+ + & laiyn ! ~

[&&!; SONiDY - - x]

- - & LAIYN ofSEORI ;
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Thick desert gales blew across the sparse and spread-out grass of the Sarn meadow. It was not really a meadow, but to the eyes of the Seori, a pack of desolate and hardy coyotes, it was like a paradise. Small, multi-colored flowers peeked out of the long stalks of grass. Occasionally a butterfly would softly light down upon one of these flowers, sucking out nectar before taking their leave.

Ah, the meadow is beautiful today.

[/color] The thoughts ran through the head of Laiyn, a senior pack member of the Seori. He was like most coyotes - small and compact, yet agile and powerful. His fur, stuck somewhere between short and long, was golden-brown, with small ponds of gray. His chest and underbelly were light tan, along with the insides of his ears and bottom of his tail. He had a face closely resembling that of a wolf; with a long, narrow snout and a small mane on either side of his face. Two vivid orange eyes were set upon his features.

Laiyn sighed. He was so bored. Oh, he wished he could have a friend with him right now. Perhaps then they could run through the meadow and chase the butterflies. Butterfly-hunt was always a fun game. But alas, everyone was "busy." He believed they were just ignoring him.

Laiyn was a rebel. Always had been, always will be. He had escaped from the camp, apparently on a "hunting mission." Of course, he wasn't. He'd rather die than do that, moreover obey the stupid elders. Well, they weren't stupid but Verdn forbid, they were so, so extremely annoying. Bossy, that's what they are. He snorted.

"Just you wait, I bet someone will come running up to me to play butterfly-hunt," Laiyn muttered to himself. He glanced about as a shree pierced the air. It was a hawk, circling above the meadow in search of prey. He was too big for it to catch, but perhaps it could eat a pup. But there were no pups here. His eyes narrowed as the hawk extended its talons, lunging downward into the grass. There was a rustle and a small shriek, and the hawk rose into the air once more, a mouse in its talons. How do they do it?[/color] He asked himself.

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[Rai;;+]

Ahhh... what a refreshing day. The yet-young Seer of the Seori pack felt like he could jump for joy - the clouds were fresh and high in the sky, which itself was a stunning shade of pale blue. The endless expanse of meadow was blooming and lush this fine Spring, unlike what it might have been aside from that had he not used a bit of magic to make it happen.

Namely, sneaking into Roxis' den late the previous night and drawing on the powers of the Thrienne. Alright, so maybe that wasn't exactly morally right or anything, but since when had that really been a problem? It was all for the good of the pack anyway - Roxis couldn't complain. Besides, lately there'd been a bit of a shortage of rain around these parts, and if there was something Tassel didn't like, it was a really dry meadow.

But there was no need to worry about that now, because this huge, butterfly-filled expanse before him was anything but barren. And it was all thanks to him ~

Not long later, Tassel, during his romp, caught sight of a figure up ahead, lounging in the fresh grass. Curiosity peaked in the jackal's mind, and he rotated his pointed ears forward, tail swishing delightedly behind him. As he drew closer, he recognized the figure as Laiyn, the coyote that Roxis had sent out on a hunting mission for the elders earlier that morning. Hunting, eh?

"Yo!" Tassel barked in greeting as he approached the nature-watching figure of Laiyn at a cheerful jaunt, a knowing but good-natured grin on his foxy features. "Some hunting - the butterflies ain't gonna feed no one, y'know."

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[Fayolinn]~]

Oh, where had that young Tassel romped off to?

Young? I really should stop calling him that... Roxis allowed a limited smile to grace his face, the tip of his raven-colored tail sweeping the earth in his wake. He and the soothsayer, Tassel, had befriended each other as pups, bonding as the years progressed. Though the age gap between the two only stretched to five months, it occasionally seemed wider than that. However, this fact had never dampened their relationship.

The Seori leader strode onwards towards the meadow, following Tassel's familiar scent with ease. His paws moved swiftly but steadily, hardly making a sound or leaving an imprint in the dust. Years of practicing stealth still had an effect on him; it just happened to be a habit that he had never bothered to address. Not that he needed to -- it worked in his favor quite nicely while hunting. Or that time when he had sneaked up on Tassel at night when they were still in their teens... oh, the memories.

Finding that the Seer's scent was growing stronger, Roxis intended to pick up the pace until something snagged his left hindleg, caused him to halt abruptly. Baring his teeth, the coyote whirled around with lightning-speed, only to find that the charm bracelets his mother had blessed him with were caught on a root protruding from the earth. "They were a gift from MY mother," she had told him days before her death; "she believed them to be incredibly lucky!" Roxis couldn't help but roll his eyes as he freed himself. Some luck.

Anyhow, back to finding Tassel. Roxis needed him to tend to something -- a wound he had recently acquired from a hunting patrol last night. He hadn't bothered to tell anybody about it because he hated to cause worry, Tassel had been already asleep, and it hadn't hurt as bad... now his shoulder was aching something awful as the Seori leader attempted to hide the slight limp as best he could. Damn hawk.

Approaching the edge of the meadow, Roxis couldn't help but admire how lush it was. They surely had been given a gift this year; it was especially beautiful today. Catching sight of Tassel ahead, Roxis moved forward, the grass tickling his paws. As he continued onward, another scent reached the leader's nose, and in another few heartbeats, he detected it as Laiyn's. Wait, hadn't he sent that coyote on a hunting trip not too long ago?

"Tassel's correct," Roxis quipped as he neared the two members of his pack, his expression solemn but eyes harboring a hint of amusement. "Butterflies can't feed the hungry pups or weary warriors, can they?"

[&&!; SONiDY - - x]

- - & LAIYN ofSEORI ;
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Laiyn jumped as Tassel joined him. "Some hunting - the butterflies ain't gonna feed no one, y'know." He narrowed his eyes, not wanting to lose his dignity. He opened his mouth to reply when suddenly another coyote entered the grass-strewn meadow - it was Roxis, none other than the Seori pack leader.

Laiyn only grew more defiant. Not even the leader scared him. "Hey, bossy, what are you doing out here anyway? You're saying I should be working when you two aren't doing a thing to help. Psh, and to think I had wanted to be a leader one day. They don't do a thing!" He snorted and looked away.

Dear Litenr, he hated being bossed around! Laiyn loved to be independent, and he was sure they knew that now. With one agitated flick of his tail, he got to his paws and stomped into the midst of the meadow, hoping they wouldn't follow. Of course, he knew they probably would, despite the fact that they could never persuade him to do work. When he wanted to work, he would work; but when he wanted to be lazy, oh Feina, he would be lazy.

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[Rai;;+]

A flicker of surprise came across Tassel's countenance as he watched Laiyn get up and growl to them not to boss him around. Had he been another member of the Seori Pack, maybe Tassel's first reaction would have been to snap back or defend Roxis from the hot-headed coyote's stinging words.

But he was not another canine. He was Tassel.

Watching as Laiyn stalked off in a huff, he waited a moment before breaking into a good-natured grin, tossing his head and holding his tail high in imitation of the coyote who had just left. He pranced about in an exaggerated manner, mimicking Laiyn's voice to perfection. "Oh no, I'm being forced to contribute to the pack! Look at me, I'm Laiyn, and I'm whining ~"

Though his words were, of course, quite a stretch, his voice sounded just like Laiyn's, and then, charade done, he chuckled again, facing Roxis. "So you found me, you old codger." He raised a paw and playfully poked the older canine in the chest. Roxis was only five months older than him, but it wasn't like Tassel was going to let that hinder him. "Come on, let's go after him. He looks like he could use one of my cheer-up spells."

Not that he had actually cheer-up spells or anything, but Roxis didn't need to know that.

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[Fayolinn]~]

Why had he expected anything different of Laiyn today of all days? Roxis watched silently as the stubborn coyote snapped in defiance, obviously unhappy with having his peace disturbed. Though he knew attitude and laziness like that should be reprimanded and perhaps punished, Roxis only knew that it would worsen the situation. He didn't want to be the type of leader that ruled by complete dictation... but he couldn't just be lax about it.

Issuing a warning growl as Laiyn stomped away, Roxis might've done something more if it weren't for Tassel. The youthful soothsayer waited until the grumbling Seori member had stalked out of earshot before mimicking him. Roxis knew it wasn't right to mock others, but it was Tassel, who meant it fully out of innocence. Feeling a small grin tug at this mouth, Roxis let it win over once his friend called him the usual "old codger". "You always know I will."

The Seori leader winced a bit once Tassel pushed at his chest, but tried to mask his pain as best he could. He should tell him now about the injury... but the look on Tassel's face, the eagerness, briefly caused him to forget the pain. "Oh, alright," Roxis grunted reluctantly.

It wasn't like he was leaving the Seori Pack to itself, anyway. He had set up a few extra guards for the main camp and his trusted friend, Hayner, was in charge. "Do your stuff," Roxis urged quietly, nudging Tassel forward. "But whatever you do, act like I'm against it." Roxis winked.

[Rai;;+]

Pfft, Tassel scoffed with a light swish of his black-fringed tail, rolling his eyes playfully at his leader. "You take all the fun outta things. 'Whatever you do, act like I'm against it'. Alright, alright. What else to expect from an oolllddd canine like you?"

He finished this sentence with a joking grin in the direction of the other coyote, and then turned, loping his way across the meadow again in casual pursuit of the other canine. He knew Laiyn, and the dog was always either spending his time barking retorts at others or lazing around the place. Not, mind you, that Tassel had any problem with either of those - a healthy dose of attitude and laziness were all you needed to get by in life, in his opinion - but. Some things had to be done. And if Laiyn didn't hunt for the elders, guess who'd be doing it?

That's right. Him.
And I'm as lazy as they come.

Within a minute or so, he had caught up to the disgruntled coyote, and a grin was placed eagerly on his maw as he came to up the other pack member's side. "Weeelll ~ What do we have here?" He chuckled quietly and good-naturedly before drawing even completely with Laiyn.

"Is there a sour pup who's maybe in need of some of my hocus pocus magic ~ ? Hmmmm...?"

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[&&!; SONiDY - - x]

- - & LAIYN ofSEORI ;
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Laiyn could hear the pack leader and seer discussing something. It was about him, surely. Pfft. They treated him like a pup. And, to prove that, Tassel trotted up to his side, saying, "Is there a sour pup who's maybe in need of some of my hocus pocus magic? Hmmmm . . . ?"

Laiyn snorted. "I ain't a pup, you know! And your magic can't do anything. I know it!" He sat down on the soft grass and looked away, nose pointed up in a dignified manner. They couldn't treat him like this! He was an adult, for Verdn's sake! Well . . . a young adult. Still! That didn't mean anything. He was independent; they couldn't make him do work!

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[Fayolinn]~]

Roxis shook his head, watching as Tassel trotted happily away towards Laiyn. Oh, he should've known better than to encourage this type of behavior... but though he appeared to have a real solemn and indifferent exterior, Roxis couldn't help but feel a slight playful tug in his heart. He yearned to be a bit like the regular members, if just for a day, so that he could see what it's like... nah, that was silly talk. He was fantasizing about foolishness.

'Old', huh? Perhaps I'll assign that soothsayer another patrol or two. Roxis sighed, amused.

Finding a large, flat rock slightly elevated above the earth, Roxis padded towards it. Though he could've easily jumped its height with extreme ease, he didn't want to risk his shoulder's condition. Gingerly hopping from level to level, the Seori canine reached its warmed top and sat upon it, with a clear view of Tassel and Laiyn.

[Rai;;+]

Honestly, though Tassel wasn't sure of Laiyn's exact age, he knew the other coyote wasn't much younger than he was, if he even was younger, so for him to refer to Laiyn as 'pup' was hardly appropriate, and probably entirely unnecessary, but oh well. He didn't dwell on this for very long at all, and as Laiyn sped up to escape his presence, so did Tassel, to ensure it remained right there beside the other coyote where he least wanted it.

"Now, now... no need to be so sour, I was just trying to help ~"

Feeling eyes on his back, Tassel turned to catch a glimpse of Roxis over his shoulder, lounging on a large boulder and watching the two of them. He swished his tail and winked, grinning, as if to say 'it's alright over here!', and then turned his attention back to his disgruntled packmate. "I don't have a problem with your laziness, really - I condone it myself, but see, if you don't do it, someone else has to, and you wouldn't want to lay that burden on your dear, dear packmates, would you?" He fluttered his eyes at the other male, dipping his head to give the appearance of being genuinely endearing. Oh Tassel, you're such a kidder.

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[&&!; SONiDY - - x]

- - & LAIYN ofSEORI ;
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Laiyn rolled his eyes. "Well, why not? They don't do a thing for me, anyway." He looked at his paws, looking shamefaced. It was true. Because he was such a rebel, everyone ignored him. They looked down upon him, as if he were a criminal. He had friends, but hardly any. To get himself more attention, he would do even more pranks and tricks. He looked at the seer. I doubt he cares, either. He's probably just trying to get me to do work.

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Laiyn flicked his tail. Stupid elders. Why'd they have to assign me to do this crap anyway?[/color] With one last glare at Tassel and Roxis, he got to his paws and shook the clinging dirt off of his pelt. "Fine, I'll hunt. Just leave me alone." He bounded off into the undergrowth carelessly, nosing the air and swiveling his ears in attempt to find a sign of prey.

Soon he caught the heartbeat and scent of a fieldmouse. Laiyn crouched down, keeping his tail low. A flash of brown fur entered his vision; it was right ahead. He jumped, narrowly missing it by an inch. His paw slammed down atop nothing, and the mouse scurried off - but he wouldn't give up that easily. He began to chase after it; although he lacked its speed, he had more stamina, strength, and size. Each pawstep for him was three for the little creature. He whacked at it with his forepaw, knocking it to the ground, and delivered the killing bite.

Laiyn buried the fieldmouse and looked up. Are they watching me now? he wondered. Well, they might as well. I don't care if they judge me or not - what's to worry about? He flicked his tail irritably and trotted back into the undergrowth to search for more prey.

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[Fayolinn]~]

Roxis shook his head, letting out a low sigh. "I'm afraid you overdid it, friend," he barked to Tassel, though an modest, underlying tone of amusement coated his words. His misty eyes lingered on Laiyn's frame as he rushed into the woods. The Seori leader felt a trivial twinge of guilt -- he probably should've dealt with the situation himself -- but the pack needed to be fed and though he was a little lenient, Roxis couldn't afford to let everyone be lazy all the time.

Now, Roxis figured, was probably the best time to tell Tassel about his injury. "Oh, Tassel?" the coyote called, rising gently to his paws. "I came to see you for a different reason, and I --" Roxis had attempted to jump down the short distance from the rock's top to the earth, but had slightly miscalculated. Landing on his forepaws, the impact was too much for his shoulder and caused him to lose his breath as he tumbled to the grass, rolling for a few feet. Baring his teeth against the pain, Roxis suppressed a whimper as his leg throbbed.

Ooc// What's with the leg injuries all of a sudden? xD Though I do admit, Roxis was hurt first. xP

[Rai;;+]

"Wondeful ~" Tassel yipped happily as he watched Laiyn dart off into the underbrush after reluctantly agreeing to hunt. "Thank you, dear Laiyn!" He stood still as the coyote went on ahead, the crooked smile still fixed on his maw. That coyote was a fun one - Tassel knew he had so much more to him than he seemed to - all canines did - but this one was quite stubborn about it.

Shrugging his shoulders, the jackal turned again to rejoin his friend at the rock where he'd left him. His tail swishing pleasantly - he had done his part of the job. However, when he approached the boulder, he saw that Roxis was hobbling about on his legs, clearly trying to keep off one of his paws. "Well, I did your dirty work for you," he commented dryly as he stepped forward and sniffed daintily at his friend. "Now what's going on here - a wounded shoulder, you said? Really Roxis, can't you learn to be more careful?"

There was no hint of malice in his tone at all as he spoke, and the playful glint tinted his eyes again as he leaned forward. "Alright, hold still. Let me look at it - how did you come by this injury?"

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[Fayolinn]~]

Roxis did the best he could to rise to his feet again with as much pride as he could muster. Resisting a sigh, Roxis stood stock-still, his forepaw raised off the ground. It still pulsed, constantly reminding him off his wound. "You know me," the Seori male muttered, "always leaping out of trees and risking my life in the most dangerous ways possible." Roxis knew Tassel could detect the hidden sarcasm in his smooth voice; there wasn't hiding anything from the seer who knew him better than anybody.

"On last night's hunting patrol, just as I was leaping for a squirrel on a tree's branch, a hawk came swooping down just as I jumped. It hadn't seen me unmoving on the ground in the shadows, so I scared it more than anything. In defense, it took a nasty swipe at my shoulder." Roxis let a low growl that sounded more like a purr resound in his throat. "Damn squirrel got away," he added under his breath. Finding nothing better to look at, the coyote turned his elongated neck to gaze at Tassel's work and observations.

He allowed a comfortable silence to lapse between them as Tassel checked his wound. However, it wasn't long before Roxis' mind wandered back to Laiyn and the way he had snapped back when he had been asked why he was slacking off. He knew that was the usual way the pack member usually acted, but he couldn't help but somehow doubt himself. "Hey, Tassel," he said after awhile, still mildly deep in thought. "How do you think I am at... well, being the leader and all? I know I'm not one to doubt, but I can't help but think some members aren't... perhaps, satisfied?" My, he was being awfully chatty today... he had probably said more in this conversation than he usually did in a day.

[Rai;;+]

Inspecting the hawk slash, Tassel frowned slightly. The injury was deep and long, but overall better than some things he had tended to over the years since becoming Seer. Spanning from the front of Roxis' shoulder all the to partway down his back, the wound looked like it would begin to become infected if he didn't do something about it. Luckily, he knew Roxis, being Roxis, probably had spent a good amount of time cleaning it, saving Tassel the trouble of disinfecting it at well.

Go figure. The things he had to deal with sometimes.

Sitting down, the jackal a slip of paper from the small pack he kept about him. While he did this, he spoke in response to the leader's question. "You're asking me now?" he replied, and then sighed, setting the small slip on the ground. It was an off-white color, with several odd black markings on it. "If this is because of Laiyn, don't worry about him. He's always a sour pup."

Standing again, Tassel pressed a forepaw to the scroll and closed his eyes. Instantly a white glow enveloped his paw, a strange breeze fluttering the paper beneath it. He lifted the paw then and pressed it gently to Roxis' shoulder, and the white light transferred to his friend's wound. Tassel watched with satisfaction as the injury closed up a bit, leaving it looking much better and far less painful than the open gash of several seconds ago. "Alright, try not to move your shoulder for a day or two. It might be a bit stiff for a while."

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