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: 12.231.36.2
Posted on February 5, 2015 at 04:29:50 AM by Enigma
 |
His words earn him another sickly sweet smile as I lean toward him, letting the words roll off my tongue like poisoned honey. "Careful, I might just have to take you up on that. Luckily for you, I wasn't listening with my loyal follower ear when you said that so it won't be taken as a command." I smirk teasingly, though he would know that I could never harm a hair on his head, at least not with ill intentions in mind. His nose touches my cheekbone and a tremble works its way down my spine. Kershov's never been the touchy type. What's gotten into him? As if to answer my sudden suspicions, his body shudders beside me and I take a step back to survey him better, brows knitting together in concern. "Kershov?" I ask questioningly, my usual playful tone dropped for the moment as his body trembles and his good eye closes. I stand my ground, unsure whether to call for a healer or lean against him in case he needs support. He squeezes his eye shut as if he doesn't wish to see something, as if trying to push something away. Once again I find myself wondering what he's been up to while I've been gone. Has he been getting into some herbs he shouldn't have? Drank some diseased water? Caught a virus from a rogue? So many options and yet I feel so lost and I don't like it one bit. i've never liked being helpless, that's why I make sure I never am. But when it comes to Kershov....apparently all that goes out the window. When he does finally look at me, there's a new strain on his smirk but it's there, none the less. I try to take comfort from that, try to deny the ripple of apprehension going down my spine, the hunch that something's not quite right. I laugh at his accusation that I take all the fun with me, snorting in doubt. "On come now, I'm not that greedy. I would never leave you abandoned with nothing at all to do in my absence. That would just lead to trouble, though I don't think there's an alternative with you." I try to grin in my charismatic devil may care way, try to pretend everything's as it's always been, but I can't keep denying the tension in my shoulders, the flicker of my ears and the screaming of my instincts that something's not right at all. He speaks again, telling me that it's been quiet, that Abendrot's bee paramount to peaceful and he doesn't like it. Of course he wouldn't. Kershov lives for chaos. Any true tundra wolf does. I try to talk in a soothing voice now, though whether it's for the tease or to try to calm his mind, who knows? "Well, no need to fret anymore. Enigma's here to make it all better. I'm sure I can find something to stir up the pot." My eyes dance with mirth but the look in his eyes as he studies me is not the usual. It's almost like he's waiting for something, expecting something to happen. Why is he looking at me like that? I want to ask but somehow that just seems worse, like it would make this all real, that saying the words, asking the questions would make him crumple in a heap at my paws. I know something's wrong now but I just don't want to face it. Not with Kershov. Anyone but him. When his voice turns serious, I feel myself cringe inwardly. Why must he do this? Why must he shatter our illusions and destroy our dream? Why must he make it all real? He can't even look at me now, telling me in a trailed off voice that he made a mistake. It was almost like the words fought to come out, like some part of him didn't want to say it. I almost wish he didn't. A scowl tugs at my lips, brows furrowing again in concern as my ears flick back and my tail lowers. I know better than to ask what or tell him to go on. Instead I just wait, because I know that he'll finish. Kershov always finishes what he starts. It's one oft he reasons I chose to follow him in the first place. Now it is like he's crumpling right before my eyes. I can literally see the drop in his shoulders and the lowering of his own tail, that arrogant mast that has always been at attention, always letting others know that he is king and he will not be defied. His words are like a blow to the heart, my eyes widening a bit in surprise. But then they narrow with determination, that tundra fire licking at my multi toned eyes as they gaze a new hole into him. "You only make yourself a fool now by saying such words. I am never better off without Abendrot, without this pack. I was lost without this." Without you, I want to say, but I hold the words back because I know the damage they can do. "Talk to me. What have you done? I will make it right again." |
Replies:
- THE MAD KING - By KERSHOV April 1, 2015 at 02:20:46 AM
Watch Me Come Undone - By Enigma April 28, 2015 at 01:45:57 AM