The forest stands tall and lush here; ancient trees reach weather-twisted arms to the sky, fighting monster-like storm clouds back with their interlacing fingers. Shadow seems to lurk everywhere you look, but it spills calmly, coolly, inspiring a sense of stealthy calm or protection rather than unease. That is, if you've forgotten what kind of creature might be stalking just out of sight...Abendrot is a land cradled by the dark woods on all sides; in the center, some of the larger trees stay behind to reveal a small plateau - a citadel where this pack can gather and defend itself from invaders. There are, of course, softer sides to the land. Clearings here and there allow the sun to throw down its rays in incongruously resplendent gold showers. Ignore the lingering scents of blood spattered here and there along the borders: those do not concern you. The river on one edge of the territory is playful enough when it hasn't been gorged by violent rain. You can choose to note the ragged claw marks raked down tree trunks and the forest floor as friendly "Home Sweet Home" signs, if you wish.
All who treasure loyalty, order, victory, and the occasional indulgence of raw visceral pleasure are welcome, once they've been approved by the ever-watchful eyes of Abendrot's Alpha. But keep one thing in mind: no matter what your motive, this is not a fool's Paradise. This is the land of soldiers, assassins, and spies. This is ABENDROT.
Make up your mind quickly and prepare to prove your worth. You wouldn't want to add to those blood spatters, would you...?
IP: 168.103.253.46
Posted on October 27, 2012 at 10:59:12 PM by [ k e y ]
word count: 1712 For some reason, it did not surprise Key that he was not at once greeted by one of the armada. Instead, he was able to quietly wait, all to himself, for more than an hour. The cold winter chill began to rattle his thin bodice, but rather than backing out of it, the gargoyle stay perched, completely still as he had first intended to. No expression… not even a single touch of emotion, wasted energy by passing itself upon his palette. Not even when the borders became dotted with not one varg, but two. The vampire who had sought the jokester out was immediately a lightning bolt to Key. At first, his musk was scented, and memorized, for Key knew that if he was ever to be facing a foe, it was best to know one’s allies. Whether this approaching male belong to either side, it would still do the ice demon well to know just who and what they were. It was now and only at this time, that the hunter let inexplicable warmth spread onto his palette. No- no smile reflected itself upon his face… instead, it was just a strange feeling that friends tend to emanate when they hang around one another. It came by itself, for Key could barely feel the difference between smiling and scowling. Alas… at the last moment, his ebon-lined kissers twitched up into a smile. Others would find it odd, perhaps, if he merely emitted a welcoming aura, and did not show it so manifestly as others normally did. Next came the appearance of the guest. It was easy enough to distinguish one wolf from another- especially females from males… but… because Key was of a triplet… well… it would always be well to imprint just who the heck one was. And at last… at last, at last… his vocal strength became prominent in the frost-bitten atmosphere. I’d love to let you in, really, but I can’t. So I guess that means I can just keep you company until then, hm?” The words from the strangers larynx were processed, rolled over, and looked at in a different perspective yet again. One cannot comprehend the ideas that flitted through Key’s complex brain. Revealing just what he thought about the nameless arrival… that is impossible. Key neither felt obliged to like or dislike him. Why? He simply did not know the fellow. He was willing to; however, only if his company also be open to the idea. He stepped close to Key, and the introvert inside of the angelic host shivered away from him, though Key himself did not move a muscle. Even when the other of his gender put on a face that could easily be mistaken as some type of menace, Key did not flinch. Instead, he closed the shades on his portals and let that smile he’d pasted on be his way out. Grateful for the demon’s sense of personal space a few minutes later, he recalled what the male had communicated and replied to it softly, his sensual optics opening once more to the world. “It is understandable.” Being reclusive, Key somewhat struggled with himself before being able to get his lyrics out into the chilly weather following the demise of the sun beneath the lip of the horizon. His grayscale lightning optics followed the soldier as he positioned himself on a stone a few paces from where Key was patiently seated on the freezing tundra, and shyly flicked his audettes against his crown. In no way was this prince attracted to the same sex, and the motion was only due to him being a naturally withdrawn creature. Too much company often caused him to become very uncomfortable to the point of inner madness. Even just one stranger… that had him teetering close to being over the edge. He had learned over his short years, however, to stay offhand about his fretfulness around others. Forgive me… I am giving far too much away. “If you wish to. I do not promise that I will be much of a patron for conversation. I beg your forgiveness for this.” Key’s fading domes flicked against the gales, and although his mouth had been moving minutes before, he had not moved one muscle save for those connected to his jowls. There was, however, a tensing of the character's jawline when the nameless one put his head upon his paws and settled himself down upon the cold stone. It is said that often picks up a scent of death when they have killed far too much, or perhaps only once. Either way, they can never get rid of the stench unless they work hard at changing their ways. Even though this place reeked of that stench... Key was upwind of the male and he could still pick it up clear as day on his visitor's derma. Key did not worry about this. He merely tensed because he knew that if so many soldiers were used to becoming injured in this area... then his services would most definitely be of use. He did not, however, build upon this, for he did not wish to raise his no-hope policy to one that wished for such things to happen. Miracles, he knew, were but a foul myth that was passed by tongues around the globe. Others often mistook luck for divine phenomenon from whatever God they believed in. Of all the things Key looked at with an open mind, it was miracles that he had no patience for. This odd way of thinking was not intended for Key's personal use... and so, only a few milliseconds after it had tensed, his jawline relaxed and the affectionate display of a welcome appearance once again appeared on his palette. Not minutes after this male had approached the angelic frame of the healer, and then offered his company as a sufficient exchange for not being able to have any say in Key’s acceptance into the territory he’d come to seat his own flesh by, than another pack member came into view. This one was not quite as courteous as the first, but Key did not judge her. Not by her appearance, by her voice, nor by her complete disregard of personal space. Based on the experience with the male, Key was able to make a small guess that these were most definitely wolves bred for battle. To be able to get so close to a foreigner such as he… they had, perhaps, seen their fair share of battles. She was not foolish, this one. Nor was she the most intelligent of creatures… but alas, the world is not perfect… Key knew this very well… oh so well. "Another one, I suppose? Well, sir, you will have to see if you are accepted into Abendrot or not." Again, the sorcerer turned the words over in his dial, trying to see just how he could relate to her somehow. She almost touched him, this midnight lady whose accent was like velvet on a sea of blood. Key calmly lowered his crown, his auditory systems flattening once again against his icy pelt. It was not a disrespectful move, that this bishop made. Rather, it was quite the opposite, being more courteous than not. The only female he had ever been able to speak openly with was Kode… alas, she had sung him a melody that no one else could… and because of her family ties to him, he was unable to find another quite like her to help bear his burdens. Alas that is what I wish for. She slid away from his space and he was allowed to breath once again. A few steps away, she snapped her attention back to the wanderer and spat out a few venomous words that, if spoken close to the seraphim, would have caused him to flinch away from her strong tone. "Oh, and be careful. If they do not accept you, you have a very high chance of getting slaughtered. By me, or him." The snow demon watched as her eyes flitted back to the nameless male whom had first sought the newcomer out. Key sat, unmoving, the smile he’d adorned earlier having dissipated from his palette when she had come too close to his mug. It did not re-appear on his facial features, but he did manage to slip out a counter to her vicious, perfume-covered words. His reply was not hateful, in fact, it held no tone save for a friendly one within its depths… and even when analyzed, the meaning was just the same as the one that was first intended. Thank-you for the advice. I will be sure to watch my step. How could the healer react so calmly to the cobra? When one is raised with another soul with the same kind of demeanor, it is not difficult to treat them the same as one would any other being. Respectful and quiet, it is most definitely obvious to any varg that is communicated with that Key does not openly show his skills or potential. Spears did not impale the tsar when the femme turned her attention to her pack mate and rudely became consciously repellent of the guest their borders had received. "It seems that you have escaped our previous conversation, Sir-Whose-Name-is-Unknown. Now, we may resume." There was no doubt that the two had made dialogue before, and their heart-to-heart had been interrupted or cut short. The startling portals of the lithe, feminine-like male looked straight ahead, as if to give the two their own privacy though it was usually custom to learn more of one that decided to try the difference between heaven and hell, at least in knowledge to the frost-bitten traveler. But this was his own opinion… and so Key sat still, his behavior unchanging. His time would come and he did not doubt this. The one whom he was waiting for had no time deadline… and Key could be waiting the whole of the night for the King of Abendrot to make his appearance. Frail, young bones begged to shiver against the rising chill of the night… but Key maintained posture. A strange stranger indeed.  |
Replies:
- come, come, we're all the same - By Darien Valentine October 30, 2012 at 01:14:10 AM
When The Night Bleeds, The World Shall Fall.. - By Silvah October 30, 2012 at 02:28:20 AM
no one would miss me[completed] - By [ k e y ] October 31, 2012 at 02:04:00 AM
FROZEN MASS GRAVE - By KERSHOV November 1, 2012 at 08:58:10 PM
no one would miss me - By [ k e y ] November 3, 2012 at 07:52:15 PM
pity, pity, pity - By Darien Valentine November 5, 2012 at 04:56:25 AM
. - By . November 9, 2012 at 03:26:18 AM
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