Act Three Begins {Nightshade, please?}

[puppeteer]

{Others welcome as well, as long as I understand what you're saying. }

Act One had been in the Theatre. That had been destroyed as what he called "The Fire" swept through the pack, and the once-strong system had broken down. The curtains had fallen as he left the Set, and Act Two had begun.

As of yet, this latest chapter was the most interesting. The scenes where each a different area, as Elek moved from place to place, seeking a suitable pack for the ambitious youth.

And finally, the velvet was being drawn on that act. The longest act, the final act, was about to begin.

It was difficult for him to make the decesion. Elek had become fond of traveling, finding the roaming life a good one. But it was no way to fill his goals, as inocent as that may sound.

No, to hold a high rank, first that must become an option. So, he had to join a pack.

It had taken awhile for "The Puppeteer" to find a pack that's motives fit his own. Finally, through a ragged old mutt wandering a few day's travels away, he heard of the Sallin - a pack formed like the legendary Pheonix - born from the ashes of an old one, or something similar. A pack made from the rough, the deceptive, the strong, the sly...his kind of crowd.

And so it was that Elek found himself at the edge of their territory, long coat gaurding against the Swedish chill. His cold brown eyes easily surveyed the monotone forest, tail flickering slightly. The dog blinked twice, finally getting bored with waiting. Taking a deep breath, the earth-toned dog barked harshly twice, before settling down to wait, haunches folding neatly beneath him, the long fur expanding around him. Such a grand figure he cut, so regal, yet, in the eyes of a deserving alpha, his actions were relaxed, calm, expectant. Expectant for the Queen of this land to attend, or one of her scouts.

{Okay. No idea what that was all about. o0}

[Nightshade]

The shadowy form of the Alphess flitted through the trees, and her scarred muzzle raised as her sharp eyes caught another creature. As she drew closer, her nose told her that not only did this canine not belong to the Sallin, and had not sworn her allegiance - it was a filthy dog.

Her jaws began to slaver as she moved in for the kill. But just as her hind legs tensed for the lunge, something held her back. While she would like nothing more than to slay this miserable cur and spill its blood on the forest floor, perhaps it could be of some use to her. Ferocious though she was, Nightshade was rational, and calculating. She was able to deny herself some fleeting pleasure for future gain. And so her cold voice rang out through the trees. "Why do you come to the Sallin, mongrel? Your kind is not welcomed here. In fact...unless you have anything interesting to tell me, or any service you may offer me that is not entirely worthless, your life is already forfeit.

"For you are now face to face with the rightful ruler of Kloteck..."

[puppeteer]

Scene one, no entre'act in sight. No, straight to the action. Puppeteer's flopped ears turned forwards, upside-down triangles, traced in dark velvet, framing his face. Immediately, recognizing the told-of flash of fur, the rustle of leaves, Elek stood, tail hanging limply, the tip curved up in self-confidence that leaders often preferred to a tail between the legs. His head hung lower than his shoulders, pale brown eyes watching the deathly form of Nightshade as she stalked in the forest.

"Why do you come to the Sallin, mongrel? Your kind is not welcomed here. In fact...unless you have anything interesting to tell me, or any service you may offer me that is not entirely worthless, your life is already forfeit."

Keeping his amusement inside, the mix breed twitched the tip of his tail. "M'lady," he murmered, dipping his head lower and raising it again. "I have traveled the lands to find the pack of Sallin, hearing of its sensible rules. I could act as a spy for you, if that is what you wish, or a warrior, if the need arises. And, though I do not mean to brag, I have been called more intelligent than most wolves...though I am sure that you are excluded from that category. Nobeast who rules so strong and legendary a pack, and such a new one at that, could be any less intelligent than average." With a relaxed posture, Elek showed how he could stand to pressure, his pale coffee eyes following the queen, should she move.

{BLEH it stinks badly. *shrugs}

[puppeteer]

{Done}

[Nightshade]

Nightshade paused, considering. She recognized that he was, in a way, laughing at her underneath his groveling façade; but at the same time he might be of some use to her. Something about his personality called to her. Warrior? No, she could not trust him that much. But he should be elevated beyond the status of ordinary member, because of one simple reason: Nightshade liked him - as much, that was, as she could like any creature besides herself. So perhaps...spy?

"Indeed, you are slightly more intelligent than average," she said with a cold chuckle, "although that does not raise you particularly high. However...nonetheless, you are accepted by the Sallin...but any member has the right to challenge you and, should you prove unworthy, slay you; for you are a cur, and they have been ordered to kill you." She spun to face him again, having paced several steps away. "But should I hear word of you taking one life - just one life - of a wolf, you will be punished, for we are of a race far superior to your own.

"You will meet my Master Spy, and if he finds you worthy, you shall join our ranks and work for him. But be warned...he is a harsh master, as am I."

[puppeteer]

The long-coated dog watched the queen, guessing what she was thinking. Was he worth it? Of course, Elek knew what her decision would be - he could see it in her eyes moments before she spoke.

Watching her pace away as she spoke of what he already knew, Elek let a smirk grow in his eyes, his flopping ears twitching away a fly, tail swaying slightly. His expression did not change at her words of challenges and death.

"If it is from a rival pack, though, ma'am...aren't they lower than any of the Sallin? I would assume so, but one may never know until it is too late..."

The one dubbed the Puppeteer suppressed a grunt. The Master Spy...he had heard of this Chance, a mutt like himself. If he could work up to such a high rank, what limits where there for Elek? As far as he could see, it would be...entertaining working his way up.

He made no comment.

[puppeteer]

{Still alive here}

[Nightshade]

((Okay. I'll read through and post a reply asap.))

[Nightshade]

Nightshade's eyes narrowed slightly as she examined the cur's tone and posture. So, he had great confidence in himself after all. Yes, she though to herself, he could prove useful indeed. With a callous smirk that grew slowly across her maw, Night raised herself to her true size, and lifted her tail casually above her back. Her eyes seemed to flash as the light passed through the branches above, and in her paws she could feel the strength that reverberated through her body. She loved the feeling - the feeling of her own power, and it was never stronger than when she spoke to one lower than herself, even if they were a member of the great Sallin.

"If your life or your mission is compromised, and the only affective way out is through the death of a wolf," she paused to turn back into his eyes. "Then you had better make sure you are slaying an enemy of Sallin, otherwise the consequence will be simple: death."

A fleeting light passed across Nightshade's face as she spoke of death and demise, and she felt her heart beat just a little faster. It was adrenalin - the blood-lust that ran through the she-wolf's veins. She felt it rise for just a moment, before sinking back into her core.

"We are already at war with most of the packs of Kloteck - they are blind, and they will pay for their treachery." She tilted her head slightly, but her emerald gaze never left that of the mongrel's for a moment. "But regardless of this, we do not wish to risk an attack simply because you cannot keep your teeth to yourself."

Finally, Nightshade turned again. She padded a few paces forward, before stopping and gazing through the trees - not truthfully looking, but simply gazing while her mind was elsewhere.

"What are you dubbed, cur?" Her voice was icy, but she spoke simply. Her tail flicked slightly, and her ears rose to the sounds of the forest all around her.


((Bah, crappy. But it will do.))