Friendly Advice (Will)

[nightblood]

NightBlood sighed inside a cave near a clearing. It was the very cave she had been abducted from during her very first months in Arnlan, just after she had met Ziko. The black and red pup was almost fully gone from her mind. Right now, he and the fight she had with Levy were the least of her problems. Perhaps she had even chosen this cave to lay in purely in hopes of being abducted by the humans yet again, just to get away from it all.

It wouldn't be fair to Armageddon, though. No, she still needed to talk to him... if he was still alive, that is.

What right did the alphas have, making her a brood mare for the pack? Well... they were the alphas. Surely they knew what was good for the pack? Right? They had to make sure that the pack was well protected. If that meant having a pack member give birth to perfectly strong, healthy pups that would one day be the greatest warriors the pack had ever seen, well... it had to be done.

However, if NightBlood had been alpha, she would have taken that responsibility upon herself, not force someone else to do it with a male they barely knew, let alone loved. However, maybe that was what exactly had occurred to the alphas. Maybe they were making sure she was hard core and ready to take their place should the need arise.

Well, in that case, NightBlood was ready for that. She sat up and puffed out her chest, raised her head, ears, and tail in a proud manner. She would not skulk around like some whipped pup. She had a job to do. But first... she really needed to talk to Armageddon.

She stood up and was about to race toward her den to look for the black male when a voice caught up to her ears. It was Ziro. She looked around, trying to find the orange pup. It should not be this hard to find someone of his pelt color walking around and talking out in the open. Then she spotted him, coming through a gap in the trees from the river. There was a smaller figure beside him, scurrying along like a giant weasel... William Riverbound!

It looked like they were heading in the direction of her den. Well, they wouldn't have to walk too far. She stepped out into the clearing and sat down, waiting for them to get to her.


Ziro walked along, dragging his paws, which made him trip even more. He never intended on bothering NightBlood with his opinion. He knew she was set on serving the pack. There was no way to convince her otherwise, by the look of her. She was as determined as anyone to serve her pack. Maybe she didn't start out as a blind follower, but she was defiantly one now, at least it seemed that way to him.

Occasionally, Ziro would steal a glimpse at Will, wondering if it had occurred to him that NB was as thick as a rock when it came to pack service. He knew he'd never convince her to stand up to the alphas. She was too hardcore.

[Brink]

William moved slowly, timidly, unsure. This was NightBlood’s den, and, as Ziro had described the situation, she wasn’t in the best condition. He had also drug his feet, which made the small party even slower, since neither he nor the canine were very skilled on land. His thick, short, sturdy legs weren’t made for navigating over rocks, logs, and any other obstacle. As much as he wanted to help her, she was strong willed. Why would she listen to me? He was just an otter, not a huge three foot wolf like her.

The otter spotted her ahead. Her dejected manner nearly broke his small, weaselish heart. Those beady eyes suddenly looked glossy, and he turned away, not wanting Ziro to see those eyes. Will suddenly felt horrified and enraged, so his pace quickened, ‘causing him to trip every few steps. When his eyes rose back to NightBlood, she seemed perfectly fine, even prideful. But how and why?! Perhaps she had seen or smelled them coming. Was she trying to protect them? Or fool her self? What was the point? Holding a high position was useless if you were miserable. He wondered if she loved someone else, not this ‘Anek’. Who ever the hell he was. It seemed to him, by her disposition a few minutes before, that maybe she did…

What if Bianca, his mate had been in the same situation as NightBlood? Or maybe one of his children? That was painful even to consider. What would he have done? Truthfully, he would have killed someone, if need be. Without a second thought or even a hint of regret. He would consider it now, too. However, he knew that he wasn’t made to be a fighting machine and that he didn’t have a chance against any of Arnlan’s wolves. He couldn’t even kill Ziro if he tried. So, he had to come up with some way to convince NightBlood to stand up against the alphas.

They approached slowly, and Will looked up, tears on the verge of leaving a trail of tears behind him. What was he to do? There was his friend, sitting like a rock, unmovable and stupidly, idiotically, heroically loyal. There were only a few feet separating him and Ziro from her. Will still didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t even trust himself to speak. The cruelty of it all was… unthinkable and indescribable, in William’s mind. He shuddered and inhaled a ragged breath, racked with emotion, rather loudly. They were almost directly in front of her and Will was at a loss for what to do. The tiny otter looked up at her, with eyes saturated in pain and emotion. Carefully, he rose to his back feet. In unsteady movements, like a toddler still unskilled at walking, he moved towards his companion. He toddled to a halt in front of the wolf, glossy eyes fixed on hers. Then, heartbroken, Will embraced on of her legs with two stubby, little otter arms. He managed to squeeze out only two words in a shaky voice.

“Oh NightBlood.”

[nightblood]

NightBlood gazed stonily at the two as they approached. The look in Will's eyes told her he knew about the match up between her and Anek. She gave a cold stare at Ziro, but broke it. Will would have found out from someone sooner or later. It was best to get it over with now. She had to stop herself from rolling her eyes when the otter hugged her foreleg.

"It's not like I'm dieing, William," she said, trying to put more comfort into her voice and less sarcasm.

All this sorrowing... it wasn't as if it was happening to them. Why should they care? It was her business. What gave them the right to-? Her thought possess was was cut short by pressure put on her other leg. Ziro had leaned his orange head down and pressed it against her fur. He pressed harder, as if trying to mask it as a headbutt, and pulled back, gazing up at her.

"You like that other guy, don't you? The one that ran off from the meeting?"

Blood pulled her ears back as her eyes widened. Their relationship was known by the whole pack now. At least, they knew something was up between them. From her reaction, Ziro would know he was right. He could carry the information around the pack, but most males weren't gossipers. He'd only answer if someone asked him.

NightBlood gulped and looked out into space, not wanting to see their faces. She could only see Armageddon's angular face staring at her. She shook her head, trying to clear it.

"Get off," she ordered, pulling her legs away from the two, and looking much like Will sitting up on his hind legs. She stood up and took a step backwards. "He and I will have our time. For now, I will serve the pack. My own feelings come second."

[Brink]

"It's not like I'm dying, William,"

The sarcasm in her voice, hardly detectable, stung the otter, but he didn’t reply. True, she wasn’t dying, but she was being forced to have someone else’s pups without her consent. That could just as easily have the same consequences.


"You like that other guy, don't you? The one that ran off from the meeting?"

So it was true, she did like someone else. How could the Alphas not know? They probably did, if he ran away from the meeting. That meant that they just didn’t give a damn. Will wondered how such cruel monarchs could get such loyal subjects. Was it fear that drove NightBlood to do as they said? Unlikely. She wasn’t someone who was easily intimidated.

"Get off. He and I will have our time. For now, I will serve the pack. My own feelings come second."

The huge canine reared up causing Will’s feet to leave the ground. Those stubby limbs weren’t enough to keep him attached to NightBlood’s leg, so he slipped back onto the ground with a soft thud. Angrily, he jumped back up, so he was back on those to back legs.

“Ziro was right. You are brainwashed, huh? Or do you simply choose to live as a mindless drone? Does it make life easier for ya? Not having any choices to make, with no purpose in life other than pleasing your masters? You mind as well be a damn dog!” William’s verbal assault on the soon-to-be mother may have be over the top, maybe even down right vicious, but it was the only way he believed he could get through to her. Chances were she’d just yell back or maybe give the otter a good thrashing. He was prepared for both.

[nightblood]

“Ziro was right. You are brainwashed, huh? Or do you simply choose to live as a mindless drone? Does it make life easier for ya? Not having any choices to make, with no purpose in life other than pleasing your masters? You mind as well be a damn dog!”

NightBlood's ears flicked back at this statement. She had spent time among humans. Had they somehow broken her? Had they beaten her down to what her cousins were reduced to? Nothing but an obedient pet? She shook her head of such thoughts. It was impossible.

But why on earth was she allowing this to happen? Somewhere, deep in the back of her mind, something was stirring. A way of life she had long since forgotten, but never shook the habits off. Like a mosquito, it was sucking her of her own wills and pumping out the order to remain obedient to what she was trained to do: Follow the leaders, but keep training to be one, and serve the pack first. Self comes absolutely last. She knew this parasite well. It was the mindset forced upon her by Draviria. It still hadn't fallen away. By the spirits, her father sure would be proud of her now, doing such an honorable service to the pack she now co-governed.

"The pack needs warriors. Anek and I are the biggest members of Arnlan. It makes perfect sense to breed us together. Arnlan would be unstoppable with our kind. You don't need to worry about Armageddon, Ziro. This will be the only litter of pups Anek will sire. After that, I will take Armageddon as my permanent mate."

"But imagine how he feels, Nigh-"

"YOU THINK I HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT?!" the Beta shouted, drowning out the pup's pleas and making him cower from her loud voice, "I bloody well know that NONE of this is fair. I know how Armageddon feels. I wish he and I could be together instead of that tank of a wolf and I'm deeply sorry that Army can't have me first, but this is how it needs to be. It's in the best interest of the pack. If we don't have warriors- we're screwed if Sallin attacks."

She took her crimson eyes off the terrified Ziro, and moved on to address Will.

"You're lucky enough we don't eat you, Will. They'd have you and your family in an instant after they've killed us. Arnlan. Needs. Protection. By remembering I serve others, Mr. Riverbound, not only myself, I am obligated to do whatever it takes to make sure our land stays our land."

With that, NightBlood turned and began to trot away toward her den in her search for Armageddon. She had an ear twisted in their direction, of course, in case they had any more complaints they'd like to share.

[Brink]

“The pack needs warriors. Anek and I are the biggest members of Arnlan. It makes perfect sense to breed us together. Arnlan would be unstoppable with our kind. You don't need to worry about Armageddon, Ziro. This will be the only litter of pups Anek will sire. After that, I will take Armageddon as my permanent mate."

"But imagine how he feels, Nigh-"

"YOU THINK I HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT IT?! I bloody well know that NONE of this is fair. I know how Armageddon feels. I wish he and I could be together instead of that tank of a wolf and I'm deeply sorry that Army can't have me first, but this is how it needs to be. It's in the best interest of the pack. If we don't have warriors- we're screwed if Sallin attacks."

NightBlood’s yelling caused Ziro to cower and Will to act. He moved protectively in front of the pup, as if the two foot, twenty-six pound barrier would do anything to keep the wolf away from the other cringing canine.

"You're lucky enough we don't eat you, Will.”

Oh, that hurt. Will was furious. Absolutely fucking furious.

“THEN WHY DON’T YOU EAT ME?! Right here, right now! Just go ahead and fucking eat me!” He jumped up and down, unable to keep still with the amount of rage surging through him. He stopped jumping up and down for a moment and looked as if he were considering something. “On second thought, I’ll have my family over and you can call all you wolf friends, AND WE CAN HAVE A FUCKING PARTY.” He doubted any of the other packs members would have any qualms about eating two otters and their children.

“They'd have you and your family in an instant after they've killed us. Arnlan. Needs. Protection. By remembering I serve others, Mr. Riverbound, not only myself, I am obligated to do whatever it takes to make sure our land stays our land."

She began walking away, but Will wasn’t done with her. He didn’t feel as angry now. The indignant feeling still remained, but it was mixed with horror and annoyance.

“Oh how brave and selfless you are.” He spoke with mock sincerity and his words were accompanied with a sneer “You’re such a coward, NightBlood. A stupid, gutless, pathetic, pitiful coward. You can’t even stand up for yourself. You know what the Alphas are doing to you is unfair, yet you go along with it willingly.” Will shook his head in disappointment. “I once though you were the most bold and valiant wolf on this side of the Baltic. But, even Ziro here has more courage than you do. Can’t even stand up for yourself,” he repeated almost in disbelief. “I don't know how I ever could have believed that.”

[nightblood]

NightBlood had no intention of eating Will or his family when he threatened to bring them. In fact, she hadn't had much of an apatite since the announcement anyway. As to the long winded name calling- she didn't give two shits about what he said. At least, that's what she believed. Wether or not she wanted to hear them, his words would still be stored somewhere in her mind for her to reflect over in her nightmares or when/if she ever found out he was right.

"Back to the river with you, William. I'm done speaking with you," she said over her shoulder.

"But, NightBlood-"

"Ziro, escort the otter back to the shore. I'll talk to you later."

Uh-oh. It seemed as if Ziro was going to get his ears chewed off for telling Will about her. Great. As the pup turned toward the river, he chanced a glance over his shoulder as the Beta continued walking. She may have been doing the pack a favor, but she was degrading herself for honor. Why was she allowing this?

[Brink]

"Back to the river with you, William. I'm done speaking with you.”

"But, NightBlood-"

"Ziro, escort the otter back to the shore. I'll talk to you later."

Ordering him around, was she? ‘I’ll be damned if I let her tell me what to do’, thought Will. What gave her the right? Sure, she was bigger. There was no way in hell to deny that, but he was faster and obviously more intelligent, as this past conversation showed.

“HEY, I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU!” Anger cloaked his indignation. Marching towards her, not about to let NightBlood out of his grasp, he continued his ranting. “What makes you think can even raise pups?! After the ordeal, (if you even survive it since dying when giving birth is likely), will you honestly be able to look at those pups with anything but contempt? What kind of life is it for them: bred for no other reason to fight and kill? Is that fair to them, having no choice? You know personally, donchya? How could you do that to someone else? What about their happiness? Do they even matter to you?! If you do go through this, they will be your children, whether you love them or not. Always there to remind you of the life you could have had if it wasn’t for them.

And what are you going to do when one of them decides that they don’t want to me a stupid pawn? When one of them decides that they want to live their own lives, like they should? Kill ‘em? I don’t doubt that” he stomped a webbed paw angrily.

“And what about Armageddon?” Though he had never met the guy, it was clear that he was the one that NightBlood loved. “You don’t honestly believe that your relationship will survive after this?! If you do, well… that’s bullshit and you know it. Will he be able to look at you the same nothing what you had to do? Will he even stand for it? What if he decides to take some action and winds up dead. What will you to then?”

Will expected her to just dismiss him again. That would be alright now, he had nothing left to say, unless she decided to yell and him again, or play the species card.

[nightblood]

“HEY, I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU!”

Ziro's head snapped up and turned around to see the otter begin questioning the parental abilities of NightBlood. The horror of this possibly being the last straw for NB filled his mind as he imagined the Beta finally loosing patience with Will and pouncing forward, digging her teeth into his skull. NightBlood only stopped, however, and listened to the otter's words respectively, but didn't turn toward him.

NightBlood couldn't bare to look anyone in the eye. She was already crying as her thoughts were trailing to Armageddon. She hadn't even registered that the pups from Anek would have feelings as well. Anger began boiling up in her for not seeing it. She WAS turning into her father! By bringing warrior pups into Arnlan, she had already sealed their fate. But surely the Alphas didn't expect each of them to join the guard? No, they would understand the choice every living creature had.

That still left the feelings of Armageddon to be consulted. Well, true love would see to it that he did not loose hope in her.

"If he truly loves me, like you truly love your mate, Will, he will stand by me through my tough times, as I would stand by him through his. Now... do as I said, Ziro."

"... c'mon, Will..." the pup pleaded, hoping not to upset NightBlood any further.

[Brink]

“Y-you really don’t care to you?!” Will was practically trembling with anger and disbelief. The fact that she had only answered his questions about Armageddon led him to the conclusion that she really didn’t care about what happened about those pups.

“You’re scared of becoming like them, NightBlood. Well, it’s too late now. I… I expected better from you.” William’s voice was full of pain now, with only a hint of the previous anger and disappointment. It was easily heard, all of it. She was already on the verge of snapping, but the otter had to get her to change her mind. And this was his last chance. With a look of despair and desperation, he gazed at her. Why couldn’t she just understand? Why couldn’t NightBlood find a way to make the Alphas understand?! Cruel bastards. Ziro pleaded, wanting to keep him from doing something he’d regret even more than this.

But he couldn’t… not yet… maybe this time…

Will knew that if he hadn’t changed her mind before, than he wasn’t going to be able to now. She was a lost cause. There was no reason left for Will to stand by her now. She wouldn’t stand up for herself, than what would he be able to do? She obviously didn’t value his advise or friendship, so what was the point?

[nightblood]

“Y-you really don’t care to you?!”

"About them? Of course I do," Blood answered, assuming he was speaking about the pups she would bring into the world, "Could I love them? No."

“You’re scared of becoming like them, NightBlood. Well, it’s too late now. I… I expected better from you.”

After that statement, NightBlood had nothing further to say and traded her simple walk to a full on gallop through the forest, her stiff leg causing little problem for her. What pained her now was the massive headache brought on by feeling too many emotions at once. It was numbing as it got worse. She couldn't think straight. Something was pulsing at the back of her head.

Ziro gave a whispered bark at Will, motioning toward the river. After this, he figured he'd wait out by his den until NightBlood arrived to chastise him. Staying with Will might prove hazardous to his health if the Beta decided it was a good time to show Ziro what otters were really used for in the wolf world.

"Let's go," he said, trotting through the grass toward the river. There'd be no getting through to Night today. Perhaps another time. Only.. by then, it might be too late.

[Brink]

Ooc; Kinda long and rambles a bit, but I was bored. >>


“THEY’LL END UP JUST LIKE YOU NIGHTBLOOD!” he roared at her as she began to leave. “YOU REALLY WANT THAT FOR THEM? FORCED TO BREED LIKE THEY’RE DAMN SHOW DOGS! YOU MAY NOT LOVE THEM, BUT HOW CAN YOU DAMN THEM LIKE YOURSELF?”

NightBlood was right, what was he doing here? These wolves obviously weren’t the nicest, no matter what Will’s first impression had been. They didn’t seem to care about anything but keep their stupid pack together. Like it was anything important. A pack is made up of members. What kind of pack is Arnlan if it treats its members like complete shit? Forced ‘em to breed with whoever they felt like? What were the running here, a puppy mill?

“You go on Ziro… I’m just gonna stay here… for a while…” Brooding had never Will’s type of thinking. As a cheerful, friendly otter, he had always tried to look on the Brightside. But now, after seeing NightBlood like this and being unable to change her mind, he felt completely helpless. Incapable of doing anything for anyone. The fact that he hadn’t even been able to create doubt in the mind of his friend (or former friend it seemed), made him realize what he was. Nothing more than an otter. Of course he had understood what he was. It’s not like he thought he was a duck or a squirrel or anything, but he never realized how unimportant his species really were.

Ya know what? He’d have to find a place far away from any greedy wolf pack and settle down there. No damn arguments, no problems… no friends. Just fishing and swimming and staying away from any and all creatures that could consume him… The way nature had intended it. Just being a scared-out-his-own-shadow water rat. How fulfilling. No real point to life other than eating and running.

But he couldn’t live like that… and he couldn’t live her anymore. It hurt too much now. He and his family would leave… or just his mate. His children were old enough to be on their own. But Bianca wouldn’t want to leave most likely. If so, he’d just go by himself.

He turned towards where the pup had been a few seconds ago. He didn’t know if he had left or not. “I…” A depressed sigh. “I’m sorry from dragging you into this Ziro.” If he wasn’t there… oh well…

What was the point? Arnlan seemed to be a hell on earth. Somehow cold and vicious though… Why stay here? There was more than one river in Kloteck. He could even leave Kloteck if he wanted to. There was a whole world out here.

“This is goodbye NightBlood!” His voice ran out, dejected and yet angry. It sounded cruel… but the truth hurt, right? As his words echoed through the forest, he turned back towards the river. It was home… but not anymore… tonight he’d leave. “Goodbye Ziro… goodbye Mortil…” he muttered and turned towards the river.

[nightblood]

“THEY’LL END UP JUST LIKE YOU NIGHTBLOOD!” he roared at her as she began to leave. “YOU REALLY WANT THAT FOR THEM? FORCED TO BREED LIKE THEY’RE DAMN SHOW DOGS! YOU MAY NOT LOVE THEM, BUT HOW CAN YOU DAMN THEM LIKE YOURSELF?”

The Beta's gallop turned into a run as tears streamed down from her eyes. Her feelings were a blur of confusion now. She wanted to be a good Beta, but this wasn't how she envisioned her first task to be. If she had wanted pups at all, they would have been from Armageddon, but that the same time, she knew she was the only suitable dam for Anek's pups. The pack's needs came first. That's how she was taught. But according to Will, she was being a blind follower- something she had promised herself she would never become.

He was wrong. Of course he was wrong. Blind followers did exactly as they were told without question, without complaint, and without feeling. Blood couldn't be a blind follower. She was a roller coaster of feelings right now.

On the other paw, she was still doing exactly as her father had taught her. Without question. Without complaint. Without feeling.

-Finally figured it out.-

~GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!~

It was then that NightBlood ran herself head first into a tree. The pain wasn't enough to stun her, but it definitely was enough to disorient her. She took a fw shaky steps back and shook her head. Crimson blood was leaking out of a small hole on the top of her head. Apparently that wasn't enough. Straightening herself out, she ran at the tree again and a third and fourth time.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!" she shouted to the sky.

This wasn't what Arnlan needed- a mad wolf as Beta. She couldn't let Night and Blood separate again. She was ONE wolf. She wasn't like Mortil and Umbra. Feeling that she was whole again, NightBlood continued her journey to her den. Hopefully Armageddon would be there.

_____________________

“You go on Ziro… I’m just gonna stay here… for a while…”

The orange pup took a good long look at Will, wondering if it was a good idea to leave him alone.

"Don't do anything we'll both regret," he warned.

With that, he walked away toward his own den to await his punishment from NightBlood.