okaaay...she's breaking some rules. probably. technically, she knows these lands aren't hers to enter. but also, technically...she's curious! she's explored practically every inch of Ashen's territory by now, and she's ready to expand her investigation to the other packs. how do they live? where do they sleep? are their lands prettier than hers? El pulls a face at the very thought, jealousy stirring in the pit of her stomach. surely not! after all, she radiates such beauty that any land she enters automatically becomes the prettiest! yes, that sounds about right. preening to herself, the Ashen girl follows the winding path of the river, pausing occasionally to admire her gleaming pelt in its clear reflection. as fresh and white as powdered snow, flecked with the occasional brush of ebony for intrigue. a pair of pink eyes ringed with baby blue gaze back at her from the water, full of satisfaction and a (not so quiet) confidence. if she's caught, she doubts she'll be in too much trouble. who can resist such an angelic face? humming to herself, El continues on, carelessly conspicuous. ooc: after Redrum's first post, the insomnia alpha or members of El's family are allowed to hop in ;) "Speech"

It's verbatim and it's shakin'

R̶ E̶ D̶ R̶ U̶ M̶

Frightening as it was to wander the Dancefloor on his own, Redrum was determined to believe his mother’s words of his safety within her lands in the future. He was resilient. His head, however? Not so much. After the brutal hit to the dome he had taken, his mannerisms had become… twitchy. His eyes could follow a smooth line and yet the swivel of his skull was done in two neurotic intervals. A bit like how a squirrel went about life, with lulls in between each action.

The crimson boy was loping through the grasses, steering clear of the long grass. He kept to the river and searched for something pretty to bring back to his mother, like a funny shaped rock - or a frog. Only he didn’t find either of his two first choices. Instead the boy came upon a new face. One that smelled far different than anything he’d sniffed before. It was an unfamiliar girl! A… an intruder!

The boy quickly puffed out his chest, at the back of his mind it was the same situation that had given him the still painful wound at the back of his head - except it was definitely not a predator this time. This time he could handle it! Right? The child of vermillion scrambled forth, wedging himself between the girl and further exploration of their lands. “No spying, girl! This, Insomnia!” Golden eyes shining in pride for his home, spitting the words with his puppy features set to his best try at authoritativeness. He looked her over then, confused as to how this small, cutesy girl made it across the border at all. “Redrum’s- I mean. My home- is not for sneaking in.” He towered over her, though not very threateningly; in fact his childish mind was already veering off into curiosity.

murder

Code by TR

a figure comes sprinting out of the grass; crimson fur and yellow eyes flash in her peripheral before she finds herself directly facing a rather large…boy. stumbling a half-step backward, El goggles at his size, gaze scrutinising him with interest. the only boys she knows are her brothers, and they’re all stinky. “you’re so big,” she blurts out, and though she hadn’t meant to say as much, there isn’t a hint of sheepishness or embarrassment - even when accidental, she’s shameless in her proclamations. the boy’s words are hostile, but interestingly, he doesn’t seem too mad at her. people who were mad showed teeth, didn’t they? hmm, maybe she can charm her way out of this. oooh, maybe she can even convince him to play with her! “naww, i wasn’t spying,” she insists, sticking her bottom lip out in a pout. the puppy eyes always works on her Daddy, and she doesn’t see why they shouldn’t work on this boy. “i just wanted to look around,”  she continues, keeping her body language relaxed and open. she is on his home turf, after all. “and how could i have done that without sneaking in? you wouldn’t have let me in if i’d knocked on your front door.” she cranes her neck, getting right in his face as she bats her eyelashes at him. “would you?” "Speech"

He had taken to patrolling the prairie to help keep an eye on the fresh pups. Though there were only five of them, five was still a lot for only Medusa to keep an eye on. And now that he had taken on a beta role, Ghoul felt... responsible for this batch. He wanted them to at least stay safe while he was around. Which also meant deterring any trespassers that crossed their borders.

Speaking of trespassers, he notices Redrum hovering near said border over a smaller pup that didn't look familiar. A brow raises out of curiosity as he makes his way over to them. As he approaches, he clears his throat to get their attention. Looking from Redrum to the girl, he stops about a foot or so away. "Care to introduce me to your friend?" Ghoul questions as his ruby gaze lingers on the girl. Who did she belong to and why was she here?

G H O U L

It's verbatim and it's shakin'

R̶ E̶ D̶ R̶ U̶ M̶

The girl stumbles backwards at his arrival, interest flashing across her pudgy features. ‘You’re so big,’ the pale girl states boldly to his face, and it sends Redrum into bewilderment. Huh? Was he odd to look at somehow? Though he attempts to keep the surprise at her unafraid and non aggressive nature hidden, opting to stare at her rather unique eyes instead as he formulated a plan of action. The duality of her colorful orbs kept his own golden gaze occupied while she continued speaking, giving him plenty of time to think. She was not a spy, she stated. Good thing he was a speak before attacking kind of kid - if brother  Saw had found her first it would have been an entirely different story!

Her lip stuck out in a manner he had not seen from any of his litter mates before - what in the world was she doing with her face? He was so very inexperienced with this… dainty and endearing sort of girl, how did a kid like her even play? Even her eyes had taken on a rounded effect as she sought to bend him to her will. Of course he didn’t know that, so Redrum cocked an eyebrow at her display of innocence, one elongated ear shifting to swivel back as he registered approaching footfalls. Backup! Thinking to himself as having done a good job thus far, his guard lowered and then promptly his brain came to a screeching halt as this strange girl entered his space and batted her eyes at him. Uh? He blinked, not knowing what to do at all. Say something! “Uh- Then, you are a friend to Insomnia?” The boy questioned in a lighter tone as he eased up on her, his striped tail already moving to sway in the beginnings of a friendly if not confused wag.

His face with its intricate markings split into a smile as one of the adults of Insomnia came to observe the children, the boy turning to meet the gaze of a wolf who was a prominent force in the territory - though Redrum had never met them one on one. Ghoul, right? Still, all members of his mothers pack were family! Medusa said so! So his tone was warm and eager to reply to the albino adult. “This one I met here! She says she is friend, name- uh-“ The bot turned to look at the pale trespasser and all her delicate features, pointing the remainder of his response at her to answer. “What’s her- your name?”

murder

Code by TR

the boy seems to falter in the face of her charm offensive, and El takes it as a victory, presuming him to be so overwhelmed by her beauty that he simply cannot remain cross with her. in her young mind, which has only ever encountered family members willing to entertain her antics, it makes the most sense. she has successfully won this boy over, and now he won’t chase her off. hazzah! “sure,” she agrees easily, shrugging at his question. her father has never warned her against Insomnia, or anything. “i’m plenty friendly.” an angelic smile sweeps across her face, the very incarnation of ‘butter-wouldn’t-melt-in-my-mouth.’ of course, it’s then that an adult finds them - adults are always fussing, craning their necks to make sure she’s behaving herself and not harassing her siblings too much and not forcing impromptu makeovers on them. yawn. at least this adult is brand new and kind of interesting. besides, El isn’t an idiot: sassing a fully grown wolf while trespassing on their territory really isn’t a good idea. “i’m Elara Klein,” she replies promptly, inclining her head first to the man, then to the boy. “i’m from Ashen.” her voice is perfectly polite, if a tad formal - lacking the saccharine quality it’d held when she’d been trying to charm the boy. best to be…respectful, or something. her curiosity quickly gets the better of her, however, and she all but demands of the boy, “and what’s your name?” a heartbeat passes, and then she tacks on, apropos of nothing, “are you a prince? i’ve always wanted to meet a prince.” of course, nothing this boy has said so far indicates royalty, but…well, she’s bound to meet one someday. why not today be that day? besides, he cuts kind of an impressive figure, all red fur and golden eyes and tall ears. and aren’t prince’s meant to be handsome? "Speech"

He can hardly hide his amusement at the pups who don't even know each other's names. Their interactions appear to be typical puppy behavior and Ghoul smiles until he hears her name. Elara Klein. Ghoul isn't stupid. He knows there are a lot of Kleins out there. His mother was related to quite a few of them, but now he wants to know who she belonged to. Embracing a sickly sweet smile, Ghoul sits his rump down, content to stay awhile.

"Well, Elara Klein from Ashen," interrupting Redrum before he can answer the girl's question, "I am Ghoul Klein from Insomnia and yes, he's a prince, prince Redrum," Ghoul lavishes a paw in the direction of the red coated boy with a flurry before turning his attention back to the girl. "You are young. Do you have an escort or are you here without your parent's knowing?" He gives her a pointed stare. While he is all for pups making friends across borders, she was far too young to be exploring without anyone watching her.

G H O U L

It's verbatim and it's shakin'

R̶ E̶ D̶ R̶ U̶ M̶

So she was a friend! The vermillion boy’s body language shifted from wary and protective of his home, to easy going and excited. A kid that wasn’t his sibling! As she flashed him one of her confusing smiles, Redrum did his best to mimic it with a sharp upcurl of his lips. Which, depending on the beholder, was either creepy or endearing. Of course he could smile normally, but he thought that copying her would be much better!

As the girl introduced herself to them, Redrum was bombarded with a quick succession of questions from Elara Klein of Ashen. What was his name, was he a prince. Well, it wasn’t that many queries in truth, but with his scattered wordings it was… difficult to think of a proper answer for her that wasn’t going to be word vomit. “Red- is, No, I-” He was keenly aware of just how lacking his speech was… and with rounded eyes he was saved by Ghoul’s interruption. The man noted him as a prince which he wondered if it would make the girl happy to hear? He tilted his head with that abrupt pausing effect of his, watching the man’s paw as it motioned around.

He raised a brow comparing the two’s last names having been spoken into existence now. Both Kleins. Huh? Didn’t families all live together? Golden gaze darted between them, searching for resemblances. Ghoul began to question her, speaking of her age and lack of escort. Red hadn’t even noticed that yet! Come to think of it… was she older than him? Younger? She was much smaller than him so he couldn’t be sure. But as he memorized her appearance… the boy unwillingly recalled his first experience outside of the den without protection, and his head began to throb painfully. So he remained quiet for a few moments, not paying attention to any of the next words exchanged.

But as the pain subsided, he marched forward into her personal space, locking his gaze on her own. “Dangerous. Alone. Elara must be safe.” The boy warned her, offering a worried look as he peeked over her form and scanned about for any predators. Regardless if Ghoul was there, he felt his skin crawl with suspicion of something lying in wait in the tall grasses…

murder

Code by TR

It was no shock that one of his children had snuck away from home. This wasn't the dire brutes first rodeo. What did surprise him was just how far Elara had managed to travel. Thankfully Chimera had eyes everywhere and he was quickly notified of the girl's absence. Leaving the rest of his brood in the care of their mother and aunts, the dual- toned behemoth set out.

The trail was easy to follow and soon Chimera stood at the border of a pack. Of course she'd trespass on a packs lands. Why the hell not? Elara was fresh in the world and knew little of its dangers despite her father trying to hammer these dangers into their skulls. Elara would be getting a crash course on these dangers the entire way back to Ashen.

Standing just outside the packs border, the slate marked beast growled out loudly, "Elara Klein... get your tail out here right now. " his tone invited no argument. She was already in trouble. Every second that she didn't comply was a day more that she would be grounded. And that wasn't counting whatever punishment her mother heaped upon her.

"Chimera Klein"

the insomnia man's response is...unexpected, to say the least. firstly because he reveals his own name to be Ghoul Klein, and whoa, have we stumbled upon a long-lost cousin or something? and secondly because he seems to show genuine concern for her safety, despite her being a strange pup from a strange pack who has basically just waltzed uninvited into his territory. "i don't need an escort," she protests, trying to puff herself up to make herself look bigger. she's made it here on her own without dying, hasn't she? besides, her daddy's blood runs through her veins, and he's the toughest wolf she's ever seen! what daughter of Chimera Klein can't survive a measly trip by themselves? to further her surprise, the insomnia boy shows concern for her too, albeit of a more fierce nature. El blinks as he enters her space, pelt growing slightly flushed under his intense golden stare. ooo, her littermates are gonna be so jealous that she's met a real prince! "Red, was it?" she prompts, smiling sweetly up at him in an attempt to assuage his concerns. she can't have him thinking she's some helpless damsel, after all! "you don't have to worry about me. my daddy knows how tough i am, so he basically lets me go wherever i please - " 'Elara Klein... get your tail out here right now.' rats. El flushes again, this time in embarrassment, and shoots the two Insomnia wolves a sheepish glance before turning and hurrying in the direction of Chimera's voice. she finds him at the border, already radiating fury. "hiya, Daddy!" she chirps, trotting over as though she hasn't a care in the world. she throws her arms around him in a tight hug, hoping it will disarm him into forgetting his anger. and though she knows she should be contrite, she can't help the excitement coursing through her, bubbling up her throat and spilling from her tongue. "Daddy, Daddy, there's a man over there with the same last name as us! he's a Klein! isn't that cool? oh, and Daddy, i met a boy! he's my friend now." her cheeks are pink with the breadth of her emotions, a cherubic grin splitting her pudgy features. "can he come visit us in Ashen, Daddy?" "Speech"

Ghoul is no stranger to Medusa's odd speech patterns and how that might affect her pups. It does not bother him as he is not one to judge other's for their peculiarities. Instead, he feels obligated to assist the young boy in the introduction. He shines a glimmer of a smile down to the boy who stares up at him with wide yellow eyes.

In the next moment, he is looking back to Elara with a scrunched brow. I don't need an escort. Ghoul huffs, wanting to reply sternly, but Red is charging forward into her space to loom almost protectively over her. Before Ghoul can even reach forward to drag him back away from her, another looming presence is hovering at the border. His ruby gaze lifts to the titan by the name of Chimera. He had only seen his... uncle once before and that was the day his mother had lost her place as Queen of Habari.

As much as Ghoul wants to invite Chimera over the border, he knows Medusa is not fond of Kleins or Ashen. Anyone from the Empire was supposed to be their enemy. Well, perhaps not an enemy, but they're not exactly welcomed onto Insomnia lands. Yet, he wasn't one to harm a pup, their ignorance and nativity both a blessing and a curse.

Moving to step in front of Red in a protective manner, he watches Elara interact with her father. Surely she knew how much trouble she would be in, right? Clearing his throat, he tries to get Chimera's attention before he can reprimand or respond to Elara. Stepping closer to the border so that he didn't need to shout, he stands tall and confident before the titan. "Chimera, I am Ghoul, a son of Recluse," he dips his head in greeting, but keeps his expression rather flat. There is a war brewing in his mind, that much is obvious. He could be seen as a traitor to the Klein name to some who still held loyalty to a long ago made truce.

"I am the Nightmare of Insomnia, Medusa's beta. I can promise Elara will not be harmed if she ever finds herself...lost," he shoots a pointed look at the girl, "within our borders, but as are the current tensions between packs, I cannot say how Medusa will react once Elara is old enough to make her own decisions," his words are carefully chosen so that both pups may understand the implications of their actions. Ghoul knows he doesn't need to explain these things to Chimera. Then he turns his attention first to Elara and then to Redrum. "You two cannot visit each other unless an adult is there to supervise. It may cause problems for others if anything bad were to happen," Ghoul doesn't waver in his decision as he continues to look between the pups to ensure they understood what he was saying.

G H O U L

It's verbatim and it's shakin'

R̶ E̶ D̶ R̶ U̶ M̶

Even with his proximity to the girl causing her to fluster, Redrum does not register that he has come too close. Only that he must warn her, that she could not get hurt like he had. ’Red, was it?’ Elara begins to try and assure him, a smile that gives him only confusion once again just as he was processing the nickname she called him by- when she is interrupted by a booming voice across the way. A man, big and imposing, stands there at the border giving Elara an authoritative command to come out from Insomnia land. The man was split down the middle, white and black. For a moment the boy’s hackles rose, uncertain what this stranger wanted - but it was clear he was there to collect the small girl and take her back home. Redrum’s golden stare never left her Elara all but frolicked to what he could only assume was her father.

It was confirmed as she greeted him, embracing the behemoth with playful excitement. She wasn’t like any of his own siblings, not at all. It was… weird. He felt… upset she was leaving so soon. She was kind of- bright, like the sun in his eyes. A lot of things weren’t like that.

Ghoul would step in front of him protectively, blocking his view of the girl and her dad, which he moved to peek out from behind the albino Klein anyways. What are they talking about now? Elara was asking if he could visit… but Red wondered if that was even possible. It had hardly ever crossed his mind to leave Insomnia land, especially not since he had been attacked.

Listening in, Ghoul addressed the man as Chimera, going on to explain things about the border and tensions Redrum had not known about. He stepped closer along with Ghoul but still technically behind him, carefully nodding to his mothers Beta as understanding flashed across his boyish features. So, ghoul meant that if one of them were to get hurt while together, it could start… something bad. War was not yet a word the vermillion boy knew, but he knew what danger was. Long ears drooped a bit, as he was sure he was losing the friend he’d just made. “Red does understand.” Gold orbs peeking up through a downcast expression, trying to see what expression Elara would make now given the context of the adult’s conversation.

murder

Code by TR

Elara ran to him, hugging his leg and acting as though she wasn't grounded until she was an adult. The girl launched into an explanation, impromptu introductions and then requests. A little spark of pain flashed in the brute's head as his sweet child gave him the beginnings of a headache. They were going to have a loooooong talk on the way back to Ashen.

A pinkish hued wolf stepped forward and introduced himself, along with mentioning who his mother was. Chimera nodded and acknowledged their blood ties. "Nephew." Ghoul when on to assure him that Elara wouldn't be harmed, but he couldn't speak for Medusa, his alpha. The brow above the giant's milky white eye lifted. "I would hope that any wolf of moderately sound mind wouldn't harm a child. Especially not one of pack blood." Bringing down a war upon ones pack was never a good idea but he had met his share of mad wolves.

The boy that Elara had mentioned was red in color and stood, staring. The boy acknowledged what Ghoul had told him and that was a good sign. He wasn't one of those disobedient children, unlike others that he could mention...

Elara had asked if the boy could come visit and Chimera huffed, eyes narrowing at the girl. "Once you're done being grounded, we'll discuss it." Chi looked to Ghoul and the red child once more. "Thank you for looking after my wayward daughter, Ghoul and..." he gestured at the boy with one black toed paw and a name was given. "and Redrum." The man nodded. "Should you wish to visit, have your mother send a raven. Ashen does not harm children."

Leaning down, Chimera carefully scruffed his daughter between his jaws, nodded to the two Insomnia wolves once more, and turned to make his way back home. Once they were away from the border, the lecture would begin. He would have to think up a suitable punishment for the oblivious girl.

"Chimera Klein"

oooo, her Daddy is mad. it’s apparent in the sternness of his tone, the stern set of his brow. her stomach gives an uncomfortable twist, something heavy settling in the pit of it. gasp! could this be…guilt? she really hadn’t meant to upset him! it’s only…the wide open world had been right there, and she’d been itching to explore it. how is she supposed to ignore that call? and look what fun tings have come from her little excursion: a new relative and a new friend! surely Daddy can’t be that mad. much of Chimera’s talk with Ghoul washes over her as she stands at his side, worrying over the consequences that undoubtedly await her the moment they get home. she does, however, perk up as the discussion shifts to Red visiting Ashen. “nothing would happen,” she insists, fixing pleading eyes first on her father and then on Ghoul. “we’d be really careful, promise!” unfortunately, the Insomnia man paints a rather bleak picture of the consequences that could stem from such a meeting. as Red deflates, she two finds herself growing heavy with disappointment, peering out at the boy with a trembling lower lip. it isn’t fair! she wants to see her new friend again, wants to show him her den and Ashen’s pretty lake and all those big tall rocks! she’s about to impeach her father to step in when Chimera does so of his own accord, suggesting Red send a raven if he wishes to visit. ecstatic, El leaps to her feet and beams over at the boy, practically bouncing in place. ”yess! thank you, Daddy!” she’s so excited it takes her a minute to register what else her father has said: once you’re no longer grounded. “awww, nooo!” she protests, brow scrunching low in outrage. “i’m sorry, okay? it won’t happen again!” she’s still complaining as Chimera lifts her, body going limp in his hold. this only disgruntles her further, and the girl fills her father’s ears with a litany of increasingly desperate begging as he carries her off. it’s only when they’re almost out of earshot that El remembers to call out, “bye, Red! see you soon!” -exit "Speech"