Fire to My Ice [Open]

[Bre]

Drake wasn’t as pleased about joining the pack as he made it seemed. He claimed it fully as if he was thrilled to be a part of it. But he wasn’t, the wolf who had traveled for 2 years in solitude was uncomfortable you could say in this new atmosphere of caring nature. Of course he was one to appear as something rather than what he was, picking up the habit of his sister. He had mistakenly attached or allowed himself to look over the small enthusiastic pup named Akiko. Akiko was no bother to him but her brother and her mother made his nerves dance. His brother in the sense of a challenge and well his mother in the sense of something he couldn’t yet pick. It was either pure curiosity or his sexual desire. He didn’t like the second idea but there was no sense in denying what he knew was true. He was getting older and still hadn’t come across a love interest. He had little interest in love in the first place but now as an older brute, his mind longed for the sense of a family that he could say was his. He didn’t want a family he summoned from the ruins of depths nor someone he was forced into. He wanted something that flowed naturally and you could say this was his first time feeling this way. Part of him mocked him for thinking of such while the other suggested he pursue what he desired. He could pursue what he wanted but it’d have to be in many different wolves you could say. Although this wasn’t the time to be pursuing for a mate, especially in such a dark time he had stumbled upon. Distractions, that's exactly what his thoughts we’re trying to get him to have. He was already distracted enough with random floating thoughts of his sister. He need no more distractions,

He paused, realizing he had been wandering without purpose and was lost. Well not exactly lost as he knew he was on Dancing Star’s territory he could inhale the strong aroma of their scent marks. His eyes scanned about recognizing a place, he recalled Akiko stating as Meadowland. The title made little sense to him but perhaps it was because the snow softly hid what he suspected to be chartreuse grass. His cream paws were sprinkled with ice flakes of snow and the pads were becoming slightly numb something he was used to. It made his mind drift back to when he use to hunt alone in the snow, how cruel that had been for him. No matter his speed, strength or size the fluff of his atramentous fur would give him away. Frost of ice to the ivory of his warmth, he cherished the winter for its challenge as it cherished him for his continuous fight despite the harshness it enforces on him. He knew fairly well that without winter he wouldn’t be the wolf he was now. He didn’t need a mate or anyone when he had the ice and chill from his beloved climate. The alabaster artic was his challenger and lover, while Drake from the depths of night was her tamer and her desired one. He felt the attraction and hatred between them and it gave him mixed feelings that could not possibly be described. Even though his love for the harshness of the cold still stood he recalled the memory of the gluttony that had bit into his bones one season of winter, which was also the season he had just separated from his sister. The breath of the frost had nipped at him viciously taunting him for his loss and foolishness. He had in that winter questioned himself and had never found the answers to those questions. Did Fatal matter to me that much? He didn’t understand why what he did; always going through desperate measures to save the creature of his blood that absolutely despised him at times. Was it because she was the only family left? Perhaps he had some other connection to her that he couldn’t detect. Maybe it was because she created a purpose for him. Purpose, he didn’t have that. He longed for one but never could find one; he wasn’t brave enough to take to one. He was more of a lost soul than anyone could realize. That was the beauty of it all, the perfect framework with cracks in hideous beauty of the artwork.

Words: 744
Note: Not my best but it'll have to do

[Paint]

Snow was one of Bandit's loves also. She had not analysed her relationship with it, but if she had her memories would reveal many happy winter months playing with her lightning-quick uncle and her floundering siblings in the depths of ice-cold drifts and frozen lakes. Bandit enjoyed the fuel given to her from her past but did not dwell on it. This winter was worlds away from her puphood.

They had been biding their time, much as she was as she walked through her lands, scenting her way as the place was covered in the thick white blanket that smothered and contorted the usual earthy tones. She picked her pawprints carefully so to avoid tripping. In this new, white land the birds screeched and it echoed through the evergreens until it met the blank expanse of the Meadowland.

Bandit took a split second to recognise the figure of Drake. She had met him briefly before, she knew, and she watched his great shape as he explored her lands. Caden's lands, she reminded herself, although she wondered if their Alpha would have any fight left in him after being with the Moons. She imagined him to be resilient but there was no imagining what he had been put through. She was going to assemble the pack in a matter of days, and with this conviction she found herself within speaking distance of Drake, realising that her paws had carried her there.

"Drake," she greeted with a stiff nod, glad for her thick black fur as a breeze whistled past her. She could tell the male was deep in thought, and didn't expect much in the way of answers, but felt politeness impel her to question him anyway. "How are you?"

[Bre]

Drake's ears twitched to the east of which he stood as the sound waves caused by paw steps rung through his ears. Before he could whirl his head to see what wolf had come to accompany him, he heard the voice of a familiar fae. Bandit, and greeted him with a slight nod that he caught out of the corner of hsi eye. she didn't seem to thrilled to be speaking with him and it made him wonder why she approached. Then again when he had first laid eyes on the fae she hadn't looked to friendly either, he considered it was because of her rising alpha status. The status above all caused many to become a different side of themselves that was hardly ever seen but considering he hadn't know Bandit before the turn of events he let the thought slip away. He realized after the greeting she had questioned him on his feelings.

How are you?

That was a reasonable question consider how he displayed himself at the moment. He forced his body to fully face her as the snow whistled past being carried by the breeze. How was he? In general or at this very moment? Well overall he wasn't at his prime excellence and neither was he at this moment. Perhaps a lie could cross his lips but it wasn't in him to lie on somethings as his feelings especially in a meaningless situation such as the one he was in. Not to say that Bandit was meaningless but lying would show another wolf what lack of character you had and it was already hard enough for him to start over.

"I am neither jovial or atrocious just tired you could say. And yourself?"

He consider that the ebony,frost and caramel colored she-wolf could be tired or even upset due to the tragedy that struck the pack he had recently joined. It was a question to the world why others pushed on through what seemed to be the endless darkness. Of course everyone also had different reasons for why but none of it mattered as they all had one thing in common. They continued on-wards and seem to be what this she-wolf was doing. Behind those blazing eyes he knew there was some story she had to share whether meaningless or not it was still present.

[Paint]

Bandit hadn't quite worked Drake out yet. She tended to judge others on their actions, or ask them straight if she needed to know something, but she hadn't spent enough time with Drake to have any real opinion of him. Truthfully, she was glad to have him around as she got the impression he was experienced and fairly self-controlled. They'd need a wolf with a calm head when they went to battle.

"About the same," she replied. Bandit knew a lot about 'tired'. Her insomnia had plagued her long enough now that it was a part of her personality to feel tired, but she hoped that it did not often show. Sleep avoided her and she avoided it until she was worn down enough to drop. Luckily she had slept fully a night or two ago so she was on better form today. She thought perhaps her body was preparing her for the next bout of warfare. How long have these two packs been fighting?

"I hope you are settling in well. I haven't seen you much since you joined us. And in such a time as this..."

[Bre]

Drake ears flickered catching her next words after agree with his statement earlier. It was true he had strayed away from the pack to it borders. He wasn’t use to being inside such a socially connected pack, in fact most packs he had stumbled upon where broken into packs within the pack in arcane. It amazed him how clueless the alpha was but it as much different here. Many understood what was going on with another and always wanting to produce a remedy to the poison they had been sucking on. His eyes stayed on the alabaster land before him, as he let out a soft sigh. His head turned to look at the multi-colored wolf in the face. She was a unique site, with a onyx coat and silvery frost underbelly that slipped to her front legs and along her back caramel streaks started to highlight her flank. His face showed something of concentration, as his face scrunched closer to his nose.

“I seem to find myself pondering how to interact with these wolves, sociality is not something I’ve encounter often and in such a placid friendly state. You are a real pack, caring is far beyond words for it and I can’t seem to find a way to fit myself into the puzzle with the rest of your pieces.”

Even though he spoke, his mind still rambled on in the thoughts of before. He began to wonder how Bandit fit into the puzzle and what story did her piece have to tell. She seemed way to old mentally to be younger than he suspected. His eyes roamed the elegant female, she held herself like an alpha and he admired it. She fit the role perfectly, he suspected she differed from that opinion but most did unless they are crazy for power. She wasn’t anything of the such, his mind brought so many questions about the female. He took the silence to ask her a question,

“You seem to be older than you are; experiences have changed you I presume. If you don’t mind me asking what they would specifically are…”

[Paint]

Bandit wasn't much of a talker, so when he spoke about the pack she enjoyed listening. When his tone shifted to examine her she did not squirm or frown, but listened again to his question. She was not a rambler and would answer questions absolutely directly. She was a straight-shooter but could often be perceived as a little distant. Even now she did not smile, but considered in silence for a moment.

"I believe that the puzzle you're trying to fit into doesn't quite exist," she replied. "It is probably more that you do not want to fit in."

She paused a moment, ears flicking as she listened to the lands around her. Her eyes returned to the large white wolf before her, studying him a little in return.

"None of us particularly fit in here. It's important to remember that we all have different families and histories and lives," she stopped herself. "Although your question tells me that you're already aware of that."

She moved forwards ever so slightly, shaking the snow from her pelt as she thought of what to say.

"My story is simple. The origins of this pack began with my father- I was in the first litter of the Dancing Stars pack. The reason I seem old is because I am fairly old," she laughed a little. Bandit had never had a mate or pups, and she had never given herself long enough thinking about it to wonder whether she was bothered. She was past it now. "I returned after I heard some terrible news to reclaim what I believed was rightfully mine. Although I would never have chosen to ascend in this way- my respect for Caden grew since I became the Beta. To lose him as an Alpha is terrible, and I will do everything in my power to return him to that position once we attack."

[Ashara]

Snow. It was winter now, it was everywhere. Astra had always disliked this season. The scarceness of prey, the frozen lakes and the cold all made life harder. She found it hard to comprehend how some of the others could like this season. Even as a mere pup she had spent her winters curled up inside a den. Her black body made a stark contrast to the alabaster landscape around her. Beneath her paws the paw make soft crunching sounds as she trotted along. Her coat was covered in flecks of powdery whiteness. If only the snow was as soft and as warm as it appeared to be. The onyx she-wolf shivered, the movement shaking some of the snow from her body. She would have stayed inside a den if it hadn't been for her need of food. She was chilled to the bone from the cold, her colour didn't make it easy for her to blend in to her surroundings. It had taken her a long time of searching and several trials and errors before she had finally managed to catch something edible. It wasn't much just a small rabbit whom had fortunately for Astra had been too busy nibbling on the blades of grass which pierced through the snow. Blood stained her lips and its metallic scent hung in the air.

All this time Astra's eyes had been focused on the ground before her rather than what was up ahead of her. She had been thinking of the season to come- spring. Would she find a mate? She was only a young wolf, just over four years old. She had only been with the pack since the beginning of summer, before that she had been a lone wolf. She had never had a mate before so a fluttering feeling of both excitement and nervousness hit her at the thought. A sound the crowing of a bird as it swooped through the grey skies overhead made the she wolf look up with a start. As she did so she caught a glimpse of two figures. She had been headed directly towards them without noticing it. It was too late to turn back now they surely would have seen her. She slowed from her brisk pace to a walk without changing her course. She sniffed the air to make sure that these were dancing stars pack. One scent she couldn't place but she recognized the other to belong to Bandit.

Astra wasn't in the mood to go and socialize, she would rather just go back to rest in her den where it would be warmer but she had already made it look like she was heading towards her pack mates so she didn't want to do the rude thing and just change direction. As her paws carried her closer towards the pair she managed to make out who the wolf who's scent she hadn't recognized was. It was Drake, she knew that he was still new in the pack and she had never spoken to him before only seen him passing once or twice. Maybe it would be a good idea for her to go and get to know him better. He didn't seem to have settled in that well yet. Catching the scent of blood again she licked her lips removing all scent and colour her earlier meal had left on her. She was almost upon Bandit and Drake now and could see that they were deep in conversation. Maybe they hadn't seen her earlier but it was definitely too late to turn around now, anyway meeting the newest pack member would surely be interesting. Astra always enjoyed meeting a variety of different characters. It had been one of the benefits of being a lone wolf, you could always meet other lone wolves as well as friendly pack wolves who wouldn't attack you because who were in a pack they were fighting with. Though her days as a lone wolf roaming where ever her paws carried her had benefits she was glad to found this pack, it was her family now she was at home here.

[Bre]

Just as Drake was going too responded to Bandit’s tale, his eyes caught a thorn of black through the dominating cloak of white. It was a female, he could make out from the small figure as she approached them unnoticeably. She was unaware and that made him wonder if she seem to be unaware of things like this on a normal bases. He didn’t judge though, he had often done that till he learned the skill of multi-tasking. His ears flickered as Bandit ended her short story and the black fae approaching finally touched them. He locked eyes with her slightly but she seems to not want to hold the gaze. The display on her face features told him she was trying to figure who he was, he had nearly forgotten how new he was to this pack and his form loner aroma still mocked him. When she stopped just a little away from where he and Bandit stood his facial expression changed from the brisk and uninviting aurora to a placid one.

Drake didn’t want to intimidate her as it was bad enough that was why most of the pack members strayed from him, of course besides Bandit. She was the only one obviously brave enough to encounter with him without the help of hyper-ball-of-fur Aiko. His amber eyes rolled over the black frame before him, before the rose to meet the honey orbs that were also taking in him as he did to her.

“Mhm…Bandit could we finish our conversation a different time? I have more questions to ask you. I’d rather not be rude and slightly enforce our conversation upon this female.”

He spoke while still staring at the black female before her trying to recall her name. Did he even know her name or was just trying to pull something out a thin air? He tried to remember if Aiko had introduced them but the only female he remembers meeting fairly well was her mother Esmeralda. He recalled her for obvious reasons, she was the mother of the pup he saved, her alluring appearance and of course her knowledge. His head swung slightly at the thought of his encounter with her, he wondered if they would speak again but that really wasn’t something he’d worry about.

“What is your name, if you don’t mind me asking?”

So he couldn’t recall her name, and had to ask. He wasn’t proud of it because he usually did remember names but apparently he had never received hers. Or he was just getting old and losing his memory, he hoped it was the first suggestion but of course only time could tell. His tail swayed as his head slowed from its movement and was then when his eyes left the black female to look at Bandit. Such a powerful female stood beside him but he knew he didn’t look weak beside her like some might. Despite how dominant Bandit was you could tell he had some authority brute vs fae wise. He doubt it would ever come to that as he saw Bandit somewhat as his equal. She was guidance and held knowledge he would love to gain. Spending more time with Bandit wouldn’t be a bad thing for this brute.

[Paint]

When Drake's attention shifted Bandit followed his eye until she saw Astra approaching. She did not smile, as she was not one for being overly demonstrative, but her pose was relaxed in the younger female's company. She welcomed her with the slightest wag of her tail, a second that could be missed in the blink of an eye. It was not that Bandit was too proud to demonstrate affection. She had simply outgrown it some time ago.

"That's fine, Drake. I'd like that," she dipped her head ever so slightly to conclude the matter. Seeing that Astra was ever so shy of herself and Drake, or perhaps just Drake because he was a newcomer, Bandit decided that she should make the introductions. She was a hands-on leader and liked to know exactly what was going on in the pack she lived in, so she knew that these two had not properly met yet.

"Drake, this is Astra, another Delta such as yourself. Astra, Drake is new to the pack. I'm sure you know Akiko recruited him after meeting him in No Man's Land," Bandit then smiled a little, to demonstrate and promote a friendly attitude between the two. Perhaps such an introduction was not entirely necessary, but she always hoped to get pack wolves speaking to one another. She prided herself on their pack ties, and knew that this was one of the reasons she had faith in the upcoming battle.

[Ashara]

Astra had half stopped not wanting to interrupt Bandit and Drakes conversation. When it looked like they were finished she started walking again towards them. A greater part of her still wished to go to her den and curl up inside its warmth but of curse her normal attitude towards other wolves was still there too. She loved to socialize and had done her best to fit in since she had arrived it the pack. Many were related to each other while she was related to no one here since her family was far away over the mountains somewhere, alive or dead she didn't even know. When she reached the two wolves her wish of being in the warmth of the den lessened as she began to feel a little excited at finally meeting Drake and happy to see Bandit. She of course hadn't forgotten the day that Bandit had saved her life on the cliffs. It wasn't anything one could forget anyway, she owed her life the Bandit and she was extremely greatful for that.

Halting when she had reached Bandit and Drake she gave them both a friendly smile. Her head was tilted upwards, both Bandit and Drake were much bigger than her but then again almost all wolves were. She had just opened her mouth to answer Drakes question Bandit spoke answering for her. She nodded her head at Bandit "Yeah I heard about that" Astra smiled, remembering being told by Conan who had been one of the first to meet Drake. She turned again to Drake "Yeah I'm Astra pleased to meet you and welcome to the pack" she said in a friendly tone. She new it was hard to settle into a pack sometimes so she wanted to try her best to help this new male feel at home here.