, the shouts which startled Praetor only brought on a cock of her dial in slight curiosity. Her own raven bodice stays to the side of the alabaster brute, staying rather silent for the time being as she eyed the blood stains adorning his pelt. Her nares twitched, and for a second her orbs widened, making a connection. Slowly she too walked to face the brute, her golden orbs softening a bit, which for her was an accomplishment when meeting a new brute.

"The Shadow Lurkers... you fought them did you not?"

Insanity

As the large black male Insanity's eyes grew frantic. But when Taija came near they went to pure Chaos. White form stood and he backed away quickly as she spoke as if she had physically struck him. "I didnt mean to. I didnt honestly. I...I killed her. Oh god I killed her. He was speaking of Yersinia as dawning came upon him. He remembered how he had dived beneath her and clasped his fangs into her throat. He had felt her life ebb away and he had done nothing. Was this what Psychopath felt like? His sister had always said it was like a high for her, to kill another, to feel their life pool into you. Was this what a high felt like? He had a feeling this wasnt what his sister was talking about and that scared him. Could his sister be a real killer?

He watched the two black forms his eyes never staying in one place long. The voice inside him was quiet for now, with nothing tosay on the situation that Insanity had gotten himself into. "They killed Murderer. He had Aaka in his jaws he would have killed her but they all attacked him. He didnt have a chance to fight them off they all swarmed to protect that stupid white bitch." Aaka was fast making herself known in sparkling creek valley for her hot temper and short fuse. Many knew her as well for she had become mates with Legosa, another wolf with a short fuse. Insanity shuddered once as he tried to contain himself from pacing. They killed Murderer so he had killed Yersinia. It was a fair deal wasnt it? Although Kenyon had died as well that hadnt been his fault that had been Cutter. OR was it Depression? The two black males merged into one in his mind so he just stuck with DC. There that worked. "Dont kill me." Altough he had problems Insanity was also valuable in many ways. He had helped his pack kill one certain wolfess by his little schizophrenicness. She had come up to him unsuspecting as he screamed as if in pain and then they had killed her. One swift clean cut. But this time....He wasnt playing. He had no one to kill he was just running for his life.

They put me in an insititution. Whats the point Ill probablu get hit by a car anyways.

PRAETOR

Inside the mind of the insane, who does know what goes on? Certainly though there are things ticking and churning. They do have minds. They must know what goes on. We have to believe they are still part of what they were born to be, don’t we? We have to believe in a god, in a future. We have to have hope, don’t we? Without it there is nothing. Without a god we grow afraid and weary, with no hope we are dead inside, and without a thinking, feeling mind we are robots, right? Well what if...what if there is no god, there is no feeling or thinking inside the minds of the insane, and what if there is no hope?

Praetor has always thought that madness was the most fearful thing in an animal, people included. He hates them for their hopelessness and for the questions their lives raise in his mind. Or maybe hate is too strong a word. He simply cannot understand them and the alternate realities they create for themselves. He’s faced insanity before...he’s touched it with his own heart. His mind has stood on the jumping off point and he has stared down that titanic cliff into what he might become. He’s one of the few to return and step away from the edge. He knows more about what this other male is going through that he wants to, or will ever, admit.

He watches Insanity carefully now, eyes filled with curiosity and caution. Ears tip forward, bordering on touching over his forehead, and he steps forward again, his gaze intense but the rest of his face remaining cool and unfazed. He glances over at Taijya momentarily and then back at the snow-white form of the he-wolf at his feet. He tries to make sense of the inane babble spewing forth from the white male’s mouth, though only shakes his head disapprovingly and speaks once more, his deep voice easy...he’s trying to be calming but it isn’t working all too well.

“We won’t kill you...we won’t even touch you. Tell me, now, what’s you’re name?” His orange eyes roam over the wounded form of the he-wolf and Preator’s posterior meets the ground, his form becoming a bit form relaxed, his mind either deny or coming to grips with the true lack of sanity in this individual. Oh, if only he knew the irony of the male’s name. Despite his lack of trust for such a psychotic creature, he can’t help but pity him. Praetor knows what that dark hole is like...how wrong everything seems on the “other side”. Of course, when you’re there, you don’t even know it’s the other side. It’s the only side for those lost in it.

Insanity

He whimpered softly and stood black marks revealing themselves. It appeared as if he was wearing a straight jacket hugging himself constantly for what lurkered in his mind was something that even he did not know. He just called it 'the Voice' the other him. He had this side of him, and then there was the other side. The other side was cynical and sarcastic always cruel with a biting mark and placing fear in everyone including Insanity himself. He could tell this other wolf wanted him to be calm and for a moment he imagined that this male was his black sister Psychopath. It worked for an instant long enough to make the chaos inside silence for a moment.

"Insanity. Have you seen my sister? She has a cast on and red eyes. I...I cant find her we had to run and I think I left her somewhere because she was running slow and...and I lost her." The white male looked to Taijya and he tried to place her but couldnt. Memories clicked in his mind and he tried to put pieces together and an almost clear image formed but still he couldnt place the wolfess. "If someone killed someone close to you....Is it right to kill someone close to them?" Insanity did not know the meaning of revenge but he knew that the Shadow Lurkers killing Murderer had made them an enemy forever. But he also knew somehow that him killing Yersinia had made him their enemy as well.

Inside the Mind we All DIE

In his mind he could see himself through their eyes and he knew that he must look pathetic and bedraggled. He stared hard into the males orange eyes and tried not to think of where Psychopath might be or what kind of trouble she was in. If he focused long enough maybe he could get her out of his head. He watched them both through eyes of crystal darkness lurking in the corners. Darkness loomed inside and this he knew but he always was told to lock it away keep it inside forever and not to let it get out.

Are we all the Same?

Taijya

Hopeing for a sign

Taijya's golden orbs showed no change in emotion as he spoke his dead. So she had been correct, the blood had some resemblece to Aidan, who himself was a member of that pack. Hearing his plea for life, the fae lifted one hidden brow, though held her tongue for it was Paetor who took the words right from her mouth. Tha fae's peaks focused on the name, Insanity. It was fitting, for he seemed as stable as she had been but moments ago. It had just been this land, but she imagined living like that for a lifetime would take a toll on a wolf. Feeling asw if you have no control of your own destiny, as if another side of you is taking over. It was frightening when it happened for only a short time. It was however impossible for the huntress to imagine it a permanent condition. "I go by Taijya... Tell me, what is the name of your sister?"

The goddess stared the brute in the orbs as she spoke, for he himself seemed focused on her eyes. She hadn't expected his next question, and for a moment it caught her off guard. But she spoke calmly none the less, taking no time at all to answer. "You speak of revenge. In that case then yes, an eye for an eye, or in this case more, is fair game. Why do you ask?" She held an intrest in the reason for his question, although if he chose not to answer then she would not bother pressing for an answer.

PRAETOR

Who can justify another’s action? Who holds that right to decide for another creature what is right and wrong? Can anyone truly do such a thing? None of us are perfect...none of us...Praetor least of all. He’s asked the same question himself time and time again. Is it right to kill someone’s loved one if they killed one of yours? Is it right to keep on killing...over and over and over until you’ve had a surfeit of blood and death? Is it right to try and justify your own anger? Who knows? The titanic, black male gives not a single answer to the other’s question. Instead, he stands in silence, asking himself, though receiving no answer still.

Taijya says yes, that you can. Praetor isn’t so sure. With all that he’s done, he isn’t sure that all of it was right, or that any of it was right. But it’s too late to turn back the hands of time. He cannot bring those brothers and fathers, sons, daughters, mothers, and cousins back to life. They’re dead and he is at fault. But then...so is his own family. How many other families must he slay before his anger dies...or kills him. Praetor shifts his weight on his feet uneasily as he looks down at the white wolf. His name is very suitable indeed...

Seeing that Taijya knows something about who he killed, Praetor speaks up, wishing to be free of the other’s presence. “I’m going to look around a bit to see if there’s anyone else here...call for me if you need something or if you’re about to leave.” He moves off into the trees, around the side of one of the ruins, eyes locked straight ahead of him, not really watching where he’s going. Of course, when you don’t watch where you’re headed, you tend to run into things...big, hairy, scary, feline things with long, sharp claws.

Hatchet

He'd been doing nothing but minding his own bussiness when he felt the wolf run headlong into his flank. Hatchet turns around in one angry, fluid motion, tail whipping through the air in an irritated manner. Lips part, revealing pallid, sharp fangs and a low growl is released. "Watch it, wolf. Where do you think you're going in such a hurry?" He notices the size of the male before him, though, being a cougar, it hardly phazes him at all. He's delt with these wolves before. He doesn't know, though, that Praetor has a friend nearby who's probably heard his growl and the loud thump of their collision.

Insanity

Insanity stared after Praetor then looked back to Taijya. "Her name was Yersinia. I....I didnt mean to." He stared into her orbs hoping that she understood. He didnt know that he had done a good thing killing one of the Shadow Lurkers. "My friend Cutter...Or maybe it was Depression I'm not sure they're brothers its hard to remember whose who. One of them killed their Kenyon. But....If we killed two of them and they killed one of ours and we killed one of our own then wouldnt it be fair?" Cutter had killed Forsaken in the heat of the battle for the massive black male had promised the Death Pack riches. But instead they had lost. So that would make it right wouldnt it? He watched the black fae and when he heard the thump he turned and stared behind him his blue eyes shifting to and fro nares quivering. His body shuddered once and he wondered if he should go see whats going on. But Taijya was here. She was so much like Psychopath she could help him. Oh right she had asked him a question. "My sisters name is Psychopath. Our parents...Were a bit odd themselves." There was also Diseased and Suicide and there had been Murderer but he was dead now walking in hell dreaming of when his siblings would come and join him.

Taijya

Taijya's harks twitched as the brute spoke his logic... a bit less common from the usual. They killed two of the enemy... then enemy killed one of them... and they, themselves killed one of their own. The thought was enough to make one's head spin, and yet she kept silent as she thought it over. "Well... in that case it is not so simple..." She paused mid sentence as the thump was caught within her twin peaks. A ped stepped forward, but she was halted once more by Insanity's answer. A small smile fell on the features as she let a light chuckle fall free. Odd indeed. Slowly she padded towards the sound, speaking in a playful, taunting tone. "What trouble have you gotten yourself into Praetor?" All the while her smile lingered and a twinkle lay in her golden eyes. But all of a sudden the whiff of feline hit her, along with the sight of a large cougar. Her hackles raised as a low snarl fell forth, her muscles completly tense. She said nothing, but her eyes were set directly on the big cat. So Praetor found the biggest trouble in the whole friggen area... how conviniet.

Insanity

He stared at her for a moment when suddenly he heard a snarl in the distance and a calling. He looked from Taijya to Praetor then in the direction of the other sound. "My sisters here....Do you wanna go meet her?" He looked at Taijya with big pleading eyes suddenly seeming like a puppy. How fast the male could change. It was extrordinary. HE gave a soft pleading whine then looked in the direction again then to Praetor. "Do you think he can handle himself? Or should I call the others? They wont mind helping. But I think only Cutter and Depression can help. And Suicide. I like Suicide. Shes so quiet." He rambled on and on for a moment then stopped himself. Sometimes others didnt care.

PRAETOR

Praetor looks up at the cougar with cold eyes, though...could there be a hint of fear in those orange optics? Yes, it seems that our black behemoth has stumbled upon a bigger predator than he cares to challenge. Despite this fact, the male keeps his head about him and takes a step back from the immense feline, brow knitted in seriousness. The cougar’s question may or may not be rhetorical but for the sake of staying alive just a bit longer, Praetor decides to answer either way. “Running from my past, as always. The future doesn’t look so bright now, though.” He eyes the large feline for a moment, wondering how much of his body he’ll be able to get away with, when he hears the familiar voice of Taijya. Thank the Light.

He doesn’t care turn to look at her, though upon hearing her snarl, he speaks up, his baritone voice very stern. “Wait, don’t move Taijya.” Preator takes a deep breath and speaks once again to the cat, hoping that his words aren’t falling upon deaf ears. “I didn’t mean to intrude upon your space. I was foolish to let my guard down. Please, don’t give me anymore trouble than I already have.” His words are swift and short, as though he’s trying to get his point across in the shortest amount of time mortally possible. As he looks into those cold, yellow eyes, though, he doubts that they’ve done him any good.

Hatchet

Despite the cocky nature of the wolf before him, Praetor's words very nearly please the massive feline, though of course he doesn't allow it to show. Let the little wolves sweat it out for a while. His eyes flicker for a mere second to the female and the other male and though he knows that three wolves might be a bit much, he always feels that they won't call upon his wrath unless he harms the dark male before him. Hatchet's intense eyes fall back on Preator and he shakes his head pityingly. "If I were any other mountain lion, you'd be dead by now, wolf." The great cat flexes his claws on the ground and then, shockingly, lowers himself to his haunches. He's had a bit of trouble with humans himself lately...perhaps they could strike a bargain. "What's your name, canine?"

Taijya

The raven fatale allowed er harks to flick for only a second at the words of Insanity. So his sister was here eh... Snapping back to the large cat before Praetor, her snarl only lowered in volume, yet did not cease. Golden spheres stayed locked onto the cat and Praetor, not once loosening her tense muscles. When the cat spot the huntress allowed her snarl to grow, and with a burst of snapped words she finally spoke. "Names are of no concern feline! Begone with you!" She had made a dangerous move. To tell the truth, it far surpassed dangerous and touched deadly. She only realized it once she had spoken, yet her pride would not let her back down, and her tense form remained, almost shaking from the intense moment.