Calling All Kludde

[ωΘĿƒ]

The night plunged the forest into a stifling blackness, bearing in from all sides like an emerging liquid - ink spilled on a normally bright, colorful canvas. That canvas was now monochromatic, having lost all zeal for life with the sun's departure. Now, only the moon was out. It was crescent-shaped, scything through the star studded sky as it slung low and large, tips pointing to the sky.

Le Cyll waited in the darkness, below the moon so beautiful it could call up that wonderful howl in him. But tonight was not a night for howling. It was a night of diplomacy and peace. A night of gathering and agreement, and a night of propositions.

Le Cyll had plans, and those plans would be bolstered if this night granted him it's grace and allowed him to do this properly. Right.

You think they'll listen to you? You're nothing. A dog. Vermin! A loony! Can't you tell? They can hear me... Talking to you. They're going to come together all right... They're going to join forces and kill you...

Le Cyll's tongue lolled, black pelt blending perfectly in with the darkness. His eyes were closed, blotting out this sound that pestered him so.

Harmed him so. Such discomfort. He should really do something about that...

Can't get rid of me... I'll be here forever! For ever and ever! I'll be here!

The rest was an unintelligible mass of loud noise, and Le Cyll treated it as such. He blocked it out, almost with a steady ease of practice. He had been practicing... He had enough time to, with all this yelling and whatnot...

The wolf stood in the clearing, letting the moon bathe him, his wings fluttering silently as if itching to explore the night sky. But he held himself still. He would not fly away. He would do something tonight, and it would be... very good.

Good for him. Good for these creatures he was to meet. Good for everyone... except the rest of the population.

As he recalled, just the way Kluddes liked it... everybody suffered but them.

[reynard]

Reynard walked along a path deeper into the forest. Tonight all the Kludde were going to meet to discuss what had been happening recently, from the kidnappings to the upcoming tournament. It was obvious that something was up at the Chimera Academy.

Those weren't the only reasons Reynard had decided to come to the meeting. He was coming to the meeting because it was the perfect opportunity to meet the other Kludde that were at the academy. Perhaps they would even form a pack. Reynard hated to admit it but he missed being part of a pack. He couldn't help it Kludde were social creatures after all.

Reynard entered the clearing where they where supposed to meet. Another Kludde was already bathing himself in the moonlight. Reynard approached the other Kludde and called out "Hello. So this is the right place to go. Do you know how many others will be coming?"

[nilo7]

Satoshi was out for a little fresh air when he remembered all of the kludde were meeting that night. Satoshi went jumping from tree to tree in his human form. He loved to climb and jump it was always exciting to him. Once he got to the place the Kludde were suppose to meet he saw two other kludde there one was letting the moon light hit them on the back. Satoshi remained in a tree close by. After a little bit he sat down in the tree to get more comfortable. Satoshi didn't feel like saying anything right now because he didn't want to interrupt the two of them.

[Riyu]

Naki walked silently through the dark forest, her only guide being the moonlight streaming through the trees. She kept her pace even and her movements silent, her navy hair in a low ponytail and her white rose clip holding some of her bangs behind her ears, she found her mind lost in thought. The only Kluddes she had ever known until tonight were her family, but she didn't consider them that anymore. Not after the betrayal she had suffered, simply abandoned in this place for someone to find.

Icy blue eyes focused on the clearing where the moon shone brightly like an ethereal light as she stepped gracefully out, taking in the sights before her. The scent of the others was strong to her, even if there were only three. She knew it was because her nose had become use to not smelling other Kludde. She took a look at the moon and a small smile came onto her face before she got a good look at the others. They were all male, and she quickly took note of them so she would remember in the future. The first seemed to have an intimidating presence about him but she put that aside, believing they could get along quite well. Keen ears drifted her vision to the next, who was trying to confirm if this was the place to meet. He seemed friendly enough, and was a stark contrast from what she knew of her species. She had thought they were all reserved by nature, but he was different. The last kept silent and she wondered if he just didn't like talking.

She stepped forward until she wasn't that far away from the two that were conversing, and chose to place her gaze upon the moon, seemingly in apprecition of its beauty.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Le Cyll's head tipped at the sound of the other Kludde. Reynard. He'd heard of the creature. He'd heard of the other one too, actually.

The only one he did not know about was this new one. Hmmm. Well, at least she had gotten his message. And at least he had the Kluddes' natural need for partnership on his side tonight.

He had specifically stated that this would be a gathering. No pack animal would pass up such a thing - especially not in this place of impure, lowly other creatures. Freaks, all of them.

Such prejudice... You'd make your tribe elders proud..."

That was meant as sarcasm, but it didn't effect him as such. He was indeed very aware of his dislike for other species. He encouraged it. Perhaps it was one of his many lingering fancies retained from life on the tundra. It served him well, anyways. He would not trust any other group of creatures than this.

Small though it may be...

So you're making a book club... They're all so small and scrawny! Who brings the dessert first?

The Kludde growled, but softly so no one could hear it. He really needed something to stifle that noise...

"This is it." he said, motioning to the other two with a flick of his ears. One of them, he noticed, was still in human garb. That was nice... but he desired to speak with the wolves. Not the cowards. Such hiding was not necessary here.

"Please," the wolf said, lowering his voice to a quiet, polite tone, "refrain from using your skin here... This is not the place."

Without a second thought, he returned his attention to Reynard; though in all reality he was addressing them at whole.

"I'm sure you all wonder why we are here?"

He left it at that for now, purposely cutting off from saying anything while he tucked his wings into the groove in his back and sat on his haunches, leisurely.

It almost looked like he did not care about this meeting. In truth - which was rarely ever his way of communicating - he did not. It was the goal that was important - the concept - not this group of wolves.

None of it mattered until it was workable, and he had a few interesting ideas to make it so.

[reynard]

Reynard considered how to respond to the Kludde's strange statement. It was obvious that they were here to discuss the kidnappings and the upcoming tournament. Although Reynard thought that battle would probably be a better term to describe the free-for-all. Although he doubted it would be as free-for all as was intended. All the smart people were out creating alliances to up their chances of winning. It was one of the reasons he himself had come.

Finally Reynard decided to take control of the situation. Kludde were pack creatures and if he took control now he might be looked upon as leader of the pack. Which was his eventual goal. "Well I don't know about the others but I am here to discuss the kidnappings and the upcoming battle. I was thinking it might be wise to create an alliance between those of us who are participating. After all we can trust each other more than any outsiders and this way we could ensure that a Kludde is the winner." Reynard looked around the clearing to see how his speech had affected the other Kludde. Hopefully they would agree with him and not look upon him as some brat trying to steal control of the meeting.

[Riyu]

Naki had let her skin drop after the dark colored Kludde's words. She never really noticed when she had it on lately, since around here it never seemed to matter if you had it on or off. She came closer as the talkative one spoke, and if she could have raised an eyebrow, she would have.Not that she didn't like the idea of an alliance between Kluddes, but that would mean there would have to be a leader.

She knew that alone had the possibility to turn this peaceful meeting into a brawl, and she didn't exactly like that idea, and for good reasons. She didn't exactly know where the others stood,

"Even though that is why most are probably here, before we need to learn eachother's strengths and weaknesses. Without teamworkthis alliance will not be as effective, if it is effective
at all."

She spoke with her silky tones, but it was unwavering in its strength and resolve,knowing one wrong move would make her
the weak-link. That and her strategy skills seemed to be the only
decent things her father ever taught her.

[Ayame]

It was odd, Kasa noted idly as she padded through the trees, that she was going to consider this whole "joining a new pack" thing when her family's pack was still very much alive and willing to take her back once she'd finished school.

But then again, this could be good for her, too. Learning how to behave around the other Kludde would be wise. It would help her socialize during gatherings of the packs that roamed the lower provinces of Canada whenever she returned--assuming she did.

When she arrived in the clearing that Le Cyll had mentioned, she found that he, along with three other Kludde, were already there. Judging by the scent, it was two other males and one female.

Not a bad turn out--five Kludde. Enough to make a small pack, and when Kludde were as tough as they were, this meant they would not be a force to be trifled with.

The "gathering", if that was how they were referring to it, already seemed to be under-way, and so instead of making a large, obnoxious entrance Kasa simply stretched her wings once before folding them neatly and seating herself just a little behind the other female.

She listened politely as one of the males spoke before turning her head to hear what the female had to say. Both of them made excellent points.

Already knowing Le Cyll and his dominant streak, she instinctively looked to him next to see what his response would be, and almost immediatey cursed herself for it. She was already treating him like he was their alpha, even though no such thing had been decided yet.

To cover up for herself, Kasa allowed her eyes to slide easily to the remaining Kludde. He had yet to speak, and so it made sense that perhaps he would like to put his two cents in first. Idly it registered that sharing names might be an idea, too, but surely they'd get to that later.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Things heated up quickly, as did they always when power hungry creatures were involved. The idea of a social gathering was obviously lost on these creatures, as was a peaceful meeting of the other Kluddde in the neighborhood. You'd think with all these outsiders around, the most predominant priority would be to collect oneself and be near others of your kind. Obviously, this was not the case.

The first thing everyone here did was to degenerate into a bunch of wolves.

Just as he had expected. Ah, he had missed the Kludde. Such sharp wits; such keen intellect that is never wasted. Here fought the minds of powerful creatures, each with their own agenda. And he had brought them together.

You anger them, you die... Don't be foolish now...

A trite thought. Le Cyll dismissed it as if he were batting at a fly. This was not mortal struggle, as heated as it had gotten. It was for power, and power was precious little if there was one less Kludde to rule over.

There would be no death here, but then again, there would be no weakness either. The black wolf's ears flicked back, as if deciding against insolence at the last moment. His clear, blue eyes simply sought out the one that would most threaten his position.

Reynard the talkative one did seem eager, but the quiet Naki did seem likely to put up some form of retaliation to leadership.

All in all, it was going well...

You think that, but wait. Wait...

Once again, less than a blink was given to this voice that haunted him. Of course this was his cardinal weakness - this madness - but as excruciating as situations were with that little annoyance right now, he would manage.

He always had before, and he would always now. If it be crippling, it was so from birth.

I'm not a weakness I'm a strength... You just can't find the use in me... So pitiful. Maybe I'll find the use in you first...

"Of course we can trust each other," the pleasant, rich sound of his voice sounded smoothly and evenly as he spoke. IT betrayed no emotion, lacked nothing in defense. He spoke like he would speak to any Kluude - without pretense and with simple, blunt meaning. It was far from his usual evasive tactics, but it was effective.

Why lie to the Kluude, he reasoned.


"However, trust is not the issue now. Nor are our weaknesses and strengths. As admirable as those issues are, you forget the very foundation of Kludde society." Le Cyll paused, tail flicking calmly. "Loyalty. Are we loyal to one another, or the outsiders? Are we willing to collaborate with our own kind, or will we let fate decide our paths in this foreign place? This is not a safe place, I'm sure you've gathered. This is as fierce a struggle for survival as any of the wildernesses you grew up in. Powerful monsters lurk here, bloodthirsty. Righteous beings proudly declare their word as law and carry it out, regardless of race and creed. We are alone here without each other, and quite frankly it does not seem a good idea to continue on alone. I propose loyalty, to this group - whatever leader there may be - and nothing else. I'm sure we can at the very least agree to that."

The dark wolf's lips curled back in what looked like a snarl, but in all reality, it was a little wolfish chuckle.

"After all, have you seen the other things here? Lizards and foxes... We are Kludde. We trust none but Kludde. This is law."


This proposal, he hoped, would be the baseline for negotioation. Anything from here on out, regardless of what one of them took power, ensured the group survival. It was a classic pack mentality maneuver, and it should win the hearts of these pack animals.

Then the power struggle could begin...

[reynard]

Reynard listened to the other Kludde's speeches with some slight skepticism. While it was true that Reynard felt much better about the others being Kludde that didn't mean he trusted them. He trusted nobody except when necessary. Still the alliance could be incredibly useful so he wasn't going to speak against it. However the problem remained of who should be the leader.

"Yes I agree that we loyalty must be the most important thing if we want this pack to work but I think that first we should agree on how we shall choose a leader. After all I am sure that our tribes use different methods to choose them." Reynard paused then for a moment wondering if he should go on or not. Deciding to go ahead with it he sad "Whatever the method I would like to nominate myself as a candidate for leader." He decided not to list his qualifications till more was discussed. He didn't want to seem too arrogant.

[nilo7]

Satoshi got down from in the tree and was kind of embarrassed because he couldn't change from his skin on demand. He had to be extremely sad or trying to protect himself or someone he cared about.

Satoshi rolled his eyes as he heard that they were trying to have a pack leader. Satoshi hated leaders. Why couldn't they be on equal ground with each other. Plus Satoshi never really had a pack before he was always alone not in a pack of any sort. Satoshi didn't like the fact that they didn't trust anyone but their own kind. Satoshi spoke up by saying "What is so wrong with trusting other people? It isn't that bad." Satoshi bit his lip when he spoke because now they might not like him because he is different.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Le Cyll nearly snorted in disgust, however to do so would be improper and weak at a meeting of such latitude, so he kept his aversions of the situation to himself.

Despicable... Half of these creatures were vying for power and half of them hadn't the faintest idea if they were dog or Kludde. This one, Satoshi, was a perfect example. He was corrupted by a culture that was not his own, and he would be a tainted thing to any leader of any pack.

...but Le Cyll did not have a choice to his pack, did he? Numbers were too small to be picky. The little dog would have to do for now, however useless he would be to a pack of any kind.

Brushing the young wolf's comment about trust aside wih a quick comment, Le Cyll continued to contest with Reynard.

"Admirable, but that's not the issue...." He looked the rival wolf over once. "Reynard is right. A leader should be chosen, and not in the conventional way of any of our packs either. We have different heritages, and it will only complicate things to mix them in this way. We are forming our own pack now, and we will have our own customs."

The black wolf licked his chops leisurely, a sign of calm indifference to these political matters.

"And since he has made his intentions clear, so too shall I. My end game is to take control of this new alliance, by any means necessary."

It may have been an admirable statement where he came from, however he did not know how the other wolves would view his tenacity. Whatever their opinion, he had a claim to the throne of this new formation, and he would go about retrieving it with the same infallible force that he did all things. It was an honor to his people, that he be so tenacious now; for it is tenacity that keeps one alive in the North.

It also - from his experience - makes for a good leader. He would not lose this title, even if he had to eliminate half of this pack to conquer the rest. It was a sacrifice he was willing to make, for himself and for the whole of the Kludde here.

"I assume more of you seek this position. Considering this, might I suggest we devise a way of determining the leader? A way that is not cultural but the nature of every wolf who has ever wanted anything. This comes not from the intelligent wolfs of speech, but from the wolves of savagery which share this trait with us, their heirs."

The huge, dark wolf stood, slowly, not particularly threatening but all the same commanding the attention of his peers.

"A tooth and claw fight may be preferable to settle the leader."

[Riyu]

Naki watched as things began to speed up as Reynard spoke his claim on leadership. She may have been ambitious, but she wasn't stupid. She knew that even if she did fight against the two males, which she wasn't planning on anyway, she would more than likely lose.

There was another reason she didn't wish to lead. Naki was more of a guider of sorts by nature, but that didn't mean that she would just lay down for anyone. She treated those who deserved it wth respect, not just any pup that flew in. In her opinion, most of the Kludde here were too soft to lead. They didn't have what it took and most certainly wouldn't be able to do what needed to be done when the time came. That was her thought of a leader. He had to be able to lead, but not be afraid to get his hands dirty in times of trouble.

Her icy blue eyes narrowed with a flash of cold fury as he talked of trusting others not being so bad. It made her wonder how he was even still living. Kludde trusted Kludde, and that was all. However as soon as it appeared, her eyes calmed, along with her mind as she watched everyone's reactions as each Kludde staked their own claim.

"I wish not to be leader, I will follow whoever proves themselves."

Truly, why waste energy fighting your own kind when you can be
fighting others.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He knew he was quite late, but couldn't find a reason to care. He was glad the Kluddes
had decided to unite, but Jesse figured they'd be squabbling over who would lead the
newly formed pack, and he wanted no part of it. He was made to guard, and this he knew
was his path in life. He also thought he was too unstable to lead, and would only obey the
one they named Alpha.

The others, well, didn't matter other than they were Kludde, his kindred species.The darker part of him hoped there would be fighting, just so he could see the blood under the light of the moon. He knew he might have loved the moon a little too much, but once again, didn't bother to down his primal nature.

He was a very large Kludde, and he knew it. He'd never seen one of his kind as large as him, and if he wasn't graced with equally larged black wings, he would honestly wonder if he was
a Kludde.at all. He came into the clearing gracefully despite his large size, wings tucked against his large yet sleek frame. He came in between a small navy female, and a larger male whom he couldn't clearly see.

Hauntingly crimson eyes burned through the dark night to observe each Kludde, only a few striking him as any sort of challenge to him, and looked up as a dark colored male proposed a fight to see who would lead. A dark smile crossed his face which flashed white fangs, although not threatening, more of a greeting than anything. They were just where he'd thought they'd be.

How predictable his kind were.

[reynard]

Reynard wasn't surprised by Le Cyll's claim to leadership. After all it had been plain the entire time. However he was slightly surprised at the man's lack of tact concerning the other male Kludde's opionon. Cyll didn't say anything but the disgust on his face was easy to read. Reynard agreed that the other Kludde was being weak but Reynard refused to let Le Cyll who would so obviously destroy the alliance take control. Reynard needed this alliance if he wanted to ever have the power to reconquer his old tribe.

Reynard watched another Kludde enter the clearing as he spoke, "While I am fine with their being a fight I believe it would be foolish to restrict it to simply teeth and claws. We aren't barbarians we are Kludde. A civilized race. I say that we instead have more civilised battle. We draw a large circle and whoever wants to be leader will step into the circle. Anything is allowed and whoever is knocked out of the circle loses. Its a much more preferable contest then one that simply involves brute strength." Reynard examined the other members of the pack to see how they would take his option. He hoped they would agree that his idea was better.

[ωΘĿƒ]

Nodding ever so lightly, the huge black wolf could only passively accept Reynard's logic. After all, it made sense. Perfect sense. It also cleared up a few things, and laid down the groundwork for their little sparring match.

Little did Reynard know, of course.

Yeeees. Not a stupid creature is he? He will prove challenging to defeat...

Oh yes. Indeed. In a tooth and claw match, Le Cyll would have no chance against Reynard. Far be it of him to judge himself so strongly, but he rather lacked any close range skills having to do with brute strength. He would have had to rely on speed and maneuverability... if only Reynard hadn't been so hasty to include anything as legal.

With a flick of his wings, the wolf seemed to ponder this offer of a "civilized" fight. He did very well with the task - using one of the most well trained talents in his arsenal to appear hesitant about all this nonsense of changing his rules.

However, eventually he would have to give in, wouldn't he? It was only fair... He did not want to seem so insistent.

"...Men that fight with fists for the simple pleasure of violence are no less civilized than men that arm weaponry to bomb a small town for the publicity of their kill. It is the same with wolves. Though we clothe ourselves in more efficient ways to fight, we are still fighting; and though we speak with clear voice and think with clear mind, still the haze of war descends on our people as it does all others."

Le Cyll stood, dipping the inky edge of his wing tip into the soft forest dirt, tracing the line in a perfect arc all the way around the clearing.

"I accept your terms of engagement, but do not mistake it for civility.Wolves with wings are still wolves, after all..."

Finishing the circle, Le Cyll then entered it, head raised in a sign of nonviolence.

"I offer you the first move, Reynard. May the most fit triumph and the lesser so find his place in the pack where he belongs."

It was not said with even an ounce of snideness, smugness, or self-adoration; but Le Cyll felt them all as he did speak the words.

Such were the ways of a narcissistic creature such as himself, he supposed. He was not delusional about winning without a fight - he was very much considering the fact that he may lose - however, even if he did, this did not mean he was not meant to lead.

He would find other ways. Eventually. He would always find a way to perfect a group of his peers with his presence...

Watch him now... Careful!

Vaguely, there was a part of him that agreed with and supported this statement. He would be careful. How nice of the voices to notice this. Not loud, not screeching their terrible wills at him.

Calm. Cool headed. He fixed his attention on Reynard as he prepared to fight to claim his throne.