When You Can't Run Anymore...

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Seyda glided across the barren land stretched out in front of her, midnight paws barely touching the ground as she ran with all the considerable speed she could muster. Her muscular legs were like elastic iron shooting her forward with every long stride of her lean body. She was invisible here, against the darkened night sky, ghosting forward at one with the land around her. She was free like this, she was flying. She could feel her spirit soaring and for a moment she believed she was meant to be eagle instead of a wolf. Running was home to her. She'd been running for as long as she could remember and it'd become her only comfort in an otherwise miserable existence. If she ran hard enough, made herself weak with exhaustion, the horrid images that were always swimming in her mind's eye would fade. For a moment she would not see the slaughtered bodies of her brothers and sisters carelessly strewn about a den painted red with their bloods. For a moment, she could forget seeing her mother's body, beautiful even in death, sliced from exposed to neck to her underbelly, staining her white fur an awful scarlet. But most of all, she could not remember what her dear brother, her only surviving litter mate, looked like with his neck bent at an ungodly angle, once lively blue eyes milky white, frozen in his last moments of horror. The images ripped from Seyda in a gut wrenching howl that shattered the frozen silent of the night.

Willing herself away from the memories, Seyda urged her body faster, pushing harder and harder, wanting to put more distance between herself and the images that haunted her. As much as she loved running, she had grown so weary of it. She wanted to stop, to rest. She could remember what being a part of a pack was like. In her most hidden parts, she yearned once more for a family. All her life, she had never dared to put a pack in danger with her presence but it'd been a full year since last she'd spotted the vengeful and mad Alpha that had hunted her all her life. And in that year, an awful thing has happened. She'd begun to hope she could join a pack and live and love like a normal wolf. She knew that hope was a dangerous thing, it could drive a wolf mad with longing and grief if it was denied them. Seyda knew she should not indulge such lethal thoughts but she could not help herself. She'd even found a new and growing pack and had begun to scout the area. She was young, strong, fertile, loyal and skilled. Any pack could use a wolf such as her, but a growing pack surely could not afford to turn her away. And so, hope blossomed in her chest as she approached the borderlands. Maybe, just maybe...

Seyda came to a slow stop, just on the edge of the borderlands. She'd been scouting the area so she knew any wolves that had patrolled the area would've caught her scent, especially strengthened as it was by her current heat. Her scent would be familiar, a strategy she'd executed on purpose. That way when she approached, she wouldn't be a total stranger. There would be some recognizable part of her. The winter air was crisp as she raised her head and let out a low, melodic, howl, a long and mournful sound, summoning any nearby pack members. She knew the middle of night wasn't the ideal time to approach an unfamiliar pack but the cover of night was when she was most comfortable, nearly invisible aside from her glowing eyes. Tail swishing impatiently, she waited.

Shrill air chilled the fae to the bone as a blast blew into her face. Winter had finally set in fully and with it it's wrath against the warm and vulnerable. Snow was knee deep and continuing to fall. In the air Chiara sensed a storm brewing, one that would give more snow, oh joy. Plowing through the white crap Chiara again willed herself to grow taller, though she knew it was feeble. This was one particular instance that she wished she was as tall as her mate. While he could trot easily through the drifts that grew around her lands, she had to wade through like a fat duck. Growling to herself she cept to the trees, welcoming the cover and thinner snow under them. Soon she was leaping from trunk to truck, avoiding the snow all together. Rather enjoying herself when a howl came it put her on alert first before capturing her curiosity.

Though the voice seemed foreign, as Chiara trotted closer and smelled the scent seemed less odd. Magnus had informed her of a wanderer near them, toying with the borders, yet keeping their distance. For a little bit of time the loner had been on her radar, not causing her concern, so she gave the same curtsy. Now the stranger had sung out to her, revealing them-self and seeming to ask for acceptance. Curious now she surged forward, blasting through a drift and getting covered in snow. Before her stood a fae, black as the night around them. Chiara strained to see against the shadows, for the wolf before her seemed almost like a demon in this light. Taking a few steps the wind picked up, casting a beam of light on the stranger. Her eyes light up and Chiara held back a catch in her breath at the brightness at them.

The Alphess shock off the snow of her coat and cleared her throat. "You are the wanderer from these parts. Tell me who are you and why do you show yourself now at this hour? I am Chiara, Alphess of these lands, I have little time for nonsense so don't waste my time and I shalt waste yours." She said, sounding as polite as she could under these circumstances. Waiting for a reply Chiara sat down, her tailw rapping around her feet to keep in the warmth.

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Seyda could smell the approaching female long before she could see her. In anticipation of finally meeting a member of the pack she'd been scouting, she stood, wanting to appear respectful. Her keen eyes soon picked up the fae that appeared out of the darkness. She was a petite wolf but she held a regal air about her. Seyda's tail swished against the ground as she stood, brushing back some of the snow that had accumulated around her while she sat waiting for a member to approach her at the border.

Brushing away some snow with her paw, Seyda bowed her head, tail dropping to tuck between her legs, ears pulling back against her head, all classic submissive gestures. She was not a submissive wolf by nature, a trait that was reinforced by her years of wandering alone and, before that, being the daughter of a Beta turned Alpha. She understood, perhaps better than any wolf, that dominance and hierarchy were necessary for a pack to run smoothly and successfully and she had no qualms showing submission to an Alphess. Her glowing blue eyes returned to the dark she-wolf in front of her, head still bowed respectfully.

"I do apologize, Alphess, for choosing to come at this late hour but as I'm sure you know, some packs would rather kill an intruder to their lands than listen to their plea." Her voice rang out, low and melodic, the soft sound carrying across the small distance. "I have observed your pack and didn't believe you would attack me when I approached, however, on the chance that something did happen, the cover of night suits me best as you can see and would give me an easy and quick escape." Seyda paused here, letting her words so far sink in before continuing. She inclined her midnight dark head towards the Alphess once more.

"I am Seyda and I have come to petition to become a part of your growing pack. I have searched for a very long time to find a pack that suited me. I am a skilled warrior and a loyal wolf. I've lived alone, on the run, most of my life and as such, I have considerable knowledge of hunting and healing as well. I'd like to become an asset to your pack as a warrior and perhaps, one day, a Guardian." Seyda inclined her head once more before allowing her gaze to settle on the Alphess. She was respectful and polite but there was a certainty in her words and hard edge in her glowing eyes. It was not hard to imagine her laying down her life for another when she looked so certain of herself.

Seyda dropped her gaze from the pack leader respectfully, once more, waiting for the reply from the Alphess with baited breath.

Chiara gazed at the black fae, her face void of any emotion. She let her words and stance sink into her mind, trying to adjust to the flavor to see what her reaction would be. This fae had awoken the Alphess at an horrible hour only to preach how she could easily evade her should the need arise? She had to admit this girl had guts. Smirking at her Chiara too swept the snow from her paws before speaking. "You are a confident yet respectful wolf, hence your speal about evading a attack will be just that, a speal instead of a dare. I hold no qualms to journeying out here, for yes some other packs would not be as gracious as I am." She said, the words slipping off her tongue with a distinct hiss. Her eyes warned the fae not to tempt her, nor push her boundaries on this night.

Introducing herself and showing the correct submission softened Chiara, but only slightly. Seyda spoke of her desires and the wish to aim high. "I am flattered you have chosen my humble pack to sake your claim at your desires. As I'm sure you are aware a newcomer does not just waltz into a pack with a high rank pinned on their chest. Nor does a wolf I know nothing about suddenly become my protector, adviser and third in command." She said, her words a bit softer now. "Tell me of your past, what you trained as and what your old pack was like. We must all pull our own weight this time of year, thus we must all have a use." Chiara said, flicking her tail at the black fae. "I run this pack on the notion that all wolves can be treated as equals. We all train to be usable in all ranks, yet we still excel in one. All wolves have a voice here, from myself and my mate Magnus to our Autay and Healers. Tell me your thoughts on this lifestyle? Can you push aside any prejudice and pride to train with a Autay or teach a healer to fight? Would you take advice from a hunter and have the boldness to speak amounst my Delta?" She questioned, her dark amber gaze nearly burning into her.

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Seyda was pleased by the Alphess's reaction to her passionate words. She knew they could have been misunderstood as cocky. The truth was simply that Seyda had not been in the company of another wolf in a very long time. Her social skills were rusty and she didn't waste time with unnecessary words.

"I have no illusions that I'd become a Guardian anytime soon. But it has always been my dream and I'm confident I could prove myself loyal to you, your mate, and the entire pack." Seyda sat back on her haunches, dark tail wrapping around her lean legs. She kept her head lowered, ears pinned back submissively, trying to remain respectful. "And I apologize if I come off.. harsh. I have not interacted with another wolf in a long time. My old pack was from the far, far, north nestled in the mountains. My father was the Beta when I was born but a wasting disease decimated the pack and he was soon made Alpha. My mother had been the Lead Healer before. My younger brother was the only litter mate of mine to survive... Uhm, my pack was taken over by a murderous young wolf who killed my father is a cruel trick because he could not beat him fairly. He killed my brother, mother, and the new litter she'd just birthed. He let me live and after a couple months I escaped. I've been on the run since then." Seyda said the last bit all in a rush. It was the first time she'd talked about her past, ever, and she felt an unexpected rush of emotions. She took a slow moment to compose herself before she continued.

"Before that, I'd been training to become a Guardian and my litter mate was training to become a healer. My father and my old pack held much the same beliefs as yours does, apparently. Every wolf held a voice in his council and I was raised to know that an Autay's opinion holds as much sway as a Beta's." Seyda finished talking, hoping she had answered the Alphess's questions. She shifted her posture, feeling uncomfortable discussing things she'd never mentioned to another wolf before in her life. Seyda silently hoped the she-wolf in front of her had not noticed how uncomfortable she suddenly was.

Chiara didn't respond to Seyda's comment about knowing the obvious, there was no need. She was indeed a smart wolf, not cocky, but rather aloof in nature. She had a willingness that intrigued the dark Alphess, a personality she wished to know more about. Speech was exchanged again, this time of her past. Chiara frowned, emphasizing with her the horrors of losing loved ones. Her pack never knew deadly disease, but she remembered death within the pack, and from her own family. "It must have been hard for you," she said softly, "to have your family die at the hands of a rogue. I too know death in my family, but it came from within my family as their destruction." She said, not giving too much away. Her own father had killed both her mother and sister while training her brother's into refined killing machines. No, that story was for another day.

Continuing to listen her ears perked as she spoke of the similarities between their packs. It was refreshing to know other packs ruled as she did, with a fair hand and respect for all. It was much better than a dictatorship or a instant trust in all members that they did as they pleased. Her pack had an order to it, a refinement if you will. Everyone had a purpose, an equal level of trust for each other, even if it took time to acquire. "Tell me of your training to be a guardian. I myself was a guardian in the pack I came from. I protected the Alpha, did patrols, cept his adoring fans away during his nap time and generally stalked him. Here I'd like my guardians to be the four front of defense. They must know my territory better then myself. Aside from protecting myself and Magnus in the event they are needed they also need to protect every other member, what better way than to teach others defense? Aside from that they will greet potential new members at the border, hence they must up hold every ounce of moral that the pack has." She explained, having not really thought of a guardian's duties until now.

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Seyda was glad for the passionate but brief moment of empathy from the Alphess. A moment longer of lingering on her unwanted emotions would have made the midnight black she-wolf even more uncomfortable.

"The loss of family is always hard and it's taken me a very long time to get over what happened but I feel I could be a part of a pack once more." Seyda replied, her soft voice regaining confidence after her emotional shake up a moment ago. Her glowing eyes flicked back to the Chiara. "But I am very sorry you've had to experience such loss in your life." The black wolf dipped her head again in a moment of shared loss with the Alphess.

When Chiara asked her next questions, Seyda felt a moment of relief. Her training was familiar and solid ground, unlike the lurching wavelike motions talking about the loss of her family caused her to feel. Once again on solid ground, the hard edge returned to Seyda.

"My training was intense, despite the fact that I only received a short amount of it. I never wanted to be Alphess, only ever a Guardian. My father had been a Guardian before becoming Beta and he believed that Guardians are the first and last line of defense for any pack. They should protect every pack member, putting their needs above their own, and they should be willing to lay down their lives should the need arise. I trained hard in fighting and defense every day but my father also thought Guardians should be wise advisors. So I went to every council meeting at my father's side and I spent hours learning from the Elders, taking in all the lessons I could. As a Guardian, I was also expected to learn how to provide should I ever be stranded somewhere taking care of an injured pack member. I was taught lessons in healing and hunting so I could serve the pack in every way. That is what my father believed a Guardian should be. Not just an empty-headed brute willing to fight and die, but a skilled provider, healer, hunter, and diplomat, willing to give their whole selves to their pack in every and any way required of them. And that is what I strive to do." Seyda finished her words just as softly as she had started but by the end of her speech, a passion had filled her voice. She sat a but straight, looked more directly at the Alphess and her icy eyes seemed alive with a passionate blue fire. She truly believed every word she spoke and she was proud of what her father had taught her before his death.

If there was one thing Seyda was sure of, being a Guardian was a noble calling and she intended to live up to the rank in every way she could, even if she was just a warrior. She would serve as a warrior proudly, and with the heart and spirit of the Guardian she hoped to someday be.

Chiara blinked, empathy showing and humbleness at Seyda's kind words. Chiara thought often of her old family, though happy thoughts of her current one nearly always took over. Seyda started to speak again, this time of her training. Listening intently Chiara's mind was pleased with the fact most of her ideals and desires played into her training. The two seemed one of the same in this instance. It was good to hear her type of training wouldn't come as a shock to the black fae before her. As she finished her speech Chiara smiled at her, pleased with this outcome.

"This is good that your past training mirrors what will come in the future. All that is needed now if your pledge to myself, mate and my pack. Pledge your life to us and pledge to serve us at all times. Do that and I shall offer you entrance into my pack as a warrior. I know it's not the rank you'd like, but I shall offer you something else too. My Delta Malachai is a skilled wolf, seek him out for training and we shall see how far he can take you." She said, a hint of secrecy in her voice as if she knew something Seyda didn't. "So what say you? Will you devote your life to servitude for myself and my pack?" Her tail swished behind her in anticipation for her response. Good feelings about new members didn't spark a large interest in Chiara, but this fae was an exception.

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Seyda listened intently to the Alphess's next words, excitement blooming in her heart where deadly hope had once curled. She couldn't believe it but she was actually going to join a pack. She'd been all but expected. She couldn't help the slight swish of her tail in anticipation and the way her ears perked up a bit.

"I will proudly take the rank of warrior. It's an honorable role." Seyda said, quick to assure the Alphess that even though her heart and mind was set on being a Guardian, that she would treat the rank of Warrior with no less dedication. Seyda dipped her midnight black head, both in a sign of submission and respect but kept her startling blue eyes on her, soon to be, Alphess, wanting the sincerity of her oath to shine through. "I pledge myself to you and your mate, my Alphess and Alpha, and I pledge myself to the entire pack. I pledge my life to you and promise to always serve and protect this pack, or lay down my life trying." Seyda raised her head slightly again, once more filled with a passion and purpose she had not felt since escaping her previous pack. It felt so unexpectedly good to be doing something once more, to have a role, to have a purpose.

When the Alphess had mentioned Delta Malachai, Seyda's black ears had perked and her head had tilted slightly in curiousity at the Alphess's secretive tone. Seyda had no clue what the she-wolf was planning but, she realized with a start that, she trusted Alphess Chiara. How odd it was to feel trust again.

"I will gladly seek him out and learn all that I can from him." Seyda said honestly, feeling a slight thrill at the prospect. Perhaps she would become a Guardian someday, after all.

Smiling at the fae Ciara dipped her head. She was pleased with her pledge and made no attempt to hide it from her. Yes, great things would happen for this fae, she was sure of it. "Then I name you Warrior Seyda. You are now a full member of Pyrvanthros and may explore as you wish. You may also follow me back to camp if you like." She said as she stood and turned to leave. The snow started to pick up and Chiara shivered slightly. "Perhaps I may insist that we journey back home for I sense the storm will only get worse." She mentioned, turning back to the new warrior. "Come warrior, come with me to your new home."

ooc-You need not reply to this. You may now change your name to Warrior Seyda. You can also change the color of your name by joining the rank Pyrvanthros under "Ranks" at the top of the page. Feel free to post anywhere in the neutrals or pack lands.

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When You Can't Run Anymore...

When You Can't Run Anymore...

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