The Unswerving, The Unswaying (CLOSED ARCHIVE PLZ)

[Sandtiger]

She stared at her reflection in the water, perhaps somewhat blankly. The hazel-eyed Naama trembled, though this was a common occurrence with her. Her high-strung, anxious temperament, having been only augmented through her years as a slave, caused this side effect. She was of the smallest build, slight, almost down to the bone. She had no idea where Twitch had gone, the other, new slave that the Alpha had beaten quite a bit. She had not realized it at first, but even the female had to eventually notice Thor had seemingly gone missing. Perhaps he was dead, the female did not know. She was too caught up in trying to serve her masters, avoid any possibility of a beating. Even if there was no possibility of it in the Uuma's heads, Swift could never be even remotely calm, she had been beaten before. She had served in other, more vicious Uuma packs. Though she had been the quickest and loyalest slave, if her masters had gotten in an ill mood, it was evident by morning to all, by the claw marks and blood-matted fur on her back, face, and torso. ...The scars still appear on her back, as harrowing reminders of the old pack she served... The Naama had never known true freedom, no wait, perhaps she had. She recalled, though faintly, that when she had been a bit younger, say two, she had left her natal pack for new grounds. For a few weeks, all was good, at least, as good as it could be for a new loner. She had set out early spring, so prey was plentiful and the weather not too warm, not too cold. Until that unlucky rabbit. Chasing it down with some skill, she had unfortunately strayed into Uuma territory. She was inslaved as soon as she was found, the Alphas not very kind at all. It would suffice to say, her living conditions were into... pleasant... at the time. ...She never looked back though, for she was always concerned with the present, never thinking of escape... But why the female did not have a current task now was a mystery to the simple wolf. Now, she was not simple simply because she was classed as a Naama, a she-wolf of the 'lower' race. Had she perhaps been Uuma, had her luck turned, she would still have a rather simply understanding of things. Her world was of the now, not the past, maybe of the future. She had been so used to always being watched, supervised, or on a task set out for that... silence, calm, and lack of fear were completely foreign to the slave. She yearned, perhaps in the deepest recesses of her heart, and mind, the one crack of space in those places, sealed by an iron lock, upon three three golden ones, to see another. For the loyal, never slow, never unfaithful, Naama, could not do it alone. She wanted someone to reawaken the light inside her. So she could at least be free, if not in body, but in soul. ...Perhaps until someone comes along, to remind her of what is the natural order of life, to remind her of herself... Lyrics: N/A Notes: N/A OOC: N/A

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[Warg]

Why he had come back here, was no ones guess at all. It is said, the criminal always returns to the scene of the crime, and in his case, that was well fitting in deed. For it was in these lands, the unlucky bastard Naama had received these nine...terrible scars down his right side. The Uuma were evil, and must pay for everything they had ever done. His pack...his lands...all of the other naama that he could not find...these Uumas were not meant to be here! They were not normal. Their powers were not conduscive to the normal order of things. They were heartless, selfish, vicious, and just downright cruel. The Naama, though he had learned long ago not to EVER let his guard down, and learned by now, that he had to be more cautious. He had to be more careful. He had been beaten twice now, and surely, would lose his life before his mission was complete. This did not matter to him. Though he knew it, there was nothing to do about it. There was nothing left for him now. There was no place for him. He belonged everywhere and no where all at once. Those Uuma...all of them...there had to be recompense for what they have done. And if he had to kill every last one of them...or die himself...so be it.

The reason he was here, truly, was because he wanted to find Tag again. That Uuma had been nice, and being nice was a weakness. He was feeling better now, so he sought to start again with that one. It mattered little to next to nothing to him that the Uuma had quite possibly saved his life. The naama had lost his soul a long time ago, there was no chance he could care about the inconsequential things such as gratefulness or respect. Not for an Uuma. Their entire race did not deserve such niceties. No. Never would he forgive any of them. The acts of one did NOT justify the acts of all. As well, he might get the chance to find those damned pups alone. This was a possibility the Naama surely hoped for.

As his steps carried him to the top of the hill, he saw there in the distance, a small wolfen form. His eyes glared, and at once he surmised it to be an Uuma of this pack, for he had never yet met another Naama so far. The possibility was the furthest remote from his mind. So, coming from downwind, and behind her, the Naama crept forth, into the open and headed slowly to his mark. His every hair was on end, his steps were made with uttermost care for he was all to familiar with their tricks and speed. He was prepared for anything that might happen, and did not care about anything anymore. There was no chance in hell he was going to let this one get away without some blood.

[Sandtiger]

Sitting down and staring at the calm stream with worried, perhaps just plain sad eyes, she did not notice the fellow, but loner, Naama behind her. She also did not know the other assumed her a Uuma, a necessary caution, at times. Standing, the charcoal-gray snout of the female bobbed in an odd fashion as she sniffed the wind, nothing abnormal. But why couldn't the soft-furred slave get that feeling of something watching her out of her head? Maybe it was just her natural instinct, for the prey almost always knew it's place. So did the predator. And to the Uuma, Swift intuitively knew somehow, she was probobly prey, just not in the elk-type way. ...A mirror of herself, in some ways, stood only a little ways from her, yet she did not seem the least bit aware of this... Until she turned around, only to find a male wolf, that was quite larger than the small female. Only a fool couldn't tell the intention, the glare of the eyes was enough. Her Uuma masters had looked at her more than once like that, and so thus she instantly assumed the wolf was a Uuma. Now, she didn't recognize it as one of he masters, or one of the Eastern pack, but who knew? They were so abundant these days, it made Swift ridiculously anxious. That was all she knew. Yelping somewhat loudly in fear and shock, the female ears instantly flicked backwards and her trembling became much more noticeable. Eyes wickedly darting from place to place, she saw no place of escape. She did only what she knew how to do, to submit. Approaching towards the male only slightly with lowered head and tail tucked between her legs, she rolled onto her back, revealing her soft creamy-brown/white belly. A harsh, high whimper came from the she-wolf, as she lay down. ...A slave's place is the only place she knew... Lyrics: N/A Notes: N/A OOC: N/A

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[Warg]

The Naama was still silently approaching when the other turned. He stopped, and prepared for the battle to come. Every hair stood on end, his his snarl was as vicious as ever. He taunted and challenged, daring the other to attack and fight him. He eager for blood, that was obvious enough. The other appeared frightened, as she should, and was looking around, apparently realizing she was alone. He watched her advance, and steeled himself, mouth agape with fangs all ready for meat.

When she laid down and submitted, the Naama growled even more enraged. Had they no decency!? They had to make it hard did they. He shook his head, angrier all the more and slowly, cautiously, approached. This was not the first time one had submitted, and it proved nothing. Only that they could be cowards. True she was female, they weren't known to be fighters, but when one wolf is trying to exterminate a race, females being the weaker of them, if you get rid of all of them, in a few years your job is done. With this in mind, the wolf was eager to be rid of one without a fight, as his healed scars down his right side gave proof that he knew all to well what they were capable of.

As he came closer, his steps were each careful and slow, he wanted to be ready for any sudden movement. He growled at her, and put a paw on her throat, pressing roughly as his fangs lowered to her muzzle, snapping ominously in her face. He wanted only to kill her and be away, the less time in uuma infested lands the better, he did not want to be snuck up. His eyes met hers, and beneath the anger, the hate, the rage, there was sorrow and regret. The longer he looked at her, the more he saw only her fear, and something bade him wait. Speak...defend yourself...attack me...prove to me you are an Uuma so I can kill you without remorse... These thoughts, while not as defined or articulated, did flash through his mind in their basic concepts. He had to be certain.

[Sandtiger]

Swift trembled heavily, it seemed as though spasms were running up and down her body now. She had no idea what could have possibly provoked the other wolf, maybe the wolf had something against her or her masters? Her frightened, hazel eyes were closed tightly as the male approached with an evident growl. Her fleshy stomach and neck were revealed, scars evident on her flanks and neck from previous beatings, but they were faint under her thick fur. If the other Naama, whom she assumed was a Uuma loner, noticed them, surely he would know what she was. ...The verdict had yet to be layed, for her innocence was in question, whatever the reason may be... Feeling pressure on the right side of her neck, obviously a paw, and creaking open, hazel eyes saw the ivory fangs and vicious eyes of the other wolf. Swift only whimpered more harshly, whining sounds now accompanying the typical whimpers. She would have recoiled, had there been any space, and her eyes held the gaze of that of a broken wild animal, one that had been caught, and knew it's demise was a blink of an eye away. ...The she-wolf could not voice thoughts, she could only hope her act could appease the aggressive stranger... Lyrics: N/A Notes: N/A OOC: N/A

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[Warg]

The Naama waited, with great patience. Surely, were she Uuma, she would likely think him the same and be begging him to stop, or something. He waited, expecting words at any moment. They had never failed to speak before, so why was this one making him wait, growing angrier and more and more frustrated? He clipped his fangs in her face again, making as if trying to speak, doing anything he could to make her talk.

The longer he waited, the more he heard only her cries. What monster was he, no better then the Uuma, were he to kill her now. He pressed his paw harder upon her neck a final time, before lifting it. He leaped back quickly, just in case she lashed out once free. He stood at a distance, and just stared at her. He looked ready to bolt, but also, since he was still waiting on her to betray herself, he could just as easily return as savagely as before.

His tail sank from the dominant pose he held once, to a more relaxed, ears lifting as he continued to only watch her, at a safe distance. It infuriated him that he could not tell her nature for certain. He began to approach again, giving a second chance for her to fight, to something Uuma like. He would move forward, bristle, growl, lift his tail and flatten his ears, everything aggressive and challenging, then just as quickly, return to a relaxed state and draw back. His behavior was strange, but so to was the conflict of emotion inside him. He would love to meet another Naama, but his mind refused to accept it.

[Sandtiger]

Whimpers and whines held high and low at the same time as the male looked at her, as if waiting, Swift grew almost more anxious. Her eyes looked fitfully into his waiting honey brown ones for a brief moment before she cast them aside. She had never had any of her masters wait before beating or harming her, why should this loner? It truly made no sense to the little Naama. Clenching her eyes shut and suddenly going silent as the pressure increased on her neck for a moment, she assumed the wolf above her had made his decision. Suddenly, the pressure on her neck alleviated, and the male's immediate presence ceased. ...She did not understand this male's motives very well, but for now, she was not believing his mercy... Whimpering still slightly, as if crying or sobbing in a wolf's way, the female's light brown ears surveyed her surrounding before she dared open her eyes. Daring to creak one eye open, the gray-crested female saw out of the corner of her eye, the male standing a slight distance from her, in a semi-relaxed pose. Such odd behavior! she may not have spoke in that weird, gruff language her masters did, but like all wolves, to some extent or another, she was fluent in reading body language. Not moving, but still in her submissive pose, the female looked carefully at the male. She was getting extremely mixed messages. One moment he seemed ready to kill her, the next relatively relaxed, or as if he waiting for something. Whatever it was, she was amazed her life had been spared. Moving very slowly and carefully, as to not disturb with any sudden movements, her hazel eyes looking hesitantly, but keenly at the other male in case he decided to be aggressive again, she got on her own four legs again. The female did not cock her head in wonder for she knew not of that gesture's meaning. She did not speculate the other's intention. That was not her place, but she knew he had spared her life, for some reason or anothe, and couldn't help it sometimes. Perhaps not in kindness, perhaps only out of a pity. Some Uuma perhaps felt pity for a lacking Naama, she did not know, and frankly, it didn't matter. In the eyes of her masters, she was inferior, disposable, only worth for her use in menial tasks. But this wolf did not look at her in a condescending way. Though she had only been on her belly moments before, and being snapped at by a pair of jaws, the other wolf... intrigued her perhaps. To be honest, had the female had been able to speak or express her emotions more clearly, she might have voiced a sort of... loneliness without her once fellow slave Twitch around. Twitch had tried to escape before, and she had seen her beaten and bruised. She remembered, in some strange way. Than the female noticed as she gazed at the other wolf, there were fading/healing wounds on his back. The impression on the male's back looked like spikes, spikes like one of her master's... She denied herself the pleasure of wondering any further of the male's identity. In a gesture only most Naama would do, or at least the she-wolf submersed in a simple way, she approached very slowly towards the other wolf and nuzzled very slightly the other wolf's chin, lapping a bit with her tongue, in submission. Her master's wouldn't let her do this, she knew that for sure. She had to confirm if her submission was truly accepted or not, but perhaps she was expecting something more. If she were to die, it would simply mean the loss of a little free labor to he masters. Surely... ...Intrigued, she finishes the display of submission, but could not keep herself from wondering, just a little... she knows her place, and decides she does not matter... Lyrics: N/A Notes: N/A OOC: N/A

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[Warg]

He held back from lashing at her only barely as she drew closer. His entire from tensed, his head drawing inward slightly with a warning growl as she approached. But when she only licked and waited, he blinked a little and stared down at her. His eyes took in her scars, and he frowned, then really looked at her. His head tilted slightly, contemplating her. Finally he decided.

His tail wagged happily, and the wolf smiled pupishly. His entire demeanor changed in that instant. Whether it was all a lie remained to be seen. He could go back as he was just as swiftly, but with a much broken heart. He was curious and confused about her, why had she acted so, and who gave her all those scars? If she was an outcast Uuma that might explain something, but if she was a Naama that would be all the more explanation. He'd never seen a slave before. The concept was entirely foreign to him.

He continued to smile, leaning down he licked her back, across the muzzle, with a low, almost apologetic sounding whine.

[Sandtiger]

Almost jumping three feet in the air in typical Swift-anxious fashion at the low growl as she approached, Swift could not have been more surprised at the response. But in the deeper recesses of her heart and mind, she knew it. He was Naama, how couldn't the be? Her masters or a foreign Uuma would have most assuredly ripped her to pieces or at least give her a thorough reminder of her place for that more physical display of submission. Even if it was a lick to the muzzle, she had mate note of one rule around Uuma: to touch me is your doom, Mrs. Slave. Or at least, that was how she comprehended it. She smiled shyly, at the now seemingly delighted male, almost hesitantly. She couldn't remember the last time she had smiled. ...Though used to the bitter sides of things, she puts blind faith almost in this fellow, or at least, the tiniest flicker of hope... Welcoming the soothing licks on her muzzle and back, the female's hazel eyes watched the male, perhaps with curiosity. Her coat was thick and smooth now, instead of bristled and in disarray. She was about as calm as she would get for now, her trembling at a minimum. She wagged her tail slightly and her ears perked up to their normal stance, letting her tongue loll out as she panted relatively happily. She kept the small smile on her face as she nuzzled the larger male's muzzle in a more friendly way of greeting, backing off a few inches to give him some space after a few minutes. ...She is amazed to find perhaps one of her own, out here, in the wild wilderness... Lyrics: N/A Notes: N/A OOC: N/A

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[Warg]

Accepting her greeting he returned it, then stopped to ponder. Well, he'd made a friend now what?...Well of course, now he had a problem, because he still had a mission to accomplish. But he certainly could not leave her here. Apparently, she'd had a few run ins herself with the Uuma. The wolf lifted his gaze, staring off into the distance at the forest, where the pack currently resided. It would not be safe for her here, they needed to leave.

The Naama pointed his muzzle towards the Outlands, and looked back at her. At least there, where his pack had once been, before they moved, there should not be many Uuma. It would be a long journey, but it was one he had decided to make. She was the only Naama he had met ever, outside of his pack. He had to protect her at all cost. When he was done destroying all the Uuma, they could surely start their own pack right? He was still a pup and did not know much about those things, but he knew it took females to make a pack grow and that was all that mattered.

Taking a few steps back, the naama turned again towards the outlands, then back at her. He whined and approached then moved away again, clearly wanting her to follow him. He would protect her. They could run away together.

[Sandtiger]

The slave-wolf bowed her head with ears facing forward as the Naama returned her greeting and then seemed to enter his own world of thoughts. The problem dawned upon her as she watched the other think. She almost panicked, her eyes flashing with fright at all the what ifs, But then she shook it off, perhaps he was just going to go on his way now, than she would return to the monotonous and ever-fearful life as a slave. She almost drowned in despair at the thought. Now that she had scene another of her kind, and the bright open wilderness again in some form, a spark illuminated in her again that was not there for several years. The last time it had been there, she had been quite young. The spark for freedom, to be free and wild. Not enslaved or working for other, supposedly higher wolves. ...Hesitation was writ on her face as she thought through the possibilities... Watching the other Naama now intently, who now she noticed seemed about a year of age or so to her, she cringed. His intent was was she nearly feared and had figured out. For them to both leave, to the Loner's Lands. Her masters would shortly know of her leaving, and might hunt her down. She studied the male with her hazel eyes carefully. Was it right for her to potentially put them both in danger, to put them at risk of death, a beating, or worst, enslavement? She looked back at the Eastern Pack's lands. Then again, she probably didn't have much to lose, and that spark, the little bright spark, sprung up in the 3 year old female brightly. She decided quickly, calculatingly. Looking back at her fellow, she nodded hastily, a quick, awkward bobbing motion. Not the most typical expression for a Naama, yes, but one would have to forgive her, considering her being around the Uuma for over half her life now. She had picked up a few expressions and understood the basic meaning of some phrases. Knowledge that could be useful, maybe. She stepped a few steps ahead of the other Naama towards the outlands, and looked at him intensely with her hazel-green eyes. The read clearly, Let us go, they will come soon. ...The 'They' was obvious. The Uuma, the things she had once and just a moment ago considered her masters. And while she did not harbor an unadulterated, intense hate perhaps like that of her she felt apprehensive, angry and resentful of them, most certainly. She was eager to go, for she was reminded of what she was, at last... Lyrics: N/A Notes: N/A OOC: N/A

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