Contrive to Thrive { Off / Atlas } [Inactive]

[Off]

The morning air was sweet and crisp with the refreshing breezes and scents of nature. Leaves were beaded with crystal dew drops; the flow of clean river waters sounded distantly; the golden beams of the morning sun streamed through a canopy of green above, giving the forest floor a remarkable pattern of the faint shadows of unique leaf patterns and shapes. Rodents and creatures of the forests were waking from their slumbers through the night, while owls hid away until the caress of moonlight broke through the night once more. The songs of birds and the fluttering of their wings melded into unison to form a melody of the morn to all living creatures who roamed the forests.


It was a gorgeous morning, Kaius had to admit. Even as he strode along the grounds, towards his new fate with the Alpha Venus and her pack, he couldn't help but admire the beauty surrounding him. His hulking wolf form, with his coat shaded the deepest of midnights and strong muscles rolling with each stride underneath the fur, had a sparkle in his amber eyes, a warmness that calmed his nerves and allowed the serenity of the day to settle the bitterness of his decision on his conscious.


Kai was not alone in his travels, though. He had called on two of his pack members to follow with him, not for protection, but for reassurance. Though not standing directly with the height of Kaius, their sizes were impressive enough to invoke some awe in others. They were surrounded with the same serenity that their Alpha felt, with their emotional connections alive in them, tinged with their own additions of personality within.


One wolf, a male, who strode to Kaius' left, was a deep chocolate brown in color, and who seemed plentiful in muscle. His eyes were spiked with a shimmering blue as clear as the skies, with a snout hiding an impressive set of very strong jaws and fang-like teeth. He was stouter, less slim, than others, obviously built for more aggressive battle. Despite this, his composed, courageous nature presented a vibe of trustworthiness. He seemed just as awed, if not even more deeply awed, by the morning as Kaius was. This was one of Kaius' Betas, Evan. He led most hunting trips and battles, and with the Warriors at his command, it was difficult to lose a fight.


The other wolf, a female, who strode to Kaius' right, had a coat of grays and creams in varying intensities forging to create a fluid pattern of fur about her body. Lean, an obvious runner, but still holding wiry muscle underneath her fur to suffice for strength. A slim snout, with snappy jaws lined with smaller, but incisor-like teeth. Her amber eyes seemed dimmer, not quite as lively, but held an impressed sparkle within them. Aware of the beauty. She would be interpreted as a more serious canine, solemn, alert when needed. This was one of Kaius' Healers, Kaitlin. Fantastic with herbs and medicine, she could fix and heal a wide variety of wounds with practiced, careful swiftness. Kaius, as well as the other pack members, trusted her with their own lives.


Silence reigned as they followed the faint trails of their scents from when they had last strode along this path. They all knew where they were going, why they were going, and felt no need to discuss it as they continued on. They would be meeting the entirety of the female Alpha Venus' pack, and they would be leading them to the new territory that would be shared by both Kaius' pack and her own. It was sure to be interesting, but Kaius felt that this Venus was a trustable leader. He doubted she would pull an attack or infiltration plan on her. But Marcus, his second Beta, protested otherwise; for caution, he had set up a perimeter check on their packs' territory to keep intruders out. Just in case. You couldn't be too careful.


The three wolves continued their fateful paths until they reached different, but slightly familiar scents drifting in from a clearing up ahead. Yes, there it was. The meeting place. It was a wide spot, where trees did not seem to grow, creating a messy shape, but wide amount of ground for a large amount of wolves. It was the best place the Alphas could conjure to meet. Kaius' ears turned forward and backward instinctively, a silent signal to the wolves behind him to follow, as they continued doing.


They broke through the trees into the grass-covered clearing, and took their positions, with Kaius standing front and forward and his accompaniments flanking him. He heard Evan shake out his coat, while Kaitlin remained still. He felt tenseness surround her. He understood; the whole situation would definitely conjure some anxiety in a wolf, no matter what way it be interpreted. Evan seemed far more laid-back, but he could feel Kaitlin's tenseness just as well as Kaius did. The wolves waited for the pack to emerge into the clearing, three pairs of sharp eyes scanning for movement up ahead.

 

[Atlas]

“I certainly believe that what we perceive as humans is just the tip of the iceberg. I don't necessarily believe in vampires or werewolves or that kind of thing, but I believe there is definitely a realm we don't necessarily have access to.”


— Alan Ball


Access granted.


The heavens had begun the earliest stages of wake as the night ceased its vigil over those who called the forest home, no matter if they thrived up high in the canopies or down low in the undergrowth. Dawn, reclaiming the throne of the cycle of day, did so by gently pushing the morning sun over the horizon; beautiful oranges and yellows flanked it on either side with the faintest of blues also finding residence amongst the warm colors of first blush. Rays of light descended through the wisps of white clouds like golden feathers — mellow and tender, its aureate touch graced the greens of the woods. The dew of morn made dots along the hillside as if the welkin had been weeping and that is where its tears had fatally fallen. The diurnal animals were awake and certainly flourishing whilst the nocturnal creatures, moving quickly, returned to their places of dormancy until they could take over once more.


Slowly approaching was a pack of wolves numbered at eleven. The group was comprised of both sexes, however there were several more males than females if one stopped to tally. The canines varied greatly in size, appearance, and age; yet, even if one was peering down upon them and had no prior knowledge as to what role each canid played, he or she would be able to, quite easily, tell who had what job based solely on their looks and manner.


The beta — Jordan was his name — wore his position like a heart on his sleeve. As second-in-command, he held himself with a pride that could almost be mistaken as hubris, his chin up and his eyes set forward. The gamma, Beckham, was Jordan's relative by blood; the two shared a plethora of attributes when it came to physical appearance, howbeit Beckham was older and much more reserved, much less arrogant, and much warier than his brother. The warriors had auras that radiated bravery as bright as day. Three boys and two girls, all of them were slim and built for combat. Leo, Casper, Caleb, Thalia, and Fern had exceptionally different demeanors, but they each shared a common trait of altruism; the five would rather sacrifice themselves than to have someone they love fall to fate. Those who were healers (Hazel and Jasmine) were seemingly healthier than the rest, having pelts that glittered like fairy dust and owning dispositions of the most symbiotic kind. The scout was noticably the youngest of the bunch — however he was by no means the smallest (that title went to Fern). He was tall compared to the majority of the other wolves but he was nonetheless very lean; wiry muscle was apparent all about his body. His eyes were so dark a coffee that the pupil was swallowed whole by the heavy color, and there was a gleam of an indecipherable emotion haunting their facets. He was called James.


And then there was the alpha.


She was willowy, almost sylphlike in frame with softly pointed ears, one of which currently stood tall as the other folded slightly over. She was at the front of the pack and leading the other ten toward the destination that was beginning to near. Her fur was of a light grey like the moon, and her irises were fluid and flowing like they had trapped navy blue ink within their depths. The tenseness of her muscles and the stiffness of her back showed that she was a little on edge, but she believed that the feeling was mutual between herself and those who followed her; they all (she included) had not fully warmed up to the idea of combining their family with another's, but it was what they had to do — it greatly upped their chances of survival with the rumors of these humans now hunting them down.


Venus had arranged this meeting with Kaius in advance; they agreed on an assembly spot so he could bring her crowd to join his. Getting closer to the clearing, the lot of them began to walk slower. They subconciously started to form an almost horizontal line, each canine moving up to be next to another; a whine was then heard from farther back, and the alpha female subsequently turned around to find her brother in the predicament of somehow having tangled in some hanging vines. A sigh left her nose that would have been a laugh had she been in her human form, and she and her right-hand-man Jordan lightly treaded back to free the scout from his knot. James lowered his head slighly after his liberation, and Venus affectionately nuzzled his head with her snout. Returning to her place at the head, she broke through the last few trees into an open area where she saw three wolves; a male dark as midnight standing in between a female milky as cream and a male brown as chocolate already waiting patiently. One by one starting with herself, she and her pack shifted into their humanoid forms. Once bipedal and fully transformed, the young woman ran a hand through her short flaxen hair as she made eye contact with the alpha male of the other group.


"Kaius," she acknowledged formally.

 

[Off]

The quick senses of the few beings had caught on to the motions of multiple bodies ahead precisely. Evan's ears flicked forward and the thick muscle underneath his chocolate coat stiffened and coiled in subtly, preparation for a battle that would not come, but that his body cocked itself for out of purely animalistic instinct that was so strong in him; Kaius took a step forward with his head rising higher, an automatic gesture into a stance of awareness and alertness which spiked his bloodstream with a slight rush of adrenaline at new arrivals. Kaitlin, on the other hand, did not move a muscle. Her body was statuesque and stony, as cold and unyielding as her composure. Despite this, her solemn eyes flashed, sharpening with the intensity of a sword's blade. Even Kaius could not replicate the aloof and matured nature Kaitlin presented - it was extraordinary, though understandable, seeing as her job was to face blood and infection and be able to battle it away without a flinch. Courage was strong, but never arrogantly so, within her. The Alpha knew this all too well. Reactions were varying between the band of wolves, but intentions were the same - to reveal the source of the movements and classify them as friendly or threatening.


Of course, as the three wolves noticed the shifts between the crevices of view behind brush and plant-life, Kaius automatically knew that these were no threats. Familiarity rushed in to settle the excitement. These were the people whom the band of three had traversed out to find in the first place. Kai turned his gaze back and met eyes with Evan, communicating a practiced, silent signal to relax. He did so at the first second he gazed. There was no need to turn to Kaitlin - he could already feel the tension rolling off of her and being replaced with seriousness, business-like in tone. Quickly, Kaius came to the realization that he should be doing the same. The Alpha in him supported him to rise to a more respectable, authoritative stance, and he did so, repositioning himself into something more fit for himself. They knew they'd be shifting momentarily, in order to speak properly to the other pack, and each silently prepared themselves for the process.


The figures approached until they emerged through the tree-line. Despite the fact that Kai was no fan of this whole concept - of his pack forging with another - he couldn't help but silently, secretly admire the feeling drifting from where Venus' packs' members emerged from. It reminded him of his pack when they were all together - the strongest sense of family, of an eternal bond achieved through the magnificent unison unable to be reached by any other creature in existence. He felt a boost of reassurance. The sense of stubborn pride washed down. Knowing that this pack felt such a way in one anothers' company was calming, in a way. It aided his faint humbleness. At least they're not disorganized rascals, he heard the voice in his mind whisper, they have an impressive form.


When his eyes fell on the female Alpha with coat of faint grey, he felt the Alpha instinct in his blood seethe. It was normal for an Alpha to feel a rise from another Alpha - two dominant forces without a connection to keep them at bay often clashed. He felt it every time he was confronted with an Alpha wolf. He could take in her scent and automatically recognize that underlying tinge of strength. He managed to settle down the impulse to intimidate, attempting and succeeding in remaining civil, composed. His eyes did flash, though, just briefly. The feeling would not disappear easily until he adjusted correctly.


When she, as well as the remainder of her pack, shifted into their human forms, he followed shortly after. Evan emulated him, followed lastly by Kaitlin. They followed in order, with Kaius standing tall once more on two legs. His fingers flexed, along with his toes, the nerves tingling back to awareness to the physical restrictions and shifts. He blinked once or twice, adjusting back to the differing vision. Once he had situated, the Alpha Venus locked into a gaze with him - causing his blood to boil in his veins again. He did not break the gaze, nor did he allow himself to attempt to overpower it - he held it steady. This would definitely take some adjusting, no doubt. With the right practice, it would stick eventually. Evan on his flank stood back, gaze flickering from person to person, while Kaitlin didn't seem to relent to her surroundings. She kept her eyes forward, stiffened just as much as she had been in her second form.


Venus spoke, her voice firm and decorous. Kaius felt another slight wave of reassurance. She was not unintelligent, not in the slightest. He felt an air of wiseness around her, as if she was beyond her years. His expression relaxed a tad. He responded to her greeting with his own, nodding slightly in a polite manner, "Venus." When his chin tilted back up, his gaze swept along the line of figures. Though unique, they seemed to fit. Like puzzle pieces, to go with something overused, even if it's quite true. Packs often emanated closeness in that manner. It was fascinating, even for someone such as him who had lived with this feeling each and every day. It never failed to captivate him.


The silence drew on. Once he was finished with his momentary observation, he allowed his eyes to dart back over to the navy blue irises of Venus. Her appearance was unique, elegant, but without the stuck-up arrogance royalty would hold, as her sculpted features would suggest. She was attractive - any male would think so, he was sure. Since the silence filling the air was beginning to draw on for too long, he pulled his mind back to the topic, cleared his throat to capture the surrounding lycanthropes' attention, and began to speak:


"Good morning to you all." His tone held the usual gruff edge, but was for the most part polite, and he continued speaking, "I assume that Alpha Venus has clued you in about all of this." He paused momentarily, to initiate a subject switch, and continued, "This-" he gestured back to Evan, who grinned broadly and invitingly, "-is Beta Evan, and this-" he gestured to Kaitlin, who continued remaining coldly stiff, "-is Healer Kaitlin." He found it customary to introduce pack members with their appropriate titles, and did not hesitate in his voice when he spoke them, continuing on, "I am Alpha Kaius. We've come today to show you the path and familiarize you with the surroundings of the travel to-" he nearly faltered saying the word, "-our new territory, where both of our packs will reside. The rest of my pack members await us there to be met. Any territory marking or safety precautions to set for the territory boundaries will be assigned when we arrive by your own packs' Betas." His gaze had traveled across the other pack members as he spoke, and he finally landed it back onto Venus' gaze when he finished. With an expectant nod, he asked, "Is there anything you'd like to add before we begin, ma'am?" The habit of titles such as 'ma'am' or 'miss' was a long time impulse of his. He constantly tried to get rid of it, but of course, old habits die hard.

 

[Atlas]

Measured and controlled, Venus inhaled and promptly exhaled; the quiet noise of her breathing faded seamlessly into the sounds of her surroundings. While in mid-shift she'd seen an instinctive adversarial emotion in Kaius's eyes like a spark from a broken wire. She was sure a flash of it, although in brevity, had danced across her own as well. It was common knowledge that alphas from separate packs didn't necessarily want to get along; their jobs were to protect their own members, and to see another individual of their same rank frequently caused unwanted and rivaling tension. The young woman tilted her chin up slightly to show that she was not intimidated by the presence of another leader.


Three humans now stood before her and her group, the triad of wolves having shifted back into their first forms. She remained still as Kaius returned her stare and she made sure to maintain the eye contact since looking away would be taken as a sign of inferiority. Venus stood one step in front of those she called family — the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb — to converse easier. Her brother stood as close to her as he could without stepping forward to be directly at her side. His eyes were dark and lightly domineering, swirling with unsaid words as his arms rested edgily by his flanks.


The boy, had he been older and perhaps a little taller, could have been seen as cowing. His cheekbones were high and hollow while his jaw was angular. He had long, dark eyelashes, but they by no means looked feminine; in fact, the casted shadows upon his cheeks that on anyone else would have looked cutesy — but on him, they looked aristocratic and unnerving. James's eyes were narrowed in distrust and his body language corresponded; his fists were clenched at his sides and he dug his heel sharply into the ground. His stare was like a hawks as it remained fixed on Kaius, his lips drawn in the faintest of snarls.


Venus knew he was doing this without having to throw a glance over his shoulder; she just prayed he wouldn't act out — jeopardizing this chance to have better security was not on her to-do-list. She stood with her arms behind her back in a ‘parade rest’ or ‘at ease’ position one would do if they were in the military. Her calculating eyes swept over the present members of the other alpha's pack as he did the same with hers. They seemed to abide by their leader with admirable loyalty; it was a respectable quality for one to have. She was meticulous, and to see such an attribute certainly impressed her.


Noticing that Kaius was observing her, the female stiffened, but the movement went nearly undetectable; she then decided to take a moment to analyze him as well. He held himself with an authoritative air with his stature telling the story that he should not be messed with. Had she been a little less confidant, she might have been intimidated. Her gaze lifted toward his hair which appeared dark and feathery; she also noted that it suited his already boyishly charming face quite well.


Venus focused her full attention on the alpha male as he began talking by addressing those in attendance, and she listened heedfully as he introduced the two people who flanked him on either side — Kaitlin, his healer, and Evan, his beta. During the pause after his brief explanation of what was going on, she too introduced her pack. Now standing back in line with the rest of her crew, she glance down the row and, beginning with the warriors, traveled down the segment, glancing at each as she said their name. "These are Warriors Leo, Thalia, Fern, Caleb, and Caspar; Healers Jasmine and Hazel; Gamma Beckham; Beta Jordan; and Scout James." Each member nodded their head as their title was said, except for Jamie, who just made a huffing noise. She bit down at her tongue and gave her brother an annoyed look, but it was one with undertones of sisterly love to which the boy did a good job of surpressing a smirk. Venus then continued on, politely replying to her equal's question. "No, sir, I believed you've covered everything." She heard an almost inaudible scoff come from James as the coversation came to an end, and she glowered at the teen before facing forward once more. "I suppose we can begin now, Alpha Kaius."

 

[Off]

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