Stay the course ((open))

[carsten]

-.-.-Kairo-.-.-

The pup was at an impasse. Kairo was currently staring into the crystal clear water that was dubbed: the Fish Place. That's what he intended to do: fish. However, he was finding that a higher level of skill than his own was needed in order to actually grab one of the silver things.

Every time he would lunge forward, water would just end of getting into his eyes and nose. He came up empty more often than not. On the rare occasion he came up with something in his mouth, it was just a stick or some foul tasting green plant.

So here he was, having a staring contest with the water. The pup figured that if he stayed stalk still, the fish might think his legs were roots of some sort. When they came to seek refuge amongst his long, undulating fur Splash! He would have nabbed himself a tasty snack.

He had no such luck. He frowned and plopped down into the water. It was cooling and calmed his restless soul. He wished so much to be like the adults of his pack. They were strong and many of them had even battled wolves.

These tales always piqued his interest and were never too long for him to listen. He dreamed of one day fighting a wolf, he would probably grown to be bigger than an average to small sized one.

He gave a sigh as he decided to head toward the bank. He wasn't far out, his conscience had warned him of the consequences of deep water. He took in a big breath and plunged his head under the surface.

It was absolutely beautiful under there. He would do this whenever he got the chance to come to the Fish place by himself, although he didn't think he was supposed to. This scenery made him want to be a fish.

He pulled his head back from the water. Fish got eaten, Kairo most definitely didn't want that. He dragged his frame, heavy with his sopping wet, long fur, back to the banks. A great many drops spattered in all directions as he shook his coat free of the liquid.

His efforts were unsuccessful but he was more or less pleased.

[Tessa]

[/b] he said in the sternest voice he could muster without totally snapping at the pup, "What are you doing near the fish place without a mentor present? You know how dangerous that is against the rules." he smothered the amused tone that was threatening to arise in his chastising as he remembered a young Chase, doing the exact same thing. However, he kept a stern voice, his tail and head raised well above the pups, as to assert his dominance. "What did you think you were doing?"[/blockquote][/size]

[/ul]

[[D]uvessa]

I can see it...

It was true, Harle rarely liked anything, there was a distance, a shield to protect her from her greatest fear; loss. Harle was not a monster, or perhaps she was, but she couldn't say honestly that she did not have a soft spot (motherly instinct if nothing else) for her pupil. Perhaps it was the way the pup reminded her of herself in a past life, had she known he had come without her the silent femme would have given him the coldest of stares. However, she had been wandering lazily about and he was quite possibly the farthest thought from her mind. Quin, since discovering so much water in one place had grown fond, maybe even obsessed with the idea. Recently she had found herself seeking these large puddles. Today the puddle of her choice happened to be the one the young Kairo had chosen as well.

"Pupil Kairo,"

The voice caught her attention, she thankful she had come when she did. Strong limbs moved faster to carry her toward him quickly so that she might get to her pupil quicker. Quin was well aware that pups and water were not a good mix, while she trusted and had much faith in the youngsters skills there were a number of factors that could mean his life. Enough blood was on her paws, the blood of mothers, fathers, innocents and their young, she didn't want to lose Kairo as well.

"What are you doing near the fish place without a mentor present? You know how dangerous that is against the rules...What did you think you were doing?"

Harle jerked forward to avoid freezing in place at the sound of her lord's words. Now she only wished she had been faster, but what was done was done and her blue eyes wandered up to look at Chase, her eyes begged his forgiveness, for the first time showing emotion; sorrow."I am here, lord. The fault is mine." Her voice was soft, she held back the irritation. She was the adult and should have kept a closer eye on the child, he was her responsibility. That being said he would get his soon enough, if not from the alpha, from her. It was her place to teach him the meanings of all things, responsibility included and she did her duties to the best of her ability. For now, however she turned her sorrowful gaze to the bi-coloured youngster that stood before her leader. Dark rims narrowed slightly before her light vaults turned back to the pale figure standing dominant over her pupil. Something about the way she looked at him was off, she eyed him questioningly. Had he forgotten? Harlequin was always there. Now, Quin knew that as leader it was Chase's right to discipline the pup, but Quin hoped that he would not. Perhaps the two had differing opinions on proper discipline, but most of all Harlequin felt it was her duty, if Chase did it for her it would be a failure on her part.

Aqua eyes continued to rest upon the bleached figure of her leader, golden rusty crown was lowered. Her tassel swayed between her rear limbs in the faint Summer breeze. Her mind was actually quite occupied with the thoughts of what Chase planned to do about his rules. Most of all the question echoed, repeated in her mind. "What would you ask of me?" Would he be satisfied with her presence? His rules were meaningful, meant for the safety of this pup. That much she knew, but no harm had been done, though that could have easily changed if only the circumstances were slightly different. In any case she felt an ache, responsibility, it gnawed at her cold heart. Muscles rippled beneath her bi-coloured pelt as she moved to stand by the young Shiloh Shepherd. It was surprisingly hard for her not to try and comfort him, but she remained emotionless.

In your eyes.

[carsten]

-.-.Kairo-.-.

The dirt and what not on the bank stuck to the bottom of his paws. HOwever, Kairo was delighted to see that an indent was left. It intrigued him even though he already knew the answer to what caused this. He quickened his pace, hoping to get back to the den or training hollow before any adult showed up. He oculd only imagine what Harlequin would do to him.

"Pupil Kairo," came the booming voice of the leader of the pure bloods.

"Darn it!" he curse under his breath. He respected and love his Alpha, yes, but with that came an element of fear. He always broke the rules and still dreaded the consequences. He looked up at the Alpha with a sheepish grin. He had sense enough to realize this now. Before his mischievousness was always blamed on his young age. He was sane now and should know better.

"What are you doing near the fish place without a mentor present? You know how dangerous that is against the rules."

He wondered then if boredom counted as an excuse, probably not.
Uhh... That was really all he could come up with. How he hated rules. They were always there to constrict him and get him in trouble. Man, was he in trouble now.

"What did you think you were doing?" Chase asked.

Tough question, tough answer. To lie or not to lie? Honesty might save his scruff.

"...Fishing...? Kairo responded sheepishly. What else was he to say? There was really nothing he could fabricate on the spot.

He was already throughly in trouble, so now he turned his thoughts to a strategy to get out of his punishment. He wasn't sure what it would be but he could either take it, or escape it. He preferred the latter.

He was so caught up in his scheming, he did not sense the prescience of another: Harlequin, his mentor. Great, now he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Not only would the alpha punish him, but Harlequin would dish a bite of her own probably. Harlequin was always aloof and the two only interacted in a business like manor. Harlequin was to train Kairo and Kairo was to be trained by Harlequin. It hadn't really stemmed beyond that.

"I am here, lord. The fault is mine."

Kairo was taken aback, she stuck up for him. Not only was he in trouble but he now felt an impending sense of guilt if she too were to be penalized. This almost made Kairo not want to break the rules....almost.

His head was lowered in submission to the both of them and he had an ashamed look on his face. He lived very much for the moment and rest assured, this would not the last time he strayed off by himself.

Underneath it all, the two 'Bloods' seemed to have their own problems. Each equally distracted with their own busy lives. Kairo was not that naieve. He counted on this observations: maybe they'd go easy on him. If not, then he had better prepare himself.

[Tessa]

[/b] he repeated, "At the fishing place? No..." he replied, half playfully sarcastic, half serious. Pupils were fun to toy with. They were so uptight. He, as the Alpha of course, had to make them abide by the pack rules and regulations but there was another side of him, a playful mentor or perhaps even s cheeky elder within that wanted to egg the poor pup on. Wanted to make him sweat. But Chase wasn't that mean. Not yet, anyway. Wait a few more years when he's retired. Then he could have all the fun in torturing and teasing the hell out of these poor pups. He remembered his mentor, Tram, and how she constantly teased and egged him on. She retired after he was trained. Still egging and teasing him, until her death-den. He didn't mind, it was all playful banter. It taught him to relax and not take life half as seriously as he had been taking it.

"I am here, lord. The fault is mine."

Chase turned to face Harlequin, trying to not seem to upset by her calling him lord. Again. He hated that word. It made him feel like a dictator. It was too informal.

He nodded to her.

"No need Ensign." he practically purred, eyes warming and soft blue. He turned them to the Pupil, " As long as this is the last time. Correct, Pupil Kairo?" It wasn't a question. He was sure the pup would agree or, next time, he'd really have to face the consequences.

He turned to Harlequin again. "How fairs you, Harle?" he hoped he hadn't offended her by shortening her name. He did like to use pet names for his packmates on occasion. It let them know when the meeting was formal, and when it wasn't. [/blockquote][/size][/ul]

[[D]uvessa]

And who he would become...

Despite the suddenly positive atmosphere and playful responses from both canines, Harlequin remained unamused. Not only was this not the time for jokes, well, she didn't want anyone to see a joking, less serious side of herself. Least of all Kairo, he was meant to fear her, to fear the consequences. Sunlight danced off the aqua orbs in her skull which turned grey as they rolled slowly in their charred sockets when she turned her gaze again to Kairo. The tone seemed to lighten the mood and so she didn't bother giving him a stern look, instead she just stared as if uncertain what to think. Auds swiveled atop her reddish cranium when Chase once again spoke.

"No need Ensign... As long as this is the last time. Correct, Pupil Kairo?"

Quin was surprised by this, noted by the widening of her eyes and the abrupt way she turned her gaze back to him. The puzzled look revealed doubt, only for a moment. It was silly, he was strong and it was indeed mercy that separated the kings from the tyrants no matter how unimportant the offense was. Harle could not help but to wonder why it was he would not punish the pup, though thankful, a child who touched the burning stove and got burnt was certain not to do it again. Kairo was alive, though perhaps the next time fate might not be so kind. In any case she was grateful and she would be certain it did not happen again.

"How fairs you, Harle?"

Again she was caught off-guard by his kindness. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously as her lips parted to answer."I'm well?" She replied in more of a questioning tone than a reassuring one, in all honesty Quin wasn't sure what had just happened and her mind was still trying to piece together the events as well as figure out what was going on in that little head of Chase's."How are you?" The voice was soft, but distracted. Quin didn't really care how he was, being curious wasn't the same, but she was polite if nothing else. The fae lowered her rump allowing her body to rest on the cold wet Earth next to Kairo. Her attention was shifting back and forth, these two were two pieces to the same puzzle. Perhaps she could still learn from Kairo, what she wasn't sure, but the idea of learning was a rather exciting one.

And all the things he'd have done.

[carsten]

-.-.-Kairo-.-.-

A heightening sense of nervousness gripped Kairo as he was regarded by the two adults. He had gotten himself into a right pickle this time. However, in his subconscious he couldn't help but take this as a lesson. He noted the time of day, when he had first began and the amount of time he had been away from the adults. If he ever did this again, which he was actually starting to doubt he would, he might not get caught next time.

He wondered what his punishment from both ends would be. Most likely a sharp nip or something. He could handle that, it hurt but only for a moment. He got a strange feeling as he felt another gaze fall upon him. Kairo glanced up to meet the cold, grayish-blue eyes of Harlequin. All too soon were his eyes back to the ground. Eye contact was hard for him to maintain during such a situation.

"No need Ensign... As long as this is the last time. Correct, Pupil Kairo?"

Kairo directed his attention to Chase then. Seriously? He wasn't going to be penalized? He did a leap inside out of relief. Usually he would question such a verdict, but not this time. This time, he was perfectly happy with the outcome.He picked up on that undertone though. A threat promising a harsh punishment if he repeated this transgression.

Kairo nodded his head swiftly in response.
"Absolutely Sir" he said respectfully. Close call.

He relaxed and allowed himself a seat. The two adults were conversing amongst one another now. He wouldn't interfere with questions and what not now. He glanced around the place, his mind having already moved on from the dilemma. He spied a line of ants. These insects were not only fun to play with but had a sort of majesty to them. Kairo could correlate them to the way a pack worked. The 'Bloods' didn't operate in the same exact way, but all dogs had a role. Kairo was but a pupil now, however he hoped to have a major role when he grew up. His tail lethargically swayed from side to side idly. The ants were interesting but the adults, they were fun too.