Moonpack: Night's Absence

Welcome to Visitors

Greetings. I am Clawface, the Alpha of these parts. I can see you're unfamiliar with my territory, yes? Come along. You'll find something similar to hospitality inside our camp, though not for more than a night or two or you'll start getting dirty looks. Our pack is among the largest and strongest of packs. We are not your average softhearted puppy-pets, as are many of our... ahem... cousins, but rather stonehearted warriors who do not and will not hesitate to defend each other at the cost of our lives. It would be a good idea for you to keep your intentions and destinations to yourself. More than one of us is suspicious of any and all strangers. So go ahead and take a look around. Grab a bite to eat when the crabbier packmates, including myself, aren't watching, take a swim at the falls... whatever, for all I care. Just don't be here tomorrow unless you want to join us! We'll see about that.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Night's Absence

((Okay guys, found out recently that Night won't be around for a while. I've written out a short story for the reason why...))

Clawface emerged from her den. The Alpha gave her blue-gray coat a shake. She glanced sideways over at the Prey-pile. Rusty had just brought some back, but the pile was still lower than she liked. She and trotted off towards the Guard's den. She poked her slim nose inside, saying "Night, I need you to lead a hunting patrol. We're short on prey." The black Beta looked up. Clawface noticed her eyes almost seemed glazed. "All right Clawface, I'll be out in a minute." She gave a weak cough. Quickly it grew more violent and Clawface closed her eyes and turned her head away slightly. "...are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Night wagged her tail slightly.
Clawface turned. "Be out soon." She padded out of the den and stretched out her front paws. She had other things to do than worry over a little cough her Beta seemed to have caught. But she was soon to stand corrected. She was busy among other things when Shinta came running up to her. "Clawface! There's something wrong!"
Clawface flicked her ears. "Don't yelp in my ear like that. I'll go deaf before I lose my last life. What do you mean, there's something wrong?"
"It's Night!"
Hearing the name, Clawface looked up. She could see the true panic in Shinta's eyes. "Show me."
The Guard led her to the den. They both peered inside. Night lay on her side on her bed of moss. Her side rose and fell, but her breath was only coughing. It almost moved her entire body.
Clawface turned on Shinta, yellow eyes blazing. "Get Nanack."
~~~
"She has Whitecough," Nanack said, rising from her place next to Night. "A pretty bad case. It hasn't turned into Greencough yet, but there's a good chance it will. She must've caught it sometime last night and didn't say anything."
Clawface swished her tail. First the prophecy she had seen yesterday, and now Night was sick. The last thing she had needed was for her Beta to fall ill. "Cure her," the Alpha ordered stubbornly. "Whatever you do, don't let her get any worse."
Nanack nodded. "I've done everything I can. Now, all we can do is wait and see if the herbs work."

((By the way, guys...