Old Friends - Renn

[Drathlic]

Fenris was still low in the sky, yet the forecast of the day to come was as clear as the heavens itself. The air was light and crisp with the distinct scent of freshness. It was still only spring and the earth was still prone to slight freezing during the night, leaving the land cold in the early morn and late evening. Yet as the days wore on, it was clear that summer was on the horizon, as each day seemed warmer than that of the sun before. The mountainous terrains however, such as the land on which List bore its roots from, were not yet starting to feel the effects of spring. Snow still clung desperately to the rocky exterior and prevented the sun’s warm from make a true impact – in fact the ivory substance merely deflected Fenris’ radiance and left the mountainous regions cold and lifeless.
The more sensible of beasts, including one such varg, took to the lower forest terrain, soaking up the warmth and basking in the mid-day sun. It was a refreshing change from the bitter winter that had taken place beforehand, and the sun would not be wasted. Though morning air was still cool and even icy in the shadows of the pine forest, it was refreshing and calm none the less. Though the soft treading of large paws on the needle littered forest floor subtly broke the tranquil silence that enveloped the Listern terrain.

Long yet powerful legs cycled effortlessly beneath the muscular form of a large varg. The mann was young, yet his appearance was clearly that of a true adult male. He was not the largest varg, though he definitely made the cut. With the coming of spring and warmer weather, the brute had been malting for several weeks now and had at least lost most of the dead hair that clung to his well built body, yet excessive amounts still clung in irritating and itchy clumps around his scruff, tail and hind quarters – giving the varg a very imperfect appearance.
This seemingly unkempt pelt was a mixture of colours, beautiful in their placement along his prime figure. They ranged from a very light fawn down his legs and along his underbelly, darkening as they worked their way up to his spine where the hairs darkened to a black saddle. He appeared almost red under the glowing golden light of the sun, and he was known well as the ruddy pelted Beta male of List.

Yet it was neither the strong gait nor the beautiful colouration of the brute’s pelt that was his prime feature. The most eye-catching attribute to the Beta of List was in fact his shimmering eyes. Most varg of his general appearance bore the pigmented eyes of rich hazel browns or golden replica’s of Fenris. No, this male had very cub-like eyes. They were a vibrant light blue that was seen more as a fault in his genetics, for that was indeed the reason behind his tarnished eyes. Yet the early and traumatising days of his life may also have been the reason for such an occurrence, scarring the male deeply and forever leaving him in the mind of an innocent youth.

The Beta of List, though formally known as Drathlic, padded with a spring in his step. He was happy to be within List on such a fruitful morn. Heading out of the shadowed forest the mann made his way swiftly to a well known spot where the sun God shone at his best. Drathlic had not seen his good friend Renn in sometime now, and he hoped dearly to run into her on this fine day – eager to know if she too knew of the large boulder in the middle of a clearing where Fenris often hovered above, warming nicely.
True enough he had not seen his beloved mate Silent for a moon or so neither, and secretly he wished too that she were already basking in the golden light. A sight passed his lips in longing, and he picked up his pace, gait moving swiftly from a gentle walk to a steady lope. It took him little time to exit the tree line, which surrounded the clearing, and he slowed to a halt, gazing up at the enormous boulder that settled appropriately in the middle of the glade. Seeing and scenting that he was firmly alone, Drathlic flattened his broad auds and let out a slight whine, feeling the loneliness settle on him uncomfortably.

(I ended that badly...apologies)

[Renn]

It had been a few Moons since Renn had made a proper appearance within List. The golden faemme had not wandered from her Pack's terra, instead she had wandered within it, constantly patrolling the borders in an effort to avoid her new Drappa Gryffin. For Renn had made a truly grave mistake recently, the very same day the Stargazer Fiory had handed over her status to Gryffin and Sudak as the newly appointed Alphas. It was only moments after this that Gryffin's daughter, Sora, had appeared on the scene and had instantly become openly hostile towards Renn. Though it was obvious to everyone that the two held a certain emnity, never before had either one of them dared challenge the other infront of the Pack. But Sora had done that day.

The bitch of a wolf had accused Renn of cowardice and treachery, both of which were untrue, to a certain extent anyway. She ahd a painted a picture of a cowardly faemme hiding behind her friends' strength and betraying List constantly. Ha! That wolf couldn't talk about treachery - Renn had evidence that Sora had been plotting with Dreogan to capture her own father Sudak, and all in a quest for power it seemed. But once the golden faemme raised these accusations, she was immediately dismissed. And now a rift had opened up between herself and her former good friend, Gryffin. Since that fateful day, Renn ahd been avoiding her Packmates, convinced that they believed Sora against her. Maybe before, Renn could have trusted her dear friends, Drathlic and Silent. But not now. They were Betas now and their main loyalty was to Gryffin and Sudak.

It seemed that the only Varg who truly understood her was Kop. Their love was the one thing that kept her strong, that kept her going on in life. Sometimes, Renn would contemplate leaving List and going to live with Kop as a Kerl. However, this was only a fleeting thought, the Listern faemme would never leave her Pack unless forced too. Sometimes Renn would dream of a small family of her own, but that would never be possible if their circumstances continued, a Kerl and a Pack wolf already under suspicion of having romantic ties outside of her Pack - it would never work out if their relationship progressed and pups were born. No, Renn would always push those little ideas to the back of her mind and concentrate on more important things, like her current situation in List. Maybe it was time to meet them again.

Renn knew of a large boulder within Listern lands, centered in a clearing and catching the full blast of Fenris' rays daily. She would have to rest there before meeting anyone else, the heat often gave her a certain energy and confidence. It must be only a few metres away from her to her right. As she crossed out of the treeline, Renn became aware of another's precense. The scent was male and dominant, but familiar and sweet at the same time. Drathlic. Well, Renn knew that Drathlic did not know about Kop but she had to tell someone, and surely her closest friend was the best option. She barked a greeting to him, then dropped her stare to her paws, waiting for him to speak before she offered any explanation.

((Aaaaaaaaaaaah the suckiness!))

[Drathlic]

A sigh passed the ruddy male’s lips as he looked down at his paws, watching as the blades of grass protruded up between his toes. Silence seemed to have fallen on the land suddenly and Drathlic felt very much alone. His auds fell back sullenly against his cranium before he peered up now at the boulder, watching as the bright golden rays of Fenris lit it up in an inviting manner. The warmth was calling him, and yet just as he was taking a step towards it, something stopped him.
Drathlic’s heart leapt into his throat as he heard the sharp bark of greeting. Staggering back he looked now at the boulder’s base, seeing his good friend Renn standing there. A grin spread across his maw at the sight of her and his tassel perked up, swaying back and forth furiously with the joy of seeing his friend again. Though she did not seem happy herself. In fact, Renn almost looked ashamed with something by the manner in which she held herself; tail low and gaze averted to her paws.

The friendly grin that had sprouted so suddenly on the ruddy Beta’s muzzle swiftly fell, along with his tail. Flattening his auds against his head he let out a small whine, worried now at his friends unusual stance. Padding towards her now in an attentive manner, Drathlic slowed to a halt in front of his golden friend and nudged her muzzle softly in greeting. His cyan eyes gazed intently at her forehead, willing her to look up so that their eyes could meet – if only for a moment so that he could try and figure the reason behind this behaviour out. “Renn? Are you ok?”

(It's short and not so good i'm afraid, but it's enough to get the ball rolling.)

[Renn]

Renn? are you ok?

Did it look like she was ok? Was Drathlic completely oblivious to her body language, the very vibes she was giving off? Looking up, Renn met the Beta's ice blue orbs for a few moments before shifting her gaze, remembering it was rude to stare into another's eyes. Even if that other Varg was supposedly your best friend. Sinking to her haunches, Renn regarded Drathlic with an open look, allowing him to see the emotion she had supressed for so long. She was tired of hiding from List as she had been the past moon or so. Leaning toward him, Renn returned his nudge and then licked his muzzle gently, seeking comfort from him in a simple form.

"What Sora said," She growled softly, the pain obvious in her voice. "It's not true Drathlic, I promise."

((It would be longer but I have severe writer's block.))

[Drathlic]

The suppressed stance and emotions that enveloped Renn were plain to see, And Drathlic whined pitifully as he observed her blatant stare. No longer was she hiding her feelings from him, and he was able to observe her emotions as clear as he could feel the grass between his toes. She was not in a good place, and somehow Drathlic felt partly to blame for it.
He stepped toward his beloved friend and nuzzled into the scruff of her neck affectionately. Renn was one of his very first friends, and nothing could change how he felt about her, though after Silent and him became mates, he knew all too well how Renn was taking it. Being assigned Beta male under the rule of Gryffin and Sudak simply did not help the matter. Pulling back from her, Drathlic sat back on his own haunches and lowered his head and auds, peering up at her through his cyan gaze. Adopting this stance he hoped that his golden friend would realise that nothing had changed – even though Drathlic was now a Beta, he would forever be one with her. They were equals, through and through.

Her quivering vocals broke the silence that had fallen between the two and his auds perked at her words. Sora? What had the little bitch said? Drathlic may be considered high up in the pack’s ranks, yet he was often clueless to the goings on within them. This statement baffled him, and his expression clearly showed it. “What’s happened Renn? What’s the little bitch done now?” he growled in response, a frown now creasing his brow and his head rising once more. Memories of the trio’s training in becoming warriors began to flood back and his lips twitched in annoyance. Drathlic felt that any excuse to knock the little wench off her arrogant little ego trips was worth listening to in great detail.

(sorry it's late. Been really busy with work lately)

[Renn]

”You mean you haven’t heard?” Renn’s eyes opened wide, she was sure that her ruddy friend had been there – her memory couldn’t be that bad now could it? And even as she realised that Drathlic seemed to be clueless to her situation, Renn wondered if perhaps it was right to tell him, to burden him with her troubles. Afterall, Drathlic was a Beta now with responsibilities and dominated over the entire Pack besides Gryffin and Sudak, who Renn knew she wasn’t in that much favour with. True, the pair were like brother and sister, and it was this thought that kept Renn going, encouraging her to explain everything.

”It was just after Fiory had stepped down for Gryffin and Sudak. I could have sworn you were there but, maybe not. Sora accused me in front of everyone of being a cowardly Sikla, she said that I wasn’t strong enough to stand with List and that I would eventually betray the Pack,” Renn paused for breath, still not recovered from the humility she had suffered at Sora’s sharpened words. ”She said I should suck up to a Dragga and leave the mountains.” Throughout her whole speech, Renn’s voice did not really falter, it was calm and collected, the golden faemme forcing her words to be fine. But it was now that Renn needed Drathlic most and she padded forward, burying her face in the ruddy mann’s ruff. ”She threatened to kill me..” Those last words were soft, exhaled on a breath of air. Drathlic, help me, Her mind cried out, but on the outside, Renn did not speak anymore, instead she dwelled in the physical comfort Drathlic could offer her, and remembering Gryffin’s face when Renn had fought back, accusing Sora of treachery.

[Drathlic]

Had Drathlic been there? He knew well that he had been there to witness Fiory stepping down from her post as Drappa and appointing Sudak and Gryffin as the new alphas, but he had not stayed long, and had obviously missed something very important that had followed on from the shift in hierarchy. His ruddy auds flexed forward as Renn began to talk, her voice all the while calm and collected, but something in her stature and expression gave away to her true emotions; broken and downtrodden. Flexing his auds back against his head, Drathlic let out a slight whine and took an attentive step forwards, his tail lowering and cyan gaze full of warmth and comfort.
The ruddy male silently cursed himself inside for not being there, for abandoning his friend when she had most needed his support. But at least now he was there, and until Renn felt safe once more he wasn’t leaving her side. His lips twitched and his hackles prickled with the sudden desire to break the little wench’s neck. He had never in his entire life felt so much hatred towards another until now, and one day she would pay for her actions – whether she was his alpha’s daughter or not.

His golden friend brought herself towards him and sank her head into the ruff of his neck, lavishing the comfort he had to offer her. Sitting down and shifting himself closer to Renn, Drathlic growled lightly in an almost soothing manner and licked the top of her head affectionately. ”I’m here for you Renn, it’s all ok,” he replied softly to her, his words calm and quiet. ”The little wench won’t touch a hair on you, she’ll be answering promptly to me before anything untoward happens,” he growled in conclusion, an edge to his words that defined his sudden lust for revenge. The bitch had hurt him and his friends for the last time.


(Sorry for the late reply, and the post is a bit awkward. But hey, it's something!)

[Renn]

Glancing up at her best friend, Renn smiled weakly. She could recognise now that the wimp of a pup had transformed into a strong beautiful creature, a life long courageous friend. Fenris, Silent was lucky to have him. "But that's not all," She growled, feeling stronger at his words, his touch. "I had to retaliate, so I told the truth, something I was waiting for the right moment to report to Fiory. I could never get hold of her until then, and by that time it was too late, she had stepped down. But, before Sudak's capture, I was wandering in the Kerl lands when I stumbled across Alkiera." Mentioning the ebony spitfire's name brought another ghost of a smile to Renn's lips. She knew that Drathlic was not so fond of the faemme, but during the time she had spent within List, crippled, Renn had befriended Alkiera. "She, she had joined Dreogan. But she wanted out. Alkiera thought that belonging to the pirate Pack would give her what she wanted, but it wasn't for her. She had been deciding wether to leave or not when I came across her, and she told me that she had scented one of our own in her terra. Alkiera said that the scent had been intertwined with that of Demon, but that there were no signs of a struggle or anything. I know Sora plotted to kidnap Sudak. The little wench would do anything for power, she has no feelings for anyone and views all others as weaklings. I'm not sure of ehr motives but I know she did it."

"Gryffin, obviously, did not believe me. No one did really. And now I have lost a good friend, deepened my emnity with Sora and possibly alienated myself from most of List." Renn did not sink to the ground like she expected, or sag over in any way. Instead, she stood tall, not ashamed of her accusation. At least, not ashamed infront of Drathlic.

[Drathlic]

Drathlic peered down into Renn’s emerald hues and saw now a new light, no longer did she show weakness and sorrow before him, and she was strong and confident. And listening to the words that followed her previous statement, Drathlic’s auds perked up with sudden shock and interest. His jaw dropped slightly and he took a step back from Renn, disbelief masking his expression. For a few moments it appeared that the ruddy male did not believe his friend’s words, for they were in no doubt severely out of order. Yet it swiftly shifted so that his muzzle was distorted into a more than savage snarl.
His head lowered, tail rose along with his hackles. Drathlic couldn’t believe the betrayal, and the treatment Renn had received from the pack – especially her good friend and Drappa Gryffin. Surely Sudak could have backed her up on it? Or was he completely unconscious during the course of his kid napping? Yes, Sora was their daughter and they would trust her and look out for her as long as she lived. But this was just…wrong. ”That back-tabbing little wench!” he growled deeply and furiously, ivory razors flashing with a newfound malice. He hadn’t felt this angry since the time during their training in which he’d physically attacked Sora. However this hatred and dury ran so much deeper. This was a personal thing.
Flashing his cold eyes, once so warm and timid, up towards the jewels of Renn, he growled deeply and frowned, his hackles still on end though his head now came up as he padded towards her. Rubbing his muzzle and neck into Renn’s he offered her a comforting nuzzle – seeking out the comfort for himself as well, for he had never felt so terrified in all his life, even more so than the morn when he’d discovered his raven pecked mother lying limp and lifeless outside the den.
Pulling back once more he looked directly into her eyes – though not in a dominating fashion, but one of determination and truth. ”I will make her pay for this Renn, and I will have words with Gryffin when I find out the truth behind this matter. No longer will they walk all over me like I’m some sort of Sikla,” he growled firmly. Drathlic would have his revenge, long before Sora would get the chance for hers.