Post by Kairos on Apr 2, 2016 1:17:36 GMT
"Well isn't this quite the conundrum." A synthetic, ambiguously gendered voice crooned with all the silk and faint whirring of a well kept machine. The dog that it had been linked to almost 3 years ago withheld his comment for once. Despite the pressure that had been put on him, his heart was as steady in his chest as his eyes reflecting a calm and cool demeanor. It was his brain that was working overtime in order to solve this problem; his first real task since he had taken on on his own; the first one to help the dogs who have little or no connection to the humans. It came to no surprise that they had problems a little more complex than what he had been trained to handle.
Earlier that week at the first signs of winter's frost he had been informed of the pack that makes its home in the Flaxrown Grasslands, which he had found rather odd. He hadn't seen even a sign of an organized group of dogs within the Heartlands. Next were the rumors and the strong sense of unease. It wasn't long before he was getting requests from dogs to find missing siblings, friends, and general pack mates.
Enter Kairos into the Floxrown Kingdom pack; expansive, beautiful, ... but oddly vacant. The dogs who had came from slowly becoming tense. He was led to a dilapidated building whose right side was beginning to merge with a twisting tree. He would have loved to appreciate it further, but his attention was drawn to the three large and agitated dogs standing before an elevated hole where a window once was. A crescent of various sized and equally angered dogs surrounded them, barking their grievances harshly back and forth. Kairos's trot quickened to a sprint to catch up as he noticed their stances begin to stiffen and the words quite down. Any second longer and it may have turned into a riot of teeth and blood. "Hey!" Kairos barked. His deep and hearty voice rolled like thunder. Some of the dogs snapped out of their hostile gaze with a flinch while the others held their glares a little longer before turning their attention to him. His face, usually cheerful and happy was stern; a brow deeply furrowed and lips tight on the borders of turning into a snarl. "Whatever the problem is surely won't be solved by turning on your packmates." He continued.
"And what would you know of our pack, islander?" An older dog was quick to spit back at him. He didn't even flinch at the hostility thrown out him. He had gotten a lot of such comments from a variety of canines since he had came here. His Starlet City heritage was as clear as the mint condition of his watcher and the pristine status of his body and health. He was proud of it nonetheless; denying it was only denying an aspect of himself afterall. Kairos wasn't a very sensitive dog to begin with; he even had the nerve to smile in response. "Only what can be observed; dogs who have sworn to have each other's back ready to tear the flesh from their faces."
Well, Φsiqe was once again stealing the words right out of his mouth. He let the words sync into the dogs and watched as they deflated before continuing. "I do not blame you for being so tense. Sometimes a problem seems a lot more desperate when you have to deal with it alone. Maybe its time for an outsider- "-Maybe an islander-" "To give a fresh perspective?"
The tension was still thick. Kairos was aware that at any moment the dogs could turn on him for any reason. But he stepped forward regardless. The group of dogs parted for him, but the larger guarding ones stood firmly in place. Their eyes locked intensely for a moment; he could feel their anger mounting, but also sense the insecurity and worry. Kairos could tell that their hearts were in the right place. "I'm just here to help the dogs who needed me in a way where no one gets hurt." He assured in a low and warm tone. Two of the dogs shuffled somewhat, but one remained firm moments longer before they silently parted away from the window. Kairos landed as softly as a dog of his size could, dust clouds swirling from the ground into the stagnant air.While the ceiling was mostly intact, parts of it on the right side had crumbled enough to let in a healthy amount of sunlight and fresh air. Despite this, a dog had managed to comfortably curl herself in the remaining shadows of the right half. All that could be seen was her long solemn muzzle and dark glassy eyes looking into the sun's rays.
"Did they send you to take my life?" A tired, shaky voice asked. The way it reverberated off of the interior alluded to it once carrying a great amount of power. Maybe even compassion. Now all that could be heard was that it was weary; all the concern and expression usually displayed in tone had dulled to an apathetic hum.
"They sent me to save this pack."
"What is the difference?" She questioned, gaze never leaving the light. "I am the sole reason behind the pack's endangerment."
"We have been informed on the way to this site. Your actions have created a schism between you and your pack. It will be highly unlikely that we can restore your reputation enough to be the trusted Alphess you were expected to be.""But thats not what you want anyway, is it?" Kairos interrupted with a slight tilt of his head. "Does this pack, and the dogs in it, mean anything to you anymore?" The canine finally made a motion; a slight lowering of the head and her eyes closed slowly.
"They used to love me...the older members of the pack said that I was easily the most compassionate of all the Kings and Queens. Of course, mistakes were made. Nobody is perfect. But everyone was so quick to forgive because they knew my heart was always in the right place."
"When my son was born, I was immediately anxious. He was so small with so little fur; twisting and turning in panic. And he was an only child too; so many worries went through my head that I couldn't even hear my midwife telling me to be calm, take deep breathes, and how healthy and strong he would be..."
"I don't think I ever tuned back into the world around me. Even now, all I can think about is the memories we created together. I remember the first words he ever spoke...and how days after he had opened his eyes and got his feet working he had found a beetle to test his hunting skills on...and the helpless look on his face when he had fallen down and hurt himself for the first time..." The mother gave off a shudder as she tried to gather her composure. She continued in a trembling voice as gentle as a whisper.
"Nothing means anything to me anymore if I can't override the last memory of my son being the feeling of his final breath against my cheek..."
Kairos listened to the older dog tell her side of the story-possibly for the first time to anyone-in such a dreamlike haze. There was no fondness or recollection in her tone and expression; only distance. He slowly blinked, nodding his his in affirmation to her words and not charging its passionless to her heart. 'She is so tired...' he reminded himself as he walked forward and sat beside the Alphess. She made no move to acknowledge that he was close enough to engage in battle or any other hostile action. He sat into the warm light and watched the dust float by like flower spores. "As a Watchdog of the Humanitarian and Ecology Reservation Department, in order for me, my siblings, and my father to complete our objectives, we have to leave Starlet City for the mainland. We do not return for years at a time." Kairos started, punctuating his explanation with a sigh.
"My mother is but a normal dog who does not have this privilege. On the day my siblings in I graduated, she shared with me that having our father home for that time only to disappear again was like twisting a blade that had been stabbed into her heart long ago. The pain of not knowing was so strong that she became numb to the world around her. The only thing that made her feel like she wasn't exhausted was taking care of me and my siblings, ironically enough. And now that it was time for us to go..."
"Her apathy was turning into hate. Hate for every force that was isolating her from her family and everyone who stood by and let it happen."
Kairos' ears rolled as he listened to the other voice express the words that lingered in his mind. To hear it out loud let it further sink into his consciousness. He ruminated on those words and opened his mouth to continue, but no words came out. Finally after three or four attempts, he knew what he wanted to say.
"You tire yourself out when you fight until nothing is left. And when you fight hopeless battles and get tired you feel weak. And when you weak and tired it has a way of filling that nothingness with hate. I do not believe being filled with hate in an nonredeemable path, but the road to redemption from there is a hard one to find. Its best that you don't travel down it to begin with; and I mean this with utmost respect and concern for your health when I say that you need to take a long rest from all this. Its time to share the burden with someone else."
A deathly silence hung in the air at that moment. It lasted so long that Kairos's senses readjusted themselves to tune into the environment outside of the building. He could only sense a few canines still lingering outside; seeing only two silhouettes that were cast from the light of the sky through the window . From the lack of conversation he could assume it was her loyal guard hounds. At the very least if things went south from here he could know that he stopped a riot from happening. Despite the tension being high, Kairos remained as cool as ice, patiently waiting for a response.
"You must take me for a fool if you think I will give away my family's legacy to anyone who waltz over to me an asks for it." The elder sharply replied. For the first time since they have spoken, their was a hint of color in her tone. Sure, it was anger, but that was more than nothing. It told him that she wasn't too late to help. She was fragile at the moment, but she could heal with better times. "I'm not asking you to give your pack to anyone," he responded with an equally sharp tone. "I'm a dog with a plan and a dog who still has the compassion needed to help get this pack back on its feet. You have admitted it yourself that this legacy means nothing to you. I need to know that if sacrificing your pack to a stranger means reviving your son, are you willing to do it?" The answer was clear by the actions that she had taken prior to his arrival, but he figured himself a canine who had the decency to ask first instead of conning the poor girl. Plus, his methods would probably be a lot more ethical. Even though he knew what the answer would be, he was surprised by the reaction he got.
For the first time, Wren had lifted her empty gaze from forward into the light and to Kairos. Looking into her eyes, he could tell that their was still a faint glimmer; the tiniest spark of hope, that he may be able to help were no other could. At that moment, he realized that this was how he wanted help. This is what he branched away from his family to do. He was thrilled to know that he recognized and answered to his calling, and with that kindling deep within him, he couldn't hide the growing smile that followed her tiny voice brimming with hope.
Earlier that week at the first signs of winter's frost he had been informed of the pack that makes its home in the Flaxrown Grasslands, which he had found rather odd. He hadn't seen even a sign of an organized group of dogs within the Heartlands. Next were the rumors and the strong sense of unease. It wasn't long before he was getting requests from dogs to find missing siblings, friends, and general pack mates.
Enter Kairos into the Floxrown Kingdom pack; expansive, beautiful, ... but oddly vacant. The dogs who had came from slowly becoming tense. He was led to a dilapidated building whose right side was beginning to merge with a twisting tree. He would have loved to appreciate it further, but his attention was drawn to the three large and agitated dogs standing before an elevated hole where a window once was. A crescent of various sized and equally angered dogs surrounded them, barking their grievances harshly back and forth. Kairos's trot quickened to a sprint to catch up as he noticed their stances begin to stiffen and the words quite down. Any second longer and it may have turned into a riot of teeth and blood. "Hey!" Kairos barked. His deep and hearty voice rolled like thunder. Some of the dogs snapped out of their hostile gaze with a flinch while the others held their glares a little longer before turning their attention to him. His face, usually cheerful and happy was stern; a brow deeply furrowed and lips tight on the borders of turning into a snarl. "Whatever the problem is surely won't be solved by turning on your packmates." He continued.
"And what would you know of our pack, islander?" An older dog was quick to spit back at him. He didn't even flinch at the hostility thrown out him. He had gotten a lot of such comments from a variety of canines since he had came here. His Starlet City heritage was as clear as the mint condition of his watcher and the pristine status of his body and health. He was proud of it nonetheless; denying it was only denying an aspect of himself afterall. Kairos wasn't a very sensitive dog to begin with; he even had the nerve to smile in response. "Only what can be observed; dogs who have sworn to have each other's back ready to tear the flesh from their faces."
Well, Φsiqe was once again stealing the words right out of his mouth. He let the words sync into the dogs and watched as they deflated before continuing. "I do not blame you for being so tense. Sometimes a problem seems a lot more desperate when you have to deal with it alone. Maybe its time for an outsider- "-Maybe an islander-" "To give a fresh perspective?"
The tension was still thick. Kairos was aware that at any moment the dogs could turn on him for any reason. But he stepped forward regardless. The group of dogs parted for him, but the larger guarding ones stood firmly in place. Their eyes locked intensely for a moment; he could feel their anger mounting, but also sense the insecurity and worry. Kairos could tell that their hearts were in the right place. "I'm just here to help the dogs who needed me in a way where no one gets hurt." He assured in a low and warm tone. Two of the dogs shuffled somewhat, but one remained firm moments longer before they silently parted away from the window. Kairos landed as softly as a dog of his size could, dust clouds swirling from the ground into the stagnant air.While the ceiling was mostly intact, parts of it on the right side had crumbled enough to let in a healthy amount of sunlight and fresh air. Despite this, a dog had managed to comfortably curl herself in the remaining shadows of the right half. All that could be seen was her long solemn muzzle and dark glassy eyes looking into the sun's rays.
"Did they send you to take my life?" A tired, shaky voice asked. The way it reverberated off of the interior alluded to it once carrying a great amount of power. Maybe even compassion. Now all that could be heard was that it was weary; all the concern and expression usually displayed in tone had dulled to an apathetic hum.
"They sent me to save this pack."
"What is the difference?" She questioned, gaze never leaving the light. "I am the sole reason behind the pack's endangerment."
"We have been informed on the way to this site. Your actions have created a schism between you and your pack. It will be highly unlikely that we can restore your reputation enough to be the trusted Alphess you were expected to be.""But thats not what you want anyway, is it?" Kairos interrupted with a slight tilt of his head. "Does this pack, and the dogs in it, mean anything to you anymore?" The canine finally made a motion; a slight lowering of the head and her eyes closed slowly.
"They used to love me...the older members of the pack said that I was easily the most compassionate of all the Kings and Queens. Of course, mistakes were made. Nobody is perfect. But everyone was so quick to forgive because they knew my heart was always in the right place."
"When my son was born, I was immediately anxious. He was so small with so little fur; twisting and turning in panic. And he was an only child too; so many worries went through my head that I couldn't even hear my midwife telling me to be calm, take deep breathes, and how healthy and strong he would be..."
"I don't think I ever tuned back into the world around me. Even now, all I can think about is the memories we created together. I remember the first words he ever spoke...and how days after he had opened his eyes and got his feet working he had found a beetle to test his hunting skills on...and the helpless look on his face when he had fallen down and hurt himself for the first time..." The mother gave off a shudder as she tried to gather her composure. She continued in a trembling voice as gentle as a whisper.
"Nothing means anything to me anymore if I can't override the last memory of my son being the feeling of his final breath against my cheek..."
Kairos listened to the older dog tell her side of the story-possibly for the first time to anyone-in such a dreamlike haze. There was no fondness or recollection in her tone and expression; only distance. He slowly blinked, nodding his his in affirmation to her words and not charging its passionless to her heart. 'She is so tired...' he reminded himself as he walked forward and sat beside the Alphess. She made no move to acknowledge that he was close enough to engage in battle or any other hostile action. He sat into the warm light and watched the dust float by like flower spores. "As a Watchdog of the Humanitarian and Ecology Reservation Department, in order for me, my siblings, and my father to complete our objectives, we have to leave Starlet City for the mainland. We do not return for years at a time." Kairos started, punctuating his explanation with a sigh.
"My mother is but a normal dog who does not have this privilege. On the day my siblings in I graduated, she shared with me that having our father home for that time only to disappear again was like twisting a blade that had been stabbed into her heart long ago. The pain of not knowing was so strong that she became numb to the world around her. The only thing that made her feel like she wasn't exhausted was taking care of me and my siblings, ironically enough. And now that it was time for us to go..."
"Her apathy was turning into hate. Hate for every force that was isolating her from her family and everyone who stood by and let it happen."
Kairos' ears rolled as he listened to the other voice express the words that lingered in his mind. To hear it out loud let it further sink into his consciousness. He ruminated on those words and opened his mouth to continue, but no words came out. Finally after three or four attempts, he knew what he wanted to say.
"You tire yourself out when you fight until nothing is left. And when you fight hopeless battles and get tired you feel weak. And when you weak and tired it has a way of filling that nothingness with hate. I do not believe being filled with hate in an nonredeemable path, but the road to redemption from there is a hard one to find. Its best that you don't travel down it to begin with; and I mean this with utmost respect and concern for your health when I say that you need to take a long rest from all this. Its time to share the burden with someone else."
A deathly silence hung in the air at that moment. It lasted so long that Kairos's senses readjusted themselves to tune into the environment outside of the building. He could only sense a few canines still lingering outside; seeing only two silhouettes that were cast from the light of the sky through the window . From the lack of conversation he could assume it was her loyal guard hounds. At the very least if things went south from here he could know that he stopped a riot from happening. Despite the tension being high, Kairos remained as cool as ice, patiently waiting for a response.
"You must take me for a fool if you think I will give away my family's legacy to anyone who waltz over to me an asks for it." The elder sharply replied. For the first time since they have spoken, their was a hint of color in her tone. Sure, it was anger, but that was more than nothing. It told him that she wasn't too late to help. She was fragile at the moment, but she could heal with better times. "I'm not asking you to give your pack to anyone," he responded with an equally sharp tone. "I'm a dog with a plan and a dog who still has the compassion needed to help get this pack back on its feet. You have admitted it yourself that this legacy means nothing to you. I need to know that if sacrificing your pack to a stranger means reviving your son, are you willing to do it?" The answer was clear by the actions that she had taken prior to his arrival, but he figured himself a canine who had the decency to ask first instead of conning the poor girl. Plus, his methods would probably be a lot more ethical. Even though he knew what the answer would be, he was surprised by the reaction he got.
For the first time, Wren had lifted her empty gaze from forward into the light and to Kairos. Looking into her eyes, he could tell that their was still a faint glimmer; the tiniest spark of hope, that he may be able to help were no other could. At that moment, he realized that this was how he wanted help. This is what he branched away from his family to do. He was thrilled to know that he recognized and answered to his calling, and with that kindling deep within him, he couldn't hide the growing smile that followed her tiny voice brimming with hope.
"What kind of plan do you have in mind?"