Wolf RPG - shot down in cold blood

philosophical galileo is philosophical

This had been the place where it all had begun.
In the midst of the reed-swaying sea that surrounded the glimmering lake, that was a spectacle of it's own. The water, crystal clear and refreshing, was adorned with delicate flowers and petals that simply floated on the surface. But below there was movement, that contrasted the surface calmness. Fish and tadpoles dashed at the bottom, busy and focused on not getting eaten by the other residents of the lake.

It had been in this very place that Galileo had met Bazi. They had met over a drink, with the sound of the quacking ducks rumbling in the background. In the very same way it was happening now.

The peppered male had not been here since that day, and though it felt like an eternity it looked the same. Small waves rippled throught the water as one of the ducks dipped its beak into the water, pulling out a small critter that was soon swallowed whole. He looked around thoughtfully, ignoring a group of ducks that eyed him suspiciously -- he was not there to hunt. Lately he hadn't been in the mood for that. Or for anything really.

Not only had nostalgia showed up at his door, but also the pain that maybe Bazi's decisions weren't any better than the former Alphess. She had driven out a good bunch, which had ultimately resulted not in the formation of one pack; two brand new pack had risen, and at the worst moment possible too. With Winter just around the corner, the last thing needed was competition.
Yet Bazi had not thought of that..

That made him wonder something. Had he ever thought of that?
Not of the new packs -- but of the possibility that the Creek would fumble after Fox's departure? She had been a rather lousy leader but she had kept the Creek standing for months. Was it the Creek's future condemmed since the day she left? Galileo didn't think so.

He hummed as one of the ducks splashed agaisnt the waterm landing softly in the middle of the lake.There was another thing he was wondering, one that pained him to even think. Had he ever thought that his child might've been better off without him? Now that he thought of it, he had never really said a proper goodbye. Finn was too young to understand that he would part forever. That night just a kiss in the forehead and a 'see ya bud' was all that was given.

Oh,how did he wished he could've changed that.

Hope you don't mind me joining :)

It was the first time since his banishment, it was the first time he had been so close to the Creek borders and to tell the truth, he didn't really care now. As far as he was concerned, Duck Lake was neutral territory. Hell, he talked to a Sunspire wolf here, as long as he wasn't a meter away from Creek borders or trespassing, he was fine. He wasn't even provoking anyone anyways, wasn't even going to start a fight, wasn't even going to see any damned Creek wolf........

He paused, the scent of a Creek wolf was strong, been here recently, was here now and he knew this wolf so he wasn't a newcomer like the two wolves he had seen by Wapun Meadow. But he couldn't pinpoint his scent, curiosity pricked at the youthful Praetor's pelt, trying to remember who in the name of Jupiter was this wolf. He crept forward, making sure that whoever that Creek wolf was, he couldn't scent him. The wind was blowing safely towards him so instead of bringing the ashen outrider's scent outwards, it brought the Creek wolf's scent towards him.

It wasn't Bazi, thank Jupiter for that and it wasn't the Beta Scimitar either which was good. He was in no mood for a fight or an argument from either of the two Creek leaders. He did not wish the Creek any ill will or good luck because he knew either ways, it was cursed and it would always be cursed unless the gods lifted it. That was what he thought, at least, and to him it was true. Three Alphas had led the Creek since it was founded which wasn't even a year, it was obvious that it was cursed.

Finally, it clicked. It was Galileo, the older council member that he was friends with, or at least he felt they were friends. Things might be entirely different now, Galileo might become hostile towards him because he was no longer a Creek wolf, instead the leader and founder of another pack. He did not know whether or not the Creek and the Bypass were rivals and he didn't care. To him, they were neutral, neither enemies or allies unless any of the Creek wolves decide to provoke him or his pack-mates, then he would make sure the bypass wolves were not to be messed with.

The sterling outrider trotted forward silently, something that he had been excellent at since birth. It was a gift from the gods and he always made good use of it. "Galileo," he spoke in a soft but clear voice, something that he used often now. "Long time no see."

i don't mind at all, though Gali won't be happy after his run-in with Adair

Though his last goodbye with his son hadn't been memorable or remotely meaningful, the one he had had with the male standing in front of him had been no better. Galileo stared back at the silver man, his amber eyes not betraying the internal battle inside his heart. Though the boy probably hadn't thought much of it, Galileo had meant every word said by the Otter Creek's edge.

It was both painfully disapointing and angering that while the male had come to seek advice from him that day, he had gone and done the opposite the old man had adviced him to. While being suposedy worried that his loyalties might be questioned the foolish youth had gone and proved their suspicions right. He had packed his bags and walked away, just as things began to look down.

Pitiful.
It was incredible that Galileo had been fooled by his little act --or what he now thought to be an act. The peppered male was still oblivious to the reason behind Bazi and Shadow's feud, and though he would've been greatly saddened by Bazi's irrational decision he would've also been angered by Shadow's defiant attitude.

"That's how you chose it" he barked, a dead-pan expression plastered on his aged face. Galileo didn't know much about packs but he did know that leaving the pack you pledged your heart to when things turned grim was the lowest of the low.

"I am in no mood to interrogate you, as long as you come in peace" he barked then, unsure of how the new Alpha viewed the Creek -- though foe was more suitable than friend, considering the time of the year.

Expected that :)

"That's how you chose it" said Galileo expressionlessly. To be honest, the silver Alpha hadn't really expected a warm welcome after all he was pretty sure that the two leaders of the Creek wouldn't tell the pack the real story. Wouldn't want all their new members running away from their cursed pack would they? "I am in no mood to interrogate you, as long as you come in peace" He smirked faintly at that.

"I didn't choose to leave, Galileo. Bazi kicked me out after I confronted her about kicking Danica out because of Danica's sexuality. he paused. "In case you didn't know, Danica liked Bazi so your leader decided to send her away to live in Duskfire Glacier. he said shrugging. If Galileo was truly Danica's friend, he would've known that she had left but no, he didn't which probably meant either he hadn't been around or Bazi and Scimitar had fed the pack lies.

He smiled faintly although his eyes were as cold as ice, he had hoped Galileo would see sense but of course loyalty bounded him to the Creek. He wouldn't have left so early if Bazi hadn't kicked Danica out. But the alphess of the Creek found fit to kick him out too so he had no choice but to leave or be killed, or he could kill Bazi and become the Alpha of the Creek but he doubted Scimitar would appreciate it.

Besides he didn't even want to live in the cursed lands anymore, the gods led him away to a new rich land filled with soft rolling hills, thick woodlands and great plains, a land much bigger and richer than the Creek would ever be.

Through out his life time, not many wolves had managed to earn the title of enemies. As a gentle and forgiving wolf there were few things that could infuriate him to the point of considering another wolf a threat. Though Shadow had lost the status of friend, he was not yet shoved into that selected list of enemies --but there was no doubt that in the end of this meeting that could be completely different.

The planned meeting with Bazi had not occurred yet, so Shadow's words about Danica created confusion in the old man. Of course he was not a stranger to same-sex relationships, though he had seen few through out his life he held no particular opinion about them. With a wary expression on his eyes, he chuffed softly, wanting to corroborate the legitimacy of that information before making a comment.

"If that were true, then what did that have to do with you? Why did you question Bazi but not Fox?" he accused, sensing that the silver man felt jealousy of the snow-draped Alphess. If it were true, he wouldn't have excused Bazi's actions, but as he still doubted Shadow's version he abstained from defending either side.

"I am sure you're leaving out a piece of the story, it that story is even true" he barked, imagining the male curling his lips back at Bazi and Scimitar. If there was a leader that deserved the shit Shadow had put Bazi through it was Fox, not the pale Alphess. Hadn't she been the one that drove out Jace and Ferdie for similar suspicions?

"If that were true, then what did that have to do with you? Why did you question Bazi but not Fox?" There was no use yelling at Galileo, he did not want to yell at the other male at all, much less fight him or be hostile in any way. He liked the older male and he did not want them to become enemies. Sighing softly, he lowered himself onto his haunches and gaze up into the sky before answering "Danica was my first true and best friend at the Creek, one of the few that can somehow see through my exterior and well, know me better than just my mask. She deserves so much more than me, than anyone I know in this world so I was angry at Bazi for doing something so unfair to someone that did not deserve it at all. I admit when I was talking to her, I did speak to her disrespectfully, that I am to blame. I told her to look at me and she just snapped." he paused, taking a deep breath. "She told me to go after Danica if I was such a fan of her, told me to leave Swiftcurrent Creek and never to come back."

His gaze drifted briefly to Galileo, his mask never faltering for a moment although a flicker of sadness went through his silver eyes. His face dark and impassive. "As for Fox, I did question her although I do not know well enough. You could ask Bazi, I once ranted about Fox in front of her and Kaskara before." He did not want to lie to Galileo, hell he didn't lie to anyone, maybe twisting the truth a bit but this time. None of it was a lie.

"I am sure you're leaving out a piece of the story, it that story is even true" Another sigh. "I promise, I swear to the gods that what I said was true. That is what I have seen and witnessed." he wondered how Paar was doing now, hopefully the Bypass wasn't falling to pieces just yet.

Even if Galileo could not deny that Danica had also been his first friend in the Creek, he knew that the strong bond between them could not excuse Shadow's fault. Even if he had not resisted the urge of fighting for her justice he could've done it through dialogue -- not acusations and razor edged words. The man was at least decent enough to admit that -- but what had been done could not be changed. Not by Bazi or by him.

They had both made mistakes, though in the older man's mind it
had been Shadow's which weighed more than Bazi's. Even if they had not fought, the chance of wanting to stay with the Sveijarns had always been present.

And though Shadow could not be punished for forming his own pack based on his ideals, it still pained Galileo that after having come to him in worries of his loyalty he had lurred some of the members of the Creek to far grounds. Had he turned his altercation with Bazi as an excuse to drive them away.

Though the silver male continued to assure his words were honest, there was not a bit of the peppered male's heart moved by his narration. He did not believe him, but he would no longer call him a lier. The benefit of the doubt was the only thing he deserved -- and that just because of their past friendship.

"What was said and done will remain in your mind and hers -- I wish an serene season for you and your pack; though we no longer share any type of relation know that I will not be the one to adress you or your pack with an insult as long as you do not do it either." he barked solemly while swishing his tail sideways.

"What was said and done will remain in your mind and hers -- I wish an serene season for you and your pack; though we no longer share any type of relation know that I will not be the one to address you or your pack with an insult as long as you do not do it either."

A soft sigh slipped from between the lips of the silver Praetor as the words were spoken into the silence. It was kind of amusing and sad at the same time that Galileo didn't seem to give a shit about his words now he was a loner but would probably listen to what dear old daddy Scimitar would say because the agouti male was of course so much more honest than himself. Plus, Gali would also probably listen to him if he was still a Creek wolf. Ah...the fault that they had and did not notice within themselves.

"I wish the same thing for you and Swiftcurrent Creek and I hope that the Creek will continue to thrive and prosper." he replied softly, silver gaze locked on Galileo's deep amber ones before dipping his head in respect to the older wolf. The Creek wolf and himself might not be friends anymore, he was probably the one with more fault but he had respected Galileo when he was a Creek member and there was no difference to that now.

wrap up?

Shadow was nothing more than a stranger now. Even if he was a common enemy for the wolves in the Creek, Galileo wouldn't even give him the priviledge of being that. After they parted ways, he would just become a hollow name stored in his mind. Hopefully the two packs would not come into conflict again-- if you aksed Galileo not seeing any of the Bypass' wolves again would be for the best.

The former Creek wolf returned the good wishes, which were recieved with a low chuff from the peppered male. He then tipped his head to look at the man, his amber eyes lingered on the new Alpha's face, wondering if he'd do a good job at it. Again he gave him the benefit of the doubt now, but he wouldnt give him the benefit of his company anymore.
With his tail waving indifferently behind his back he bid his former pack mate goodbye.