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Post by Kiba on Sept 26, 2008 12:17:53 GMT -5
Idiot! Kiba fumed, snarling in answer. Why the hell would I throw out another pack member?!
As angry as he was--DAMN CRAZY HUMANS--he barely kept himself from lunging at her, although he couldn't stop his muscles from tensing and his fangs were definitely showing by now.
I didn't say YOU couldn't live here--I said I'D defend the territory! What makes you so stupid as to turn down protection?!
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Post by Brandi on Sept 26, 2008 12:28:59 GMT -5
*Brandi's lips pursed for a moment, her gut telling her to lunge, get this over with. But she had been working on controlling that part of her. She wasn't about to stop now. She swallowed carefully, trying to form her thoughts through the instincts that burned in her.*
"I didn't reject the offer." *She answered lowly.* "I just want there to be an understanding."
*Her eyes narrowed, unblinking.*
"This...is my home. My pack. I did not threaten first. You are the one that sees me as weak."
*Her gaze took him in, his form and manner.* "I have no doubt that you are not. But if I must prove to you that I am strong enough to keep this...I am willing." *She spoke lowly.*
"I am not like other humans. Surely you can tell."
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Post by Kiba on Sept 26, 2008 13:31:58 GMT -5
Well, at least she was finally being rational. Granted, Kiba hadn't threatened anything, but humans had a strange need for specifics and that was probably why she'd been so angry at him.
Even if you're strong enough to defend the territory on your own, it's no use if you aren't here to do it, he said, willing his muscles to relax since Brandi had managed to keep a rein on herself. I don't expect you to chain yourself to the place, but I can take over when you have to go for a long time.
Part of him rebelled at being second to a human, and he had no idea if the alpha male position was open; however, she seemed to spend at least some time with one particular male (there were those specifics again), and he didn't want to make another, probably more fatal mistake.
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Post by Brandi on Sept 26, 2008 14:17:26 GMT -5
*Brandi had to cede that point. It was wrong of her to go to Lorien. In her heart she knew it, but still. She had only wanted to help. A lot of good that had done. Half an hour later and...well, it was obvious she couldn't make a difference. She stood straighter, looking less offensive.*
"What would you ask in return for such a generous offer?" *She asked honestly. She knew that nothing was free.*
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Post by Kiba on Sept 26, 2008 15:59:53 GMT -5
He had no personal connections to anyone as of yet, although he was already filing different scents away for memory, beginning with Brandi (alpha female), the pups (self-explanatory), and Helen (just in case).
In return? he tilted his head as Brandi asked him. Well, I won't be alone anymore. That helps a lot.
He might be second-rank to a human, but the fact that he was second-rank at all was helping him adjust to things--namely that he should probably ask Brandi before doing something major, like physically attacking something.
Also, if you have a problem with me bringing kills too close to the building, tell me now before you realize animal skeletons aren't your thing.
Usually it was only large prey that pissed humans off, but some of them were even more squeamish about dead birds or rabbits. The smell was understandable because everything started reeking after too long, but humans liked smaller animals too much to enjoy eating them, or knowing that others ate them.
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Post by Helen of Troy on Sept 26, 2008 16:15:00 GMT -5
Helen didn't hear any fighting in the other room. She, with her experience, certainly knew what a war sounded like. At least in Ancient Greece. Remembering she still hadn't paid for the room, got a room or a room key for that matter, not even information about the price of the room, she returned to the place where she first came in.
She noticed that the wolf-man and the young woman were still talking to each other, so she placed herself in a corner of the room, on safe distance if anything should happen. Just in case.
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Post by Brandi on Sept 26, 2008 16:20:48 GMT -5
*Brandi's eyes flashed to the woman instinctively as she reentered, but not perceiving a threat, she calmed once more.*
"There is a hill out back. My friend and I have made a shelter ((a very nice dog-friendly, but open kennel)) for the others. If you can keep your kills there or behind those parameters, I would appreciate it. I am not bothered, for it is the way of nature, but this building is a haven for traveling humans, and some of them would not understand. Is that acceptable?"
*She smiled cautiously.*
"We would be lucky to have one like yourself, if you are willing."
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Post by Kiba on Sept 26, 2008 20:16:05 GMT -5
Kiba didn't bother asking why she would willingly let strangers stroll in and mooch off her resources (how would her pups survive if there was a bad winter and not enough food?), but at least it was confined to the building itself. Perhaps it was that species-wide weakness humans had for the fatally injured or terminally sick, but at least he wouldn't be obliged to deal with it.
He gave the canine equivalent to a smile when she said the last part, although it was for different reasons than she might realize. Of course he was willing to put up with this insanity of a pack--he was a wolf! He hated being alone! Weaker wolves were almost guaranteed to find a suitable pack, but dominant wolves often harbored all-or-nothing mindsets.
Unless they were in an entirely different place and, as far as they knew, alone--like him.
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Post by Helen of Troy on Sept 26, 2008 20:58:36 GMT -5
Helen was still standing in the corner, looking at the wolf-man and the young woman. She had no problems understanding. After all, in Sparta and in Troy they had gods who could transform into wolves. In Sparta it was hard penalties for hurting a wolf.
She also understood Kiba's feeling of being alone. She felt the same way right now, so far away from home. But she didn't feel so alone that she wanted to return to her husband Menelaus. She shuddered just by thinking of him.
She gave the wolf a look of sympathy, a silent token that she understood his feeling of loneliness, and that she shared that feeling.*
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Post by Kiba on Sept 26, 2008 23:38:31 GMT -5
He could see Helen looking straight at him from where he sat, her expression changing to sympathy; she probably heard what he said about being alone. He resumed his human disguise after finally relaxing of his own accord, sitting in roughly the same position as his real form.
For all his thoughts about humans and their various mental weaknesses, some of them actually weren't that bad. Aside from the alive-but-rotting man who lived underground, there were two perfectly normal people to balance him out. He did hope to meet another rational male soon, because so far things didn't bode well for his gender.
"It's nice to know I'm not the only sane one in this place." he smiled, relieved for the first time since he'd gotten here.
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Post by Helen of Troy on Sept 26, 2008 23:45:43 GMT -5
Helen noticed the wolf-man changed to his human form again. She smiled warmly by the sight of him. She liked him both as a wolf and a man. In Sparta, wolves were popular. They were worshiped. She had no problems liking this strong, masculine wolf.
When he heard his words, she smiled warmly and looked at him.
"I was about to say the same..."
She replied in her Ancient Greek.
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Post by Brandi on Sept 27, 2008 5:13:45 GMT -5
*Brandi sighed softly. All right, back to work. She nodded to them both and moved behind the counter.*
"Miss...it's 300 francs a week."
*She glanced at the unusual...were-wolf-person, unsure of what he actually was. But her half-smile was supportive and welcoming. Hopefully, they would find time to talk about it in private.*
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Post by Helen of Troy on Sept 27, 2008 6:04:24 GMT -5
*Helen smiled softly and came over to the counter. Things seemed to have calmed down, for now. She found her purse and placed 600 francs at the counter. She spoke to the young woman in her broken English.*
"Here is the payment for the two first weeks. I would love to stay longer, but I...."
*She stopped herself from talking and looked around nervously. How much could she tell about herself running away from a husband she didn't know. Would they understand? The reason she chose this place, was because there was a wolf here. Wolves were a good sign. And she felt protected by them. But of course... they had protected Menelaus too... She looked up at Brandi again.*
"Has there been a tall, dark-haired Greek man here? With dark burning eyes? Armored with a sword?"
*Her voice sounded nervous, as if she was afraid to hear the answer.*
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Post by Brandi on Sept 27, 2008 6:06:37 GMT -5
*Brandi arched her brow.*
"Not that I've seen. Though I've just returned. But somehow I think I would have heard about him."
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Post by Helen of Troy on Sept 27, 2008 6:18:21 GMT -5
*Helen smiled a bit nervously, but relaxed. She shoved the 600 francs over in Brandi's direction, offering them. Her tiny hands were trembling.*
"Well, it seems everything is fine, so far. But... if a man of that description should show up... and ask for me.... would you be so kind to not mention I am here?"
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