``Head on the Chopping Block `` Open

[Dakki]

The stench of the place assaulted her nose as soon as she was led into the canyon. Her muzzle wrinkled up in distaste, but she said nothing. Her head was held low, her ebony nose almost dragging in the mud as she was led to a platform. She said nothing, didn't even look up at the wolf that she was following. She was just doing as she was told, like always. Her soft red and white coat showed no signs of mud as it had mere moments ago, she had been forced to clean herself up to look her best for her new master. She heard that the wolves here called their slaves and masters by other names; sklavin and Dominor. She would have to remember that. not that she would be saying much. Echo hardly ever spoke, and when she did her words came out studdered and chopped up. She remembered a day and age when her voice has been sing song and not at all forced. But memories of her previous life brought up the reason why she didn't speak. She cowered into herself, pressing the right side of her face close to her shoulder.

Echo was a beautiful wolf. She has long, skinny legs that made her stand at 23 inches. Her tail and long and bushy, and the rest of her fur was of medium length. Her coat was a mix of white and a rusted red colour, making her pale blue eyes stand out even more. There was one thing that ruined the image of perfect beauty, the reason why she rid the right side of her face. An ugly scar ran from the base of her ear, curved around her eye and ended at her muzzle. It was puckered and still pink, even though it healed years ago. The wolf who gave her that mark had also made her deaf in her right ear. She shivered at the thought of her last master, hoping that whoever claimed her now would not be as cruel.

The earth-toned wolf that was leading her stopped and turned around to face her. "Hold your head up." he barked. Echo merely looked at him, keeping her face pressed to her shoulder. "I said head up!" he roared, baring his teeth with a vicious snarl. Reluctantly she lifted her head as the brute pushed her shoulder so that she was standing head on to the entrance of the canyon. "Shame that that scar ruins your pretty face, then you would be taken of my hands even sooner." he spat at her. He turned around and marched away, leaving Echo to face the crowd alone. She cast her pale blue eyes down, not wanting to see the hungry gazed that raked across her form. She shivered where she stood, but it was not from the cold. She hoped with all her heart that this would be over soon so she could hide her scar from view again. The sun glinted off the raised skin, making it even more prominent that it was before. With a low whine she waited. Echo waited... and hoped.

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REINER

Stepping quietly into the muck, Reiner's storm grey eyes drifted slowly around the scrap of land. He had never ventured into this portion of Ravensbruck, preferring to spend his time among the sweet pines and towering firs of the northern lands. The pack he now resided with was only inhabited by himself and the beautiful Hayashi, the female Alpha of Dürkell. Reiner sighed inwardly at the thought of her. Finally, finally he'd spoken the words he'd meant to say so long ago. And it seemed that they didn't mean anything to her. Maybe they just didn't hold the same emotions for her as they did for him.

As the maned wolf pushed his way into the square, his mind buzzed with anxiety at the large amount of wolves gathered. He'd really never seen anything like it. The hustle and bustle of crowds were not a thing he was used to. There was too many wolves, too many smells of less than deplorable things, the conditions absolutely appalling... Reiner carefully picked his way across the dirt to sit before a large wooden platform, watching with a strange flickering interest as wolves were shoved forward. It seemed they were being sold. He'd seen this behavior before.

Memories, flashing and sudden swept him back to Sobibor. His mind froze, lost in the rolling hills of Hrellia and life under Xercese and Hayashi. They'd accepted him regardless of his past, completely open to him and him alone. No background check needed. Micara had almost accepted him as her mate, their conversations lengthening into the nights as the days flew by. Something between them rifted when Mirage showed up. Hmph. Arrogant she-wolf. How long ago it seemed that they all had hunted and lived together, a family, if only for a short while.

"Hold your head up."

The shouts and commands of the dominors reached Reiner, snapping him from the frazzled memories. With a shake of his head he turned his eyes up to the stage, attempting to focus. Maybe he could find a sklavin to bring back to Hayashi.

"I said head up!"

Before him stood a tawny-red she-wolf, her underpelt a soft, glowing white. Pretty enough. The barking voice of the same dominor echoed over the crowd at her, a growling command. Obviously this particular sklavin, however pretty, wasn't the best at following directions or dictations.

"Shame that that scar ruins your pretty face, then you would be taken of my hands even sooner."

Something about the way the male lunged at his slave made Reiner growl his displeasure. He'd been significantly louder than he'd expected and a few nearby wolves turned around, their eyes cold to him. An outsider. He didn't belong here. No one does. With a glance at the female Reiner noticed the scar that had been the cause of her fear. It was a looker all right. I wonder where she got that. It was the likely work of her leaving master, his black tail vanishing into the crowd. She'd been left for worse than death, the dail beatings of a new master, the torture of being enslaved to another... No one deserved to be left like that. With ferocity Reiner's thoughts ranged to Sicoya, fluttering briefly on her image.

No, he couldn't visit those memories. Not here. Once he got back to the pack lands, then he could dream and recollect with her silvery image. But not here. His mind in shambles, Reiner acted impulsive. He hardly knew what he was doing, his mouth spitting the words out in a fumble.

"I'll take her."

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[Dakki]

Echo's gaze remained on her toes. She wiggled them one by one, remembering just how lucky she was to have them all. That beating had been such a harsh one, she was glad to have only gotten one scar out of it. The one thing that she was now being criticized for. She heard wolves whispering and calling out, mocking in some of their voices. Squeezing her eyes shut she counted to ten, then opened them and lifted her head higher. Her eyes scanned across the crowd, watching as a long legged wolf walked into the clearing. He made his way through the wolves and sat down, looking up at her as she stood on the wooden platform. He was looking at her, but she could tell that he wasn't really seeing her. He was lost in his memories, much like she had moments before. She ripped her gaze away from him, letting it wander lazily around the crowd. That is when the earth toned wolf barked a laugh at her, talking about her scar. Her ears pinned back, making it rather hard for her to hear anything at all. Her one hearing ear did pick up a sound though, a wolf growling in the crowd.

The sklavin's eyes once again landed on the manned wolf. She saw other wolves around her looking at him, telling her that she wasn't the only one who had heard her. Blinking back her surprise her head tilted slightly to the side in wonderment. Why would be growl like that? Was he displeased with her? Or did he not like the way the other brute was talking to her? She would never know, because she would probably never see him again. She was just about to draw her attention to some other wolf before three words rattled her.

"I'll take her."

She snapped her head back towards the red and black wolf, looking shocked that he had even said the words. Harsh and surprised whispered raced through the crowd, and she was pushed off the platform and towards the male. A path opened up for her as the brute from the platform walked behind her, making sure that she was going in the right direction. She had been one of the last ones on the block, so some wolves started to clear out. Her head low, she slowly raised her eyes up towards the male who had claimed her.

He was taller that she was, and a lot stockier. Keeping her head low she whined softly, unsure of what to do. Ronald, her past master, had owned her since birth. This was the first time that she was being introduced to the one who owned her, and she was at a loss. She should probably say something. She hadn't spoken for over two years now, most thought that she was a mute. Pinning her ears back, she lowered her head even further until her belly was almost brushing the earth. "Th-th-thank y-y-you." was all she managed to spit out.

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REINER

As soon as he'd spoken the words a hush went over the crowd, the stares multiplying in his direction. The female was shoved his direction, the wolves parting and grumbling their annoyance as the sales of the day slowed. Reiner said nothing, narrowing his eyes as she stood before him. How pitiful. She was a scrawny little thing, with her sienna coat, the white underside. Reiner said nothing as she sidled closer, her blue eyes darting about her, anxious and worried. What had he gotten himself into?

"Th-th-thank y-y-you."

The maned wolf didn't respond right away, padding away from the wooden stage slowly. Obedient, that was for sure. Almost too obedient. What would Hayashi say? Rein snickered at the thought, his mind's eye watching as Hayashi struggled to reply. She hadn't asked him to fetch anyone else. He hadn't even told her he was going out. For all she knew, he'd had his memories refreshed, relished it, and gotten up and left. Pft, why was he even trying to figure this out? Females were only devils in disguise anyways.

Oh, so now you think I'm a devil?

Reiner froze, his eyes widening. No. She couldn't have. In haste the male blinked a few times before shooting a glance at the female behind him. Quirking a brow he inspected her, his eyes frantic and searching. It seemed she hadn't moved since she'd spoke, still caught in that cowering posture of ultimate submission. Whispering, he spoke into the wintry air, his breath a cloud of smoke.

"No, never darling. You know that."

From behind his ears a voice blew the hairs on his neck, ignoring his endearing amend. A hint of longing mingling with contempt danced in her lyrics and Reiner whined in response.

Pretty blue eyes. Hmph. She's not nearly as gorgeous as me though.

Reiner said nothing this time, lowering his head to sniff the ground. There it was. Faint, subtle. But it was there. It smelled thoroughly of the northern pine forests and tundras, distinctly female in a sickly sweet aroma. The storm grey eyes clouded, remembering her cerulean color, how distinctive each swirl was, what the blended pigments glimmered when the light hit them just right...

Gonna' kill her too?

Before the male stood a wispy hallucination, the white coat bloodied as she had been in her last moments. Reiner stood stock still, his eyes unable to believe what he was seeing. She wasn't here. She wasn't here. She wasn't here. Bravely Reiner stepped forward, maliciously spitting the words out at her rippling image.

"You're not real."

Her expression looked hurt as she paraded before him, the azure eyes narrowed.

Aren't I? I'm the only thing you believe in anymore, Ren.

Reiner shook his head stubbornly as her heavenly aroma vanished, the scent of Auktion Rock washing roughly over him. His nose wrinkled in disgust and he pulled his face back from the earth, shaking himself thoroughly. She was like a good dowse of water to reality. How he relished that feeling... They needed to go home. Home. Before she burst into reality again. He barely noticed that he was shaking, his legs weak, like he'd seen a vision. Bah. Turning to the female behind him, Reiner growled low, his eyes closed. How could he explain? Sighing, he talked softly instead, moving to carefully nudge the thin girl along.

"Let's go. Hayashi will be waiting."

He'd never been one for in-depth explanations and now was no exception. Home. They just needed to get home.

ooc- hope you don't mind the vagueness. He's a different one. :D

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[Dakki]

The wolf look one look at her and then turned and walked away. Was he leaving her all alone already? Was she really that bad? Echo's eyes cast towards the back of the maned wolf. Panic began to rise within her as she rose up, taking a few steps towards him. She opened her mouth to say something, but it snapped shut almost right away. Even if she spoke, her words would come stumbling out and she would sound stupider than not talking. The wolf before her had frozen, and she tentatively took a few more steps towards her form. She watched as his muscles tensed, and instinct told her he was turning. Dropping back down into her crouch, she looked at him with a curious gaze in her pale blue eyes.

"No, never darling. You know that."

Blinking away her confusion she came up and out of her position on submission, tilting her head as he inspected her. From the cloudy look in his eyes she could tell that he was seeing something that wasn't there. She knew that feeling, there were times when she saw Ronald or Jonny's form lurking near by, their laughter filling her head as her own cry sounded. The smell of blood, the stench of the brutes as they beat her. Slowly shaking her head she came back to the situation before her, her ears perked forward in interest. Who was this strange male who had claimed her? He called her darling, yet seemed to be answering a question she had not asked. What was going on here? Did he hear things in his head as well? Not quite knowing what to do she still stalk still, not wanting to move nor wishing to speak. The brute whined softly and Echo jumped back slightly. Glancing around she knew that it was not her that had done something, and most wolves had left the canyon. Blinking several times once more, she brought her attention back to the maned one. The scared female watched as he lowered her nose to the dirt. Her own nose wrinkled in response, there was no pleasant smells here. He turned away from her, nose down as if he was following a strange scent that only he could smell. Echo huffed softly, still unwilling to move near him to snap him out of his revere.

She heard him bark out a few words, but her deaf ear was turned towards him so she didn't quite catch what they were. Her left ear only heard the leftover murmur that her first was supposed to pick up. Soon the brute's head picked up to its standard position, he shook himself before turning towards her. For the first time Echo was that the male was shaking where he stood. Whining softly, she took small steps towards him before she froze at the sound of his voice. Then he walked over to her, nudging her gently towards the exit. He was being so... gentle with her. That was not a feeling that she was use to being handled with. Well, not for a long time at least. "I'm Ec-ec-ec-echo." she said at last, walking towards the break in the high walls of the Auktion Rock. Her curiosity got the better of her and she turned her head towards him, meeting his eyes. "Wh-who's Ha-ha-ha-yas-yas-hi." That name was hard for her to spit out, very long and hard to pronounce. Hell, she even had a lot of trouble with her own name.

Finally they broke though the canyon, the scent of fresh air filling her nostrils. She paused, looking around at the world around her. This was her home now. It was very different from what she was use to. But from what the brute said, they would not be stopping here. Some other wolf was waiting for her. She shook in both fear and anticipation. What would this wolf look like? Would they be gentle with her like this one had? Turning around to look at him again, she was careful not to look him in the eye. She looked at his shoulder instead, opening her jaws to speak again. Deciding against it, she just shrugging in confusion as to where they were going. Hopefully he would understand, she was not much of a talker.

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REINER

"I'm Ec-ec-ec-echo."

"Mm."

Reiner offered nothing in return, shuffling through the horde of leaving wolves in a hurried fashion, his eyes straight ahead. He didn't care what her name was. It was unimportant right now. Something about the way the other wolves had looked at him, something about their stances and glaring, accusing eyes had made him realize one sole fact. He was not a dominor. This was not his reign. He was prey for anyone to claim, a wolf that could be enslaved just as easily as the others. He'd almost forgotten his place, his rank. How stupid, idiotic! Hayashi would have had his pelt if he'd gotten caught. If she'd managed to somehow win him back, of course. Cursing himself, Reiner burst further into the forest, his mind fury.

"Wh-who's Ha-ha-ha-yas-yas-hi?"

"She's your new Alpha. We must hurry."

There was a new sense of urgency in his voice as they moved, their paws brushing the light grasses of the forest. His voice had been tight and unwelcoming but she would learn why later. As the two wolves moved north towards Dürkell, Reiner let his stride lengthen. His legs sprinted over the ground as they fled through the forests, away from that desolate place. The grass was always greener on the other side.

He'd almost forgotten what it was like to be free. What a sad realization that was.

ooc- i made it quick so we could start a new thread in Durkell! :)

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