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run rabbit run - Harold - May 12, 2017
paging: brat pack!
the beast of a bear lumbered onward, breath forcefully ejected from his maw as he huffed his anger. he had found the most wonderful specimen of beryl, the crystal mostly intact in the midst of a rock he had broken by pawing it over a small cliff. and now, it was gone; in truth, he had misplaced it, but he had convinced himself that it had obviously been stolen.
huffing all the while, Harold imagined just the sort of revenge he would get on the poor sap that had taken his special rock, which involved a large amount of shrieking and breaking limbs. perhaps, he thought darkly, he'd even eat the bugger if he ever found him. but she shuddered at the thought, for wolves were mostly disgusting creatures and ought to taste the same, besides, he loved his greens far more than meat. you didn't have to catch berries.
RE: run rabbit run - Titmouse (Ghost) - May 12, 2017
They had been in the plains for a while now (or rather, a while for Titmouse who had a terrible sense of time), and he was bored of it. There was no caldera here, no mountain, nothing for him to climb and nowhere to find good rocks. If the boy had known the group was going to live in boring land he might've abandoned Liffey and tried to survive alone - but then again, he wasn't exactly a mindful sort of fellow. Titmouse only knew that he was bored, and so he took the first chance to split off from the group and find something cool to play with. This didn't seem like a dangerous plan since the rolling plains were so flat, and he could've sworn that every moving lump was just another wolf - no matter how far he got, they were always somewhere.
He had wandered for only a couple of hours, snapping at the tallest bits of grass, diving in and out of the sea of swaying plants, before he noticed the quiet in the air. It seemed too quiet, honestly. There wasn't a single bird calling out, and no hawks in the sky. Not even the bugs were making their many-voiced chorus as they had been only moments before. Titmouse was perplexed by this and filled with curiosity, so he began to worm his way through the cornmaze-like field in hot pursuit of whatever it was that had changed his surroundings.
Just as he emerged below a small ridge, something PLONKED! against his head and set him in a daze. The boy crouched and curled, rubbing at the crown of his big stupid head with a forelimb, and that was when he saw it — a big shiny rock! It had fallen from the sky as if to grant his wish and end his eternal suffering! As soon as the child saw it he let out a silly sound of pleasure - a great big
Ooooooh!while his tail began to helicopter across his back. Titmouse forgot about being bonked and hastily scooped the beryl in to his mouth, carrying it like a crocodile might carry its young, and began tossing it in the air in order to watch it shine.
RE: run rabbit run - Rannoch’s Ghost - May 13, 2017
The day was oddly quiet as Rannoch rummaged amongst what little food they had stored away in their makeshift cache. He had been keeping and eye to see if anything had rotted and thankfully all seemed right with their supplies. Pleased, he turned from his task to glance about the territory, feeling at peace with the day. There were no pressing matters for him to attend to, and it seemed as though most of the pack was present in the general area of their settling. The one individual that had been missing struck out to Rannoch, and at the realization, his heart dropped: Titmouse was missing. It made sense given how quiet it was as the boy was notorious for livening up any situation with noises and activity.
Feeling worried for the wayward child, Rannoch beckoned to whoever to following along to see if they could track down the boy. Though Rannoch was confident that it had only been a few hours since Titmouse had last been spotted, he wanted to make sure he was okay, given the fact that he had left the general vicinity of the pack without a travel buddy.
With whoever had decided to join him, he led the group along Titmouse's scent trail and, thankfully, it had appeared that he hadn't gotten too far from the group. Relief was quick to strike the burly man, and he saw a figure not too far away that could have easily resembled the child. Smiling, Rannoch turned to @Cypress with a wave of his tail and a smile, but it was as he was turned that Rannoch caught a wave of a new scent that both hit him suddenly and caused alarm. Joy quickly subsided as the strange smell overcame him. Just unsure of what it was, Rannoch turned back to the grassy area and soon caught sight of the lumbering beast in the distance. Though he had never seen anything like it, Rannoch feared what it would bring to his family and as such, he turned to the gathered wolves as he attempted to formulate a plan. Having no experience with whatever lingered, Rannoch was oblivious to the fact that this breed of a creature was what had slain his parents.
"We need to get Titmouse," instructed Rannoch quickly, looking to the wolves. "I don't know what that thing is, but I know running into it could cause trouble." His heart was racing now, fearing for everybody involved. There was nothing nice about the figure that lumbered in the distance, and if Rannoch were a betting man, he'd bet that this thing would cause them trouble.
"Maybe we creep up and grab 'Tit quickly?" He suggested after a beat, finding that that was the best that he had. "We'd need somebody that was good at creeping up on prey, as we need the same amount of silence." Surveying the gathered wolves, he attempted to find the best candidate. "The rest of us will be on watchout," he added as an afterthought.
RE: run rabbit run - Cypress - May 13, 2017
Lovely morning for a nervous breakdown, innit?
“Won’t be long now,” Cypress murmured reassuringly. He nosed companionably at his brother’s left shoulder when the band came to a stop, meeting the grayscale Frostfur’s sunny expression with a roguish half-grin of his own — but as the wind shifted and that acrid, sour stench filled his nostrils, the guardian grew deathly still. He knew that scent — and for a second he couldn’t believe that Rannoch didn’t.
Panic swept in first, blotting out rational thought as he trembled, again that small boy looking at the broken bodies of his parents — again that weakling orphan who begged his father to “Fix it! Paw! FIX IT FIX IT NOW!” — again the blessed innocent who believed that magic could undo the wrongness that was two pairs of eyes, one turquoise, one gold, that stared on and on at nothing. He was just shy of five months old and his parents were dead and his brother was gone and his cousins and aunt were missing his uncle and that was his fault too because if he’d just taken better care of Lucy and Noch everything else would be —
“I don’t know what that thing is, but I know running into it could cause trouble.”
“Bear,” the raven croaked, catapulted back into the present at the sound of his brother’s voice. “Bear — Noch, it’s a bear — it’s a fucking bear.” Cypress’ stomach rolled violently as he continued to tremble, the shaking of his bones so intense his teeth chattered through the words that he fairly gasped into being. “You have to go — you have to take them all and go — you’re my brother, Noch, and you have to run — you have to go and tell Alya I went and did it anyway even though I said I wouldn’t — ”
He buttoned his mouth over his last sentence.
“I was always supposed to protect you,” he muttered inanely, and then he whipped around, breaking rank despite his brother’s command to do exactly the opposite. He did it smart, circling around in a wide arc to approach the bear from the other side — away from the wolves whose lives he was charged to protect. He was quick and quiet, but truth be told, the wide circle he’d drawn compiled with the raw fear he felt stole a hefty slice of his endurance. A volley of furious barks ricocheted from his slavering jaws as he made himself tall, eerie lantern yellow eyes full of madness. A cutting growl left his throat as he advanced a few steps toward the behemoth. You killed my mama, he thought to himself. You killed my paw. Another step.
You won’t kill my brothers.
Panic swept in first, blotting out rational thought as he trembled, again that small boy looking at the broken bodies of his parents — again that weakling orphan who begged his father to “Fix it! Paw! FIX IT FIX IT NOW!” — again the blessed innocent who believed that magic could undo the wrongness that was two pairs of eyes, one turquoise, one gold, that stared on and on at nothing. He was just shy of five months old and his parents were dead and his brother was gone and his cousins and aunt were missing his uncle and that was his fault too because if he’d just taken better care of Lucy and Noch everything else would be —
“I don’t know what that thing is, but I know running into it could cause trouble.”
“Bear,” the raven croaked, catapulted back into the present at the sound of his brother’s voice. “Bear — Noch, it’s a bear — it’s a fucking bear.” Cypress’ stomach rolled violently as he continued to tremble, the shaking of his bones so intense his teeth chattered through the words that he fairly gasped into being. “You have to go — you have to take them all and go — you’re my brother, Noch, and you have to run — you have to go and tell Alya I went and did it anyway even though I said I wouldn’t — ”
He buttoned his mouth over his last sentence.
“I was always supposed to protect you,” he muttered inanely, and then he whipped around, breaking rank despite his brother’s command to do exactly the opposite. He did it smart, circling around in a wide arc to approach the bear from the other side — away from the wolves whose lives he was charged to protect. He was quick and quiet, but truth be told, the wide circle he’d drawn compiled with the raw fear he felt stole a hefty slice of his endurance. A volley of furious barks ricocheted from his slavering jaws as he made himself tall, eerie lantern yellow eyes full of madness. A cutting growl left his throat as he advanced a few steps toward the behemoth. You killed my mama, he thought to himself. You killed my paw. Another step.
You won’t kill my brothers.
RE: run rabbit run - Rian - May 14, 2017
Rian was one of the first to step up and volunteer himself to find Tit.
He, too, had noted the boy's absence despite the sudden disassociation he felt following his breakdown earlier in the month. He constant chatter, or innane goofiness he offered always livened the mood—either by getting on someone's good side, or their nerves. Even Rian, though he'd not had any direct interaction with him, was somewhat endeared to their youngest member because of his wild antics. Living vicariously through him or some such. He wasn't the type to get philosophical, especially when in the throes of one of his moods.
Rannoch led them down the trail, with Cypress just off his flank. Rian took up the rear, putting the rest of the group between him and his brothers. He was silent for the duration, but his eyes worked tirelessly in search of danger of signs of Titmouse. It didn't take long for Rannoch to pull up, and the rest to follow. But the exchange between the brothers, though it started lighthearted, quickly transformed. Rian, though he was off to the side, could sense the shift and if he were any closer he might be able to hear the frantic rattling of Cypress' heart as it launched into overdrive.
It took him an additional moment to spot what was causing so much alarm in his cousin, and his own heart bounded up into his throat. He swallowed thickly as the skin on the back of his neck began to tingle, and his hackles flared to full attention. 'Bear — Noch, it’s a bear —' Cypress stammered. He caught no more of what was said next as he moved through the group to join his brothers. But no sooner did he near them did their shadow shoot off into the grasses, nearly wrenching a cry of alarm from his throat that was quickly strangled into silence by his teeth as he bit down hard on his tongue. Alerting the bear now would surely be a death sentence for their brother.
Though he wanted nothing more than to dart after Cypress but the former was faster and far more agile than Rian, and had already vanished into the field. Rian, realizing his mouth had been hanging open for god knows how long, exhaled and looked to Rannoch, both dumbstruck and desperate for a solution that wouldn't endanger them both, or the pack, further.
A lance pierced his heart as a series of short, aggressive barks cut through the silence from somewhere near the bear. "Rannoch." He whined as his eyes rolled toward the noise, the stark whites reflecting his fear, and his tail raised high above his rump.
RE: run rabbit run - Redshank - May 15, 2017
He had a certain disdain for the other youngest child of the group — that weird, hyperactive child who made noise all the time. It drove Redshank mad and he didn't know how the other wolves hadn't torn the annoyance apart already. He certainly would if no-one did it soon. But perhaps today was his lucky day. Apparently, the obnoxious creature had gone missing and, hoping they would stumble upon a grizzly scene of its demise, Redshank tagged along with a gleeful wave of his tail.
When they came across his scent and quickly saw the boy dancing within the swaying grasses of the plains, Redshank visibly deflated with an aggravated huff. However, something far more interesting had caught the other's attention. He looked up to Rannoch before glancing at his brothers, following their gaze to the lumbering giant that stalked the fields near the other boy. He perked up again, instantly curious as to what it was. It was huge.
Bear. The shadow that was one of Rannoch's siblings spoke, stringing together a bunch of words Redshank barely caught before he peeled from the group and raced towards the gigantic creature. An excited smile spread across his features despite the obvious fear that Rian displayed as he turned to their Alpha for instruction. Redshank shunned the respect he had been learning from Rannoch, instead letting excitement overtake his senses. With an aggressive snarl, he too took off from the wolves gathered and made a beeline towards the bear. "YEAH, LET'S KILL IT!"
RE: run rabbit run - Liffey - May 15, 2017
Liffey had been watchful of her cousin since his induction into their vagabond pack. He seemed to be behaving himself and, much like her family at the Caldera, everyone else seemed to be fond of him in spite of his bizarre, obnoxious and often just plain stupid tendencies. It bothered her less here than it had at the Caldera, and so she was content to simply observe with interest the way her new family regarded the small piece of her old one.
And so, Liffey of course followed when Rannoch lead the little search party out to find their youngest member. She was not as worried as some of the others. Titmouse had been making poor choices and getting himself in trouble for as long as she'd known him and he had come right along without a scratch. She had no reason to suspect this would be any different. At least, not until the unfamiliar yet recognizable scent of bear came to them and the entire scene shifted.
The young Blackthorn knew the scent. Finley had introduced it to her and her siblings when she was young with clear instruction that it was to be avoided. She was not great with distinguishing the scents of different animals, but she always recognized the ones she knew to be dangerous. Her heart crept up into her throat as Rannoch gave orders, Cypress babbled something and ran into the field with Redshank at his heels. Liffey had to fight herself not to run right after them. A bizarre sense of protective instinct for the stupid kid she'd always hated rose inside her, screaming to be allowed to reign. But Rannoch had clearly not wanted them to act yet and if there was anyone in the pack she would have faith in to rescue the little bastard (besides Rannoch himself), it was Cypress who had once saved her.
She still was shaking as she stood, unable to tear her eyes from the scene that was unfolding, not even to look to Rannoch for further instruction.
RE: run rabbit run - Harold - May 15, 2017
the boy had his rock.
Harold found himself aware of this fact after the movement had caught his eye and he had turned around, watching the dark form that was recognised as wolf. and then, tossed above the head of the youngster as if it were some prey, not some precious mineral, was the beryl. the sight had him still, and then, when anger clouded his meagre thought process, roar a mighty challenge, the grating sound reverberating across the plain. his lumbering form turned towards the boy, his only intent to take back what was his.
but another distracted him from his end goal, one with slavering jaws and lantern lit optics. as his rather simple mind tended to do, his target shifted from the boy to the more obvious aggressor, and it was with hurtling speed, a breakneck charge, that he rushed the other boy, yellow fangs jutting from his maw as he neared, a heavy forepaw set to deliver a blow to the small wolf, the paw like a club in its strength. he took no notice of the others that gathered, instead focussing all of his attentions on this mere boy.
he did not notice the youngster that ran in pursuit, not yet. if he had, surely would he have set about crushing the boy.
RE: run rabbit run - Titmouse (Ghost) - May 16, 2017
Everyone knew that Titmouse was a bit dim, but this event was shaping up to be something else altogether, and his stupidity clearly knew no bounds. Up went the beryl - briefly it would shine - and down it would come, caught expertly in the boy's mouth. He managed a few of these before the sound of something big and mean and pissed off came crashing across the landscape. It was just in time for Titmouse to try and catch the shining stone, but he was surprised by the sound and turned his head to look (rather than turn his ears like a smart person); the rock struck him right on the dome (again) and he barely had time to wince before — well —
The big thing was right there rising like a mountain in front of him, standing tall and broad and murderous, and all that Titmouse could do was stare. His ears went back. His eyes went so big they practically bulged out of his head. He sucked back a sharp breath of surprise and felt the soil turn to mud beneath his little body - and then the bear was swinging, and all he could do was watch. It all happened too fast - he could only hope someone was there to help him, but at this junction not even that thought ran through his vapid little brain.
RE: run rabbit run - Rannoch’s Ghost - May 16, 2017
“Bear — Noch, it’s a bear — it’s a fucking bear.”
It was with this statement that Rannoch felt as though the world had been torn from under his paws. Though he had not been given the finer details of his parent's demise, the young Alpha could only begin to venture just what the bear was capable of if it had been able to slain his parents. Feeling only the sudden thud of his beating heart and the weight of the situation, Rannoch looked from the shambling figure to the group, feeling a suddenly overwhelming need to find out what they could do to bring Titmouse back to them safely. Rannoch did not hide his fear for this, as his eyes flashed with fear and the finer hairs of his nape began to prick in every direction, as the contemplated something that could solve their dilemma.
He was only just starting to consider possible these solutions as Cypress and Redshank pulled them from the group, further putting them all in danger with a mixture of feelings and snaps, hellbent to drive the creature down. Feeling the both of them slip from his grasp, the turquoise-eyed lip quivered as Alpha raised his voice with a snarl, desperately hoping that his voice would draw them back to the group. But, the pessimist within him that nothing would derail Cypress from his conquest. Redshank, he figured, might be easier to sway. "CYPRESS— REDSHANK," he boomed, his eyes flickering desperately between the two retreating figures, feeling a pang in his heart. "GET BACK HERE—NOW." But even as he roared, Rannoch knew his efforts had been in vain. Even with the defeat that he felt, Rannoch knew that there was no time to dwell on this and if all went well there would be a time and a place to unleash how he felt, and he knew that this certainly was not the time.
"Rian, chase after Redshank. Knock him down and drag him back to the group." His command was brief as the idea came to mind. Rian would be the only one strong enough to bring him down and drag him back. As an afterthought, he added quickly, "Threaten to kick him out if he doesn't comply." He dismissed his jade-eyed cousin with a dip of his head, adding a quiet, "Stay safe," before turning to Liffey. "Liffey," he pleaded, splaying his ears upon his crown as he searched her face briefly. "Run back to the group. Let them know what's going on and lead them towards the cliffs." He reached out, touching his nose to her cheek briefly, knowing that this very may be the last time that he would be able to do something like this. Savoring the short moment, Rannoch inhaled, taking in her scent as a way of calming himself. Even with this, Rannoch's emotions still ran rampant. "Go, now," he commanded as he pulled from his embrace, giving her an extended look before turning towards the chaos.
With the tasks given, this left Rannoch with the job of saving Titmouse. Rannoch was confident that if he were to fall in this battle that Liffey or Rian would make outstanding leaders in his absence. These thoughts overcame him as he galloped into battle, feeling time slow as he advanced upon the giant. Though fear had paralyzed him just moments before his launch, the sensation subsided suddenly as the memory of his parents came to mind, filling him with a sense of duty. "Darlin', if you take your eyes off your opponent, you give 'em the advantage to strike when you're not lookin'!" said Eshe in his ear, her memory guiding him, and he felt tears prick in his eyes at this. Knowing that he could not look away, Rannoch attempted to blink away the tears as he raced, feeling her with him even though she had been gone for quite some time. It was as though she had bestowed the ferocity of a mother bear's protection upon him, replacing what had felt with a newfound strength. Though his first duty was to ensure Titmouse's safety, Rannoch also knew that he would have to protect Cypress, too, regardless of how boneheaded his sibling had been.
Rannoch was nearly upon Titmouse as the bear changed course for Cypress. "Titmouse," Rannoch panted, pulling next to the frozen child. "You gotta go now," he urged, bringing his nose to poke at the boy's cheek in the way of comfort. He could only imagine what was racing through Tit's mind right now and he wanted to soothe him in any way possible. Though he knew that the world was all too terrifying right now, Rannoch was confident that Titmouse would find strength and run. Getting him started, Rannoch nudged the child in the direction that, increasing the sense of urgency, wanting him to evade harm. "I need you to follow Redshank and Rian when they run. They will make sure that you get back safely. You listen to them now, okay? They'll get you back home." Though Liffey was not far off, he did not trust the child to follow her successfully. Wanting to spot his earth-colored brother to usher Titmouse in the right direction, Rannoch tore his gaze away from the child to place Rian in his line of vision. Before shoving Titmouse, Rannoch barked at the jade-eyed male to get his attention and beckoned towards Tit, as if saying, "here he comes!" When the time did come for Rannoch to usher Titmouse forward, he did so by herding him in the general direction of the Beta. Once they were close enough, Rannoch urged the child forward with a find push before changing courses suddenly towards the raven and the bear.
His tail fanned upon his back he focused his attention on his final task: getting Cypress out safely. Though his time had been bided, Rannoch rushed to his brother's aid, unsure of what damage had been done thus far. Fear did not matter to Rannoch now, as he focused on keeping his eyes on his target, and instead all he could feel was his innate sense of protectiveness over his younger sibling. Taking once last leap of faith from behind Harold, Rannoch aimed to strike the bear's leg from behind to distract it long enough for Cypress to slip away. He had had a perfect cover before he bellowed, "CYPRESS RUN," as he lurched himself towards the other's meaty appendage.
RE: run rabbit run - Cypress - May 16, 2017
Inspiration drawn from this post.
Redshank’s battle cry and Rannoch’s angry bellowing fell on deaf ears.
Cypress’ world was narrowed down to one thing: the enemy.
The normally taciturn raven continued his verbal assault, making as much noise as possible to draw the bear’s attention away from his family. He spotted the stragglers out of the corner of his eye but didn’t react outwardly. Inside him, something grew cold and still. If he was going to die, it only seemed fitting that he would go the way his mother had gone — and, unbeknownst to him, for the same reason. Time superimposed itself, and it was Eshe’s spirit that shaped her son’s stygian features: he snapped at the bear, lips peeled backward and a snarl full of loathing emanating from his chest. There was a tragic symmetry in his furiously flickering golden eyes that no wolf present would be able to appreciate. You hurt my family, Eshe had thought, and you hurt my family, Cypress now thought, for all bears were one and the same, unceremoniously lumped together in one opposing faction that flew a banner of death and devastation.
That being said, Cypress was determined that he would not die without first ensuring that Rannoch, Rian, and the pack would be safe. He felt, in this moment, that he could run forever if it proved necessary, luring the behemoth further and further from everything they held dear. He felt that, believed it even as the monster charged him — and he backpedaled and whipped around in one fluid motion, mindful of the fangs and the claws. Though he narrowly avoided being sliced wide open, the air was battered forcibly from his lungs as the heel of the bear’s paw slammed into his ribs like a speeding train. The pain was like nothing he had ever experienced, and he landed shakily, his weight listing weakly to the side. A quick glance told him that Titmouse and Redshank were in the process of being whisked out of harm’s way — that Liffey and the rest of the pack were making a clean escape — and that Rannoch was with him now, engaging in combat.
This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be.
Cypress recovered neatly, the hard landing and quick assessment occurring in milliseconds, and leapt again. After the initial burst of agony, adrenaline had swept in full force, dulling his pain receptors and making him reckless. It was a berserker-like rage that inhabited his young, lean body as he feinted, taking the opportunity Rannoch had provided to sweep around and assault the bear with another volley of deliberately high-pitched, annoying barks. He lunged in, lunged away. “I’m faster than you,” he bluntly reminded his brother and alpha in a low hiss, panting raggedly. “I’ll catch up with you — you have to be the one to lead them, Rannoch! I’ll catch up to you, but I’m not running until I know you’re safe.” Cypress was being stubborn, and Rannoch would see that his brother paid for it later if they lived through this, but stubbornness was what had kept Cypress alive. It was all he knew. “Please!” he cried. “I’m begging you, Noch. Please trust me.” He darted away, then swept in, trying to keep the bear’s attention with a swift nip to the hamstring.
Cypress’ world was narrowed down to one thing: the enemy.
The normally taciturn raven continued his verbal assault, making as much noise as possible to draw the bear’s attention away from his family. He spotted the stragglers out of the corner of his eye but didn’t react outwardly. Inside him, something grew cold and still. If he was going to die, it only seemed fitting that he would go the way his mother had gone — and, unbeknownst to him, for the same reason. Time superimposed itself, and it was Eshe’s spirit that shaped her son’s stygian features: he snapped at the bear, lips peeled backward and a snarl full of loathing emanating from his chest. There was a tragic symmetry in his furiously flickering golden eyes that no wolf present would be able to appreciate. You hurt my family, Eshe had thought, and you hurt my family, Cypress now thought, for all bears were one and the same, unceremoniously lumped together in one opposing faction that flew a banner of death and devastation.
That being said, Cypress was determined that he would not die without first ensuring that Rannoch, Rian, and the pack would be safe. He felt, in this moment, that he could run forever if it proved necessary, luring the behemoth further and further from everything they held dear. He felt that, believed it even as the monster charged him — and he backpedaled and whipped around in one fluid motion, mindful of the fangs and the claws. Though he narrowly avoided being sliced wide open, the air was battered forcibly from his lungs as the heel of the bear’s paw slammed into his ribs like a speeding train. The pain was like nothing he had ever experienced, and he landed shakily, his weight listing weakly to the side. A quick glance told him that Titmouse and Redshank were in the process of being whisked out of harm’s way — that Liffey and the rest of the pack were making a clean escape — and that Rannoch was with him now, engaging in combat.
This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be.
Cypress recovered neatly, the hard landing and quick assessment occurring in milliseconds, and leapt again. After the initial burst of agony, adrenaline had swept in full force, dulling his pain receptors and making him reckless. It was a berserker-like rage that inhabited his young, lean body as he feinted, taking the opportunity Rannoch had provided to sweep around and assault the bear with another volley of deliberately high-pitched, annoying barks. He lunged in, lunged away. “I’m faster than you,” he bluntly reminded his brother and alpha in a low hiss, panting raggedly. “I’ll catch up with you — you have to be the one to lead them, Rannoch! I’ll catch up to you, but I’m not running until I know you’re safe.” Cypress was being stubborn, and Rannoch would see that his brother paid for it later if they lived through this, but stubbornness was what had kept Cypress alive. It was all he knew. “Please!” he cried. “I’m begging you, Noch. Please trust me.” He darted away, then swept in, trying to keep the bear’s attention with a swift nip to the hamstring.
RE: run rabbit run - Rian - May 16, 2017
hope this is alright. lemme know if i've gone too far, laur!
A furious yet terrified snarl burst forth from Rannoch as he watched his brother, and then Redshank peel away from the party. Rian made a grab for the ruddy boy but he was well-away by the time his jaws snapped shut on empty air. His heart lurched as the youngster scampered after Cypress, and his ears began to swivel forward, back, forward, sideways—what were they going to do!? The orders came sudden, fast and succinct and Rian held his breath while turning his eyes upon Rannoch. He listened, hoping that any one of his words could wake them all from this horrible nightmare. Unfortunately, he was not lucky enough for this to be a product of his vindictive imagination.
Mouth still slack, he exhaled, inhaled, and steeled himself. His task was set and no matter how much his heart cried out to save Cypress, he would not disobey Rannoch's order—it was Rannoch who won the right to lead, and it was Rannoch who had kept them save and alive so far. What right, what ground would he have to stand on if he did so now? He couldn't lose them, not now, but he needed to be there for them if worse came to worse. His breathing was fast, his mouth agape, but he slowly stilled as his nerves steadied and he regained some measure of control over his panic. There was no argument left in the O'Malley boy because there was no room left for fear once given an order. Stay safe. "You too." He replied, before springing off in pursuit of Redshank and leaving the Alpha and Liffey behind.
Rian was not built for speed, but his hefty bulk and thick musculature gave him the power to sprint. And he did, crashing through the grass, heedless of the whipping blades, until he was right on Redshank's tail. A snarl poured from his mouth, intending to startle the boy long enough for him to gain the upper hand and get a firm grasp on the situation (and Redshank should the situation permit it). He was far too large to be plucked up and carried, but Rian intended to throw his weight around until the younger boy understood just how serious he was in this moment. "REDSHANK!" He growled, attempting to get ahead of the boy and use his body as a barrier. The severity in his furrowed brows, gleaming lips, and impressively flared mane indicated there was no more patience left in Rian for anymore foolish antics.
A sharp bark caught in his ears and he snapped his head up to see Rannoch herding none other than Titmouse in his direction. Tail raised, hackles flared, and head carried high above the grasses, Rian was the picture of protection and sanctuary—the Beta male. There was no place safer save than beside Rannoch himself. Or so he hoped, for Cypress' sake.
RE: run rabbit run - Redshank - May 17, 2017
Not at all! <3
Even as he barrelled towards the bear, something within him was screaming at him to go — to run. The thing dwarfed even the older, fully grown boy as Cypress gained upon the creature and Redshank found himself hesitating, strides beginning to slow. He had heard Rannoch's savage pleas but was too focused on the monster before him as it let out a reverberating roar before it turned to fix first Titmouse and then Cypress in its hungry gaze.
He watched, fear starting to build in his chest, as the creature swung a massive paw. He did not see it collide into Cypress, however, as he heard his name be called and suddenly Rian was before him. Redshank slammed into his side roughly, rebounding off the other's thick figure and falling onto the ground with a sharp grunt. His lips curled in the start of a defiant snarl before he saw the lift of Rian's own lip and the stern gleam in his green eyes. Behind him came the sounds of a fight between the two apex predators, quickly joined by Rannoch's booming commands.
Quickly, Redshank scrambled to his paws and compliantly tucked his ears and tail even when Titmouse suddenly appeared by them. The scent of fear was heavy in the air, the severity of the situation was quickly dawning upon the boy. His eyes were wide with fright and suddenly, Redshank was a small, terrified puppy again.
RE: run rabbit run - Titmouse (Ghost) - May 18, 2017
He couldn't do anything but stare as the bear threw itself towards him, and he could do nothing as the paw was raised to smite. But Titmouse was not alone. Titmouse, who had always been so oblivious to the dangers around him and the turmoil he set into motion, was being taught a lesson today - and all he could do was sit and take it, paralyzed by a strange mixture of fear, awe, and utter blankness; except as he watched the bear, the creature turned away from him and directed its ire elsewhere.
Someone was with him them - he turned his attention to to the wolf - someone was shoving him - he was on his feet, quaking, wet, stumbling and then running - and things happened so fast, but he was going going going and people were shouting and roaring -- roaring?? The child wanted to look back but all he could do was bolt like a deer, his tail curved and plastered on his belly, showing the world just how pitiful and weak he really was. He kept on running and did not look back.
RE: run rabbit run - Liffey - May 21, 2017
Exit Liffey! Sorry for the hold up :)
Things happened in a slow motion blur from the moment Redshank and Cypress took off towards the bear. Rannoch shouted after them, then spun to bark orders at the rest of them. Liffey was unable to tear her eyes from the beast lumbering towards her cousin, even as her alpha spoke her name. Only when his face was suddenly in front of hers did she find herself able to focus on him. His words were terrifying, mostly for the fact that she knew what they implied. He was asking her to lead the others, which meant he wouldn't be able to, which meant he was about to do something terribly dangerous.
Liffey felt the touch against her cheek and leaned into it, dipping her head to run her crown along his jawline with a soft whine. The usual fear she felt of letting onto the feelings she had for him was gone completely - replaced by fear of a much different kind. She lifted her eyes to drink one last look at his handsome face before obediently turning and racing back to the rest of the pack to carry out his orders, forcing herself to focus on this task to keep herself from looking back as he ran to risk his life for the pack.
RE: run rabbit run - Harold - June 05, 2017
This was messy and annoying, and frankly, Harold was unsure how he had found himself in this situation, nor if he truly wanted to be here. He struck the first upstart wolf, turning quickly on another, greytoned, and just as annoying. There were more, here, but they ran around and occasionally screamed and were just as interesting, and annoying to him, as buzzing flies. He was ignorant of them, their fears and strengths and strife. He only wanted his rock, and now, he hardly knew where it was.
A rumbling roar bubbled in his chest, building, until it burst from his maw with all his newly woken fury. Things were biting him, annoying him. He charged at Cypress with remarkable speed for a bear his size, jaws agape and attempting to catch the male by the scruff, hoping to give him a stiff shake that would hopefully end the biting. Rannoch's attempts to shift his narrow focus failed, blood rising in his ears, unable to shift his target from Cyrpess now that he had been chosen in his quest for...well, general ripping and tearing.
A rumbling roar bubbled in his chest, building, until it burst from his maw with all his newly woken fury. Things were biting him, annoying him. He charged at Cypress with remarkable speed for a bear his size, jaws agape and attempting to catch the male by the scruff, hoping to give him a stiff shake that would hopefully end the biting. Rannoch's attempts to shift his narrow focus failed, blood rising in his ears, unable to shift his target from Cyrpess now that he had been chosen in his quest for...well, general ripping and tearing.
RE: run rabbit run - Cypress - June 10, 2017
Cypress froze as pain rocketed through his steely musculature and he was briefly lifted into the air. The bear’s swift shake joggled his brain and left him dizzy and sick. “Noch,” he mumbled, slurring a little as he closed his eyes and went limp, “run. I’ll catch up with you. I’m all right.” At this point, he couldn’t outrun the bear — the best card he had left was playing dead. In all honesty, though, that wasn’t hard to do. Everything hurt and the world was alarmingly blurred at the edges. “It won’t be like mama and paw, Noch. I’ll catch up with you,” the sulphureous-eyed raven insisted, and then he went utterly limp, settling all of his weight like a heavy stone in the bear’s jaws. I’m all right. I’m all right.
RE: run rabbit run - Rannoch’s Ghost - June 12, 2017
Exit Rannoch!
Rannoch quickly backpedaled as the bear reached for Cypress, his eyes wide with disbelief as the scene unfolded before him. His raven-haired brother was locked in the bear's hold, body limp. It was as the young Alpha gathered himself to crouch, with every indication to thrust himself towards the much-larger predator, that a mumble halted any further action. Instead, he slowly untangled his posture and rose slowly to meet Cypress' plea.
The words left the turquoise-eyed man at a crossroads, leaving him with the decision to do what he wanted or do what was right. Reluctantly, he pressed backward a step, his devotion to the pack besting his desire to save Cypress as war reigned in his mind. As much as he didn't want to leave his brother behind, Rannoch knew it was for the best. With tears spiking in his eyes, the Alpha nodded, allowing his commitment to the others to take the forefront of his mind. Though words failed him in the short moment he watched on; his expression spoke volumes. Worry tugged at his face as fretted over his brother's fate. But even in his worrying, Rannoch knew that there was very he could do now.
"I love you, Cy," whispered Rannoch, feeling the weight of the words in the pit of his stomach. This very well could be the last time that he saw Cypress alive and as much as he hung around, he knew his departure was urgent. It was after his affections were offered that the Alpha turned suddenly and sprinted iafter the others who had fled, leaving Cypress alone with the consequence of his rash actions.
RE: run rabbit run - Rian - June 14, 2017
exit Rian!
With both boys now safetly within reach, Rian ushered them both ahead of him as he turned his back on the two most important, and only, wolves in his life. His paws felt as if they were encased in solid stone, and the effort of even pushing his body into motion was taxing on him both physically and mentally. Every step he took as he accelerated after Titmouse and Redshank reminded him of what he was leaving behind.
And it was because of that tugging, unrepentant ache that he chanced a final look over his shoulder, diverting his attention away from the path. He saw his brother's squared off, until he didn't—suddenly he was falling as his leg gave out and twisted uncomfortably beneath him. The cause: a small washout from the recent rains created a divit in the path. His teeth slammed together as his chin collided roughly with the loam. Rian tasted blood, and felt the sharpness of the sprain zing up through his shoulder as he regained his footing.
He shoved the pain aside as he picked up the pace and herded the boys away from the danger, and back to the safety of the pack. Liffey was beside him—a streak of gray and black. Rian kept his eyes fixated on the boys, unwilling to meet her gaze for fear of the mirrored emotions he might see within them.
RE: run rabbit run - Cypress - July 11, 2017
Cypress went utterly limp in the bear's jaws as he watched his brothers do as he'd hoped and run away. For a minute, to be perfectly honest, he considered that dying here and now wouldn't be such a bad thing. Life was a gift, and he and Rannoch were particularly lucky to have it -- that's what Eshe had always said. That didn't mean it was easy for the eidolon to keep maintaining, though. Sometimes it felt like being not only a brother but a packmate -- especially as the pack's gamma -- was a whole lot of heavy. Maybe Charon was right and they'd jumped into leadership too soon. Maybe it was just anxiety. Whatever it was, Cy felt like he had to constantly be on the defensive. He had to earn his place in the pack, and sometimes that felt like he had to constantly carve out a place for himself in Rannoch and Rian's hearts in case it filled up with the greatness of others.
Mostly, he missed the days when it was just the three of them.
The bear dropped him with a dusty thud and he lay where he'd fallen, not moving even when the grizzly poked, prodded, and pushed at him. It was stupid, but in his youth Cypress had always possessed a flair for the dramatic, and he tried now through a muzzy miasma to figure out what his last words might have been. He thought maybe he'd said he loved his brother, but when he looked back everything was so loud and confusing. He couldn't be sure, so he closed his eyes and mouthed the words just in case: I love you, Rannoch, Rian, mama, and paw -- and I'm sorry, darlin', but I ended up loving you after all."
Then he waited.
He didn't worry about whether Death would be gentle or violent when it took him. He knew that pain was inevitable, but he firmly believed that there was always an "other side" to darkness and grief. Maybe Alya had taught him that. He had met her only a few times, but her impression upon him had been profound.
When, long moments later, the bear snuffled and shambled away, he was almost disappointed. That, he knew, had been the perfect death -- a sacrifice for his brothers and their pack -- and it had passed him by. Keeping these thoughts to himself, he picked himself and made himself hurry after the thick trail of wolfscent, knowing that his adrenaline would soon fade, leaving him cold.
Mostly, he missed the days when it was just the three of them.
The bear dropped him with a dusty thud and he lay where he'd fallen, not moving even when the grizzly poked, prodded, and pushed at him. It was stupid, but in his youth Cypress had always possessed a flair for the dramatic, and he tried now through a muzzy miasma to figure out what his last words might have been. He thought maybe he'd said he loved his brother, but when he looked back everything was so loud and confusing. He couldn't be sure, so he closed his eyes and mouthed the words just in case: I love you, Rannoch, Rian, mama, and paw -- and I'm sorry, darlin', but I ended up loving you after all."
Then he waited.
He didn't worry about whether Death would be gentle or violent when it took him. He knew that pain was inevitable, but he firmly believed that there was always an "other side" to darkness and grief. Maybe Alya had taught him that. He had met her only a few times, but her impression upon him had been profound.
When, long moments later, the bear snuffled and shambled away, he was almost disappointed. That, he knew, had been the perfect death -- a sacrifice for his brothers and their pack -- and it had passed him by. Keeping these thoughts to himself, he picked himself and made himself hurry after the thick trail of wolfscent, knowing that his adrenaline would soon fade, leaving him cold.