Viva La Vida (COME HEEEEREEE!)

[Sivoncé™]

(This is a continuation of plottish happenings in a thread called Dead of Night in the Twilight Clearing. That thread was private, but this is open for anyone who wants to roll around in some plot )

The time had come.
They were on the verge of war, and if they waited another day, they might not be the ones who got to make the call of when the storm would shatter the anxious silence that had settled in a thick film across the forest. No word from the Sheerans or Siverians...their leaderships are dormant and questionable. But Bain has proven himself a resiliant alpha -- the Yozorans have been hardest hit thus far, and yet, they are still standing. And soon, they'll have their just revenge.
The flame-pelted alphess stepped calmly into Yozoran territory with determination in her copper gaze. She had elected to come without Euphrates of her beta at her side -- her usual advisors -- because the issue had proven somewhat sensitive with Euphrates and BurnNote needed to recover as much as possible. Instead, the gray warrior Carolina loped alongside of her, her clear eyes in a similar setting resolve. The two ventured deeper into Yozoran territory, nearing the camp.

Only a short ways ahead of the Destinians was a pair of gangly ex-Yozoran neophytes, one holding the other up as she limped along with great difficulty.
Kasparr felt the unshakable feeling of impending doom descend over him. We're so screwed.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

No! Don’t do it again, please—stop! Please!
Frantic crawling, dirt scuffling under the skimming of claws. Shifting earth, then a pause. Not even a heartbeat—not a pulse.
…no… wait…
Maroon-tinged eyes angled downward, the protruding snout of ivory bone staring up at him. A mixture of revulsion and panic shot through his veins, and the heartbeat was alive again. It was an empty face—no, not a face, a skull.
Where did this come from? How long has it been here—I need to find help.
No need. No need at all. It is us, and I am all the help you need. All the help you all will ever need.
The brute stared, gaping as like a ghost. The shine of natural light dimmed from his eyes.
It is coming too late a time to care for risks—if the packs are to act, they are to act now. All sacrifices are to be accepted—even if it means severing the dangling threads of loyalty from the Yozorans. They will come to understand, in time—some already will. Consider the attitude of the packs—when wolves began to vanish, the blame was Yozoran cruelty. No apologies for accusations, just promise of war. Until they needed us to unite against Blood Mist. Quaint, is it not? No, favoring Blood Mist will also ensure safety. It is a step toward the manifestation of the greater good, do you not comprehend? It is the new reality. Now seize it!
And all was still, and silent. Bain stood in the center of the path, quivering as he returned from his trance—he could not recall how he had come to be standing, there, in the woods. But he was dizzy. Slowly, he leaned against the trunk of a pine, and vomited at its base, his eyes damp with fluid. …home… lie down…
Inexplicably exhausted, the Yozoran Alpha began to trace gradual steps toward his camps, but soon noticed an odd scent. Destinians? He turned his head, following the fresh scent, and eventually stepping into their path as they neared the stronghold. His throat cleared, the winded male attempting to restrain his nausea.
“Greetings, Fireflight. What brings you and your companion to Yozoran ground?”

[Sivoncé™]

...have the Sheerans and Siverians aware of what's happening, but incorporate them later, if things get bad...we need to make a show of strength for ourselves, though, the Destinians and the Yozorans. We've been the hardest hit, we're their main targets, so we need to show them we can hold our own against them without the help of the others....
"Oh!" Abruptly, her pawsteps came to a halt. She heard a similar exclamation of surprise from Carolina, her companion. A wolf, none other than the Yozoran alpha himself, had suddenly presented himself in front of her. Huh. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Recovering herself, Fireflight dipped her head in acknowledgement of the other alpha. "Greetings, Bain. I'm afraid there are some solemn matters to discuss; I have a proposition for you. I believe it is in the best interests of both our packs if you accept -- or at least take into deep consideration what I have to say. That is, if you wouldn't mind a talk?"

Carolina watched the two alphas in silence. Her mind and heart were racing as she blinked between the two powerful figures. Fireflight, though considerably slimmer in stature than Bain, was one of the most powerful wills she had ever seen. When Fireflight wanted something, she did everything in her power to get it. She'd wanted to show Blood Mist, and she'd been fast to follow through with her plan to attack them. I don't see any reason why this alliance shouldn't work -- we've always been able to align with the other packs in dealing with Blood Mist, we accepted it as a necessity a long time ago. But the question is, who will make the first blow? We're moving fast, but is it fast enough?

[featherswift]

He blinked several times and yawned. The trio had ran into Yozoran territory for safety which was ironic considering the threat was of Yozoron blood. Kasparr, Autumn, and him had heard so many things that it made his head buzz with the blood throbbing through his veins. He'd never suspected Bain, his own alpha, to be capable of being a demon swathed in wolf fur.

The black male looked back at the two wolves that followed him. They look tired. Sleep was cruel yet kind at the same time. He hated to ruin the two's day, but it was time to get a move on. A low whine escaped him, urging them to hurry.

His eyes traveled in the direction of camp. They were close, but not close enough to his liking. "It's morning and the day isn't waiting for us," he said lowly as he looked back down at their forms.

He stopped as soon as he heard voices. The smell of Fireflight, a Destanian, Bain, and sickness met him. What were they doing ahead of them, especially Bain?!

[Sivoncé™]

( I think you misread my post; they're up and walking ^^ That's allright, though )

Kasparr, helping Autumn walk by supporting her shoulder, nodded to the brush. "Fireflight's here," he whispered. "We should hear what he says to her. I know what we saw last night but....let's just hear what he says, allright? And then we have to figure out what we're going to do about it, because really, you're on your own, Jolon. Autumn and I can vouge for you, but we're not even technically Yozorans anymore. We're trespassing right now. We deserted the pack months ago, how much would they trust us now? It's just your word against Bain's."
Autumn looked miserably between two of them. What do we do now?

[.Rabid Lycan.]

There was a period of hesitation by Bain, who was still trying to catch his breath while simultaneously appear perfectly regal in front of the other leaders. His head lowered just barely but sharply, the wild expression in his eyes suddenly cast into shadow. Every ounce of willpower in the Yozoran Alpha’s mind channeled into forcing a straight composure, leaving a large blank span of time where he simply absorbed what the Destinian’s were proposing.
Finally, he nodded quickly. “Very well, Fireflight. I offer no promises, but I have an open ear to every soul. Let us retire to more confidential surroundings? This way.” The aged wolf turned, the distracted expression on his muzzle mixed and melded with an expression of sincerity. But not quite a lighthearted sincerity. The ebony male led the path to his own secluded den, eyes trailing once to capture a single image in his eyes: Shade, lying in the shade. His greatest friend, once lively and quick, now reduced to anguish. The male lie there, the side of his face ripped with burns, his bad leg tucked away from the light, eyes unfocused as if in mourning. For what, Bain could only imagine, but he did not imagine anymore—after Shade had vanished the second time, he had returned dead, and that was it. He just couldn’t place why for fear the guilt would boil over in his chest.
Company. You have company.
Do your duty, little boy.
I don’t want to be here.
Entering the rock den, Bain turned about and cleared his throat, signaling for his associates to sit. “Now then, what are these manners you would like to discuss? Would you care for some kill to eat, or will this be a brief visit?”

[featherswift]

Jolon listened to Kasparr in dismay. Bain led Firelight and the Destanian accompanying her towards his den as he watched, but he heard the once Yozoran. He had been pushing that issue away for some time now, but when reality screamed in his face he had to listen. A quivering began in his heart, but he stopped it from squirming away.

Before taking another step forward to the entrance of camp, he turned towards Kasparr and Autumn. This was the first time he'd spent so much time with the two and he felt ties of friendship or mutual survival beginning to knit between them. It was almost as if they were of pack, but he knew that they weren't in his mind. Jolon looked at Autumn's face and felt her emotions through him as well. The black wolf looked at them both. "I know," he said solemnly. He'd picked the fight from the beginning and from that point he was going to always be alone when it came to the big moment.

The Yozoran warrior padded forward with his head up proudly as they walked towards the camp. He made sure others saw Autumn and Kasparr as merely visitors and not attackers. "They went to his den. I'm going to try to listen in," he said lowly for only Autumn and Kasparr heard. His eyes asked for approval though.

[Sivoncé™]

Woah there...
Fireflight's eyes narrowed the tiniest amount, but she wordlessly followed the Yozoran alpha, politely declining the prey with a shake of her head. "I must apologize, but I find myself biased towards the flavors of my own hunting grounds." And why the hay are you offering me prey? So openly? Bain himself seemed a tad jittery, but the small inquiry gave away some hidden overconfidence. He's got a game to play, and he's most certainly playing it...
Within the walls of the den, Carolina sitting nearby and overlooking the conversation with an unfathomable gaze, negotiations began.
"Well, in the past, all of the packs have stood together against Blood Mist. However, your pack and mine are the only ones thus far that have been specifically attacked and targeted. I have battle plans for an attack on Blood Mist in the upcoming weeks, but I find it vital that you and I stand together. We can involve the other packs if we need to, but Blood Mist needs to understand we are not the weakest links here -- we need to make a show of our strengths as a pack. Will you aid us in the upcoming battle?"

Autumn blinked back at Jolon, something like alarm entering her eyes. We can't let him go in there alone.... She swayed on her paws, her tried eyes drooping down on her.
"Meet us tonight where you found us the first time," she whispered frantically. "Find out all you can, and then we'll plan later."Kasparr dipped his heads at his sister's words, taking a long, solemn look at Jolon. Whatever anyone said, and even if Bain thought he was an alpha, the true Yozorans were the three wolves standing here now, trying to save the pack.
Bain was just an intruder.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

His eyes stared past Fireflight, at some mirrored double of the Alphess that had emerged from blurry vision. It was as if fever was on him, though he lacked illness, or guilt. The world won’t stop moving. Why won’t it stop? Momma, make it stop. Please. The lids of his orbs clamped tightly together, crown inclining with the weight of Fireflight’s suggestion.
Ring around the rosey, a pocketful of posies…
“You speak of dark measures, but to be fair, it is a dark time. Blood Mist has sought us out, has murdered and kidnapped our brothers and sisters.” His eyes creaked open slightly. You thought the Yozorans did it once, and you were ready to wage war on us… no acknowledgement of that, I see. “But I cannot help but question how we could be expected to emerge victorious in such an affair. They came upon both our packs like demons. Their numbers are massive, and, as it would seem thus far, only two packs of the forest will engage them, when four combined could not hope to suppress them.”
Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.
“Vengeance is a pleasant thought, and perhaps asserting strength is a good aim, but I am afraid I do not approve of sacrificing still more lives in this attempt, especially with the odds so slanted against the packs. With my apologies, I must decline your offer.”

[Sivoncé™]

Excusemeh?!
Fireflight blinked, tilting her head and furrowing her brow, trying to figure out what words the Yozoran alpha had really spoken -- she had most definitely not heard him right. She cleared her throat and made a hasty appeal.
"I understand your concerns, but you're throwing in the towel completely? They can attack and wound your pack however much they want, and you won't do anything about it? Bain, no one wants more lives to be lost, but do you really think they'll respect that? Whether you decide to fight with us or not, Blood Mist will come for the Yozorans."
And in your darkest hour, the Destinians and perhaps others will refuse to give you aid. You're making an enormous, momentous mistake. Don't make an enemy where one is not necessary...

Carolina's ears twitched, a small streak of surprise shattering her unreadable composure. Her mind was whirring
If we don't get help from the Yozorans, we may have to involve the Siverians or Sheerans sooner than we wanted. The Sheerans have been fairly untouched, but the Siverians lost many in the last battle, and their healer was put through quite the torture. They'll help us, they have to help us....

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Momma, why won’t you get up? I need help. Please…
Hesitation, again. It was ripe within him, but he could not determine the source of the emotion, nor the reason he was not submitting to the emotion. “Perhaps…”
No.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are…
“Hear me, Fireflight. I mean no disrespect to you or your pack, but it is a hard time. A black time.”
…up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky…
“I have considered what you have to say, and, if you would have it, I will continue to consider it. But there are risks here that my pack is not willing to make. If Blood Mist storms down our gates, so be it, we will deal with it as we may. But to seek confrontation with an immortal force? It may align with our emotions, but not our logic. I am sorry, but the Yozorans decline.”
…when the blazing sun is gone, when he nothing shines upon.[/i][/color]

[Sivoncé™]

Slowly, Fireflight rose to her paws, pelt bristling with silent anger. And remember what happened the one other time a pack broke with the alliance against Blood Mist? The Siverians tried to bargain with them, a long time ago. And it was my pack that was driven from their home... She nodded curtly to Bain. "Yes, they'll come for your pack. And when they do, you will face them all alone." Turning on her heel, the Destinian alpha padded briskly from the den and disappeared into the forest, Carolina trailing behind her.
When the warrior caught up with her alphess, she murmured softly.
"Let's try the Siverians before we return--"
"We should try them, I suppose," the alpha sighed softly. "But I think we need to consider what just happened here before making any other moves; let's hope the other packs are not in line with Bain's thinking. We'll be talking with them soon enough."
The wolves crossed back over into their own territory with heavy hearts and minds.

[featherswift]

Jolon had nodded at Autumn and Kasparr's plan. Without waiting for them to leave, he walked carefully towards the den of the alpha. He could feel his heartbeat through his paws and was scared that others could hear it battering in their ears. The black male slipped effortlessly behind Bain's den. The loose ground allowed everything to be heard, even if he had to put his ear to it.

The Yozoron listened intently as Fireflight asked and almost pleaded to become allies. Bain turned it down each time though. What a fool you are Bain, he couldn't help thinking. It was always better to be safe than sorry. Hadn't history taught every wolf this?

As Fireflight left with a retort, he had to stop himself from yelling to her the reason Bain wouldn't comply. Jolon realized he was in danger if he stayed where he was. Immediately, he leapt to his feet and hurried into the woods. From there, he turned around and walked briskly into the camp by the same route, towards Bain's den. Now the action and scent would have nothing wrong in the alpha's mind. He strolled around the den, towards the entrance, and looked towards where Fireflight was leaving.

The warrior turned his gaze into the den. He saw Bain and cocked his head curiously. "What did the pesky Destinians want, Alpha Bain?," he asked earnestly.

[.Rabid Lycan.]

All alone.
Hardly. They lack perspective on the situation at hand.
They lack… perspective. The Yozorans are crippled—from the last assault, and from within. Charging into another battle without definitive strategies? Against immortality? It is as if offering bodies to a hungry slaughter. Many left this pack after the last ambush—we don’t need to injure this pack any further. Destinians will preoccupy the Blood Mists, and we will be safe until we dig up more information. Then we can consider our options.
Not all options involve military procedure. The Yozorans have nothing to fear from Blood Mist, not now. Sleep, Bain. Sleep.
A sudden drowsiness overwhelmed him, and he slowly sagged against a wall of his den. By some invisible force, his skull dipped lower, and the room began to blur.
…no… why am I so tired…? Can’t sleep now…
A hoarse cough exited his throat, and suddenly dampness ran to his nostrils. Muzzle still aimed in a sharp dive, drops of scarlet began to drip from his snout. More blurring, the spinning sensation returning.
Momma, I-I feel sick… Momma, get up!
“What did the pesky Destinians want, Alpha Bain?”
His pupils momentarily came into focus, and he heaved himself to a straighter stand. Jolon. Swallowing a painful gulp of air, Bain nodded his acknowledgement, and forced himself to remain erect.
“Greetings, Jolon… the Destinians arrived with ideas of war. Fireflight intends to lead an assault on Blood Mist in a show of pride. After considering her suggestions, I decided that these certain proposals did not seem to coincide with the Yozoran’s better interests. Yozorans will not be going to war tonight. Not yet.”
Not yet, Bain?

[featherswift]

After asking, Jolon's eyes adjusted to see the hunched figure inside. It lifted up and answered him. He stared and nodded as if this answer was easy for him to understand. The option was gracious of Bain, but he knew that the other side to this alpha was doing something completely different. Yozoran's would be dragged into the war regardless of the decision Bain made now.

Shifting his weight, a sunlight beam went into the den. From it, he could see Bain clearly now, though he wished he hadn't. Jolon's eyes widened at the sight that was to behold. Bain had blood dripping from his muzzle. His eyes held him in focus and he could almost see the true Bain he had known in the past inside. The Yozoran could see it was forced and his eyes were beginning to shift back. Alarm rose into his chest and throat. Bain was sick for sure!

Jolon nodded in response and opened his maw to reply. "Bain, you don't look well in the least. Would you like me to call Slip to check on you?," he asked. He was giving his alpha a choice so as not to upset any other side Bain was holding back.