The Rising Sun {Everyone welcome!}

[Rouch]

So, it was time to become a social little canine and get to know the rest of the pack. Tri-colored beast trudged along the ground looking for a proper spot to howl a long note and welcome all of the pack to meet the newest subordinate. Muddied gaze drifted towards the sky and happily noted the sun was just starting to float over the horizon. Early bird gets the worm, and the pack could deal with a wake up call! Smile played across his features, as he noted there was not a cloud in sight to block the dazzling array of pinks and purples that justified the suns rise. His walk took on a skipping quality as the search for a meeting place continued, hopefully Lord Ravenholm wouldn't mind that he'd attempted to get the pack together. It was just a friendly little gathering so they wouldn't have to be strangers - for the best way to get to love a pack is to get to love its members.

And so he finally came upon a circular clearing about ten feet in diameter, it was surrounded by loosely scattered trees that gave a very homely feeling. Grass sprung up within the clearing - still sparkling with the dew that came every night, whether it was welcome or not. But that was just fine, for it was just one of those things you could count on to come every morning. A rare thing to find something dependable these days. Rump wagged itself (As the tail that he had been blessed with was humiliatingly short) - quite a comical site - and planted itself down in the middle of the area he had scouted out. The beauty of it all took his breath away, but it soon returned and the small smile turned into a blinding grin. Hopefully this site would clear the annoyance away from anyone grouchy at being woken up so early.

Content sigh lifted from his lungs, before his head was thrown back and pointed towards the sky. A long howl broke the peace of the dawn, and forced many birds to retreat from the nests they had built for themselves. The moment seemed to drag on for hours - as the feeling of contentment, filled his very being. Finally his howl came to an end, and he was forced into silence once more. But this silence was a comfortable one, one that could last forever and one wouldn't care at all. The teachings of the humans was becoming a distant memory, as the laws of the wild returned to him. Not all at once, but little by little each and every day. Until this moment he had not realized he was being thrown back into his roots. Oh yes, it had been happening ever since he was forced to live on his own. But not until the moment Alpha had granted him into the pack had Bandit realized he was no longer a tool of the humans.

He was wild, and living as one in the wild should. Another burst of contentment filled his being - no longer would he be tortured by bored adolescences, for if they came searching for him - he had friends now. The memories would fade, and life would take on new meaning. The amazing thoughts one can have with only the rising sun for company.

[Corprit]

Corprit

Brown paws moved slowly over the ground of the dog pack lands. Tail curled over his back slightly as he pressed onwards through the lands. He had been up for a while now, wandering aimlessly through the lands just to move. He had most likely gotten to more know of this land than anyone other than Ravenholm. He had only stopped to drink once or twice but even then he only stopped for a quick second.

Ears perked at the sound of the howl. It wasn't Ravenholms so why obther answering or going to the place the howl came from? Paws stopped until the howl had dimminished back and the calls of the birds could be heard again. Corprit contiued on his wandering, soon stopping again to let out a sigh. Damn his boredom.

Ears flickered towards where he thought the sound had emmited from. Tail lficked and uncurled as nose sniffed and sorted the scents in the air. By the smell of things it was Bandit that had called. Sigh escaped his jaws as the golden and gray colored male started towards the clearing. Head was lowered slightly and paws went at a slow pace. Weather it was his personality or just a reflex he didn't know. The male dog was always ready should a fight occur and he was drawn into it.

The other male came into veiw and Corprit forced himself to lift his head, not wanting to look to threatening to the new member. He seated himself near the edge of the grassy area, tail curling back upwards and brushing against his back. Eyes scanned the rest of the area for anyone else that had shown before him. So far it was only him and Bandit. Ears flickered as bugs irritated them but that was it. His attention was on the other dog should he try something even though the golden mutt didn't think he would.

[Rouch]

Waiting for others to arrive would strike anyone else as boring - but Bandit was quite enjoying himself. Quite a change from the on-the-edge personalty he had shown to all at his joining only days ago. It was time to escape that shell of a dog, at least for Youkol. Ravenholm seemed like a nice fellow, and he surely wouldn't let anyone in who meant harm to the pack. No, Ravenholm was to smart for that. And so he sat relaxed - not even worried for wolves that might appear searching for an easy target. Even at this early hour, sentinels were probably posted and on sharp look-out for anyone who wished to cause them harm. Gaze lingered upon the sky, enjoying the pinks and purples and golds that danced across the sky in a pattern that would make anyone sigh at the beauty.

Old instincts are hard to break though. As Corprit made his way on the scene, fur bristled up at the back of Bandit's neck. He was about ready to tear an attacking predator limb from limb - when it was only a fellow member. Praise all lords that the trait of blushing had not been bestowed upon canine kind, or canine would be wearing his emotions clear on his face. The fur on the back of his neck returned to its former position; and, hell he even offered a smile to the veteran member. The last meeting they had had was non-to enjoyable, and it was time to fix any mal-feelings that might have passed between the two. "Good Morning Corprit." He said in a cheery voice, that would make any morning grouch shudder.

Bandit had a feeling that opposite canine had been up for a while, as there was no trace of sleepiness in his gaze. Only the same alertness that had been placed there on their first meeting. How he hated how anti-social this dog was, it made one feel awkward when speaking and like they were babbling on for no reason. Oh well, if Corprit wanted to be Mr. Anti-social so be it, Bandit would just have to wait for others of the pack to arrive before he could enjoy himself once more. It would be good to make sure he was on good terms with the other subordinate though, just to make sure he did not have an enemy in the very pack he was trying to trust. "How are you?" He finally said after a moments silence in which felt like an hours time.

Another bad thing about hanging around this canine - each passing second felt like an hour, and incredibly awkward hour filled with silence and tension.

[Corprit]

Ears flickered towards Bandit as he spoke. Ah, now he was all happy and enjoyable. Different from the dog he had met earlier. Oh well. Everyone changed after finding a place to belong. He doubted that would be the case for him. There was barely anyone in the pack he could relate to. He nodded his head at teh first part of the greeting in his own happy hello. "Hey."

Eyes flickered to the skies as he asked how he was. Small shrugg of his shoulders and the mutt opened his jaws. "Alright. It's quiet here. And peaceful. Not like the other lands where war and bloodspill is at every turn. You?" He stood and padded a bit closer. Best toact friendly so as not to gain enemies or put a nad image of himself on others minds. Even though he liked the silence that came earlier it was at times louder than any battle cry and unnerved even the strongest of creatures.

Tail flicked as he stopped three feet from the edge of where he had forst sat. Tail flicked as he seated himself again. Ears flicked uneasily at having a conversation with someone he didn't even know that well. Eyes remained on the colored skies as he awaied to see if the onther dog would speak to him.

[Rouch]

It might be a little un-orthodox to have a friendly conversation with one who might have been considered an enemy only a few days before, but who needs orthodox in a world gone mad with power? One could only thank his stars that this power-hungry nature had not drifted over to the dog pack, or life here would be so care-free and pleasant. The thoughts of brewing war were only re-enforced by the other dogs comments of the lack of it in these parts. Now Bandit had a decision to make, take the easy way out and respond with a one word answer, then change the subject? Or answer what he really wanted to answer and perhaps launch himself into a conversation of something that was better left un-said. Bandit was not a stupid dog, no matter how he seemed, but something compelled him for the later choice. An instinct if you will - that said what he wanted to say had to be said.

"It'll come eventually. It always does when wars brewing." How he could know this was a mystery, as he had only graced the planet for a mere three years. That was no where near long enough to gain the experience and knowledge with which he spoke - for heavens sake he didn't even know that they had allied with the Ayrians! But that instinct was strong, that knowledge that could not possibly be his own. "I'm alright, enjoying the sun-rise and such." Throughout the two statements tone remained the same - cheerful (but not over the top annoying) and ominous at the same time. Two opposites joined together in a whole that none can understand, and will hurt their head trying to.

"Nothing changes - does it Corprit? All this has happened before hasn't it? And it's all going to happen again." Gaze drifted from its hold on the sky to meet with the one whom he had adressed's own. Slight smile played in his eyes, though his face remained locked in an odd expression that matched the tone he had used. Skull shook itself gently as if dislodging the thoughts from his mind, how this conversation had sprung to his mind he had no clue. The sun-rise has a funny effect on all creatures, canine and human alike.

[Corprit]

Ears perked and eyes turned to the other canine in the immediate area. So he thought the same thing as well. War as always there and sooner or later it spreads over all lands. Head tilted to the side slightly as Bandit went on with his speach. So, even this dog could know of the dangers out there. Siding and alliances were nothing but trouble in his mind. Ones might turn or the enemy might attack you fir the side you chose. Things were never easy in the words and enver would be.

A sigh escaped his maw and the golden pelted male looked at his brown colored paws. "No. Nothing changes. War has always been here. And history seems to repeat itself over and over. Battles will come and blood will spill and there will be nothing we can do to stop it." His voice quieted as his small speach went on.

He didn't want to admit it. He didnt want his words to be right. No matter how much others wished it, no amtter how he tried to block it out of his mind, the small trace of the thought would remain in his thoughts. There would be no denying it. "We can stay out and be crushed between the fights and survive by living our lives normally or pick sides and be picked off by the enemy. Bandit right?" Tail uncurled and claws dug into the ground. Corprit hoped he could leave all this blood and fighting behind by joining Youkol but no matter where he went on this planet nothing would change. "Peace will only last so long" There was a small pang of pain in his voice as he spoke the truth of the matter.

[Rouch]

Jaws remained shut as confirmation for the information he thought he knew was granted, so they would all be sucked into war eventually. And just how many of them would die? Ten? Thirty? All of them? Death really could be all the thing that one feared, or perhaps what happened after you rotted into the ground. Did you just die? As death took you into its holds, did you simply rot there for eternity? Or did some God in his heaven take you up for being such a good little wolf? Perhaps some Lucifer down in hell forced you to do back-breaking labor for the rest of your days. Whatever thoughts of death crossed your mind, any sane creature would fear it. Any intelligent creature would understand its power and respect it. But sane intelligent creatures were becoming fewer and fewer these days - and so death was becoming more frequent. Claiming victims it had no right to claim, at least not yet.

He nodded at the question of his name, and only spoke again once he was positive the other canine had finished. "Roundabout the round about and back were we began." His voice matched the tone of Corprit's, but it was somehow fitting for the conversation that passed between them. "How long do you think it will actually give us before war claims us all? A week? A month? A day?" Sigh escaped his lungs, but it not a sigh of sorrow nor any other emotion. A simple rush of air that came naturally - much like a yawn, "We'd best prepare ourselves then I suppose, gain all the allies we can. And in doing such destroying the chance of an enemy uproar. But ... just who are our enemies? The wolves, the humans, our own? No one seems to understand the horrors of battle anymore, simply that is some game to play in which the victor wins a trophy and the loser is only forced to sulk. Pride is not the only thing lost in war."

A sullen look had replaced his once cheerful disposition, youngster had never fought a fair battle in his life. And the idea of it scared him shitless. A battle were either side could win instead of pre-determined victor, that was even more frightening then the idea of death.

[Corprit]

Death. Not a single soul could describe what that actually was. In reality it was when your body shut down and your heart quit pumping oxygen filled red blood cells to your body. Basucally your body goes into a sort of hibernation never to wake up. That's how he saw it. It was what he had lived with most of his life. Watching as his enemy's vital organs shut down as more and more blood spilled from open wounds. Some think death is the hardest part of a killing. THey obviously hadn't killed before. The thought and greif of knowing you took someone's life and there could be family out there weighed heavily on the shoulders of those who have killed. He knew of that feeling, tried to surpress it to the point where killing came second nature.

"Who knows? War claims those who wish to join it when the time is right. Could be in ten years from now or even as we speak." Eyes closed and head shook vilontly from side to side as the golden male shook the thoughts of the wolves he had killed for years. Why were they popping up now of all times? Why? Eyes opened again and turned to Bandit. This wolf had most likely not taken a life. He shouldn't be one in war. "Allies will drag us into the war. Why take part in something we had nothing to do with? It makes so sense, Bandit, to form an allaince with a group who is right in the middle of it all only to be dragged in. Friends would get killed."

Enemies were nothing but someone who got in the ways of your goals or your life when you're trying to live it out the way you want it to. Just ones who didn't want you to live the way you want weather it was in peace or otherwise. That's was Corprit thought of an enemy as. Those where his enemieds. What what about the dog he was talking to? Who were his enemies? Ones who killed his family and took his freedom? Or ones who got in his way?

"Have you ever taken a life?" Corprit's eyes turned towards Bandit as he asked the question. No one who does not know of the hardships and responcibilities shouldn't have to fight where bloodshed is a must.

[Rouch]

Thoughts of death and the brewing war once more filled his mind, why they did he had no clue. The dog pack had yet to be thrust into such pain, and it might even be bypassed completely. Perhaps a few tussles here and there, but there was a feeling that could not be shaken. A feeling that this was only the beginning ... the beginning of the end. And even if the 'good' side did win, it would just happen all over again. Hell - if the 'evil' side won it would happen again. This was pointless and rather stupid, their was no reason for war. Not a damn reason at all that a quick scramble couldn't fix. Youth sighed once more, as gaze lifted from golden mutt across to the sky. The show was starting to fade, as the sun drifted farther away from the horizon and into the sky to take its reign as king.

Bandit was really left with nothing to say, all that had to be said had been. And now here he sat in silence, listening to Corprit speak things that were far to true. A dark corner of his mind hoped that he was wrong, but the sane part silenced it quickly. No use having false hope - false hope got you killed. False hope lost wars. Then what were they to do? Just stand by and allow friends to be slaughtered? No, that could not be allowed. No way in hell was he going to sit on the sidelines while a friend went down ... not that he really had any friends at the moment. Perhaps Corprit, but who knew what the other canine thought of him? You made no friends, you never had to fight for anything. No cause buzzed in his mind like a swarm of hornets, no fight for justice motivated him to risk taking on an opponent far stronger then he. Bandit, at the moment, truly had nothing to fight for.

Realizing he had been asked a question, he cocked his head curiously trying to draw that question back. Finally finding it he offered a very un-canine like shrug, "I've killed, but not in the way you mean." He paused for a moment before continuing onwards, "The only killing I have done involves rodents and perhaps a deer if I was lucky. There was never, and there still isn't, are reason for me to take the life of another. But, I guess that's all changing now." Gaze returned itself to golden mutt and a shaky smile drifted across his features, "I take it you have?" At that moment Bandit realized the sheltered life he had been living, the sheltered life he had assumed was wild. He knew nothing of the wild, hell he wasn't even a tool of the wild. The wilderness was as much a part of him as he was a part of the human clans. Well - Bandit would just have to fix that.

[Corprit]

Ears flickered back as a silence filled the clearing. Even the birds seemed to stop singing as the canines ceased speaking. It rang heavy in his ears and put him on edge. It was as if the world had disappeared around them and left the two in a world of chaos and destruction. How Corprit hoped nothing of the sort they had been talking about never came to these lands. They were to beautiful and peacful to be dragged into a war. Even so, wolves would come to them wanting assistance. And it was all up to Ravenholm to decided their fate.

A small sigh escaped his jaws. Tail brushed against the scar on his hind leg as Bandit asked him something he wished not to bring up. His past was something he never really wanted to talk about. Better to get it out though. "What I am about to tell you can never be repeated to anyone." The golden canine made it clear in his tone and gaze. "Wolves time and time again tried to kill me and I had to fight back. It became second nature to me and death was something I could care less about. But...there was this one wolf. He nearly had me at deaths door. I got away but the scar was there forever." Corprit didn't think he had ever said that much of his past to anyone. No one had ever earned the right. Since he had never killed another canine or feline Bandit wouln't know of the mental scars it brought.

Muscles tensed then loosened. "Let's hope Ravenholm chooses not to get involved in the war to come. These lands are to beautiful to be covered in blood." The words were spoken in a low tone and weather Bandit heard them or not depended on his hearing. Corprit was mainly speaking to himself but it could be directed at anyone in the area. SLowly he dropped into a laying position with front paws stretched out in front and tail over his hind paws.

[Rouch]

Invisible brow rose slightly as golden mutt stated that this could not be repeated, so why tell him in the first place? Truly they were still strangers, perhaps new friends - but nowhere near the friendship level that would allow something so personal to be discussed freely. Head shook itself gently, dislodging these thoughts from his mind and thrusting them into the morning air. Eyes drifted wider as that mention of canine's past, he'd been through hell and back! No wonder he didn't want it to be mentioned again, or mentioned to anyone unworthy. What was he to say to that? Apologize that it happened? But it wasn't his fault, so there was no need for that. Mind turned over trying to think of something to say to that as he realized that Corprit had began to speak again. Filling it away to respond to later, he continued to work out his response to the history of other canine.

Finding his answer, he spoke, "A fate that has made you all the wiser, no matter how horrible it is." His own past paled in comparison for fighting for his life, though he had been kicked when he was down. "It seemed you got away lucky - if this wolf was as strong as you say. That you live today is a blessing, that not many creatures receive." Without a command, gaze drifted to wards the scar that had been given to Corprit that day long ago. Involuntary shudder ran down his back, but the passed it off for being cold. Despite the fact that fur was heavy, and the newly risen sun warmed everything quite nicely. Ignoring where the shudder came from, gaze returned to the eyes that had seen far more then Bandit's would ever see in a life time.

"It is inevitable. War spreads as easily as plagues, especially among the canine world. One can't help but hope though." That false hope filled him to the brim, even though the rational part of his mind knew it was useless to believe in it. False hope killed you, but it was oh so pleasant to have about - especially with war knocking on your door.

[Corprit]

Small smile and a chuckle. Eyes closed and head lowered as the smile grew into a small grin and the shuckle turned to small laughter. As the laughter died down the grin fell to a smile and head lifted to the skies. "Everyone says it was luck that saved me that day. what I have is far from luck. It was a punishment for all the killing I did. Adding this to the weight already heavy on my mind." Again his tail flicked across the scar. It felt good to get things off his chest, even if they would always be there to haut him.

Slowly Corprit lowered his head again, shaking it slowly as he did so. "Hope. No matter how much you have what can it do but slow one down? Face reality. Everything dies one day. Everyone has a different destiny." He spoke empty words, not beliveing in one letter that came from his jaws except the first three sentances. Why had he told Bandit all this when he didn;t think of him as a friend? Again a smirk crossed his maw and eye closed. Maybe he was a friend. Maybe there was someone here that the canine could trust other than himself.

"Death and life. What are they really but words to describe how we live. What do you think?" His mismatched eyes opened and went to the long haired dog in front of him. "How would you decribe death and life?"

[Rouch]

Worried gleam danced in his eye at the sudden laughter of all-to solemn canine, just about to ask if he was alright the laughter was justified by words. The worried gleam drifted away Oswell as the confused smile that had plastered itself to his facial area, "Well, it seems that the pay back for your sins worked the way it was supposed to, unless I am wrong. For - is it not justice that you ended up here, in a pack that is sure to care for you? And meet a canine who you can speak to - unless I am mistaken." Grin flashed before returning to a smile that held not one emotion, but many. It could not be defined simply by words such as 'happy' or 'sad' or even to go so far as 'mystical' it was just there, and for all its lack of definition is seemed right.

His own thoughts on the matter of hope were projected through the air, and startled Bandit just a bit. Not enough to really show anywhere, but enough for Corprit to get the sense that he was atleast a little shocked. "You're right, hope is a waste. But it's oh so nice to confide in, even if it kills ya." The silence returned to the air, but it was not the strange silence in which the birds ceased their chatter. More of a comfortable one, atleast in Bandit's eyes. One that a canine could have only with pack members, or close friends. Skull cocked curiously as the silence was broken by more words and a question for him, it was echoed in his own mind as 'What do I think of life and death?' Weight shifted itself from one paw to the other as a human in the 21st century might do when giving a presentation to his peers.

"They've always been there," He stated slowly, "And they always will be. Death happens no matter what, but I think it'd be damn well foolish to not respect the powers that control death. You've experienced them first have, and though I have not - it's something I just know. The fact that death is not some game to play when you are bored, it should be recognized and treated with respect. Life on the other hand, well I suppose it should have respect as well - but not in the same way. After all, life is more of a gamble. You never know what's going to happen, while when you are dead. Well ... there's really not much more to figure out." Going over his little speech, he nodded curtly - agreeing with himself that he had gotten out everything that was worth saying.

[Corprit]

((I have a bit of a writers Block. Sorry.))

"Yeah. Someone to speak to." he echoed, really paying close attnetion to Bandit's words as he spoke. He made a lot more sence than anyone else that had preached to him about fate and luck. Tail flicked once then settled down in the grasses as the golden dog turned his head to the skies once more. Ears flickered to the dog he now concidered as a friend as more words flowed from his jaws. He culdn't answer to that. He was right. Hope is fun to have at times when there is nothing else to depend on.

Head lowered and turned to Bandit as the dog began his little speach. So much information was coming from a dog he thought of as somewhat of a dope at first. Well, don;t judge a book by it's cover as some would say. Giving off a doggy shrug Corpritmovd one paw close to his chest and lowered his head to his paws. "Nothing else to say, is there?"

[Rouch]

A thought occurred in the youths mind, he had assumed Corprit to be one of them at their first meeting. Those who respected nothing, and took things only for themselves - those who wished for power and didn't care about who was their friends only who was their enemy. How first impressions can be so wrong. The conversation that had just passed between them was one full of messages far beyond what the words simply said, a connection if you will had blossomed between them. Hell - Bandit would gladly call Corprit his friend if the time ever came to it. Content sigh rushed from his lungs, today wasn't turning out to be so bad. And if war came so be it, he had a friend now. Something to defend, something to fight for.

"I guess there isn't." Bandit's gaze drifted to the sky, the sun was far over-heard now. The dazzling show of golden light blooming across the sky was replaced by a brilliant blue, with a few lazy clouds drifting here and there. The day had begun, and who knew what it entailed? "Corprit?" He asked suddenly, curious to what the golden mutts answer would be. "What do you want out of life?" A strange question, but tail-less canine truly wanted to know the answer of his new found friend.