World of Wolves discussion

This is where younger ones train to be warriors or if members want to practice

Xandi neared the training grounds, shifting into human form and smoothing out her pace. With so many people around, she could feel the discomfort start to creep on her shoulders like a cold mist. Breathe.

Xandi looked at the activity and nearly sighed out loud. Gail was once again fooling around, keeping the trainees from their work. Xandi watched Freed move off to the side and arched a blonde brow, wondering if Gail would catch the swift motion of Freed's arm as he sent the rope flying.

Of course he didn't. Gail was too caught up in his own pleasure to recognize the threat. Xandi leaned back against the cold stone wall and continued surveying the scene. She was surprised that Gail could even be an assassin, given his casual disregard for protocol and discipline. No one could deny his skills, but Xandi still felt a prickle of unease when she was forced to have him watch her back.

Xandi folded her arms and met Gail's pleading gaze. It would be interesting to see him get himself out of this one.

((is that ok??))

(phew! thanks!)

(( I'll post my reply in maybe 20 mins. Stupid parents. Sorry))

The bastard. Xandi threaded her hands underneath her long cloak and stroked the smooth handles of her throwing knives. How she would love to stalk in there and make him regret that arrogance that drove every step he took. He could have injured someone. No, he would have. If that was what it took.

Watching him survey Freed's belly made Xandi sick. She clenched her hands into fists around her knives. She couldn't take this for another second, and though inside the idea of confronting him in human form was disturbing, she lifted her head and stalked over to him.

Freed shifted to human form and Xandi reached out a hand and helped him up, leaving her strong side facing Gail and shooting him an icy stare. "Get out of here," she told Freed softly, indicating with a slight tilt of her head that he and the other trainees should move off.

As they did so, Xandi turned squarely to face Gail, hands still closed around her knives. She wouldn't do it, she couldn't, but it was giving her some comfort and Gail didn't know how cold she was inside. Her eyes met his and she opened her mouth, furious. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

(( how do I even come in to this XD ))

Sheldon { Wolf Warrior } wrote: "(( how do I even come in to this XD ))"

((Um maybe walk over and support one side or another in our argument??))

"Better before I saw this." Xandi held herself rigid. The knife was not a threat. She felt her entire body yearning to shift to wolf form. "And were I to strike a blow you would not even see it coming."

Xandi rolled a shoulder and brought her hands out from underneath her cloak. Fear and weakness could not be shown. She let her hands hang limp and relaxed by her side, watching the subtle changes is Gail's eyes. She had been an assassin for long enough to understand that this was his compensation to deal with the guilt. To threaten her.

"If I would have struck, it would have been from over there. Don't forget I can throw, as well." Xandi's eyes never left his and she didn't move. Those penetrating silver eyes were watching hers closely. If he took another step toward her she would shift into wolf form and go for his throat. Xandi clamped down on the thought. He was not her uncle. Breathe.

Xandi narrowed her blue eyes. There was something she'd never quite understood about this one. She knew he had no idea about her uncle, none of them did, but he read her well enough to give her space.

It confused her. She didn't like the feeling. One moment she was ready to snap his neck, the next he suddenly became vulnerable and embarrassed. "I don't think I'm the one who finds your presence the most irritating," Xandi said softly, cutting with her eyes to the shaking trainee who was swiftly walking away.

Gail was a mystery, that was for sure. Xandi shook her head slightly at herself and shoved her worries forcibly to the back of her mind. "What do you say we get some practice in?" she asked. She knew as soon as she shifted to wolf form she would be fine.

Relieved, Xandi shifted to wolf form and, instantly comfortable, flashed a confident grin at Gail, showing her teeth. She knew that a sudden show of confidence would most likely startle him, but for today Xandi had a different tactic in mind. He was so excited he was almost jittery, and Xandi was willing to use that to her advantage.

The sounds from the rest of the training ground faded into the background as Xandi closed them out of her mind. This was where she felt her true self, in wolf form, in combat. The challenge sent a spike of adrenaline through her veins, but Xandi remained calm, relying on the coldness which kept her level-headed in battle.

Placing each paw carefully, Xandi began to slowly circle him, keeping her eyes locked onto his and her tail completely still. It would be his choice to make the first move, and though he was an experienced assassin he had not fought against her in over a month and she was ready to test his skills.

He was better.

Xandi silently cursed herself for underestimating him, thinking his skills had gotten rusty in the time he'd been away. Obviously not.

Since that first fight, Xandi had not been able to beat him again. It had been to her shame. She had to be better than him, if only to compensate for all her other faults. Xandi could hear her uncle's voice in her mind and it had distracted her at precisely the wrong moment.

It was her weakness, she knew, and now she snarled, as much at herself as at him, bringing up her head and embracing the shots of pain that splintered through her midsection. She was an assassin. She was going to finish this.

His stance was wary, but he had beaten her in the first round. She had to come back, stronger, the way she had always done. Xandi threw away her slow approach, it had left her too exposed. Instead, she feinted left, snapping her teeth, and rolled right, taking a sharp bite at his left hind leg and closing her teeth on it, rolling him over as she used his leg to maneuver him.

Her weight was slightly less than his, so she knew she wouldn't be able to keep her hold on him for long. Instead, while she rolled him with her teeth, Xandi kicked him in the stomach, nearly clipping his throat as he brought his head up away from the blow. She released his leg at the same time and he flew backward from the combination attack, rolling across the grass.

Xandi, chest heaving from the sudden exertion, settled back into a ready stance, knowing his move would come even stronger. She had missed these fights. This was what being an assassin was all about. Her fur was wet with sweat already but they would both fight until they had no more. Xandi raised her head, accepting her victory and readying herself for his next attack.

Xandi's eyes flashed. She did not like being pinned, that feeling of weakness. His agility was a major advantage for him, one she usually had to compensate for in terms of cunning. It seemed that this would be the same. Xandi rolled off of the ground in one smooth movement, silently swearing that she would fight to stay off of the ground for the rest of this battle. Usually adept at tuning out her surroundings, Xandi could feel the eyes of the other recruits on her. This was about pride, honor. She couldn't let herself down. Not here. It was beginning to feel real.

She curled her lips into a snarl and pounced while Gail was still backing away from her, the feel of his teeth so close to her throat edging on her nerves.

He hadn't let down his guard, but he hadn't expected her to respond so quickly, either. He always allowed his emotions to edge in on his fights, and this was no different. The pride he felt had stemmed his fighting sense for the breifest of seconds. Xandi would use everything she had to take that advantage.

She flew through the air, pouncing and landing on top of his body. Pain jolted through her from her bruised ribs, but she used that to spur herself on. He raised his head to snap at her throat, and she used her trailing leg to kick him in his injured leg, distracting his attention for a split second.

He was trying to roll her off and catch her by the throat at the same time and Xandi used the roll to catch his throat instead, pulling him down on top of her with it and doing him one better, scraping his throat with her sharp teeth, enough to draw a thin line of blood, kicking out toward his stomach to get him off of her.

Panting, Xandi, rolled away from him and instantly brought her head around in his direction, ensuring he could not make the same move she had just taken. Two each, and the fight was intensifying. She could feel the emotion coming from him as well. She flashed her teeth at Gail. Come and get me, she telegraphed silently.

(( Kura did you decide the name of the king? ))

(( Kura where are you from? ))

Using the knife had been... clever. Devious. Fully Gail.

Xandi hadn't expected it. Maybe it was her own reflexes that had dulled, rusted, faded. Xandi's thoughts snapped into place, hard, and she nearly bit off his hand when he dropped the dagger before realizing he was no longer a threat.

Xandi was furious, the pain dulled by the sheer anger at losing, the one thing she had sworn to herself she would not allow to happen. And letting the same move trick her twice- Xandi felt sick.

She realized Gail was weakening, and bent over him, trying to figure out if he would be okay. He had a tendency to overdo his sparring, but then so did she. Xandi calmed and let her feelings slide back into place, pushing back the barrage of pain and scenting quickly, carefully, trying to determine if he would be alright. He was on the brink of unconsciousness.

Xandi shifted back into human form, becoming more worried as he did not rise. She was about to open her mouth and ask him if he was okay, if she needed to help him back to to pack residence.

And then he touched her.

He didn't know what he was doing. He was halfway to unconsciousness and reaching out blindly, and he got his fingers in her long, thick blonde hair. He murmured something softly, but Xandi didn't hear it. She could feel him and scent him and it was overpowering, overwhelming.

Don't touch me. But she couldn't get the words past her lips. The shock was slamming into her like a wall of darkness, a pain much more intense then her bruised ribs, aching from her heart pounding in her chest.

Gail was caught up in his own feelings, not noticing her sudden distress. Xandi couldn't even move away from him. She remembered the feeling of her uncle threading his fingers through her hair and retched. Don't touch me. Xandi bent her head, resting her weight on elbows and knees and trying to breathe, trying to bring herself back together. She shouldn't have shifted so quickly. Don't touch me.

Xandi couldn't hear past the roaring in her ears. The flashbacks were the worst they had been in a long time. Don't touch me. Please.

((I'm going with the idea that in his confusion Gail didn't realize she shifted. Tell me if that's ok if not I can change it.))

((Cool. I'm loving this btw :D))

(( How are you btw, kura? ))

(thank you so much!)

(( sorry :( I was eating dinner with family))

(nothing wrong with that excuse. u wanna join now? as you can tell both characters have got some problems. kura what do u think?)

(you should probably still post next kura and if sheldon wants to join post after you)

(( yeah you can post than I will))

(And I will post after you sheldon)

((God kura i love your writing. go sheldon! all yours))

Watching the vast array of fighting that these two had done, getting up off the ground intently watching what would happen next. His position in the pack was made for helping people and his fighting but some needed to learn on their own.

His icy blue eyes scanning for any sign of a fight in the midst of these two. Taking a couple steps forward, his paws crossing the battle line. His mind ripping apart between asking if they needed help or to sit and watch in fear of pain. Finally making a decision.

Rushing to both of them, trying to read the situation quickly. His head tilting and turning at the two. He wasn't going to touch either of them but he could help if they asked. Laying down and growling softly at the one called Xandi.

(( first post for me is always bad XD))

((dw that was cool))

There's my beautiful niece. Xandi curled back onto herself, trying to fight the intensity of the memories. Oh, God, please don't touch me. But he never listened.

"I am going to have some bruise tomorrow." Xandi heard Gail's comment at the back of her mind, but she couldn't breathe. She was trying, trying so hard not to feel it but she couldn't push back the darkness.

Xandi heard a soft growl near her and flinched. She extended a hand, as if to block a blow, and felt warm, soft fur underneath her fingers. She needed to breathe. She needed to shift. She needed to do something. Xandi dug her fingers into the fur and rolled, bringing herself around and up to her knees, gasping and trying to fight the memories.

There was noise on both sides of her, human and wolf, and Xandi brought herself back to awareness with a nearly physical force. She opened her eyes and turned her head, meeting icy blue eyes that she recognized on an instinctive level. The shakes hit hard and Xandi brought her teeth together to contain them, eyes pleading. Please.

((kura will you post next? and then sheldon? and we can maybe go on like that?))

(( I'm not following, what's wrong with her? ))

((read, peri!!))

(( *huffed* 'kay!!! :p ))

~Peri~ Soul Taker!!!! wrote: "(( *huffed* 'kay!!! :p ))"

((lol. read my previous posts and if you still dont get it read her history))

(( Think maybe I should read her history first ))

((Good plan lol. She's got a rough past.))

(( Gods!!! I love her!!! make her visit Nalgort, Lyra's going to spoil her!!!!! ))

(( Link is not working ))

((Thanks! The link to the picture?))

(( Yeah I think they've removed the pic ))

((Oh that sucks. I'll fix it tomorrow. But I'm glad you like her))

(( does this one work?http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/imag...))

(( Yp it works ))

((Ok I'll replace the others tomorrow))

Liam was planning to do some serious training. He wasn't planning on stumbling across a girl having a panic attack. She was breathing hard and shaking. He dropped to the ground and gently shook her shoulder. "Hey. Hey, can you hear me? It's alright, don't worry, you're safe here. Take deep breaths, ok? Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out."

(im so useless i cant think of what else to do)

Angel was aware of a girl in the pack who couldn't handle being touched without a sign of a flash back or memory of what once was. This must be the girl he always heard about, her skill as an assassin was normally outmatched. What was he thinking, this wasn't the time to be thinking of her skills.

Trying to think fast, normally physically pain was a good start to having a shift but he wasn't going to risk the chance of getting this on a worse level. Quickly moving to the girls face, giving a quick but tedious growl. " Listen to me, focus on my voice." Angel laid down, resting his head on his front paws.

Wanting her to be relaxed meant he needed to as well, " listen to my voice above what else is going on in your head. Your being a prisoner to your own thoughts". Inching forward a little ok his belly towards her. "If you can, put your hand on my paw or head. Feeling what you need to become will help".

Inching forward even more so he was almost touching her hand with his nose, " there is no reason to fight what is not there, focus on my voice and nothing else in your head. I am here for you, you are not alone". Angel didn't even know if he was getting through to her but it was worth a try.

Xandi was aching with her desire to shift but it wasn't working. He would get mad at her. He hated it when she shifted.

The touch smacked her back into awareness. She flinched, hard, but it didn't send the same sickening awareness through her. Xandi managed to get her head up and found herself looking into intense dark eyes. He was giving her a command. "Breathe in, breathe out." He made it sound so simple Xandi nearly cried. She managed a ragged breath and felt another presence snuffling at her hand.

Xandi drew it back into herself sharply, becoming more aware of what was going on. She closed her fist around one of her knives, feeling its hard surface. She was surrounded. Holding back the panic, Xandi listened to the voices, which blurred together indistinctly. There were people on three sides of her, and she had to move. Move!

"You are not alone," Xandi heard, trying to keep the memories and the panic back and trying to breathe, get control of her body and shift. She needed to shift so badly it was a deep visceral feeling. She was aching with the need for it. Please."Breathe in, breathe out."

Get away from me. Xandi controlled the sudden burst of fear and instantly shifted into wolf form, rolling to stand and backing away from the three males on the ground, two of whom raised their heads to look in her direction. Gail didn't move. But, God help her, she couldn't do this right now. There were more people on the way. They would help him. Right now she needed to run.

Xandi, not turning, not giving them her flank, backed away slowly, and when she reached the edge of the training grounds turned and bolted away, toward the forest. She realized that even in wolf form she was still shaking, embarrassed and furious at herself. She and Gail had managed to ruin a good training by taking each other out completely. What kind of assassins were they?

You have never deserved this. Xandi growled, smacking her uncle's words away from her mind, and kept running toward the forest retreat.

Liam saw the girl run away into the forest. Am I that ugly? He wondered. He'd better follow her to make sure she was okay. He walked into the forest, making sure that he made lots of noise. He didn't want to surprise her. "Hey?" He called out. "Are you there? I'm alone. I won't hurt you. I'm Liam. What's your name?"