There's Always Another Way (Lonetear)

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[atrb=background,http://i52.tinypic.com/a5e0w9.jpg] This is about right. He stared at the vast space before him and sighed. The vast and dusty area was about as confusing and dry as his interests were at that point. Everyday wasnt any more interesting than the previous, and if not more boring. Everything was mainstream to Malkahl Osiri. Everything had a deeper meaning, and like this vast and open plane, there was nothing there still. Nothing differentiating him between one wolf and the other. Everything, that is, except for his mind. Malkahl felt the dirt beneath his paws, and found it smoother than most, softer, almost like sand except without the grainy and annoying texture manifesting itself through his fur and the ground itself. Why is it that I've been brought to this specific area now? He was tired. He had been walking aimlessly for about a week, letting his legs slowly and lethargically carry his average frame. His emerald green eyes saw something special with each venue, but it was here where Malkahl was utterly stuck. He lowered his eyes against the moonlight, which gave his mind a clearer picture. He was exhausted, and needed sleep. Finding a hollow and dead elm, Mal took refuge underneath a nook that was large enough to fit inside of. Resting his maw on the soft dirt, Malkahl began to draw restless. He couldnt shake some kind of feeling that consumed him, like something here was supposed to be calling him. Why am I here... Malkahl stood alert, and did not fall asleep until something happened. And he hoped that something happened, rather now, than while he slept.

[Lonetear]

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[atrb=background,http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz315/xxlonetearxx/mireibg_3.jpg] Her midnight pelt was invisible in the darkness the night provided, her paws fell silently against the soft earth beneath them. To her right was an empty dirt path, void of any trees or brush. She avoided this, preferring the heavy tree cover lining the path on both sides, one ear flicked slightly as noise nearby alerted her to another's presence. Raising her nose to the air she took in a deep breath, eyes sliding shut as she analyzed the information carried in the air. A low growl rumbled in her chest, she knew this scent, though they had only interacted briefly it had been long enough to irritate her. She should just turn and head in the other direction, but her destination lay in the direction he lay and she would not be deterred from it. Taking quick steps forward she continued on, blue orbs searching around her for the wolf she knew she would find up ahead. He stood on the path, his head hung low. He looked tired but she didn't particularly care, she just wanted to watch him for a little bit, perhaps play with him for a short while, tired creatures were always fun to screw with. She waited where she was hidden, scent completely masked and unrecognizable. It wasn't long before he moved, curling up in a small hollow. Slowly she moved closer, circling behind the tree he lay beneath and just to the side of it. He had only laid there for but a moment before jumping to his paws, eyes looked around at his surroundings carefully. He was forcefully pushing away the sleep that he so obviously needed, it was a curious thing really, one that caused her to speak from her place in shadows. "You really should sleep, being dead on your feet will only get you killed all the quicker."

[surrogate]

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[atrb=background,http://i52.tinypic.com/a5e0w9.jpg] "You really should sleep, being dead on your feet will only get you killed all the quicker." Malkahl went into alert, deeply growling slightly and turning in his hollow. He had almost missed her, but caught the deep blue orbs staring directly into his emerald orbs. It was her, the shadowy female, the one that he left. A small amount of respect and gratitude followed after he caught her gaze. He knew she wouldn't have killed him, she wasnt like that. "Thank you, for your concern," Malkahl started, "But I'll be fine." Mal was sure of this fact, because he wasnt a stranger to being awoken at odd intervals of sleep. There was a particular story of watching a Native human tribe whom could adapt from sleeping to a battle ready state in the instant they opened their eyes. Malkahl had always found this fascinating, and adopted this skill. Still, he wondered what she was doing here, and how long his adrenaline could last. "What brings you here," Mal started, with a chuckle, "definitely not sight seeing like I was, correct?" He smirked, reminiscing about their last encounter, but he had wondered something. How long were you watching...... Malkahl had always been an excellent tracker and knew other tracker's tricks, but this one, had hidden herself well. He sniffed the air, her scent was mixed into the dirt and overgrowth mixed with the crisp nighttime air. Mal had admired her, this was the second time she had escaped. When he left, he made sure to take her scent, and now it was almost unrecognizeable. Those orbs sure werent unrecognizeable though, they pierced through his eyes with a curious and serious demanor. He looked up at the moonlight, which in his position, masked the female instead of outright exposed her. Things were different this time, and Malkahl decided to make things on an even level since the first encounter. "Beautiful shine out tonight, huh?" He said, now looking into her eyes with a soft smile, "You deserve to know. My name is Malkahl"

[Lonetear]

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[atrb=background,http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz315/xxlonetearxx/mireibg_3.jpg] A slight smirk appeared on her face momentarily at his growl, her sudden appearance had obviously startled him. She remained where she was, only her eyes visible in the shadows and she held his emerald gaze evenly. "Thank you, for your concern, But I'll be fine." His words seemed true enough, in an instant he had gone from being asleep on his feet to being perfectly alert, a feat few creatures ever accomplished. Her voice reached out from the shadows again as she answered, the smirk she held on her face apparent in her words. "It wasn't concern, I was merely stating a fact. If I had wanted to you could be dead right now and you would have never known what hit you." She was confident enough in her abilities to make this statement and she meant for it to unnerve the male before her. She could see the questioning in his eyes as he gazed at her, or rather where he knew her body would be could he truly see it clearly. "What brings you here, definitely not sight seeing like I was, correct?" His chuckle was loud compared to the silence around them and she wanted to strike him down just for that, she knew he was a tracker, he should know better then go around announcing his presence to every creature in the vicinity. Her fur bristled slightly but she fought back the urge to do anything rash. She remained silent instead, ignoring his question, eyes narrowed, turning cold as she looked at him. His gaze shifted slightly to look at the sky, to the bright moon. "Beautiful shine out tonight, huh?" Again his question was answered with silence as he returned his eyes to hers. "You deserve to know. My name is Malkahl." She closed her eyes momentarily, stepping away quickly and further into the shadows, circling around quickly to appear just behind him and to the right, her lithe body now revealed fully in the moonlight, a dark smudge in the bright light. "What kind of tracker are you? Giving your name out to those you hardly know? I though you were smarter then that."

[surrogate]

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[atrb=background,http://i52.tinypic.com/a5e0w9.jpg] She disappeared again, her slender body now appearing next to Malkahl. He had seen it all, all of her movements. While her scent was masked, it wasnt indistinguishable. Staying still and calm, Malkahl stood quietly as she spoke. "What kind of tracker are you? Giving your name out to those you hardly know? I though you were smarter then that." "I'm the kind of tracker, that doesnt feel the need to lie. If you want me, you'll find me. I'll play no tricks to those who could have killed me, but did not. You have enough honor to do so, then I have enough honor to tell you my name, before you make a grave mistake." Malkahl said, monotone. He glanced at the blue orbs now staring at him, almost threateningly. Malkahl did not waver. Instead, he turned to face her. "What kind of tracker, doesnt take the oppertunity to take her prey while she has the chance...Ms.?" He said almost cooly. He flipped a switch again. She clearly had a motive, and he was dying to know it. Whats your game...first I meet you...then You find me? Heh..sounds like a personal interest. Closing his eyes for a breif moment, Malkahl opened them again. His emerald orbs fiercely stared back at her blue orbs. He tilted his head, now analyzing her movements and posture. Ready for anything....yet set aback like you're analyzing as much as I am. "Why havent you tried to kill me yet?" He said as he tilted his head again. There was no hint of emotion in his throat, his mind was clear with a purpose. Agendas upon agendas fit between eachother, all coenciding with the reason of why he and this female were here. "My father used to say, 'Those who lie, only do so because they have a hidden agenda', and right now, I've got no agenda for you." He tilted his head again, "Yet it seems that you...do." His tone was almost questioning now as he stared at her dark frame. She was menacing yes, but he was ready. Malkahl was alert for anything, but relaxed. He knew she wouldnt attack. She wanted something, whether it was as simplistic as information or the notion that she had power. She certainly didnt want HIM, she had clearly shown that. He noticed the slight smirk in her face, and decided that it was enough for the games. He decided to place on his mask. As blank as a canvas, Malkahl stood, dead locked in a gaze upon the female. Intrigue, and anticipation filled Mal, yet another feeling did as well. He respected her. Females were not like this often, especially those whom have something to prove. And you DO have something to prove...otherwise, I'd be "dead". Mal smirked slightly in his mind, but drew his face blank still.

[Lonetear]

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[atrb=background,http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz315/xxlonetearxx/mireibg_3.jpg] She watched him carefully as he spoke, intrigued by his words. "I'm the kind of tracker, that doesnt feel the need to lie. If you want me, you'll find me. I'll play no tricks to those who could have killed me, but did not. You have enough honor to do so, then I have enough honor to tell you my name, before you make a grave mistake." The two of them were so different, their attitudes were no where near being the same. While she was more cautious he blatantly stated information that could cause not only others to find him easily but to cause him harm. She didn't really understand it, but then again, he was much larger then her, he probably didn't have to be as careful as she did. She took a few steps closer though still maintaining distance between them. "I don't lie often, I merely don't give away information that could be used against me, that's not lying now is it?" She could see in his eyes that he was prepared for whatever game she decided to play, he was just waiting for her to make a move. "What kind of tracker, doesnt take the oppertunity to take her prey while she has the chance...Ms.? Why havent you tried to kill me yet?" Ha, he thought her to be one of those mindless killing machines, wolves that got off on the deaths of others, ended them just for the fun of it. She wouldn't deny that she felt a rush when another's scarlet blood splattered against her, when she felt them take their last breath, but she wasn't necessarily bloodthirsty either. "My father used to say, 'Those who lie, only do so because they have a hidden agenda', and right now, I've got no agenda for you. Yet it seems that you...do." A hidden agenda, did she have one? Possibly, but at the moment she was merely curious about this strange wolf. "I haven't killed you because I have no reason to do so. I have no orders to dispose of you nor do you know anything about me that could prove to be a threat to me." One ear flicked in irritation. "I don't kill for the fun of it you know, I don't feel regret for it later, but I don't go around killing pointlessly." It was clear she was growing more annoyed with this wolf by the minute, he should know better then to just assume things about others but that was exactly what he was doing with her. And if he didn't watch it her temper would spike and she really would kill him.

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[atrb=background,http://i52.tinypic.com/a5e0w9.jpg] I don't lie often, I merely don't give away information that could be used against me, that's not lying now is it?" He knew this to be true, yet counted it against her. "So you're....paranoid?" Malkahl said wryly. "Paranoia huh? For I have nothing to fear. My name may be many things, but a weapon, is the least of it's uses." He studied her again, and noticed that she was a little more relaxed. There was no reason for him to be on his guard, yet he still felt he had to be. The only thing valuable is information. "I have only told you my name. My purpose here, how I came to this area, what I'm here for, you know none of that. You know, virtually nothing." He stated quietly, with a small chuckle, "So if this information is so detrimental to my safety, or what have you, I happen to think it's useless. To know the name of the one whom humiliated you in the end, is about as useless as watching the humiliator rip out your throat knowing full well you can defend yourself." He now stared fully into her eyes, for he knew her information as well, was not only right, but useful. "I haven't killed you because I have no reason to do so. I have no orders to dispose of you nor do you know anything about me that could prove to be a threat to me. I don't kill for the fun of it you know, I don't feel regret for it later, but I don't go around killing pointlessly." Malkahl wasn't taken aback by this. Most wolves in this land werent as hostile as that. He rolled his eyes slightly. "I'm well aware, obviously, for I'd be "dead" as you so presume it. Atleast you have the sense not to. Yet..you're still here. What is it that interests you about me? I'm surely nothing special. As orders go...I'm pretty sure you can make it on your own orders. You've got something to prove obviously. But I will say, using your body to adapt and be unseen, is something I've never seen a tracker do. It's...unique enough." He finished, stifling a smirk. He still pondered over why he was an interest to this female, but he stood firm in what he said. He really didnt have much to be afraid of. His name was of no importance what-so-ever, but it was what he was capable of knowing, is what made Malkahl deadly. Weakness is everywhere, exploitation is key. If you win at the onset, you'll have victory in the battlefield itself. He remained with his gaze upon her, but was hit with a pang of curiosity. Everything about Malkahl had went blank, and it had been a while since he was forced to wear a mask. She proved to be most dangerous, yet thrilling, and at this, Malkahl couldnt help but smirk a tad.

[Lonetear]

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[atrb=background,http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz315/xxlonetearxx/mireibg_3.jpg] "So you're....paranoid?Paranoia huh? For I have nothing to fear. My name may be many things, but a weapon, is the least of it's uses."She was in his face in an instant, the fur along her spine raised, white teeth showing in a fierce snarl, words coming out threateningly. "I am not paranoid. I'm not afraid of being attacked, I can take care of myself just fine in a fight. But having every wolf knowing my name only impedes my purpose." He had finally struck the right nerve to make her snap just a bit, she hated when others called her paranoid for she wasn't, but in her line of work one needed to remain as unknown as possible. Even having another know her name could probe to be a hindrance. "I have only told you my name. My purpose here, how I came to this area, what I'm here for, you know none of that. You know, virtually nothing. So if this information is so detrimental to my safety, or what have you, I happen to think it's useless. To know the name of the one whom humiliated you in the end, is about as useless as watching the humiliator rip out your throat knowing full well you can defend yourself." She took a small step back, staring him in the eye before slowly beginning to circle, her voice weaving around him as she did so, its ghostly tone soft yet dangerous at the same time. "And therein lies your mistake. All I need is a name, as for for the other information, well, that's easy enough to come by." She moved slightly closer, letting her pelt brush against his, her muzzle pressing against his side for just a moment. "Where you've been, I can tell that just from your smell, you do nothing to conceal it. I can tell from how old the scents are which place you've been most recently, giving me the direction you came from." Her first circle brought her back around to his front and as she passed around again she let her tail flick his chin. "From there its simple really, I just talk to other wolves I come across in the area, if you're easily willing to give someone like me your name, someone you know can be dangerous what would you give to others less threatening. Even if it is just a small comment if I talk to enough creatures eventually I will gather all the information I need." After completing another circle she padded away a few steps, coming to stand before him again though with distance between them once more. She carefully observed for any reaction from him, sharp eyes missing nothing. "I'm well aware, obviously, for I'd be "dead" as you so presume it. Atleast you have the sense not to. Yet..you're still here. What is it that interests you about me? I'm surely nothing special. As orders go...I'm pretty sure you can make it on your own orders. You've got something to prove obviously." "I don't have to prove anything to you, I just keep finding you in my way, its a simple as that. And you're different from other wolves I'm come across here, a curiosity really and my mind enjoys a good puzzle every now and again. As for orders, I suppose I could make them myself, but without a reason why order it?" "But I will say, using your body to adapt and be unseen, is something I've never seen a tracker do. It's...unique enough." She let out a soft yet almost menacing chuckle at this. "Whoever said I was a tracker love?"

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[atrb=background,http://i52.tinypic.com/a5e0w9.jpg] She took a small step back, staring him in the eye before slowly beginning to circle, her voice weaving around him as she did so, its ghostly tone soft yet dangerous at the same time. "And therein lies your mistake. All I need is a name, as for for the other information, well, that's easy enough to come by."

[/i] She moved slightly closer, her pelt brushed against his, her muzzle pressing against his side for just a moment. "Where you've been, I can tell that just from your smell, you do nothing to conceal it. I can tell from how old the scents are which place you've been most recently, giving me the direction you came from."[/i]
Malkahl followed her as she circled him, and felt himself get interested even more. Her voice was that of an apparitions, haunting yet enthrawling. He felt something come over him, but quickly brushed it off as she circled. Her pelt was soft, and familiar to him, yet he had no idea why. He waited until she came back to face front, staring into his eyes with the same intensity as he was staring back.

"From there its simple really, I just talk to other wolves I come across in the area, if you're easily willing to give someone like me your name, someone you know can be dangerous what would you give to others less threatening. Even if it is just a small comment if I talk to enough creatures eventually I will gather all the information I need."

Malkahl closed his eyes for a breif moment, and had a new air of resolve when he opened them to her gaze. She was triumphant in her tone, almost unwavering. Everything was factual, yet Malkahl had an answer for everything.

"Well that's all well and good," Malkahl said, letting out a small sigh, "But like I said, I've got nothing to hide. All those scents you've picked up wont lead you anywhere after my enterance to this place here. You've got nothing still. I dont talk to creatures, simply, because I have no desire to. They pose no threat, nor asset to me." He began, now slowly circling her with the same volition.

His eyes transfixed onto hers as he flashed a devilish smile.

"You see, I have no ties," he let his voice trail into a soft whisper, and as his grey pelt blended into the soft darkened dirt, he now let his nature show. "it's as simple as that. I can hide with the best of them, my darling, but you see the difference between you and I is that I merely dont need to. Not in my line of work. You see, once I find you, there's no reason to hide. I'm a collector, one of the most detrimental to my pack." His voice grew darker as his eyes flashed in the moonlight as he passed under it.

Malkahl's pelt had laid down as he brushed hers with his, taking a deep breath with his muzzle touching slightly onto her side. He sighed contently. His tail had brushed over her ear and down the length of her back.

"When I dont care to be found, I wont mask myself, for I have nothing my predator needs. You'll get nothing from me, if you pursue, and to the creatures you so wish to speak with, they'll know for sure. They'll know they cannot speak. They will not, for they cannot." His voice grew deeper, holding his soft tone, "For I dont converse with those whom will always pose a problem. And if they pose said problem, my darling, they become expendable and therefore," He came back to her face, staring inches away from her eyes with the tenacity of wonder and dangerous coersion, "..they are eliminated, on the spot."

He found her gaze to be captivating, but did not let his guard down.

"I don't have to prove anything to you, I just keep finding you in my way, its a simple as that. And you're different from other wolves I'm come across here, a curiosity really and my mind enjoys a good puzzle every now and again. As for orders, I suppose I could make them myself, but without a reason why order it?"

Malkahl chuckled silently.
"My dear, I'm more than a puzzle," he smirked now, "I'm a labyrinth, and it's as simple as that. Your orders should be your own. An expert like yourself needs a reson to follow orders, so it's not me whom you're proving yourself to, now is it?"

"Whoever said I was a tracker love?"

Love. Now that's a new one.
He cherished her vocabulary parameters.

"Why, I did, love. It's clear as day. You conceal yourself too well to be a hunter. You pick and choose your words carefully. You blatently told me your tracking style, or atleast ONE of your styles. You're careful in your strides. What doesnt scream "tracker" about you? Besides" he now looked around her, sizing her up and down, "Anyone with this adaptable pelt would be a complete idiot not to use it to a trackers advantage."

He liked her. She was a challenge for him, and those who were, always lived to see another day if they were wolves.

So maybe you're why I'm here..huh?





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[Lonetear]

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[atrb=background,http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz315/xxlonetearxx/mireibg_3.jpg] She watched as he closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them, a new light glinting in them. She could see that he was going to try to prove her wrong and she held back a quiet sign, giving no sign that she was interested in what he was about to say, though in all reality she wished he would just get on with it. "Well that's all well and good, but like I said, I've got nothing to hide. All those scents you've picked up wont lead you anywhere after my enterance to this place here. You've got nothing still. I dont talk to creatures, simply, because I have no desire to. They pose no threat, nor asset to me." "And yet here you are, talking with me, and the last time we met, you seemed absolutely captivated with that silver female. You almost seem to be somewhat friendly...almost. Don't fret though, other creatures are not the only way I can learn more about another, I have many other ways, I can assure you of that." Her voice grew darker at the end, leaving a bit of mystery to her words. Slowly he began to circle her, his body touching hers at all times, tail grazing across her back. But she remained perfectly still, she wasn't bothered by the invasion of her space, she was trained not to react to such a situation, not even a blink of the eye or the flick of the ear gave away any of her thoughts or feelings. If he was trying to unnerve her he was failing tremendously. "You see, I have no ties, it's as simple as that. I can hide with the best of them, my darling, but you see the difference between you and I is that I merely dont need to. Not in my line of work. You see, once I find you, there's no reason to hide. I'm a collector, one of the most detrimental to my pack." She wanted to laugh, he had no ties but had a pack, she would say that right there was a major tie itself. But she kept her exterior cool, expressionless. In fact she was quite please with how this was going, whether he was intentionally doing so or not he was giving her information, and no matter how small it was she stored away. The fact that he was a collector was a bit of news, it wasn't everyday you came across one of those. It could be a vicious line of work but if you had a talent for it it kept the mind busy. "When I don't care to be found, I won't mask myself, for I have nothing my predator needs. You'll get nothing from me, if you pursue, and to the creatures you so wish to speak with, they'll know for sure. They'll know they cannot speak. They will not, for they cannot. For I don't converse with those whom will always pose a problem. And if they pose said problem, my darling, they become expendable and therefore..they are eliminated, on the spot." She was sure his display was supposed to intimidate her, make her wary of him, but she didn't really care. She had dealt with many wolves in her life and they had tried every tactic they knew to get her calm exterior to break but after having learned to be tortured without even having your expression change no amount of posturing and intimidation would every put a scratch in her cold mask. "I see now why you're confident in your abilities not to be found, for there is no one left that knows of you for you've dealt with them or your confident enough in any that may remain alive that they are frightened enough of you that nothing would get them to talk." Her tone was quiet, matter of fact, almost uncaring. She said nothing else though, she wasn't quite in an arguing mood and saying anything more would be a waste of time, he would just try to counter it with some other trivial thing. Males were always so stubborn, never wanting to be proved wrong about anything. It wasn't long before he spoke again and she listened patiently, her expression still blank. "My dear, I'm more than a puzzle, I'm a labyrinth, and it's as simple as that. Your orders should be your own. An expert like yourself needs a reason to follow orders, so it's not me whom you're proving yourself to, now is it?" He continued before she could say anything in response and she waited quietly for him to finish. "Why, I did, love. It's clear as day. You conceal yourself too well to be a hunter. You pick and choose your words carefully. You blatently told me your tracking style, or at least ONE of your styles. You're careful in your strides. What doesnt scream "tracker" about you? Besides anyone with this adaptable pelt would be a complete idiot not to use it to a trackers advantage." She let out a low growl at his confidence, now brimming into overconfidence as he smirked. He was overstepping his boundaries and it was time to set him straight. "You know nothing," Her ears pinned back against her head slightly and her tail raised in a threatening posture as she moved closer until her muzzle was almost touching his. "No one commands me, makes me do anything, I choose to do what I want and if what I choose lends my skills to another that is my choice." She snapped her teeth near his throat, an aggressive actions that was blatantly telling him to back down. "As for my style, that is something basic that any wolf that can call themselves half a hunter knows to do, therefore I gave nothing away." She could feel the way he was eyeing her up and down, judging her, and her temper rose with every appraising glance. She was not some deer to be size up for dinner nor was she some whore of a she-wolf that flaunted her appearance to get the attention of the opposite gender. "As for being a tracker you're wrong there too. Sure, tracking is part of my skills, something I'm very good at and it comes in handy in my line of work, but I'm no tracker and you would do well to remember that. My name is Mirei and I'm an assassin and spy, this is what I'm trained to do, its what I specialize in and I'm damn good at it." The look she gave him was daring him to make one false move, he had sparked her temper and now had the task of trying to calm her, that or get out of her way and leave her be.