Cortinarri

There's a feeling I get when I look to the west,
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees,
And the voices of those who stand looking.
Ooh, it makes me wonder,
Ooh, it really makes me wonder.

She was old, and now more than ever she felt it in her bones and the depths of her soul. The proud alphess had given up her title for the last time, bowing down to her daughter and handing over the reigns of pack leadership to Sylar. She knew Sylar would make a grand, fair leader, and that with the solid-headed and resourceful Isias at her side, the Aspen Grove pack would continue on in good control. What would become of her sons... she was not sure.

Sitting back on her haunches, where her lush winter coat and neatly placed tail masked her crippled ankle, Cortinarri looked as youthful and regal as she had in years past. It was only her graying muzzle that hinted at her advanced age, for her eyes still held a zest to them, opening a window to a soul that was still very much alive and kicking. Her nose twitched faintly, picking up the tang of smoke on the wind that she knew without thought was the work of humans. But she did not bother with this - the wind came from the southwest, and was faint enough to tell her it was several miles away in the human's town. Her pack was nestled the furthest from the two-leggers and their cruel ways, and aside from the death of her late mate, they had found peace in their secluded home. With a breathy sigh that sent a cloud of frosted air rising from her muzzle, Cortinarri lowered herself down into the snow, resting in solitude as she reflected the various trials and achievements in her life.

And it's whispered that soon if we all call the tune
Then the piper will lead us to reason.
And a new day will dawn for those who stand long
And the forests will echo with laughter.
Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know,
The piper's calling you to join him,
Dear Lady, can you hear the wind blow, and did you know
Your stairway lies on the whispering wind.

Rein

Her movements were light, quick, but for that little twitch in her movements. The monster was screaming again, clawing its way to the surface, crying to be released... Released...

It was the first to see Cortinarri. It roared to life, breaking its chain and Rein felt herself pitching forward into darkness, almost as though she lost conciousness but she could see, she could feel everything she was doing. But it was like someone else was speaking, speaking through her, talking to the aging wolfess....

Hello Cortinarri. The words were frosty, bitter and cold and filled with such hatred. Bright yellow eyes stared, stared hard at the queen. Aaka reborn indeed...

Cortinarri

Ember eyes flashed to the right, where her still-keen ears had picked up the crunch of paws on the crisp snow. Hackles rose instinctively, but she didn't rise until a frighteningly familiar wolfess came into view... and then spoke her name. Rising swiftly, but not without stiffness in her protesting joints, Cortinarri flagged her tail up and directed her ears forward, "...what are you doing here...?" Aaka was dead, right? A creature as infamous as the white wolfess simply did not pass without word going around of her fall; and yet... here she was. But, it couldn't be...

Bewilderment froze her gaze at first, and for a wile moment, Cortinarri had to wonder if she was going senile, "Who are you?" Temper flared in old wolf, bringing her harsh whisper into a dominant, throaty snarl when she spoke again.

Reincarnation

I'm gonna, I'm gonna break you down
I'm gonna, I'm gonna watch you fall
I'm gonna, I'm gonna BREAK you down
And we'll see how far you fall

Rein felt helpless, her throat catching as she tried to speak. For a moment the inner battle raged, but Aaka eventually beat back the submissive Rein, staring hard into the eyes of Cortinarri. She knew how this death dance went, she had fought it so many times, long ago. Her tail raised above her back, her head held high in the alpha status but always the killer yellow eyes were glued to the aging white wolfess. I'm back.... the voice was long and drawn out on the back part of her wording, and the monster inside her was screaming, screaming and Rein was screaming along with it, howling, trying to get through. But to no avail. Aaka was in control, and she was going to give Cortinarri a piece of her mind.

Aaka's smile was oh so sinister, and she gave a dark laugh. Oh, how the mighty have fallen Cortinarri. You so old and weak... And yet I am so young, so alive. Oh, how cruel was fate? Aaka stalked closer, within a foot of Cortinarri. Her smile was taunting, for she knew she could easily out manuever the aging wolfess. Age was a cruel bastard like that.

Cortinarri

It took all of her years of battle and well-earned wisdom to reign in her confusion and terror right now, but she did just that. On the outside, the aging wolfess was all a-bristle with her yellowed, worn fangs gleaming as her lips wrinkled back in an ugly snarl. The fire still burned in her eyes, and if not for her marred hind leg, she still almost looked like the proud, capable fighter she once was.

On the inside though, her mind was absolutely swimming with uncertainty. Aaka was dead! And even if she had somehow survived... she had to be older than this, right? This was a trick, it had to be... right? Cortinarri banished the whirlwind of thoughts away with a throaty snarl, "You are not Aaka. I don't know what business you have, but I suggest you back off, stranger." Taking a stiff step forward to close the gap between them even further, Cortinarri was hoping above all else that a little show of bravado would end this argument, for she knew a fight with a young fae like this one would end badly. She was just too old to hold her ground still, and she had no clue how far or near Namir was at the time.

Rein

Dark, throaty laughter, the same as Aaka had once had escaped the maw of the white alphess, and those bright yellow eyes with those dark monsters were burning bright. I'm no stranger, Cortinarri, and you know it. Her voice was a low hiss, but Rein could be felt, screaming her way through Aaka. It was difficult to control a body when it wasn't your own. For now, Aaka held position, but with one more good push, Rein would be through and left to deal with Cortinarri's wrath. Aaka had to make this count. I'm back Cortinarri. And I swear, I will kill you. I will kill you, and all the family members you have left. I will take EVERYTHING from you. You can count on it.

Cortinarri

A shiver worked its way down the old wolf's spine, partly out of intense anger, and partly out of fear. Sure, any look-alike could pose as Aaka and say this and that, but to sound just like her... oh, and those eyes! Cortinarri tried to push back the irrational thoughts, but this 'stranger's' word hit a nerve at last and brought forth a savage snarl from Cortinarri herself, "Like hell you will!" And then she broke, taking a rough step foward and expanding her ruff to its fullest, "You've taken from me once, Aaka, and I won't let it happen again!" The snarl erupted into a throaty roar as the shewolf plunged forward, sweeping her jaws for the other's throat.

Rein

Dark laughter, cold and bitter escaped her lips as she stared into the aging wolfess's eyes before her. Then Cortinarri was lunging towards her, but Rein/Aaka was young and nimble. Ever light on her feet, the female made a snap for Cortinarri's ear but kept her distance. She wanted the wolfess to suffer And she was going to make sure that happened. But at the moment there was a nagging..... Something at the back of her...

Thats when Reincarnation finally clawed her way through Aaka's angry haze, and regained control. She yelped and leapt backwards, away from Cortinarri her eyes no longer holding that terrible menace but holding wide eyed innocence and uncertainty. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Her voice had changed, but to the untrained ear it remained the same. Aaka's voice was lower pitched and cold, while Rein's was of a slightly higher pitch and exuded warmth. I'm really really sorry. I haven't gotten control of it yet. I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Apologized Rein. Like hell it won't, pup. Hissed Aaka in the back of her mind. Rein whimpered softly, but kept her tail in alpha status. She felt such a hatred for Cortinarri, but the wolfess hadn't DONE anything. Had she? Oh dear, now she was so confused.

Cortinarri

A wild, snarling yelp was issued when her ear got tagged, and try as she might to whip her muzzle around and slash at Rein's muzzle or face, the younger wolf was simply too fast for her. Yellowed, warn teeth, now tainted in a crimson cast, were bared at the other as Cortinarri took a step back, sizing up her opponent again. She'd let her brashness take control again, and had been painfully reminded that she couldn't keep foot with a younger rival, but... wait, what was this wolf talking about now? Why the hell was she apologizing?! A great unease swept through Cortinarri, but she refused to let it show in her face. "You're damned lucky Namir isn't here right now, or I swear you'd be nothing more than a pile of shredded flesh!" The old wolf raged, tail cricked and held high as well, "You've already ruined my life once, Aaka - I'm not letting you do it again."

Rein

Aaka snarled and whispered The cat is a flea. Harmless, aging. Bastard. Reins eyes followed Cortinarri carefully and she said slowly I don't want to hurt you, Cortinarri. Lets just forget about everything that Aa- I... did. She was trying to soothe the old alphess's hurt feelings and trying to make amends. Her tail waved slightly and she gave a faint smile. Friends?

Cortinarri

'You're not going crazy, this isn't Aaka' Cortinarri tried to settle her wild mind, with limited success, 'She's just someone sent to rile you up. That's all...' Still, Cortinarri wasn't all that sure about the situation, and with her nervous on end, she only snarled back at Rein's attempts at pacifying the tense encounter, "Friends?" Cortinarri spat the word out like it was a poison on her tongue, "No, never will we be called such things." 'Wait, she's not Aaka! But...' The wolfess shook her head, fur bristling even more now, "I'll give you to the count of three to get the hell away from me..."

Rein

Let me kill her, Rein. She destroyed my life. LET ME KILL HER REIN! Aaka's screaming was enough to put the bloodlust into Rein, until the white wolfess bared her fangs at Cortinarri and stepped forward, the monster so close to being let loose. I tried being nice, Cortinarri. She hissed softly to her. My name is Reincarnation, and Aaka, she has a score to settle with you. Her hackles were raised, tail stiff above her back.

Cortinarri

She knew it was foolish to do so, but Cortinarri held her ground, refusing to back off. The old wolfess met Rein's aggression and posturing with all her might, baring her haggard teeth and uttering guttural snarls, "If you want a fight, then that's what you'll get." A red flag rose in her mind, telling her how incredibly stupid this was... but she just couldn't back down, not this time. She'd been defeated too many times; she wouldn't lose this time!

Rein

Don't you see my bodys burning?
Desolate and full of yearning
Dying from anticipation
Choking On intoxication

Wrong choice, Cortinarri. Her voice had dropped an octave, back to Aaka's own voice as she lunged forth, aiming to grab hold of Cortinarri's shoulder. She wanted the female to suffer, as she had suffered. Sure, Rein would get hurt in the process but that wasn't Aakas problem, now was it?

Cortinarri

She couldn't spring away in time, this much she knew. So instead of trying to dodge the attack, Cortinarri struck out at the same time, driving her old ivories for Rein's face to tear and render whatever unfortunate flesh she might be able to get a hold of. Her raging snarls were only hampered by sharp, brief yelps when Rein's own teeth dug into her shoulder, driving through touch, wiry muscle and gnashing through flesh.

Rein

Rein/Aaka wasn't about to let Cortinarri go just yet. She felt her ear getting grabbed hold of, and she threw her body against Cortinarris, trying to overpower the elderly female and pin her to the ground in a submissive stance. Put Cortinarri in her place you might say. The ear would be somewhat gnawed on, but wouldn't leave to much lasting damage.