from the ashes he is reborn

for @Célnes or someone that can accept him into the pack :) his awakening

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^^

Darkness had been the beginning and like most things, it had come full circle. Darkness had been the last thing he had seen before he saw nothing at all. Niklaus knew there had been fire, there had been blood and from the distance he had heard her screams. Raw, loud and begging as the flames took her and Niklaus could do nothing for her but watch as the flames danced in her terrified eyes, the fallen tree and flames dancing before him as he watched her be engulfed. Smoke had filled his nose as he heard his brother, his voice roaring after Niklaus as his vision blurred, the smoke pluming until it was all he could see. He fell, of that he was certain but for how long -- Klaus could not be certain.

So he woke with a start, fury in his mismatched gaze as he hacked a cough as the taste of smoke clung to his throat. He could not help but realise there was no flames, no smoke, nothing burned and turned to ash. Instead, around him was a forest full of life and vibrancy -- not touched by a single flame. He sniffed, the smell of smoke still clinging to his fur though there was little proof around him to warrant it, but he had been there, he was sure. He had watched one of his sisters perish, he had heard the shouts and screams of the rest of his siblings and Gods, he had heard Theodoros call for him so desperately that he swore his deadened heart had beat once or twice.

His lip curled over his teeth as he tried to make sense of it all but he came up short, unless it were magic - but even then, what Gods had granted such a power and allowed it to be manifested in such a way? Against him, against his kin? They had been nothing but loyal to the Gods, he had been nothing but loyal to the Gods... he had given sacrifices where required, he had drank the blood as desired, as told by the Seers. As told by history! He had done it all, everything to remain loyal to the Gods and this is how he is repaid? How his kin have been repaid?

Niklaus in a moment of complete and utter dismay, simply laughed. It was cold and low, rumbling from his throat like a cackle of an old, ruthless witch. It tore from him like a leg from a rabbit, stringy and clutching. He looked around as he rolled his shoulders, his laugh dying on his tongue as he realised that in all of his insanity, he had woken in the lands so strongly claimed by another. Inhaling sharply, Niklaus realised that perhaps it was magic, perhaps it was not, but he would need to do what he could in a land he did not know. He thought it unlikely that they would believe his story of awaking in a land with no understanding of how he had done so but he would start there.

There need be no plan of manipulation, not quite yet. ^^

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Her litter was growing bigger ; their eyes opened up slowly, even if they could not officially see, as she so assumed by their attempts at moving, and constantly bumping into each other. Eventually, she would need to choose a different den as they continue to grow, Célnes knew that the burrow would not be enough eventually, as she underestimated how much they grow. It still felt like a few weeks ago that they were born, and in that sense it was completely true - not even a month had gone by, and yet they were so large already.

It only angered her more of being abandoned by wolves she thought to trust, only to abandon the newly Queen Mother. She was aware of the disappearance of some, but yet to know the true reality of how many had left her. Though her hatred still would continue on two particular individuals, who Célnes deducted them as the 'leader' of the coupe.

As per' usual, leaving the bunch to her trusted individuals so far, the elk of the forest, and the woodweaver of Elkshire, she sought off to find perhaps a bigger den to take. Who would've known that the Queen would have eight children? Surely not herself, where the den would've most likely held five large children, but definitely not the amount she gave birth to.

Though such errands would need to be put to rest, as the all too familiar signs of smoke held into the air. She of course, had a momentarily lapse of body in a guraded position close to the floor, a fleeing way as a pumpkin gaze gave a wary look around.. Yet, there was no fire to be seen, not even a scent, only the ashes of smoke. Her own motherland had been torn to embers and dust, how could she not know so?

A wolf as she was, the Queen started to track. Within the forest of Elkshire, most of the wolves here brewed in warm tones, as preferred. A white inkling was permitted, but never did she tolerate an entire wolf of said-color. Quite a few held some smaller traits, and at times they would be made aware of such sins that was carried. Redeemed, through Elkshire's claim, and yet, none were entirely grateful, some seemed to simply go away..

Once upon a time did she not care, but now each curse came to play - the white were truly wicked.

It could not be said the same for other colors however, for none truly knew the Queen's secret love for those of the grayer pelts. A long lost pleasantry of a man once beside her, now far away in another land with an unknown history to what came of him. When she saw another one, his fur similar to @Serpens, a smile played upon her lips as she grew closer to the man.

"It seems you lost in Elkshire territory, though the scent of ash is upon you.."

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He would not remain alone in these woods for long, the scent of him and smoke was likely an alert for anyone in the immediate radius -- or even a little bit out. Rolling his shoulders, Niklaus prepared for the worst and the best all at once. What came to him, or who, he should say, was a woman of elegance and earthy browns. He watched, silent as she approached and on her lips danced a smile. The woman spoke plainly, delicately, to the point yet not as she faced him and Niklaus appraised her through eyes of fire and ice as he remained quiet, a nod being given to her as he thought on the event happening before him.

By her scent alone it told him that these lands were claimed by a Pack that she was a part of, the scents clinging to her like a second skin. His tongue slipped from his mouth and rolled over his lips in thought, an ear twitching as he shifted his weight to face her properly. He could not blame her for mentioning the smoke, given that he stank of it and yet there was not a fire to be seen. The Hellenes man dipped his chin as he eyed her, "yes," he stated quietly. "I was in a fire and now I am not." Niklaus would not apologise for being on their land; he had not chosen to be here. Why should he apologise for something he had no control over?

Clearing his throat, Niklaus knew he needed to gain footing in this land if he ever wanted to know what happened and if there were no way back... he would need stability as he figured out his place in these lands. Momentarily his gaze flickered to the sky, wondering what signs his damned Gods would give him after this. Casting his eyes back to the tall woman, he said, "Elkshire," he gave a pause as he tasted it on his tongue, the word foreign to his language and he eyed her with unhidden interest, "what is that?" the Greek man inquired in a rumble, his tail giving a flick behind him. ^^

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A plain walker. Though how fortunate of the man who was once in fire, to end up in a haven. Blessed in the forest that they were in, there was only the smell of early fall, and the settling of fauna within around. It was masked by his ashes though, she could give a pitied smile, "Elkshire is the name of the pack that rules this forest. I am Célnes Déorwine, the queen of this land." To the midst of The Elk's Crown and that around, she so claims dearly. Destined for their desire, though guarding so has proven to be a bit more difficult, as many of her Bearbucks are disappearing.

She did not let that weakness escape though, a pleasant smile upon her face as she looked at the confused man. A step closer, and an eye toward his duel-colors. How unusual.

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^^

Pity could be taken in many ways yet he supposed that this woman did not mean it in a way that was patronising. More like a smile for things she had heard before, seen before -- but Niklaus did not linger on it. Ah, so he had indeed shown in Pack lands as his nose told him, but this one seemed to fancy themselves after Elk. Wolves naming themselves after prey? An interesting concept, he supposed, but again not one he would linger on. A Queen had found him, it seemed, and Niklaus eyed her with a calculative eye. An elegant looking woman who by many standards would fit the bill to be a Queen, though the heathen knew that Queens came in many ways. Some were demons, some were angelic as the day they were born and others, they could be demons disguised as angels, their beauty a cover for the brutality that lay beneath -- or some? They were just darlings. He wondered which Queen-type the beautiful earthen woman fell to.

Supposing he may show respect to the Queen who had not been immediately aggressive to the way he so unceremoniously landed in her home, he tipped his head with a small, bonny smirk. Seconds later it went away, his dark lips pulling back to tell her, "Niklaus." Rearing his head back with a contemplative glance, he appraised the land further before his mismatched gaze swept back to the Queen. "An... how you say it? Interesting name for your wolves." He commented quietly, wondering if it were in his interest to be making bonds here, with the Queen and her wolves. These lands... they were foreign to him and he had time to wait to see if his siblings showed up after him after their... incident.

Perhaps he would stay, Niklaus thought, and wait in the shadows for the day his reason for being here became apparent. ^^

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Though he was blue, he was not blue-blooded. A man named Nikalous, curiously becoming a plain walker into her land, and caring only a name upon his back, "do you remember your past?" she asked so curiously, wondering if he knew of his life before this land. All had some sort of story to give, some claiming to be Gods, some were rulers of the past, but left for nothing.. All to be but brought up again in renewal, just as Célnes had done. Some part of her wondered when the other ruler would wander off, or stay within the claim.

"We are wolves who blend within the elk themselves. For us, they are equals, and forbidden to hunt." The name in said, an honor them. Though many would seemingly judge the ways she was brought up, and the laws that was given.. Célnes showed no grounds of allowing such times. She always felt a disgust when they were hunted, noble fauna that were to be gazed upon then to be wretched upon. Even now, some have the ability of wolfspeak - who could dare hunt one that screams and cries? May the High Elk bless her so, and the land he grazed upon.

She started to move herself, a circling of the man as her head tilted downwards, a gaze nevermoving from him. A hum on her voice, as the Queen devilishly smiled at him.

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He shifted on his paws as he watched her, her question falling from her tongue with hesitance and with a nod, he said, "yes." How could he not? It had been happening only seconds ago for him. "It had been my present only moments ago," the beast rumbled, tilting his head as he wondered if she came across others who had not remembered their past and that it was prompted her to delve so easily into the details. Niklaus was not put out nor angry of it, he could favour the act of being blunt from time to time. As as a Queen, though, Niklaus supposed she could do as she wished when surrounded by land that was her own. 

Elk were forbidden and would never line the bellies of the wolves of Elkshire. Even more interesting, he thought, as he eyed the Elk Queen. She did not wait for him to respond, the slender woman drawing herself forward and circling him with ease. Niklaus' own lips tilted to mirror the look of the Queen, who acted like a wolf on the hunt. "Do you wish to hunt me in their place, Queen Célnes?" The Greek man murmured, his tail twitching behind her as he kept his mismatched gaze upon her, wondering what she had decided to start as she prowled around the blue-man with elegant ease. ^^

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"Many often forget, or slowly does their memory fade." She would not pry on his past though, but knowing it was still there was most likely a pleasant experience, compared to others. She couldn't say how many had arrived without any, or sometimes there was pieces missing. Who else would come, would they arrive with a fully intact past, or completely absent? 

 Célnes then couldn't help but look at him blankly for a moment, as slowly a chuckle lifted over, "No, we do not, though we do eat boars, rabbits, mountain goat, moose.. Just not elk." She couldn't help but stop and stare at him with a curiosity, such a man asking if they were cannibals! Ah, though perhaps she should've expected such an answer.. Deorwines were called inbreds and freaks at some point, even if the truth as far from so - and even forbidden.

She had an amused smile.

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She provided him with information that he drank in and stored away for later. So he was not the one to arrive in an... odd manner, but he was apparently one of the lucky few who remembered his life from before. Though was he lucky, really? Given the fact he had, seconds ago, watched his sister burn and listened to his other siblings shouting out for him. It was better to remember, he thought, it gave him motivation. "Magical," he drawled, his lips quirking into a brief smirk. It wasn't magic, of that he was certain but he held some belief that his Gods were quite clearly fucking with the world. Briefly he cast his mismatched gaze to the sky, as if condemning them himself before he struck her with his stare once more.

The Queen was certainly something, the beast could appreciate. She laughed, slow and obvious. They weren't cannibals, which was something, Nik supposed. He chuffed a laugh, a brow quirking and his head tilting to the side, "that is good to hear," he rumbled, "I do not plan to die the same as a rabbit." Niklaus eyed her just as easily as she eyed him, her pumpkin coloured stare popping from the earthen tones that coated her face. 

Niklaus stepped forward to her, a curious glint in his eyes as he appraised her -- obviously and unashamed. "Tell me more," he requested, borderline demanded with a sly grin. "Of you or your pack, Pumpkin," he cooed lowly, wondering if she'd care if he called her a nickname already. He quite liked the pumpkin shade of her eyes, after all. His lip quivered as he smiled at her, boyish and rogue. ^^

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She thought for a moment, then nodded. Suppose it was a magical element toward it, to appear from nowhere, to a place from somewhere else. She heard stories, occasionally from others, to the place that they once were ; yet it was so different from the world she knew, at times she couldn't help but simply think they are within an illusion. Yet, how could she cast their own stories when the magic that there was, brought them to The Elk's Crown - maybe they were telling the truth, but it was far from her own truth. The Queen though, would keep her opinions peacefully by her own side.

"Though I can't say the same for anyone else around us - their culture is unknown to be," though thrown as a chuckled jest to the other, that was the truth it was. She didn't know whether Nightwalkers participated in such events, for their brutality of the world, it was something she considered before. Though theory remained unproven, and she also couldn't name the rest of the packs that Célnes yet to know about. The Pantheon, most likely, was not part of it.. Though as Gods as they may claim to be, perhaps they toy with sacrifices. She mused at the thought of Persephone of devilishly bathing in the blood of young, with Hades and Poseidon cheering in the back.

The man toyed a fine line, a nickname coming she had not hear. Most of course, refer to her as Majesty, The Queen, Cel, Cousin.. Though he, was a first, it rose her brow but she did not comment upon it. Generally she couldn't decide whether to like or dislike it, for it was new, but the man claimed it with such a familiarity, "Do you ask, because you are interested to join?" She smiled politely at him, an answer awaiting.

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His flesh was safe from the Elk loving wolves but the Elk Queen could not promise the same from her neighbours. Niklaus' lip quirked into a briefly amused smirk, "a funny Queen," he rumbled, "a rarity." Niklaus had come across one or two Queens in his time and certainly, they'd had their own quirks but he found this one to be quietly funny. A humour that was not so in your face yet in her jest filled words lay the truth. "Let us hope they aren't wolf-eaters," Nik mused with a sway of his tail. He'd like to see them try and make a meal out of him like he were some pathetic rabbit, yet he knew to be his full potential, his siblings would need to be here. To be here or to be replaced, though the latter was not so appealing. Niklaus and his siblings had learned each others way so easily that in battle, it were as if they were one part each of a bigger being.

Still, he was to be in no ones belly.

The Queen did not react much to his nickname save for a quirk of her brow and Niklaus' gaze glittered with amusement. So she didn't straight away hate it and tell him off for it, a positive sign. As much as it could be without an outright tell of her pleasure. Niklaus was often found to be one to push buttons and to take the piss; though often such a jovial side to him was not seen to wolves he disliked. Much harsher names would fall from his lips had he hated the Earthen Queen. "Ah," he hummed, "you do get points for not being wolf-eaters." Niklaus jested lowly as he stepped forward, his lip quirking as he grinned, displaying some of his teeth.

"I'm in the business of making... as they say, wise decisions," the Greek man mused as he hummed lowly. "I find myself drawn to the Pack with the interesting Queen," he paused, "an interesting Queen makes for interesting followers." That and Niklaus would need to ensure he had somewhere safe to be as he figured out what had happened and if his siblings were soon to follow. "I need purpose, Pumpkin and I'll not find it wandering aimlessly," he reasoned, offering some blunt truth. Would the Earthen Queen be happy enough for his reasoning, he wondered? ^^

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"Neither wolves nor' deer and elk." She almost added a haven of sorts, though lulled the word from her mouth as she amusingly thought of the current banning of colors that permitted. Though leniency that there was, especially with her own young wandering about ; Célnes had not met one wolf of pure snow, that was a pleasant outcome. She vaguely thought of the poisoned child and the mother who came in and out, it but a minor interaction that was neither good or bad.. Though the rest she knew of, tended to be unpleasant.

Though they didn't eat wolves, nor' those who live beside them, that was for sure.

"Oh?" He spoke that of a silver-tongue, someone who seemed to require an amusement of sorts. She couldn't help but widened her snakeish smile while looking at him ; and exactly the words she so wanted. To gain that of numbers was always but a bliss, especially when stranger mused to the thought themselves then of her requestment. An inching she gave, but in the end it was always up to the visitor.

Some would take, some would not ; some would leave and not return. So was the fate, of a pack.

"I can grant your request, perhaps as a guard of Elkshire."

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So it was bunnies, then. A limited menu, he supposed, but every Pack had their own quirk. His own was particularly keen on sacrifices, something the history of their gods told them was a sign of respect. So Niklaus supposed he could not judge too badly on their aversion to deer and elk. "What do you favour to eat, Elk Queen?" Niklaus rumbled, his head tilting to the side as his mismatched gaze remained unwavering in their focus upon her. He wondered if they had badger and weasel in these parts. It would do to have something other than rabbit to snack on.

He had said words that she had liked, he noted, as he watched her devilfish smile broaden to that untouched by innocence. Niklaus' lips twisted into a smirk, his tail giving a few lashes behind him as he eyed her. Niklaus knew he would be useful to anyones ranks; his body large and skilled. If his siblings had been here, the Earthen Queen would have been in for an early Christmas.

A guard, she said, and Niklaus hummed lowly in his throat. "Tell me, Pumpkin -- trespassers and traitors. What do Elkshire do with them?" The Greek man inquired lowly, setting an almost test before the Earthen Queen. It would do him no good to settle with wolves of weak stomach, unable to hide his thoughts on such things for long periods of time. Niklaus had been the one to decide the fate of the damned once upon a time, his teeth having always been stained crimson as he carried out the punishment for the crimes.

His siblings would have joined him in similar fashions; save for one of his sisters: Circe. She was their Priestess, their little witch -- standing before them and chanting the accused to their damnation. ^^

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When she thought of it, her head tilted to the sky and she hummed slightly, "I suppose rabbit, though boar does justice as well." When she thought of what Elkshire wolves were to eat, some may think of it as an issue to avoid elk.. Though in reality to get but one was a party of several, and was not just a snack along the way. They survived plenty, not only the rodents but the boar that roamed, and even the river they fish at. She thought the place as abundant with fauna, and lush with flora ; truly where the High Elk had blessed.

"To trespassers a warning of where they are.." She didn't treat visitors or wanders too harshly. Some mistaken, some were curious, and some had the potential to join! She said so with thought, as most had come to forest with the same. Some merely wisped in, others entered part of the land without notice it was part of them. Her tail flickered as she smiled at the thought, "to chase off if hostile," but did not accept those who became barbaric.

"To traitors is only of one answer, death do us part." 

And some played upon the list already. As he smirked toward her answers, she couldn't help but hold her on devious smile to the matter. Ah, maybe she found one who played a little too closely to her own personality. Celnes couldn't tell, if that was good or bad.

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