Sea Lion Shores The primordial dogs of God

Buffeted by bitter winds and crouched low in the clinging sand, the frost snake Furiosa lay in opportunistic wait of a moment to strike. Her target was a wounded sea lion— a bull beyond its blubbery prime, suffering a deep and agitated laceration against the side of his thick, rolling neck. The seafaring mammal flopped up the beach, coming unavoidably closer to the tufted dune that concealed his stark, carnivorous demise. She watched him intently, pupils engorged in blackness as the pace of her heart quickened and the moisture in her throat thickened. Even with a disadvantaged sea lion, she was playing her odds pretty tightly. Though this seemed to matter little to the audacious wretch of stone and ice.

Gray clouds hovered, their slow swirl ominous as if to prelude the funeral; and as the first drops fell, a watery parade for the coming dead, Furiosa fled from cover and dove viciously into the warm, welcoming tear of the sea lion's collar. His angry cries sent a panic through the wharf, and the scent of fresh blood caused a mass migration of bellowing seadogs floundering into the ocean churn. Their old competitor would never join them again, however, as his lifeforce was drained through severe and terrible ripping rent upon him by unforgiving teeth and scythes.

The air was cold and bitter as the harsh winds whipped at his lithe form, brown and grey fur covered in dirt from the terrain. It was unknown to him why he was here; exploring like usual, maybe? Amber eyes squinted as he peered around the sea lion inhabited lands, focused stare searching for a safe path around the cluster of barking giants. Brown ears pivoted a top his head, the howling of the wind and the loud barks of the flabby beasts ringing within them as he ventured onwards cautiously. The last thing the young male wanted today was confrontation and especially not with them!

Large paws carried the brute swiftly and carefully along a high mound, bushy tail swaying behind him as he jogged slowly. The wind toyed with his fur as his muscles rippled in movement, the male passing many large pools of water; learning from past experiences he avoided them as he ventured along the beaches edge.

A cry shattered through the distant barking and howling of the winds, the young male halting his steps as he peered around the miserable terrain. Strei couldn't help but hear distressed barking soon following the cry, the large beasts seeming to flee from something, the masses flapping and fumbling their way to the waters. And then, there it was. The aroma of blood mixed with the overpowering smell of seaweed that scattered the sands, its scent like a smack the the nose over the smell of the ocean.

The thunderous barking of the crowd had died down significantly. Half of the colony had taken to the churlish surf, and those that remained on the beach kept a fair distance from the massacre— clearly not interested in attempting to save what would be left of their aged rook. He died pitifully slow; struggling in increasingly feeble flops beneath the pressure of teeth digging deeper into the blubber of his half-healed wound. The grizzled sea lion didn't truly stand a chance, bleeding out blood and salt onto the sand until he died. Furiosa gripped his tenderized throat until she felt it gurgle no more, and then released it, red tongue lolling, so that she may survey her surroundings.

It was just a quick glance, really. She didn't see anything, and noting that the other sea lions were keeping their distance, the bloodied baroness began to tear fresh into her kill's belly. A few impertinent gulls began to land around her, not unlike vultures.

Leathery nostrils flared, inhaling the salty aroma of the sea and the lingering scent of blood. Nothing but the howl of the wind rang within the land as his ears listened to the sounds around him, the constant loud barking of the sea lions having become near silent. Curiosity washed over the male as the wind beat against his brown and grey form. The brute remained at a stand still, paws feeling the dirt and sand beneath his pads as he began to look cautiously around the land. Someone else was definitely here for that he was sure and Streiter wanted to find out who. Curiosity could be a dangerous thing at times.

Paws ached as they moved once again, long legs giving the male easy strides as he picked up the pace into a steady jog. The wolf followed his nose, the bloody scent leading him along the beach. Streiter could hear the cawing of gulls in the distance, their white forms lingering around something up ahead. Amber eyes squinted some as the male attempted to get a closer look, paws flicking sand behind him as he approached the white female and her kill. An extremely large kill at that! 

Strei came to a halt. Keeping a respectful distance from the unfriendly looking female, eyes examining her white form as she gorged herself into the blubber of the beast. Amber eyes watching silently as he admired such an achievement and by a wolf alone.

Only by chance through her snapping and slurping, did Furiosa catch glance of the earthy figure standing in her peripheral. The vamp ghoul picked up her head sharply, drawing a savoring tongue across her chops as she regarded the strange male in bare consideration. He was average, on all accounts; tall and lean, with eyes like gold sorrel and a youthful curiousness set to his expression that encouraged her to try and compel him unto her. The very serpent come slithered from Eden, looking very dearly at one of God's lambs.

She imagined she looked very impressive to him— for how could he know that she had merely taken advantage of an already unfortunate situation for the seadog?— so with The Family in the back of her mind, the stark breed of Death called out to him: "come feast, tenderfoot! There's plenty for us to share." Because surely as a lone wolf he was hungry...

Heart pounded slightly within his chest as he watched the female snap her blood covered head up at him, shimmering stare watching as she licked at her white, crimson stained muzzle. Streiter was unsure of what the female's reaction to him would be as he stood quietly before her, watching. Not many liked to be watched as they fed, which was understandable to some. He couldn't help but imagine he looked like a rude fool.

Body tensed some as words flowed from her redden mouth, eyes staring at her as she invited him to join her in the feast. Really? The brute paused, finding his body suddenly unable to move for the moment as he simply stared at the she-wolf. Tenderfoot? He thought to himself, head tilting to the side as he took a ginger step forward, leathery pads sinking into the cold wet sand as he approached the large, bloodied beast. ”T..t..thank you.” he managed, head nodding to her in appreciation. For reasons unknown to him, his mind screamed with caution. The brown and grey male crouching himself as he came closer to the carcass, ears flicking back against his head as he peered toward the white female, "I'm Streiter.." he said. The least the male could do  was offer his host his name. 

The smell of blood over powered the male's nose as he came closer, his mouth practically watering as his stomach began to growl softly. In truth it had been a while since he'd eaten and Streiter had had no intetions on joining in on such a meal. Especially having not contributed at all. It caused the male to battle with himself, though the hunger had taken over and he wasn't prepared to pass up such an offer.

As he stammered and stuttered forward, further cementing her assumptions and accusation, Furiosa found herself touched by a completely smug sense of satisfaction. She didn't tend to be wrong, and was pleasantly surprised when she was, but that often did not trump the joy she got from simply being right. Though clearly the newly introduced Streiter was obviously sexually mature, he was naive— impressionable and perhaps a little desperate— enough to hesitantly approach such a veritably dangerous creature. He was either stupid, or had some mettle to his bones, and either way she would seek to take advantage. To possess him, as she possessed many things.

When he didn't immediately begin eating, her lip curled, chin tipping upwards in a commanding and disproving fashion. "Well, Streiter? My generosity not good enough for you?" she asked him coldly, her marred tail lashing. "Eat or begone!"

Streiter winced as the female curled her lip at his hesitation, her aura giving off a domineering vibe. The male had not meant to offend as her words struck him, amber eyes peering toward the stark white and blood covered female momentarily as she glared at him. Everything about her screamed danger. But Streiter couldn't escape now. A sense of unease crept over the male as he paused at her final words, mouth opening as he suddenly began to tear at the blubbery flesh of the sea beast. Pearly fangs gleamed, muzzle becoming a stained crimson as the warm liquid seeped from the fresh bite that was taken. Streiter's jaw clenching as he began to tear eagerly at the carcass. Hunger had taken over the young male's mind, clouding his thoughts as he gorged himself. Though, he couldn't ignore the screaming that was going on inside his head completely.

Tail swayed behind him in the sand, blood swirling upon the ground at his paws as he viciously shook his head, the tough skin of the beast proving to be tricky to shred with the first attempt. The brute tried to pay attention to what he was doing as well as allowing his curious gaze to keep returning to his unusual host. Many questions about her began circling within his mind as he filled himself, eyes peering from the carcass gradually back to the female as they feasted on the beach.

He ate as commanded, an appeased grin slowly pooling across Furiosa's stained face as she watched him.

That's it. There's a good boy...

She dug in too, savoring the  the warm ooze of blood down her throat, and the sound of flesh tearing as they feasted. She kept her ears perked, in case he had any friends looming on the sidelines, but all she could hear— besides their collective slurping, slopping, and crouching— was the howl of wind and sand dancing across the damp beach. When she glanced at her lunch guest, she found his gaze flitting away, as if he'd been looking at her too, and the huntress began to tug more readily at the line brandishing another type of prey on its other end.

Licking her chops two or three times, she took several steps back from the kill and gave her gore-flecked body a quick shake; and when she was still once more, her eyes filled with oblivion were on the young male again. "I'm Furiosa," she introduced in her naturally imperative way, though her body language had become decidedly very lax. "Tell me, Streiter: where is your family? Why've they let you get so thin?" She knew he was alone, but it seemed easier for her to pretend not be all-knowing for the time being.

Brown and grey fur began to tingle along his back, ears twitching at the sound of bones crunching and flesh ripping. He couldn't wash this feeling that began to take a hold of him, anxiety seeping into his mind. Amber stare darted to the kill quickly as they caught the female's stare. How could he have allowed himself into a situation such as this? His stomach rumbled and the brute then remembered. Curse his hunger!

Having spent most of his time alone, the young male found this to be a somewhat uncomfortable encounter. Streiter knew he wasn't a sociable wolf at best and this made it harder for him to mingle with others. Especially with large groups. This situation however was now out of his comfort zone, though he assumed it was more to do with the unpredictable company he found himself with. This female held a sense of power about her, Streiter could sense that for sure and this intimidated him. Her unnerving aura caused his mind to spiral into a slight panic, his body remaining tensed as he continued to have his fill, blood trickling down his muzzle as his fangs shredded the beasts thick skin.

Her voice sounded again, brown ears arching forward as he looked toward the female. Pink tongue flicked out from his wet crimson muzzle as he too, licked at his mouth. Amber eyes watched her carefully as she introduced herself, Streiter straightening his posture as he gave his head a small nod of acknowledgement. However her next question caused the young wolf to pause, swallowing hard Streiter watched her inquisitively, leathery lips parting as he replied somewhat sheepishly, ”I have no family.” He took a step away from the carcass, straightening his posture, attempting to rid himself of this scared pup-like behaviour.

He spoke, stepped back, tried to stand a little taller... She watched it all, hungry and perpetually wanting— though for what was anyone's guess. "Oh come now," she purred across the carcass. Dangerous, and seductive. The black widow, to her prey. "Everyone has a family." Slowly, deliberately, Furiosa began to round the kill, coming nearer to the young male and snaking her body in a way that bid him not to run. The bloodied, wolfish embodiment of an iceberg crag prowled carefully forward, hanging back in case he proved to be the type to lash out when he was afraid. She sought only to take in his scent, hidden behind the lake of blood surrounding them, and perhaps to touch; to claim, should he not refuse the daunting devil's harpy.

"Would you like a family, Streiter?" she asked him, husky voice low to accommodate for their new nearness; or perhaps to lull him out of his inhibitions. He had come to the banquet, after all, when he could've just ignored her invitation and waited for her to have had departed, before coming to partake with the other waiting scavengers. Hungry or not, he didn't seem to truly want loneliness.

Alarm bells began to ring within the male's mind as the sound of her voice cooed at him almost, amber eyes staring at her as she began to slowly walk around the carcass and in his direction. Ears twitched at her words as he remained silent. Streiter found himself frozen on the spot. Paws unwilling to move as his mind screamed at him to make a dash for it as she made her way closer. The young brown and grey male watched as she slowly made her way round the dead sea lion, gradually advancing closer on him. Streiter could feel his fur bristling on end as he stood in suspense, his eyes unable to tear themselves from her stark white form. He watched her approach, ears twitching as she spoke again in a serpent like manner. Her question sending chills down his What was he going to do? And more so, what was he to say?

Swallowing hard, Streiter peered over to Furiosa; it was true that he wanted family, but deep down and at this moment; it wasn't what he was searching for. The young male began to take a couple of steps backward, ears arching forwards as his calm voice slipped from his leathery lips, ”What are you getting at?” He questioned, amber eyes watching her carefully. Something was... off about all this. And Streiter knew he may have to choose his words carefully with this one.

Too forward, she'd been, because he stood puffed and uncertain, retreating several steps even as she advanced. Tsk, hopeless. "You're too afraid of me for it to be of any consequence anymore," she answered him bluntly, her eyes narrowing as she continued to stare, but advanced no more. There was a palpable difference to her now, for where she had been inviting before, now she was just disappointed and irritated. If he had been alarmed by her before, now it was quite easy for one to tell she was done trying to be nice. She had extended a wing for him to be sheltered beneath, but he was too afraid to even be touched by the wicked-looking woman.

"I think I've shown you enough hospitality."

Head cocked to the side as he watched the white, blood covered female before him. He had been unable to hide his emotions, that he was certain and he was certain that Furiousa had also noticed as her words caused his body to twitch. Brown ears became pinned to his head as he continued to take a couple more steps back, away from the carcass. This was just another socially awkward moment for Sylvas, like most of his encounters with others.

The young wolf repeated her words within his mind, amber eyes darting from the female down to the blood stained sands. Sylvas had noticed the sudden change in Furiousa, his tail curling some between his legs as he observed her cautiously. No longer was she welcoming towards him (even in her eerie way), the words she spoke next only confirmed his suspicions.

Tail tucked behind him, Sylvas adverted his amber stare back to Furiousa. ”I'm sorry...” he said as he lowered his head, ”...I guess I should take my leave.” he finished. The male felt frustrated with himself for this encounter, for socializing with others wasn't one of his specialities, regardless of how odd or intimidating they were. Maybe he was just an idiot?

No part of this encounter had at all been the fault of Streiter, regardless of how he felt about the subject. It was of her own volition that he had been called over, and for the same reason that he was being sent away. Furiosa could've been more appropriate, or perhaps tried a little harder to win him over the natural way. She could've even tried to dominate him if she'd been so inclined, but as things were, you couldn't force others into an unceremonious family. They had to want it; and in seeing that he wanted nothing to do with her, then it stood to reason that he didn't want anything to do with The Family either.

She didn't answer his question, considering it rhetorical, and instead turned back to the dead sea lion without passing him another thought. She ripped back into bleeding blubber, seeking to drown out her failure to recruit in a sea of warm, metallic blood.

Unless he did something unexpected, she fully expected him to leave.

Sorry for making your thread a short one :(

For Sylvas, the atmosphere felt pretty tense as his tail swayed behind him in the blood soaked sand. His large paws shifting him some as he watched the white female as she turned back to the carcass and continued to tear at its tough flesh. The brute didn't know whether to stay or simply take his leave, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of this encounter. It had been her eerie mannerisms that had made Sylvas uncomfortable. He found the female rather peculiar, in a creepy way. Or maybe it was just him? No. She indeed was a strange one to the brute and something about it just didn't sit right with the male.

His decision had been made and with a dip of his head (even if the female didn't see his gesture), Sylvas began to back away from the feast. Amber eyes peered at the wolf as she continued to gorge herself into crimson blubber, the male finally turned away from the sight and without another word, made his leave.

Sylvas has left

Well, since a "complete" thread is generally categorized as having at least 10 replies, you didn't make this a short thread at all :) thank you very much!

Ignoring the sound of Streiter's paws leaving on the moist sand, Furiosa dug intently into the fat and welcoming sea lion blubber, burying her incompetent recruiting skills into a subject she knew well: the glory of gore. At some point she stopped, peeling blood-slicked ears from atop her skull so that she might better find the presence of another, but she found herself completely alone. Casting one more glance about, the black-eyed wretch dug back into her meal to eat until she almost burst.