Wolf RPG

Once more, Relonikiv followed Paarthurnax from the den, even though he wasn't specifically invited along this time. An onlooker would have realized that she wasn't even aware of her little shadow trotting about ten yards behind her, stopping to sniff here and there so that the gap gradually widened between them. Eventually, the runt paused long enough that his mother disappeared from view, though he was too busy sticking his nose in a smelly rabbit hole to even notice... and, of course, she had never known he was there in the first place and wouldn't even miss him.

The deer leg Dogmeat had pulled out of the ground had only satiated him for so long; he was hungry again. Of course, the dogs were always hungry. Back at the lab, they were fed only meagre portions, and sometimes even nothing at all. Between being a stray, pit fighter and then lab dog, it couldn't be certain if Reaper had even ever had a decent meal in his life. He should be used to the gnawing hunger by now but here in the wild it was foreign and unfamiliar and uncertain. He didn't even know where to start looking for food.

Having broken off from the small pack that morning, the mutt picked up a strong scent and followed it for a while. It seemed to trail along the edge of the territory, like a border of some sort. Curious about what was on the other side of it, he left the trail and headed deeper into the territory, stopping only when a brightly-coloured figure a ways off caught his eye.

It was moving away from him, he noticed with a wave of relief, though he stayed crouched on the frosted ground, ears alert. Another movement caused him to turn his head and he studied a smaller figure that had been trailing after the other larger one — though it had stopped and had it's head in a burrow. A fox kit? Licking his lips, the dog settled down further, watching the young creature intensely.

After a while, the pup withdrew his snout and snorted the dust and dirt from his nose. Blinking, he looked around for Paarthurnax, only to realize she was nowhere in sight. He whined quietly, then his flickering gaze locked on a dark shape nearby and he forgot all about his mother. Relonikiv usually loved making new friends, though he felt slightly uneasy as he stared at the strange-looking wolf crouched there. Its face was strange and it appeared to be missing its tail.

Still, Relonikiv had very little reason not to trust others. Even the stranger that had recently lured him out of the pack lands, only to fight Scimitar, hadn't hurt him. Unaware that this was a very distinct possibility, the runty pup stood and trotted slowly toward the dark and queer-looking wolf.

"Whir tay?" he wondered, smiling uncertainly and showing submission via a low, wagging tail. He was merely curious, that was all. And although this wolf was ugly (a recently introduced concept to the youngster), Relonikiv would never be prone to judging others. "Boo boo?" he guessed in the next breath. He liked trying to answer his own questions.

It turned, and Reaper suddenly realised that he hadn't been stalking a young fox. It was distinctly wolf-like, only much smaller with a whip-like tail and legs much too long for it's body. The dog's eyes widened as it suddenly spotted him. He thought about running, panic quickly rising in his chest, but the young wolf was obviously no threat. It was even possibly a meal. That possibility made him stay, licking his lips as the small creature wandered towards him.

It babbled some strange language at him and wagged it's thin tail. Reaper regarded it with a strange mixture of disdain, curiosity and hunger. This was a wolf? The creatures that he had been told about — fearsome and savage beasts that roamed the wilds and ripped apart any who dared enter their territory. The mutt actually grinned at the thought as the tiny pup gazed up at him, though it came across as more of a pained grimace. He grunted back at the wolf, his eyes flicking up and scanning the area quickly to make sure no larger ones would suddenly come barrelling into the scene.

"Rrnn..." the boy started in an attempt to communicate with his potential meal. Though, he had not spoken in so long and the drugs from the lab had done a number on his brain. Forming a proper word seemed beyond him. "...rrroooo?"

The strange beast answered, "Roo," which was close but not the same thing as "boo boo." Relonikiv licked his lips, pondering this difference. Language was such a funny, fascinating thing to him at this stage in his life. He became lost in thought for a few seconds, then blinked and smiled slightly less uncertainly at his new acquaintance.

"Me Re-ki," he introduced himself. His full name was brutally difficult to pronounce, so this very abbreviated version was all he could do for now. "Who youth?" He kept smiling and wagging his tail, making it painfully clear that he was the friendly sort.

The youth seemed undeterred by the male who was probably, to it, a slightly smaller, less-furred and more scarred version of it's parents. To Reaper, the small wolf reminded him of the dogs that the humans had used in the fighting pits; the ones that were used to bait the larger dogs into fighting to the death. He licked his lips again, the gnawing hunger in his stomach beginning to take hold.

It introduced itself, or so the mutt guessed, and he stared unblinkingly at it. He didn't quite appreciate the pup's innocence and inherent trust it had in a complete stranger. All he could think of was how good it would be to tear into it's flesh. What did a wolf taste like? A single strand of saliva fell from his lip as Reaper's hind legs tensed, his eyes flashing maliciously. "Rrr...Rrree-perrr..." he answered with a low growl, before suddenly lunging at the boy.

The stranger said something else, something that sounded similar to his own name, yet before Relonikiv could fully process it, the dog growled and lunged. The little boy yipped in surprise, backpedaling rapidly. His eyes were wide and his mouth agape as he put space between himself and the foreign wolf. A bit of urine squirted from him, dribbling down the inside of his hind leg.

"Wha... wha..." he stuttered, his heart thumping in his chest, even as he naturally gave the beast, the reaper, the benefit of the doubt. "Pay?" he asked in a weak, breathy and hopeful voice. Relonikiv tried to see the good in everyone, all without really consciously trying, and every little bone in his body hoped this was just some playful trick.

Otherwise, he simply could not compute. Although he understood that something was going very wrong on a purely instinctual level, Relonikiv knew nothing of real danger, fear, pain and certainly didn't comprehend something like malice and ill will. He quivered, eyes still wide and now a bit wet, immobilized by his own uncertainty.

His paws hit the icy ground, missing their prey as the pup skittered backwards with a surprised cry. The acidic stench of urine suddenly wafted his way and Reaper tilted his head slowly, his features sliding into a twisted look of amusement. It had every right to be scared, but the dog had expected it to bolt in fear. Instead, it remained, trembling and visibly upset, but it did not run.

"Prr...prraaayy," he echoed the young wolf's hopeful request, arching his neck and coughing out a strangled sort of laugh. Yes, play they would. Reaper quite liked the thrill of the chase and he was slightly disappointed that the kid hadn't run. Perhaps he could make it. How hard would it be to catch such a tiny pup, anyway? Swaggering forth, the dog gave another snarl before charging again, aiming to knock it off it's paws.

The dog concurred with him, though the way he said the word struck fear into little Relonikiv's heart—his first real taste of it. He trembled, still unable to move. When the beast leaped at him again, he cowered close to the earth, clapping his paws over his eyes as if doing so might make his assailant disappear. It didn't, of course, and he whimpered loudly when something—a paw, perhaps, or the beast's muzzle—struck his bony shoulder.

The pup then tapped into his instincts and did what any self-preserving and helpless babe ought to do: he whipped back his little head and issued a desperate cry of distress into the air. It was short-lived but shrill. Anyone within a mile's radius would surely hear and come running to his aid.

Relonikiv hiccuped then, eyes wide and fearful as he regarded his attacker again. This definitely wasn't play. Would someone come help him in time, or would the dog finish the job before anybody could get here? He shivered again, his lower lip quivering now, though it stiffened suddenly when he heard a fearsome snarl and footfalls pounding their way...

Although the pup ducked, Reaper's muzzle hit its mark and he quickly thrust his head to the side, sneering as he sharply inhaled the strong scent of wolf. Just as his own stench disgusted the wolves, their own was wild and foreign and it overwhelmed the dog who was only used to the scent of humans and chemicals and blood. He pawed at his muzzle in frustration as he turned, before rounding again on the small boy as he let out a distressed cry.

It was short but loud, and Reaper pinned back his ears, snarling again as he raised a paw to swipe at the pup again. He would break it's neck, silence it and then drag it out of the pack lands so he could feast.

However, a sudden and enraged snarl distracted the dog. He looked up in time to see a blur of red come charging at him, protectively placing itself between him and its own. He knew that he had no chance against a wolf in his current state — even if it was a small female — and the rage of a mother was not something to be tested. The mutt quickly reeled backwards, snapping his jaws as he cast one last murderous glance at his almost-meal before galloping away in defeat.

The dog struck out at him, swiping a clawed paw at his face. The pup flinched and dropped again, though not quickly enough to avoid the hit. In fact, he took it right to the temple, causing stars to pop in front of his eyes. He swooned and toppled, sprawling on the cold earth. His eyes rolled slightly, watching as a flash of color sprang between himself and the dog, which turned and fled.

"Mama!" he cried when he recognized her. Her fury was startling—he had never seen this side of her—but comforting. Grunting and whimpering, he pushed himself to his feet and flung his little body against hers. "Bad! Bad!" he shouted woefully, his eyes looking in the direction the dog had gone.

But it was gone. Paarthurnax swiftly ushered her youngest back toward the den, remaining behind him rather than leading him. Relonikiv glanced over his shoulder only to find her doing the same. Looking over their backs the entire way, they made their way back to the safety of the wolf's lair.