Death Wanders {Maven&Nirco}

[Dakki]

A runaway. That is what she was right now. Her one and only home and been burnt to the ground with no hope on putting it back together. She had tried to go and see Nirco but he was so busy with his pack. Plus, his lands smelled of only females and she didn't want to intrude. So she had taken to roaming the lands of Ravensbruck, something that she had never been able to do due to her rank. She was still a slave, she would always be one. There was no way to shake that now, it was too late. Too long had she been beaten down to a shell of the creature she once was. She would never be able to revert to that old self, that wolf was dead and gone. After she had watched her pups bleed out before her very eyes, she was broken. A worn and torn play thing, beyond anyone's help. Sure, Nirco had tried, but it was too late. Too many things had happened, and too much time had past. There was no healing these wounds, even time itself left her bruised and scared.

That fateful day had never left her mind, she saw it every time she closed her eyes. It replayed in her mind no matter how hard she tried to lock it out. Her babies, her freshly born little ones were snugged up by her side, taking in her warmth. Their father came to see them, but there was something different in his eyes. For the first time Echo felt the sharp stab of fear for her children, too early in their lives. Looking down at the bundles she curled around them protectively, but it was no use. He didn't come alone. She was torn away from them, and no matter how hard she fought she could not get away. She was pinned to the earth, her head held in place. Her pups cried out for her, their little bodies craving the warmth of her side. Her heart began to break, piece by piece. And then it happened. That bastard lashed out, clawing at the first bundle. Echo screamed, an earth shattering sound. Her child cried for her too, before its short life was taken from it. For some reason, Echo could not close her eyes. She was forced to watch and he clawed and bit at their small bodies, tearing them apart. Too young. Too little. Her babies! The cruel wolf had made sure that their deaths were brutal and slow, and she was helpless. The blows then fell on her, but she was too numb to even feel them. She didn't care, she was dead inside. Slowly crawling towards their broken bodies, she curled around them and allowed their blows to land. Pain was nothing, nothing compared to what she just witnessed. Her babies... Echo's head was forced up, the claws digging deep into her face. She hardly felt it, not even when the crimson liquid dripped into her eye. Nothing. There was nothing this world could offer her. She begged them to kill her, although her maw did not move more and more hits landed. Then they left her, bleeding out. She didn't care. Nothing... her sight faded, and she fell into darkness. Not death, for that would be to kind. She was forced to live without them, with these images flashing in her mind.

The small female had frozen when the images came to her, and she fiercely shook her head to rid them. They would leave her for now, but they would always be back. Not even realizing where she was, she gazed around the land before her. How long as she been stuck standing here? She didn't even remember when she left, or when she wandered into this forest. It was green, almost too bright to her hazy, dream like eyes. Did anyone hold claim here? Of that she was not sure, but that didn't stop her from walking onward. It was all she could do now, was to move on. Her babies lived on in her mind, although she only had a few fleeting moments before they were taken from her. She had often asked why, but that was no use to her. She wished she had the courage to seek revenge, but she didn't have enough room in her shattered heart for anger. So she stepped forward, her body cowered close to the ground even now. She would never outgrow the habits that she adapted of a slave, for it was who she was now. Echo the Slave. That should be her title, as unchanging as she would be.

Sighing softly, the sad dame wandered onward, a hopeless wanderer at this point. When the images came to her as they often did, she was quite drained of energy at that point. She didn't want to move, but she needed too. Just keep moving. Maybe, just maybe she could walk away from her past. Sure, it shaped her into the hollow being she was at the moment, but maybe the pictures would go away. While she still saw her babies in the happy things around her, she wished that the sight of their death would leave her. Who knows, maybe their souls escaped the brutality and ended up in a better place. Echo sure hoped that that was the case. As for her, there was no hope in forgetting. How could she? They were most likely her last litter. Ever since their loss, her biggest fear was to carry pups again. She would not be able to handle another loss, it would break her. She would surely die if there was hardly anything holding her to the earth as it was.

Finally stopping her tired body, the dame spotted a large rock that was warmed by the sun. Ah, warmth. While her body could feel it, her heart could not. But no matter... she walked over to it and settled atop it anyways. She still remembered what it was like to have her pups snuggled up to her belly, much like the warmth that seeped from both the top of the rock and the sun that now settled on her rusted pelt. It was a heat that wrapped you up in it, covering every part of your body. Another sigh worked its way through her maw as she settled her head on her paws. A butterfly was resting on a flower nearby, its paper thin wings fluttering softly as it drank nectar. Its brilliant orange and black body reminded her of her babes, there bodies whole and small against her side. If she closed her eyes tight enough, she could almost imagine them wiggling against her as they fought for the best spot, the closest one to their mother. A smile cracked across her dry lips, a small chuckle bubbling up from her chest. Yes, she would be with them one day. One day she would be able to curl around them once more, and this time she would be able to protect them.

NOTES Oh gosh, wasn't expecting to go there but Echo took me there... also wasn't expecting it to be that long. WORD COUNT 1181

[Sphuul]

Dislocated, I lie awake
Suffocating in my mistakes.
I lost my halo when I fell from grace,
But maybe next time I won't throw it all away.

The sun was high in Suden, an isolated piece of woodland luckily mostly unscathed by the fire that had consumed much of this land. The warm breeze sailing over the tops of the trees did little to cool the creatures inhabiting underneath, although every now and then a tendril wafted down, sending smells and sounds from the surrounding area. Maven prowled her new home with pride, relishing the fact that it was hers. After being exiled after her brother had taken what was rightfully hers by force, this was her first permanent home. She would guard it with her life and soul. The trails within Suden were practically nonexistent, foliage reclaiming the paths as they went unused. The female had to push her way through thick bushes every now and then, as the plant life beside the trails were much thicker. Maven shook her shoulders gently as a breeze found its way to her, then she froze suddenly, her entire body stiffening.

Something was wrong. A new scent was on the breeze in this dense little woodland Maven had taken for her own. Her hackles raised as her maw lifted, inhaling the undeniable proof of an intruder in her territory. How dare they. Not even half a moon since claiming this area, Maven was unused to the terrain, so finding the wolf would be a bit time consuming. She took off without a word, hackles raised. The loner would pay for their defiance, their intrusion. The female had posted scent markers all along her border, and anyone walking in would have to step over them to gain access. Rage flooded her veins, her pace increasing until she was virtually sprinting down her little trail. The clearing she had chosen for the den site was in the very center of her territory, pathways branching out from there in all directions. Fortunately for her, the path she was on led her in the direction to the strange wolf.

Maven slowed as the scent grew stronger, her breath puffing from her mouth as she swung her head side to side in an effort to catch the direction of the scent. The trees and bushes were less dense on the outskirts of the forest, and it was simpler to traverse off the beaten path and into wilderness. She quickly found where the intruder had crossed the trail, and veered off to follow. The fae paced herself, ears pricked and nose snuffing to catch a sign of whoever she was tracking. The scent was definitely female, but that was all that could be told from that sense. Maven wanted to see, to hear, to rip into whoever had stepped over her borders. And she would soon get the chance.

The smallest of clearings opened up in front of her, and she paused, amber eyes flicking over the area until a spark of red caught her notice. On a large, sunny rock lay a small little female wolf, curled up with her head on her paws. Amusement sparked in Mavens eyes as she took in the little female, seemingly asleep in the sun. You have no idea what you got yourself into. Without a sound, she lurched forward, padding over to the rock. Her rock, which had been claimed by a runt of a canine, without a care in the world and a smile on her face. As she approached, she noted the scarring over the girls eye. So maybe there were troubles. She stopped feet away from the rock, and with a smirk, erupted a snarl of contempt and disgust. Wake up, girl. You have some explaining to do.

There's no dancing around it,
I crawl into the fire then fan the flames,
And I can't stand it
But I don't have the strength to burn the page

[Dakki]

Echo wasn't sure when she drifted off into a fitful, although thankfully black world of sleep. This time no dreams haunted her every sleeping moment, there had just been utter blackness. All of the sudden, a faint snarl was heard. The dames blue eyes flashed open, blinking confused at the female who had growled at her. The words were very muffled, she had been approached on her deaf side and had not heard a word that the creature had said. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" She asked, her voice shaky and small. Noticing that as she sat up, she was higher than the wolf, she quickly jumped off and slunk close to the ground. "I did not hear what you said, miss." She said again, her belly brushing the soft grass below her. She did not mean to make the darker fae mad, in fact she didn't even know what she had done to make her act this way.

Echo had been in such a state while wandering that no scent markers ever crossed her conscious mind. The image of her pups death had taken all sense of reality away from her that she just wandered past it without it even crossing her mind. Could it be that this was claimed territory and she had wandered in without so much as a how-do-you-do? Echo's eyes squinted as she thought, trying really hard to remember if she crossed anything at all. She didn't mean to offend, and she hoped that the female would understand.

Before she could even open her mouth to say anything, she realized the signs on the wolf. Her hackles where raised, and she had heard a muffled snarl. So she was certainly very mad. "I'm sorry miss, I didn't realize..." Her voice was getting softer and softer as she spoke, her body sinking closer to the earth. Echo really hoped that the female wouldn't think she came here to challenge her. Her, of all wolves! She was practically laying on the ground. Then, with a dash of confidence she looked the wolf up and down, trying to see if she had settled down. She accidentally met her eyes for a brief second before shifting her gaze away again. She had enough on her plate right now, she wished she could just slink away.

NOTES Gah, migraine is making it impossible to post.WORD COUNT 387

[Sphuul]

Dislocated, I lie awake
Suffocating in my mistakes.
I lost my halo when I fell from grace,
But maybe next time I won't throw it all away.

The red females eyes snapped open, turning her gaze upon Maven, who gave an expectant smirk. Her eyes narrowed and a scoff erupted from her maw as the intruder asked her to repeat herself. The nerve. Her gaze locked on the girl as she jumped from the rock, bringing herself down to eye level until she sunk into the grass like a slivering Sklavin. You had the indecency to barge into my territory unannounced, the least you can do is LISTEN to me when I speak. Her voice took on a sneer at the end, and she stepped forward slightly to put herself above the female.

Mavens eyes roved the intruder as she thought of a response, noting her posture and again finding the scar bestowed upon her cheek. What a story that must make. At last she spoke, and the fae could not help herself; She laughed. Oh, I'm terribly sorry. It must be difficult to notice scent marks along the entire border. Forgive me for being so brash. The laugh ended in a throaty growl, her head turned menacingly down to stare the girl full in the face. She felt her eyes flit upon herself, and was slightly shocked when the blue orbs locked with her own eyes. Bold, for a Sklavin, aren't we? Careful, girl, or you'll find yourself in worse trouble than you've already stumbled into. With each word her voice grew still, quiet, ending in barely a whisper. Maven sat, still all up in the wolf's business, and with a huff of impatience and disgust, rolled her eyes. So. Since I have the pleasure of your company, you better begin with your name. The girl was obviously a slave, but who did she belong to? Certainly no self respecting Dominor would allow their possessions to wander about without a care. Well, if no one wanted her... Her brows raised as she took in her guest, gaze roving over her once more to check for additional flaws. She looked intact, if not small, with the gash on her face distorting her features only slightly. It was workable, as long as she could do what she was told. If.

There's no dancing around it,
I crawl into the fire then fan the flames,
And I can't stand it
But I don't have the strength to burn the page

[Dakki]

Echo flinched slight at the female's words, but she couldn't help it! "Forgive me miss, I cannot hear out of my right ear." She whispered, not liking speaking about the scar upon her face. It was put there on purpose, so that she would no longer be found beautiful. Although they also expected her to die from how badly they had beaten her. If only that had actually happened, but nothing could ever be easy for her. No, she had to stumble into every single thorn bush along her path of life. Scarred and bruised inside and out, she certainly was damaged goods. No one wanted her. The only one who cared for her was Nirco and by the scent of his land, only other females visited him there. Plus, why would even he want her? She was nothing, she always had been. She wasn't even good enough to keep her babies alive.

The anger of the other female only grew, making Echo feel uneasy. But the tone in her voice, it was beginning to pluck on a cord that did not sit well with this dame. While she never usually angered--at all--there was something about this one that made her just that. She felt her own hackles wishing to raise, but she bit her lip to settle them down. It was not her fault that she had not sniffed her scent line. Oh how she wished to speak her mind, to tell this bitch how it really was, but she could not. Then she was threatened, and she felt her own lips pull back. "No, forgive me for not noticing your weak boundaries. I guess I was too focused on moving forward to notice your little scent." While her words were soft, they were laced with sarcasm. And did they truly just come out of her mouth? Crap... she knew that she was in for it now. Echo couldn't even believe herself, that she had really spoken up. She was usually such a good little slave... and maybe that was her problem. One could only be suppressed so far before they snapped.

Her lips tugged further back at her words, and she tried to duck her head to hide her face. "Echo." she spat, not wishing to give this female the pleasure of knowing her name. But she had too. She was in enough trouble already, better not dig herself a bigger hole. Echo couldn't even wrap her head around the fact that she had even uttered those words, and that she had actually felt anger. She was usually such a shell of a beast, not many emotions passed through her being. But there was something about today, something about this female that was rubbing her fur the wrong way. She wouldn't be surprised if today was the day that her wish would be fulfilled, the day that she saw her babies again.

NOTES Ohhh snap.WORD COUNT 482

[Sphuul]

Dislocated, I lie awake
Suffocating in my mistakes.
I lost my halo when I fell from grace,
But maybe next time I won't throw it all away.

A smirk seemed to etch itself on Mavens face as the female tried to explain herself. The girl spoke in hushed tones, emanating a humble, obedient Sklavin, as she should be. Maybe there was hope for the girl after all. If she continued to act in a respectful manner, her punishment wouldn't be too harsh. She declined to comment on the excuse of her lack of hearing, waving it away as if it meant little to her. In truth, it meant nothing. Whether or not the girl could hear out of her ear was of no concern to her. She still had another and was perfectly capable of using it. That particular handicap could be worked around quite easily.

Her demeanor changed slightly as the red female seemed to stiffen up, biting her lip as if to hold back an insult. Maven's eyes narrowed, watching the girl with contempt. As if on cue, her mouth opened, hurling a bitter remark towards the ebony female. Her brows raised in slight shock. Ooh, we have a little fighter here. Once the surprise had worn off, rage burst from her veins in an inferno, spreading throughout her body. She stood, puffing her chest as she stood over the stupid bitch. Oh trust me darling, there's one weak thing in these woods and I can tell you it sure as hell isn't my boundaries. I'd be more than happy to demonstrate, if you have anything else to say. Her words ended with a flourished snarl, glinting eyes hurling daggers at the cowering girl.

Maven once again gave a smirk as the female uttered her name before looking away as if ashamed. Her words were laced with contempt and sarcasm, and Maven's very bones shook with hot anger. Well, Echo, she spat back in the ignorant slaves face, I think it may be time for you to learn a little respect. Didn't your Master teach you anything? Not expecting an answer and frankly not caring to receive one, she lashed out at that moment, lunging down with her maw open, teeth aimed towards a red and partially unmarred shoulder. Well, not for long.

There's no dancing around it,
I crawl into the fire then fan the flames,
And I can't stand it
But I don't have the strength to burn the page

[Dakki]

She was surprised that she felt pride when the black female looked shocked at her remark. Damn right she still a little bite left in her. She may be broken, but that didn't mean that she lacked the skill to somewhat defend herself and what little honour she had left. Echo knew that she could not keep it up if she wanted to live. But was that really what she wanted? To die at the hands of this female would not be so bad, after that vivid vision of her pups she was ready to return to them. So should she fight back with her words? She knew that this brute of a female would already be wanting to strike out at her, and she wouldn't be surprised if she did. But did she want to make it more difficult for herself? Did she want to inflict herself more pain in the hands of this one? It wouldn't be so bad, she didn't feel much in the way of pain anyways.

The snarl landed close to her face, and the red hued female snapped her jaws together. The ebony one could take that however she wanted to. Snapping at her, keeping back another remark, what have you. It seemed that this one angered quite easily. For whatever reason, Echo wanted to push her. To make it worse. Maybe she would finally feel something, because she would honestly rather feel pain than to feel nothing at all. She had enough of being a hollow wolf, she wanted to live a little. "Go ahead, there is nothing you can do to me that will be any worse than what I have gone through." She growled. Even though her words were harsh, her tone was still soft. It was almost impossible for her to speak any louder, even more so now that she was speaking out. Echo never spoke out, ever. Whatever consumed her now, had began to take over.

That damned smirk was still on her face, making Echo angry. She wanted to lash that smile off of her face right then and there. "I was never trained, I was forced into this life. I am no prize slave you can show off to others like yourself. I listen because I was beat into this life, not because I wish to listen to bitches like you." Her voice rose slightly, pretty much yelling for her. Then she lashed out, her sharp teeth biting into the skin on her shoulder. Echo's blue eyes went wide in shock, the sting only hurting a little. Her anger must of given her some sort of adrenaline. That or she really was as empty as she thought. Growling, she tore herself away from the female, only making her bite dig deeper. Blood seeped out of the wound, coating her copper and rusted red flank. She took weight off of that leg, her lips curling back. She almost dared the female to come at her again, wishing more pain. It made her feel alive.

Echo snarled at the female, licking at her wounded shoulder. That was going to hurt for awhile she just knew it. "Ha, is that all you can do?" She spat, her blue eyes narrowing sharply. Pain, she wanted more. 'I'm coming my darlings...'

NOTES Echo loves paiiin. Dark one. xPWORD COUNT 546

[Sphuul]

Dislocated, I lie awake
Suffocating in my mistakes.
I lost my halo when I fell from grace,
But maybe next time I won't throw it all away.

Her jaws found their mark as Mavens teeth slid easily through Echo's red pelt and into flesh beneath. The girl jerked away, ripping the muscle as she tore at the stupid girl. Echo turned to lick at her wound, which dripped crimson, flowing down her leg and onto the grass below her feet. Bloodlust flowed freely through Maven, and a snarl erupted from her lungs, liquid life dripping from her lips. Oh, how she longed to feel the body crushed under her jaws, truly punished for her defiance. Amber eyes glinted furiously at the wounded female, who seemed all too willing to accept another blow. Mavens rage only intensified when Echo gave her a responding snarl, goading her on for more. You asked for it, and fortunately for you, I'm all too willing to oblige. How dare this bitch walk into her territory and openly mock her, openly defy her as if she had any right to do so. She began to move slowly, stepping around the intruder in a slow circle, watching as if in leisure. This was no fight, there would be no battle. Only bloodshed, and it wouldn't be hers.

She lunged without warning, teeth aiming for the side of the smaller wolf's neck as she slammed into her in an attempt to send her sprawling. She wanted the slave on the ground covered in blood, where she belonged. Tempting me was foolish, and I didn't take you for an overly foolish girl. Stupid, obviously, for even coming here, but you just asked for punishment. A conquering smirk twisted Mavens features, leaning her maw down to watch for any sign of expression in Echo's face. She gave her a sharp shove, a snarl emanating from her throat as fury overtook her once more. She began raining blows upon the small female, not pausing for a moment to see how many landed and which she missed. She used her weight as well as her teeth, attempting to keep the fae off her feet and away from her own neck. If the girl decided to fight back, Mavens face and shoulders would receive most of the blows instead of her throat or stomach. If the girl even dared fight back.

There's no dancing around it,
I crawl into the fire then fan the flames,
And I can't stand it
But I don't have the strength to burn the page

[Dakki]

Echo didn't care anymore. She hardly heard the fae's words as she was slammed into, her body not only falling to the ground but skidding slightly. She flinched as a few rocks dug into her side, but it was nothing compared for the pain to come. She was shoved again, another rough snarl coming out of her own maw. The dame could beat her all she wanted, it was nothing to her. She had been through so much already, that this was hardly another chapter in her painful book. The female had broken skin when she slammed her to the ground, only a small amount of blood bubbling to the surface. Only a scratch. This was nothing, only emptiness. Her darlings, she would see them soon.

The blows began to come one after another, both bruising her and cutting into her skin. Echo helplessly lashed out, hoping that her claws landed somewhere on this female. Her eyes just simply closed as she let the rest of the hits land, some skimming past her but most slamming into her body. She let out a few grunts as some made more contact than others, she wouldn't be surprised if she died her. She wanted it, remember? She longed for some sort of sweet release. Claws raked down her flank, and she could feel her life blood spilling out of her. A small puddle had began to gather around her, seeping into the green grass. What a horror show this must look like. "Do your worst." she whispered to the female, although she doubted she could hear her. Hopefully death was swift this time.

As she lay there, she let out a little woof as one blow landed right on her gut. She curled into a tight little ball, her coat now soaked in her own blood. Now all she could feel was pain, it was searing her every muscle. It was making her world turn slightly dark, when she opened her blue eyes to gaze at her assaulter she could only see outlines. The sun was bloated out, and she was growing colder and colder. Her body went limp as she fully gave up any sign of fighting back leaving her as her world faded. Four little shapes began to danced behind her once again closed eyelids. "My babies..." she mumbled. Could that truly be them? Had they come to take her to the other side? "Oh my darlings." Her voice was faded, and she was so close to embracing the darkness.

NOTES Nirco save her!WORD COUNT 420

[Ὀδύσσεια♐]

Nirco

It was green here, almost shockingly so. After so long in the mud and mush and moss of his home, Nirco was slightly dazzled by the vibrant hues of the striking color painted around him with each and every step into this unknown place. Due dripped from the leafy fingers of a fir tree and a bird fluttered and twittered in a near branch, as if to sing him a song of welcome. But Nirco did not feel welcomed here or anywhere outside the swamp in which he called home, and he was steadfast with his always wary gaze. The world was dangerous and deceiving, something he had discovered harshly years prior. He could not allow himself a moment's lapse in attention. Despite this wariness and a lingering apprehension, he advanced onwards in his quest.

Long had Nirco been meaning to visit the other lands of Ravensbruck, ones he had skirted as a freior and now hoped to implore the idea of freedom as a dominor. No, not dominor, thought the brute as soon as the very word struck him. It was vile on his tongue when he tasted it; he was not a dominator, he was a leader. He earned the respect and loyalty of his members, not beat or terrorized it into them until there was nothing else they knew. He would not be his father's murderer or his mother's demise. He would not be the monster that stole the lives of innocent pups.

Voices drifted to him through the twining branches and brush, though words were lost into nothing more than what sounded far too much like a muffled spat. Curiosity overtook him quickly, a luxury he only allowed himself with tense steps. Something was wrong, very wrong. There was an edge in the air, sharp and volatile and dangerous and... coppery. Nirco knew the scent of blood when it hit him. For a short time he allowed himself to think that perhaps he may be witness to the end of a mere hunt.

The Groavche alpha had never had a queasy stomach; he was mostly unwavering in the midst of violence. But the sight that greeted him when he rounded a thick bush had his insides squirming. Echo's small, reddish frame was a mess of dirt and was clearly soiled in her very own blood. She was unmoving, unseeing for her eyes were squeezed so tightly shut. Over her hovered a dark-coated she-wolf with a look that suggested she was enjoying his friend's torment far, far too much.

Rage, fear, anxiety all slammed into the near-black male with so much force that it took him a few seconds to both comprehend what he was seeing and respond. When he did, it was with a vengeance. Nirco had seen more than enough and propelled himself in a powerful lunge, a great beast barreling towards the confrontation before him. Grasses and clumps of dirt flew behind the brute and an immense snarl ripped from somewhere within him for all to hear. He no longer cared about anything else in that moment; echo's life was of far more value than any diplomacy he may have originally sought.

Great, sharp jaws slammed together in mid air, sending a flurry of startled blackbirds fleeing from a nearby tree. In a cloud of dirt his giant form came to a halt before stepping over Echo's small, broken body. His heart was pounding, his mind racing, his breaths heavy enough to send any remnants of the cloud straight towards the other wolf. His frame was large and looming as he dared his oldest friend's assailant with fire and hostility burning in his eyes. He wanted to tear her far smaller frame limb from limb until there was nothing left but scattered pieces. He'd done it to her kind before and for the first time in a long time, he thirsted for it again. So enraged was he that no words could be mustered. Instead, he offered bared teeth and a deep, rumbling growl.


--ooo--

[OOC: Uhhh so this took forever. Sorry! But he save her, he save her! D: ]