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Post by Zodiak on Jul 11, 2015 22:57:03 GMT
Enough is Enough
Drakov: It'd been a long couple of days. The Tsar had gone out to scout the outskirts of the land. This... Desolate miserable chunk of earth.. Bah.. Drak was far from some social butterfly, but the pure lack of wolves went hand in hand with a lack of food and possibilities. They had shit to do. People to find, to kill, to punish. Others to test, and not a damn bit of it was being accomplished here. Sure a large portion of it was a lack of effort from the lazy fucks of Vechnyy, but he knew there was only so much one could do. Perhapes it was time to move. Would Cascades have thawed by now? Would they even WANT to return, for that matter? It'd be one hell of a journey there, and hunting season... That was thing. When exactly it occured he was not sure, but summer seemed to draw in the humanly tormentors. They'd need to make a few stops on the way to assure the safety of the pack. Sigh.. As annoying as this place was he didn't wanna move yet. There was far to much to be done. To much to stabilize. For all he knew a move could make things worse. Perhapes that was a good thing? There move here was caused by mother nature herself. The King's had turned soft out of sympathy. This time around there would be no such thing. An idea to consider, at the very least. Regardless, before bothering to even bring up such an idea Drak had chosen to scout along the mountain side, snoop out a possible new home, other packs, anything beneficial. But he simply came up empty handed. After a trek of a few days he'd finally returned home with a fawn in tow. Mildest of limps one likely couldn't even notice. That stinging pain in his side havin returned from all that walking. Mangled and abused carcass was anything but his usual smooth clean kill. Dragging along behind him, coating one side in dirt and sticks until he'd arrived at the center of the courtyard. Fawn dropped, and body shaking it'self out.
Zodiak sat at the mouth of the den, taking a new approach to his search today. He knew the outskirts of this damn place like the back of his paw. So instead he sat, waiting for them to come to him like the poised fly trap waiting to strike. Come at me bitches! Mouth was oddly gapped, his secret prize wedged between teeth for when the tsars finally did show. It also kept jaws busy so muscles weren't stretched to tear at the wound to his cheek. One side of his face was already heavily laiden with scars and now the opposite side had a nice patch of skin missing; scabbed over since the time received and his trophy of victory now tucked neatly between fangs. Deep sigh inhaled as a yawn beckoned the pearly gates to part but he fought against it, sitting proudly at his post until finally someone. Drak came into the picture with fawn in tow, Oh goodie! He'd rise to a stand with tail swaying and as the tsar relinquished his kill, zod approached. Muzzle was dipped down as if he were carrying his own invisible prey until distance was closed. Tawny wolf appeared as loyal dog to his master, carrying a present upon his return. Nose tilted up to nudge at his chin. Stepping back he'd shake side to side lightly to allow the ears to slip down between incisors before being presented again. It was really only an ear and a half but it was SOMETHING. Finally one member had been found, put in her place and ordered to train. Her progress would be followed closely to ensure her dedication to vechnyy. Soon the rest would meet the same fate...or worse.
Nida seldom ventured outside the perimeter of the territory. Of course, pushed herself to stray, as her desire to seek deserters, lost, or the wounded became demanding of her attention. She did not want to stop here. But there comes a time, after searching high and low, nook and cranny, there needs to be a period of rest, a place to pause. Even if this endeavor turned out pointless .. she got her exercise. So she temporarily forsakened the hunt. Nida sashay her journey back home with her head bowed, sniffing for scent trails that awaited to be picked up. Her head pulls itself up with a raise to catch sight of Drakov with a fawn in tow and Zod with a present and she watches from a close distance. Her muzzle favored a frown. Nay, it wasn't at them but at the turn of events. How could so many disappear abruptly, and without any to notice? Her paws pull her close to the two. Head dips to come up for muzzle to lick the chins of both Zod and Drakov, tail wagging against ankles with legs half bent.
Drakov: Fluffy brute wasn't so fluffly lately. Whatever internal damage he was suffering, had seemed to be effecting the outside as well. Not enough to leave him lookin' like a mangled rat. Pfft nono. Infact, many likely wouldn't even be able to tell. It was a slow gradual process of deteriorating him from the inside out. Starting with a thinning of hair, and a slightly sleaker less muscular frame that he used to hold. Course the lack of his usual daily excercise routine probubly contributed to that as well. Either way, the lot of the group kne wthe basis of his condition. The finer details or daily updaates were not something he viewed concerning. Instead he'd brush off the discovery and focus on more important issues. Which.. Were apparently Zod. After his thorough shake, rump had settled to the earth in a momment of rest. Gaze flicked right to the lad with a mildly curious look. He was still stuck in that blank empty demeanor. But alittle emotion had flicked at the trophy offered. "Und who iz zis?" Nose would crinkle and twitch, body leaning closer to give a thorough inspection. Atleast someone was keeping on there duties. If Zod flourishing meant losing half the pack so be it. That was the point after all, wasn't it? To wean out the weak. Course he couldn't lie he'd been more hopeful and yet the results were unpleasant. Hohum. Nida's lingering presence was noted, even if slightly delayed, but no real acknowledgement was offered. Hell, when he spoke up he almost seemed like he was talking to Zod again. "Und vhat did you find, hrm? Anysing useful?"
Zodiak still felt stiff in drak's presence, all since the news was broken. He held himself back, almost like someone not wanting to hurt the old person. However, in this case age was not the factor. mild exhale had head lowering to place the severed flesh at his feet. "Solveig" Gaze turned up at him before shaking his head "She wasn't even one of the missing wolves" he half laughed half scoffed "But her mouth got the better of her. I ordered her to start a training regime and report to me" rump found the dirt "when she's ready i'll make sure to bring her to you" light smirk had gaze shifting to nida. OH nida -happy sigh- All this work and anger venting had him forgetting about that other emotion that lurked somewhere in his visage. Tail thumped lightly and as she moved in for a lick, he'd return it with a lick straight up her muzzle from nose to forehead. Heybby. He'd glance around for a moment before giving her a questioning look. Where the hell were their kids? ugh parenting was hard.
Nida made a face. She stepped back and her legs naturally straightened. A handful of emotions were wandering about in the fiber of her being, grazing her logic into a thin thread that struggled to remain. Though Zod's lick to her face has her momentarily distracted. Nida turns to look toward the great white marshmellow when she spoke up, however hesitated when his focus was not to her. So she stayed silent for a couple of seconds before a report was turned in, " a few scents south of here, but nothing truly important." In other words ...? nothing worthy to tell. " I plan to go out later and expand my search ..." Her voice trailed at the end of that. The dark woman was studying over the two, her amber eyes full of .. was that anger? Or something else? Nida saw the look given and her eyes averted. " Ice has gone missing .." This is absolutely lovely. Just lovely.
Vadimir had gone back to the waterfall, retracing his steps of when he'd encountered the bitchass wolf possey that tried to get up in his grill. Why he was looking for them, when he had clearly not escaped the first match unscathed, was a good question. Not that he'd give a satisfying answer. He'd beaten them once, he could do it again! Hehehehe, you wish. Take your sorry wounded ass back home. While he couldn't detect any creeps, Vad did discover that, as his earlier treks had shown. The herds were distancing themselves, travelling as far south as he'd seen. But why, what for? Was something happening he wasn't aware of, was there a movement native to Yellowstone he knew nothing about? He'd ponder this a good while, all the way back home. Wee wee wee! Vadimir spotted Drak conversing with Zod and Nida, but before he made the effort to join the group he'd shake his way over to the geese he'd caught. He aimed to devour one of the birds, unless someone or something stopped him, and if he got it all down lickity split he'd switch attentions to the three, peeking over Nida. He'd been listening to the conversation, terse as it was, and he'd tilt his head, finding the lot of it incongruous. How ironic that the time his kid returned, Nida's would disappear? "Smug und Yusef recently came back. I told zem zey vill both be facink punishment for zeir carelessness. Smug, zough, haz brought home gifts, if you vish to partake of zem." Smug's intentions had been good. To follow the directives and scout, find the rest of Yellowstone's inhabitants, so forth. But the execution had been to her detriment, and therefore the detriment of the whole family. "Did any of you have anyzink in mind?" He'd watch Drak's unemotional face, then to Zod's stiff one, all the way over to Nida's... he didn't even know wtf was going on there. She just looked ill.
Drakov: Lip curled lightly, enough to let tongue slide out and glide acrossed his lips. Solveig eh? Had he even met this one? Jeez. Go figure the few that remained were ones the likes of which he'd probubly not encountered. Or..barely had, that is. Perhapes that said something? They'd yet to face the truth of Vechnyy. The brutality that was it's Tsar's. Let's see how long they stick around after that. "Zod." Tone would finally announce in a almost commanding way. Misleading through and through, he sounded as though the lad was about to recieve lashings himself. But it was far from that. "I offer you ze rank of Palach or Slevdovatel. Vould you be interested in eisser?" Not generally how such a thing falls, with the experience he held in prior ranks on Palach would normally be available. But the bastard had shown promise in many aspects. Worthy enough of atleast attempting which ever he so chose more desireable. Granted, a mission was still due to make such a promotion official. With a flick of eyes attention would shift to Nida and her spill of information. "Don't bosser. Ve're movink. I've looked all over az vell. Ze vulves 'ave gone, likely because of ze heat. Und slowly ze prey is az vell." Or so was the more.. logical reasoning for leaving. But we all know that wasn't even the main one. "Besides.. I can't stand zis place.. Iz not vorthy of mine shit." BAH. It was dead and dusty. Sure not all of the land was like that, but if the heat continued as it was.. Whose to say it wouldn't turn into such over time? They needed to head back north. Find a temporary home between the intensity of the heat and the melting of snow in Cascades. A middle ground. Words came to a pause when told of Ice's lack of presense, whiltst others seemed to have finally made themselves known. Groan... Eyes shut, brows furrowed and a single canine exposed it'self in a silent growl. Dear god.. Remind myself again why I bothered doing this? Why we decided to make a pack? Decided to even bother with others and there shit? Sigh. He wouldn't quit be in the predicament he was had he not. But that being said.. They'd have likely died during that avalanche without so many there to assist. The pros and cons of such a thing. Hohum. "Ve leave in 2 month. Ze remaining members 'ave until zen to prove zemselves und follow Vechnyy, or be damned. Vhich means I suggest finding Ice by zen..." Though his words were harsh and uncaring in a sense, he left out the obvious idea of the child being taken. Such a thing would not stand if it turnde out to be the case. But until that was known, all he could assume was her own wreckless abandonedment. Which.. Speaking of.. "Vhen I vas found by Saga, I came acrossed Dermo. He vas very sick. I left to get food und vhen I returned he vas gone. I assume him dead." Random much Drak. He'd been slightly hopeful for the boys return, but it'd been months and nothing. There was no way he'd survived. "Nida. How old are your children now?" question would casually flood out, though eyes had shifted over to Vad by this point. There move meant picking out the weak, but it also meant pushing the survivors to the top. And while he had little respect for the former omega she had changed significantly as of late. Enough so that she was worth a second glance atleast, worth putting the test of rising further.
Zodiak's thoughts were all over the place. Such a short while ago the pack was flourishing. The avalance brought with them a high number of faces and more soon came flooding to them. Glancing about himself now... it seemed they were back to the starting point. What would this mean for them? Were they possibly too much for any ordinary wolf to handle? No that couldn't be it... well maybe. Zod before vechnyy was an ordinary wolf, aside from being orphaned. He had been put through the tests and passed... the begining was rough, he had to learn to adapt to the others, and now he was looking down on his own blood, enstilling the same skillset in them. Proud father is proud. Drak's use of his name drew a sharp, attentive gaze. The feeling of anxiety deep within was pushed under by his desire to be stronger, to be better in the eyes of his alphas. His offer, however, showed just how much zod had been holding his breath as a caving in of chest occured with quick exhale. Me? Really?! Tail twitched with the idea of wagging but remined in shock like the rest of him. "I--uh" he rose to all fours, dipping his muzzle "Palach... seems logical" Yes very logical, Once wild soldier rising up the ranks to strong Capitan. He still couldn't beleive it, had he been doing so well? Zod remained put for a moment until gaze flicked to vadi approaching and nida explaining her own tasks. Just as he figured, They were gone, some he rather missed while others... well god help them if he found them wandering the wood. Then came news from nida that left him quite shocked. "She what?!" Worry flooded his features and he tried to remain calm. His child, his blood, Missing?!!! another one no no he couldn't go through it again, not now. Zod huffed quietly, a fraction below panting before forcing a deep inhale and exhale. Gaze drifted to nida, softened yet serious, "Ill find her." he reassured her, nuzzling into his mate. Drak soon soke of moving and zod couldn't be fucking happier. He hated it here, this dead wasteland was a worthless piece of realestate and hot...god yes so hot. "I know of a place..." That he did, although only a pup he remembered that place clearly, so long as no natural disasters had took hold of it as well. It was perfectly sheltered and flourishing with life. Then came news of dermo and head lowered, gaze growing solem. oh dermo... That was his buddy. Circle of life is always turning... "I'll prepare those present for the move, we'll be ready " with that he'd plop down beside nida to listen for any further instructions.
Nida dutifully uplifted her head at the smell of Vad. She turned aside her head to see him with the geese. She did not yet budge from her spot. Yus and Smug have returned? Wait, they were missing ..? Jaysus. How many of the wolves of Vechnyy were missing to begin with? Everyone? At least Vad saved her the effort of deducing this out for herself! And ooooh, Zod is getting promoted! Waaaah, so proud. She even provide her own astonishment and pride at his progress with a shoulder bump. Dats mah man right dere. Nida was beside herself with joy. Moving was of no surprise- and thank god, they were leaving. This place sucks. No one is here, nothing interesting is happening. But how foolish is she to not realize taking comfort in the moment could allow someone or .. thing to yank the rug beneath and titter at her? She winced. Her mind was stuck on her own children than over Drakov's son, Dermo, who she saved an age ago. She doesn't even know what he looks like! " This is because of my negligence," but mostly the other tasks distracting her from handling her children. Fack. This is all too frustrating, and it manfiested into a pained look on her face. Nonetheless she took a beating well .. mentally or physically. Durp. "I will be responsible if there is loss." Let's be honest if it gets real here. " For now, I will train the others, they are four months and are in desperate need to learn how to hunt." Okay, now where is dat goose?
Vadimir heard it all. The news, the promotion, the intentions to move. It all evoked a series of feelings throughout. This was a satisfying, albeit frustrating and unappeasing turn of events. Bad things had resulted, but in the end it would be for the better. It would be in the preservation of the good and the everlasting purpose of their union. The fact that they might have to start all over again from scratch, was a further dampening of the mood. But it was nothing that couldn't be expected. The only one's who still truly remained ready and steadfast to rise in claim of dogmatic justification for their right to say, 'I'm a badass'. Were right where they ought to be. But all this thought would be swept away off the board for more present, pressing agendas. "Ve have two months. I'll be helpink you train ze pupz in everyzink. Vhenever you are unable to meet ze demandz, I vill." As much to give aid as to ensure motherly instincts didn't drive Nida to soften her blows. Sure she seemed ready and willing to beat the crap out of the alphas. But her own children? That remained to be seen. And he wasn't about to get on the road, only to find out there would be casualties that could have easily been avoided by implementing the right kind of UNF. "Zat leavez Zod more time to get ze rezt of ze adults in fightink form." Though, he'd be helping with that too. No point sitting pretty while there was shizz to be done. And... andbecausesecretlyhedidn'twantDrakpushinghimselfHACK. Oh, he must be coming down with something.
Drakov: Nubbed tail thumped a time or two, a mild wave of relief washing over him despite all the negative turn of events as of late. As least what remained was strong and only growing stronger. More capable. With a tilt of skull, he'd acknowledge Zod's choice. "You vill 'ave to successfully complete a task for it to become official. Until i've assigned you your mission, take zis time to prepare for your new duties." The missions required for his title were above any other. They were far more along the lines of the Tsar's themselves. There was no rush though. For now they could focus on the remaining bodies. "I vill assist Zod in handlink ze Slutzhit's und our... lazy traitors." Words directed more towards Vad. Both Tsar's were capable of aiding each in there responsibilities, but it helped spread out the work load when divided up. "Keep tabs on ze children Vad.." For they very well might turn into Zod's mission. Whether the children themselves, or even Nida as being there responsibility.
Nida concedes a guttural sound. There was great deal of work to be done, and lots of weeds to be pulled. Her eyes narrow onto Vad and his input, and she would incline her head to convey her understanding. " Yes, that would be ideal." A faint curl to the corner of muzzle was performed. It seem Nida spooned up some courage from her own bowl! She turned towards Drakov and Zod yet again, " if I am to find any traitors that turn up, I will immediately let you know." She had not forgotten other side tasks- she was not immune to those. The woman thought wistfully of what is to come of the others' truency, and who would deal with them; all she can imagine is transient suffering for foolhardy, dumb, or innocent mistakes. " Actually, Vad, I'd like to speak more on training the children, and how you plan to go about it." She trots over to him and his geese. She eyed one of them. " So that I am able to help and chip in," she folded her haunches, tail swaying. Two months .. two months. Just enough., if coordinated carefully ..
Vadimir wasn't at all approving of Drakov jumping into the trench of work they were faced with, but he knew he'd not have it any other way. Drak would sooner kill everyone he was ever close to, Vad included. Than sit around growing fat and chubby. "Az you vish it." He'd relent, voice betraying nothing of what lay inside. With the meeting seemingly over, unless given further direction. Vad would retreat back to his geesies, adorably plump bodies roasting under the brisk midday sun. He'd turn to watch Nida, gaze narrowed, but inquisitive. "Mozt definitely. Ze better ve vork togezer, ze zooner it can be done vith." Differences might have to be ironed out, strategies would likely have to be implanted. But all in all, he was confident that two months was enough to decide who deserved a cookie, and who deserved the trash bin.
Drakov: Tongu flicked acrossed his lips. Kill everyone first indeed. He'd certainly die in the middle of work than just sit around barking orders, so why the hell not? No, there was no way he intended to stay out of things. No way he was just going to sit on the side lines and supervice. SNORT. "Ze children vill be 6 months by our move. Zey should be capable of hunting alone by zen." Not that Vad needed to know this, it was mostly a ... general bit of information, for Nida and Zod's sake if any, that seemed reasonable to toss out. That was there goal to be. The children would need to be capable of hunting medium game on there own, and large prey in a group, by this time. If they could succeed in that, there move would be easy peasy on the youngins. "Az for ze rest.. " Paws would swivel him in place to stand, head tilting down as he motioned to where he'd dropped his mangled fawn. "Zey better make an appearance by ze end of ze month.. "He'd have to think on that one. Work was easy to come by, but work to prove one deserved the right to stay? Well that was another story entirely. "Come, Zod. For now ve vill work on your new rank." Teeth would snap and clasp around the mangled carcass, aiming to drag it away and lead the duo towards the river.
Zodiak. Vechnyy was indeed due for a purge. They'd been too kind, too generous, and possibly too eager to expand their pack. It all happened so quickly it seemed everyone had gotten overwhelmed. For now, it was time to cull the weak and raise the strong. Get the pack back to vechnyy standards before letting anymore in, that way the pack wouldn't suffer from so many weak wolves. Zod nodded to drak on his instructions. Yesssir! They will be ready as ever... or dead. As far as he was concerned it was train or die, no second chances, no excusses. Zod had come too far, worked too hard to have some yellow bellied sap ruin it for him. Head would give a mild shake toward nida, "no, these thingss happen". It was a pup finding its own legs. Any parent could overlook a curious child led on by new explorations and glorious adventures. Vads words were reassuring, that only increased the chances of the pups being ready and nida willing to work alongside him. It was a beautiful thing when the pack worked together for a single purpose. He had no doubts the pups would be good to go in the approaching months. Zod's new task was really his current but now with drak backing him up, he was sure things would get done. Zod would search high and low for those wolves and at this point, if found, he wasn't going to bother with explanations. Only those that presented themselves would be given the courtesy of explaining themselves. The others, even though ordered for demotion, would have to fight for their lives to prove their worth to vechnyy's time. He'd leave the training of the pups to nida and vad, and if he ever had the free time, he'd occupy that with pitching in from a hunting standpoint. If there were ever something zodi excelled at, it was hunting. As drak motioned to the fawn, zod rose with a light stretch and shaking out of pelt. "coming." he answered, glancing in nida's direction for a moment before moving off to follow the tsar. And so it begins...
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Post by Zodiak on Jul 12, 2015 2:07:45 GMT
Now you see me
Drakov: With fawn firmly grasped, pale bastard would motion towards the river's nook. It's single tall and mighty tree still lacking much needed shade. Hohum. Every thing here was far to dead to keep things cool. Sigh. Ahwell. It's job today wasn't to provide shelter. Atleast.. Not in the normal sense. It was afirst timer as much for him as it would be for Zod. Something he usually did naturally, out of solely instinct rather than thought. Like just knowing how to swim or ride a bike. You might get alittle direction here and there but it was pretty much all on your body just figuring it out. Welp. Now he'd some how have to pass it on. With a thump the mangled carcass would be dropped against the trees base. Body shifting to turn and address the male before him. "If you become ze Palach.. You understand responsibility for all those who fall before Palach. Ze Voin, Strazh, und Soldat. You vill practically be an Alpha yourself. Ze Title Forces are almost like two seperate packs.. In a sense..Vith Palach und Slevdovatel acting as zey leaders for each side. Ze Tsar's rein supreme, as King's, sure. But As Palach you vill be capable of accepting in new members fully. You vill be able to promote soez in your Force. Und you vill be responsible for ensuring zey all perform zere duties, und know vhat is expected of zem." Frankly, the Title Force's almost had as much work as the Tsar's themselves. It was a good way to split up the work, and of course... The Palach and Slevd's were next in line for Tsar. It only made sense they be prepared for such a rank by being responsible for duties so similar. But there was more to it than that. "Ontop of it.. Ze Palach acts as an additional assasin. Az i'm sure you know.. Ze Tsar's don't just sit on a thrown barking orders." Or atleast.. These Tsar's didn't. Sure it was possible, but that wasn't how the brothers liked to live. "But vhen ve can not perform the job ourselves, it iz ze Palach and Slevd's jobs. More specifically... You are ze Executioner. Ze Assassin, bounty-hunter. Right now all of ze pack seeks ze missing. But for zoes whome 'ave abandoned us. Treasoned us. Joined anosser pack, spilled our secrets. Zis is vhere you come in. You must know more zen just how to fight. You must be smart, cunning, stealthy. You must be able to find zem, und eisser kill zem vissout being noticed.. Or even capture zem and bring zem back." A dangerous, and difficult job. A job generally left to only the Tsar's. But considering Vechnyy's purpose was to wean out the weaklings.. Well.. There would no doubt be more bodies than the Tsar's could handle on there own. "So ve're goink to train. You're goink to learn to be stealthy." Shoulders would roll, head craning mildly from one side to the other. He'd shuffle over to the tree, head tilting down to clasp teeth around the mangled carcass. Paw would firmly place ut'self apon the creature, before he'd begin to tug. A messy process that took a minute or so but once he was done he'd have ripped off a sizeable chunk of pelt. Bloody, no doubt, but it was a pretty decent 'skinning' for what he was capable of accomplishing. Shape of the pelt allowed for pale bastard to slip his head through it, and wear it like a shirt. Kinda. A gross shirt that was way to big around the neck, but whatever. It got the point acrossed. "Your objective is to get zis from around my neck. Using as little force as possible. You must sneak, distract, or catch me off guard." Muzzle had tilted to peer back at the lad from the corner of his eyes as he spoke, and once he'd finished he'd shuffle to the other side of the tree and disappear. Calm and casual, he'd shuffle to the river on the opposite side. Tongue reaching down to lap up a few sips of water. Mm. Perhapes he was getting to dehydrated, it felt way to good just to get a drink of water. Hohum.
Zodiak was quiet in thought as he followed the tsar toward the river. Nervous? Oh yeah! But at the same time he was ready. As drak turned toward him he haulted steps to await direction. Single tattered ear flicked to one side. Alpha... wow that made things a little more stresfull. This new rank was bigger than anything he'd ever done, and as the tsar went on explaining, he continued to weigh it all. Imagination drifted to the idea of him being the said Executioner. Could he do it? Probably, but would it change him? Most definately. His nerves and fear didn't linger so much on the acts he would have to do, but on who he would become in the long run. True his nida was a little crazed psychopath when it came to dicipline, but would she accept him if he turned into something darker than that? Could he accept himself? -snort- he'd still prob be a derp off duty no doubt. Everything would be fine, he could handle this. Throughout the conversation zod remained reletively quiet, giving short nods and flicks of the ear and tail in response. Drak spoke of being an assasin and a surge of flutters danced through his chest. A hunter was like an assasin... you had to be quiet and strike at the right moment or the prey would be lost or all the more difficult to manage. That was something he felt confident in acheiving. Frame shifted stance, paws moving for the sake of uprooting from the earth when training was mentioned. Nose wrinkled as he watched drak tailor and dress himself in the flesh of the fawn. Well thats new... Brow quirked at his new task. Getting the damn thing seemed simple enough but to take it from him unnoticed? Watchful eye followed the tsar as he made his way toward the opposite bank of the river. Think think think..... Head turned side to side before settling on the river--then drak-- then back again. gdi... He was going to have to get wet. Groan of dissatisfaction lingered on his tongue before slowly he shifted toward the edge, keeping careful watch on drak to ensure that his back remained turned while he crept to the edge and shifted into the cattail grasses near the edge. Evaluating his situation he'd slowly slip into the water, almost gliding himself in so to not disturb the surface. It was beyond difficult, his instincts were to charge in splashing about but no, this had to be quiet. By the time he was fully submerged, all that was visable was the top of his head and a bit of tail. Slowly he drifted forward in reptilian fashion, eyeing drak closely and remaining still as possible. Let the river do the work just ride the wave. Then the tsar lowered to drink, and he took his chance. Heavy intake of air and cutting off of breath was enough to allow his body to sink slowly. Once deep enough to ensure no surface tension, he'd paddle his way toward the tsar. He had to think quick, his breath and the drink were both a ticking clock. There was a fish closeby, and he quickly shifted towards it, snapping towards it's tail to send it in a frenzy upward toward drak. If it's path followed suit, it would splash out of the surface close by. This was all a ruse to get the tsars momentary attention before hind legs pushed off the riverbed to send him rocketing from the depths, jaws parted to snag the peice of meat and hopefully strip it right from his neck.... hopefully.
Drakov: Now.. Clearly this little.. training session of sorts was not going to be easy. You could be one clever little bugger but seeing as Drak was oh so aware of the situation, that alone stripped away atleast half the success rate. Had he been a legitimate target, unaware of the looming figure prepared to strike.. Well his antics would have succeeded with ease. A clever thing, Zod was proving to be. Props props. But alas, Drak had no means to end it so quickly. This training had several purposes... It was a test.. To show Zod had what it took. To show he was capable. It was training. To get his body ready for the brutality his title would entail. Just the same it was to ready his mind. Not only to prepare him for the tragedy that came along with it, with maning up and fullfilling ones job regardless of emotions. But additionally, to get you really thinking. Things like this.. They weren't required in every day living. Most beings had no reason to think in such a way. So this was just as much a way to get his gears cranking and twisting out clever ways to assess a situation, as it was a way to physically train him. Besides. Drak had a sizeable amount of experience in this field. Perhapes for different reasons, but experience just the same. Zod would need to get extra creative to snag the pelt from this veteran of a bastard! Especially given where it hung. Intentional as it were, the shredded chunk of pelt wrapped around his neck, scruff, chest, shoulders. Focal points for obtaining a target both dead and alive in a way that caused yourself as little damage as possible, with as little fight as possible. They were points highly defended, that required precist timing to nab. So close to the senses it was hard to strike unnoticed. Just as it would be this time around. Distraction fish certain braught him to smirk, quit intrigued by the critter. But the splash it offered did not compare to that of a wolf expelling it'self from the depths of the river. He'd spent enough swimming time to know that much. Head cranned however as it sprang up, just an inch or so to a void a slap to the face. And just as it retouched down on the surface, here came Zod striking like a gator. Jaws had immediately began to part, Head twisting in attempt to catch the boy mid-motion and lock there jaws before he could manage a success grab. If the Tsar had caught him as planned, he'd hold on only long enough for the boy to fall back down into the water again and grant him opportunity to detatch without risk of losing his pelt. Despite the failure, he was most definately impressed. Pfft. Marshmellow was expecting the cliche sneak up from behind tactic, but alas that wasn't the case. Approval was granted in the form of a toothy smirk thrown the boys way, nub of a tail flicking before he twisted in place and sprang back towards the tree. With specific footing, he'd touch down right before the base before springing up it. Hind paws kicking off earth, front pushing up the bark for back to catch and dig nails in. Catching him long enough for front paws to wrap acrossed the branch above and hoist him the rest of the ways up. Did we turn into some cougar huh Drak? Pfft. Climbing trees wasn't something he was an expert at, but atleast he could! Not many could say that. With casual steps he'd stroll down the thick branch until he'd reached the end. "Zat vas good Zod. But you'll 'ave to do better zen zat."
Zodiak was expecting something different, something difficult... but this? This was nuts. Wolf turned amphibion was gliding along the riverbed awaiting his chance to strike. As the fish left the water and made just enough of a splash to snag the tsars attention, he was up and out of the river with jaws aimed for the meat. The tsar was ready for him, unfortunately, and snagged hold of his muzzle before fangs could find purchase on the bloody flesh. Head pulled and tugged a little as body came splashing back into the water. Shit. Panting now to regain breath, he watched the tsar closely and managed a half smirk between breaths. Single eye followed him as he moved back toward the tree. Ok ok, the tree is the restart point.. now where is he going to go---oh. what? no that's not fair! gdi.... Eyes flattened at his assention and following his little bit of praise, zod would snort. Head shook as he turned to the side, glancing once at drak before giving another shake of his head and trailing off toward the nearest brush. Screw this i'm going home! No not really, but he had to do something to get out of the line of site without being horribly obvious. Even if drak didn't fall for his act, it served it's purpose. He lingered for a short while in the brush, eyeing the distant tree with marshmallow strung upon it's branch. How the hell was he gonna do this? He'd never climbed a tree before... maybe it wasn't as hard as it looked. yeah like drak wouldn't totally see him climbing up next to him. OHI I NEED DAT! ugh this was harder than he thought. Body had shifted into pacing now, thinking and contemplating his approach. Come on zod be creative...be creative....Screw it! He had to try. Slowly he'd move toward the tree from the opposite side of drak's branch. Gaze lingered over it; calculating before body quickly raced forward. He made an effort to keep paws on the ground for as little as possible, his run taken with light steps vs heavy thuds. Nearing the tree he'd sink back onto hind limbs and launch himself up and forward at the lowest outcropping he could spot. Front paws clipped over the top while hind end flopped against the trunk. Hind paws quickly pushed against the bark, claws catching on a small deformity and pushing him up and onto the low branch. He'd quickly sit, back pressed against the solid center. God that was sloppy, he'd need to practice this more for sure. He tried to look 'round the side of the wide base to view drak, surely the tsar had heard all that. Think think think.. Gaze trailed upwards while chest heaved with controlled breaths. He'd have to change it up a bit. Turning on the branch was a huge balancing act, luckily for him the bit he stood on was thicker than the rest. Now he just felt fat. Amber gem locked onto the closest branch within reach. First he stretched onto hind legs, trying to reach outward at it--no that wont work. Hind crouched, and teeter-tottered between the decision to jump or stay. Finally muscles unclenched and he launched upwards, elbows catching over the thinner appendage to allow hind legs to pull him up into a wobbly stance. Ok gotta move quick before I bust my ass! The next branch ahead was his target, and then the one after that. Gaining height was no longer his desire, no he was moving forward, traveling around the trunk until he reached the other side. Once or twice a paw would slip and he'd dangle for a second before pulling himself back up but all and all he did pretty good. Given that he hadn't already been spotted, zod would trail outward on his final branch, now hovering over the tsar. This would be the real tricky part. If he hadn't already been spotted, now he'd have to get that meat. Head tilted as he looked down at the marshmallow and a risky idea popped into his head. It really was the only way he could do it without a fight. Hell....Time to play daredevil. Body turned sideways and he guaged his distance.. not so much to the tsar, but to the ground. Head would lower to bite down on the branch before hind end slipped down. His grip with fangs gave him the time to hook paws over the limb just long enough to aim his drop. Fuck me.... He let go jaws open and snapping out at the meat as he fell close beside the tsar. However, this was a one shot deal because he was going all the way down. Hopefully he managed to snag the meat, otherwise he'd be landing rather embarrasingly on the dirt empty handed.
Drakov: Oh Zody Zody Zod. Eyes rolled, head shaking but a grin oh so present on his features. This was just to funny. Body had flopped, awkwardly as it were but comfy enough. Hind limb hung, front paws dangling paw way crossed before him in a way to keep him balanced and steady at the end of the branch. How very tempted he was to stare the entire trek. He wasn't do half bad considering, but stealth... Well.. Still. Not half bad, but there was no way it'd get by him. He was fully focused, intently listening to each mild scratch of claws, and crunch of branch as he moved about in attempt to put his plan into action. Had to give him that much, he was persist, and had a decent enough imagination. Ear tufts twitched though it was unnoticed, he'd stare down at nothing in particular. Forcing himself not to watch. But when things went dead silent for a fraction of a second, turned shift in the trees above, Drak flicked his gaze up to the corner of his eyes, all 4 paws in fluid motion shifing him to the opposite side of Zod's collapse. Body would slide right off, narily avoiding the clacking of jaws but that was kind of the point. Smooth like a kitty cat he'd slip from his branch and land on the ground below. Immediate impact was fine, but a second later a surging pain struck him in the side. Course he'd used every inch of his will to subdue it until it'd faded, eased with the expell of a deep breath. Body shook it'self out, rump settling to the ground. "You should practice climbing. It comes in great handy, since most can not climb. Zere for.. Zey do not expect ossers to eisser." Like hiding in plain sight. You don't expect it, and so you blind yourself to the idea. "Anosser sing.. Vhen nailing your target, sometimes catching zem vhere zere are is not ze best method. Sometimez you must learn zem first. Vhat is zere strenghts? Mine are close combat und vater. Do not engage in zis. Vhat are mine veaknesses? Heat, und rain. Zo many do not know zis. Mine cropped ears sometimes make it harder to hear vhen zere is much noise." Usually ones weaknesses are kept to thereselves. But that's apart of the game. "Find your targets veakness, und strike it. Sometimes zis vill mean setting zem into place. Liking leading a herd to a cliff. Sometimez zis vill mean vorking side by side vis ze Slevdovatel. It iz zere job to decieve. Zey play ze friendly face, learn vhat zey can, or even lead your target vere you need zem. Find a vay to use mine veaknesses, zen strike." Toothy grin slicked acrossed his features once more, tongue emphasising it by gliding acrossed his teeth. "Let us head back now." Shoulders rolled, paws shuffling him over to the remainder of the fawn carcass to snatch it up and drag it back homeward.
Zodiak. Although much thought had been put into his efforts, as body slipped from the branch the fleeting, split second thought of 'what the fuck am I doing' crossed his mind. As he dropped, and drak shifted to leave jaws snapping at air, he knew it wouldn't end well. Shiiiiiit. Body dropped like a sack of potatoes. Rump hit first and body curved on itself to flop to the ground on his side. GROOAAAANNNN. Lip curled and he rolled onto his back then back to his side to turn up onto elbows. Son of a bitch that hurt.... Gaze finally settled on Drak. Yes climbing, he would practice that so hard. Once your in the tree it's not so bad, its getting up there that's the hard part, especially if your trying to be quiet. He slowly rose to all fours, shaking out his coat with a tenderness due to his sore rump. Drak spoke of strengths and weaknesses, along with his own. Close combat and water, that wassn't a surprise. Zod's strengths were really quite the opposite. Mid ranged attacks where he could strike quickly and effectively and the forest...Wooded areas where there were less places to outright run at someone. It added a sense of difficulty to a fight. He continued to listen closely, taking every word with intense focus. He wanted to learn, he wanted to get better and he made a vow right then and there to do so. When it was time to head back he'd remain still while drak gathered up the fawn and began to head back toward the den. Slowly he'd step forward with a twinge of pain above his rump. Ughhhhh. Slight limp was all that gave notice to the pain as he trailed behind the tsar back home. |
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