welcome to your new hell, Welcome to the Menagerie. Or as we like to call it, Dome Sweet Dome! We are an eight-year strong futuristic shapeshifter and sci-fi creature roleplay, dedicated to bringing you a world unlike any other; a world in which your character has become an experiment and must fight for survival in a domed city, cut off from the rest of the world. Choose to be any animal in your fight for survival in an artificial world built by the Keepers as they subject you to experiments beyond your control. Choose to wander the world inside the walls alone, as a Rogue, or find safety in numbers in one of the groups known as Rings. How will you survive?
60 - 65 ºF
blustery with scattered showers spotty sunshine
YEAR 2309
shift bans.
» Cougars (aka Puma, Mountain Lion, Panther)
» All Tiger Species
» All Lion Species
» All Wolf Species
» African Leopards
group bans.
none.
encouraged !
FEMALE CHARACTERS! create a RETRO or ANTHRO and get 250 CP + a free skill! read me for more info!
last updated: april 19th, 2016
Click on each Ring or Retro group image to view their ranks!
GROUP UPDATES
CARNARING
Jocelyn Edelwolfe is the new Alpha! Seija Mulviene is the new Beta, and Grey is the new Delta. Lead Hunter is now Boone Haywood, Head of Border Patrol is now Noelle Ndango!
FALLENRING
-
FULSIRING
Fulsi has a standing treaty with the Nakoma, granting limited access to their fresh water.
NAKOMA TRIBE
-
ANALOYA PRIDE
a while back, the Analoya suffered a suspicious poisoning of their river, luckily with few casualties; the Bellator are suspected of having taken part in it, and there are whispers that Pride leader Wanderer is talking alliance with the Nilda for access to their clean water.
BELLATOR HERD
As new leader of the Bellator, Loril has instituted some rank changes. See this thread for more information!
LAWAII FLOCK
no updates!
NILDA PACK
no updates!
CARNARING QUICK STATS
ALPHA -- Jocelyn Edelwolfe, Clouded Leopard, played by IronChild
BETA -- Seija Mulviene, Spotted Hyena, played by Seija-chan
DELTA --Grey, Mackenzie Valley Wolf, played by Kriss
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It’s unacceptable to lack even the basic ability to defend yourself, the harsh and condescending words railed against her temper a third time as Sorcha padded down the street toward the mall. It had been decided that several of the greener recruits were lacking skill sets, and despite the fact that Sorcha had not only survived for over a year, but had managed better than some who had been in the Menagerie for a competitively longer period of time, she had failed to convince them of her exception and impressed upon her that, 'the importance of learning elementary combat defenses was necessary and immutable.'
Well, the red-neck bag of fleas said something more like, 'Damn, you at least need to know how to block er somethin er you'll get yer brains knocked out. Combat's importnt.' Her mind added a over-dramatic southern twang and she sniffed distastefully. Miscreant.
Head out to the mall, and I’ll send Jace out thar to meet you and get you going, the hunter had said with a smirk. Sorcha had never officially met Jace, but she had seen him in passing and knew who he was. She was not thrilled.
She did have to admit; with her back against the wall it would be helpful to learn some tips. Then again, she was a smooth shifter, and unlike many, had embraced her form so seamlessly that it took less than a thought for her to complete a change. For some, it was painful, and for others it was uncomfortable and took a while. As a result, Sorcha had managed to keep out of trouble through stealth, preparation, and weariness.
In her ebon, feline form Sorcha held an advantage of otherness that cats seemed to possess. A sixth sense of knowing things, and sensing changes without the need of menial ques. As a result, Sorcha was often a little black cat slipping noiselessly from one dark spot to another across the Menagerie. As a human, she always tried to be careful – but knew she lacked the experience, grace, and deftness as a girl that her feline side welded as naturally and effortlessly as a horse’s stride.
The sun was high, the shadows stingy with their protection and it was not long before Sorcha simply gave up and shifted into a dark haired girl, rightened her back on her shoulder and walked into the mall. As the cool stale air hit her face, she instantly knew two things. One: She was not alone, and two … she had no idea where the hell the other person was.
She froze completely, not even daring to breathe, hoping the stranger would slip up in some way that would alert her to their position. This, this is why you were sent here you dolt, because you have no ability to guard yourself as a human and only a slight better chance as a bag of fur with a mean hiss and sharp nails.
Still no response. Which, Jace reflected ruefully, was one of the reasons Charm gave him particular orders herself, instead of leaving it to one of her underlings. She knew better than to argue with him.
On her own time, she sat back from examining the notes on her desk to regard him over crossed arms. “She is very structured. You’re... not. It’ll be good for you to teach someone who thinks that way, and it’ll be good for her to learn from you.” She paused and, when he didn’t drop his challenging stare, sighed. “You only get so many ‘I do what I want’ passes, Jace. Are you really sure you want to use one on this?”
Which is how he ended up leaning against a crumbling wall inside the shadowy Mall, arms folded over his chest. It was on the uncomfortable side of cool, but it was better than outside in the winter wind. The sheer air mass inside the sprawling building meant that it was always more temperate than the weather outside. And the open space was good for practice.
The girl showed up not long after he did, freezing as she stepped into the darkness, the door clanging shut behind her. Jace waited, but although she remained tense, she couldn’t appear to pinpoint him. After a slight pause, he spoke. “I’d say we should work on that, but apparently our focus is elsewhere today. C’mon.”
He led the way farther into the Mall, to where the second floor became a balcony running around what was once the food court, light filtering in from old skylights in the vaulted ceiling. The floor had been cleared, and Jace stopped and turned to face his trainee in the middle of the open space, tucking his hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels. His gaze flicked over her once, assessing. “Did anyone ever talk to you about women’s self defense? What to do if some creep bothers you on the street?”
She wasn’t particularly tiny, by women’s standards, but she certainly wasn’t an Amazon. That was typical, though, and something that could be worked around easily enough. Jace continued, “You won’t be able to overpower most men. If you’re up against another woman, it’ll depend. But in general, it’s best to hit them where it hurts and run away. One of the classics is SING.”
He circled behind her, blatantly ignoring her personal space as he wrapped his left arm around her waist. "Stomach, Instep, Nose, Groin." As he spoke, he indicated the motions. With his right hand, he drew her elbow to his abs, then tapped his foot against her heel and his jaw against her head, before folding her hand into a fist and bringing it down to hit lightly against his thigh. He released her, stepping back a pace.
"I'm too tall for you to actually break my nose, but it's a sound theory, and you could still do damage. When you swing back for the groin, you have to kick your hip out of the way to actually hit what you're aiming at. Get the idea?"
After lurking in the shadows for what Sorcha considered longer than necessary, a tall blonde man appeared. Her nose picked up his obvious Fulsi scent and she relaxed as he spoke and turned to lead her farther into the mall. Obviously, he couldn’t care less who she was or why and seemed as thrilled to be there as she herself was.
When he asked her about women’s defense, her arms crossed and her eyebrow rose. No one had ever taught her about it, but she had read about it. Before she answered he continued about strategy, stating the obvious about her inability to overpower a male.
Her head rose when he stepped behind her, and Sorcha fixed her gaze ahead – allowing her other senses to focus on his location rather than trying to turn her head to see him. When his arm went around her panic trickled through her in reaction, and she almost shifted. Instead she focused on the lesson so hopefully he would not feel the need to repeat the intrusion.
When he stepped back, her face remained impassive if not a bit irritated but she managed to keep her mouth shut. He seemed on a mission to teach her and ditch her, and she couldn’t blame him. Get the idea?
”Concepts have rarely been a challenge for me; however, I seriously doubt that if I were attacked I would remember any of it without practice. Reaction has to be trained into the body with consistency and drill. When I feel threatened I tend to shift first and ask questions later.” On one hand, Sorcha would be more than happy to end this delightful session. On the other, she’d be sent straight back to another one if she hadn’t learned anything and to Sorcha – she still hadn’t learned anything.
Hand to hand was not something she had ever been taught. Raised in a white collar society, no one would have anticipated her need to know self-defense, as a gentleman would never have dreamed of displaying the audacity. Regardless, Sorcha was not an idiot and knew that every woman should at least know the basics.
She certainly wished she had known them back in Salem, especially after – ”I personally think it would be helpful to learn how to break holds as well.”
He frowned mildly at the girl. “Patience, grasshopper. I’m getting there. I just wanted you to get an idea about the type of thing we’re working on.” It seemed like he was in for an afternoon of letting her use him as a practice target, if she was so adamant on repetition. His own learning had come from raw experience, and he, in contrast, tended to throw a punch and ask questions later. He had to resist the impulse to simply tackle the girl until she figured it out. That worked for some, but in this case it would be a futile exercise - Jace doubted he could provoke her into actually fighting. No doubt she would screech at him about being unprofessional and ‘what do you think you’re doing.’ So he suppressed a sigh and tried to channel what professionalism he possessed.
“If you want to start with holds, we can do that. A basic one -” He took her wrist in his right hand, keeping his grip loose, and used his other hand to guide her’s, showing her how to break free. “A small circle with your hand over the other person’s wrist, always toward the thumb. It’s tempting to make a big movement - don’t, keep it small. Again.” Using a firmer grip, he let her repeat it a few times, then switched hands, so she had to twist the other way. “That one’s easy enough to practice on your own, you just need to ask someone to grab you. While we’re here....”
Since he was already facing her, Jace took the opportunity to settle his hands around her throat, as if to choke her. “Don’t try to grab my wrists. Bring your arms in, then up and out, like you’re making a Y. Then jab for the throat or the eyes and run away. Okay, again, and quickly. But please don’t actually hit me in the throat.” He let her try it a few times, but again, it was something she could practice herself with a little assistance, so he didn’t linger.
“It’s different if someone uses their arm, though.” Stepping around to stand behind her, he looped his right arm around her throat in mimic of a choke hold. “Left elbow to my solar plexus, and you’re gonna duck your head and turn toward me. Right hand on the point of my elbow, and as you twist you’re gonna push free of my arm. Like so.” While repeating the hold so she could continue to get the feel of it, he mulled over other options.
Some of what he’d explained had been picked up as child, overhearing people instruct his adopted sisters and cousins. Most of it was trying to put words to instinct, explaining what he would do if someone attacked him in such a manner. That wouldn’t work for everything, though, because many of his solutions wouldn’t work for her. Boring as it was, he should probably stick to basics for the day, and then find someone who actually knew what they were doing. Telling the girl to practice her right hook wasn’t practical.
“So now, when I do this -” He wrapped both arms around her shoulders, as if to pin her upper arms and use his greater height to haul her away.
Sorcha listened with polite attention, doing as she was asked without a word. He was a decent instructor, catching on to when he should go over something again or when she had already grasped the concept and he could move on. Time passed as she went through several of the movements, until …
He grabbed her. Without thought Sorcha panicked, changing shape in the blink of an eye and scrambled from his hold with a disgruntled hiss and growl. She had utterly disappeared into the shadows, and she watched him as the tip of her tail ticked back and forth.
The girl was indignant. Mostly on the part that such a small thing had panicked her, but cats (especially Sorcha) did not show embarrassment and after a moment of collection she melted out of a shadow and back into the dim light. She meowed and stared at him, the tip of her tail still twitching.
She was a simple black housecat – though small even for being domestic. Her fur was short, her tail quite long, and her eyes were startling blue gaze in the darkness. The feline’s look was expectant, though what for was hard to decipher.
