Wolf RPG

Having spent the day monitoring the borders for new bodies - and half expecting to see Coeus at some point, though that assumption was fleeting - Tavi gave up her patrols when dusk began to fall. She sped along to her den and lingered there, having a brief nap, before hunger roused her. The caches around her den had grown a bit thin lately, likely because of her new habit of grabbing form them instead of hunting; so when she sought a meal this time, there was none to be had. The girl huffed to herself as she unearthed yet another empty cache, and decided it would be best to track something down — even if the chances of finding anything were unlikely given the time.

In heading off through the woodland, the girl bowed her head towards the earth and began searching for signs of non-wolf life. Whatever birds had migrated through the underbrush in the light had long since passed, but maybe there'd be something else. There were indications of rodent life throughout, and in tracking those signs, Tavi found a small hole at the base of a tree; it could've been a hideaway for a mouse, or perhaps a rabbit warren, but she did have the desire to dig it up in the dark, no matter how great her munchies were. Instead, she crouched down and whizzed across the base of the tree — essentially leaving herself a sticky-note — and told herself to return later when the light was better.

That left her with nothing to do. Tavi was wide awake and ambling around the territory, not intent on sleeping for a few hours still, so the next best thing was just to wander around. As she did this, the sky above her deepened. A light rain began to fall, and when the drops caught the ambient light of the moon, she could see the leaves of the maple trees shimmering. It was a pleasant night. Tavi wished she had company though, and assumed everyone had gone to bed — so she doggedly made her way back towards her den, slow and steady, with the occasional glance up at the tops of the trees.

It's been hours, it was getting dark but he wasn't going to give up on a rabbit that was cornered in a hole. He's been digging for quite a while. His paw had more or less healed enough for him to use it for hunting. Near the end the rabbit decided to try to make a run for it  by trying to break through Esaro's digging. Luckily he caught it by it's leg just before nearly escaping him. The prey was no longer able to get away, leaving Esaro with a little meal he earned instead of having to take something from a nearby cache.

The light was fading away fast, it was best for him to get back to his hollow log. He decided to head back with the rabbit, thinking it would be better for him to eat it in the morning. It started raining a little as he started heading back. He worried about getting a little to wet so he picked up the pace. He didn't want to risk getting sick.

Along the way he caught the scent of the Beta and soon caught a glimpse of her in the moonlight. At first he wanted to turn around and avoid her thinking she might jump at him again and insist he does something useful. But because he had a rabbit in mouth maybe she wouldn't do anything this time. He decided to take his chances and say hello, even if it's late and he should be going to sleep. He wasn't too sure of what he was actually doing, maybe he was trying to show off that he actually did something and hoped Tavi would recognize that. He lightly chuffed a sound to make his presence known for sure, well if she was listening.

Tavi was nearly back to her den when she heard movement behind her. It was particularly evident due to the somber atmosphere of the forest; the rain added some pitter-patter, but not enough to mask the lurching steps of another wolf. A part of her hoped it was Reek — she was always happy to see him — but when she caught a glimpse of Esaro through the trees, Tavi's good mood faltered. It was a little unnerving to have someone following her, and a lot more strange that it was Esaro; but at the same time, it wasn't surprising. He probably liked to watch Spring (or another of his friends) sleep. What a creeper.

She turned her back to him, contemplating whether it would be wise to show Esaro exactly where she slept (or maybe keep walking, like when a lady wants to avoid being stalked so she walks an extra block around her house, keys in hand, and doubles back). Tavi got only a few steps before realizing he was moving in, and her body bristled in the bare light. He had something with him - a fresh kill - and whatever misgivings Tavi had, went out the proverbial window. She saw that rabbit hanging limp from Esaro's jaws and, being the bully she was, decided to take it for herself.

Well would you look at that, she all but erupted, voice sickly sweet, breaking through the quiet lull of the rain. She observed him holding that rabbit's body, and then doubled back to get a better look. In doing so, Tavi placed herself next to him; her tail was raised and the tip wagged happily, showcasing her dominance as well as her glee. I'm surprised. That probably took you hours to fetch. It almost sounded like she was buttering him up, or preparing to compliment him properly, but Tavi had little respect for her lessers — especially this one.

Without further ado, she reached out with her jaws and snapped quickly at the rabbit's nearby haunch. It was dark, so her attempt might have caught a bit of Esaro's face in the process, but she just wanted the rabbit. It would be easy to strong-arm the thing away from Esaro, knowing how meek he was due to his injuries.

He managed to her attention but he started half regretting it. He didn't know what Tavi would do. To him she felt dangerous in general but he also just didn't want to avoid her every time he crosses path with her. Esaro always carried hope that one day she could be his friend which likely gives him the courage to at least approach her. When she turned around to face him he froze in place. What was she going to do?

She was being nice? That was the impression he had. He was starting to feel a little less afraid of her but as she got closer he couldn't help but lower his head and his tail. It was a likely a lingering feeling from last time, he was a little too afraid of her ability to take him down. He didn't feel at all confident in front of her even if today she seemed to be in a better mood.

He realized he jumped to conclusions way to quick once she sniped the rabbit from him. He had the reflex to evade but that didn't stop her from locking her teeth on his catch. Esaro just let the rabbit go after a very small delay. There really was no reason for him to fight back for it. Even if there was a reason there was no way he could even win against her in the first place.

He stepped back a bit with his head low. "I had to do a lot of digging for it." He said softly. He didn't have the intention to share it, he did want it back but he didn't have the fire needed to attempt that. Instead he decided to just give it up and let her have it. "I hope you like it." At the very least he hoped his catch was a good catch.

And just like that, there was no fight in him at all. It was disheartening to think that such a wolf lived among them. At the same time, Tavi was pleased with her winnings. She pushed by Esaro, taking the rabbit a few feet from him, and then dropped it - descending to snap at its parts, to pull and peel it, and swallowed chunks whole. The rabbit was a bloody mess by the time she looked up again. Red streaks characterized her throat and face, and while she licked at her lips to clean them, there was too much for that to work. Tavi turned and grinned towards Esaro, her teeth and gums lined with fresh blood and flecks of rabbit fur. Just what I needed! Mm, it really hit the spot.

Pleased with herself, and now a bit less hungry and ready for sleep, Tavi was tempted to abandon the other wolf right there. Her tail wagged behind her, spreading the alluring scent of her early heat all around - although she didn't notice it herself, having grown used to the scent within days of it appearing upon her. With her head up and tail raised in triumph, Tavi turned towards her den and began to march back over to it - careless, perhaps, in the company of this wolf she saw as an omega. She called over her shoulder, Unless you've got more, you can go. She really didn't want him watching her sleep; and she doubted he'd follow after her, seeing as he had been dismissed.

He stayed and watch her eat his hard earned catch. Somewhere he thought that maybe she was at least leave something for him. Her each bite she took the less likely it felt she would share something. He looked away for a while, the whole show was making him a little hungry. If Esaro had never done any kind of mistake for the pack or he was actually useful he likely would have tried fighting for it. That just wasn't the case. He felt like he didn't have the right to stand against her, it would be wrong of him.

He looked at her when she was done. It looked like she really enjoyed it, or maybe she was just hungry too. If he had avoided her he could have enjoyed it instead. As much as he wanted to dislike her for all she had done to him, he just couldn't find a reason to be really upset with her.

He did notice a change in her scent. It took time for him to realize it but he never noticed the effect that would sink in. For some reason even after all the bullying she has done, something was making him want to get closer. He didn't understand it but when she turned to leave him he felt the need to stop her. "W-wait!"

His heart pounded with a little excitement and fear. He didn't have anything else for her, why did he tell her to wait? At first he wanted to just say he wanted to spend a little more time with her but he hesitated. He wanted to understand why he suddenly felt like being with her, perhaps it was a sign telling him to do something but what was it? There was a long pause before Esaro finally said something. "Could you.. Could you teach me.. how to fight?" He asked.

In anticipation for a good sleep, Tavi eagerly departed from Esaro's proximity; but then her comment was met with an unusual response, one she did not forsee. He actually told her to wait, and for a moment she did pause, but only due to a brief bout of confusion. It bothered her to hear an order falling form his lips, but at the same time, she had told him to do just that if he had anything else to give her. So she stowed her annoyance and turned to regard him, face still caked in blood and bits of fluff, until he spat out what precisely he wanted.

And then she laughed. What? The beta wheezed between snorts, sucking in breath after breath while her laughter took over her entire body. With the edges of her vision blurred from her laughter, she tried to compose herself. You... You want me to teach you... Ah, haha, Tavi sucked in another breath and tried to control it, letting it wheeze out from between her grinning teeth. Oh crap, I haven't laughed that hard in a while.

For a second Tavi looked at Esaro with fondness — or something close to it — and shook her head softly, taking the entire request as a joke. We should invent a court jester trade just for you Esaro, you'd really excel. But there was no answer for his request. Instead, she just turned and resumed her walk towards her den. If he was serious, he'd have to prove it.

She started laughing. Esaro didn't remember saying any kind of joke. He only asked if she could teach him how to fight. Why did he ask her to teach him in the first place, he didn't know. He kind of expected her to just throw it aside or ignore him. He was just about to give up on the idea until he realized she didn't even answer his question. He just blinked at her as she turned to leave again. Where was the answer? Something continue to push him to act. He felt like this was the only way.

Determined, Esaro quickly walked pass her to stand in her way. If he understood this correctly Tavi was the best choice he just couldn't let her go, not until she gave a clear answer. He really needed someone to teach him, it's not possible to learn to fight on his own. He has already gotten a good taste of how cruel the world was. In this world fighting felt necessary because not everyone wants to be friends. If he can't be friends with everyone then he would need the power to protect the whole pack.

It was only after he stepped in front of her that he realized the truth of what she was doing. "I'm serious Tavi, and I also understand what you are really doing now." He paused as he tried putting words together in his mind. "You are showing me how cruel the real world is aren't you. How unforgiving it is. You're showing me how it all really works right?" He took a moment to catch his breath. "You are already teaching something important, something I should have learned long ago. So maybe I'm being selfish now, but I really want to continue what you are doing to me and then maybe you could also teach me how to fight. I hope that's not asking for too much." He faded to silence at the end. After saying all that he was starting to feel grateful for all she's done for him.

Whatever mirth she was experiencing was sucked away, like light in to a black hole, as Esaro comes to some sort of bizarre conclusion. His voice dominates the air where once her laughter reigned free; and Tavi just... Stares.

At first her expression is truly blank. Her mouth slackens, jaw descending, until she is just watching him, incredulous. The first thought to pop in to her head is, Is this guy serious? But she can't focus, forced to listen to Esaro rant — and then she briefly wonders if this is antoher of his fits. Maybe he won't remember what he's asking and she can slip away to sleep for real.

When silence spans the gap between them again (and Tavi remembers to snap her mouth shut properly), she looks a bit like a deer caught in the headlights of a bus. I'm not showing you anything.

Before Esaro can say anything — Tavi is tired, and growing irritated by his complete lack of social graces by this point — she continues:

I'm making fun of you. I mean, I thought you were an idiot for walking right in to another pack's territory and hunting on their land, but you're clearly more brainless than I thought. I don't like you, Esaro. You're garbage. You shouldn't even be here.

Tavi sucks in a breath, realizing she had spilled all of that on one breath. I'm not teaching you shit. If you want to learn to fight, go challenge one of the wolves of the Sleeping Dragon — or, better yet, a bear or two. As she spoke, her fur spiked, and tail began to lash at her hips. Tavi's gaze narrows as she thrusts a step or two by the Eta, flashing her teeth as a warning, hoping he'd keep his distance this time.

Get away from me. You're not worth the air you breathe.

For a moment Tavi looked like she was thinking. Esaro wasn't too sure how to understand her expression but then she replied, her words felt like a smack to the face. He did feel confident in what he believed. It was likely possible that her strong smell had something to do to encourage him. But every time he builds up, something always has to knock him down. He wanted to ask again if she was teach him but before he could say anything. Tavi told him all she thought of him.

Every sentence stung him. The more she continued the more harmful it felt. Her words strike true, there was no way she could just lie like that. Esaro knew fully well she was serious. To learn that someone really did dislike him cracked his heart. It was painful, he never wanted to be dislike by anyone. He tried so hard to avoid that. All he wanted was to make everyone happy but, he was garbage, he wasn't fit to be a wolf. That is the truth. How could anyone be proud of garbage? How could garbage make everyone happy?

Tavi harsh words made him suddenly realize that maybe others thought the same but just never said it. Reek, Saena, Shreya, Spring, Laika, and even Luna. They are all thinking it. It's all just like back home before the killing began. Everyone hides the truth from him, they didn't want to show their real thoughts. If only he was better, if only he was trusted, If only he was dependable. Esaro's mind was overwhelmed by desperation and frustration. Tavi's idea of challenging the Sleeping Dragon stuck onto him. Yes, if he could be the pack's rival then surely they would trust him more! "Then I'll do just that!" He said in a frustrated tone as he quickly turned and swiftly went off in the opposite direction.

Thankfully, the boy took her words to heart. She didn't think anything of his enthusiasm, and hadn't been watching him too closely during her rant to see his heart breaking - not that it mattered to Tavi in the least. All that mattered was that he turned and departed, leaving Tavi to her own devices. The only issue Tavi noticed - and this was after Esaro had fled - was the tone of his voice, something she hadn't really paid attention to until a few moments later. He sounded desperate, or at the very least angry.

Tavi took one last glance towards the area Esaro had been pacing, and then ducked towards her den. She'd figure this out later. He couldn't get in to very much trouble right now, or so she believed. Unless he actually did go out and challenge a bear — in which case, the pack would have one less pest to deal with. And maybe they'd be able to keep the bear.