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Post by Squeeji on May 6, 2008 22:23:14 GMT -5
Austrinus sighed as his son came to him, a rabbit in tow, the old male shook his head, a well meaning boy, without him he'd have not survived this winter, but then again, it hadn't been his intention to do so. He had shooed the remainder of his pack mates and pups off. Even Orion, his youngest had known that he was to leave his father to his final destination.
He had heard a few nights past, the sound of wolves howling, Arnlan wolves, holding council, and he longed to join in...but age had marked him unable to join in the festivities and never mind joining a hunt...he was a winter wolf now...awaiting death, the others had, rightfully given up on him.
But then there was Apus, terribly soft hearted and dim witted Apus, who wouldn't go even when he had told him he'd have the Alphas throat him for being so disrespectful. Austrinus knew he couldn't really ask the alphas to do it, and it appeared that, dim witted as he was, his son knew better also, because here he still was, feeding him, and watering him...
The former beta didn't know if he he should thank the omega or damn him. Either way, the boy appeared to do what he thought was right...regardless of consequences, and for once, Austrinus felt a pang of guilt for never recollecting the qualities his rejected son appeared to have.
"That will be good boy, thank you." he said curtly, as the young male wandered off wordlessly. Austrinus smiled and shook his head, dragging himself closer to the entrance of the den, they were so close to Rakine, he could smell the sea, and for a moment he was young again, running and getting in trouble.
When he opened his eyes, he was still an old man, but the look in his eyes was that of the nimblest youth, a mischievous old coot, with a insatiable desire to cause well...mischief...obviously.
*****
Leaving his father's side, Apus darted cleanly across the territory before being seen with Austrinus. It didn't seem like it was wise to keep the old male alive, since his retirement, and the onset of old age. But duty kept him from giving up on the former beta, and love, well...rather, his desire to be loved seemed to steel his resolve.
He had even missed the meeting, because they were both so far away, and he just couldn't leave Austrinus alone, not for one minute...something horrible could have happened if he had left ear shot.
The scraggly omega fumbled and fell, wincing, not because of the pain, but the embarrassment, he really was as bad as everyone said. But he'd make it right. He had to. With that he took a long deep breath and smiled, there was no deal dwelling on things you couldn't fix immediately anyways.
He followed a creek some, and took a few laps before twitching, and looking up, getting the feeling that he wasn't exactly alone...
"Hwho...who's....there?" his voice was a low and slow drawl, almost a crawling pace.
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Post by sarhea on May 14, 2008 21:23:09 GMT -5
Cepheus stalked through the dark forests of Arnlan, his thoughts screaming at one another. He felt betrayed, unappreciated by his pack. Yeah, he had been gone for many years, but gone in the service of Arnlan. Only to come back to his sought after goal to be given to someone else. The very thought of that meeting day made him spit angrily at the ground. Who was this Nightblood? How much could she really know about the secrets of Arnlan? Were the alphas getting so old now that they were desperate to fill important ranks?
Cepheus tried to shake the thoughts away as he came upon one of Arnlan's several creeks. For a moment, his reflection stared back at him, mocking him. Just a moment before he let loose his rage upon the waters, a scent came to him; a familiar scent....Apus?
Cepheus had not seen his slow sibling since his return to Arnlan. His lowly sibling had not hung around long, and had surprising tried to stand up for himself. Cepheus switched to silent mode, taking to the shadows of the brush that lined the banks. Soon, up ahead, sure enough Apus was taking a quick drink from the waters. Oh, this could be fun, the golden beast thought as he crouched low, taking a few more steps closer...
"Hwho...who's....there?"
Damn. Cepheus's ears swiveled back as he stood to his full height, stepping out of the shadows.
"Apus, brother. It has been a while. And you missed the glorious pack meeting....tsk tsk...whatever will the Alphas say...." his voice seethed out, a mocking tone laced with anger. He made his way towards the omega, his mind churning of ways that he could use the shaggy wolf to cause some trouble, especially for their new beta...
A faint scent, so familiar yet mostly forgotten greeted the golden male as he approached his brother. He just couldn't put a paw on it...he shook the though away as he arrived before Apus, a devious grin plastered across his maw.
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Post by Squeeji on May 14, 2008 21:38:14 GMT -5
"Apus, brother. It has been a while. And you missed the glorious pack meeting....tsk tsk...whatever will the Alphas say...."
"...Wh...what will they think?...They'll think I'm...I'm the omega...stupid...slow...didn't know no better." There was quite a bit of self certainty in the younger brother, a surprising amount of consciousness. But Apus looked at his brother with almost...a distaste, he was quite aware after years of mulling over it, that his older sibling once bullied and took advantage of him...and he frowned, but then his usual smile passed his lips. "sooooooooo...how's that...that...beta position...?"
Either Apus was being presumptuous or...he had taken a very very subtle jab at Cepheus, and a nasty one at that. He was slow, but it wasn't as though he wasn't capable of some wit...but still it could have been an innocent enough statement.
But still noticing his brother's nose twitch, Apus took a quit look around, carefully making sure there wasn't any trouble in the wind.
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Post by sarhea on May 14, 2008 22:07:31 GMT -5
"...Wh...what will they think?...They'll think I'm...I'm the omega...stupid...slow...didn't know no better."
The simple, understanding truth of what Apus spoke struck Cepheus odd. Why, maybe, just maybe he underestimated his younger brother. Cepheus couldn't help but smile at Apus's statment. Cepheus could sense Apus's distaste, his distrust. But Cepheus let it slide, as it was mostly rightly earned. He had not been a model big brother, and even now was plotting on how to take advantage once again of his slower little brother. He was in no way prepared for Apus' next jab. For once, the little brother had a trick up his sleeve that the golden male had not planned on.
"sooooooooo...how's that...that...beta position...?"
Cepheus froze, his mind slowly chewing what his little brother had the audacity to spit at him, that sly smirk plastered across his face. Pure disbelief wiped Cepheus's former grin straight off his face. Apus had been there! No, he wasn't. Nightblood.....Cepheus's features instantly darkened as he glared down at Apus, his breath spewing forth the heat of the rage building inside of him. Nightblood must have had something to do with this. She put Apus up to rubbing that fact in his face. She had to have!
A deep rumble deep in his chest rose, his lips lifting to reveal sharp fangs as his hackles began to raise. He really didn't want to attack his brother, but his rage over the whole issue, his humiliation, pushed him on. A snarl erupted as Cepheus sprang forth. He was not aiming to hurt Apus, only knock him over, put him in his place...his mind reeled as he lunged forth...
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Post by Squeeji on May 15, 2008 9:48:15 GMT -5
Apus didn't really see it coming, and his larger more adept brother plowed into him without any real fight, the younger male yelped, and flailed trying to right himself, but he couldn't get his barrings, he snapped his jaws and finally began racking his back legs hoping to kick Cepheus off.
Normally he'd have backed down, he'd have rolled over and taken such abuse, but...he was important, he was, and he was certainly more of a use than his brother had been in the last few years...he felt oddly...vindicated for fighting back, this was that...proving himself his sisters always talked about, he knew it.
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Post by sarhea on May 15, 2008 12:20:50 GMT -5
Cepheus really didn't expect much resistance, nor had he really planned on jumping poor Apus like he was. His every never was on end, and one small comment was all it had taken to make him snap. He could feel Apus struggling to right himself as Cepheus stood over his younger brother.
"SHE put you up to that, DIDN'T she! That bitch!" he roared into Apus's face, before feeling the sting of claws raking his underside. Blinded by his rage before, somehow, Apus's frantic clawing brought back a little of his sense. What the hell was he doing? His lips fell back over his bared fangs as he staggered backwards, letting his brother up.
Cepheus took a few steps back before sitting with a huff onto the ground. He looked at all appearances like a kid whom had just been put in the corner, pouting. Apus looked just as surprised as Cepheus figured he would. That was a dumb thing to do. He shook his head as he realized that once again, his anger had got the better of him. He'd bullied Apus many times in the past, but never outright pinned him in anger. He'd never be able to talk him into doing his bidding now. But there was no way Cepheus was going to apologize.
[bleh-kinda cut it off a bit-had a brain fart...]
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Post by Squeeji on May 15, 2008 12:32:43 GMT -5
Apus righted himself as quickly as he was able, however it a was a slow, shambling awkward movement as he got back on his large feet, he wasn't graceful, and that was part of his problem...he gave a slit eyed look to his brother, and lifted his lips at him.
"P-p-p-Pollux told me, you didn't ge-get it. C-c-course you did-didn't...be-b-been gone t-too long...and you crazy..." he didn't know that Cepheus had some hate going on for the former sentry, well...to be more precise, he couldn't have cared less what his brother was up to so long as it wasn't bothering him. His gossipy sister made her rounds this direction often, usually just to make sure he was still alive...and half expected to see their father dead.
Apus spoke with some confidence, though he was omega, this wretch was his sibling, like it or not and there could be some damage to Cepheus's reputation if he just kept going around attacking his pack mates...which was probably another reason he didn't get the beta position, he tried not to smile. "Wh-what the h-.......hell is....wr-wro-wrong with you?"
The usually quite amiable male seemed almost shocked and then shook his head, turning away from the growling mass of gold fluff that was sitting there moping like one of the pups he used to so often care for.
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Post by sarhea on May 15, 2008 14:10:56 GMT -5
"P-p-p-Pollux told me, you didn't ge-get it. C-c-course you did-didn't...be-b-been gone t-too long...and you crazy..."
Cepheus just glared. Of coarse...he should have thought of that before. Lyra and Pollux had both stood up for Apus in the past, kept him informed of the goings on of the pack. They would have informed him. Cepheus just grunted. He'd just made a complete ass of himself-once again.
"Wh-what the h-.......hell is....wr-wro-wrong with you?"
This time, Cepheus fought the urge to lift his lip and snarl, but that didn't stop the threatening glare. The golden male rose to his feet, stalking towards Apus. He kept his distance from the younger male as he began to circle him.
"I've been gone too long, just as you said. I've seen things, been through things for the sake of Arnlan, that I would not wish on anyone! I come home from a sucessful mission to a place that is not Arnlan! Everything is different; everyone is different...." Cepheus paused in his rant, his circle around his brother growing tighter and tighter. At this point, he was close enough to smell his brother's breath. A thought hit him....a calculating look came into his eyes, a half crazed smirk parting his lips.
"Even you, Apus. Even you have changed. You've grown some courage, some spunk in my absense."
Cepheus was now standing right before Apus, his threatening posture was gone, replaced by his usual air of arrogance. Then there was that familiar scent again. It was much stronger now, coming from Apus. Cepheus furrowed a brow as he suddenly swung his nose in to take a good wif of the younger male.
"What is that smell. It smells....smells old. I know that smell," he muttered, his brain chewing on some piece of forgotten information, as he leaned in once more to take a good sniff. Then it hit him. He stepped back in surprise, a questioning look in his eyes.
"Is Father alive? I knew I recognized that scent!"
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Post by Squeeji on May 16, 2008 8:25:53 GMT -5
Apus took a few tentative steps back, just out of sheer instinct, Cepheus was bigger, and taking up space quickly...and he couldn't help but feel annoyed at his older brother, but he didn't show it, he just smiled sincerely and got that hazy look in his eyes again, had he just had a spell or was plainly ignoring Cepheus well...either way, the omega just trotted away, back into the undergrowth, his dark coat making it easy for him to disappear.
"Duh...st-stupid..." he barked before he left, of course their father was alive, he was the 3rd most aged wolf in Arnlan...and somewhere in his sometimes childlike mind, to him that meant Austrinus was just as magical as the lands he tread upon for so long...he would live forever...
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Post by sarhea on May 18, 2008 20:26:42 GMT -5
"Duh...st-stupid..."
Cepheus spun and shot a glare in the direction of Apus, but the younger sibling had already darted into the shadows. Why the little...
"Apus! Get back here! Where is he!" he yelled out, but it appeared that Apus had already left, or was ignoring him once more. That used to drive him so nuts....
Damn, that meant that he would have to find his father himself. But where to look? Arnlan was huge! He'd not bothered to bring himself into the territory happenings much at all since he'd been back. Lyra probably knew where to find his father. He cursed under his breath as he sat, trying to think. If his father was really still alive, maybe he would have some advice. Of all the wolves Arnlan, besides the alphas, Austrinus was the only wolf who held Cepheus's respect. His father had been everything that Cepheus had wanted to be, and if anyone knew how to help him accomplish his goal, it would be his father.
The golden beast shook his head as he tried to concentrate. The older wolves in the pack....they had often went to the outer most edges of the packlands to live in peace. He seriously doubted that the old male would choose to live along the border with Sallin-that left the beach and the human village borders...
It was a place to start, and thus Cepheus lunged forth, running as fast as his strong legs could carry him. He hit the border with Scatterstone before too long, the salt smell heavy in the air as the sea breeze carried it in. Yes, this scent was vaguely familiar, he didn't recognize it until now; mixed in with his father's scent on Apus. The old male had to be around here somewhere. Cepheus set out in search, his nose taking in every scent that he could find. How he hoped that his father would have some kind of wisdom to impart to him. He had been the beta, a wolf looked up to by all. Cepheus had secretly hoped to grow up to be just like the old male, even if he had been headstrong and rebellious. What young male wouldn't have been?
Apus' scent caught his attention, along with both Lyra's and Pollux's scent. It was not long before he found the scent trail, footprints in the soft Arnlan soil. His siblings had crossed this way, especially Apus. He had to be close now. He was uncomfortably close to the border with the human village. He did not usually like to venture to this area. Dealing with human dogs, or worse still, humans, was not on his agenda today. Foul creatures, both species, he thought with a snort, before his eyes fell on a place that appeared a likely candidate for a den. And the trails of his siblings led in that direction. His attention refocused, he trotted in that direction, until indeed, the mouth of a den could be made out. And laying in the entrance, a golden form could just barely be made out.
Cepheus stopped, his heart rate increasing, his eyes straining to get a better glimpse. He moved forward once more, and sure enough, the scent of his father greeted him. But how old his father looked, laying there, almost an image of death itself. It almost pained him to see the once proud wolf in such a state.
"Father?" he called out hesitantly, pausing several feet outside the entrance, hoping that he had not come too late.
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Post by Squeeji on May 19, 2008 17:50:00 GMT -5
Austrinus noticed his son in an instant his head lifting up with surprising swiftness, as gaudy as his colors were, so similar to his father's, the old male had to wince, it was a small blessing that he and his son ever survived as long as they did...looking like giant metallic targets whenever the light settled on them.
Cepheus's hesitance made the old man sigh and shake his head. "Yes, come here boy, I'm not going to -bite-" the old male rolled his eyes and chuckled; you'd have thought his big brave son had seen a ghost.
The former beta yawned and smacked his lips looking at Cepheus with a bit of unreadable amusement. "Something...is bothering you." He was happy to see his eldest again, but he didn't seem as though he was much for the great fawning over of the return of Cepheus, but still his tail wagged slightly. "What is it?"
((Ick, this post is a little wonky...sorry D:))
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Post by sarhea on May 20, 2008 8:09:58 GMT -5
"Yes, come here boy, I'm not going to -bite-"
Cepheus's ears swiveled back as his head lowered in respect as he trotted slowly towards the old male, his tail swaying gently as he came in greeting. His father's old carcass made him almost wince as he arrived before his father, but despite the old male's age, his eyes were still bright, the wisdom of the ages shining forth in strength.
"Something...is bothering you.""What is it?"[/i]
Even now, Austrinus could see right through him. He always had been able to. No matter how elaborate a facade Cepheus tried to hide behind, Austrinus had been able to see around it. Cepheus sighed as he lowered himself to the ground. There was no sense in beating around the bush now-it would most likely anger the old man.
"Father, I've wanted nothing else but to carry on our proud family heritage. I worked so hard to serve Arnlan the best I could in hopes to one day continuing your legacy as beta. Now because of that stupid mission, which I feel was for nothing, the position was given to some newcomer. Some female who knows nothing of the history of our great pack." he spat, his words becoming filled with anger the further he went in his speech.
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Post by Squeeji on May 20, 2008 9:40:18 GMT -5
"Father, I've wanted nothing else but to carry on our proud family heritage. I worked so hard to serve Arnlan the best I could in hopes to one day continuing your legacy as beta. Now because of that stupid mission, which I feel was for nothing, the position was given to some newcomer. Some female who knows nothing of the history of our great pack."
Austrinus seemed to hang on Cepheus's every word, mulling over them like some great mystery to unravel, when the boy was finished he hummed and then licked his lips with a bit of a nod.
"So?"
It was a rude statement, even for the former Beta who was never known for being the most socially tactful of wolves. The old male sighed and smiled shaking his head and then...he began to chuckle.
"My son, you know I love and cherish you, think the world of you and am so proud of you...Most of the time. But I am disappointed that my own young pup would come back to me so daft." the aged golden one gestured for the younger to come near, a mischievous look on his face, as old as he was, his mind was still sharp and wicked as the day he was born. His voice was a mere whisper on Arnlan's wind as he looked his son in the eyes, a secret between them "You are in rare luck son...as I've heard it wasn't a male who took the beta position...was it?"
Austrinus looked his son over, and then got that devious smile on his face again. "You are still strong, and clever, not to mention terribly handsome like your father." the old male's face got cocky and he damn near struck a pose and then laughed. "You'd think you could think of something..."
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Post by sarhea on May 20, 2008 18:22:19 GMT -5
Cepheus rambled on his rant, pleased that his father was listening, which was more than Apus had done. Though he was noticeably angry at the finish of his speech, he waited in anticipation on what Austrinus would have to say.
So when the initial simple response was "So?" as if the old male was asking him what he intended to do about it, Cepheus was taken back. He straightened his posture, a critical scowl upon his face.
"Wha...?" he stammered, before Austrinus continued.
"My son, you know I love and cherish you, think the world of you and am so proud of you...Most of the time. But I am disappointed that my own young pup would come back to me so daft."
Cepheus snorted in disgust as he slumped back against the wall of the den, his ears folding back as he broke his gaze with his father to look out across the landscape. All this time, and the old wolf had not changed a bit. Cepheus had grown up with these remarks from his father. Like it or not, he had learned from them. However, at this point in his life, he was looking for a bit of wisdom from his elder, not criticism. Austrinus' beckoning motion caught his attention once more, that mischievous glance from the old male sparking his curiosity as the old male urged him to draw near.
Hopefully now his father would give him a bit of helpful information. Austrinus' voice became incredibly hushed, causing Cepheus to strain to hear him.
"You are in rare luck son...as I've heard it wasn't a male who took the beta position...was it?"
Cepheus shot a glance at his father, his brow raised in a questioning glance. Had he not just told the old male this? What was he getting at? He watched his father look him over.
"You are still strong, and clever, not to mention terribly handsome like your father.""You'd think you could think of something..."
Austrinus was finished talking, yet Cepheus stayed in his listening posture, a distant, frustrated look in his eyes as his mind chewed on the cryptic information his father had just fed him. For a wolf normally quite bright, Cepheus seemed to always have to take a little longer to process his father's messages.
What the heck his being strong and handsome have to do with the new beta's gender? Cepheus licked his lips as he looked at the ground in frustration. Strong and good looking....female beta....
Then it clicked. Cepheus jumped to his feet, his jaw dropping, a look of pure outrage shot back at his father. No....just...NO!
"What are you suggesting! You would have me, instead of given what I desire due to my service and dedication to Arnlan, go seduce this Nightblood, whom by the way is definitely NOT the year's catch, gaining the title by stooping to becoming her mate?"
Cepheus spun about, taking up an outraged pacing around the entrance of the den. His father had lost his marbles. How could he suggest this? He looked back at his father.
"I mean, have you even seen this Nightblood?" Cepheus shivered dramatically, thinking back on the meeting. The she-wolf was large, abnormally large for a female, and battle scarred. From behind, he could have maybe even mistaken her for a male.
"Have you been here so long that the salt air has affected your mind?"
Those words fell out before he could harness his outrage to stop them. Probably not a smart thing to have said....
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Post by Squeeji on May 20, 2008 22:31:55 GMT -5
Whilst Cepheus went off on his tirade, Austrinus yawned, cleaned his paws some, checked the position of the sun, and then finally turned his attention back to his son, shaking his head and clucking his tongue.
"Have you been here so long that the salt air has affected your mind?"
"I wouldn't doubt it."
Fortunately, that little outburst seemed to do little to sour Austrinus's mood, and the former beta had a bit of a smirk on his face.
"Heavens, boy, you're so like your mother...do you even listen to yourself?" the old male sighed, and then "Besides, have you looked at yourself lately...you're no catch yourself. " his son was aging, he noted that, none of his first litter seemed to be the sort give him grand pups...he only hoped that Orin would be more successful. "But then again...I'm sure i wasn't your mother's first choice either..."
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