A New Reign: Jabbar Junayd

The elder tensed, frozen to the spot as he heard Conall's challenging retort. Rawbones shot him a caustic glare, narrowing his eyes. That better be a promise, I will be back, he thought, irate. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to turn around and follow after Echo, knowing it was much more important to tend to her training than get in a fight. Still, he let loose a furious growl as he went, spitting out the words, "Insolent pup!" He couldn't stand such a mouthy youth. He trotted after Echo, his fiery gaze fixed on the ground as he set one paw in front of the other. He lifted his nose periodically, scenting the air to ensure they were still on course. She did well tracking down the den, although he noticed when she paused. She seemed distracted and almost confused, and he was suddenly able to forget his quarrel with the younger male. He wondered what had made her stop in her tracks so abruptly. He said nothing, giving her time to find her bearings and adjust her direction. Suddenly she was off again, as though she'd never lost the scent. Maybe she hadn't. Something had bothered her, but he couldn't tell what. Perhaps she would say something in time, or perhaps it was nothing at all.

At last they came upon the site, where the birthing scent was heaviest, mixed with a light milky fragrance. All was quiet, save for the muffled squeals of the newborns. No other wolves had been here. For a moment, Rawbones pitied the fae within the den. It was so easy for a male to have his way with a fae in heat, and when the whelps came it was just as easy to disappear. He saw Echo looking to him, and realized she was waiting for him to announce their presence. Ears folded back, and he gave an audible sigh. Even he didn't wish to approach the den. Although, he'd never been struck down by a denning fae, and he'd been around for more than a few births... however, the notion of it was still unnerving. Shrugging, he forced himself to approach the den's entrance. He was met instantly with a low growl and crimson orbs gleaming with hostility. He seated himself, not looking down into the dark tunnel. "It's Rawbones," he stated quickly, watching out of the corner of his eye for movement, "Echo and I will be guarding the area surrounding your den. Let us know if you need anything." He waited a moment, giving her time to process the information.

He jumped a little when her form suddenly appeared at the den's entrance, and she came to sit outside. Remaining still, he listened to her speak just briefly, then nodded to her. He heard the whelps inside crying out, while Bloodeye ignored them. He cocked a brow to her, but she merely glared at him, so he shrugged and turned around. He padded over to Echo. "Ready to get started?" he asked her. He wanted to get her started on something that wouldn't be too disruptive with the whelps nearby. He looked to the surrounding area, the training space they had to work with. It was rather dense, so there wouldn't be much room for them to practice anything together. Still, there were exercises she could do on her own. "I'll show you how to make use your environment when you haven't got a training partner," he said, moving over to a wide tree. It was something he hadn't done himself in a long time, but not something he'd forgotten. He positioned himself several feet in front of the tree, then leapt up - he struck first with forepaws, then turned himself at the precise moment so that he could kick off with his hinds. As he landed upon the ground again, his claws dug into the terra and he whipped around to face the tree, positioned to lunge again - however, he shook himself off and stood straight. He winced slightly as his muscles and joints protested against his sudden, sharp movements.

It was a simple exercise in agility, learning how to manoeuver one's own body to keep balance, as well as constant movement. "I want you to work on that until you never lose your footing again," he said, adding, "And you must build your strength and endurance. Travel the territory of Jabbar every day, and take your training seriously." He nodded her, indicating her to get started. Once she could control her body effortlessly, it would become easier to find a way to harness the inner demons to her advantage. She already had a greater advantage than he did, and that was her cool attitude. Rawbones had always been one to react to anything that provoked him, but Echo had a special talent when it came to questioning her emotions and the actions of others. He moved out of the way and flopped onto the ground, hoping she would keep busy for a while.



+Pain+Hate+Lies+Guilt+

Bloodeye awoke with a start as she heard pawsteps outside her den. Not knowing who was there, she emitted a low, rumbling growl. She hated that her instincts forced her to care for the sniveling balls of fur within her den. Looking out, she saw a familiar form and recognized the scent, but it was not one she was pleased to see. There was just one wolf she wanted to see right now, someone who could rid her of her problems and end this nonsensical chain of instinct. Denning, birthing, nursing, protecting... why even bother? When Rawbones spoke, she slipped out of the den, smirking when she saw him startle slightly. She sat down, blocking the tunnel's entrance, tail wrapping gingerly around her base. "I don't need anything," she rasped, her throat dry, "Perhaps just some fresh air." Now that she was out of the den, she felt compelled to stay out. She could hear the pitiful whining from within, knowing that they called to her, needing her. But why go back in to ease their worries? She knew that the longer she stayed in there, the more difficult it would be to leave again. She needed to separate herself from them.

She saw the old man looking at her questioningly, as though wondering why she ignored the pup's cries. She locked eyes with him for a moment, willing him to mind his own. At last he shrugged and stalked away, returning to Echo. Blinking, Bloodeye backed herself into the den just slightly, so that she could take in the fresh scents of the woods while her hind stayed warm and cozy. She watched as Rawbones got to work showing Echo a basic training move, and chuckled to herself. Lucky me, she thought sarcastically, I have a senior and an untrained whelp to protect me. Snorting, she turned her head away, placing it on her paws. She was growing weary of the guilt and the confusion weighing down on her. More than anything she just wanted to flee and find a new life, yet at the same time that simple notion bored her to tears. She wasn't interested in meeting new wolves in a far off place. She just wondered when the excitement of life would come her way.

He nodded towards Tristan, knowing the older wolf wouldn't go far. But back to Conall... With a snort similar to that of amusement, he said, "I'm no true warrior. You could be, but are still very lacking. Is warrior your path, or another? Your sparring partner will rest on the title you pick and will show you to be useful." If Conall were to stay in the pack, Blade would make sure the training was harsher to make up for the younger not being around to be trained earlier. An older wolf was more set in their ways than a pup and took more to correct habits.

It wasn't hard to guess Conall wouldn't dream of being a healer with his current attitude and bulk. They already had a potential apprentice in Echo, too. Niveus had always been good at discipline in the past. He didn't know about presently, but he might as well be put to use while waiting for Damean's judgement. Although surprisingly more civil outwardly, he was internally seething. Attitudes like Conall's reminded him all too well of his own father and that pack. They showed strength, and couldn't back it up. A little surprise, a little mistake was their downfall. It was a ridiculous attitude to have, judging by the end result. It was their own fault, one that he gladly exploited. With Conall... he was still young enough to see his errors with proper training. One that the pack as a whole could teach.

Rawbones was glad to see Echo's serious attitude as he showed her what he wanted her to perfect. She was quick to soak in the information, and she set to work instantly without any further questions. Satisfied that Echo had gotten the idea, he settled into position where he could oversee her training. He watched her first attempt, cut short by doubt. He perked forward, wondering what she would do. She moved back, snarled to herself and tried again. The senior relaxed once more, smirking and giving a small chuckle as he watched Echo scrabble clumsily at the tree bark on her next attempt. It wasn't that he was laughing at her - instead, he was remembering days long ago, memories that had lain dormant in his mind for many year. He remembered those trying times in his youth, the many failed attempts during training exercises, and the frustration that came with it.

He was drawn back to the present as Echo flung herself at the tree once more, this time uttering to herself the movements she needed to make in order to succeed. Rawbones grinned widely, very pleased with the way she executed the move. Though she didn't look his way, he could tell that she had gotten it. Her next leap was more sure, and she performed again without flaw. There would be variation in her performance each time, of course, as she got used to using different muscles. Then her body would tire, and it would become more challenging to move the way she wanted or intended to. But that was good practice as well; one was not always well-rested in a time when they needed to be agile and strong. It would get her accustomed to working under less than ideal conditions, and would strengthen her confidence as well.

As time went on, Rawbones dozed lightly here and there, lifting his head periodically to scan the environment and to watch Echo's progress. Each time, he was pleased, and nodded his head in approval. The constant sounds of claw scraping bark, and the quiet breeze tickling his ears, soon lulled him into a deeper slumber, though it was not long-lived. Her voice startled him, and when he lifted his silver eyes, he saw Echo looking his way. There was a slight whimper in her voice, and her posture was hardly composed, tired limbs trembling just slightly after such exertion. Rawbones nodded, and rose to his paws, stretching his body with a contented groan. Though he'd slept only in bits and pieces, he felt rejuvinated. "You've worked hard today, Echo," he spoke gruffly, offering her a rough grin, "Let's head to the stream." They could each drink their fill, and Echo could soothe her burning muscles in the water.

Then Bloodeye came over, silent and wraith-like, staring with an ominous grin that somehow seemed devoid of true amusement. Rawbones raise a brow, glancing over to her den where he could see a tiny nose poking out, and squeaks of protest from the whelps left behind. She seemed such a careless fae, nothing like he'd seen before... even Shadow had shown more dedication to her own spawn than this woman. And he'd seen many litters come along, some with mates to tend, and others without. Never had he seen a fae who would so willingly leave her den unattended within one sunrise of birth. He pitied her, for there were none, not even a friend, to help with her young, yet she distanced herself from the pack with her mere aura of hatred. "I understand if you need to refresh yourself," he spoke to her with a low tone, looking her in the eye, "You should return to them quickly, though. They'll not do well so alone. I'm sorry your mate is not here to help you... it will be difficult, but they still need you." He quickly found himself staring down a feral vixen, and prepared himself for the worst.

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Bloodeye peeled one eye open and glanced over to where Echo was now attempting for herself the move she'd been shown. Both crimson orbs then became fixed upon Echo. She watched as the young woman halted upon her first try, nails skidding in the dirt. Eyes narrowed - she would be disappointed if the fae was too doubtful of herself to keep trying. Then the fae with the silvery, lavender-tinted orbs leapt again, this time performing the move exactly as it was expected. Bloodeye quirked a brow, the only signal of interest expressed upon her visage. Perhaps there was more to Echo than what met the eye. The bored bitch continued to watch as the younger femme scrabbled against the tree, succeeding again and again, then facing some mishap. Overall, Bloodeye was impressed with the fae's determination and resolve to get the move right as quickly as she could, without rest. She hadn't been impressed by much lately, and was glad for the slight distraction from her weariness.

Instinct called her at last, and she finally slipped back into her den when all had been silent for some time. She sighed as she flopped down near the whelps, and they squirmed and squealed desperately as they clambered to suckle while their mother was present. How annoying. Why did she tend to them? Something deep within pulled at her, yet she wanted to resist it. In time, she would. When they had nursed long enough, she placed herself at the den's entrance again. The sun shifted, and Bloodeye spent the day watching Echo go through the motions, pushing herself through exhaustion and persevering. Occasionally she tended to the helpless creatures within her den, then left them once more. By the end of the day, as twilight set upon them, the whelps had managed to squirm themselves far enough to find her as she lay in the den's opening. Bloodeye flopped onto her side, exasperated as they nursed again.

At last she would leave them, moving away from the den entirely as she heard talk of going to the stream. She needed to stretch her legs and get out for a while. She was dreadfully thirsty, and hungry as well, but she knew her body would hold out without a meal. She padded over to the duo, smirking with hollow amusement as she knew she made them uncomfortable. The older brute shot her a questioning glance once more, and she grinned at him, a toothy grin that showed a little impatience. She didn't want to take any hints from anyone. Then he spoke, and her eyes widened into a glare of tumultuous emotions, tail thrashing the air. For a moment her eyes turned upon Echo, daring her to interrupt, before she whipped back to face Rawbones. Her face crinkled into an enraged snarl, teeth glistening and hackles spiking as she pressed close to Rawbones, her jaws inches from his neck. He was unflinching, but she still seethed, letting forth an angry hiss. "I need no mate," she rasped, her voice a crackling, hissing rumble, "I've done this before and I don't need your advice. If you'd like to talk about this again, I promise that you will get to see my ruthless side." It was a warning and a dare all at once. She hated this subject more than anything. She knew all too well that she was alone, and that at some point she had to decide what she would do next. At last she turned away from him, having said what she wanted to.

Rawbones stood unafraid but disturbed. He stepped back from the fae. "I apologize for striking such a sensitive nerve with you," he retorted, seeing her stiffen again, "Just know that if you won't, I will see to it that those whelps are cared for." He growled at her, a serious look in his eyes. He didn't care how much responsibility he had to take on. He would not see whelps born to Jabbar going to waste because of a careless mother. The two glared at each other in a silent deadlock for many moments before breaking apart. "I don't care what you do," she huffed dismissively, "Just don't get in my way." Bloodeye swerved away, still intent upon quenching her thirst. Rawbones watched her go, then glanced to Echo, wondering how she fared. "Shall we?" he asked, gesturing in the direction the ivory bitch had gone.

She did not approve; Skyfall could see that the moment she pursed her lips, followed by harsh laughter. He was more than grateful to take his leave, since he hadn't planned on staying for too long to begin with, but no, he could not go just yet. Akiko cackled for the boy, Conall, to come hither and spar with him. Skyfall said nothing, his brow set, eyes dark grey and sober. He wasn't sure who was being made the bigger fool at this moment; the boy and his arrogance, or himself and his prudence. Regardless, he cast his gaze over to Conall, inwardly noting the young brute's large size, and likely strength. There was much more to do with fighting than what was on the outside, though. A lot of it was in the head.

Akiko's eyes were upon him again, and he met them. "Challenge accepted," he replied, undaunted by her coarse announcement, his tired feet, or even the danger that was to be had ahead of him. It would take much more than this to shake his bones.

 He was listening for Conall's response when suddenly Akiko called him. Angling himself to look back from the corner of his eye, he noticed her backing up, putting the new wolf more in the center. A gleam appeared briefly in his orange orbs as the implications came up. Apparently they had been thinking along the same lines...

"You heard her," he stated, gracefully stepping out of Conall's way, gesturing for him to go first. There was no way any of them would let the whelp escape, and Blade felt the need to rub it in... in case the other wasn't smart enough to come to that conclusion on his own. Yet there was no appearance of disdain reflected in his eyes. Just... nothing but their usual hardened appearance. Auds flickered, though, as he thought he heard something, but brushed it off. It didn't sound like a threat, and he was far more interested in what was occurring now. Besides, Niveus was standing among the others at the moment, who may have horrible hearing, but had strong instincts and awareness.

 

 

 

His ears flicked, having noted those who were missing, and who he knew the location of. There was that seemingly shy wolf, her name started with a "K." Blade hadn't talked to her, just seen the fem, so he didn't know anything about her, except for the fact she seemed to deliberately avoid meeting their eyes. There was no way he was going to leave from this show just to satisfy his curiosity on her whereabouts. For all he knew, perhaps she pulled a Zai and Bloodeye and just wandered off the lands for a while... the latter seemed to have settled, though, for whatever reason.