A {{Failure}} in the ⌠Making⌡

The ivory betess sat on a dune of sand, unsure if she even deserved that title anymore. She had lost Deadly over the border of Muerta, a place where she was forbidden to step now. It swarmed with Midnights, her sister's filthy lapdogs. This time she was able to reign in her anger at missing out on a chance for her vengeance. That was the number one rule, never lose your head. Though sometimes anger was better than thinking, pure reaction with no delay. That is, if you were born to bleed and to make others die. If your veins were sparked with a heat that sought to be quenched. But no...what right did she hold anymore? Twice now she had failed to apprehend that insane bastard, the one who had stolen away Damean's life by treachery and indirectly Jaded's too. So what was left? Damean Junior whom she had swore to protect, whether it was out loud or not did not matter. That brought up another question...what was she doing here? Skulking at the borders of Muerta like a coward, the thought illicited a mental snarl, no not a coward, just a failure. And in staying here she was failing to keep watch over Damean Junior, whom her only attatchment to the little pup was the threads that tied him to Damean.

Oh Damean...Her heart hurt and she felt periously close to tears. What was this? Are you going to cry? You who have had your heart ripped out and spat on going to cry now? You who have slaughtered so many....yes, yes because Damean was special to me. A jewel amongst the darkness and her friend, her very best perhaps. She gave a humorless laugh. Funny to think that she had spurned him initially and pledged herself to Lillith. How things changed so quickly my dear Damean.

Now the pack was scattered and a bunch of two bit rogues running their terra. Where she should've stayed and fought she had been led away like a dog. Foolish. Evander would be put in his place and then maybe when this whole thing was over she would be too. Maybe these would be her last battles and she could finally rest. She was so weary and her failures hung upon her like palpable weights, making each step like lead. Her alpha killed, her home stolen from her, hunted and taking refuge in a pure pack. Trespasses against her and her family all gone unchallenged. Why? Why did they not rise up and defend their honor? Because of one small pup that was protected for Damean and Jaded...

Sighing she shut her azule gaze from the world feeling the wind tug at her pelt. How lonely it was here. How nice it felt. Maybe this was why Despair chose to inhabit the desert, was it always so quiet here? Did his arctic blood deny the hot sun or had he just learned to embrace it? Perhaps one day she could make a life alone here, have her own den and bath in the light of the moon and hunt among the harsh rays of the sun. But no...that was a fantasy. She was a Jabbar wolf to her core and she knew that on her soil that was where she would perish.

He had found her trail and followed it. Her scent was one he would never be able to forget, it embedded itself in her brain and even it's faintest traces on the trail were picked up. He traveled a steady pace, his mile eating lope closing the distance between him and the white ghost that he loved. He slowed seeing her in the distance. Her scent had grown strong and he knew it was her by seeing her shining white pelt against the yellow of the sand. His padfalls came silent on the sand. The wind bringing her scent to him as he approached. "Akiko..." His deep voice called out once she was close. She looked so alone and so lonely. He stepped forward boldy and nosed her pristine pelt. "Are you alright my lady?" He asked softly and stepped back.

His words from his queen would come. He was worried about his love. Her pack was being torn apart. Sawyer knew it must be a difficult time for her. Akira's words would come once he knew Akiko was coping.

She had seen his intent form a little ways off, it was hard to miss. A brawny wolf that resided in her sisters pack that had some sort of juvenile fascination with her. She was so far past playing an unattainable seductress and torturing this brute. She even contemplated running, he would never catch up to her. This she knew but still she did not move. Perhaps she was loathe to abandon her stop of self pity but whatever the reason she stayed and allowed him to approach. When he touched her and she was tempted to snap at him but her fur only bristled slightly. Her mood was strangely placid. She had accepted some things just sitting here all this time. Damean's death. His son's birth. The loss of their pack. No, that was only temporary, she was already calculating their next move to retrieve it. They would not play on the defensive. She herself would lead the first offensive attack as soon as she discussed it with Rawbones.

Tassle flicked and she looked at Sawyers face, her blue eyes intent on his mug. Why was he here? What purpose had he attached himself to her. Did anyone really have any decisions or was it merely Fenrir's beck and call? She almost laughed at herself. This was not her ground to play on, she was not one to ponder the universe. She had one purpose, survive. Eyes moved to the horizon in preference over her recent viewing.
"How I am does not matter. It is the state of my pack that matters." She was a beta through and through, she lived and would die for her pack. "Why have you wandered away from Akira, I'm sure she needs you."

Burnt eyes found Akiko's form and he felt her fur bristle when he touched her and he lowered his massive haunches to the ground and sat beside her. Her voice came cool...almost curt to his ears. He could only imagine the turmoil she must be feeling now. Her pack disbanded for the most part...at least ursurped from their lands. He flicked russet ears forward and took a deep breath. She said how she was didn't matter which Sawyer flicked an ear to protest but then held his tongue for a few precious moments before speaking. "I am on your sister's bidding." He said. Which wasn't exactly a lie but wasn't the real truth either. His queen had sent him to gather information on Jabbar and to seek out Mercy if she could be found. He had smelled Mercy's scent leaving Jabbar's lands but it was stale and had followed the scent of the neighboring pack Jabbar to the lands of Midnight Meadows. Most of Jabbar's wolves resided there for the moment and then he left the lands in search of Akiko. "Your sister seeks the truth of what happened to your pack....and Mercy was stolen. Your own niece. It appears that Evander had done that as well but then she was spirited away by someone else. I aim to find her after I report back to your sister." He said.
　
He watched Akiko intently. Her fierce beauty stark in this harsh landscape. He wanted to lay his feelings for her at his feet but something cautioned him off. Now wasn't the time. She was angry. He gave a soft sigh and pulled his burnt orange eyes from her lithe form and let them follow her gaze to the horizon. He waited for her words she would speak which Sawyer would relay to her sister, the queen of Muerta..

A {{Failure}} in the ⌠Making⌡ RawbonesBRN

He had been waiting on her return for quite some time now. Dissatisfied with her absence, he set out to seek her, only to find that she'd gone somewhere completely different than what he'd thought. She had given up her chase and come to these lonely lands. But why? He needed to find out. What could possibly drive her to come to this desolate place? Rawbones padded along heavily; his joints ached from the journey, but he was not going to give in. He wasn't old enough for that yet, at least, that's what he told himself anyways. Akiko's scent grew heavier on the air, and he knew he was getting closer. Then he froze. Another's scent lingered with hers. The hair rose along his spine and lips curled. Who was near her? A low growl rumbled deep in his belly and he stalked forward more cautiously, afraid to see what was happening.

He passed a tall dune and soon saw Akiko's form outlined against the vibrant sky. Relief flooded through him, just seeing that she was okay, that nothing had gone wrong. He relaxed, momentarily forgetting why he'd become so tense and anxious in the first place. As he moved towards her, he bristled again when his blurry, silver eyes noticed the male sitting next to her, camaflouged against the sands. Stiffening, he strutted over to the pair, his tail held high and proud. He couldn't stand the sight of him sitting so close to her. Who did he think he was? Who was he? Rawbones hoped dearly that Akiko had no connection with this brute. Ignoring Sawyer as he marched up to them, he squeazed himself in between the two and looked to the stark white demoness. "Akiko," he murmured lowly, "You shouldn't just disappear like that. I've been waiting for you."

He didn't want to mention in front of Sawyer that he'd missed her and been worried, not knowing how she would respond to such things if he said them. He didn't need to be shot down or ignored in front of some other brute. Vaguely, he recognized the male now that he was up close, remembering catching a glimpse of him when Jabbar had refuged with Muerta after the fire. But that had been so very long ago. However, Rawbones continued to disregard the male, his attention solely upon Akiko, waiting to hear her voice, and perhaps find out what was going on in her mind, if she would tell.

At the mention of her sister Akiko's facial expression changed for a fraction of a second but quickly smoothed back into impassive. So Akira had sent him to scout out the land. Strange she usually used other arcane methods...When he told her that Mercy had been stolen she looked at his face and frowned. What would Evander want with Akira's pup? Ha surely not to blackmail her with. More proof he had not been in these lands long enough. But it was a moot point it seemed for another had carried the pup away. Interesting...
"Our pack is regrouping. We just needed to ensure the safety of...." she paused, she was not sure she wanted Akira to know of Damean Juniors presence. "..the pack. We were scattered and Evander took us by surprise." Just then her ear flicked and she saw Rawbones walking towards them. At first she was alarmed but surely he would not look so calm if there had been a crisis. And for the first time her facial features actually softened for the older brute as he stepped between her and Sawyer. She knew she had lingered here too long, prolonged by Sawyers arrival when she should have left to return to her pack sooner.

"Apologies Rawbones. I was pursuing...well no matter. I have failed but I have been in deep thought about our situation. I was actually going to speak to you as soon as soon as I had returned. Which would've been soon anyways. Is everyone alright?" She emphasized on the 'everyone' implying the precious cargo they guarded. At this point Sawyer had faded into the background her attention only on Rawbones.

Sawyer
　
Sawyer listened to Akiko's words intently and nodded. He followed her cerulean gaze with his burnt orange one and found Rawbones. He glanced back at Akiko to see if she recognized the bru and saw her icy hues had...softened? He blinked and turned to look back to the male and then felt his pelt bristle slightly as the older wolf shoved himself between him and Akiko. He glared at the bru but obviously Akiko knew him. His russet thorns flicked forward and then to the side as he watched the male leand in and whispered to her. Surely not..Sawyer thought, the gears in his mind turning as he watched the behavior they showed to eachother. They were packmates is all. Sawyer stood and flicked his tail. He had the overwhelming urge to sink his teeth into Rawbone's throat but held his desires firm.
He was disreguarded by both. Both of them seemed to close him out of the conversation and he felt his heart grow jealous. Sawyer? Jealous? Never...couldn't be. Not over this old shabby pelted male. He lifted his head higher and swished his tail. "Akiko." Sawyer called in his deep baritone. "I should leave you to your business. Anything you want me to relay to Akira?" He asked rounding the front of them so she couldn't brush off his question. His orange eyes were hard when he looked at Rawbones for a moment and then softened when they looked at Akikoas if not understanding the favor she was showing this brute. Why him? He wanted to ask. Perhaps there were other reasons. Perhaps he was a favored uncle or older brother? Sawyer tried to reason.

Rawbones was pleasantly delighted when he discovered how easily he had gained Akiko's attention, thus concluding in his mind that this other brute was of little importance to her right now. And he was surprised, though not disappointed, to have her undivided attention, accompanied by a softer-than-usual gaze. He had basically assumed that she would present him with the more usual cold, half-hearted attention she gave to most when they attempted to communicate with her. But she was watching him. He felt a little more at ease now, knowing that she favoured him at the moment, despite the deep feelings of resentment and murderous intent flowing from the other brute. He simply ignored it, figuring if anything happened, he and Akiko could deal with it.

Perking to her as she spoke, offering apologies, he was again surprised. He shook his head as she mentioned her failure. "Nevermind that," he said, then responding to her other words, "Let's just worry about the future." He knew she would understand what he meant. They were not going to allow Evander be left un-harmed in their lands for very much longer; they would de-throne him soon enough. As she asked if everything was alright, he nodded, eyes softening somewhat as he thought of Damean Jr. His eyes then shone with hardened determination as he focused back on Akiko. "Everyone, especially our little Damean, is being well-cared for," he said, more oblivious to the information he was offering the spy next to them, "And there've been no incidents or conflicts between different pack members-"

His head turned sharply as he heard Sawyer's voice call out, and he glared at the brute as he forced himself back into the group. Rawbones did not budge a paw and his hackles lay still, while he merely stared intently at Sawyer as he spoke, wondering how long it would take to make him uncomfortable. He'd never had difficulty locking his gaze with others, and was always ready for a brawl when another did not submit and look away. Still as a statue, Rawbones' lifeless voids glared at Sawyer's face, an intense gleam about them as he waited for the bru to be finished up here so he could return to Midnight Meadows with Akiko and get talking about their return battle home.

Akiko's mouth turned up slightly as he dismissed her failure. This was what it was like to be apart of a pack. Even amongst the darkness they were there for each other. But her eyes widened slightly when he specifically included Damean Jr's name but she was careful not to let her alarmed eyes to Sawyer who she out of her peripheral was moving around Rawbones to reclaim her attention. Since Akiko could not comment on his indiscretion now she let it pass, if Sawyer heard she hoped he would think nothing of it. Nodding her head at his news. "That is good. I hope everyone is settled well for the moment, not that we will be there much longer..." Then Sawyer's voice boomed clearly trying to get back into the conversation. There was an edge to his voice and however subtle it was, there was a slight aggression there which made her muscles tighten. But she found it was directed at Rawbones and she noticed the older brute noticed the challenge and met it with his stony glare. Her own face was grim once more and rising to her feet shook out her pelt and meeting Sawyer's gaze which no longer held animosity she shook her head. "I'm sure my sister knows everything she needs to. Soon enough we shall be back in Jabbar and all will be as it was." Except that Damean and Jaded is dead... Throat got tight and she nodded her head in a clear dismissal. She was unsure what to make of Sawyer. Surely he did not continue to seek her favor?

Sawyer
　
Sawyer flicked his ears forward at the elder bru's words. Little Damean?....he thought...Our little Damean? His burnt orange eyes looked to Akiko but he said nothing or made no notice that he had picked up the mentioning of what had to be a whelp. Damean Jr....his mind raced. Did Akiko and this bru have a whelp...surely not...he couldn't smell milk upon the fea he desired so much. And why would his name be Damean...unless it was the dark king's own blood. He kept silent on the subject.

Akiko rose and Sawyer's eyes watched her every movement. Such fluid grace that haunted his dreams. The white ghost who was so close yet when he reached to touch her it was as if she wasn't there. Her voice came dismissing him. "Very well." He said no longer looking at the older brute, Rawbones. His orange eyes glowing for Akiko alone. "I will let her know you will be back in your lands soon." He had scented Damean and Jaded's scent in Jabbar...though it was fast growing stale. Come to note he didn't scent the queen of Jabbar entering Muerta...odd? He kept that thought in his mind too. He didn't want to press Akiko too much. "If you would keep an eye out for your niece Mercy. She was taken from Muerta." He flicked his tail and turned his massive frame.

Pausing he looked over his muscled shoulder. "Safe Travels Akiko." He said and then padded out back toward Muerta over the sands. It pained him to leave her. Her presence was always so fleeting but she haunted his thoughts and dreams. He swallowed. He had seen her packmates look toward her, the smugness about him when he pulled the attention away from Sawyer himself. He sighed and his feet made no sound as he traveled.

The wind had cast itself over Mercy's faint scent and he couldn't pick up the trail. Sawyer would head home to Muerta.

Rawbones merely watched as Sawyer was dismissed by Akiko, though he did not fail to notice the way the brute's eyes glimmered when he looked at the ivory femme. He clearly had a fancy for her, but Rawbones did not see the purpose in such a pursuit; they were not of the same pack, thus he would never be able to have her. Why not just look to the femme's within his own home land? The elder rolled his eyes subtly as Sawyer took his leave, wishing safe travels to Akiko. Didn't he know that the ghostly she-wolf could take care of herself? That brute was trying much too hard to gain the favour of a very choosy femora. Rawbones shook out his scruffy pelt when Sawyer was at last out of sight, glad to be rid of the persistent male. He looked to Akiko, noticing the grim look that had come upon her face. His ears folded back as he thought of Damean and Jaded. Sure, the pack would be reunited in the lands which it belonged, but it would never be the same without their loyal leaders.

Taking in a deep breath, he parted his jaws to speak. "Come, Akiko," he said gruffly, "Let's get back and regroup. We must be organized so we can return home." He said so with a heavy heart, and quickly turned away from her, biting his lip as he began at a trot back towards Midnight Meadows. Would life always be so full of loss and suffering? His muscles tensed and he looked over his shoulder, waiting for Akiko. He could never allow her or Damean Jr out of his sights. If anything happened to either of them, he could never forgive himself. They were all he had left. The elder marched on firmly, intent on restoring Jabbar as soon as possible, and making sure that the pack was safe until he died.

Akiko's eyes drifted to Sawyer's fleeting form averting her gaze once she saw the move to look back. So her niece was missing...it was not her problem though. Pups died all the time and she had no special relationship with the pup. So she let Sawyer leave without comment and turned her attentions back on Rawbones at his motion to go back she merely nodded her dial and letting him move a few paces ahead while she cast one last look on the horizon. Shaking her pelt she set into a trot and matched him , eyes intent on their destination. The corner of her mouth tilted up in a smirk. It was time to shift the world.