OPEN;; the city makes a perfect place to sleep

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jessie says she's been here for a thousand days
a thousand days to her that just don't mean a thing
'cos the city makes a perfect place to sleep

It had taken weeks and weeks, but finally Bandit had slipped into the deepest slumber she'd encountered in a while. On a subconscious level, it was bliss because she was aware she was sleeping. She was never very far gone. On another level, her dream was awful. Never awful enough to wake her, though. Simply a tale of her father's coming to Caden valley, alive and well, to find it overriden with evil in the form of Duke's pack. Everyone dead, including herself, and watching him break down. But, as usual, Bandit became well aware this was a dream and as soon as she began to come around she snapped awake and felt extremely well rested despite the disturbing dream.

and daddy's coming home he said he brought her things
like gifts from every coast and songs for them to sing
but singing never got her very far
and this whole coast is full of pin-up paper rock stars

It was a very bright and yet cloudy morning, and just as she snapped awake she clapped her vibrant eyes on the first few snowflakes as they drifted gently out of the clouds. She glanced over as soon as she noticed a familiar bronze pelt caught up in the gentle winter breeze. She frowned in surprise, and his turned his golden brown eyes on her with an understanding half-smile.
"Found you here last night. Didn't even make it to the dens, eh?" he chuckled slightly.
"Apparently not. It's rare for me to get a good night's rest, obviously my feet could go no further," she replied, ears flicking to remove a cold snowflake which had landed. The pair returned to silence as they gazed out from the pebble clearing, feeling the snow beginning to settle around them bit by bit.

she said she'll run until her feet don't touch the ground
and as the waves carry me out, keep listening
she'll never make a sound.

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Caden had spent another early morning patrolling his lands, re-marking his territory and checking on his pack members. So when he'd run into Bandit and Oberon(?) he wasn't exaclty surprised. Although it was early in the morning, there was bound to be life awakening somewhere. He moved towards them at a slow pace, giving them time to finish whatever they were talking about. He wasn't ready to be the intruder here. He felt awkward approaching them, in fear of interrupting them, but even so he held himself proudly, as if he didn't have a worry in the world. Anyone who knew him, would realize this wasn't the case.

He dipped his head towards the two wolves. "Bandit," he murmured in acknowledgment as well as greeting. He was familiar with the fiery female. The first time they'd really talked was when she'd announced herself as a wolf with leading qualities, almost in a threatening way. He struggled to keep the smirk from his face as memories of her rushed back so vividly. The whole interraction between them was rather mysterious. She had assured Caden that she wasn't looking for a higher rank, but had simply come to tell him that she held the potential of a future alphess.

Escaping from his thoughts he diverted his gaze to the male, a quizzical expression coming over his face. "I'm sure we've met, but it's hard for me to remember every wolf who inhabits my lands," he told him with an apologetic smile so he wouldn't be offended by the seemingly rude remark. It was meant to be everything but rude."And you are?" he asked

While he waited for the male to reply he glanced at Bandit for a quick moment, thoughts of the wolves' relationship unconciously flooding his mind. It wasn't something he should be worried about, or even thinking about but the random thoughts were difficult to hold back. With a small, quiet sigh he turned his gaze back to the male, awaiting his answers once more. He felt the urge to sit, but remained standing to indicate that they could tell him to leave if they wanted to.

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As Caden spoke, Bandit realised he had one of those voices she probably wouldn't forget easily. Like her father's, or her brother's. One of those voices that caught your attention almost before any words were out. She trained her amber gaze on him as he approached her and Oberon, who watched him as well although with not half as much intensity.

"Hello," Bandit replied, smirking slightly as if she knew something he didn't. She even shook her head slightly, but that was just in memory of their past meeting. Surely, she'd left him with something to think about... and he'd sure as hell infuriated her. Not something that happened often to Bandit, who was usually entirely on top of a situation.

"Oberon," the bronze wolf replied, frowning slightly at Caden. A lot must be on Caden's mind, for him to not recognise the wolf who technically the first outsider to join his pack. That was a long time ago, though. Oberon wasn't very bothered- he'd pretty much kept to himself throughout his time in the pack. So he smiled anyway, while Bandit just waited. See if the big-shot Alpha would say anything profound.

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From the corner of his eyes he managed to catch a glimpse of Bandit smirking and shaking her head. He could only assume that she was thinking the same thing as himself. Slowly he turned his full gaze upon Oberon, a wolf he was absolutely sure he'd met before. As he spoke his name a few distant memories began to flood his mind. He nodded his head slowly in recognition. "Ahh, I think I remember now. Nice to meet you...Again," he said with a small dip of his head in acknowledgement and greeting

Feeling more welcome he lowered his weight to his haunches and peered at a distant tree. "Did you sleep well?" he questioned, turning his gaze back to the two. He wasn't aware that they hadn't slept in the dens. He figured they'd come out for an early morning stroll.

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Oberon smiled slightly in return, a peace offering to show he wasn't offended. Although he was perfectly controlled, Oberon had never wanted to be an Alpha. Too much power would go to his head, no doubt, and he supposed it took a certain type of wolf to run a pack well. Besides, he was far too much of a loner at heart, always wrapped up with his thoughts. He supposed he could be a little too self-obsessed to be an Alpha.

On the other hand, Bandit was sure she was born to do nothing less than lead a pack. From the moment she'd first witnessed pack life and truly understood the majesty of running a pack, she'd yearned for nothing more. Especially this pack. The Stars wolves were always in her heart, even as a symbol of good in a world struck by hatred.

"Surprisingly, yes," she replied, sitting up straight and feeling the side of her eyes tighten very slightly. She was sure she could recognise that element of recognition on Caden's features, enough to know he probably had thought about her and their discussion. "It's rare but it's beautiful," she commented, voice softening ever so slightly. Oberon didn't notice, for he was a little preoccupied with the wind whipping his fur up.
"How is the pack?" Oberon asked curiously, wondering what Caden had to say about his little corner of territory in this big world.

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His emerald colored eyes darted to Bandit, her being the first one to answer her questions. The words flowed effortlessly into his ears before being translated by his brain. He nodded his head once in response. "Good," he murmured not exactly expecting her to say anything else. But when her insigtful words reached his ears, his gaze lingered on her. Eyes narrowing, he noted the softening in her voice, the change in expression. An ear flicked back in confusion. Her attitude today was easy to compare to the one he'd seen displayed when she'd went on her tyrade for power. He smiled at the thought and at her words, the simple beauty she saw in getting sleep somewhat intriguing him. "A little too rare," he answered eventually.

Bandit was clearly a wolf to known before judged. Who he thought was a fiery, power hungry wolf now seemed to be revealed as a simple, down to earth female, intent on having something to live for, and to be respected.
He let his gaze drop, his thoughts rewinding to their first meeting when she'd so blatantly made known her intentions of someday running his pack. Truthfully, he'd been shocked by the fiery, almost defiant rant she'd had with him. Most wolves in a pack such as this wouldn't dare to make such a loud, arrogant statement. But she was different...clearly.
He felt a little conscience around her. She was obviously looking to see how, and if Caden could run this pack. He could tell she was eager to take his place, or perhaps find someplace within the hierarchy of Dancing Stars. During their previous meeting, she hadn't exactly elaborated on her intentions. But what he got out of it was that she wanted the Alphess position. The whole brief conversation had confused him.

He turned his head slowly to peer at the male he'd nearly forgotten was there. Silently, he watched as the mutli-colored wolf occupied himself with the magic of wind and fur. Well, you had to get your entertainment somewhere. So when the thought provoking question came, it surprised him to say the least. He opened his mouth slightly to begin to answer, but was again aware of Bandit's presence, that came to him as slightly intimidating. His jaws joined once more as he pondered it for a brief moment, thinking which words would be used carefully. "Anticipated," he said with a smile. "Everyone's waiting for the pups to arrive," he told him, peering at Bandit from the corners of his eyes to see her reaction. As he turned back to Oberon, he wondered if Bandit was expecting. She didn't appear to be, but then again, you never knew.

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Bandit's ears caught the change of tone in Caden's words, and she was acutely aware of his psychoanalysing of her. As an Alpha, he probably witnessed her in contempt or perhaps curiousity. She usually gave a fellow wolf a thing or two to think about in her frank analysis of life, and she was aware she'd still been fairly cryptic in her demands. Bandit was the sort of wolf who liked to segregate her thoughts and feelings into separate catergories. She didn't tolerate confusion, and as compassionate as she could be for any other wolf she was always hardest on herself.

Oberon smile slightly at the mention of pups, but vaguely in the depths of his heart he was feeling a little world-weary. With no family of his own to raise this year, he was beginning to feel a little melancholy and lonely in his solitude. He couldn't help waiting for the kind of female who would be just the right level of spectacular. He hated a female who made a spectacle of herself, but someone sweet and caring who would always remain a mystery would be enough. Still, he sometimes supposed he was asking too much, and he pushed these thoughts aside as he smiled more widely in reply to Caden.

"I think the air just has a different ring to it when pups are about... it's like the valley has some hope. Never experienced pups being raised in such territorial and hostile conditions, however... Do you think the Moons will show a little compassion to a wandering Stars pup? Would we to them?" he mused aloud, wondering what Caden's take of the situation was.

Bandit stayed silent, eyes trained politely on Oberon as he spoke and she took in the information. He wasn't a very prominent pack member, but he was quite a good friend to her by now. She could tell he was lonely, and she was sad to say that when she put aside her thoughts and paid attention to her feelings she could recognise the symptoms in herself also.

She'd never been beautiful, and she never would be. She intimidated males, and none had ever peeled back enough layers to realise she did have a heart inside that tough skin. She could clearly be compassionate, unjudgemental and a passer of fair justice. But there had never been any chance for romance, the fire inside her was placed entirely towards her ambitions. She'd never had ambitions in love, and she doubted she ever would.

Raising pups would no doubt come as naturally to her as organising her younger siblings; she would love and cherish them without question. The slightest hint of sadness passed through her eyes, but otherwise her expression remained unreadable as she turned her head away from the conversation. Whether the sadness was due to this prominent reminder of her everlasting loneliness or the loss of her family she would never tell as she supressed the feeling and turned to thinking about Oberon's question.

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Caden's eyes widened every so slightly at the questions Oberon was putting forth. Of course, he'd thought about this before but really there wasn't an answer. Falling Moons were extrememly unpredictable. He secretly hoped that they would have the heart not to take the life of an innocent pup. Either way they all had to be extremely careful, just to be safe. The Falling Moons were capable of anything and who was Caden to say that they would, or wouldn't do something. He didn't know the pack very well and still needed to learn of their ways.
He sighed. He had to answer in truth to question. "I don't know," he said simply. "It's hard to tell what they'd do, but either way I think it would be best if everyone kept an eye on the pups until their old enough to wander into No Man's Land alone," he said. "Spring's probably gonna be alittle tense this year," he added with a thoughtful tone in his words. Caden himself would have to remain vigilant at all times. Pups were known for their exploring and if he wasn't careful some might go exploring right into their death.

His gaze shifted to lock on Bandit, wondering what he outtake on this situation was. She seemed to be lost in a sea of thoughts, however and he began to wonder if she was even paying attention to the conversation. "Why so quiet, Bandit," he asked with a smug grin on his maw.

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Oberon nodded at Caden's words, wondering if it would be a different story if the Moons wolves were not also inhabitants of Caden Valley. He supposed Caden was not about to hurt any of his pack members by trying to drive the Moons wolves out; this was a big valley, and the Stars wolves were not greedy. They had enough land to share, easily, with the Moons wolves and the Loners, but Oberon wondered whether that would be enough for the Moons wolves. Duke didn't exactly sound like the 'sharing' kind.

"Mmm I can imagine," Oberon mused, shaking his head slightly. "I don't understand how the Moons wolves can... I don't know, preserve their pups' innocence within such a harsh environment." He spoke once more before falling silent.

Bandit's ear flicked back slightly at Caden's words, and she turned her fiery amber gaze on him. Her expression was wordless, speechless for a moment and completely indescribable as she witnessed that smug smile. She felt her blood boil a little, but simply chose to be mature. She ignored him, and turned back to speak to Oberon.

"If you don't mind me cutting in," she began, with the slightest hint of sarcasm shot over at Caden although she kept her eyes entirely on Oberon. "I have witnessed the effect of what a true Moons pup lives like. They have very little in the way of a puphood. Like you said, preserving a pup's innocence in such a harsh environment... They either fall apart under the pressure or rise to the challenge as fighters."

Bandit stood up and shook her pelt out, stretching slightly and then looking back at Oberon.

"Now in my opinion, a pup should remain a pup for as long as possible. But what are we going to do, when we have a group of only-just-stumbled-out-of-the-cave wolves, ridden with naivity, coming face to face with a Moons monster? I'm not going to say that entirely all of the Moons wolves would rip them apart- but they would be such easy targets."

Bandit nodded slightly to show she'd come to the conclusion of her thoughts. Then, she turned and looked fierociously at Caden with a look that screamed Loud enough for you yet? and with a controlled but dismissive flick of her tail, she turned away from the two males and began to walk away.

"Bandit," Oberon called back, and she turned slightly. "How do you suggest we both preserve a pup's innocence and prepare them for the Falling Moons threat? Surely that's not possible?"
"Easy, Oberon," Bandit shrugged slightly. "Turn everything into a game. Teach them through stories and playfights- make everything overdramatic and tell it as if it's unrealistic. Teach them through games so they don't even know they're learning but then as soon as they're faced with a real threat in life they'll know what to do." She paused, nodded once more and turned to walk away again.

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He listened intently to both their thoughts and words, truly and honestly interested in what they had to say. This would be the first time he was getting intakes from pack members. The whole time he'd been on his own dwelling in the thoughts with no opinions from the wolves who'd actually be raising and watching over the pups. And it happened to be their opinions and ideas that he had to pay attention to.

Caden opened his mouth to reply to Oberon's thought provoking words when Bandit finally decided to speak. His jaws clamped firmly together, and he turned to look at her. He sighed, figuring it would be when he was about to speak that she'd finally find her own voice. As she spoke he noted how sure she sounded of herself. Clearly she was born to lead, but instead of feeling gratified for her intake he felt as if she'd become a threat to him and his own leadership. She seemed to have a simple answer to everything.
Along with her high self-esteem he could sense the intended sarcasm in his direction. His eyes narrowed but he managed to hold his tongue for the time being. He didn't understand her. Just a few moments ago she was acting as if she had nothing against him, but now it was a completely different story, and he wasn't quite sure when the tables had turned.

When Bandit turned to look at him after her conclusion, he could do nothing but stare right back. His slitted eyes boring into hers, secretly challenging her. Who did she think she was? Caden was used to giving respect, therefore, he mostly got it from his pack members in return, but the prominent disrespect this female was showing was completely uncalled for. What had he done to be treated like this? Though she'd never said anything rude directed at him, her body language was blatantly giving off the idea.

"How 'bout you keep the attitude in check, Bandit?" he questioned warningly. He wasn't about to let her get away with that. He ran a pack he could control and was determined to keep it like that, even if it meant he had to keep wolves in place with a few words here and there. Also, he couldn't help but feel especially needy to reminding Bandit of his position above her. She was a challenge to him and the worst wolf to be let out of place.
His tone had remained low, not angry, just stern. He wasn't eager to start a petty fight over a few defiant signals she'd put off. And he clearly didn't want to get into it when Oberon was here. He liked where the conversation was going. It gave him stuff to think about and to prepare for during the coming spring.

He said nothing for a while after Bandit's suggestion to keep the pups protected, the wheels in his mind turning quickly. Eventually he came to a conclusion of his own. "It's a plausible idea, though pretending it, and actually doing it are two entirely different things and situations," he said, beginning to work them into a thought provoking debate. "Moon wolves are very intimidating, especially towards pups. Though naive, they're not stupid, and when faced with a threat on their life, I'm sure they'll sense, and possibly freeze up on the spot." He realized he was talking to Bandit's retreating back. After all, she'd been the one to come up with the idea in the first place, and although she was making her leave, he still began to speak, pointing out his thoughts as well. "And even if they didn't freeze, the Moon wolves practically born to fight, pups would not fare well against one of them."

With a sigh, he began to wind down to his own final conclusion. "I agree that puphood should last as long as possible, therefore, I think the pups should remain in the Stars lands where they're assured safety. Let them live a life of happiness in peace, however short it may be, instead of us secretly training them how to not get killed when they venture beyond the borders." He paused, his gaze turning from each face to take in their reactions. He was surprised at himself for sounding so sure of his conclusions and he was beginning to like the direction this whole debate was going. "As it is, pups playfight already, so it is as if they're training themselves. But when their older and ready to venture out into No Man's Lands, I think it would be safe to warn them of the dangers, give them some tips and practice to survive." He cleared his throat, staring at his paws for a brief moment. "I don't believe that should be included in a puphood."

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Oberon's ears flicked back slightly at Caden when he called out Bandit's behaviour, and he looked over at her. She'd paused, and her expression could not be seen as she stopped in her stride. Oberon looked back at Caden, listening to what he had to say, nodding appropriately. It made sense, really.

"I could offer to run regular patrols, if you wish," he suggested. "Not, of course, to undermine your own ability to keep the pups in check... but I mean, I regularly run through No Man's Land, it would be no bother to me to keep a good check on Star Stream for any wandering pups. I'll have none of my own this year, I think, so it would give me something to do. I'd like to be more useful around here."

Bandit, meanwhile, was processing Caden's words. Especially him calling her out on her attitude, and she smiled slightly. In the back of her mind, a faint memory had risen from when her father had warned her to keep her attitude in check until she took over the pack. This thought then made her a little sad that she'd never had the chance to do as he'd always wanted. She looked back at Caden, waiting until he made eye contact with her, before she nodded very slightly and turned, padding off across the clearing without another word.

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Caden waited for the tension of his correction towards Bandit to pass. But he couldn't help but wonder why they both seemed so surprised that he'd pointed out Bandit's blatant disrespect. Caden was a respectable Alpha, he was nice to his pack members, but just because of this, it didn't mean that he wouldn't put certain wolves in their place. If he let them do whatever they wanted, their disrespect would increase until it was ultimately out of control. It was good to stop the wolves in their tracks.

He looked towards Oberon as he began speaking again. A smile rose to his maw and he nodded in gratitude towards the male. "That'd be great," he answered, some of the pressure he'd been feeling towards this spring already beginning to lift from his overburdened shoulders. "Thank you," he replied, secretly knowing that this wouldn't be much of a burden to the male. After all, he'd mentioned that he took walks in No Man's Land frequently. Even so, right now, his gratitude was overwhelming.

When the conversation between the two males died down his gaze flickered towards Bandit's retreating back. When their eyes met, he nodded once towards her seemingly gestured apology before turning back to Oberon.

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Oberon smiled at Caden, sensing the fact that Caden was honestly appreciative of this offer. Oberon always enjoyed helping the pack, but he was essentially a solitary creature which made it difficult. He'd eventually feel torn between completing his duty or reverting to his solitary ways, but this was a happy medium. It required little forced interaction with the rest of the pack, apart from keeping a few stray pups in check for the good of the pack. Everyone would win.

Oberon glanced over at where Bandit had disappeared into the trees in the distance, frowning slightly, before turning back to Caden.

"You're welcome," he replied to the opposing male, and dipped his head respectfully. His ear flickered a little, and he tilted his head towards where Bandit had once been part of the conversation. "If you don't mind me asking, what was that all about? Bandit is, of course, undeniably headstrong but I didn't realise she was quite so willing to challenge your authority. It was fairly subtle actually. Perhaps it's simply a part of her nature," he mused aloud, before turning his golden eyes on Caden for his opinion.

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As Oberon turned to look at the spot where Bandit seemed to have vanished, he couldn't help but follow his gaze, and then wonder what their relation was. Were they siblings, cousins? Just friends? Maybe he was her mate. But if he were her mate wouldn't he have left with her? He shrugged mentally, and turned his gaze upon the brute again, ears perked in his direction.

The question that had run through his mind still remained though and he was about to voice it aloud when Oberon's voice cut him off. He listened patiently. He sighed; Oberon would ask him about the one female he just couldn't seem to get a clue about. She was so mysterious and different everytime he saw her. During a previous meeting he'd teased her playfully, and she'd done it right back. Today, however, she only seemed to be hostile.
"Yeah, clearly part of her nature," he murmured, more to himself than Oberon. She'd made it so blatantly clear that she wanted a position of power, but beyond that she hadn't elaborated. Oberon seemed to know her better than him. Maybe he could give Caden some tips to help figure it out.

"Bandit came up to me one day, a little while ago, and....Well, she made it clear that she wanted a position of power." A thoughtful expression played across his face. That had been an odd way to describe it, but that was basically what she had done. "She didn't really say anything beyond that. Maybe you know her better than I do?" he questioned, looking to him for any type of advice he might have for him to piece the situation together.

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Oberon was curious to hear the slight tone of resignation in Caden's voice, but then again he supposed he'd never actually tried to figure Bandit out. She never talked about her past, her family, her future. She was always upfront and yet very secretive about her feelings.

"What an odd way to go about gaining height in the pack heirarchy," Oberon chuckled slightly, and shook his shaggy bronze head. "I suppose that's Bandit for you. So straightforward and upfront in her speech. We've been good friends since we met, but not in... the usual way, I suppose you'd say.

"We only work in each other's company because we both enjoy silence so much. We rarely talk about ourselves, although I have asked about her once or twice and she politely enquires the same about me. But we've reached an understanding, a sort of casual loyalty through silent friendship."

He went quiet for a moment, still watching the empty space where Bandit had been. She was quite a striking presence now that he thought about it, with those fiery eyes and duotone pelt. He glanced back at Caden.

"She's never mentioned wanting to be an Alpha to me, but I suppose I've never asked. She does possess some sort of dominance now that I think about it, but I never really realised it before. She's quite cold, secretive... but I've seen her compassionate side too. She's incredibly selfless," he frowned, wondering if that had summed her up enough. "Further than that, especially in concerns to family, her past or her emotions, you'd surely have to ask her. I know nothing more."