The Wolf and the Wolf (Kaniel)

[Sashi]

Timestamp: 50th of Fall, 511 AV Location: The Northern Reaches, Near Avanthal Snow drifted down from the sky, sparkling like diamonds in Leth's cool light. It was early fall, but in the Northern Reaches in and around Avanthal it always snowed. A set of rabbit tracks left their path in the snow, followed by the black furred wolf that searched hungrily for it. It's coat was covered in speckles of white that went up like a cloud of smoke when she paused to shake herself clear of the snow. The wolf's nose was to the ground, the frost ticking it slightly and causing it to twitch. The rabbit smelled so good, and the tracks were fresh or they would have been covered by the powdery precipitation. Sashi could almost taste the rabbit, she could imagine what it would be like when she finally sunk her jaws into it's coarse, furry hide. It had been almost three days since she had had a decent meal, and the rabbit would hardly suffice, but it would give her the energy to keep on hunting. Game was scarce and Sashi would settle for anything that warmed her belly. She lowered her nose again, the scent was stronger. She heard the faint whisper of snow falling all around her, making almost indiscernible sounds when it touched the ground, and she also heard the louder sound of tiny feet hopping across the white carpeted ground. Sashi crested a bank of snow and lifted her head, her eyes growing wide and then narrow as she sunk low to the ground and her lips curled back ever so slightly in a silent snarl. The rabbit was there, nibbling at a shoot of fern that bravely pushed it's way up through the snow. It didn't notice Sashi yet and she took a slow, silent step forward. The rabbit's ear twitched and Sashi knew instantly that the chase was on. The rabbit bolted and Sashi was right behind it, chasing it in and around trees, the agile critter always one step ahead of her. When she finally neared it and thought the rabbit was about to be hers it dove into a hole and Sashi snarled angrily. The rabbit was lost, but still she dug and paced back and forth in front of the opening, as if she expected the rabbit to come out and apologize to her, offering itself up willingly. The rabbit didn't come out, but Sashi's ears perked as the sound of a long howl pierced the night. Cocking her head to the side she listened carefully. A wolf's howl was very complex, it contained a plethora of information if one knew how to interpret the different tones, inflections, and other minute details of the howl. Luckily Sashi did understand. The howl said, "Humans found. Two. Easy Prey." Sashi recognized the voice as well, for each wolf's howl was it's own. It was that bitch beta who was constantly vying for Sashi's position in the pack as alpha female. Sashi raised her nose to the sky and let out a long, deep, commanding howl of her own. "Wait for me. Wait for the pack. Do not attack." It was an order Sashi knew the beta wouldn't obey if she thought she could take the humans by herself or with less than the full group. She would do anything to make herself stronger in the eyes of the pack, and Sashi had worked top hard to attain her station, she wasn't about to let some bitch take it from her. The forest rang out with three other wolf calls confirming they had gotten the message and were on their way. With one last longing glance at the rabbit hole, Sashi turned and ran full speed in the direction the beta's howl had come from. OOCOkay, so I left it pretty open for you. Obviously you would be able to hear and understand the howls. If you want the beta to launch the attack before Sashi gets there that's cool, or whatever you want. You could even answer the howl, if you want.

[Kaniel]

"I really don't know where I dropped it. It could be anywhere"

Padding along next to the elderly woman, Kaniel had his nose to the ground. There was never an end to the smells, though he found no difficulty in picking out the ones that he was looking for. Human's always complicated things, especially women, with their perfumes and unnatural scented things. At first, Kaniel had found his nose burning and itching, forcing him more often than not out of his natural form just to avoid the scent. But years among the humans had lent him a certain ability to block out the obnoxious odors.

Except now he was called in to actively seek one of those offensive smells. His bondmate, Rhonda, had dropped her money pouch on their walk that morning.

"Do you smell anything yet?" She was getting impatient, that was clear enough in her voice. It was cold and windy and she was older and more on the frail side. More than once she had complained of the wind cutting right through her like icy knives. And now they were stuck out in the elements until they found what they were looking for.

And "they" mostly meant Kaniel. Lifting his shaggy head from where he sniffed along in the snow, the wolf pinned the woman with an icy blue stare and huffed at her. They couldn't communicate as human and canine, and there was no way that Kaniel was letting go of his wonderfully warm winter coat just to answer her.

"Hurry." Came the impatient, shivering response.

Rhonda understood the boundries of their relationship. It was common all over Mizahar for the other races to take Kelvics as bond mates, though not all of them were in the name of love. Kelvic slaves were highly desired, as once they bonded with their master they would withstand any kind of mistreatment in order to make that person happy. Rhonda and Kaniel's bond didn't go that far; there was no abuse, but there was no love either. Kaniel protected the woman, vunerable in her old age, hopping to her every wish while Rhonda provided the wolf with a warm place to sleep, food, and companionship. It worked out for everyone.

But that didn't mean it wasn't irritating.

Lowering his muzzle back to the powdery snow, Kaniel went back to his search. Rhonda had a strange, moldy, old smell to her that shouldn't be hard to pick out, even miles away. Not after how much time he had spent with her. It had been hours since they last treked down this path, when the purse in question was dropped, but they hadn't gone far enough that Kaniel would have difficulty finding it again.

All clues pointed to the fact that the purse had been found and taken by another passerby. Knowing that Rhonda would not take this for an answer, Kaniel was forced to skulk along the side of the road, turning his nose into an ice cube as he rooted through the snow. They wouldn't be going home until Rhonda gave up hope.

Seeing that she was loosing patience, Kaniel decided to feign finding a trail. Stopping suddenly he plunged his muzzle into the snow, using his front paw to turn a bit of the cold fluff away from his face. It was much easier to lie in his true form; humans could not see the small nuances of body language as one of his own race could. Having seen many dog pets get what they want by simple means, Kaniel had quickly learned how easy it was to fool these humans. So all he had to do was wag his tail, jump excitedly and bound off down the trail. Throwing in a happy yip for good measure, and hating himself all the while for his disgustingly domesticated display, Kaniel tore off down the path.

It always felt good to stretch his muscles, the wing tugging at his fur as his nails dug into the frozen ground. Lowering his head and frame for speed, Kaniel left Rhonda behind in a spray of snow and loosened dirt. Figuring that it would be a shame for this outing to be a complete waste, he let his still wild side take control as he tore off down the path.

And then he heard the howl that brought him skidding to a stop.

There were more of him, and nearby. For a moment, a thrill of excitement translated into an answering howl, his voice deep and warbling from disuse. Here! We hunt! Over a year in human company had dulled Kaniel's instincts. Of course "we" didn't hunt. They hunted. He wasn't their pack, nor were they his.

This realization sent the fur bristling on his back in defensive fear. Hackles up and teeth bared, Kaniel growled at the now silent woods. A human and a wolf. He and Rhonda. A quick survey down the path told him that the old woman was still a distance off, since she obviously had no chance of keeping up with a sprinting wolf. Not only would she be angry at him for running off, but now she was in danger.

Wishing that she could understand his warning, Kaniel lifted his muzzle to the sky and loosed a snarling howl. Stay away or you will pay. He called towards the invisable hunters as he turned and tore back the way he came.

[Sashi]

Sashi heard the call of an unfamiliar wolf. Not good. He would try to claim the human as his own. He even had the nerve to threaten her pack! Furthermore the threat in itself was rather odd. A lone wolf didn't threaten an entire pack. Something was wrong. Sashi's lips curled back in a snarl and she couldn't contain the growl that escaped them as she ran through the snow. Her keen ears pricked up in attention as they caught the sound of another creature running in the same direction as she was, and a moment later she caught his sent, one of the males in her pack. Sashi altered her course, veering in the male's direction, and soon enough joined up with the brown-gray wolf, offspring of the former alpha female, and together they ran in the direction the beta and foreign wolf's howls. Meanwhile the beta, the alpha male, and the last member of the pack had gathered and were beginning to surround the old woman. The alpha wanted to wait for his mate but the beta refused. As far as she was concerned, Sashi had stolen the place that was rightfully hers. An outsider to the pack she waltzes in and works her way through the ranks and when the previous alpha got sick, Sashi took her place instead! And she was failing as a leader as far as the beta was concerned, Sashi had yet to provide the pack with any pups, and on top of that the pack was almost starving. Of course Sashi had no control over the scarcity of food, but the beta either didn't know that or didn't care. All she cared was that she hated he wolf that had taken the spot that should have been hers, and was determined to prove she deserved it more. By the time Kaniel arrived in the scene the beta had launched her attack, followed after only a moment of hesitation by the other two wolves, and she charged straight for the old woman. The alpha, a large grey male who was getting late in his years, paused to consider the wolf that was bounding toward them. When he realized it was not a member of their pack, but the foolish lone wolf who had tried to warn them off, he snarled and turned Kaniel's way. The third wolf joined the beta in her assault on the old woman while the alpha charged at Kaniel as soon as he neared. He stopped a few feet away, issuing a fierce warning growl instead of attacking. As much as he wanted to see the wolf dead, it would be easier to just drive him away. Sashi and her packmate could hear the snarls and growls in the distance and knew their packmates had chosen not to wait for them. Sashi growled angrily, knowing it was all the beta's fault. After all this was over she would have to put her back in her place. Sashi ran as fast as she could, her paws sinking deep into the snow before lifting in a shower of white dust as they tore out of the impressions and propelled her forward. She could smell the other wolf now, the one not of her pack, and when she looked down she realized she was running right over his tracks. They weren't far ahead then. Sashi burst onto the scene a chime after the beta had launched the attack and she swiftly scanned the battlefield, taking note of each wolf, the woman, and the foreign wolf that she did not know. Taking it all in, she tried to decide which way she should go. Join the beta and take the kill for herself, or interfere with the alpha and deal with the loan wolf?

[Kaniel]

There was only one thing going through Kaniels mind as he practically flew down the dirt-and-snow covered trail: Protect.

It was all he was supposed to do. The only thing Rhonda wanted out of him was a love lost and protection. The first Kaniel could never duplicate and the second he had just failed at in the most drastic of ways.

The howls of the attacking pack were more frequent now, their voices high and loud with excitement as they called to each other. He could hear the snarls and excited barks even though he had yet to round the bend and come back into view. There was no doubt in his mind that they had already reached the woman.

Sure enough, skidding and slipping as his big paws lost their traction on a patch of ice, Rhonda slid into view, surrounded by snarling wolves, just as he collided with a snow bank. Gathering his legs beneath him it took a few powerful bounds before he was free of the neck deep snow, taking no time to shake the powered layer of the stuff that covered him before he shot off down the final stretch of road between he and Rhonda. The Pack hadn't attacked yet, so he still had time.

The elderly woman was cowering in the middle of the road and backing up towards the forests edge. Kaniel could see the large oak she was heading towards, closer to the trail than the others but still... she would never make it. With a wolf in front of and on both sides of her, Rhonda was as good as completely surrounded. She had her cane in hand, prodding at the snapping jaws as if the thin piece of wood would hold them at bay.

The trio out undoubtedly been alerted of Kaniels rapid, desperate advance, and decided that their easy kill window was quickly drawing to a close, because with only a hundred feet or less between them, the wolf in the middle lept over the flailing cane and onto the frail old woman.

Assuming that this wolf was the Alpha by her initating the attack, Kaniel sprinted for her. The flanking wolves paced the perimeter of the attack, watching as their snarling female stood on Rhonda's chest, silava dripping from her bared teeth and mingling with the tears that streaked the woman's cheeks.

Get off herrrr! Came the ripping snarl as Kaniel launched himself in the air, covering the last few yards in a single bound. His shoulder collided with the "Alpha"s ribcage just as the lingering wolves jumped foward in defense, but only seconds too late. The force of the hit propelled Kaniel over Rhonda, knocking the female from her chest as they collided with the frozen ground on the other side of the prostrate woman.

The female snarled and snapped at his flanks as they both struggled to regain their footing; Kaniel had landed on top of who he thought was the Alpha female, using his back feet to kick at her sensitive underbelly while she was still down. The female got her feet first and was quickly on Kaniel. He felt her teeth sink into his scruff, pulling the excess skin tight over his back and neck as she began to back up and pull him off balance once more. Unable to see Rhonda, Kaniel howled and barked, though it did no good, ordering her in the wrong language to get up and run as best she could.

Not only was he disadvantaged by numbers, but also by the fact that his attentions were divided. His situation was well past lost but the thing that drove all Kelvic's to obey their masters kept Kaniel fighting. Turning sharply, he managed to get a mouthful of the female that held him by his neck, drawing blood along her chest as his teeth broke through the thick fur and flesh. The answering yelp told him that she had not expected him to attack back and he was suddenly free.

Whirling, Kaniel charged the two male wolves who tore at his bondmate. Snarling and snapping, it was only a matter of seconds between when the Beta let go of his scruff and when he was kneeling in human form, reaching between two vicious wolves for the bloodied old woman beneath them.

"Rhonda! RHONDA!"

OOCMy plan was that Sashi would come into view before he changed, when the Beta was still attacking him, but it's up to you. It's fine if the woman is already dead, because only something as dire as that would cause Kaniel to change to a more vulnerable form. If the other wolves attaack him again when he's human, that'll cause him to switch back to fight or whatever.. we'll see what happens.

[Sashi]

Sashi's decision was made for her when Kaniel attacked the beta. She had been uncertain at first how she should proceed, deal with the wolf or join in the kill. She saw the old wolf turn and issue a warning snarl, and she saw that he was ignored. She saw Kaniel heading for the old human woman, not all that surprising since he wanted the kill for himself, but what shocked her was the attack on the beta in the defense of the woman. It wasn't the attack itself, but the fact that he was defending a human that confused her. For an instant Sashi considered letting the lone wolf kill the beta. It would solve all her problems, it was a very human consideration, but as quickly as it came the thought left her. The bitch, as much as Sashi hated her, was a part of the pack and it was Sashi's job to lead and protect. Sashi ran toward the lone wolf, who suddenly turned and ran away from the beta. No, not away Sashi realized, but back to the woman's side. Was he her pet? It didn't matter what he was, he was going to pay for interfering in her hunt. She ran as fast as she could, closing the gap between the wolves and herself, and just when she was about to leap through the air and latch on to the back of Kaniel's neck he changed. Suddenly, where there had been a wolf before, there was a human grasping for the old woman. Sashi skidded to a halt. The wolves who were trying to tear her apart were startled by the sudden appearance of a second, younger and healthier human, and also backed off. Sashi's mind ran over the list of possibilities in her head. She had never seen another kelvic before, at least not that she could remember, and she didn't even know the word for what she was. Rhoda was dead. She had had no chance. Kaniel could only take solace in the fact that the poor woman had been so old that she had probably died quickly under their paws and fangs rather than having to suffer for several chimes. Her blood stained the white blanket of snow, still warm enough for a light bit of steam to rise. Kaniel could no longer hear the beating of her heart, but around him there were many hearts. In her defeat the beta reverted back to her actual role and joined the other wolves, waiting to see what Sashi wanted to do. The other wolves didn't understand what had happened, but they were simple creatures and were able to move past it easily. There had been a wolf and a human, now there were two humans. Where had the wolf gone? Not that important, but the situation had changed. Humans were dangerous, you couldn't trust them, and there was no telling what tricks they might pull from their sleeves. They would do whatever Sashi wanted. Sashi didn't know what Kaniel was. She didn't know what she was either, but if he and Sashi were the same then that meant that he was smart like Sashi as well. Kelvics were animals first, but unlike an animal they were also capable of higher thought just like a human. It was why, even though she wasn't the strongest of the pack, she had been able to work her way to the top. Through brains and cunning she asserted her dominance and led her pack, and she was dangerous because of it. If this lone wolf, now a human, was like her then her pack would be in danger if they fought with him. Better to drive him off. Sashi came forward cautiously, keeping her distance but getting close enough to show that she was in charge and she did not fear him. The other wolves picked up on her caution, and though they didn't understand it they reacted accordingly and stayed back to let their alpha deal with the threat. "Run away," she growled deeply, "Or we will kill you too." The rest of the pack also joined in on the threat, issuing their own low growls, as Sashi slowly began to pace a circle around the two humans. Yes, he could run away, Sashi would let him go, but if he tried to take the body of the old woman things would be different. Trying to steal her food would prompt Sashi to attack. Word count745

[Kaniel]

It wasn't necessarily the old woman's death that that caused Kaniel to stoop over her body in what seemed like emotional turmoil and pain. There had been no love between them, just the natural relationship of employer and employee. Rhonda had given him shelter when he most needed it, yes, but that was where his fondness for her stopped. Not to mention she really wasn't his 'type'.

No, his pain and the horrible half-human keening that, despite his attempts to stop it, broke from between his snarling lips was because of the suddenly broken bond. It had been a violent severing and one that Kaniel had not expected. Before, when he and his woman cliental of that time parted ways, it was a soft and gentle break, a decision between the two of them that it had been time. His possessiveness stopped when he was no longer wanted or needed, especially since there was never even any lust between him and his women. He had his needs, yes, but not with them. Not with humans.

Now he was alone and pining. But over what? Hadn't he told himself he wasn't going to care? So why was he still here? There was no honor in dying for something already lost. There was never any honor in dying unnecessarily, that he had been taught by his pack early on when he had asked why they always ran from the men with the weapons.

As if she could read his mind, the Alpha bitch stalked forward and snarled her warning at Kaniel's back. The Alpha in him prickled back, his now-imaginary hackles rising in response to this insult. As always when he took this form, it took the man longer than necessary to remember he wasn't wearing his fur, that his weapons were gone. He was a measly, unprotected human and he hated it.With his throat feeling especially bare, his jugular just asking to be crushed between snapping teeth, Kaniel stopped himself halfway through his spin to confront the wolf bitch.

"Run away?" He had tried to snarl, his ungainly human tongue tripping over the complex run of sounds, his throat simply unable to produce the sound he needed to communicate. Again and again this form was proving to be more of a detriment than anything else. So, with all the dignity that he could muster, Kaniel rose to his feet.

Had he been wearing his fur, every hair would be standing on end as he puffed himself out to his biggest size. His ears would be flat against his head, his lips pulled back to reveal his savage canines. In his fur, he would be able to face down this Alpha that insulted his very being and actually hold a chance against her.

Instead, shoulders squared and standing at his full six feet, Kaniel flipped Sashi the bird (an insult he'd learned from his extensive life among the humans), pivoted on his heal and strutted off down the road.

Only when he rounded the far corner, leaving Rhonda's body and the wolf pack behind, did Kaniel trade vulnerable flesh for fur; He fell to all fours already at a sprint, large paws digging into the frost hardened ground for purchase as he sped along the darkening path. He knew they would follow. He knew they would get him. And now he was alone... again.

Another snarl ripped from his throat at the thought of being taken by the pack and he lowered himself until his belly almost skimmed the cold ground; his strides lengthened as he took on a ground-eating pace. His muscles bunched with the power of his flight as the wind sang in his ears.

He ran towards Avanthal, towards Rhonda's now abandoned home. It was okay to run away, he told himself, as his pride growled in defiance.

[Sashi]

Sashi watched as the human who was also a wolf walked away from them. She didn't know what the strange hand signal meant, though it seemed somewhat aggressive even though he did not attack them. The pack wanted to go after him, but Sashi would not allow them. Humans were dangerous, she reasoned with the pack, and if they killed to many more humans would come and then the pack would become the hunted. This seemed to satisfy them, or perhaps their bellies demanded they stop arguing and begin the feast. Sashi was happy to oblige. Tearing into the old woman, Sashi couldn't keep her mind off the strange encounter. She had never seen another person like her, who could change into an animal or human at will. It had been so long since Sashi had taken human form that she had almost forgotten she could do it. She certainly wasn't going to shift around her pack, or in the bitter cold. It was bad enough having the frost bite through her fur, Sashi couldn't imagine how bad it would be without it. Though she ate her fill, it wasn't as much as she might normally eat. Sashi just couldn't stop thinking about him. Another being out there, just like her. What was he like? Did he know what she was, and why the other wolves weren't like them? In the end Sashi knew she would go after him. She would tend to her pack, make sure they were safe, and the track the man.. wolf.. thing down. There were just too many questions she wanted to ask for Sashi to ignore him.

[Cheshire]

Character: Sashi Experience: Tracking +1, Observation +2, Hunting +1, Rhetoric +1, Leadership +1, Brawling +1, Running +1 Character: Kaniel Experience: Observation +2, Tracking +1, Running +2, Brawling +1 Lore: Losing a Bondmate Additional Note: Great thread guys! I cannot wait to see more from Sashi and Kaniel. PM me with concerns.