EREbUS

I can not hold on \\ I will not let go

You had to wonder, did it ever get old? You know, being alone? Well, Erebus knows all to well what being alone is like. And honest to goodness, it sucks. Well, unless you are like one of those loner types, but Erebus was not a fan of those types, he did not have the tolerance. It was not that no one wanted to around him, he was just constantly on the move. For the last year or so Erebus had covered so much ground that after a while, it began to look the same. He came from somewhere far, far, far north of the Ochotona Mountains and by this time today, he had had enough of the mountains. So you can imagine his delight at finding something so un-mountainous, something much more open and inhabited. Something different. Bingo. That had been his goal all along when he left his birthplace.

With his nose in the air and tongue lolling over the side of his jaw in a lighthearted and happy fashion, he tested the scents on the wind. Yup. This was different. From his initial findings, he discerned that this place was crawling with creatures of all sorts. Back home, and he grimaced at the recollection, it was quiet. So incredibly quiet. Human hunting at its finest, is what they called it. Stupid. And so he left, or rather, escaped. But for bravado's purpose, he likes to stick to the whole I am fed up with it all and I am going to rebel by LEAVING story. He is a showboat, that one. Do not fear, though, he is not all bark and no bite, not in the least. Erebus' tail hung loosely out behind him as he stood, his paws sinking softly into the moist dirt, a surefire sign that it was spring. He lifted his gaze to the sky darkened in some areas with thick rain clouds and others had the shining rays of sun struggling to peak through. No matter, a little rain never killed anyone.

For the first time in a while, he was pleased with everything, well, until he felt the gnawing hunger pains. Not much to eat up in the mountains besides squirrels, birds, and little ground creatures that sure don't fill a proper stomach. Then again, he probably wasn't going to get much else without a hunting partner. Oh the pains of being alone. Erebus circled around, scenting the area for little morsels and when he found one, he pounced. It took two tries, little bugger of a rabbit, but once he got it, it was gone in a jiffy. Not much, but it was meat, beggars cannot be choosers. He grumbled quietly to himself, his blue eyes darting around to each movement of the canyon. With a huff, he plopped himself down at the edge of the river. Great idea leaving, but he seemed to forgotten that once he got to his destination, he had no where to go, no one to befriend. At least not yet. Ahh, the single life. Stupid.

.hysteria.

Hysteria, a pretty little thing she is with her steel grey bodice and tear marked eyes. She moved silently, knowing her way around this canyon like it was the back of her paw. She was a female of undeterminable age, no older then three, but the way she moved made her look so much older... She was long and lean, the perfect mixture between her mother and father. Exile and Torture would be proud of their daughter. If either of them dared to care. Torture just liked to rape and pillage. Exile was to indifferent to her children's wants and needs. A soft growl formed in the back of her throat, when suddenly the breeze picked up and she caught the scent of another. Immediatly, the steel grey fea froze and turned her head to find the source.... Until her eyes landed upon Erebus. She remained down wind from the male, and she was planning on staying that way. She began moving around the brute, hoping that there was no shift in the winds... But her plan's to be left alone were for nothing when a voice rang through the air.

Heyyy Little Sister. What's happening?

Then she was being bowled over by her large brother. A soft growl sounded from between her lips as she tried to get up, but the male kept her pinned to the ground. Get off me. She hissed softly. Hysteria wasn't one for being flat on her back. Weighing sixty five pounds, she liked having the advantage over others and being pinned... That was certainly not an advantage. Pretty much in plain sight of Erebus the two siblings were, and that's when Player looked up and saw the other male.

Oh hey, whose the boy toy? Is this why you've been sneaking away from the pack, little miss perfect? Don't get me wrong, Player comes across as an ass. Generally, he's an all around good guy with a good heart. But causing his sister grief was his favorite past time. He got off her and started towards Erebus, circling the male. He looked like an exact replica of Torture, with his large black body and chain like markings wrapped around his neck. He gave a grin. You my little sister's heartache? Easy going. Friendly. But something under those eyes wasn't quite right. As though he was up to no good, no good at all.

Player, back off and leave him be. I don't even know him. She gave a scowl to her brother, avoiding looking at Erebus as all costs. A pretty little thing indeed...

EREbUS

And he waited. And kept waiting. Erebus was almost ready to give up on this particular spot, maybe it was not as popular for the natives as he had originally deduced. A bored yawn jumped out from between his powerful jaws, surprising himself at his own monotony. Oh yeah, he found it...his life new life of excitement. Fantastic.

As fate would have it, no, the wind did not shift and spoil the steely femme's efforts to remain unnoticed, but Erebus turned his head just ever so slightly. His ears swiveled around, catching the greeting of brother and sister. He zeroed in and was almost startled at the sudden appearance of the two wolves. Way to be aware, Erebus. Good thing they were not trying to kill you. Goodness. His silent self berating fell upon deaf ears, if you will, as he rose to all fours and turned in their direction.

A small, good natured smile played across his features as he watched the exchange. He stepped forward slightly, and then he was noticed by Player. Erebus briefly tensed, as would most upon meeting strangers who looked like they could very well hold their own in a confrontation. But, lo and behold, the wariness passed and was replaced only by prudent yet friendly curiosity. His eyes twinkled with laughter as he looked from brother to sister and back. He'd been the youngest of his siblings and was often the butt of all jokes, until he outgrew them all and left. Erebus held the fellow brute's gaze as he circled and spoke, teasing his sister.

"You know, I would not know, as I have not have the pleasure of meeting her yet. Nor anyone else for that matter."

Erebus responded, keeping his tone light and cheerful as he glanced at Hysteria, who seemed dead set on not making direct eye contact. He was intrigued by the slender female.

"But to clear things up, I am Erebus."

He accompanied his words with a slight inclination of his head in a gesture of greeting to each wolf.

P.layer

Player eyed the male more warily now, sizing him up a bit. Before, he had just been poking fun at his little sister, but if the male wasn't known to her, then this was his own idiotic mistake. However, he found Erebus to be a little threat, considering the male was on his own, smelled of no pack around here that Player knew, and Player had his sister with him. She would back him up. Wouldn't she?

My name is Player, and this is my little sister Hysteria. Forgive her, she's shy. But not shy enough. White fangs flashed like lightening as she struck her brother, jaws snapping closed a hairs breadth away from his skin. He merely gave a grin and looked at the other male with a 'women.' look in his eye. However, he knew better then to misjudge the little Hysteria. Even though she was tiny, she had a big bite and was light on her toes.

What brings you here, to this desolate canyon, Erebus? Her words were like whiskey, causing a slow burn in the veins that lead to one thinking of insane things, things that they wouldn't normally do. Smoky, exotic... Her voice was a weapon and one she had learned to use very well. Hysteria sat slowly, finally meeting Erebus's with her own. Her eyes were an odd color, a brown reddish color that would remind one of the fiery colors of Autumn. The black tear drops by her eyes stood out like a beacon, always making her look pathetically sad. However, one would never know the true emotions within the female, for in her pack, showing emotions was like showing a weakness.

The large male was used to his sisters voice, and in the two and a half years of their existance had worked hard at becoming immune to it. But still, it nearly sent chills down his spine. We are from the Sedge Creek Pack, Just across the valley there. He waited to see the reaction of the male, see what he thought of the pack itself. If he had even heard of it... Of the demon wolfess that lived there...

EREbUS

Player was absolutely correct in finding little threat in Erebus. He was far too laid back to put on a threatening air. The last thing he wanted was an aggressive reaction in a place he was such a naïve stranger to. It was not his place to act as such, plain and simple. When he was sure he was no longer being assessed, he relaxed, allowing for himself to be much more candid with these two. It had been such a long while since he had come across another wolf, much less two at the same time, and he was still somewhat reeling from his fortune.

Erebus had just been about to comment on the apparent shyness of Hysteria when she snapped temperamentally at her brother. He caught Player's look and shook his in good humor as a knowing smile spread across his face. Erebus let loose a soft chuckle, as to lighten the mood, and if Hysteria took any offense, to soften the sting of his knowing look. Hah. Women, indeed. But then this 'shy' little female spoke, visibly throwing him off. For one her build, she had a very powerful - almost deceptively manipulative? - voice. Okay, not so shy. One could certainly fall prey to that voice; it was akin to the likes of siren and her song. Deeply unsettling as it was, Erebus could tell she knew exactly how to use it to her advantage. With a rough mental shake, he stared back at Hysteria with a searching look, trying, and failing, to get a good read on her. He glanced back to Player as he spoke again, wondering if he was the only one to react so, and found he was. Figures he would be used to such a voice. And yet, Erebus had an image to preserve and he shifted seamlessly back to his light and airy demeanor.

"Unfortunately, I am completely in the dark about these lands and the packs that run them."

He smiled and shook his head in a slightly self reproaching manner.

"And it would sound far to cliché to say I was searching for a better life, so I will not. But I will say, the change in scenery is nice. Not so desolate to me, not yet at least."

A slight shudder rent his form as he silently compared 'home' to here. It was far nicer. For starters, Erebus had yet to run into any humans. Back home, they were everywhere and he could never have gone a day without one of his own being taken by those wretched humans. Erebus shrugged noncommittally and smiled at both Hystetia and Player. No need to dwell in the past, he was here now and it was here that he planned to stay - hopefully for a while, traveling was tiresome and not often worth it.

.hysteria.

Hysteria watched the other male quietly, and bit back a smile. She felt her brother beside her, inhaling to take a breath to begin speaking but she spoke first. Quickly, so as to cut him off. Sedge creek is one of the most known packs around... Strong, a bit feared... But loyal to our allies and to one another. That voice, driving you to the edge of insanity, drawing you back again... Saydin, our pack's alphess, and her mate Valian are well known all throughout the valley. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if we took you home, or helped you out to keep an eye on you. Show you the ropes around here. She's gonna drive you up the walls insane... Begging for mercy... Hysteria smiled, a slow, sweet smile. Nearly impossible to say no to. She sat down, her tail wrapping her around her body, a slow and fluid motion as if she were made of water.

Player glanced side ways at his sister, wondering what was going through that mind of hers. Out of the three siblings born in the litter, Addicted and Hysteria had gotten most of the brains. Sure, Player was smart but he wasn't THAT smart. He was a smooth talker, good at getting what he wanted, when he wanted. He had plenty of muscle to back himself up, and there was plenty of bite to go along with his bark. Hysteria, she had gotten the ability to smooth talk her way into the souls of everyone around her, let them trust her... But damn, she would be the first to stab you in the back if it meant she gained something in the end. Then there was.... Addicted. Addicted was a combination of Hysteria and Player. He could smooth talk his way out of trouble when he needed to. But at the same time, he had plenty of brawn to back up his bite. Moodier, darker, edgier... But that's another story. Let's save it for another time.

However, the way Hysteria was stretching the truth right now was confusing the male. Sure Sedge Creek was a well known pack... Sure, Saydin and Valian were well known.... But... None of it was for good reasons. Hys- he started. So what do you say, Erebus? Do you want to at least meet her? The pretty steel grey fatale said, her fiery eyes looking into his cold blue orbs. Taking a walk with these two was like playing russian roulette... You never knew what the outcome would be.

EREbUS

The offer was much too tempting to turn down, especially since it came by way of this temptress Hysteria. To be so quickly invited somewhere had never crossed Erebus' mind. He had imagined days and days of waiting and befriending. He frowned slightly, deep in thought. Other wolves did not just accept others at face value - at least the ones he had known, those who had raised him. Had he been a ounce more naive, he might have eagerly accepted before she could have finished speaking, but he hesitated, mulling it over and over in his mind. As she smiled that saccharine smile, a small smile in response tugged at the corners of Erebus' mouth, but he quickly subdued it. No. Do not look like an influential pup, I am no pawn was the thought that ran harshly through his mind, desperately trying to convince himself. Inwardly, he was at war. Yes, he was aware that there was something very strange about Hysteria, but what he was not aware of was her influence that slowing chipped away at his reserves. Between you and me, we all know who is winning this war.

Uncertainty etched itself a place on the furrowed brow of Erebus. It did not escape him that Hysteria had jumped to an explanation before her brother and he could not shake a strange feeling in the back of his mind, but there was something so alluring about the offer. It could not hurt to have friends in a pack apparently well know throughout the valley. No, not at all. He could afford to be this trusting. He certainly could not afford to pass up a meet and greet with these leaders, it would at least give him an idea of the kind of wolves he would be associating himself with. He did notice that Saydin, this alphess, was mentioned first - a maternal hierarchy? That was different. Or maybe he was reading far to deep into this. His blue eyes, full of question, temporarily bored a hole in those of Player, practically screaming, is this a good idea?. Ah, but alas, that wily femme was going to get her way. Silly Erebus.

"I see no harm in meeting them."

The words spilled out before Erebus even noticed it. He shifted his gaze to meet Hysteria's own, there was something about her that unsettled him. Oh well, too late now. Erebus shushed the voice in his head that finally reared its doubtful head, his mind made. Saydin and Valian? Bring 'em on.

.hysteria.

Hysteria gave a slow sweet smile to the male, then stood slowly. She slid beneath her brother's chin, her entire body rubbing across his chest. See, big brother? All you have to do is ask. If it had been any other wolfess, the movement would have been pure torture for the black and silver male. As it was, he gave a slow growl as though a warning to her. He to stood up but his was more of an abrupt standing. If you will follow us, Erebus, we will take you home to meet Saydin. The little female said. Tricky little temptress she was, she moved away from the two males quickly, her legs covering the ground effortlessly.

Player glanced to Erebus and gave a grin. She takes some getting used to. She's not a bad kid. Just a smart one. The older brother said to Erebus as he started to follow his sister at a slightly slower pace. He felt no rush to get home in a hurry, and he felt that if Erebus wanted to keep up with Hysteria he could, or he could walk with Player.