twisted . & T u r n e D . [ Babylonia & Co. ]

[.Rabid Lycan.]

That settled it. This was all a figment of his imagination… it had to be…
Dusk was already beginning to settle, with a vibrant mesh of indigoes and pale scarlet blanketing the cooling earth. The scents of packmates clung to the roots, the thickets, the air—most of them familiar, if not instantly recognizable. But even surrounded by the comforting aroma of his brothers and sisters and arms, the comforts of home seemed so distant this day. He tread through the terra as if he were some trespasser or a common prey thief.
Or a smuggler.
“Just in here…”
Unable to hear himself over the rhythm of his pulse, Euphrates ducked under a crooked log and slipped into the target hollow. The warmth of two of his siblings—two brothers—muffled his speech, though one of them roused as he set the pair at his paws. The enclosed hollow was not entirely favorable, as there was a chance wolves would come across the family, but it would do for now, with neophyte training taking a backseat to war preparations. He swished his tail, shifting aside to allow the remainder of the precious cargo to enter the area—namely, Babylonia and the other pups.
…like old times? Euphrates glanced down at the younglings, his paranoia momentarily surrendering to the fuzziness of nostalgia. One of the pups yawned, and for a moment, he imagined playing with Assyria in the den, with Babylonia watching over them. Big brother, little sister… wanted to be a strong fighter just like him…
He blinked, abruptly straightening himself and clearing his throat. “Erm… will this be enough room for you all, at least for now?” he murmured softly, glancing around at his family. So… surreal.
And, dear Verlust… how to tell their sister-in-law…

[Sivoncé™]

(Flisk has been inactive for over a year, so should we just erase Uruk from memory? Unless you want to rp him, then you can have him xD )

Physically, this was the farthest Babylonia had even attempted to walk since reincarnation. She wasn't sure if it was the first signs of redemption or just an overall pain in the ass feature, but while others remained in their pique physical form, Babylonia felt her body continue to age and weather. This journey was hard on her, but she said nothing of it. What mattered more were the pups that padded along in front of her.

Ishtar scowled sullenly. "Are we there yet?" She yawned widely as they entered the hollow, eyes critical. "This is your camp? No wonder they call you guys puny...." She didn't approve of this journey, and she didn't like it one bit. Why did they have to hide in some stinky pack camp, anyhow? Ishtar liked it in Blood Mist. Babylonia had told them it wasn't safe for them anymore, but as far as Ishtar could tell, no one in Blood Mist wished them any harm. To the contrary, everyone wanted to play with them because they were the only pups in camp. Ishtar glared coldly at Euphrates. "When can we go home? I miss Shiver, she was more fun than you..."

[.Rabid Lycan.]

((just what I needed, more wolves xD But, meh… since he’s already in the family tree and that Fuphrates animation thing… I guess I’ll keep him for now xD Maybe adopt him off later if I can))

Sargon had already began to explore, scenting the air, and swishing his tail in a contemplative manner. He wasn’t too thrilled about the permanent move, but unlike his sister, a rush of excitement filled his paws at the new sights and sounds. They hadn’t left their own camp since practically birth, and the idea of adventure was enough to soothe some of the homesickness that stirred in his belly. He glanced about, ears twitching, and sneezed suddenly.
“It smells like a bunch of foxes have been sleeping in here… doesn’t it, mum?”
As far as sleeping arrangements went, however, he wasn’t too fond of their designated den. Ishtar’s right; what a scrawny pack!

Euphrates cleared his throat, sensing the children’s displeasure. “Relax, guys—this isn’t even close to the size of the camp… and the camp’s a lot less dirty, for that matter.” He eyed Ishtar when she mentioned him specifically, and hid a slight laugh. Jeez, and to think, I played with Shiver at her age… I wouldn’t doubt that. “For now, just pretend we’re out exploring for awhile. And if you start making a fuss, Big Brother will eat you. Savvy?”
He swished a tail in her direction before squeezing past his mother in the direction of the exit. “And, erm, Mom…” I should probably introduce you to the family, or what’s left of it… He cleared his throat and addressed his siblings instead. “Hey, if I’m so boring, would you like to meet some of your nieces and nephews instead?”

[Sivoncé™]

(Your Big Brother comment made me think of 1984 )

Ishtar sniffed, unconvinced. She scuffed moodily at the dirt with her paws, ears twitching in frustration every time Euphrates spoke. Suddenly, she ceased her scuffing and spat angrily at the dirt. Ishtar whirled around at him, pelt fluffed with agitation. "Let's get one thing straight, punk -- you're not my brother. You don't even smell like me -- you smell all funky like them!"

"Ishtar!" Babylonia shushed her before she could continue with her rant. Reluctantly, Ishtar lowered her head and padded off to explore the hollow, tail dragging in the dirt. Babylonia blinked worriedly after her, but said nothing more to her troubled daughter. Instead, she turned to Euphrates. "It's going to take some adjusting for them," she murmured softly. "But at the same time, you might be missed if you stay away from your pack too long. You're probably right -- we should head straight there."

[.Rabid Lycan.]

(( same here xD ))

“Hmm… suppose it would’ve been better if I’d rolled around in the Blood Mist dens before leaving, eh?” Euphrates watched Ishtar head off alone, experimenting with her surroundings, and tried not to allow the exchange bother him. He turned to his mother and listened to her speech—which was an ever-strange, yet ever-comforting luxury. The russet male bowed his head, glancing over at the children and sighing to himself. “Prejudice runs deep, I suppose…”
Even among pack wolves.
Finally tearing his gaze away from the younglings, he made his way out the entrance, glancing back to speak to Babylonia. “I… I think I’ll bring Fireflight here, for starters. And I’ll try to bring Aken, Imhotep, and the others along, too… er, either you could come with me, or stay here with them.” He nodded to his kin; Uruk was just beginning to rouse. “Whatever you think is best.”

Uruk groaned as he was greeted with a tackle by Sargon. “Wake up, man—we’re here,” he yelped, tugging on Uruk’s ear.
“Wha…? But it’s so—achoo!”
“Yech, you sneezed all over me!”

[Njack]

Phoenicia sat, sniffing at the air. Sargon was saying that it smelled like foxes, but she wasn't so sure.

Maybe beavers or badgers or something. But then again, wouldn't the hole be too small?

She pondered.

"What used to live here?" she finally piped up. "Will they come back?"

[Sivoncé™]

Babylonia's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm not sure about this plan, Euphrates. For starters, I'm not going anywhere without the pups. Would you leave your children in some strange place unattended? And second off, I'm a prisoner of war. You're on Fireflight's side, or you're supposed to be. I know how women can be, better than you do, I think; don't make this into an act of war against Fireflight. My guess is Blood Mist absolutely slaughtered the packs, and now she has to deal with it." With a spark of her old attitude, Babylonia said matter-of-factly, "We're doing this my way or not at all. We're prisoners, now take us to your leader."

Ishtar shrugged her shoulders at Phoenicia's inquiry; her pelt still prickled with agitation. Just wait until I learn how to fight, I'll cream Euphrates so bad... "Something smelly," she told her sister decidedly. "Smelly and bad like him," she pointed a paw towards Euphrates, eyes narrowed dangerously. She'd only caught snippets of the adults' conversation, but she definitely didn't like the idea of being a "prisoner".

[.Rabid Lycan.]

Euphrates eyed Babylonia skeptically, still wavering between the interior and exterior of the hollow, and digesting her opinions. At first, he opened his muzzle to speak, but swallowed his response all too quickly. Much as he wanted to treat his family as guests, the time had arrived to consider what they had to become. I just want to be… discreet… But how discreet could you get? As far as he was concerned, the less wolves that knew about Babylonia’s whereabouts with the Destinians, the better. The kidnapping of Cleopatra and Isis—he bit back a flash of burning indignation at the thought—was most likely an inside job.
Or… it had to be… something like that…
In any case, he hardly trusted anyone to conceal Babylonia to the other packs, let along Blood Mist. But then again, Assyria probably already has her suspicions… if she’ll even entertain the idea. Euphrates slowly dragged his gaze back to his mother, and tried to hide a smile at her final comment. Stubborn as ever, eh?
“…well, I suppose you’d know more about women than I do,” he finally managed, raising a brow and clearing his throat. “Al… okay. Let’s do this, then.” He raised his voice a little, peering in at the pups. “That means you, too, fellas.”

By this time, Sargon had found a large clump of moss, which he draped over Uruk’s head. He giggled mischievously at Ishtar’s comment, though he did not catch wind of the “prisoner” status that they would soon become. He only eyed Euphrates, neither annoyed nor pleased, when they were spoken too, and looked to their mother for direction instead.
“Is it going to be another long walk, mama?”

((should they interrupt the little pack meeting, or head in Fireflight’s den?))

[Njack]

Phoenicia watched what was going on with wide eyes, but said nothing.

Something smelly? Maybe a skunk! She didn't really want to live in a skunk den, though.

The big wolf - the one that wasn't her mother - was saying something now. Something about her and her siblings. His name was Euphrates, she remembered. And he was her... brother? He seemed bigger than her other brothers!

She padded over to her mother, taking comfort in her fur's warmth. It sounded like they'd be moving again soon.

[Sivoncé™]

(prolly interrupt the meeting, it'll be more fun that way / get more people involved xD )

Babylonia nodded her consent, bending to lick each pup between the ears before she rose to her paws. All of this was so surreal to her. For as long as she could remember, Blood Mist had been her one and only true home. Now that she'd left, she knew there was no turning back. As it was, the rag-tag pack of killers and wolves seeking vengeance had hardly listened to her or noted her presence anyway. She wouldn't be missed, but hated. She would be a traitor, even though they'd nearly sent her to exile themselves.
Even though a small part of her wanted to turn back, she could not, and it was far, far too late now. They might come for her children, though, and her best hope of saving the last of them was getting as far away from Blood Mist as possible.
"Yes, dear, we'll have to walk just a bit farther," she murmured softly, "but it won't be nearly as much as the last walk, I promise. When we get there, you'll be able to rest in a nice warm bed."

Ishtar sighed softly. Her paws were very tired -- she'd never walked this far in her life! She had to admit, a little bit of pride swelled in her chest as she peered around at their strange surroundings. They'd come so far from home, and she wasn't afraid! Maybe for a while she had been, but that wasn't what mattered. She didn't know where they were going, but she certainly knew she wasn't afraid of Big Bad Euphrates one bit. She turned her nose up at him as they began their second trek and moved closer to her younger siblings.
He's no brother of mine!

[.Rabid Lycan.]

((...for the life of me I could not tell if that slash was a "/" or an italicized "i" for the first minute or so xD BUT ALRIGHTY THEN; TO THE MEETING, AWWAAAAAY ~ ))