The End of an Era {Lupus/Liviana}

[Sivoncé™]

Liviana climbed the steep rockside with ease. She was used to things like this by now, just as she was used to the extremely cold temperature. She sighed heavily as she looked out at the snowy clefts before her. She recalled her last night in the forest with bittersweetness.

She'd looked out on the Mirror Lake, gazing down at the reflections in the water. The night had been ever so still and silent....a million and one colors and hues had painted the sky, and no moon could be seen. The trees were alive with crimsons and golds....all had been so....perfect.

She hadn't been planning on leaving that night...it just sort of happened that way. That wolf....so large and dark....had chased her! He'd stirred the water and leaves, shattering the perfect images she'd wanted to remember. He was the reason she'd left without saying goodbye to her family....but it was too late for regrets now.

This was a new beginning...but not quite.
It was merely the beinning of the end...

[.Rabid Lycan.]

A cloud of black mist hovered in the air, heading for the mountains. No scent, no sound... It was almost perfectly camoflauged in the night sky.
Then the figure dipped, grazing the water, Suddenly, the shadowed fog was visible.
However, Lupus had not retained anything of his wolf form.

[Sivoncé™]

Liviana looked up and kept her claws at the ready. She hadn't encountered much trouble yet...but she expected it. "Who's there?!"

[Ärï]

"It's me" Mirage barked, padding out of the undergrowth. Her ebony fur blended well with the shadows, hiding her expertly except for her deep blue pools that stood out on her elegant visage. She'd been away for a while, practicing control of her empathy. Now it was ok to be around wolves and touch them but only for short periods of time. "Liv, what are you doing out here?" Mirage asked, like the concerned friend she was.

[Sivoncé™]

"I was going to leave at the start of December...but I was chased," Liv explained. She narrowed her eyes curiously at Mirage. "What are you doing here?" She barked. Liv had improved her English immensly, and was happy to understand what Mirage had said.

[Ärï]

"You're worried" Mirage murmured. "Calm down. Everythings fine. Who chased you?" Mirage padded a bit closer and sat back on her hunches, looking curiously at Liv. Her emotions were confusing as always. "I was practicing my empathy control. Look." Mirage leaned forward and touched Liv's fur. After a moment, she sat back.

[Sivoncé™]

Liv smiled at her a bit, then frowned. "I think it was the one they call Snare...." Liv shivered a bit. "Whatever it was, it was HUGE! And it shattered the reflections in the lake...." Liviana sighed. "It was a bad omen. And it made me leave before I was ready."

[.Rabid Lycan.]

The shadow drifted near them. Lupus looked toward the wolves, but with his mind rather than his eyes. He had no eyes...
Only black.

[Ärï]

A shiver shot down Mirage's spine. Her fur rose and she went rigid. "Liv, are you sure we're alone out here?" Mirage barked, looking around with her deep blue pools. She couldn't sense anyone's emotions but it still felt like someone was there....watching and waiting.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

The shadow hung, suspended in the air. Lupus gazed down at the two. He seiled his overwhelming emotions which had tormented him for so long away... in a black rose. As of now, all he could do was watch and wonder Will anyone find me here?

[Sivoncé™]

Liviana flicked her ears as she heard a very far-off call. It was eerily familiar....

"MOM!" Liviana gasped. "I bet the wolf that chased me found her....." Liv gazed back at the path she had taken with horror and helplessness. "We're too far away...by the time we get back she might already be.....forget it. I'm going back!" She dashed away.

[Ärï]

Mirage grimaced at Liviana's sudden distress. She hated the sour taste of sorrow and distress on her tongue. Bunching her muscles, Mirage sprang after Liv. Friends meant they had to help each other. Mirage knew that much. If Live was scared of Snare, she would need help if they had to face him again.

[Sivoncé™]

Liv rushed her way down the rocky slopes she had climbed earlier. She slipped once, but got back up immeidiatly. She cared not for her own saftey, she only wanted to get to Lucinda before it was too late. On her way down a particularly steep rockface, she slid again. Liv's claws scratched the stones frantically, searching for a hold. She fell backwards, landing on a rather wobbly cleft that hung over a rushing river. The cleft lurched forward, threatening to send her flying into the river. At the precise moment in time, Liviana looked much like her grandmother, Rhain. Her white and red features were alive with determination and heartbreak. Liv HAD to know Lucinda would be okay....her mother had raised her well, away from the hells of the packs. She owed her. She bunched her legs, preparing to jump to a higher ledge. The cleft gave another lurch, and broke away from the cliffside as Liviana took her leap...

[Ärï]

Mirage leapt forward, grabbing Liv's scruff. The added weight nearly dragged her over the ledge she'd jumped onto. Bracing her hind legs, Mirage closed her eyes, struggling with the added weight. Her claws slid forward. Burning was starting in her mouth. Sooner or later she'd have to let go of Liv, unless she wanted to go insane. Mirage heaved backwards but being smaller then Liv, it wasn't enough. The pair remained suspended, Liv dangling and Mirage struggling to hang on.

[Sivoncé™]

Liv got a good hold on the rockface, and heaved herself upward. She breathed in deeply, reminding herself that Mirage wouldn't be able to handle this much panic. Liv's front was now safely on the ground, but her legs still dangled off the edge of the cliff. She gingerly brought her legs up. "I guess I should be more careful, next time!" She woofed.