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 Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 11:46 am
So much time had passed since then... Since he left the North a scrawny, nervous wreck. He was still on the thin side, but not malnourished. Ravenfall was thin, but fit. He had grown completely into his paws and he worked and hunted hard. Life had been good so far with the siblings Eden, Eros, and Eris. He was glad he had made the difficult treck here from the far reaches of his former, snowy home.
It had been arduous, but here he was. He was happy, content, and his stomach was full. He was still wary of foreign Helix. It was in his nature to be mistrustful of others. After all, in the North it had been a free for all. You took care of yourself and strangers often meant danger...
This particular afternoon, Ravenfall had taken to napping peacefully beneath the reaching arms of an ancient oak tree. Sunlight filtered between the leaves and danced on his black and indigo pelt. His dreams were not sour this afternoon, but pleasant.
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 1:52 pm
Kane discovered a sleeping helix during his travels in Neutral territory. He didn't know his rank or anything about him other than the fact that he was sleeping and he smelled of other helixes. He was probably in a pack, a thought that caused him to wait patiently for this male to wake up.
He was not used to this kind of behavior. As a pup he feared and hated packs, every other helix meant danger. He was also not very patient as a pup but maturity caused him to reason that surely this helix wouldn't sleep all day like this. At least, he hoped not. You never know, with his black coloration he could be a nocturnal hunter.
He was taking a gamble, he wanted information that this helix might give. Helixes seemed more trusting down south for some reason. The teen was tense though, he could be seen as an intruder and be attacked for his outright boldness.
He really wanted to know more about packs and ranks. So he waited, ears up and perked toward the sleeper. He could be a fast learner.
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Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:29 pm
Something felt slightly out of place...
That might of been what caused him to stirr. Even in sleep, it was a worrying feeling and Kane's presence and gaze was enough to cause Ravenfall to wake from his light nap. The Helix's silvery eyes opened slowly and his ears pricked... And there before him was a strange youngster who carried a scent of the North.
"You... What are you doing?" He was blunt and to the point as he sat back on his haunches to study the red and white adolescent.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 3:00 am
Kane tensed, ready to run if necessary. His answer was equally as blunt as the helix's question. "Waiting for you to wake up so I can ask some questions." He didn't lie or beat around the bush, he just came right out and said it.
His ears swiveled around, listening in to the forest to make sure no one was trying to ambush him from behind. One just never knew when it came to packs. The forest sounded clear so far, he knew how good some were at stealth though so he kept on his guard.
Not wanting to make the helix ask further about what he meant he decided to explain himself further. It was really hard for him though. He tried to speak and swallowed hard. Instinct wanted him to shut up and run for it but he wasn't a frightened pup anymore and he wouldn't let his emotions control him. "I... know nothing of packs. I've lived alone... in Northern territory just about all of my life now. You smell like you live in a pack, you should know the answers to my questions."
He hated explaining his weakness, his lack of knowledge to this helix. He'd surely pay for it later but he still had a small bit of hope that this helix would fill him in on what he wanted to know. Helixes seemed nicer in the south. He mentally glued that into his thoughts over and over. 'Their nicer, their nicer, their nicer, don't run, don't run, face your fears...'
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 7:14 am
The dark helix stared at Kane blankly as he listened to him explain himself. His entire frame was still and even his long tail did not betray him. From the North? He thought he smelled North on him, though it was growing faint and stale. He didn't seem all that dangerous, as he knew others from his territory were inclined to be.
"Well then, little one, is it your lucky day." An eased, rare grin split his maw as he spoke in a friendly tone... Though he couldn't help but make a playful jab at the fact that Kane was an adolescent.
"I'm not from Neutral, but North like yourself. I traveled this way after spending most of my teen seasons on my own."
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:52 am
Kane relaxed himself but he was confused. This helix was from the North like himself but he was friendly like other helixes from different territories? He chalked it up to spending his teen years in other territories. He checked with his ears one more time. Nope, no ambush coming.
Pleased that his questions would now be answered he introduced himself. "My name's Kane, how about you old man?" He was teasing back in revenge for the 'little one' comment. That had not gone unnoticed! He laid down across from the stranger, watching intently. He was a fast learner, and a good listener. This helix would find Kane to be a good student.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:56 am
Ravenfall smirked, but his silver eyes narrowed. It was feigned annoyance. Really, he was glad the adolescent had come. Only a season or so ago he would of been abhorred and probably would of either ran or sneaked away when Kane wasn't looking. Survival was most important, after all.
"Ravenfall. If you want, you can call me Rave. It's funny, but that is what my new pack calls me, because it is shorter." He shrugged slightly and settled back down on his stomach so that he was facing the stranger on his own level.
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Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:54 pm
"Start with what ranks there are and their purposes then why helixes stay in packs and how they stick together. How each rank behaves... I only know the alpha is the top helix. I want to know more about packs." He suggested as topics of discussion.
His set one front paw over the other and relaxed, ready for the long conversation. If knowledge was power then he needed as much knowledge as he could learn!
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Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:03 pm
"Packs are... Well, I find them to be sort of complicated... But I can tell you what I have learned. Ours has not been together all that long and we don't have members in every ranking." He sighed as he mulled over the requests the young male made. He could very well refuse, but he had nothing else to do and why would he refuse to help this youngster that reminded him of himself not too long ago...
Only Kane didn't seem quite as meek.
"You are right, the Alpha is the top dog, so to speak. There is more to being an Alpha than just being able to push others around. An Alpha is supposed to be strong in mind and soul. He or she can lead his or her pack strongly, yet at the same time has to care for them and their well being. The pack is a great responsibility, too."
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 9:05 am
He thought about what he said of Alphas. Be strong in mind and soul? What did he mean by that? He cocked his head to one side. Maybe strong of the mind as in wise? Soul probably had something to do with the heart, right? The inner spirit? He didn't know much about souls or the gods.
"What are the other ranks called? What of their duties?" Kane asked, absorbing everything Ravenfall said with eager listening ears. He wasn't aware of it at the time but his curiosity was shining in his red eyes. He was like a pup again, learning everything he could as fast as possible.
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Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 6:01 pm
Ravenfall smiled lightly as he observed the younger Northerner.
"Next are the Beta, just under the Alpha. The Beta are liiiiike... Well, sort of like the Alpha's right paw. They are loyal to their Alpha and help to keep order in the pack, usually if the Alpha is absent. Sometimes they are even allowed to lead hunts... Er, if the Alpha is cool with it, anyways." His voice trailed off slightly as he thought.
"You gotta respect them, too. Like I said, just under the Alpha, so if you are below them, you gotta give them their dues. They usually eat before everyone else, with the exception of the Alpha."
He turned his silver eyes to the drooping sun. The night would be on them soon, but he didn't have much to do at the moment.
"Then, after the Beta, you have the Gamma. That is what I am. We are, generally, on the lower end of the food chain. We are below the Alpha and the Beta. We give them respect and they eat before us. We are not required to be submissive to other Gamma, though, since we are all on the same level."
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Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:55 am
"Why do they stick in packs when there's so much prey in these territories?" He couldn't help asking. Packs weren't unheard of in the North, but that was different. Prey was hard to find and hard to catch. In the more southern territories everything seemed easier.
He thought up further questions he would ask next, this male was really enlightening him on the topic and he was very grateful.
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Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:37 pm
"It's for.... Like, family... And protection. The pack sticks together and food isn't the only reason why. Yes, they can be useful in the North and the West, where food seems to be a bit more scarce. But the Alpha and the Beta supply you with safety and peace of mind as well as helping you keep your stomach full..." He replied quietly as he surveyed the bright white and red male. Yep, he was definitely a Northerner, just like himself.
"If ever times were lean, one would be useful, too. You stick together through thick and thin and serve the greater good of your pack. That's what I've made of it, so far, anyways..."
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Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:42 pm
"What's a family?" He asked, embarrassed. His memories of his previous pack as a very young pup were starting to fade with age. The only thing he really remembered about it was his parent's faces and the Alpha's cold voice when he ordered the pack to abandon him.
"What are the other ranks, and their jobs? How do they act toward higher ranks? How does the Alpha get them to submit without a fight? Are dominance fights just a teenager thing?" He asked, questions beginning to come easier to him now. He was relaxing a bit. One could tell by his body posture.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:53 pm
"It's..." His voice faltered for a moment as he tried to think of something to compare a family to. "A pack is like having someone always to depend on, sort of like with a family. The North... Is different, really. I knew nothing of this until I came further south."
"Those sort of fights are pretty much limited to adolescents. The Alpha is strong and holds him or herself high above the others in posture. They only fight if they have to, but most of those lower just submit." He leaned back on his haunches and lazily scratched at an itch on his neck with a hind paw.
"An' the only other rank, really, is the Omega. Haven't met one... But they aren't s'pposed to hunt. They are the lowest, but they nurture the youngsters of the pack, so you gotta respect them well enough."
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