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Post by Razza on Jan 31, 2022 6:46:42 GMT
Mikhail Cutting though the very heart of Au’Dar there was a river, well known among the pack but especially by it's warriors. On quiet days like these it seemed as though they could hear it, even while walking the furthest corners of their patrol routes, and never did a day pass that their toes weren't wetted by it, and their thirsts quenched by it's veins. Even those spanned wide and ran quick, and since his pup hood, Mikhail had hated it. Even now into his adulthood he’d jolt awake after dreams of being swept away in it’s currents - carried far from this place against his will with water drowning his lungs. As the brutal waves tossed his body against rocks and around bends he’d call out; for his mother, for Akorra, the gods, anyone, to help him, but either they never heard or never cared, and so the only end to his suffering was when he’d jolt awake. He’d be wide eyed, panting, and filled with a panicked relief. Those mornings, like how this one had started, always gave way to his best work days. Mikhail sometimes thought that the pack mates who shared his fear looked at him in the same way they looked at the river. Skeptical and like he’d sweep them away never to be seen again if they didn't watch what they said. It was a testament to his patience that over all four years of his being on this earth he’d never snapped at them to stop - he was not their enemy by any stretch. Everything he did, even in fits of rage, was to protect them. Why couldn't they see? Such was a question that boiled his blood every time it crossed through him, but never did an answer reveal itself. So Mikhail stopped asking it long ago and resigned to his confusion and his solitude. It didn’t matter. A protector did not need to be liked to do his job. However unfortunately, most unlike the river, he did need to occasionally pause his work to eat or sleep or piss. Such needs diverted Mikhail from his path and he picked his way carefully over the growing plants in the garden. His patrol route had been uneventful but long, and now they sun had shifted considerably in the sky he knew it was time to silently slink further towards the dens, allowing another warrior to take up his post though Mikhail would not stop to give them their cue or wish them an easy shift, like some of the others did for each other. Ahead of him his only accepted companion slithered along, pausing with each bug that flittered away at the sight of her to watch with hungry eyes. The warrior raised his nose and sniffed in the same way she stuck out her tongue, both hopeful to catch some stray scent of prey in one of the few places the drought had not yet completely decimated. Akorra could just as easily be lurking here, and Mikhail watched out just as vigilantly for his brother, but him, he would avoid. As if able to read his thoughts, Ghale paused and turned to Mikhail. "We might have better luck if we turn back," Mikhail shrugged, a weak excuse. Ghale turned around like she hadn't heard him and he sighed. She knew him too well. Above them, from between the cracks in the dried, dying canopy of the forest, blue skies melted away into that pale coral color that preceded sunset. Mikhail couldn't stop the twitching of his ears as the crickets began to chirp one by one, and occasionally a firefly would catch his attention, pulling his gaze away until he was completely distracted from his path and goals alike. It was something he rarely allowed to happen but as one particularly bold, blinking bug approached him, landing on his nose, his steps ceased completely. He stood perfectly still, here in the safety of his home, without worry for a few precious moments. Not all things hated him here. The firefly was scared off by a rustling up ahead, and Ghale slithered back into sight even though Mikhail hadn't known she'd left, breaking the moment. Her head lifted considerably off the ground and her tail twitched, and Mikhail recognized immediately what that meant. "Someone else is here? We are getting closer to the dens, Ghale, of course someone is. What's the fuss?" His harsh voice somehow seemed soft as he tried to discern the look on the little snake's face. Furrowing his brow, he let his tafa crawl up his arm and between his shoulders when she approached, her settling into her preferred spot of safety. "Hm." For the millionth time Mikhail wished she could speak. Ghale eventually finished adjusting however and as she settled down, hidden in the long, dark fur on his back, he simply continued forward, only a trace of concern lingering like a veil over his face. Perhaps she was just tired - perhaps their hunt was over for today. kaz |
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Post by kaz on Jan 31, 2022 8:08:58 GMT
POWER, POWER · THE LAW OF THE LAND Time warped strangely for the new Empress. Days felt endless in the heat of the day, sticky with sweat, tempers rising with the feverish land. But when the sun fell away and gave the earth some reprieve, there was so much to do it felt as if she never had enough time or a moment’s rest. It was, then, with great relief that Akala found herself unencumbered at this hour, as the day faded softly into night and cooler winds blew through her fur. The dusty queen rose from her den and moved like a shadow from the Au’dar grounds, silent and intangible, her leaving unnoticed by any but Arzanoth himself, who sensed her transition almost before she did in that unnerving way of his. He cocked his head down at her, stared with lifeless black eyes, and followed only when she had nearly disappeared through the brush, his great wings whooshing through the air with a sound like waves crashing upon the shore. She paid him little mind. They had never been fond of each other in a way that others looking in might understand. It was an understated sort of affection, more akin to necessity than love; they felt for each other as one might feel for a limb: no real intimacy but one is undoubtedly glad it is there.
The vulture flapped behind her, landing clumsily on barren branches and allowing her some distance before following again. She knew he was hoping she was hunting as they were all quite hungry by now. The prey could move on to greener pastures but she and her pack had its land to uphold; perhaps it wouldn’t be long before she was sending wolves out into unowned territories in hopes of finding a meal. Things were beginning to feel somewhat bleak. But Akala knew better than most the importance of appearances and she maintained her composure well despite the challenges facing her. It was only when away from prying eyes that she allowed her shoulders to slump and her attention to waiver.
It was when she heard Arzanoth above that her mind instantly snapped back into the present, pale blues eyes sharp and attentive. The vulture was perched above her a few lengths ahead, murmuring in that strange voice of his, a gruff, rattling sound emerging from his throat; an alien language she would never be privy to. She recognized the meaning all the same. He had spotted prey. Akala sank down toward the ground almost instinctively, the fur of her belly brushing against the dry forest floor, and she moved slowly forward toward where his eyes were peering. Saliva dripped from her chops merely at the thought of a meal, an embarrassing display of her body’s needs, and she slunk forward through the trees until —
“…What’s the fuss?” A voice. Disappointment clanged through Akala, igniting her bones with primal frustration. She straightened hastily, assumed a more dignified posture lest someone see her slinking around abjectly. She pushed through the brush to find a somewhat familiar form greeting her. The grey-pelted, sour-faced male was easy to recognize, and she could already guess that it was his tafa that had garnered Arzanoth’s attention before; behind her, the vulture looked askance.
“Mikhail,” said Akala. She knew his name by reputation and proximity alone, having not spoken with him much if at all since taking her position as the Centurion. Looking at him, she could not decide what she felt toward the male. As the new leader of Au’dar, she felt some responsibility toward all of her wolves, but something about Mikhail had always rubbed her the wrong way. He was strong, loyal, and skillful in his duties; an unquestionably useful asset. She knew this must come before whatever prejudices she held toward him. Still, it was difficult not to think of the sidelong, judgmental glances he had cast her way or the times he and his friends had sniggered at her behind her back (even if these were perhaps all in her own head). Her eyes settled on him with a harsh gaze, feeling not the indignancy she had felt before but the righteousness of the one true Queen. “It seems you’re heading back toward the dens. Has your shift ended so soon?” Her tone held only the hint of accusation, a power play meant to remind him of who held authority now.
THOSE LIVING FOR DEATH · WILL DIE BY THEIR OWN HAND |
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Post by Razza on Mar 9, 2022 19:15:22 GMT
Mikhail It took very little time for the source of Ghale's stress to become known to Mikhail. His long strides came up short, eyes gluing to the woman who'd melted out of the forest and headed straight towards them. Akala; the kingpin of the Au'Dar herself. Licking his chops, Mikhail exhaled. He'd have to apologize to Ghale later. "Mikhail." Akala approached him, and even now, after so much change, many things remained the same. Mikhail could not read her for the life of him. Oh well, this was likely to be only a passing greeting after all. Even with all the years they'd shared as packmates, he had no reason to expect otherwise. He lowered his head as a sign of respect. "Centurion Akala."If Mikhail was being honest, his current leader hadn’t crossed his mind much before her ascension. In fact he scarcely noticed her, as was the case with him for most packmates, but perhaps knowing what he did now it seemed like to a worse degree… the Akala he knew had been reticent and strange, and frankly, had seemed hardly worth his time. And while she'd proven him gravely wrong in that regard, out of habit he didn't think too deeply about them running into each other here. Yet even while keeping his head dipped, she didn't seem to be moving on. Miffed with the way things were lingering, he lifted his gaze by a small amount to see her giving him a long look. “It seems you’re heading back toward the dens. Has your shift ended so soon?” Her tone was one all too recognizable. Damn it, already?"Yes, it has, and I am." Please gods no. Whatever this is, just end it. He should keep it short. Before he started mourning that sweet, sweet brevity he'd barely tasted, Mikhail unnoticeably sunk his claws into the earth. "I was going to sleep. Unless there's something else you need, of course. Centurion." Another short dip of his head punctuated the offer he prayed she'd ignore. kaz |
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Post by kaz on Apr 25, 2022 5:44:33 GMT
POWER, POWER · THE LAW OF THE LAND The bow of his head was enough to bring some solace to Akala; perhaps she had imagined some resistance in their meeting beforehand but there seemed to be none. He, like the others since her usurping, appeared to be subservient enough. Still her eyes glittered with skepticism. She could not bring herself to fully trust him or any one among her new wolves — besides Wamika. Not just yet. His eyes shifted up toward her and she fixed him with a hard stare though she said nothing.
”Drier winds are blowing in,” said Akala after a time, turning to stare off into the distance, her gaze unfocused and almost dreamlike. “Prey is scarce. Something must be done.” She stood in silence for a long moment, her words stagnant and unmoving in the hot air. She seemed in a reverie and perhaps unaware of the wolf in front of her until suddenly she snapped back into the present and her sharp eyes turned to him. An idea came to her. With what had been discussed at the meeting — the thought of which still caused her blood to boil — she might have an opportunity to make Mikhail useful.
“I will have you venture out in search of a solution.” She stared at him with eyes that didn’t seem wolf at all but something more sinister and devoid of emotion. “I’ve already presented the idea to the other leaders who have agreed to send off their own wolves in turn. There is word of a beaver’s dam built in the mountains; that could be the source of the issue. I assume this is not too large a task for you.” She barely paused, leaving no room for his reply before continuing on. “Bring with you another of your choosing but inform me of your decision before departing.” Her tone was suddenly present and authoritative, a vast contrast to the detached manner with which she was speaking before. A rapid and uncomfortable switch that made even Arzanoth, the closest creature to a friend that Akala had, stand at attention and look at her queerly. “You are to tell me of any and all information you gather from the other pack’s wolves. When possible, you are to extract what you can from them without drawing suspicion.” Her eyes now were staring daggers into him. “I trust you are loyal to your pack and capable of such.” There was no question; either Mikhail would prove loyal or he would prove fatal to her cause, that much she hoped she made clear.
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Post by Razza on Feb 3, 2023 23:18:12 GMT
Mikhail At first, Mikhail hadn't known what to say. He was hearing her right, her words clear and sharp as a thorn's edge, but what they meant didn't make any sense. "A dam," he muttered. This was not what confused him. Actually, now that he said it out loud, it felt almost obvious. Whispers of Zarmir's wrath and conspiracies against the other packs had been polluting Au'Dar's air for an entire summer, but Mikhail had never quite decided what he believed... a dam was simple. Familiar. Easily explained. No, that wasn't the issue. The Centurion turned her gaze into him, piercing enough that he knew he should look away, but he could not, and fixed his own eyes on her face as if it would provide him answers. Mikhail, of all her followers? All Akala's vocal supporters and loyal advocates, who would have happily jumped at her feet to prove themselves to the new kingpin of the Au'Dar? Mikhail, with whom she had no good relationship -- no, no relationship at all? Was she that desperate, or was he that disposable? Was this some kind of test? Ghale squirmed uncomfortably at his nape and his mouth felt a little dry, but looks of uncertainty never did seem to survive on the frigid, inhospitable environment that was Mikhail's face. In this moment it was all he could do to remind himself that it was not his job to understand. It was his job to serve. For whatever elusive reason Akala had chosen him, he would show her that she had made a good choice. "There is no task too large, my Centurion. I will see it done," he said only after she finished, his head dipping once again in a display of subordination that, undoubtably, looked awkward on him. Her tone had turned commandeering, and though Ghale continued to writhe and fret against his skin, Mikhail found some comfort in the shift. He was a warrior first. Akala's warrior, now. He was trained to take orders, and in an instant all his worries about food, sleep, and whatever else were quickly set aside for another time. More pressing matters needed attention. "When do I depart? I would choose my partner far enough in advance that I can ensure my Centurion's approval."kaz |
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Post by kaz on Feb 6, 2023 6:10:07 GMT
POWER, POWER · THE LAW OF THE LAND “A dam,” repeated the man as if stupid. Maybe he was just a dumb brute, after all, programmed with nothing but loyalty to the pack and skills of fang and claw in that head of his. That would be for the best, really. Uninteresting but it made for a good pack member. Stupid and unflinchingly loyal. She stared down at him (she was only an inch or two taller but in her power felt twice his size) and tried to discern anything from his visage, but he only met her gaze steadily, no hint at his thoughts. Perhaps there aren’t any thoughts at all, she thought with some feeling of superiority. Perhaps he is trying to remember what a dam is.
The moment passed with only his tafa’s shifting in his fur breaking the silence – Arzanoth perched statuesque behind her, unmoving — and then the man spoke. “There is no task too large,” said he, and Akala felt her chest rise with satisfaction, felt the fire alighting in her eyes at his fealty. This was where she belonged; this was truly who she was meant to be. Wolves should be bowing at her paws. Once they had sniggered behind her back, but now they would bend to her will or else break beneath her power. She would create an empire to be feared and respected. And Mikhail was an essential player. “When do I depart?”
Akala steadied her heavy gaze on him for another moment longer, hoping to impart on him the importance of this mission — though if his words were to be believed, he knew, already. Perhaps any task to him from his pack was of the most dire importance. Perhaps he was the perfect soldier. Time would tell. Akala let the hint of a smile dance on her lips. “Soon,” said the Empress, and turned, signaling with her tail for Arzanoth to follow. “Find me when you have chosen.” The vulture took another longing look at the snake curling around Mikhail’s neck, imagining his last meal, then turned to follow his wolf, bouncing gracelessly on the uneven forest floor.THOSE LIVING FOR DEATH · WILL DIE BY THEIR OWN HAND |
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Post by Razza on Feb 7, 2023 23:04:28 GMT
Mikhail Unmissable was the Centurion's satisfaction with his answer. Her eyes had been indicatory, gleaming in a way that was almost more raptorial than the tafa at her back, who only stared evenly down at the scene. Mikhail wondered if the look had meant, even just for a moment, she'd anticipated him refusing her command. If she'd forgotten the power her new station granted her, or anticipated Mikhail giving her trouble even despite it— he knew he had a bit of a reputation for doing so, but to his credit he had yet to cause much trouble since her rise. Maybe she was just pleased to see one of her new charges cooperate as he should. If that was the case, he was pleased to have done his share. As long as Akala spoke with the true interests of the Au'Dar at heart, she could expect nothing less than his cooperation. He hoped to be able to prove that to her, in time. Maybe even get on a superior's good side for once. This assignment of his was going to be an acceptable start. When he felt her eyes weigh back on him, Mikhail lifted his own, taking in her leaden aura. "Soon," she told him, breaking the created tension with a ghost of a smile. Uncomforted, Mikhail only watched. “Find me when you have chosen.” Without another word she spun away, Arzanoth close behind as the pair departed just as suddenly as they came. Mikhail let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, refusing to let himself mourn any hopes he'd had of getting a few hours of sleep tonight. Only after they were out of view did he turn back towards the path to the inner territory. Darkened as his thoughts may be, and sleepless as the night would prove, he still had another to worry about. "Come on, Ghale," said the warrior, voice distant. Her nervous wiggling hadn't stopped even with Akala and her vulture long gone. "We'll figure out food in the morning." She settled somewhat, and Mikhail took off, opposite of the Centurion. In his head, he started a list. kaz |
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