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[Morpheus Aurelius]

OOC: =P All Welcome He despised the season and how it infected his body. It made his body tingle with all sorts of unwanted desires. Meandering through the desert he had retreated into the darkness of a large cavern punched into the plateau's face. Crimson walls gleaned in the setting sun painting an array of radiant hues across the surface. Two toned eyes refocused in the darkness as he took in the setting laid out in front of him. Ears drew forward, the silence deafening. Nostrils flared noting the variety of scents that came and went, though none were permanent. A haven to those who needed shelter, but never a place to stay for long. Large paws carried him further into the depths and away from the chill of winter's air. It was warmer the deeper he went, many caverns and tunnels forking in every direction. The russet male marked his path to make sure he could find his way back out leaving his distinct scent against the crimson face of each tunnel entryway. Paws stopped at the sound of dripping water. Weaving around the corner led him into a larger cavern where a pool formed and water dripped from the stalactites overhead. Sheltered from the cold, the water had yet to freeze over and left him with a refreshing drink. Drawing near he let one paw slip beneath the crystalline surface. It stung him down to the bone with how cold it was. Ears flattened against his head, his fiery pelt standing on end. Paw retreated to the warmth of the air. But the aching feeling soon returned to his body. That hunger for what the season brought. His mind told him it was nonsense that should be avoided given the weather and the inhospitable lands, but his desires burned with unrelenting fury. Loins ached as they had the previous year. This year it had grown stronger as he continued to grow older. In his prime, his body knew what it wanted despite his better judgment. So he had retreated to the darkness of the empty caves in hopes of waiting out the feeling coursing through his veins. Heavy breaths were taken as his narrowed eyes stared at his reflection. A low snort was emitted causing smoke circles to plume in the chilled air. With furrowed brows he swiped his paw across the surface causing a violent ripple to radiate across the once still waters. Moving away, he lowered himself next to the crimson walls. Hind legs sprawled out behind him while forelegs crossed over one another. His tail lashed before he lowered his head to rest upon his forelegs, a heavy sigh resonating from his body. Tail continued to wrap against the ground in a feline gesture, his body fidgety given his current predicament. Eyes closed as he tried to allow the meditation techniques to wash over him; to let his mind meld away where only the sounds of the earth remained. No desires. No temptations. Morpheus tried to remove himself from the world.

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[Athena Nike]

Athena had thought that the news of her daughter would make her whole, would heal her heart, and would bring her life once again. But in actuality, it only made her feel more miserable. When wolves left Torva, they rarely came back, and such was the fate of Torva, of Orion, of Nuru, whom she'd deposited with the man for safe keeping. The news of Pandora only made it clear that her missing half was permanently missing. There was no hope for finding her here. Athena's paws padded slowly, methodically, one after another in the crimson halls that once held the self proclaimed dagonettes of hell. There was really no reason for her to be here, the place was abandoned, but it still held significance, it was the place her daughter would have spent the most time. It was also the place that she might actually find her tail. If anyone asked, she decided that's what she would say. It made sense, and it was half true, after all. As she rounded a corner, suddenly a familiar face greeted her eyes. The poo wolf. Without breaking stride, she continued forwards, towards him, and at last plopped down, hoping that she would land laying down right beside him. A proximity that close was always reserved for spouse and small children, but Athena didn't care anymore, she aimed for it anyways. "I thought knowing where Pandora was would make me happy. But it only made me more miserable. I'll never hold her again, know how tall she got, or who she married. She's my whole heart and life. When she was gone, I looked for her, it was all I had. But now she's gone forever, I have nothing. I am nothing; my heart is gone. Aside from breathing, I just don't know how to live anymore.", she whined in a low tone to him, as if they were actually on good terms. She lowered her head and crossed her paws, mimicking his own position. Athena was not in heat. And she didn't even know the man's name.

[Nahrus Exultare]

She couldn't take much more of this charade, of pretending she was content and whole with her current standing. It was no different than peering into her reflection and calling her image horrendous. Clearly this was not true, a fact not a fancy of vanity, but if it meant becoming agreeable to those around her, she would deem herself hideous if it meant earning their favor. This was not her at all; this pretend was not natural to her. She rather be with her sister again, with the Simul wolves. She'd rather be there to support her darling sibling through another mating season and then some. She'd rather be among family than strangers. But it was family that drove her to this, to fulfill a promise now growing further out of reach. How was she to accomplish anything during these trying times? Oh she couldn't stand to think like this! And it didn't help that the cursed season was upon the lands now. It was pungent in the air. Among the males of Celahir, she could scent their lust, their desire, and while she was no slave, but a willing participant to nature's most sacred and basic acts she couldn't find herself attracted to any of them. Not even the kindly Cicero caught her eye. His charming smile was heartwarming to say the least, but she knew nothing more about him to rouse her desire. He was a kind face among the many scowls; nothing more. From the mountains, Nahrus fled to where few wolves dared travel. Where snow flung to frigid rocks and white melded with vibrant red rock. This trecherous season with biting winter at its helm drove most to their respective encampments to wait out the white fury til warm Spring light. Nahrus, as it were, was not so driven to do so. Instead, she purposefully left her den to be one with the elements again. Perhaps to clear her head or for the sole purpose of distancing herself from an unwelcoming lot. She carried herself with Exultare pride, head and tail high with the world trounced on by heavy paws. There was however a limp to her stride, her leg still raw from her tussle with that vicious child, but nothing rest and a good licking couldn't heal. She had done well to mask the injury under the eyes of her spectators, carrying herself with pronounced stature. But through days of tireless trek, the wear became too much and her regal stride was reduced to a peasant's limp. She tread across the barren lands, looking like a wounded beast outcast to die within the yawning walls of this forsaken place. A moment to rest among the caves, to recuperate; that's what she needed. And how like the Fates to lead her to the cause of her injury; the puppet master himself. Perhaps it was his scent that drew her into the opening and tread along his marked path. Familiarity her lure; a moth to a pleasant flame, she ventured further in to the caves, hugging the walls as his scent as her tether. The gentle trickle of water drew her ears forward as the did solemn voices from deep within the caves recessed. Somehow relief worked its way upon her face though certainly this was the last male she needed to see. His grumpy and cold disposition was not something most would seek, but as she confessed to him not long ago, he was an enigma to her; an occurrence that needed explanation. What was it about him that entranced the Exultare? She was second to interrupt his peace though she kept her words to herself as she came upon him and a small bear-looking female. She was old and weathered, about at her wits end it seemed. In her voice was woe and grief for something Nahrus couldn't bear to relate with. She let her scent be the greeting to them, drawing to the collecting pools brim and seated herself silently. Her amber eyes staring into nothing. She sighed.

Table and Image by Jay

[Morpheus Aurelius]

OOC: Potty mouth thoughts. XD Eyes began to droop as he allowed slumber to grip him. In the silence all was peaceful; the sound of the dripping water lulling him into sleep. Drip...drip... And then the distinct scent of another churned in the air. Slowly eyes reopened, nostrils flaring in the process. With a heavy sigh, he realized who it was. Her scent was growing unmistakable with how many encounters they'd had. Head rolled gently to one side as he noted the fem coming and laying down beside him. Fan-fuckin-tastic. With a low gruff he eyed her suspiciously, acting as though they were friends despite all the harsh meetings. "Try letting go." It was the only tempered advice he would give as baritone words fell from his ebon lips. Hindquarters shifted to allow his legs to support him as he turned, his broad muzzle choosing to face towards the wall rather than socialize. Tail curled around him, brushing against the crimson walls in the process. "You're invading my personal space." His body burned and his mind was not in the right frame for idol conversation or trying to comfort a saddened mother. It was not in his nature especially at that moment. Another heavy scent came to him and by the strength meant it was close. Eyes winced shut. Unbelievable that he would encounter both of them at the same time. Both fem's that he continuously ran in to by some unseen force. The fates must have been enjoying themselves causing him to run into the both all the damn time. She spoke not a word was a relief, however he had placed an offer on her table last time they meant and he was curious what she had decided on. "I hope you have an answer for me, otherwise you waste your time." He spoke without turning to face her, worried he would get reprimanding expressions from both of them. Sure he had told her last time she had earned his respect, but at the moment he was having his own problems and having two fems in the same area as him was not helping the aching hunger stirring in his colossal frame.

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[Athena Nike]

As the broken wolf tried to pour out her heart to the stranger, and feeling with no one else to turn to, and almost even perhaps the at the end of her road, the man uttered a simple three words to her. And then, turning his back, another five. It was neither helpful nor enlightenment. Athena had expected no less than some magical therapy session that made everything all better, that would mend the disintegrated fabric of her soul into a patchwork that only mother's great grandmother's half sister's cat's crazy friend twice removed could have sewn. As Athena's eyebrows began to mash together in a brewing storm of insult, injury was added with another female arriving on the scene, upon which the man uttered a full eleven words of even harsher nature which was the vast equivalent of 'GTFO'. Athena's mouth dropped now in the 'why I never!' fashion and her body was a fury of hurry as she scrambled up and to her feet. How dare the man say such a rude thing to Athena! Here she had absolutely nothing and what did the man do? Tell her to get out! (Of course, the thought never occurred to her that Morpheus was actually speaking to Nahrus, neither of whom she knew the names of). Scrambling up and away, she stood for a brief moment with a scornful glare. "You're a grumpy ... old ... poop.", she cursed with hatred blazing in her eyes and snorting a fine mist of mucus out her nose. After all, he was the poop man, after that particular encounter. Now standing and having delivered her own foul words in return, there were two things left to do. One, scramble outside defeated, hurt, and miserable. Or, two, stand there like a cranky old lady and wait for an apology which would of course never be issued and be miserable and hurt but also angry, and make the other miserable and annoyed. Athena vouched for the second option. Ignoring the woman, she continued to glare at the man intently and with over expectations of some kind of apology .( For which the man never did anything wrong in the first place, he wasn't talking to her ). If she was going to be miserable, and this man was going to add to it, then by golly, she was going to make everyone even more miserable in the first place.

[Nahrus Exultare]

He couldn't give her the same silence she was giving him. She wanted nothing of his save for his company, his strangely comforting aura and nothing more. Yet here he was, the bane of her existence, putting his grumpiest foot forward to hurriedly dismiss his present company. In the span of a few seconds, Nahrus had willed her eyes to close before she was abruptly snatched from her moment of peace by cold, disdainful words. First to the elder female, dismissing her torment over some loss, and then to her recalling the favor he had offered her not long ago. Her amber eyes eventually opened, her face with nothing short of defeat upon it. Claws clinked noisily against the cave floor turning her eyes back toward the outraged female. Nahrus couldn't bring herself to exert the energy to be angered by Morpheus. This was just how he was; a jerk. From what she had seen of the bear-like female, her physical description matched the image painted for her by her sister. It was a shame they hadn't encountered each other on the Mountain. It would have perhaps given her words more sway to her stubbed ears. "Athena," she addressed the woman softly, not turning her head from the tranquil pool. "He will not budge... please just leave him be." This would be her one and only peace offering. Selfishly, she just wanted to return to the quiet and relax in some kind of familiarity, be it scent or presence. And to his attitude directed at her, she said nothing immediately in return, for retaliating with angered words would have been a waste. Explaining anything to him was utterly pointless. He would maintain his 'holier-than-thou-' persona til anyone within ear shot would leave him standing alone. He might have what it took to lead a pack, perhaps the world, but when it came to his relations with others, there wasn't a doubt in the female's mind the brute would continuously find himself alone. And this depressed her. So she had nothing to say to him. Nothing as of yet. She wanted peace, and she would have it. She felt herself fortunate to be within some manner of a comforting scent and sought not to waste it.

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[Morpheus Aurelius]

OOC: Sorry for his wretched behavior. x.x -smacks Morph- Her anger was to be expected. It would have been strange if she hadn't. But unlike other times when his rude behavior was simply who he was, today was a different matter. Hormones raged as testosterone pumped thick within his colossal figure. The season would do little to help make his demeanor any more hospitable. A whiff of his fur shifting could be felt as the air from her movement caused strands to swirl. Ears flattened as he heard her half attempted insult. His head turned to finally face her, his eyes narrowed on her monochrome figure. "Is that all you can think to do? Reduce yourself to childish name calling when things don't go your way." Slowly he rose to his paws, muscles flexing beneath his thick winter fur. Fur bristled causing him to appear even larger than he already was. Claws flexed against the stone floor, his tail curling over his back in a dominant fashion. Blood boiled, testosterone fueling his temper. "If you think my comment was addressed towards you, it was not. I do not recall offering you anything. If you seek comfort because of your loss, I am the last brute that you would want to come to." No one was there to comfort him when he had lost someone, so why should he do the same for others? It didn't occur to him that it was common courtesy given his frame of mind and the anger he felt not only for the aching in his body, but for memories he'd rather forget than relive. Nostrils flared as he emitted a snort, his gaze shifting from Athena to Nahrus as she spoke. At least she had finally realized that he would rather be alone than converse. Idle conversation was the last thing he wished for right then as he felt his hormones stir just staring at the younger fem. Without giving time to think, he reacted by taking heavy strides towards the cold pool and promptly walking straight into its shallow depths. The chill of the water jabbed at his legs like a thousand needles as it worked its way up from paws to stomach. It would be enough to try and cool the burning and stifle his unwanted desires. Reckless splashing was heard as he moved further away to the opposite edge of the crystalline waters and plunk his hindquarters beneath the ice waters. He'd rather get hypothermia than suffer this feeling any longer; to act upon his impulses would be foolish and unnecessary. "I recommend the two of you leave." The brute spoke with a low growl as he turned away yet again, his front half coming to rest again on the stone surface beside the water's edge. Head lowered to rest upon his forelegs as he let out a heavy sigh; his horrid temper a product of the season.

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[Athena Nike]

The woman addressed her, calling her by name. A stranger who knew her name? And told her what to do? Her lips slowly drew apart revealing a crooked frown and strings of saliva beading down between them. A growl to accompany it began to rise in her throat but the man spoke now. His words were no better, calling her childish, chastising her behavior and once again telling her what to do - leave - before wading into renatio's kiddie pool. And only sulking off into it after having given the other female googly eyes. Ugh. Her mind reeled, wanting revenge, wanting blood. To attack the man for his unpleasantness was suicide. And try to find a bigger and badder insult was impossible given the inadequacies of her insult before. That left two options, the first to stay stubbornly and take more insult, and the second to simply give up and leave. "Lovebirds.", she spat out of her mouth at the two of them in disgust and contempt. The two of them could get it on and have ugly, heterochromia, grumpy babies for all she cared. Angry beyond her boiling point and yet trying to hide it all, she left. -- exit --

[Nahrus Exultare]

Angry, all the time as she could tell. Even when it wasn't necessary and all the male needed to do was calmly explain his situation. No. He'd rather assert his dominance, make himself look like a grumpy fool and wade in the shallows to (hopefully) cool off his ill mannered temper. Nahrus hadn't imagined her word to the female would be taken kindly, nor did she expect it to. If only to reattain some sense of calm, she was fine being on the angry end of another, so long as they woman was quiet and Morpheus minded his business. She just wanted peace again... to relish in rare comfort til she was content. Part one of her plan have come to fruition; the elder female finally gave up and signaled her retreat with an amusing insult. 'Lovebirds?' Raising a brow, she turned to the male still wading in the pool, his movements disrupting the tranquility. She'd hardly call him a friend, let alone a lover. Countless times of being on the receiving end of his hostility could wear even the most love-struck to give up and call their advances hopeless. Why would she waste her affections or camaraderie on the likes of him? She snorted softly, subduing the bubbling laughter. The only thing alluring about this mound of grump was his scent which was not interlaced with the most intoxicating musk. She cut her eyes away quickly, the tip of her tail twitching. Taken by silence again, the gentle trickle of water as it dripping into the pool, the Exultare found her calm again. Gradually her large frame lowered itself to the cool cave floor, her forelegs outstretched with the dips of her claws just barely disturbing the water. She released a contented sigh, inhaling again the strong aroma of her companion. Again, her tail twitched. Her eyes remained ahead, staring vacantly at the back of the cave wall, blindly searching for something within nothing. Why was she here, in this cave? Why had she followed his scent knowing his disposition would not change? She could fathom and explanation why she refused to leave when it was so obvious he wanted to hide himself away from the world. Why was she interested? Why did he plague her thoughts? Why? Why? She'd stressed her brain trying to understand, to bring sense to the madness but none would come. Grasping for an explanation too far out of reach, she found no relief. Save for this moment when it was simply her and him and their distance. And she was fine with that.

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[Morpheus Aurelius]

Athena's random comment went ignored by the brute, noting the soft footfalls of her paws as she left the cavern. Ears had been folded against his head to listen to their movements as he stared in the opposite direction. Sure perhaps he felt a mild tinge of guilt for making her feel bad when she was already upset, but unfortunately his testosterone levels made him care little; acting upon impulse and anger causing him to talk before thinking things through. He wasn't thinking. All he wanted to do was forget and concentrate on the chill coursing through his burning veins. It stifled the urge as he felt his hind legs begin to shiver beneath the cool waters. The russet male's body no longer thought below the waistband wanting to be nothing more than warm again now. Eyes clenched tight as he felt the chill run down his spine. But he would not budge. The brute was just that stubborn and thoughts of what might happen should he chose to leave outweighed the idea of being warm again. He appreciated the silence, but her scent still filled the air. The brute tried pressing a large paw atop his nose to stifle the scent with few results. Head tilted to the side as he continued to rest half submerged beneath frigid waters. Despite his previous harsh temper, his eyes were dull as they stared at the crimson walls. Morpheus hated the season and what it did to him. It had not been any easier the previous year; his first season as an adult. It was gut wrenching. Instinct wanted to win out though his mind usually prevailed. As long as he could keep focus all would be fine. "You never answered my question." He stated in his usual gruff tone, however it was unnaturally softer than his typical response. Had she decided to join his band or not. That was the only answer he wanted right then otherwise she needed to leave. There was no way he was going to be able to stand her scent much longer even as his body froze, the shiver of his hindquarters slowly working up his back.

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[Nahrus Exultare]

The quiet was temporary, but long enough for her to find comfort within it. The cool texture of the cave floor did wonders to sooth her heated hide. Her sphinx-like posture forfeit to lay upon her side, neck stretched toward the pool where the brute remained submerged. An ear lat flat beneath the weight of her skull whilst its twin was free to dance, swiveling to and fro to capture the softly uttered words. Upon her lips was a subtle smile, pleased by his choice in tone. So he could do something other than yell and bark. She craned her neck further back to see him. Around him the water rippled, his shivering disturbing the pool. How long would be keep there, she wondered. Til his tongue turned blue and his body matched his frigid heart? Why did she care to know? What did she care if he froze himself? Slowly she retracted her neck, curling her muzzle to her chest and inhaled the warmth of her fur. Her eyes slid shut. A pleasant chill coursed down her spine. The scent of his musk inescapable. "I know I haven't." And swiftly she rose to all fours, each finding a place on the ground was though injury had never come to them. Her strides lacked caution or hesitation as she neared she shivering fool. Lead directly in front of him, she came to a halt. She lowered her muzzle bravely but inches from his eyes. Her radiant hues seeking his own. "I suppose," she began in a whisper. There was no teasing trill in her voice, only words spoken in truth."You offer is the closest to a proposal I will receive from you." And then she brought herself to sit, her nose still dangerously close to his cold own. "I am here, aren't I?" Cold flesh gently graced his stubborn snout; a touch meant for her, and her alone."My answer should be obvious."

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[Morpheus Aurelius]

OOC: Power play given with permission from Zyn. He felt the earth stir as she moved, her scent growing stronger as she moved closer to where he lay. Tension raked his body as shivers continued to run through his body. Eyes opened as he realized she had come to sit before him. Ears flattened against his head, pupils contracting with her scent so thick within his ebon nose. Images flashed before his eyes once her muzzle drew near his gaze, a soft whisper emitted for only him to hear. Memories of his astronomy teacher doing the same thing grew more vivid each passing moment. The sting of her thrash against his cheek as she struck him with a hardened reed. "Pay attention!" Harsh words rung out in his mind, a low growl emitted from his throat in response. He could hear Nahrus, but the image from his childhood was set in his eyes. It caused the brute to snap with the pungent scent of the fem infecting his mind and the aggravated memories of his past plaguing him. He lunged forward spraying chilled water in every direction. Jaws grasped the fem firmly around her snout, his head jerking to cause her to fall to her side in the process. Low growls continued to resonate from the brute as he stood with one leg over the fem and resting on the stone behind her back. Jaws still clutched the fem's muzzle, his eyes wide with visions of the past still in front of him. I was paying attention! He had roared at his teacher after his attack, his brothers taken aback by his aggressive reaction. The beating that had ensued from his father was unlike any he had felt prior to that moment. Not even the spars in which he took part in on a daily basis could compare. He had been bruised for a week before the pain had finally begun to subside. "Think twice the next time you decide to strike one of your teachers." As the memory dulled from his eyes, he realized the current situation he had fallen in to. He felt a trickle of blood flowing around his ivory canines. Gently he released his grasp and stared at the fem beneath his bulky figure. Eyes softened as anger fled, his salmon tongue slipping from his maw to lick the blood from minor wound. "I am sorry." An apology. It was a rare thing from the russet brute; his words gruff yet sincere. He moved away from her with a slow ambling gait as he came to sit near the entrance of the cavern. "You should learn to respect others space when they request it." The brute looked away, unable to stare at her after his violent outburst. A heavy sigh fell from his ebon lips, the warmth of his breath billowing in the air. His body still shook as it tried to warm up after his cold bath. "I have chosen the western vargo as our territory. I will meet you there soon." With a brief glance back at her, he rose again and walked out of the cavern and down the long corridor towards the outdoors. He had to get away or fear doing something worse the next time she drew too close. Next time he might not be able to snap out of it as swift as he did now. [Morpheus Exits]

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[Nahrus Exultare]

His movements were so abrupt, she hadn't acknowledged them til the results were across her tender muzzle. There was only a sliver of time between breath and sound before she could herself at the hurting end of his wrath. Exclamation of pain barely sounded from her clenched maw til it was too late to warn him she was in pain. Thrown to her side, another jolt of pain radiated from her wounded thigh. Her eyes drew wide, stricken with not only pain but shock for his actions. Truly he was a bastard to resort to these means. But Nahrus did not fight him. Fighting would only urge his bite and mar her pretty face further to it was unrecognizable. Would this be the manner she would succumb to him? Her mouth captured by his and an overpowering physique above her? Her tail slapped the ground defiantly though the whole of her frame remained still; punished. She sought his eyes for some recognition, some means to douse his anger. She hadn't meant to stir him like this... her aims were something else entirely. The wild of eyes lessened gradually as did the vice hold upon her muzzle. Beneath him, she was gifted the rarest of words coupled with repair to his damage. Her ears drew back, eyes shown with fear that more would follow this horrid reprimand, but there was only movement away from his victim. And it would not be without the last word. Nahrus was hesitant to rise at first, but gradually pulled herself to stand upon her own firm limbs again. She watched in silence the russet's retreat and was inevitably left with a thought. She has witnessed his anger, yet he hadn't shunned her. She was recipient to his sorrow, but only briefly. She was witness to something more than the facade he bore; true anger, compassion. Such a discovery was not to be wasted. In that moment she felt right in her decision and more sure than ever her goal would be accomplished. But to what end, she could not say. She remained within the caves for a time, til night shrouded the exterior of the caves and when the female finally emerged, she was was entranced by the starry sky. Home within the mountains resided to her right, the trail of her obsession to the left. She needn't think which route to take, her mind already made up. Under the guiding light of the stars, she chose left. [end]

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