From the Shadows

[£€G@©Ÿ]

Muscles ripple beneath the thick layer of black fur as he moves. His paws are silent, skimming the ground, and his breath hangs in the cool night air. Moonlight spills onto his ebony back as he steps out of the shadow of a tree before walking into the shadow of another. His breath is soft, barely audible, for he knows how to silence breath. The right eye of the beast glitters as an interesting thought strikes him. His left eye, however, remains misty and foggy, like the clouds of breath lingering beind him in the air. The blue design around his left eye, the blind one, appears to be illuminated by the moonlight. The brute pauses in the shadow of an oak, looking around him, nose scenting the air. He is in a pack's land, no doubt, and they will surely be angry with him because he is trespassing. His muscles are slightly tense, because of what he has just thought of. His lips are pulled back in a somewhat of a grin, before they regain his usual smirk. He licks his lips, eye glittering. He looks around the clearing once more, breath hanging in a circle around him as he breathes. The moonlight illuminates it, so it shines white before dissolving into the cool air. He scents the air once more before moving on. He thinks he hears a rustle as another stirs the low branches of the tree, and turns, a low growl leaving his throat. He watches the area carefully, eye moving over the shadows, trying to pick out a shape that might belong to another wolf. Finally, seeing nothing, he turns and walks on. A snarl is planted on his face as he turns his head to and fro, watching intently. He is a dark brute and not about to be ambushed. If he is lucky, perhaps he will meet up with the Alpha of this godforsaken land.

[Halo]

I'll try to post later today or Monday...sorry to make you wait

[Halo]

Restless...full of spring-loaded energy with nowhere to aim it. The black beast paces the ground in a way that one would swear he resembled a caged animal just waiting for the chance to rip out his handler's throat. He wishes, prays, for a distraction, anything to keep his ambitions from plaguing his mind for a time; so much to do, so many plans to review and carry out. A quiet growl of frustration rumbles in his chest, his forehead wrinkled in expression. And that's when he catches the scent.

Another brute in his territory, something dark in his scent. Something inside the alpha jumps with elated joy as he turns and strikes out towards the tresspasser, his step springing into a swift jog. He comes up upon the other fearlessly, fur bristling and teeth flashing as he steps straight up to him. A quick moment and he looks the male over, ears flicking with both curiousity and wariness. "Congratulations, you have found Blood Red Moon. What fate have you come here for?"
~Ryker

(OOC: Stinks...)

[£€G@©Ÿ]

He looks the other over, not in the least daunted by his sudden appearance. He could take on the weakling with his eyes closed. But not now. He is not here to challenged for the land... not yet, anyway. A grim smirk forms on his lips. I do not see what is so great about me finding Blood Red Moon. Truth be told, it wasn't that hard to find, and the journey here didn't tire me a bit. I traveled through the night. But that does not concern you. I seek to join your pack, Alpha. I like this dark land, as every true dark should. He sneers, half challenging the other brute to defy him. His voice is soft, and his black pelt shines in the moonlight. He turns his head slihgtly to the right, so he may fully look at the alpha who may grant him his wish. A simple wish, joining a pack. He wonders if the alpha sees the bloodthirsty and twisted beast that lurks beneath the handsome black fur and sharp, bloodstained claws. He would see why this brute is called what he is. TWisted.

[Halo]

There is something dangerous beneath this wolf's appearance, something that the male can't hide from Ryker so easily. But then again, maybe Twisted really doesn't want to hide it, wants to try to worry the alpha of Blood Red Moon or intimidate him? If that is the case, it is not working and he proves it with a smile. He seats himself upon his ebonite haunches, curling his tail casually about his right hind and tilting his head as his stare bores into the other brute's skull. "It is a...lovely...place isn't it?" He places sarcastic emphasis on the word 'lovely', chuckling in a low growl. "But why should I grant access to the entirety of my lands when there is obviously something working inside that head of yours?"
~Ryker

[£€G@©Ÿ]

Twisted pulls his lips back to show his teeth, only slightly, however. He doesn't like the mind of the alpha before him, getting his big old nose into matters that don't concern him. Twist stares coldly down at the brute. Is this how you treat your pack? Do you ask them questions that possibly, you shouldn't be asking? He pauses then growls softly. And Alpha, there is always something going on in my wonderful mind. That is why I am smart and cunning. His words end in barely more then a hiss, and a smirk spreads across his face. He decides that he too should sit, and he slowly lowers himself. But here is my answer to your question. Why should you not?

[Halo]

Ryker is certain that he doesn’t care for this male in front of him. He may be dark of nature, but he has no respect and he can see in him outright disobedience. He wants members that will pull the pack together, to bring it strength but not to bring it down. This is one alpha who won’t let the prospect of a new pack member cause him to be feeble in his stand. He flashes his fangs and stands at a higher posture, his eyes hardening into crimson ice. “I will remind you that you are not a member of my pack as of yet. And it will do you good to remember who is alpha here.”

He circles Twisted, hackles bristling, and then lunges forward to snap at the offending brute’s neck. But it is only a warning, pulling back before he can sink in a bite. “Your so-called cunning defeats you. Your open defiance and disrespect has limited your chances, brute.”
~Ryker

[£€G@©Ÿ]

He takes just the slightest step back as the alpha snaps at him. His single seeing eye watches the other brute carefully, and he is ready to launch himself away to dodge an attack. Well, shall we start over again, Alpha? My name is Twisted, dark loner, perhaps seeking to join your pack.... and you are? His voice trails away. He is thinking about joining the dark pack... that is, if the Alpha will accept him. And he has just narrowed his chances of that. Disrespect. Bah! Perhaps he doesn't want to be in a pack led by a weakling and probably full of weaklings. Disrespect. The Alpha wouldn't know disrespect if it bit him on the nose. And open defiance? The wolf must not know the tough life of a loner, or him. He doesn't know what it is like to have an alpha for a father... and an omega for a mother. He doesn't know what it is like to be split, not allowed to speak to either, but forced to do so in secret. He doesn't know the hardships of life, wandering alone at a young age. But he does. Twisted does. He has learned to defy life and howl a challenge to the fierce elements that batter him while he wanders. He doesn't know what it is like, to live in a land that is so similar to the far off one in which he was born. The brute turns away, not out of fear or regret, but he is overwhelmed by the feelings in his memories. Rarely, he goes back and visits them. His fur lies flat and he looks up at the alpha, strength behind his cold gaze. Alpha, if you have witnessed what I have, then you too would have learned to defy life and all of the challenges it throws at you. I want join your pack. I like your land. I have been a loner, wandering since 11 moons. He growls softly, looking at the alpha. Or, it could just be me.

[Halo]

At least his outward tone seems to have changed, enough to stem Ryker's vengeful temper and to bring out something more...civil. He circles back around to the male's front, but doesn't allow himself to relax in front of this Twisted, not yet. He can't take that risk until he feels more certain, but he does allow the fur along his spine to flatten along his back. The alpha allows the prospective packmate to speak, waiting until he has finished to measure out his own respect before opening up his own vocals.

"Ryker is my name. And I can tell you that I have faced my own share of challenges, perhaps not the same as yours, but enough to have my own limits tested. Defiance has its place, I have some in me as well. And if you can work with me, not against me..." He pauses here, mulling over what he is about to decide. Is it the right thing to do? Is it the smart thing? There will be time to tell afterward. "Then I welcome you to Blood Red Moon." He smirks, a small glint of his ivories showing but this time in good humor instead of threat.
~Ryker

[£€G@©Ÿ]

He nods his agreement, silently thanking the gods that he has joined a pack. Ryker, I will join Blood Red Moon. His voice is soft and he dips his head, taking a hesitant step forward. He looks around at the territory. His territory, well, his pack's territory. Then he looks at Ryker, his new Alpha. It will be different following some one else's rules and not his own, but he knows he will have to get used to it if he will remain in the pack. He licks his lips. Perhaps you could show me around? He asks. It is an innocent question, and he is not sure if the other brute will refuse or not. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Him, Twisted, asking questions?! Has the world gone mad? He usually demands things, and does things his own way. He doesn't usually follow anyone or anything and considers himself dominant. Now there's him asking questions when he would usually demand it. Something has changed, something has really changed.

And Twisted seems to sense it and know it too, for he looks away, back over his shoulder as if looking back at his old self. He lowers his eyes. Will he survive like this when he used to go around ordering things of other wolves? He doesn't know. In his mind's eye, he sees himself and the little pup, Chaos, on top of Echo Summit. He ordered her there, threatened her to give him some of her hairs or he'd kill her, and then steal the hairs he needed. That has obviously worked, for he now has the power of flames. He decides to try and test it out by making a little ball of fire. He doesn't really know how, but just pictures the little round ball of flames in the air. He closes his eyes and tries to draw upon the power. When he opens them, he looks at where he had pictured the flames. A split second before they fell to a pile of ashes, he saw a fire, licking at the air. And then his concentration had failed him and it fell to the ground as ashes. He stares at the ashes, wide-eyed. Did he really just do that? He isn't sure.

[Halo]

Ryker would have answered the new member right away, had the other brute not seemed to have drifted into thought. He pauses and waits to see if he would come back to reality any time soon, one side of his brow lifted in a quizzical expression with coal gray lips pursed thoughtfully. Then Twisted produces a small spurt of flames, though short-lived. The alpha feels no threat in the air, but simply tilts his head to the side in curiosity. If he was surprised it doesn't register on his expression. The wolf has a power. He may be inexperienced with it, but that will come in time. That will prove useful.

"You possess fire, do you? Very nice." A wicked smirk brightens up, a quick sway of his tail showing approval. Another fire wielder. It's his favorite element, by far, with it destructive capabilities and the overall ability of it to evoke fear into any normal being. He himself is a holder of this power and has put it to good use in the past.
~Ryker

[£€G@©Ÿ]

The brute turns back, a smirk on his face, after looking at the ashes of the little fire ball he did actually produce. He dips his head, a sly grin on his face as he says calmly: Thank you. I have just received the power earily today. But, will you perhaps show me around the land? Or am I to figure it out myself? He poses another choce, and wonders which on the Alpha will chose.... though, in his head, he thinks he knows the answer. Ryker will probably have him firgure out for himself, though he can't be sure. His eyes slide back to the pile of ashes. Another question strikes him, and, hoping he isn't pushing it too far, he says. Forgive me for asking, but, do you have the great power of flames? He looks back at the alpha, mysterious, and wonders. Asking the question is the only way to find out, unless, of course, if he cares to show him by displaying it at a random time. He licks his lips, bitting the inside of it while waiting for the Alpha's reply.

[Halo]

’This one is full of questions,’ Ryker thinks as he is bombarded by questions from the other male, but allows it to slide since Twisted is, in fact, new to the land and to those dwelling here. He hums out a ‘hmm’ before he makes a short nod in Twisted direction as a beginning to his answer to the latter question. “Yes, I am a master of fire, along with shape-shifting.” There doesn’t seem any harm in allowing the members of his pack to know his capabilities. Perhaps it would make it easier for them to put their confidence in him as a leader.

He turns then and points himself towards the mountain, taking a couple of trotting steps forward and then stopping to turn his head towards Twisted. “Are you coming or not?” He will leave it up to Twisted to figure out that he is going to show him around the mountain a little bit. It won’t be any full-blown tour, but enough to give him an idea and then he can do more exploring on his own. Unlike what some might think, he does have things to do, places to go, and…okay, yeah, people to kill.
~Ryker

[£€G@©Ÿ]

So he has the power of fire too. He has mastered it, apparently. He feels a longing in his heart, wishing that he has mastered the flames as well... but, he hasn't. He almost doesn't hear Ryker's next words, those inviting him deeper into the land. He nods and catches up. He doesn't speak as he trails behind the Alpha, thinking. He pauses for a moment, shaking his head and ridding it of whatever thoughts were inside. He looks up at Ryker for a moment and opens his mouth, about to say something. Then he closes it and looks down again.

OOC: sorry for the bad post. I have no muse

[Halo]

(OOC: It’s fine! )
BIC:

Ryker doesn’t know, exactly, but he has this feeling that the wolf behind him has some thought rattling in his head or something that he wants to say but isn’t saying it. It definitely can’t be his ‘people skills’ kicking in, for he’s been told that he has positively none of them (though he figures he hasn’t been doing half bad, since he hasn’t been overthrown as of it). Or maybe it’s just instinct or a fleeting feeling of nothing. Who can say? He, of course, doesn’t want to ask and appear foolish if he were wrong.

They come out of the grasslands, with their blackened trees, and trot onto a field of hardened, molten rock. It is warm to the touch beneath the pads of their paws, but in a soothing way as its heat is not excruciating. If Twisted should look around he’ll be able to see pools of bubbling lava, spitting up splashes of liquid material and in some places they are like rivers moving from one ‘lake’ to another. And up ahead is the dark monster itself, looking over its domain and rumbling. “It’s all quite safe,” he speaks without turning his head. As if to defy its master’s words it growls and the earth shakes violently.
~Ryker