Lake Rodney Body Count

For @Vengeance, but open to others!

Her dark paws treaded over fresh soil, for the first time in what had felt like far too long. Tzila was once more on her own again. By choice, her time in Elysium was over. The unsuspecting pack of kind wolves had served their purpose...had benefited her well. Gave her a home, shelter and food. Even companionship, though she turned away from it more often than not. 

In turn, she simply lurked in the shadows where she belonged, only doing the bare minimum required of her. Except that one time, when the furious bear invaded their lands and slain two of their own. It had been she who had raised the call to arms, had protected young Minnow from attack. It was she who had thrown herself so savagely, blinded by fury. And what did she get in return, after the attack was over? Nothing. Not even a simple thank you or a glance of gratitude. She was too selfish to reason that they were stricken with grief over their loved ones, too wrapped up in their own emotions. So again, she withdrew in on herself, limiting her socialization. First she had wanted revenge on that bear, and all of its kin. Then after a time she realized it was a futile pursuit. Why bother with a personal affair that belonged to the wolves of Elysium and not herself? It was not her family that had been slain. She could pursue other, more ambitious and self-benefiting goals.

Once, Tzila had nearly turned over a new leaf. But it was not to be. At her core, she was who she was. The one true Queen of the shadows, as her name and nature so perfectly implied. She was ruthless, conniving, selfish and a hardened survivor looking out only but for herself. She had used Elysium like a parasite would its host, and they were none the wiser to it. Though used to being alone, Tzila had gained an ally. She would even go so far as to call him a friend. A kindred spirit. She sought him out, hoping to catch his trail. As the sun breathed its last breath for another day, she emerged seamlessly from the dark. An inky blot, save for the permeant blood stain on her cape. Eyes like the moon flickered along the shoreline of the expansive lake, falling uninterestedly on the single island in the center. She continued on her way with her usual measured steps, intent on finding her first solo meal in a long time.

54°, currently it is partly cloudy and set during the afternoon. Located in Great Bear Wildnerss, lake rodney | ooc notes: AAAAHHH I MISSED TZILA

Everything was coming together. It was only a matter of days now until the Nightwalkers were officially considered a group - all he needed a few more members, and a meeting before he can feel comfortable with sending out the hounds to tell tales of their creation. They were just about perfect - but not quite to his liking just yet... just a little longer, he would remain patient until then (basically until we get that extra 2 pledges LOL). 

Emerging from the misty forest, the behemoth found himself back at the lakeside. Where he had met his supposed "son", the bastard who had been wandering the haunted woods without pledging loyalty to the pack. Though it did not bother Vengeance all too much, it still infuriated him to think that someone was taking a free ride in his home - but for how long would he allow such a thing, only time would tell. Eventually, once his curiosity was satisfied, he might just chase out the boy for lack of usefulness.  

For now, he took some time to repose at the lakeside. To gather his thoughts and think of what to do next. Who would be worthy of the ranks once they were ready to be handed out. A couple was obvious, but everyone had their own strengths that could fill in the gaps. But as he was tracing the circumference of the lake, a sight caught his full attention, drawing a smile onto his face as he called out, continuing on his path toward the dark figure ahead. It's been a very long time, Tzila. Though he called very few a friend, she was as close as they seemed to come. She was not a follower, not yet, but had been a pleasant companion every time they met. 

I was beginning to believe you went after the ursa on your own.

Just like that, as if he had been waiting for her here the whole time, the behemoth of a wolf made himself known. His greeting was simple; something she could appreciate. However, as her cold silver eyes fell on his lips twisted into a smile, she made up her mind that her exchange would have a little more substance to it.

"Vengeance..." She all but purred in a low voice, tail rising partly to sway in content greeting. Tzila stepped towards him deliberately, with a natural sway to her hips which she was unaware of. Behind slightly hooded eyelids, her lunar eyes grabbed at his crimson ones, the slight twist of her lip giving away the beginnings of a smirk. Finally, she allowed the silence to break. "I decided that such a pursuit was unworthy of my efforts. It is their personal case, not my own." She concluded with a dismissive, small toss of her head.

She stepped even closer, and as the shadow keeper did, Vengeance could indeed confirm for himself, that all traces of the goody two shoes pack was long washed from her fur. She would even encourage it, daring to push and wind herself up, briefly against his solid chest, in a very cat like mannerism. Tzila feared not getting up close and personal with the man, seeming to know where the unspoken boundaries lie. Besides, a bit of flirting from the fairer sex never did any harm, now did it?  There was purpose behind her actions...she wanted his scent, appalling as it was, of rot and old blood, mixed with her own. Baring her teeth in a snarl of the tenacity she was known for (not in projected challenge), she abruptly flitted just out of reach. "I was not content with that life. Not while knowing I can attain so much more...be so much better..." She rumbled in a dark, knowing voice.

Like old friends reuniting after high school, Tzila found herself near the chocolate obelisk once again. Though his own tail did not sway, his expression was enough to deliver how he felt toward the old companion of his. A skyward twice of the lips, eyes washing over her smaller frame, drinking in her appearance as he looked for anything that may convey what she had been up to since their last meeting.

The most obvious thing he had taken note of, was the lack of Elysium on her pelt. Either she had been away from home for quite some time, or she had deliberately left their borders for the final time sometime between now and their last meeting in the firefly glen. Is now? Such an interesting statement she brought up, one so interesting that the chocolate brows upon his crown lifted as he studied her movement. Does that mean the scent you hold is true, you have left Elysium behind? 

She had claimed such a powerful position since he last saw her, had they truly bored her so much since then that they had dropped so low on her list of priorities? 

Oh, how she came tantalizingly close. Though lately, it had been more and more that the fairer sexe would come closer to his being. It seemed that the moment he stepped into power, any kind of power, females were almost throwing themselves at his feet - but Tzila was different. Even before his hold on power, on his own pack, they had always gotten along. Have you come to a decision on my offer?

She nodded once, silently. The proof was right there in her fur. She had left Elysium for good. Angling her head to the side, the dark female adopted an arrogant, almost disinterested look as she spoke of her former pack. "I may have held some power there, but that's not the point. It was given to me on a silver platter." Turning back to him, she fixed her friend with a hard look, eyes narrowed. "That is not what I want. Having it is so much more fulfilling knowing you have the strength to claim it on your own."

Just a body length away from him, she sat down. Swirling behind her lunar eyes and in the recesses of her mind, dark thoughts broiled. Her blood rushed at the possibilities the future could hold. It emboldened her...fed her ambition. "Besides, I could never truly be myself there. I was afraid I might go soft." She let out a dry laugh. To his simple question, she only smirked and replied. "Why else would I be here?"

Oh well, perhaps to get help on that bear problem, to say hello to an old friend, or maybe something more personal. He teased, with a multitude of reasons why anyone would come knocking, he let the final one flutter from his lips as though lightly accusing Tzila of coming by for some flirting. He waited for a moment to see her reaction before letting it go. It was simply just that after all, a tease. 

Well, you've come at the right time. We are just about to make ourselves official and announce our presence to the Wilds, to the other surrounding packs that we are now officially open for business. While she sat, he remained standing. Broad shoulders squared, ears softly turned sideways as he kept an ear on their surroundings just in case should they be watched. 

With the crowd we have here, I can say with certainty; you will not be bored here. A Cheshire grin spread across his mug as he spoke the final words. They were all a bunch of power-hungry vultures ready to pick at one another just for one seat higher on the food chain. He was certain Tzila would find it just as much fun as he has been.

Her silver eyes glinted, the smirk playing at the corner of her lips growing a touch. "Hmmn, or perhaps, all of the above." She shot back without missing a beat. She wouldn't deny it; seeing her old friend again felt good. Right. She could let loose, throw away that innocent little act she had worn for so long around Elysium and be herself. "To be truthful, I was getting tired of acting. I feel that a change of pace...of environment, one where I can show my true colors, is what I need."

Her timing, by chance, couldn't have been better, he said. At this she looked pleased, as if convinced that her arrival marked the final piece of the puzzle to allow everything to slip into place. Vengeance had told her of his plans for this pack before, in many of their conversations. Now it was real. She knew of the details...their mercenary based culture and free for all ranking system. Briefly, she had even met one of his recruits; the russet female Alison. "I don't doubt I will be. This...new chapter of my life will be exhilarating." Her eyes shifted to the landscape beyond him for a split second, then back on his chiseled face. "Speaking of crowds, who can I expect to meet? And, where have you staked your claim?" The last time they had met, such details as these had not been smoothed out yet, if she remembered correctly. Tzila wanted the rundown of the basics.

His grin grew dark, eyes looming as he tilted his head toward his chin just enough for his brows to hover over his ruby gaze. What she had shot back was amusing, and he was beyond thrilled. She was exciting, he liked that about her. Before speaking, he threw his head back and off to the side, watching her with a wayside eye while his lips remained curled skyward. Well, you'd be pleased to know that we encourage you to let your freak flag fly here.

And you, will be breathtaking. he replied to the new chapter of her life. One that he hoped, she would enjoy much more than that facade she had kept in the previous pack. With a tilt of his head, he suggested over to the woods behind him, beyond the lake where the mist rolled out from, reaching its tendrils like a thirsty whore, beckoning them to come in, to come home. Within the misty woods, the Haunted Woods is where we have staked our claim. There you will find a gang, Alison is still there. A dark woman named Serem is also an interesting woman, she is willing to please and fight, just as I like. I suggest you keep an eye on the white-faced Vanity, she strikes us as trouble. The young Valour is my ward but do to him as you please. Everyone else, I am still getting to know... If you come with me, I would be happy to show you the dens, to claim one before all the good ones are gone. With one step he turned his shoulder to her, still his eye side glancing as he motioned for her to follow him.

His home...her new home, was close. It laid just beyond where he stood, the shroud of fog concealing its hidden pathway. A forest called Haunted Wood. Such a fitting name for a pack of this nature. And for a wolf such as herself, who preferred to cling to the shadows. She was certain she'd feel at home. 

As Vengeance listed off a few names, one of them being Alison of course, she sealed them away in her mind for future reference. Tzila would meet each of these wolves in the very near future. Get to know them and their habits, dissect their strengths and weaknesses. Learn who would prove beneficial as an ally and who would be a potential threat. A young boy by the name of Valour spiked her interest. The youth were so easily molded and influenced. Dark lips parted in a cruel, fang bearing smile. "Not to worry...I will make my presence known amongst them soon enough." She stepped forward, brushing firmly against his side, etching his stench into her fur. "As for the dens...I will take the one of my choosing..." Except for his...that was an unspoken token of her respect. Tail carried high in natural dominance and self-confidence, the shadow Queen let her new hellish King lead her home, acting as if she owned the place already.

He watched carefully as she brushed herself up against him again, this time, he leaned into it, soaking up her own perfume and the feeling. I'm sure you will. the words chuckled from his lips. Turning his head toward the woods now, with her at his side, they walked on. Into the shadowed, white mist woods that swallowed the two whole. And just like that, he was ready to call a meeting... To call forth the hounds of hell and send them off to start the chaos they had all gathered to indulge in. With Tzila among them, along with the many others, he was confident that their presence would be forboding enough to keep them strong for a long time to come.