WELCOME TO SM

Maya had no right to be calling this meeting. In fact, she shouldn't be here at all. She should be at the river, or near the lake, fishing, collecting up some food for herself. She had learned to hunt small game, and she could successfully bring down a small deer on her own. It took quite a bit of running however, before she exhausted the deer to a point where it collapsed with exhaustion, and she could kill it quickly. Although her method of hunting wasn't exactly traditional, it did have some perks. She was stronger, had more endurance, and was a much faster runner. She could run for a few miles now at a steady pace without tiring, despite her age. Maya had grown remarkably without her mother. She was mature beyond her years, and spoke not like a pup, but as an adult.

She had to thank her mother, for abandoning her. It had taught her how to survive in the forest alone, how to stay sane when there was no one to talk to. She learned most of the things other pups learned completely on her own. She was smart. She was a logical thinker. She looked in the glass-like surface of the lake one day, and really looked at herself for the first time in ages.

Her fur was thick and fluffy, and was soft to the touch. Her eyes were bright with excitement. She was growing, and when she looked at herself in the lake, she felt like she needed to be alphess. She wanted to lead the pack back into the greatness it once was. It was once full of members, pups every spring, newcomers monthly. She wanted to restore it to its previous glory. But she needed all the help she could get.

So she stood, as the Beta heiress, and she lifted her muzzle to the dark sky. She didn't care if she wasn't qualified, and she didn't care if her howl was a bit on the squeaky side. She was still young, only about eight months old now, but she would take her chances. If others wanted to judge her, they could, but she would still hold herself high. She parted her jaws and let out a sweet-sounding howl. Her soprano voice rang through the woods, and up to the heavens. It was a call for her pack, her family...or what was left of it.

This post has been edited by Maya on Dec 19 2008, 10:27 AM

Clear poignant notes fractured the fuzz of background noise ever present in the natural world. Looking in on the scene as the howl faded into the void the forest seemed silent, still, deserted except for an inert form of a large wolf. His noble set well flocked ears swivel reflexively. The wolf was sleek, solid, undeniable fit and healthy, his pelt cleaned to perfection and then on his poor forepaws past the point of perfection and into mutilation. While the rest of his coat was full and lustrous, the unconscious boast of a successful hunter, patches of hair on his front paws were licked down to stubble, bent and broken. Some show their misery by loosing care in their appearance, allowing themselves to waste into discrepancy but no S?vilko would, they were a proud family of survivors or so Cove told himself. So his feelings were expressed by obsession. He trained, he hunted, he groomed and then he repeated the cycle.

Autumn leaves scattered from him as he rose in a liquid movement, in all honesty Cove was startled on hearing the howl. Once he wouldn?t have been but since the ?Enemy? had came the pack had been almost silent, Silver mountain silenced for nearly a year? It shouldn?t have happened. The howl was more surprising in another way it was a summoning howl but he didn?t recognize the voice? It certainly wasn?t Hoshiko, yet definitely female maybe the beta? Dilly wasn?t it? Other than the male Magpie Cove wasn?t sure who still occupied the territory, so much for S?vilko pride.
Still he would come to this call, not least because he longed to see another wolven face friendly or other.

Strong hind legs engaged in propelling him forwards, keen senses strained forward, looking to the future as one might say. He knew the wolf from whence the howl had issued must be close, under the same canopy as him in fact so he would approach slowly, no need to rush. That resolution lasted all of half a mile when he broke pace, changing from long loose trot to log jumping lope, oh the glory of movement. He slowed the moment he caught her scent, it wasn?t a stranger?s scent, no but he couldn?t place it? He approached deliberately rustling the undergrowth as he came, the satisfaction of appearing as if by magic had long worn off for Cove.

He blinked as he saw the caller, yes familiar, well slightly but not really. He blinked again expression of bemusement spreading across his normally deadpan face. The scent said Dilly?s little pup, yet although she didn?t match his height or bulk, the wolf ahead of him was no fluff ball. ?Are you Dilly?s? It was an awkward line. ?Sorry are Maya?? That was a slight improvement. His tawny black tipped tail gave a twitch the memory of joyful greeting, long faded. Surely this leggy, plush coated, bright eyed creature wasn?t Dilly?s anxious, bouncing pup?

OCC: Hoping the threads still open =)

A sigh escaped the young female's ebony lips. Perhaps no one was here after all. Maybe she was alone. If she was the only Silver Mountain wolf left, what was the point of even staying here? Maybe she'd join the Outland Pack. After all, didn't they once have an alliance? She would never dream of going to Crimson Valley. Even though there was a shift in leadership, Maya could never think to join a place that had ever been filled with so many evil wolves. She shuddered at the thought. Maya yawned and lowered herself to lay on the ground. The familiarity of this place was comforting, and she let herself relax.

Maya's ear turned to the sounds coming from the undergrowth not far away from where she was lying. Her body tensed up for a moment, and she was ready to fight [if her attacker happened to be the same size she was] or fly [if her attacker happened to be an adult wolf]. But to her surprise, a vaguely familiar face came into view, and Maya's tail began to wag. "Cove!" she exclaimed and pushed herself up. Maya shook out her coat and padded up to him. "I haven't seen you in forever! How've you been?" she asked him, the younger side of her was starting to show once more. Living on her own had forced her to grow up quite a bit, and a serious nature began to develop in her, although she was still as friendly and outgoing as ever. Her twinkling hazel eyes gave him a brief once-over. He looked well enough. Well, it wasn't exactly surprising, since Silver Mountain had plenty of game, and he was an adult who could probably bring down larger game than she could.

Her rear met the grass once more, and she gazed up at the male thankfully. Now she knew there was at least someone else around here. Now there'd be a reason to stay. And maybe they could even be friends one day! Maya's eyes wandered to the surrounding forest. Who else was out there, alone, maybe wondering if there was anyone left. "Have you seen anyone else lately?" she asked him curiously, although her tone was tinted with concern. If they were the only two left, that would mean that everyone had either died or left the land. And that might mean her mother was truly dead, although Maya didn't want to believe it. Her eyes found her paws at the thought of her mother and she bit her tongue to keep from crying. She'd loved her mother so much, and one day she had just disappeared.

Maya mumbled and apology for nearly bursting into tears and inhaled deeply to clear her head. "But anyway, it's great to see you." she said finally. "I haven't seen anyone in so long...." Maya trailed off. What she said was true. It had been a few months since she'd last seen anyone. And that happened to be when Dagon had taught her how to fish. What a lucky wolf she'd been to receive that lesson. It was how she'd survived, and now she was a talented fisher. Maya had luck to thank for her survival. Now if only she could make it through her first winter, then she knew she'd survive. And maybe Cove would help her do it. It would be nice to have some company during the harsh and frigid weather. Maybe she'd ask him about it later, but for now she was curious to hear his response.

Despite making a none to subtle approach he could see the alarm his appearance had aroused in the young black wolf. He should have chuffed, had his manners disappeared when the pack broke up? He lowered his ears in a gesture of inoffensiveness but at her heart felt greeting the pricked till the tips nearly touched. He had never been the most sociable of youths but after months of solitude there was something truly amazing about hearing ones name spoken with anything close to affection. His black tipped brush rose over his back, gently waving as if caught by a light breeze. Dove grey paws carried him the short distance to meet Maya, muzzle extended, ears slicked half back moist black nose offered to touch hers in an uncharacteristic affectionate greeting.

Why oh why hadn?t he sort her out? Why hadn?t he sort anyone out? Funnily enough he knew the answer to the first of his self imposed question. Yet the answer even spoken to himself shamed him, for it was a shameful reason, jealousy. Maya he presumed still had her mother. It was a stupid reason to isolate himself and yet that was the base of it, his grief, anger and self pity were not tidy emotions and Cove couldn?t have bared sharing his emotion mess. He loathed mess. ?Yes it?s been a long, long time far to long? His tone suggested his mind was still focused inwards and he shook his great furred head as if to bring himself back to the present.

He hesitated a moment before answering her question and then side stepped it countering it with a question of his own. ?Yes how?ve you been fairing and how is Dill-your mother?? The moment he had uttered these words and heard her next he suspected he may have made a grave faux pas. The way she?d asked if he had seen anyone else, the worry in her. How could he have been so stupid, so self obsessed? Maybe it was fine perhaps she meant anyone else apart from her mother, yes that would be it? Looking at the little charcoaled toned face he didn?t think so, her hazel eyes seemed to be brimming and her muttered apology confirmed it had he made her cry. Cove you?re a clot, he gave a low pinched whine dropping down onto his belly beside her, tail trembling in a canine gesture of sympathy.

?I?m sorry Maya, I haven?t seen anyone for months?? He glanced round the clearing as if seeking advice from the moss bedecked shrubbery, it didn?t seem keen to offer any advice. He ran his salmon pink tongue over his teeth before he continued. ?But that doesn?t mean no ones around, I?ve just been wrapped up in myself, there are wolves around? I?m very glad to have found you too.? He twitched fidgeting awkwardly, he hoped she hadn?t been alone all this time, what a hopeless S?vilko he was turning out to. Should he offer to look after her? Would that be offensive, she seemed to have managed so far, yet wasn?t looking out for each other what packs were for.

Maya's nose touched his, and relief flooded through her. So she wasn't alone after all. At least she knew now that there was someone out there that she could talk to. And if Cove was still here, there were probably others. Maya was brimming over with happiness. Then there was still a chance to achieve her goal of bringing the pack back together. Despite her young age, Maya did intend to lead the pack one day, perhaps when she was older. The young wolf wanted her broken family back, because she missed them all desperately. Being alone had taken its toll on the young female, but Maya knew it had made her stronger physically and mentally.

"My ma disappeared shortly after I was weaned." Maya replied softly, and willed herself not to cry in front of Cove. She believed tearing up was a sign of weakness, and Maya was anything but weak. So she bit her tongue and inhaled deeply. It calmed her a bit, and Maya rested her head on her paws once Cove came to lie down beside her. "I think there might be a few others here. I'm just never at the right place at the right time. I mean, I've smelled them sometimes, but everytime I try and follow the scent, I lose it." Maya mumbled. "Cove, if you don't mind me asking, what was it like? The pack I mean, before the humans came? I know it hasn't been this way forever, but I was wondering if you could remember....that is, if you don't mind?" Maya was always curious about the history of her pack. It was sad, the state it was in now. Her mothers stories were fuzzy in her memory. She knew one thing though, that the S'Viiko family made up most of the pack. But of course, she couldn't remember any of them since she was very young during that time.

She was also curious about her father. Her mother almost never spoke of him, probably because it was too painful for her to bear. But Maya would perhaps ask him later. He might not be able to even answer her questions, because she knew almost his entire family was gone. The noble S'Viiko line was almost gone, and it might be hard for Cove to talk about his family. 'Nice job, stupid. He'll probably leave now and never want to talk to you again.' she mentally kicked herself for not thinking before she spoke. Of course it would be difficult for him! And it was a pretty personal question anyway, but then again, he could be general with his answer, and that would satiate her curiousity...for now. If she could find someone else with that knowledge, then she would ask. Maya was always curious as a pup, and that trait had stayed with her until now.

Cove?s mealy lip twitched up reflexively revealing gleaming white teeth beneath in response to confirmation that Dilly had indeed left her pup one way or another? The Beta was probably dead, that or mad. You couldn?t blame her, what had happened could have tipped anyone over the edge. Still he knew with a strange sad smugness that his mum would never have left him or his sibling, well? He cut of the thought even now the very idea of it made him what to kill something, preferable something big, one of rutting stags would do nicely. He consciously forced down the hackles rising along his spine and scruff. Enough It seemed Maya too had taken her emotions in hand, something he was glad of he could understand her tears, he had shed enough for goodness sake but messy emotions made him uncomfortable. Particularly his own. Still he could cope with her shedding a few tears, just to lie and listen to her talk. It wasn?t what she was saying - that wasn?t particularly cheering or even news to him but somehow having another wolf there somehow confirmed that he was still here. Things were almost pleasant again, then she started asking questions. In reality it was more like one question, one big all encompassing question, one he didn?t really feel like answering. His form shifted through a heart felt sigh, couldn?t she ask someone else. No stupid course she can?t, she wouldn?t ask you if she had a choice [i]

[I]Why shouldn?t you answer. Because I don?t want too. Wuss, call yourself a S?vilko He gave the broken hairs on his near forepaw a thoughtful lick, gathering himself, composing a decent reply that he could deliver with out cracking. ?For a start there was a pack.? He gave a mirth less snort. ?I?m not sure what this is called but its not worthy of the title of pack? I didn?t mean that.? He stopped snapping his teeth in irritation at his inability to speak coherently, remaining a moment in silence? Why was he so weak. The bizarre thing was in his months of solitude he?d gradually come to the conclusion that it wasn?t the hunters who?d felled Silver Mountain? They had lost half their number before that, the hunters had just finished them off. Not that it changed anything, except perhaps making things seem even more hopeless Things are only hopeless if you make them so. That was the sort of thing is dad use to say but did he believe it?

He realised the silence had stretched to long, he didn?t have to tell her but didn?t a wolf deserve to know its heritage? Goodness he had pestered his parents enough times to tell the story of Shelus the betrayer and his slimy sidekick or of the pup raid, funny how those stories had seemed exciting. He should at least tell Maya something, saying anything would be a start. He shifted awkwardly back on his haunches, his nose prickled. Detach yourself, stop making it so bloody personal. ?The pack use to be much bigger if you?d been born a year earlier you might have had fifteen other pups to play with every rank was full, some fa-fa-families might have ten or twelve relatives living by the,? B-bad stuff still happened but there was more pack to bare the burden there was quite a lot of fighting with Crimson Valley but the Outland pups use to come here to play? Before the hunters came a lot of wolves died or disappeared and the, the Alpha and his dad were killed by a bear and then the hunters came and now were here.? When he had begun speaking the words rushed through his mouth in burst and stuttered but towards the end his tone levelled and cooled, he detached the tale from him, it wasn?t so bad if you thought of it as a story. He took a gulp of air then in a polite tone enquired. ?What particularly do you want to know??

"No, I agree. This isn't a pack. Packs aren't broken." Maya responded to Cove's statement with a slight nod of her head. Then she realized she'd interrupted him. 'Oops. Nice job.' she told herself. Her manners had gone down the drain completely. Maybe being without a parent wasn't so good after all. She realized she really didn't know all that well how to behave in a civilized way. Her memory vaguely reminded her of submitting to a wolf higher ranked than oneself, but that was about it. It had been so long ago...Maya just simply didn't remember. Maya bit her tongue to keep from interrupting him, and listened intently as Cove explained.

?The pack use to be much bigger if you?d been born a year earlier you might have had fifteen other pups to play with every rank was full, some fa-fa-families might have ten or twelve relatives living by the,? B-bad stuff still happened but there was more pack to bare the burden there was quite a lot of fighting with Crimson Valley but the Outland pups use to come here to play? Before the hunters came a lot of wolves died or disappeared and the, the Alpha and his dad were killed by a bear and then the hunters came and now were here.?

Maya peered at him curiously. She had a feeling he might generalize the story, which was expected, and Maya was satisfied...for now. If she could find an adult, she'd pry more out of them when she could. "I really don't need specifics. I was just curious, because all I've ever known was pretty much what it is now. Although I do remember Jeita. And Dallas..a-and, Y-yang, was it? Hoshiko too, and Magpie, and Ryota?" the names just flooded through her mind, and the last pack meeting there was entered her mind. She remembered it well, and it brought back other memories. Like when she'd found the old den area of the Silver Mountain wolves. It was so sad, to see the charred remains of the den area. So much must've happened there. And Maya hadn't even been around to experience any of it.

"How do you think the other packs are doing?" she asked him, tone lighter this time, wondering if he might know anything about the other two packs. Her mother had told her that the Outland Pack had once had an alliance with Silver Mountain, but Maya highly doubted it was still recognized. She'd heard horrid things about Crimson Valley, but she was still curious if they were doing just as badly as her pack was. Sighing softly, Maya rolled onto her back and looked up at the sky. Her hazel eyes traveled to the forest tops. The trees were painted in their blazing reds, bright yellows and firey oranges. She was in awe. This being her first year, she'd never experienced fall before, and a sudden idea popped into her head.

She scrambled up off the ground, and ran towards a pile of leaves. With a great leap, she jumped in, laughing. She needed to lighten up the mood a bit. Thing shad gotten a little too sullen for the young she-wolf. She rolled around in the leaves before getting up into a play-bow, tail wagging madly. "Come on Cove! Come play!" she called him, eyes twinkling. Cove needed a playmate. And it wasn't like Maya was going to hurt him. And couldn't adults have fun sometimes too? Maya wasn't sure, but if he didn't join her, she'd just go and get him herself.

OOC: Hope you don't mind me barging in here. :unsure:


He wasn't entirely sure why he was here. Perhaps it was because the day had grown long and uttely boring, and perhaps because he was tired of being alone. The small howl had flooded his ears only moments before, and seeing as he was close, he decided to check it out. Maybe there would be wolves he knew there, or wolves he could get to know. He was tired of grieving over his family that had deserted him, he was tired of living a life of solitude. He wanted friends, he wanted someone, anyone, to care about, to give him a reason to be here. Because lately, he was running out of reasons. He was having such a hard time finding reasons to stay, finding reasons to take the next breath, to fight to survive, to make the kill to feed his belly. He was having trouble finding a reason to live, and that was a problem.

"Cove, if you don't mind me asking, what was it like? The pack I mean, before the humans came? I know it hasn't been this way forever, but I was wondering if you could remember....that is, if you don't mind?" Cove began to explain some things, and Maya responded, then asked him to play. Ryota slunk onto the scene, black fur groomed until it was immaculately clean. Eyes the color of emeralds glittered, sprays of white distinguishing him just barely from the shadows he tended to cling to. He smiled sadly at the two of them. "The pack... before... was breath-taking. We were strong. There were so many wolves, it was nearly impossible to know all their names. The S'Viikos were more numerous than any. My parents were amazing alphas, wise and caring even to the omegas. Everything was great..."

He paused, eyes falling to the ground for a moment before lifting back up to them. "There were more pups than you could count. Pack meetings could barely be contained at the meeting place, and there was always happiness, always something to celebrate... It truly was wonderful." His sad smile returned as he looked away from them, into the distance. "Then everything went wrong... I lost my grandfather, my father, most of my siblings... Cove and I were some of the only pups left, and some of the most effected." Eyes slid back to them. "We lost so many in such a short time... It was hard to grieve, to truly mourn, because all of us were in such a state of shock. Over time, we lost others, and now... This is all that is left. Our pack is dwindling, growing ever smaller, ever more fragile."

He sighed and walked a little closer, stopping when he was about five feet from them. "So here we are, the next generation. It's time for us to take control, to bring this pack back to what it once was. To make it even better. But for the moment, we should enjoy life while we can. It goes so quickly..." He shook his head lightly and looked at Maya. "You mentioned playing... What game did you have in mind?" She had already been through enough. She didn't deserve to have her puphood ripped from her like theirs had been. She deserved to be able to be a pup, to laugh and play and question everything she wanted. He couldn't get that back, he couldn't give that to his siblings, so he would do his very best to give it to her. It was all he could do, really. No matter how much he wished, he couldn't bring any of their parents back, and he wished every second of every day...

Maya's eyes flickered to the figure coming towards them. It took her a moment to place a name on the male, but she realized it was Ryota. She hadn't properly met him at the meeting, but she knew who he was. "Your parents were the Alphas?" Maya asked, eyes widening. But then, shouldn't he be Alpha? By birthright? But then again, he was young, and she wasn't sure if he was qualified for the job. She scrambled up from her position on the ground and padded over to the male to listen to what he was saying. Her rump met the ground once more, and she listened intently to his story, her eyes widening with surprise the more he told.

"Wow." Maya whispered, almost speechless. She had no idea, no idea that the pack had ever been that way. All she'd ever known was as broken pack. It had always been the two of them, her mother and herself, and then her mother had gone, and she'd had encounters with a few wolves maybe once or twice. It was all she'd ever known as a pack. But what Ryota was saying was almost unbelievable. Maya's jaw dropped slightly, but she quickly snapped it shut after a moment, realizing she probably looked like an idiot.

The young ebon female grinned when Ryota mentioned a game. Her tail, which had ceased its movement, began wagging once again. Her hazel eyes regained their impish twinkle, and she charged at him and touched him with her nose. "Tag. You're it!" and she made a sharp turn, nearly slipping, and then she stood, tail wagging, and then she sprinted into the woods, and ran a few yards. She looked back to see if he had followed her. Of course, he'd probably catch her within a minute, but there was always a chance...

Cove hackles rippled up his spine, ears a twitch, the approach of another wolf a stranger, no a S?vilko? ?Speak of the devil,? he murmured through velveteen lips, ?Maya you said you remembered Ryota.? His tone was remarkable level, calm and serene, his heartbeat proclaimed he was anything but calm. This was Ryota, this wolf meant something to Cove? Perhaps if he knew what he?d be able to relax. Cove rose to his four pads in one smooth movement, stretching each dove grey leg and replacing it onto the forest floor. A little show of just how little Ryota sudden appearance had rattled him. [I] Dream on. [I]
Without greetings Ryota launched into his own telling of the glory of their fallen pack. Cove couldn?t argue with a word his emerald eyed nephew uttered and yet he resented the ease of which the brute spoke, it felt like reopening a wound but then Maya did deserved to know.

Maya astonishment over talking to the genuine son of the real Alpha pair tweaked a ruthful smile across Cove?s muzzle, before half the pack were S?vilko, ha thinking of maybe half the packs were still S?vilko?s. Him and Ryota half the pack it didn?t bare thinking about. A deep pang of uncontrollable jealousy rose in him when Maya moved from his side to his dark pelted nephew. He knew he shouldn?t feel threatened by one whose experiences had so mirrored his and yet, what if. He knew the alarm bells in his head were stupid, symptoms of his loss and months of loneliness and yet he feared losing Maya to Ryota. Feared that Ryota, with his charming words and perfect poise would entrance Maya far more than he ever could? It was ridiculous, you couldn?t have a pack of two, no one wanted a pack of two ? besides he was sure they all had the same dream and two wolves alone couldn?t accomplish it.

Suspicion quashed by common sense the nervous tension evaporated from his body, it was all so very silly. Maya joyful bounding amongst the russet heaps of fresh fallen leaves, seemed remarkable sensible a diffusion of tension. ?Yes Maya were all young perhaps it about time we had the opportunity to act like it.? Her wild charge and explosive call of tag raised a genuine smile to Cove face, three might not be a full pack but it was certainly a start. Before he darted after Maya retreating form he a gathered himself to give Ryota a proper greeting. ?Its good to see you Ryota I?m gladdens to me to know I still have a brother if you?ll permit me to address you such.? Cove expression was sombre as he spoke black dipped ears tipped low not so much in deference but as a gesture of friendship. Then seeing Maya peering back and them his amber eyes lit and his tone became almost teasing ?-And now little nephew its time we showed Maya why S?vilko have led this pack? Pushing off with strong hind quarters he propelled himself away hopefully spraying up leaf litter into Ryota face. It was so good to have company.


OOC: Of course the more the merrier.
Sorry for slow post, 'had a rough few days.

?Speak of the devil, Maya you said you remembered Ryota.? His eyes slid first to Cove before settling back on Maya. "Your parents were the Alphas?" A pain shot through his heart, and his eyes slid away from the two wolves, sorrow enough to crush him having been exposed with that small comment. He still had a hard time... adjusting. His parents were the alphas, his father was a warrior, his mother had been strong... In his heart, he didn't want to believe they'd all left him. It hurt too much. But it was too late. He'd failed. His family was gone, dead or missing, and it was his fault. Or, at least, that's how he saw it. He'd been the only male in the litter, and he'd been born almost last. He'd been angry with his parents because they'd taken away his best friend, and his father had died before he'd even told him he loved him. His mother had left, and his youngest sister, whom he had promised to protect and stand by her side, had vanished without a trace. He'd failed them all. And here he was, a subordinate in a pack he'd once longed to hold a place in. He was nothing to them, nothing to this pack. Just another space filler. He smirked bitterly before turning back to them. "Yeah... They were. And don't expect me to follow in their footsteps; I'm not much of a leader." He snorted. "I'm not much of anything, really. I wasn't even good at playing."

"Wow." He smiled softly at her, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Sad eyes, they were. He hadn't been happy in so long... It had started before his father had even died, and after Ashkii had passed on, he'd been miserable ever since. He would always hate himself for what he had done to his father, shutting him out because he was upset and angry. It was stupid and childish. As he looked at Maya, he knew he would never be a good role model for her. She needed someone better than him, someone who could teach her things and play with her, someone who could at least pretend to be happy for her sake. He couldn't. His eyes lifted to Cove before dropping back. "Ya know, Cove here is much better at stories... And he probably knows a lot more about playing and hunting and stuff. I'm no fun, really." He made a face, trying to play it off as a joke, but really... it wasn't. He'd shot himself down all his life; why change now? Especially when the future of a young pup hung in the balance.

?Yes Maya were all young perhaps it about time we had the opportunity to act like it.? He nodded along with Cove's words. At least, in Maya and Cove's sake. He was too far gone, too changed, too... scarred. "Tag. You're it!" He smiled sadly at her, watching her pounce away. ?Its good to see you Ryota I?m gladdens to me to know I still have a brother if you?ll permit me to address you such.? Emerald eyes travelled back to Cove and he nodded gravely. Before Cove could say anything else, though, he interjected. "Take care of her. Teach her, be her friend, help her, protect her... Because I can't. I'm no good at those things, Cove. I'm a failure in every sense of the word." He frowned, looking off at Maya. "She deserves better; you're it. I'm not trying to replace you, because it's not possible. She'll see soon enough that I'm a failure, and just like everyone else, she'll leave." He smiled wryly and snorted. "Hell, you've always been better than me, uncle. In every way." Sadness washed into his eyes, along with regret and such a deep self-hatred, it was hard to imagine. He hid behind a controlled exterior, used sarcasm and snarky comments to hide his true feelings, his insecurities and long list of faults. ?-And now little nephew its time we showed Maya why S?vilko have led this pack? Time to drop the serious act and play pretend for Maya's sake. He dodged the spray of dirt and took off after the two, not really trying to catch Maya. She wasn't big enough yet to really stand up to them when it came to speed, but she would soon enough. Then, maybe, they could go all out.

Maya's ears fell at Ryota's words. How could he not be anything? And how could he not be good at anything? Maya's head titled slightly to the side, and her tail drooped. Well he was something. He was still here, at least, still alive, still, hopefully, well. There was that, but Maya wouldn't voice it. She realized that she'd said the wrong thing. Again. Maybe bringing up the past wasn't such a great idea. Maybe it was just better to leave it behind her, and not think about it. But she was so curious. She wondered if there was anyone who'd be able to speak of it easily. Maya's head shook slightly, and she pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind.

As she ran away from the males, her ears turned, and she heard someone coming behind her, and she didn't have time to check who would be behind her. They'd catch her if she stopped. Maya frowned. "They're so negative. They need some cheering up, for sure. I won't let them get to be so cynical. Maybe it's from being alone." she mused aloud as she ran, though softly so neither male would hear her. "They need me as much as I need them, even if they don't know it." and in her opinion, it was true. Wolves were pack animals, that much she knew.

They needed bonds, and friendships, and they needed a sense of community.And right now, with the state that the pack was in, they wouldn't have any of that. For all Maya knew, the three young wolves were the Silver Mountain pack. They needed to stick together, and Maya was curious about them. She wanted to get to know them better, figure out who they really were. And who knew, maybe they could all be friends one day. Maya surely hoped so.

Her ponderings ended when she nearly tripped over a twig she hadn't spotted on the forest floor. She took this moment to look behind her. She could vaguely see a shape coming at her, and she thought it might be Cove, but she wasn't sure. Maya scrambled off and shook out her fur, sending bits of debris flying. Maya turned and her eyes searched for a place ot hide where she could catch her breath. She hadn't thought to pace herself, and now she was tired.

Getting more nervous at the thought that they might find her, she involuntarily emitted a whine and she finally found what she was looking for. A log, probably hollowed, and if not she could at least hide behind it. She bounded towards it and with a great leap, cleared it, and she hide behind it, pressing her body up against it, and she made a little dent in the ground so her top half couldn't be seen. She poked her head up from her hiding place and checked for any signs of the males, and then she put her head down again and tried to steady her breathing.

Cove blinked, he couldn?t help it, so much for facial control? Ryota didn?t say things like this, he didn?t, Ryota had practically said he was the rightful Alpha on there last meeting. Ears slicked flat to scalp Cove gave a low whine in response to ebony wolfs self deprecation, this wasn?t right. The fact that Cove had released the whine at all was a display of quite how spooked by his ?brothers? self pity. Maybe Ryota had never made great claims of status, perhaps it was just his own paranoia speaking; his desperation not to shame his family ? to prove himself. Hadn?t he already proved himself a failure his mother had fallen to the hunters while he had fled, he hadn?t meant to but he still had. Maybe that was why despite what he said to himself really he wanted Ryota to take the lead, to show him the way.

He shifted his weight from one fluffy toed paw to the other awkwardly, what could he say? Cove wasn?t good with his tongue, he was good with his teeth a fighter not a motivational speaker. He was also selfish. Was it awful that at some level he was glad to hear Ryota name himself a failure, was that so wrong. Yes Cove it is. Although the thought was own it came to him in his mother calm timbre, it was wrong to let Ryota lower himself and worst to gain confidence from it. Salmon tongue appeared from between twin sets of teeth as he struggled to find words to make things, better? No, not better, he couldn?t say anything to give Ryota his worth anymore that anyone could say anything to lift his own guilt but he could at least say something.

He was rattled before he let out a word though by Ryota intuitive grasp of Coves prevalent feelings surrounding Maya? Was he that obvious? Did it show on his face his fear of being shunted out, did he look like he was clinging on to shreds. A wash of shame enveloped Cove, causing him to momentarily ignore his nephews continued self belittlement. It?s hard not to be self obsessed particularly when you?ve spent the most recent third of your life in almost complete isolation. He came back to himself, Ryota, Ryota, he needed to stop indulging his emotions, to pull himself together.
Maya was waiting, he valued Ryota, he knew he did but couldn?t he indulge himself and be the best just for a bit. Still his fellows last words tipped him. ?Look Ryota I appreciate the vote of confidence but don?t do yourself down, it doesn?t suit you, we?ll all stick together and for us things won?t ever be ?right? but? Never mind, Maya waiting and she wants You to tag her.

Now he was running he didn?t look back darting through the trees he resisted snuffing her scent to much, it was a game not a hunt. Saliva built up in his jowls as he chased away from Ryota, why did he flee so fast? Because Ryota was on, no because emotions pricked at him, making him feel weak? Weak, weak, weak.
Leaping a log he almost plowed into what seemed to be Maya, foam flecked his maw and his eyes held a wild look as he pulled up. "Watch it Ryota still on." The words were calm but Cove looked anything but.


OCC: Really sorry its been long