[Quest] Welcome to the Wastes (Closed)

[Jonas]

Jonas, though one to who enjoyed to make great first impressions, wasn't the type to interrupt another's conversation. The woman that stood next to the massive polar bear seemed to know the other woman that was an "outsider" among the group. Jonas contented himself to sitting back and gauging each of their actions and reactions to each other. In his concentration to notice smaller details he did not realize the kelvic was changing to human form until he stood there naked in the snow. Jonas felt a flush in his face as he averted his eyes. That was an embarrassing sight. Almost without thinking his eyes trailed down to his waist and then back to the naked kelvic before averting again. Despite his inner feeling Jonas let the smile he had had since joining the others continue to reside on his face as the woman grasped his coat slightly and spoke of his imminent doom. He could not help but breathe a small sigh of relief as the intimidating woman moved her attention from him to address the entire group with a small speech. Her words seemed to leave a chill in the air that the cold itself couldn't have managed. He turned his head back and forth looked at each of his fellows in turn. Jonas watched the new woman approach but pretended not to hear her words as she spoke. Her words had a bit more bite to them then he would have liked for them to have. Not only that but most of it was obviously directed towards him and the other human girl here. It was the same anywhere. People believed that it took divine help to survive. He was a living testament that they were wrong. Such favors did make living much easier but even some gods valued a man who would be willing to shoulder the same burdens but without their help. His thoughts were brought else where soon however. The female kelvic's words bit just as deeply if not more so then those of the vantha that had just arrived. If he had been the man he always seemed like he was he might have left right then. The obvious dislike due to his race and lack of gnosis was a bit disheartening to say the least. However he wasn't the always happy and carefree seeming individual he pretended to be. It was determination that fueled him. He had known full well that if he brought food that it would likely be smelled from miles away in the wastes. That is why he had decided against bringing meat. In his bad were simply enough dried fruits to last him the three days and keep up his strength. Such a diet likely wouldn't sustain him forever but he didn't need it to forever, just the short time this test went on. Outwardly Jonas continued to smile warmly to each of them despite the obvious lack of comradery coming his way. Inwardly he sighed for a moment though. They didn't seem to have thought about his situation. They had immediately assumed he wasn't right in the head. None of them had stopped to think of why someone with no obvious weapon and enough gall to bring food to the wastes would want to join the IceWatch. No one had made the logical leap that he just might have another form of weaponry that did not need to be wielding by hand. Jonas forced himself to suppress the frown that was trying to fight it's way to his face. He hoped they had better forethought when it mattered in the wastes. If even half of what Avanna had said was true then they would need their wits about them as well as their strength to survive. Managing to keep the smile on his lips Jonas simply nodded to the lady of the IceWatch to indicate he was read.

[Cheshire]

Avanna's eyes flashed an annoyed topaz when she saw Cara join the group. It was not that the woman did not like Cara. In fact, she really barely knew the woman. Showing up to recruitment late was not a good way to start off with the Iceglaze. "They were on time Cara. It seems that even the outsider was able to show up when he was supposed to." There was a stern look in her yellow eyes. She took the recruitment seriously and expected the recruits to as well. If they could not take recruitment seriously, then how could they take their position in Icewatch seriously? "Strange, the one recruit who is marked by Morwen decided she had better things to do than be punctual. Lets hope you are less preoccupied when we are fighting off beasts." When the rest of the recruits had claimed they were ready Avanna motioned to Aeyan. "Let's head out then. We don't want to be any later, do we?" Her eyes seemed to burn into Cara, turning a bright orange. With a light motion of her hand Avanna walked forward toward the wastes, beckoning the others to follow. As the group walked forward Aeyan reclaimed his ursine shape. It would be easier for the group if he was. Avanna could direct the humans while Aeyan did the same with the bears. Turning to face the group, she pushed a few strands of hair from her face. "You are going to need your wits out here. When we are in the Wastes or even the Reaches it is best to think like an animal instead of a human." Her eyes warmed to a light sapphire as he looked at the Kelvics. "I know it will be easier for some but it is important for survival out here." Avanna was less worried about the bears than the humans in her group. Her eyes turned to Druna, the only bear in the group who had taken their human form. "So Druna, if you were starving in the wild what would you do if a group of travels, some who were completely new to the land of Taldera." Her eyes shifted to a light ruby as she spoke. "And please, be as graphic as possible. We are all trying to learn here." When Druna was finished talking Avanna spoke up again, this time addressing the rest of the group, or at least the ones who could speak. "What do you guys think?" She was glad that a few bears had joined their group. It always helped to make the recruits see how brutal the wild could be. "What are some things we should stay away from?" A coy smile formed on the woman's lips. "For example, bringing food along with you might not be the best idea. It attracts the noses of the Talderian beasts." She tapped her nose before looking at her bondmate. "What else do you think we should not do?"

[Yuralria]

Yura regarded Avanna for a moment. Was she trying to seem like a teacher here? They all knew how brutal the cold could be, Yuralria more so then most Vantha, Given that she wasn't marked. So much could be a danger in the wastes. Cocky as ever, she replied "Oh you mean apart from going into the wastes in the first place? Well, being caught without a fire at night is generally a bad idea, as is walking around unarmed. How about jumping into a frozen creek? That sounds stupid." Yuralria smirked. She could be such a jerk when she wanted to be. She almost annoyed herself sometimes. Her eyes turned a jewel bright blue color as she looked at Avanna. "On a slightly less sarcastic note," She smirked as she finished the phrase "It's probably good to have some way to defend yourself in the wild" Yura grinned as a slight breeze played among the group.

[Belgar]

Belgar’s forepaws padded his fleeting uneasiness into the snow. He could not honorably admit that he had not meant to antagonize the foreigner in calling out his folly, but his sister’s honest questions still seemed to chill the man’s optimism. The bear’s black eyes watched him closely for his response, but could discover little. He could appreciate the value in a man of few words.

The Vantha that finally arrived however, after carefully tossing her scent on every snowflake from here to the city, was sharp and outspoken. Belgar took her for beautiful, but that might have only been a manifestation of his relief that Avanna was not the only full-blood among them. Though some lightness lifted the black from his eyes, the color itself was indistinct. He did not remove his gaze from Cara until he noticed their leader moving towards the wilderness.

White air huffed like laughter from black nostrils as the feisty half-blood took her turn at intimidating the group. Though he knew few could understand him, Belgar quickly added his piece. He was too excited that there were words on his tongue to care that they needed translation. “Careful with fires. Big ones, white ones, make too much smoke, but red ones cook the hare’s meat for the feeble human stomach. No water; once the embers die on their own, move fast, and you will have little trouble.” He paused to glance at Avanna, then Aeyan, who might have shared his bondmate’s delight for the gruesome. Then he added, “Monsters love the warmth of the campflame almost as much as the warmth of a man’s blood!”

[Cara]

Cara's eyes sank into Avanna's flesh, rivaling her stare. Their eyes a similar shade as she turned abruptly on her heels and stormed deeper into the wastes. You should teach that one her place while on this trip, her mind growled as her palms balled into fists. She was listening to the others share their opinions only half-heartedly, picking apart any portion of their speech which honestly made its way into her mind. When a long enough silence had fallen between them, Cara finally spoke. "Without a fire it is difficult to keep yourself warm, to cook anything that will be filling. However, when you light one, you risk allowing any night creature's eyes upon your flesh." There was a slight pause. "So hopefully you had the mind to stock up on fruit and vegetables before you left. Perhaps a few beans as well. The more dangerous creatures have no interest in such things, which should make it safe enough to carry them with you." "And yet, fire can be used in one's defense as well," Cara continued, her voice sounding menacing, yet inviting and playful all at once. Her irises had changed to the color of fire, a bright yellow coupled with orange and a vibrant, ruby red. "It's always rather... nice watching something, or someone go up in flames. To see the fire overcome their flesh and ivory-colored bone, reduce them to ash as they stand around screaming." There was a slight pause as a satisfied smile crossed the Vantha's lips. "Flailing their arms as the fire casts them in shadow, turns their flesh black. Makes their clothes curl, melt, sink into their skin. Burn away their hair... leaving them completely unrecognizable to the naked eye." OOCSorry Druna, but I am skipping your turn.

[Druna]

Druna smelt the Vantha woman before seeing her. The smell of warmth and perfume hit her senses. She didn't look back at the walls, there was no point, after all she could tell everything she needed to know by the smell and the loud stopping foot steps through the snow. She would be full blooded Vantha, marked by our goddess, Druna kept her attention on Avanna. She listened to Avanna speech and her question that was directed at her. Druna opened her mouth to tell what she would do of she ran into strangers out here when a cocky woman's voice cut her off. In a instant irritation rolled over Druna, She turned to glare at this woman only to find herself staring at her in complete shock. The woman's name was Cara, she heard of her while she was still a cub. Cara was supposed to be an ugly woman, mean and spiteful, only she was quite beautiful, as Cara spoke she could understand why she earned that reputation. Druna could already appreciate someone of that nature. Majority of people missed understood her too. Druna looked away and started to move forward with the group. As she did she answered the question that was asked of her.

"To think like and animal is hard for most, for the psyche of a beast is not already instilled in a humans brain. But to survive out here in this wilderness, you have to put aside your irrational thoughts that your human brain would conjure up." she looked around at the humans in her group, her voice was flat with no emotional stance in it, her face serous. "Things to keep in mind, you are on your own till you bond with one of my brothers or sisters, during the time of not having a animal counterpart, you need to think of yourself only. And if that means killing in cold blood murder for your survival, well that means you do." she looked to Avanna to make sure she was on the right path before continuing. "I am a bear, not human. I am blessed to be able to protect my people and those who ride us. And my survival comes before all others." she them looked around, her eyes turned almost cole black, " if I'm hungry, nah, starving, I wouldn't think twice of attacking and killing strangers. I need to live, for if I die, who would protect our great city? I would hunt the human vermin down, ripping them apart limb by limb. I would devourer the entrails, the fat leaving the rest for the wild beasts that inhabit this land. My muzzle would be stained red as I drank the fluids of the stupid humans that past me. After all I'm not human, I am a animal. My human thoughts would not bother me in this state, for my true beastly needs would over run the feelings of wrong. I would not feel bad after for it's our goddess will. It's kill or be killed. It's natural, nothing less." she looked over Cara again, " some may not understand, but I'm sure a few would agree, it has to be done to ensure our survival." she then looked at Avanna, "if that is all you ask of me I will now take my true nature," without waiting for a reply she dawned off her dress and shoes, standing before the humans in her naked bareness, "remember don't think as you normally would, think more animal, more beastly." and in a flash of hundreds of lights Druna transformed to her true nature. A large dire polar bear stood over then humans. Her eyes glazed back at Cara then Avanna nodding her head then taking her place by her brothers. 

They will never understand it. I grow tired of wasting my breath

[Cheshire]

OOCWe are skipping Jonas. He is no longer writing with us. Sorry for the wait. I had to hunt him down on AIM. Also, sorry about the lack of meat in this post. I'm trying to transition into your time on your own. The answers were satisfactory. The recruits would learn as they moved on as well. Everything was for learning but it was clear from the young half blood's words that some of the recruits were too good for her lessons. Her eyes shifted slightly, turning to the girl. "Good… very good. It seems we have some pretty smart recruits here." There was a hint of distaste as she looked at Yuralria. If they knew so much they would do well in the days to come. Avaana waved to the gathered recruits (and the bears as well), beckoning them to move forward through the snowy expanse. Visibility was not a problem at the moment but at any time the roaring winds could pick up. It would be good to set up camp and then after that, Avaana could set the recruits out on their own. If they could work together and all arrive home safe they would be welcomed into the watch with open arms. Those who did not would of course be mourned but this was the way of Taldera. Fight or be killed. "We'll set up camp here and by morning tomorrow you'll be on your own. It will be up to you to figure out how to get home when your three days are up." Avaana motioned to Aeyan and the rest of the group to start setting up the tent. The tent was large and able to fit all of the members attending. They would be allowed to keep this after they went off on their own. When the tent was set up the group could file in. "We'll sleep tonight and tomorrow you will be on your own. When your three days are up you will return and those who are not ripped to shreds will return as the workers of Morwen's Icewatch." Motioning to Aeyan, the man got ready to sleep. "You can start your journey whenever you like in the morning. The sooner the better though. You don't want your scents to linger for too long. Feel free to stay up and plan. You will need to work together on this trip, I can tell you that much. That means all of you anti-socials." Her eyes fell to Cara and Druna as she said this. Those two were the ones who worried her the most. Outside of the tent there was a noise. A rumbling, if one could call it that. In the snow a creature was prowling. It's nose had caught the scent of the group. It was hungry and a few Vantha and bears seemed like the perfect snack. Aeyan heard this, as the rest of the bears would, and nudged at his bondmate. "We should check this out. It could be trouble." There was no choice to check. If there as an animal waiting, it would attack regardless. "Guys keep quiet." Belgar and Druna would know what kind of animal laid in wait outside but Yuralria and Cara would have to wait or ask the bears. As soon as Avaana made it out into the snow there was a moment of silence before a loud snap broke through the air, alerting those in the tent of what had happened. A scream pierced through the air before it was stifled by the snapping of jaws. Aeyan was out of the tent as soon as he heard the scream only to see his bondmate dangling from the jaws of a Dire wolf. "Morwen no..." It would only be moments before the others would follow letting the sight fill their senses as well. Avaana was being dangled before Dira. Someone had to help her.

[Yuralria]

Avanna led them to a camp in the wastes, the snowy expanses leaving little to show in terms of landmarks. Still Yura made her best effort to pay attention to where the sun was in the sky. the sun was constant, it always rose in one place and set in the other. She wanted to be as prepared as possible. She already had next to no experience in surviving outside the hold, she didn't want to compound that with ignorance.

In the tent she was inventorying her pack when Avvana went to check out a disturbance outside. There was a loud crack, followed by a scream and the sound of snapping jaws. In an instant Yuralria's hand jumped to the pommel of her dao and she slid it gently but quickly out of it's sheath, and in the same instant, the wind brushed lighty into the tent, blowing some of the loose snow with it. Don't rush out there like you usually would, it's a dire wolf Yura's eyes widened, turning yellow with fear. "We have a wolf problem", she announced quietly to the group.

Sliding her cloak off her shoulders and slipping over to the tent flap, she was greeted by a grizzly sight. It was a wolf, as she had been informed, and it had their guide in it's jaws.

[Belgar]

No one understood him. He did not expect them to, and yet he felt embarrassed. His black nose pointed towards the snow as the conversation continued without him. He did not move even as Druna’s words tore through his ears, as if her claws were talking instead of her tongue. It was true that a Bear needed to eat, and to protect his people from those who would do them harm, but to enjoy the smell of warm blood so much was not a healthy prospect for the young Kelvic. She was wrong, and he wished he knew how to tell her that. He knew what humanity felt like; a woman of incomparable intelligence had taught him so, and much more. His fellow shifted, and Belgar lifted his muzzle to watch the light of her bear form settle.

He helped them set up camp with his teeth, however he could. He was of no use in his human form until he was certain they were safe, and there were unsettling smells on the air. When he had the chance, he mumbled to his junior, “You cannot kill for the sake of killing, and excuse it as service to Morwen. You are more intelligent than that. You are Dire.”

But the next inhale started in his nose. His nostrils flared as he recognized the thing that had neared even before it growled. He muttered a cautionary growl at Avaana, glancing around for her bondmate in alarm. Where was he? Why would he let her investigate on her own? He huffed and shrugged, then began to pad towards their hidden enemy and the woman who had escaped out of sight. But even that was too much time spent. Suddenly his ears were assaulted with the evidence of an attack, and he saw blood and death and menace in a hungry wolf’s golden eyes.

Belgar roared; it was a long and mournful noise that shook in the canals of sensitive ears and told of the old Kelvic’s familiarity with the danger at hand. He saw the very red that Druna had described, the uncontrollable bloodlust that he thought he was not able to fathom, and he rose against the beast. He saw its eyes snarl as it dropped the human in its maw to the cold, hard ground. It took a step back and emitted that same rumble from the back of its throat even as the giant bear threw his forepaws down at its side, knocking it to the ground. It cried out, writhing beneath his weight with remarkable intuition as its great yellow teeth flailed at his arms.

Belgar granted himself a moment for a quick glance around. Wolves hunted in packs; there had to be more of them. Before he found its comrades, his eyes fell on the half-blood that lingered beside the tent. He growled at her. That moment’s hesitation allowed enough time for the wolf to wriggle out of his grasp and fly for the flesh around his throat.

[Druna]

Durna walked amongst the other, staying quiet, she didn't feel like communicating with anyone. She helped set up camp when she was needed, not much though, for she still refused to shift back into her human form. When the camp was finished she heard her brother mutter to her "You can not kill for the sake of killing..." she rolled her eyes and ignored the rest, he didn't understand her intent, and she knew she was right only time will show that she was. She stood watch, as the others seemed to settle down. Listening to the conversations taking place. Only when she felt that she was being spoken too, did she really pay attention. "... That means all you anti-socials." her eyes met Avaana's and then Cara's, she knew she was talking about them. Only letting a grunt of a growl escape her muzzle. Work with such a person as Cara? That woman was such a loner, probably thought she was better then everyone else here. But the idea did stick, Cara was probably the best matched for her and her skills. Watching Cara, she wondered if possibly she might like Cara, in a twisted friendly way. 

While deep in thought she took in a large breath, with it she smelt that of a beast. Her head turned as a growl escaped her. That was something that made her hair stand on end. Avanna was the first to investigate, telling the others to stay put. Durna wasn't about to let her leave alone, she watched as the other Kelvics follow suit. She stood, only sparing a glance at Cara before exiting the tent.

What she found was horrifying, Avanna was clocked in her own red blood, laying limp under a dire wolf. She quickly glanced around for her, looking for.   When she saw him he seemed stunned. Growling she spoke "Snap out of it! Get her in the tent!" she then turned her attention to the wolf. Belger seemed to have that under control, but he lost focus, looking towards the tent, the wolf took the opportunity to attack, Durna jumped into action. Running in full force she hit the bear with her paw, it was enough  force to leave claw marks. The wolf seemed to stumble away from her and belger. Standing in a defensive stance over her brother. "Get up!" she growled, her body tensing for the wolves attack. She kept her eyes only on the wolf, letting a growl vibrate through her body, the wolf lounges for her and the next thing she new she was in a fight for Hwr life.

The wolf snapped at her neck grabbing her think fur and forcing her to the ground. Druna grappled with it, forcing her large bulky body over and digging her claws into the soft under belly of the wolf. The wolf puncturing her soft neck tissue, a roar erupted from her muzzle and blood started to stain her white fur.