Rat Attack

<Whitelupine> The teen had left the three dogs to their meal and was trotting back through the tunnel towards home base. Happy to have mapped out some of the new home so getting back was not a problem. He would glance about to make sure no one was watching before he moved to the corner he’d been sleeping in. He could feel the tiny pinkies moving about in his mouth as he pawed at a blanket to reveal a momma with a broken leg, Gringo had stepped on her litter and her and had been trying to nurse her back to health, but the inexperienced teen knew nothing about healing. With a whine the teen gently placed the babies beside the mother, careful not to crunch down on any of them. A small smile crept on his face as he watched the mother sniff then accept them. With a soft sigh he would lay down, curling his form around the mama and litter. He could do this, he could actually do something right!

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro had been pretty immobile these last few days, hoping his vision would return with some rest. Well, that didn't seem to be working so well, and he'd been MIA for the better part of twenty four hours. Darkness shrouded the alpha, though he was now able to pick up blurred, dark figures and of course, scents. He stalked through the tunnels slowly, using his memories and general know of his childhood home to guide him before finally hopping from the mouth of a concrete tunnel and into the main area. Boney shoulders rolled in a feline-like gate on his way to the sleeping quarters, and he'd glance around as though his vision was just fine. The sudden, but damn near silent squeak of a few rats had him pausing... blank dead-eyed gaze finding Gringo. It was odd for rats to come up into their area as Mavro had given them plenty of warning to stay within the tunnels. "...Gringo."

Gringo was so busy making sure none of the babies wiggled away he barely saw his dad approach, he would look up to the alpha and offer a smile in greeting  “Dad she accepted them!” Gringo would beam happily, proud of what he’d done for this mama and babies.

<Gutter-Mutt> The alpha's brow points were knit together as he stared downward at Gringo, ear swiveling back. "Who accepted what?" It was a simple question, and he wanted a simple answer. "I smell rats. Why are there rats up here in our sleeping quarters?" Stalking to the left, he'd circle around and lean his nose down to sniff at the blankets, lip twitching.

<Whitelupine> Gringo’s smile would fade slightly “The mama rat, she took in the babies.” He would shift slightly so his dad could sniff the little family. He’d respond to the question “it’s just them.. I’ve been making sure they don’t bug anyone.” He said, tail thumping the ground a bit.

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro's expression would deadpan some as the sudden and much stronger scent of the rat family hit his nostrils. "It doesn't matter if they're bothering anyone or not. If you allow one up here, then they all feel entitled. The last thing we fucking need is a hoard of rats devouring our food stash." The hackles along his back would mohawk as he turned those vision-less eyes straight or Gringo. "Are you just plain stupid?"

<Whitelupine> Gringo’s expression would drop as did his dumbo ears as his father spoke up. “I…I didn’t know..I just.. … I…” he was stammering now but then when asked if he was stupid his bright blue eyes would widen “N..no..” he murmured. “D..Dad look I’ll move them out of the sleeping area… I’ll make sure they don’t come back…”

<Gutter-Mutt> With a loud snort, Mavro would take a single step back. "This would explain why I had to chase a few rats from my control room a couple days ago. If they think they can just butter up to the alpha's son, then what reason do they have to fear me? Huh?! It's too cold, food is too scarce... and I wont have the pack starving to death because you decided to be a fucking bleeding heart! If you want to help something, or someone... help your damn family." And without much more warning, Mavro would slam a large, clawed paw down over the mother and the nursing pinkies, aiming to crush them.

<Whitelupine> Gringo listened to his father speak and began to tremble, he’d screwed up again, he’d disappointed HIM again, his eyes widened as his dad’s paw came down, he could hear the squeeling of the rats beneath the massive paw. Those blue eyes widened even more as he looked up slowly to his father, flips peeling back to reveal an expression that nearly mirrored Mavro’s sneer. “Y… y….you …- .. y..you… …You Fucker. THEY WERE JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE AS WE DO!!!!” Where the hell did that come from Gringo? You’re a coward remember? “I have TRIED to help this family! I have TRIED to be helpful” Gringo would slowly stand, and turn to square his body to Mavro’s, hackles high and teeth bared “I HAVE TOLERATED YOUR FAVORTISM, I HAVE TRIED TO BE A SON TO YOU SINCE THAT NIGHT IN THE SHEEP PEN” Yes that night still bugged him “I HAVE TRIED TO IMPRESS YOU! BUT ALL I GET IS SHIT ON!” Gringo’s voice came out in a booming tone. Gringo, was not a happy camper.

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro just stood there, paw placed over the dead or dying rats; unamused expression lingering even as Gringo yelled at him. He wasn't phased by it... and simply waited for his son to stop throwing his temper tantrum. "And they're free to survive. In their OWN home. Not ours. You did this, Gringo. Blame yourself for their demise. And please... please enlighten me as to WHEN you have gone out of your way to help this pack? You want to whine about favorites? Maybe you should be more like those I favor." Not once did he yell. "If you'd like to live in a fantasy, however, where every species gets along and we never have to fight for food again, perhaps I can... arrange that for you." Head tilt.

<Whitelupine> Those words stung the teen to the core as Gringo finally stopped yelling, his lips lowered slightly but his hackles stayed bristled, he’d not felt adrenaline since the sheep pen, and his blood was up now. “I have TRIED hunting, Faline and I were supposed to practice together but that went out the window for some reason. While you and the others were gone to that hell pit I did my best to ease the strain off the higher ups, which is something MOST of your children fluffed off to go screw around. Look around you, how many of your pups are still at your side? I’ve lived a life in the background but never ONCE have I considered abandoning you like so many have.” He would shudder; glad his dad couldn’t see the tears forming in his young eyes. “I don’t believe in some fantasy world, I just wanted to give that family a chance… but then again… what I want matters to a hill of dung. Doesn’t it?”

<Gutter-Mutt> "Aw, you poooor poor baby." Mavro coo'd softly as be began circling his son; lip peeled back in that sadistic sneer his father often expressed. "What the hell do you know about misery? You're right, Gringo. While we were at that forsaken pit being tortured, you sure had your paws tied here, right? You poor under appreciated thing." And even though the boss couldn't see Gringo, he knew he was tearing up. Tears had a very distinct smell. "By the time I was your age... I was starving to death because my father threw me off a two story catwalk, breaking my jaw and leg. I couldn't move and he left me there to DIE." A harsh snap was aimed at the pup's hip with shocking accuracy, despite being blind. "Why do you think I had so many offspring?! Survival of the fittest, Gringo! Most of your siblings are dead because they couldn't hack it... but you. YOU. Oh, man. No one expects anything out of you and yet your life is sooo miserable." Another snap, this one for the pup's shoulder. "Who was there to give ME a chance?! Who was there to make sure I could see my mother?! Who was there to stop Atro from chewing me to shreds!? NO ONE! There is no such thing as second chances, you whelp! Now stop your god damn sniveling and clean up the mess!"

<Whitelupine> Gringo would raise his head slowly as Mavro began to circle him and speak, his large ears followed the larger dog, keeping him in focus. “You’re not him th- AH!” He’d help out as the snap to his hip hit home and would yank himself around to face his dad. Eyes narrowing as the tears flowed. He took in every word that his father said, they would be remembered. When the snap came to his shoulder, the teen tensed his body, a deep growl escaped the teen. “Fuck You.” He snapped his jaws out aiming for his father’s muzzle, Gringo, what the hell are you doing?

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro made no attempt to avoid Gringo's snap- allowing the smaller dog to hit home.. and likely draw some blood. "Very well. That's how you want it..." Another lightening fast flash of his own widened maw and he'd aim to snap his jaws around Gringo's head, right between his ears. Unless prevented somehow, Mavro would aim to literally drag his son with him by his head... toward the nearest tunnel mouth, nostrils flaring to take in and allow the scents of the sewer to guide him.

<Whitelupine> Gringo seemed surprised when he tasted a bit of his dad’s blood, he would let out another ground when his head was grabbed and would try to dig his claws into anything on the ground to keep himself rooted, sadly, all he found was old concrete and blankets, he would try kicking but none of those kicks found home, growls still escaped his throat but he couldn’t do much but dangle and drag along.

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro moved along the tunnels, jaws tightening in a vice-like grip around his son's flesh and muscle- possibly an ear too if Gringo struggled enough. Passing by a series of tunnels, he'd finally turn and wildy huck the smaller pup for a body of sewage water. The water pit was about twenty foot long, ten foot wide and about ten foot deep. The water was low enough that Gringo would be unable to climb out too-- thus trapping him and forcing him to swim to stay above the water.

<Whitelupine> He’d clench his teeth as the pain of the grip finally sunk into him, quite literally. He would memorize, or at least try to, the way he was being carried. He then noticed this would do no good as he was thrown into the water pit, hitting the water roughly. He surfaced and clawed at the walls, working to keep himself above the water. He could swim, but for how long?

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro would slowly move toward the edge and turn his blank-eyed stare downward where he heard Gringo plashing about. "...I'd rather see you die than disrespect me. I'm almost positive I mentioned at the pack meeting that I was done playing games. If this is what I have to continue doing to prove my point, then so be it."

<Whitelupine> Gringo would continue clawing his way around the wall, ears pinned against his head as he swam around the pit. “So be it.” Gringo’s voice echoed back at his father. He’d look up to the alpha but did not whine.

<Gutter-Mutt> "Very well." And he'd simply continue 'watching', ear pressed back. His expression was stoic... and rather unconcerned. "You decide how this plays out."

<Whitelupine> Gringo would continue swimming, trying to find a hold in the wall with his nails only to have them skeet and slip, he would swim to the middle of the pit and look around, trying to find anyway out. The water was cold, and his legs were already beginning to tire. He would shiver and keep swimming, trying to figure out a way out of his current situation.

<Gutter-Mutt> Licking his lips, Mavro would finally rest down at the edge of the water pit and tuck his head over his paws. "You're not proving anything, Gringo. At least nothing other than how stupid you are."

<Whitelupine> "Shut up!" Gringo's shouted, he wanted to get out of this himself, to prove he could do something, sadly though his adreneline had dropped him like a newborn horse and the chill of the water was beginning to slow him even more. "I am NOT stupid!" he would go to the wall again and try in vain once more to climb it, not even getting close to a foot hold.

<Gutter-Mutt> "It's a shame you'd rather die than simply respect your father-- your alpha. Perhaps once I weed out the incompetent whelps, this pack will start to look up."

<Whitelupine> "if I give in it'll just prove you're right... " Gringo was beginning to see that Mavro WAS right, he didn't want to give in, but, he wanted to live a bit more, he pressed his forhead to the cold wall and muttered "I'll submit....."

<Gutter-Mutt> "I am right, Gringo... and I always will be. The sooner you get that through your skull, the easier your life will be. If you want to anywhere in this pack but down, you'll take my advice and the advice of the other high ranked members." His eyes would narrow on nothing as he stood. "How do I know you're being truthful? How do I know once you get out of there, you wont try something? It's an even bigger shame that I can't trust my pack, let alone my own son." Huff.

<Whitelupine> “I am not lying….” His voice cracked, he cursed himself for letting that crack out, for letting his dad know he was crying. “I will do what you say… .. because I am not Finn….” That last part was more of a respond to the last question. “I’ll get better….I promise…..”

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro would snort through his nostrils and snuff around until finally nudging a steel ladder down into the water. "You're assigned territory clean up for the next week. If you try anything? One. Thing... I will kill you. I can be your best friend, but I make an even better enemy. What did you learn tonight, Gringo?"

<Whitelupine> Gringo swam to the ladder and climbed up quickly, he wanted to shake himself of the cold water but didn’t think spraying his dad would be the best thing. He listened to what he was to do “Yessir…” his voice was shaking from the cold, and from defeat. “I .. Learned that if I am to be happy… I need to be obedient, to you, and that I want you as a friend… not enemy…” he wanted to snuggle close to the nearest warm body, sadly the closest warm body would probably not take him. “I..Don’t know if it makes a difference but…. I’m sorry……” he said softly

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro followed the sound of Gringo sloshing along the concrete, brows furrowing some. "Good. And.. yes, it does make a difference. I rarely receive apologies. If you mean it, I'll accept it. You are my son, after all."

<Whitelupine> Gringo would shiver and look to his dad, he would stand up slowly and step closer to him to press his face into his chest “I mean it…” he said his voice cracking once more and he cursed under his breath at the crack.

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro allowed the contact, despite his cold and wet Gringo was. "Let's go back and get you warmed up." And unless prevented, he'd follow his scent markers back to the sleeping area.

<Whitelupine> Gringo was happy the contact was allowed. “Yessir…” he said softly and would follow beside him. “I..I’ve been memorizing the tunnels a bit…..it’s… ..like a … …maze? I think the word is…”

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro nodded slowly. "...very accurate, yes. You could get lost and die easily... so be careful." Pausing short of the control room, he'd huff and nudge Gringo for the stairs before he too made his way up, slowly so he didn't fall. Once inside, the couch was found and he'd rest down and exhale. "...there's a blanket that belonged to your grandmother under the table over there. Warm up."

<Whitelupine> Gringo would nod, then realized his dad couldn’t see the nod “I will dad… I don’t get out of scent range.” He began to head for the sleeping area but the nudge surprised him. He’d turn and walk up the stairs, he would check back to make sure his dad made it up the steps, sure he’d been mad at him, but they were still family. Gringo would look to the blanket and walk over, sniffing at it before laying down and wrapping himself in the blanket. “…Dad?...”

<Gutter-Mutt> The old Capo had one thing Atro lacked- a family bond. Despite how mean he could be, he always had the urge to make his pups feel better afterwards. Even Finn. He'd glance over blindly and arch a single brow point. "Hn?"

<Whitelupine> Gringo would stare off into space, his ears going forward a bit. “I’ve heard others speak…. About your dad…. you’ve out shown him… in my opinion…” he said, his voice beginning to trail off slightly. “I.. promise I’ll……..make you- “ he would yawn loudly laying his head down and closing his eyes “proud….” He was at slumber’s door, despite all that had just happened. Gringo sleepy.

<Gutter-Mutt> Mavro would stare off in Gringo's direction, single ear rested back at his words. Hn. "...thank you." His own voice was gravely, tired.. but appreciative regardless.

<Whitelupine> Despite all that had happened, the teen fell asleep with a smile on his face. He’d learn from this night. He’d remember it all.