|As the {i n k} *BLEEDS* t h r o u g h| (Private)

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Feeling his heart drop slightly, Sumer made to approach Babylonia... perhaps comfort her and express his sympathy. But Euphrates moved, putting a foreleg in front of him and keeping Sumer pressed firmly against his chest, unable to move.
Whiskers twitching in silent protest, Sumer glared up at his brother.

Euphrates ignored the angry stare and blinked slowly at Babylonia.
"...okay. What do you want with me, then? Turn me to your ways, or something? Show me that we can all get back together in a happy, murder-enriched family? If that's it, you're wasting your breath. My heart is with my pack now-- the Destinian pack. Not with my BloodMist 'family'-- never again will I go back there! Never!"
All the while, thoughts of Fireflight were fresh on his mind.
I will remain loyal to Fireflight... she brought me to the light...
He didn't dare listen to the darker voice in the back of his mind the whispered or did she and my pack steal me from my family?

[Sivoncé™]

Again, the sensation of flinching seemed almost a good thing, but she shoved it away. Her eyes did not grow angry, only more pained.
"Do you remember why I left the Destinians, Euphrates? Probably not. You wouldn't know even if you did at some earlier point in time; that has probably been blotted out too. I came for many reasons, as I stated before. Sumer does not know me. I find that hardly fair. And I love you still, Euphrates, even as you disown me. Oh......and I also thought you might want to know your new brothers and sisters. Of course, I'm not healed yet, but I will be soon. They died just as much as I did that day. And now they'll be back just as much as I am."
The dark scar over her stomach suddenly took on a whole other meaning.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Sumer struggled a bit against Euphrates' grasp, wanting to approach Babylonia. It wasn't his fault, really-- what wolf wouldn't want to know their mother? Especially a younger, disabled wolf like himself.
Why won't Euphrates just let me go? She's our mother for Lupus' sake!

Growling a bit at Sumer's efforts, Euphrates tightened his hold but kept his eyes on his mother. But now shock was seeping past his distrust.
"...my new brothers and...? Y-You can't be..."
He closed his eyes tightly, inclining his muzzle.
"...this entire thing... it can't be possible..."

[Sivoncé™]

"That's what I thought, too," she laughed softly. "But oh, nothing's impossible, Euphrates! A mother will murder another mother without a second thought! And the children pay the price, the children always pay the price!" She shook her head, sighing. "No longer. When I am dead and gone, they will still live. The will live because they never got a chance to before."

Annelise was stirring more now, not passing out so frequently and starting to gain the ability to lift her head back. Snare was snoring softly a few feet away, greatly to her advantage. But where was Babylonia? She froze as words drifted to her.
"The children pay the price, the children always pay the price!"
She swallowed hard as her theory turned concrete.
I can't shout....I can't move....I can't do anything!
She looked around her helplessly.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Could anyone have a more messed up family than I do?
But he couldn't argue with her. How could he? Children always did end up having to pay the price. Was it so wrong for a mother to want her children to live, as Babylonia wanted now?
Evil or not, Euphrates could see the genuine love and loss in her gaze.
"...when... when do you think they'll, uh... they'll live again...?"

Sumer could not be more confused.
What are they talking about? Is Babylonia having more pups...? That doesn't seem so bad...

[Sivoncé™]

"When the healer comes around," she murmured, voice non-chalant.
When the healer comes around my ass! Annelise snarled inwardly.
"Perhaps I will send someone here to meet you when that day comes?" her voice was hopeful. "So maybe then, you, too, would understand the difference between love and hate." Her gaze was intense, deep, but she blinked back to Sumer soon.
"Why is it you hold him back, Euphrates? Because I am evil?" She flicked her tail, as if she was dismissing this.
"Evil is a word wolves use to label the things they hate. So do you hate me, my son?"

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Euphrates diverted his gaze, muscles flexing in frustration under his russet coat.
I know the difference... I hate you and I love Fireflight.
Her next words scorched his skin in fiery rage.
"Of course I hate you!" he yelped. But, much to his dismay, his voice cracked, and his roar sounded more like a pup's voice... a doubtful pup's voice.
Do I really hate her? Or am I just saying what any other Destinian would say...?

While Euphrates was caught up in his thoughts, Sumer managed to squirm free and scramble over to stand in front of Babylonia. He stared up at her, eyes filled with wonder, and ignoring his older brother's sharp and furious yell of "Sumer, get back here!!"
Sumer took a small step forward, now inches away from Babylonia.
...my mother...

[Sivoncé™]

Babylonia's eyes were on Sumer's now, pleading, hopefull, as he continued towards her. Slowly, she bent to touch her nose lighty to his, a gentle gesture.
Euphrates' remark did put a dent in Babylonia's spirit, but she was a determined one, and there was little conviction in the voice of her eldest child.
"Actions speak louder than words, Euphrates," she said softly. "And your father? Is he evil to you, too, Euphrates? He roams the earth again, also. As do Lust and Assyria. Or do you disown them as well?" She frowned.
"Bloodline, now that is nothing.....but family is a different situation all together. What are you if you have no family, Euphrates? Do you think because I was birthed a Destinian that that makes them family?"

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Curling his jowls up in a snarl, Euphrates glared at Sumer.
Why did you go over there??
Switching his gaze to rest on Babylonia, a growl rumbled deep in his throat.
"And just because you gave birth to me? That makes you family? Well, guess what? I have my own family now. A family with the Destinians. A family with Sumer and Fireflight!"
He paused suddenly, not blinking but slamming his jaws shut.
...she wouldn't hurt Fireflight to get me on her side, would she?
No... she couldn't...

Sumer felt Babylonia's nose brush his, and he closed the gap between them, nuzzling Babylonia's chest fur.
My mother.

[Sivoncé™]

Babylonia felt elation sweep her as Sumer's comfort was apparent.
At least one of my children does not reject me.
Fireflight....
"...the Destinian alphess?" Her voice was skeptic. She had learned much of wolves when she came back into the world, of the dead and the living, of the past and presents of each she encountered.
"...she has no family, Euphrates, didn't you know? They died while she was small, and the little worm closed herself off from the rest of the world. She seems happy all the time, yes? Or optimistic as they say? Sure she is. I doubt it." Her voice was cold now, unforgiving, scornful almost.
I will find you, Fireflight. And when I do, you will not come between me and my family any longer.
But she did not let the venom seep into her gaze; these plans were a secret. And if they were to succeed, they would have to remain secret.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

((I'll never forgive you if you kill Fireflight
XD Okay, I will, but I still don't want you to, lol))

Euphrates' eyes burned, withers standing on end.
"You know nothing about her!" he hissed. "So don't you dare talk about her like that!"
Her voice ruffled his fur, making him all the more furious that he was still talking to his mother.
I promised Destiny that I would never be a traitor. I owe it to Fireflight to keep that promise... and loyal wolves wouldn't be standing around talking to the enemy like this.
"...you know what? That's it, we're leaving. Come Sumer."
Euphrates turned to leave... but Sumer only stared at him.
"Sumer, I said we're leaving."
The neophyte stared.
"Sumer, now."[/i]

But Sumer remained in a fix position. He was torn: he wanted to obey his brother (the brother her loved more than anything), but at the same time didn't want to leave his mother.
After all, it was only fair that I child had the chance to know his parents.

Euphrates, however, could not be in a greater rage.
"Do you hear me?"

Sumer looked from Babylonia to Euphrates and back, heart twisting in his chest.


Meanwhile, on the border along the lakeshore, a Yozoran wolf padded with one paw on the sand, one paw in the water. His flank, shoulder, and the side of his face bore distasteful burns, but he continued on.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll run into her again...
I need to tell her...
I like her more than a friend...
He lifted his head, seeing not a soul across the banks. Yet, through the fog and ash, a scent was carried on the breeze. The unmistakable scent of Annelise.
She must be near... but I'll have to cross the borders...
Like it matters if I'm by the water.
He picked up the pace, heading after the odor with his paws stirring up waves along the shore.
He soon found himself in Destinian terra when the smell curved toward the blackened woods.
...wait... how can that be? That's not even toward the Destinian pack...
Maybe she was running from someone...?
Caution abandoned, Shade headed into enemy territory.

[Sivoncé™]

(Don't worry, I have no plans of killing her as of right now XD )

Babylonia's eyes matched Euphrates' carefully, silently pleased she'd inspired the old rage in her brethen.
"What is it, Euphrates? Are you afraid that your brother's mind doesn't work exactly like yours? That the rest of us still have free will? The Destinians do not have this. They are bound by laws that are fake! Tell me this, who is here, now, from the Twilight Realm, to clear your mists away? None. And what good does your compassion bring you when each and every one of you still has an object of hate? Go on hating, then. But know there are wolves who know how to use it better than you do, better than the packwolves do. Do not pretend like you can use you loyalties to wipe away my image and the others ; what good is a love that is tainted with hate? There are wolves who can use them both, as seperate things, but this is an art I can never see your kind mastering." She shook her head, licking Sumer's ears gently.
"Speak for yourself, Sumer. And remember actions will always speak louder than words," she told him.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Euphrates was breathing deeper and faster now, growing more visibly upset with every passing second. He had always carried the characteristic BloodMist trait of a temper, but after supressing those feelings for so long... well, his emotions were basically exploding inside of him.
"...god..."
He paced to one side, eyes slowly fading to a puffy red color. Too much frustration, anger, and pain. And he couldn't get rid of it.
She's wrong... she's lying. My love for Fireflight is pure. My loyalty to the Destinians is pure... there is no need for this hate...
"...please, Sumer... let's go home," Euphrates managed, his voice edging toward a desperate tone.

Sumer took a step toward Euphrates, but an overwhelming voice screamed at him.
Don't you want to know your mother? This is your only chance!
Very slowly, Sumer retreated a few steps until he was beside Babylonia.

Euphrates shook his head.
"...no... no, please, Sumer... come home with me."

Sumer shook his head, not looking at Euphrates but his posture expressing his guilt at disobeying his brother.


Shade padded onward, hearing faint voices in the distance.
Could they be Destinians?
He doubted it, but he hoped it was true.
Jumping over a fallen, charred log, he gawked when he recognized a form on the ground.
"Annelise!" he whispered sharply, ducking down so as not to be seen. He could already scent that the other wolves were not of the Destinian pack, but were of BloodMist.

[Sivoncé™]

Babylonia sighed softly.
"So you can have your family with Fireflight and what does Sumer get, Euphrates? A life in your shadow?"
Her eyes were wrought with pain, but there was also a sense of finality in this moment. Something had turned, something had changed, and something else was even shifting now.
But not everything was as either of them wanted it to be completely.

Annelise blinked, not even needing to see his shape in the fog to know it was him. "Shade!" she gasped, searching for his gaze.
Luckily, Snare snoozed on.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Euphrates snarled at his mother's remark.
"I would never ignore my brother!"
But Sumer still didn't face him, and soon Euphrates' heart hardened in a layer of icy bitterness.
"...you know what? Fine. If he wants to stay with you, that's fine with me! He doesn't care about me or his pack anymore? Well... then who needs him! He's just an ungrateful little pup that would've died if not for me! So take him! Take him and get out!"[/i]
Tears burning on his eyes, he swallowed the guilt that churned in his heart and began racing in the direction of the Destinian camp. He didn't mean any of it... but the fact that Sumer chose Babylonia over him was too much.
I'll get a couple warriors over here... we'll chase 'em out... and aw-- shit!
He slowed his pace, glancing back but not seeing anyone.
I can't.... I can't let them find Sumer with Babylonia...

At Babylonia's side, Sumer sat down, shaken by his brother's words and visibly shivering a little.
He's right, he's right... how could I just ignore him.. he's done so much for me... you stupid, stupid wolf...

Shade slowly crawled forward on his belly, continuing to inch closer and closer until he was beside Annelise.
"I'm gonna get you out of here," he whispered, licking her ear. "Can you move?"