From the Shadows

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He chuckles under his breath at Ryker's words, then how the ground seems to defy him. He nods, though, looking around at the bubbling lava pools. He find himself growing hot, though not from embarassement. It is from the heat coming from the lava pits and the molten land that he is walking on. He looks around himself and can't help the little instinctual flutter of nervousness in his heart. He tries his best not to show it, and hopes that Ryker is busy doing something else. Speaking of the Alpha, he glances sideways at him. He pauses at the edge of one pit, before a spurt of lava is thrown into the air. He hurries on, saying: This place is... He pauses, looking for the right word. Um... hot. That was stupid. The pun, he realizes, is partly intended. He tries to speak some more. Yeah, it's cool... well, not literally, but it's interesting. He knows he sounds stupid. Ok, He thinks, somehow knowing he can't win. I'll shut up now.

[Halo]

Though Ryker wouldn’t admit it, he still feels a flurry of nervousness sometimes when he is moving across his terrain. He thinks it only natural when living in the shadow of such a monstrosity of a fire-breathing mountain. This dragon has no qualms about blowing its top and cascading its rage down on the slopes and plains below, has done so a couple times since this alpha has taken control of it. Yet, the overall excitement and awe that it creates is enough to keep him bound to this place, hell bent on conquering it.

The black brute’s lips curl into an amused grin as he listens to Twisted fumbling over his words, trying to describe the scene in an appropriate adjective. It can be hard. “Yes, it is cool. This much power in nature...very inspiring.” It was one of the reasons he had decided he wanted to control fire, to have at his paws something similar to his homeland, to relate to it and understand it. Well, it helped, he would imply casually. “A good protection from outsiders, as well, the fear keeps would-be enemies at bay and out of my land. The pack may be strong, but one can never be too careful.”
~Ryker

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Twisted nods, looking around as he feels something shift beneath him. He braces himself, automatically, not knowing that he is doing so. He looks at Ryker once more, then tries to be as calm as the Dark alpha appears he is. Well then, I guess it is good that I am learning the power of fire. Here is where I may practice? The last part is phrased as a question, and he tilts his head slightly to one side. He looks back around at the molten lavafield and the fur on his back rises. He feels insignificant, just as he had when he was in the Desert of Illusive Sands. And he doesn't like that feeling. He narrows his eyes and decides that he should not be passive or that submissive to the land, no matter how powerful. The top of his muzzle wrinkles as he bares his teeth and lets out a low growl. His head turns so he can see the land before him, ignoring Ryker and acting as if he wasn't there.

[Halo]

”You may if you wish.” He does not seem to be feeling or expressing anything in particular, nothing resembling emotion in his eyes as he passes his glance over the scenery and over Twisted as if he were just another part of the terrain. And there is nothing to make him feel guilty for it as he senses the male pack member basically ignoring his presence also. He is pleased with this land that had been given to him by the former Head Guardian, Noonday Miracle, not that he feels at all obligated to her memory (God rest her soul, though, he supposes). The only responsibilities he feels he has are to his alliance, his pack, and to his own ambitions. Anyone or anything smaller than those is insignificant and nothing but obstacles, obstacles that will be reduced to flat ground to be trodden upon.

It will not be difficult, he surmises. The true test will be to either convert or destroy the other three guardians and the rest will fall into place with ease. Some of those against him, foes and victims alike, might find this his own personal feud within himself, a vendetta between his own spirit and the legacy of his great grandfather. And perhaps they see his desire as a little cliché, overdone or just plain redundant (a reoccurrence of something that happened many years ago). Kona, too, sought to get the power over the valley that was then known as Crystal Water Creek, battled the other guardians and murdered and pillaged for the sake of his journey. “But where Kona failed, I shall succeed. He climbed a mountain and death brought him down, but I will reach its peak,” he mutters.

His lips curl back to bare the wicked, curved daggers of his mouth, not toward anything or anyone specifically but towards the world in general. He will not allow his life to end with nothing to show for it or to leave for his offspring nor will he allow his work to be met with no success. Ryker draws in a deep breath to soothe himself, to bring calm to his mind once again. He cannot afford to lose his tightly reigned control just yet. He will save it for Haben, Chaos, and Arctic Fang. This time, this generation, things will go a little more right and a little less wrong.

“The lands in which the pack lingers is at the base of the mountain. There is shelter there,” he comments, as if the invisible veil had been lifted off Twisted to grant the alpha sight of the wolf once more. He turns his black skull to lend him a flat gaze once more. “You have not come to join a pack with idle ambitions, Twisted. So gain your strength, grow in power so that you might assist in gaining the glory that is in store for those of Blood Red Moon.”
~Ryker

(OOC: I had a muse spurt. Whatcha think?!)

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OOC: I saw your post and was like: Don't count on me making a post that long.

IC:
Twisted nods his ebony head, dark eyes watching the Alpha. He doesn't meet the other wolf's gaze, more looking at Ryker's chest. It is not polite to look another in the eyes. Finally, he breaks free of the hold, and turns his head to looking around at the flaming land once more. His mind is calm, and his stance somewhat relaxed. The Alpha had asked him to bring glory to the pack, and gain strength. His head moves down slightly, in a nod. He will do more than that. He will become an Expert with fire, master it and bend the element to his will. He will defeat all of the other packs, especially the Lights, cause them pain and a slow, tortured death. That is the ending they deserve, those weak, faint-hearted wolves. His lips pull back and the fur on his muzzle wrinkles into a silent snarl as he pictures himself slaying the Alphas of the Light pack. Then the snarl disappears into a satisfied smirk as he sees himself standing in a bloodstained field, the bodies of the used to be Light alphas at his paws. But of course, Ryker can't see his shifting emotions, for he is turned away from the Alpha. His amber orbs wander the terrain aimlessly, searching while his cunning mind is at work. His claws dig into the rocky ground as far as he can make them, for he is now digging his claws not into the rocky surface of the earth, but into the soft, bloody carcasses the the lights. This causes him to shift his balance and almost lose it. He snaps out of his glorious dream, though he knows he won't forget it soon. He blinks several times until he remembers where he is and that he is in the presense of his new leader. But he still doesn't turn back to look at Ryker. Instead, his eyes travel steadily up the molten slope of the volcano, to the fiery top that one day might erupt once more. He tilts his head slightly to one side, parting his strong jaws and letting the tip of his tongue show. He is panting, for the heat of the lava field is finally getting to him. He stays like this for a few more moments, before he pulls his tongue it and closes his mouth. He turns back to Ryker. He nods, satisfied, but wanting more of the land. I'm ready to move on when you are.

[Halo]

(OOC: HeeHee! I had a brain spurt, but I don’t know how well this post will turn out. )
BIC:

The alpha nods his head and picks up his paws once more, allowing his powerful limbs to carry him along a well-used route, always heading for the mountain, the gem that is Blood Red Moon. He watches it, listens to it rumble and to its one-sided conversation as it threatens with smoke billowing in enraged puffs from its summit. And for awhile it calms as if knowing its master understands makes everything all better, can give it enough patience to continue holding its temper for awhile longer. Ryker nods his head slowly towards it, speaking to his land without words. He wonders, passively, if all the alphas have this sort of connection with their land.

They reach the bottom of the mountain and Ryker proceeds to circle the base until he reaches a section that is cooler than the rest. Here the lava flows have dispersed and the wall of the mountain is thicker, providing more insulation for it so that the heat does not pour from its pores with such intensity. Here is where the dens have been made and where most of the pack resides when not exploring or carrying out their duties and agendas. The ebonite brute pauses and turns to nosey around across the ground before pointing towards a place marked by a petrified tree, blackened by smoke.

“The dens are there...our females can be safe and comfortable here with their young.” An instinctual protectiveness seems to curl upon his tone of voice as he makes mention of the dens, a place where the females of Blood Red Moon will have their pups, where both mother and babies will be for a time defenseless. Even a black-hearted scoundrel like himself has some form of devotion when it comes to family life. After all, a pack is just that, a family, and there will be no pack without some form of care between the members. And, besides, someone has to protect the tired mothers and their defenseless offspring.

“This is our resting grounds, if you will. You’ll notice it’s much cooler here.” He turns his head to watch Twisted for a reaction or a question, blinking his inquiring eyes slowly. It isn’t like he has anything else to do at this moment, so playing tour guide can provide him with a bit of a distraction from plain boredom.
~Ryker

(OOC: Okay…so it got long. >.>)

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Twisted nods, letting his eyes travel over the burnt tree. He flicks his head and tilts his head to the side. Did he just imagine that little squeal coming from the den? Perhaps, for he doesn't here another one. A small smile touches his lips and he swings his head, to look around as he hears Ryker speak once more. As the alpha mentions it, he does feel a lot cooler here than he had when they were standing on the field. He nods in agreement, still not speaking. His tail flicks and he looks up at the mountain, which looks much higher now, since he is at its foot. When he casts about for something to intrest him, or start a conversation on, he finds that there are many dens, some dug in the earth, others, perhaps, under rocky outcrops. He looks over his shoulder, back to where the lava field is. He can make out the subtle shapes of rocks--or trees--through the waves of heat in the air. The brute looks back at the tour guide, watching him calmly. He waits for one to speak, but when the silence stretches on, he parts his mouth, deciding that maybe he is the one to start the conversation. Problem: He doesn't know what to start it on. On second thought, he quickly snaps his mouth shut, his powerful jaws clamping together.

[Halo]

(OOC: I’m not really sure what to post. )
BIC:

Ryker moves forward and away from Twisted, moving to where the ground had been softened by digging claws. There he sits and then reclines down onto his belly, tail moving restlessly behind his rump as he opens his muzzle wide to yawn noisily. “You have seen most of what there is to see, I believe. I’m sure you can find the rest well enough on your own.” Finally his tail rests in a curl around his haunches, ears flicking slightly with mild interest in the surrounding sounds. There is nothing really too much of interest, nothing for him to concern himself over so he doesn’t move from his spot.
~Ryker

(OOC: Blah.)

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OOC: Is this rp done? I don't really know what to post

[Halo]

(OOC: ^_^ It can be. It was nice while it lasted. teehee)

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OOC: okiedokie. It was also nice while I had a bucket full of muse