Ankyra Sound his name's codeine, he's the nicest thing i've seen

She was an unrepentant ball of fury as she pulled up to Rusalka, darkening its shores with her stormy rage. HOW COULD HE? And where was her brother? Every tuft of Raleska's fur was jutted outward in sharp crags, the hair along her spine raised upward like the callous ridges of a bladed peak. There was spitting fury -- and emnity -- in her eyes as she threw back her head while she marched, summoning all -- but most specifically, @Vercingetorix.

She did not stop as her paws carried her past the cool touch of carpet moss. She did not stop as trees gave away, and her paws fell to the smooth sand. She did not stop as she passed the Grotto, eyes searching -- if he had not been ripped apart by @Rosalyn or @Erzulie yet, she would just have to do the job for them.

short quick post! It only made sense that he’d follow her after all! It’s a phone post so I’ll fix it up once I’m back on the laptop!! Sorry for any odities from autocorrect!!

Finally the decision was made to go back to Rusaka after all. To quit looking for the bitch who had started it all over passed grudges to take care what was, as he thought, to be most important. Although he kept his mouth shut on certain opinions of his as of now, it wouldn’t be long until his voice would be heard on such triffle wandering to find a corpse out in the fields. Especially one that had caused as much trouble as this - the dark male who was now seated as Alpha was no help either. 

All this had brought more more trouble than necessary. Vengeance had half the mind to find this Caiaphas and make sure she no longer drew breath to end it all himself, to snuff out Vercingetorix’s flame too - but it would be cathartic should Raleska do so herself.

Following the dark, enraged, little girl back to the lands he was forced to call home in the past month, Vengeance was silent. No one asked his opinion or for his advice, and perhaps for the best. His lack of empathy of family bonds would not aid in their decisions after all. 

As Raleska called, he stood silently behind her. A dark tall shadow in her wake, itching... waiting... piercing molten rubies watching for movement that would soon come from around. Waiting to see her next action... if he should be called to action or wait on the sidelines further.

Same here! Kaertok can be skipped unless he's needed. <3

Swiftly, they had come home. Kaertok drew up alongside Vengeance, who was now his ally as much as Raleska. He had come to tell them of the news, and Sungiwok suspected that he only did so in order to prompt Raleska to take back the throne. The Tartok wolf stared ahead, awaiting the presence of the traitor who had left Raleska's mother behind (or worse) and then proceeded to rip the pack from those who might stabilize it. He was a fool, and Kaertok knew that he could follow no such wolf.

The Tartok did not seek death or injury, but he knew it was a likely outcome, depending on the usurper's willingness to back down. He prepped himself for the worst, but he hoped that the bastard would just get the fuck outta town.

Stay put, he'd told to whoever the fuck had come back with him to Rusalka when the howl rang out. Hopefully his kids, whom he would have stowed away somewhere on the edge of the sequoias, deep in the thicket. Hopefully Aure had found them along the way, too. And hopefully Reyes was warming up to him enough to vouch for Vercingetorix; maybe his moms would start to actually like the alpha. Ha. Funny, so funny.

Verx strolled out to meet the dark girl, eyes steely but not without humor as he stared her down. That was quick. You find your nomi? he asked, cocking his head. How about your brother? he almost asked, but didn't push it.

His gaze flickered to the two brutes that flanked her, nostrils flaring in a tiny, scornful snort. Of course, she had her lackeys. God, what the fuck was wrong with this pack? Why had he come back? (And brought his fucking kids here?!?!?!)

Raleska was as angry as a swarming beehive while she waited for Vercingetorix to show his face.. If he dared show his face. The entire walk back to Rusalka had been more of a measured sprint -- with both Vengeance and Kaertok in tow. Not a word had been spared between the two of them, but as they pulled alongside her like silent sentinels, she gave each of them an appreciative glance. Vengeance, for telling her what she would not have known without him, and Kaertok, for being the unassailable pale shadow at her side in support.

She was about to call it quits and storm after Vercingetorix, when the man himself sauntered into view cool as a cracked clam. There's no word to describe the hellish hairy eyeball Raleska's vivid stare delivered: how fucking could you? it accused silently, through licking flames of wrath.

Of course, he could not help but spare Raleska a taunt. Her fur bristled as if it wasn't already at end, and she looked like she would pop off at any second as she met his gaze unwaveringly. "You coward," Raleska accused through gritted teeth, leaving his question hanging. "You waited until we were gone and --" It was then she had the good sense to look him over, noticing the lack of grievous wounds on him.. Had Illidan been so easily subdued? Was he that good a fighter? No matter - Raleska would tear him to fucking pieces, despite being half his size, half his age, and having half his experience. "Where is he?" She meant Illidan of course. Her jaw set in a hard line that was uncompromising, and she willed him to find issue with her staring daggers at his scarred face.

Patience wasn't his strong suit. Neither was Raleska's at this point from the air she gave off. She wanted just as he did, to find the so-called current Alpha and dethrone the man.  Ruby eyes glazed over in an ominous glare, unfeeling, unrelenting, a lifeless stare as he waited behind the smaller woman for the one they sought an audience with. 

Finally, as though they had waited an eternity for his presence, Vercingetorix has come in. An arrogant man who taunted the already enraged woman. The more he heard this man speak, the less he desired to have him at the helm. Illidan had a head-on him at the very least, this one, however, was a child cloaked in a man's figure. Vengeance didn't even desire to call Rusalka home for long, but as he stayed, he didn't want to have a cocky, disliked, man-child like this taking the reins.  

For now, he would remain quiet and wait. Raleska had a few words to exchange before she decided on what to do next with the situation.

Gonna skip Kaertok to move this along; hope that is okay! (I know you said so but I still feel weird, lol)

Mmm, coward. He liked that one. He'd gotten a lot of epithets over the seasons, but coward wasn't one that was very common. Verx tended to throw himself into the fray without thinking; if anything, 'foolhardy' was a much better descriptor. But hey. . .to each their own, and the brute only cracked a grin at her retort.

He left, Vercingetorix said simply, the smile fading, and then, quickly, And no, before you accuse me of it, I didn't kick him out. He left of his own choice; I think he said he went looking for Caiaphas. Who I'm assuming you haven't found. The last part fell flat, bland, even as he expected the harpy to pop out of nowhere.

He shrugged. I did what I thought was best for Rusalka, he continued. Call me cowardly all you want, but shit like this happens all the time. I don't trust her or any of her children at the helm.

Raleska managed to at least get a handle on her simmering rage, waiting for Vercingetorix to explain just why he had done what he had done.

‘I did what I thought was best for Rusalka.’ He claimed. Raleska seemed to not catch that - or at least, for a full ten seconds it looked as if nothing registered. ‘For Rusalka’.

Then the change came; disbelief, scorn. It was housed in every crinkle of her muzzle, set in every gloomy ripple of her fur. What did he know about Rusalka, and what did he care?

She called bullshit.

You don’t know anything about the best interest of Rusalka. Rusalka’s best interest and vision is founded in its children. Of which she was one, and Vercingetorix. He was not even Rusalkan. He would never know what it was like to be part of their family; he might walk among them, but he was not one of them. He would never be.

. You stabbed the only guy that vouched for you in the back. Raleska commented bitterly, her tail eerily still. She was still on edge, still furious — but now a measured coldness came over her that called obscurely back to the more calculating mien of her mother.

Raleska thought of how she could try to kill him.. he was stronger and larger, far more experienced — if she misstepped or underestimated him, she would likely die. Her pride was far too high to call in the aide of either Kaertok or Vengeance — even if they were willing to do her bidding. She felt conflicted; why had her brother not fought back? What secret did he know that she did not?

Her scathing gaze raked across Vercingetorix in dismissal. If Illidan had not struck him down, she supposed there was a reason for it (and she hated that reason; she hated feeling like hot air). In a move that was rather anti-climatic, Raleska snorted but did not make move to attack him. He said he didn’t trust her mother (or any of her children, which included her and Illidan) — the very idea that he was somehow more trustworthy after all he had done just seemed... well... to use an Illidan word, ‘illogical’.

For when someone showed you who they were, you better believe them. How do you think we can we trust you?

Talk, talk, talk. What had he gotten himself involved in with this pack? As he stood behind the girl, Vengeance found his patience dwindling by the second. White his white counterpart seemed please with just standing around, waiting for Raleska to decide on what she would do in this very moment; Vengeance, on the other hand, was itching for something more than just simple diplomacy, to talk it out and see if they can come to a mutual agreement. 

He wasn't Illidan. Illidan had his strength is diplomacy, in thinking things through, and Vengeance appreciated that about him - but it wasn't his way; and despite Raleska's supposed rage toward the situation, she had decided to hear the dark male out instead of taking matters in her own fangs. As they continued to speak, unconsciously his eyes went from Vercingetorix and slid over to Raleska. A hard scrutinizing gaze as he studied her. Picked her apart from where he stood.

He was beginning to tire of playing the good boy and sitting back, watching, quietly watching the drama unfold. He was beginning to bore.

He stood where he was, an ivory statue, until Vengeance's gaze moved to Raleska. Something about that set Kaertok on edge, and he shifted his weight from one side to the other. And why was Raleska not taking what she was owed? This pack was hers by right, and from what he understood, Vercingetorix had come in, managed to "lose" Raleska's mother, taken over from Raleska's brother, and now expected the pack to be behind him. None of it made a lick of sense.

When Raleska asked how they could trust him, Kaertok spoke up. We can't. He focused on the usurper evenly, no malice or scorn in his voice, posture, or eyes. How can you expect to trust somebody who went off with Caiaphas, returned without her, then overthrew her son? If you really wanted to make your case, if you wanted us to believe you were innocent, then you would have let Illidan take the lead.

Maybe he shouldn't have said Rusalka. They weren't anything special. They were just a bunch of hot-tempered ruffians that had shown up on the sound one day and claimed it as their own. And Caiaphas was the worst of the lot. What made them think Illidan was trustworthy, being her son and all? Raleska certainly wasn't.

But the children. . . You're right, he conceded on the first point. I didn't do it for Rusalka. I did it for the children. Rosalyn and Erzulie's pups. . .and my own. Neither Caiaphas nor her own children will lead while we have young wolves in the Sound. What I saw— His stare grew cold as the edge of a blade as he stared at the girl. I'll never unsee it. You'd be the same way, standing in my paws.

Verx was more than happy to answer her question, but it seemed the pale wolf already had a response in mind. Bold of him, to answer a question addressed to his alpha. And on that point:

You don't have to trust me, he laughed, the sound devoid of humor. At least not right away. I get it. I'm the 'enemy,' he hissed, a sardonic twist on the word as he spoke it. But you will follow me. You'll put up or shut up. I earned this position fair and square and I'm gonna do my best to keep this place safe. So. . .

He howled for @Rosalyn, @Erzulie, @Aningan, @Velen, @Dalia, @Keen, @Derg, @Cadeau. . .anyone who may or may not have a problem with his leadership. Oh, and @Aurëwenn, too, for now she had a say here, as much as he was loath to admit it after what she'd pulled.

IF ANYONE DOESN'T WANT ME IN CHARGE, he bellowed across the beach, in a ragged, hoarse holler, COME HERE AND CHALLENGE ME, OR ELSE GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE.

not mandatory to jump in, just tagging all adults for reference!

single post!!

She heard the call, of course, and mutely ignored it.  If another wished to challenge him, they could, but she would have no part.  She'd said her piece and what she said held; she'd not hesitate if she desired to lead, but there was nothing she wished to do less.

She assumed her lack of attendance would speak for itself.

[Challenger 1 approaches]
Left open-ended for dice roll to take place prior

It wasn’t often that he was summoned, though he shouldn’t be surprised—it seemed like everyone was, not just him. But the voice wasn’t one that he was particularly accustomed to, but also one that he knew he shouldn’t be hearing. The recent shift in power was finally getting to him, and it made his entire being puff with a concoction of negative feelings too numerous to count. So, he acted.

Aningan barged in on the scene with his tail arched and body rigid. He didn’t know what he was doing but he knew who he was doing it for, and that was enough to drive him. He was tired of change, tired of it all—all he wanted was to live quietly with the woman that had taken him in, wherever she may be. So although she wasn’t there now, he’d fight for her—just as he said he would. Acting about as impulsively as it gets, he stalked towards the man, poised and ready to strike.

single post too!

"de pack would be better off in our care," the harlot intoned dryly to her mate, coming to sit alongside rosalyn as she too ignored the call. but i do not want it, was the remainder of her implication. reaching out, she nosed along the pirate's shoulder.
perhaps ... perhaps they would take the children, go wander along the coastline, see what was to be seen.
erzulie for one was rapidly tiring of rusalka and its unstable leadership.

Derg can be pp'ed and assumed to back Raleska

Derg prowled to the summons, eyeing the gathering like a lynx. 
He followed in Aningan's footsteps slower but held the same air with his curled tail and bristled fur. Vercingetorix taking leadership had not gone unnoticed, but Illidian's presence had. Only now he realised it was taken and Caiaphas' throne had been defiled by one not of her blood. It didn't look like she'd be back soon enough nor Illidan.
Though Raleska was rightful.

He would back her corner if she so wanted to take back what was hers. If he'd challenged sooner, it would mean he'd take Alpha and he didn't want that. He was happy with Theta. Besides, he wanted her stance. 

Cadeau felt like she were in mourning though nobody had truly died, she missed Illidan and seeing Verx there instead of him hurt. She'd had utmost faith in Illidan that he could do this, so she was shell shocked when she saw Verx defeat Illidan like it was easy. She knew it was naive to have joined the pack for one wolf alone but felt in her heart it was what she needed to do to be there for her friend during that difficult time. Now he was gone and she was left behind in a world she didn't understand and began to feel afraid of as chaos erupted between everyone. 

Cadeau hadn't ever met any of Illidan's family before and so seeing his sister confronting Verx was quite the surprise to her. In a way it brought relief seeing someone voice out about all this, her almond eyes watching Raleska speak against him. She swallowed nervously as the tension grew thicker and thicker, feeling unsure of what she should do. Cadeau had no desire to challenge anyone but she wanted answers, why had Illidan not fought for his place? She didn't say anything, Cadeau didn't have all the pieces and she knew it would be unwise to make enemies among Rusalka if she lived here.

Should she even stay? What was keeping her here? Papa... what am I supposed to do? She frowned and bowed her head, shaking it. She shouldn't be here, she should be out there looking for Illidan and offering her support...

But he left her here, perhaps she wasn't as needed as she had thought and for some reason that hurt. She knew she had strong feelings for him and the fact it clouded her was a mistake in itself. Cadeau stayed to watch the challenge, standing a safe distance away with a nervous energy coiling down her spine.

It took a great deal of restraint on Raleska's behalf to not strike now. A glance at the wolves that assembled around them, and Raleska could sense the budding energy that was building. That pack mentality was growing, rising -- gradually shaping in form of a rippling current of energy that darted from wolf to wolf and left their fur on end.

She could not believe the words that came out of this man's mouth. Was he for real? How could they even begin to trust him? Kaertok hit the nail on the head and Raleska shared a glance with him approvingly, for he had eloquently summed up what her flustered tongue was incapable of summoning.

It was all fucking bullshit. First Vercingetorix was an enemy, then he was a wolf in their pack -- then he stabbed the one wolf generous (or stupid? Raleska couldn't decide-- she loved her brother, gods, she really did -- but this is exactly what she knew would have happened!) to trust him. Some inspiring leader Vercingetorix was, putting faith in his subordinates by sinking a blade right in between Illidan's unsuspecting back.

"You didn't earn it fair and square --" Raleska heatedly retorted, snorting in disbelief Vercingetorix was that delusional. "You attacked the one wolf that cared to give you a second chance. Fair and square would be earning the respect of your peers, their trust --" She glanced around them, and one look was enough to portray how ridiculous that notion was. Plus he had mentioned children -- why, since when did he care about Grezig's, Dalia's, Roz and Erzulie's children-- wait, what? His children?

His children.

Were they here?

She didn't have time to say anything before Aningan came upon them like a white snow-wraith; following in his steps was Derg, and then Cadeau. Raleska did not have much time to assemble a retort in light of the murder in Aningan's gaze -- so, the beta raised her head and issued a challenging growl towards Vercingetorix. "Get the fuck out."

Blah, blah, blah. Raleska was still talking. His eyes shifted from her to the white wolf that emerged -- wait, who the fuck? Had he seen this dude before? Rusalka was literally throwing spaghetti at the wall here, pulling wolves from the woodwork to challenge his leadership. What a bunch of fucking lunatics.

Make me, Verx said lazily to the young woman, shooting her a sidelong glance, and then turned his full attention toward the challenger. Cool, hey, you want the crown? Come get the crown. He squared his shoulders, running his tongue along his jowls. This should be easy enough. Dispatch this one with a lot of power and style, and the rest would fall into line. Well, maybe not Raleska, but he'd be able to bat her away easily enough.

Swat her like a fly. The thought made him smile, teeth gleaming in a dark face, and he prepared himself for his assault on Aningan, chuckling, Let's do this.

And then Aningan kicked his ass, and Vercingetorix found himself mere minutes later fleeing the territory, bleeding and swearing and utterly bewildered.

The flesh wounds were nothing compared to how badly his pride had been hurt.

Fuckin' Rusalka, man.

just posting here to wrap things up -- if no one else comes in within three days, I'm gonna archive!