A Newcomer

[Jenni]

A mist fell over the top of the small lake. The trees were dead still, and the birds were silent. Change was in the air.

Out of the trees to the north came a large male wolf. His eyes scanned the landscape in front of him. After he was sure there was no one else, he tentitavely walked towards the lake. He lowered his head and drank the cool water slowly. His eyes followed the ripples on the water's surface until he saw it. The reflection of another wolf.

[Kaziph]

Nuri had wandered alone for many moons, keeping to himself - which, considering how few other loners there were on the island, wasn't hard to do. He had not intentionally avoided some of the others; he would have genuinely been glad to have seen Thaddeus or Maelskar. Yet neither had crossed paths with him, and so the white wolf continued to travel alone.

His body had grown thinner since the last time he had seen others, and although he knew he must look like nothing but fur and bones, especially in the winter, he was still in decent health. He was, however, far too unweight. The brute entered the land of the lake, previously a marsh, without a second thought of its heritage. The Yorian had been peaceful in his time alive, and never had he feared the creatures that lived in the depths of the lake. He had only seen one of the monsters once, at dusk, as the deer had arrived to drink.

The sight of another wolf, a youngster, caught his attention from a distance. He must have been upwind, for he certainly hadn't scented the other. Curious, the pale brute's ears pricked forward, and he moved to close the distance between them. Greetings, he called out. I don't know you, are you new to this island? He prided himself part on his knowledge of the histories, but also part on his ability to recognize others. This gap in his knowledge was a pinprick in his slight bubble of awareness.

[Zanna]

Although Amaya was rather young, there was one fact she was positively sure of: Being a loner was even less pleasurable than swimming in saltwater, which was very displeasurable indeed. Even more unpleasant yet was being banished by her former pack and forced to swim from her former island home. Dragging her tired body ashore had been horendous to a lesser degree, as was hauling her dirty frame across the land, searching for the scent of fresh water with which to clean herself. Needless to say, it had been an all together terrible moon for the salt-kinked femme.

Things had started to look up, however, as the ever changing winds of this bizzare new island brought the scent of a lake to her burning nostrils. Her heart nearly skipped a beat as it found a small ounce of energy with which to power her ebony pillars. She raced against the wind itself, not caring how sore her joins were. She would be clean, soon! Oh, her glorious moon-colored pelt could shine once more! And she could drink! Oh, why, she'd drink until it filled her up to her ears and she'd...

... Stop short as she stumbled into the veiw of two unfamilar males and consider turning back.

[Jenni]

Kaskae cocked his head, unsure. Although the older wolf was larger, he felt an unexplainable air of respect and trust with him. Yes, I am Kaskae, he answered. He considered the consise reply, and decided to tell him more, certain he could confide in the elder. I swam in a while ago. I wasn't banished from my island, but simply ready for change.

The truth was, he had come to this island looking for a mate, but the other wolf didn't need to know that.

A scent entered his nose. A femme. He turned his head, looking to the sea. Although the fog was dense, he could just make her out.

[Kaziph]

Nuri nodded to the brute, understanding. Many wolves had come to the island running from a bad past, but sometimes they did come just to make a good future - or try to. Welcome, then, Kaskae. At that moment a figure suddenly appeared in the distance and apparently skidded to a halt. The brute lifted his nose, inhaling deeply to try to place the scent of the newer wolf. It was a female, younger than himself, probably closer to the other male's age.

His voice called out to her, too. You have no need to run; we've no intention of harming anyone. He glanced at Kaskae; his own intentions were purely innocent, and he believed the younger wolf's to be as well. Nuri hadn't felt threatened by his tone or his answers. I am Nuri, by the by, he said quietly to Kaskae. His dark brown eyes regarded the other curiously, patiently.

[Amanda]

Kira had taken it upon herself to help revitalize the Ravilin forest. As she entered the territory that held the lake of Yorian, she figured this was the best place to start. What would draw more wolves better than the scent of fresh water?

Swiftly she made her way to the water's edge, her snowy pelt lay thick along her frame, guarding her from the autumn's cold fingers. As she trotted along the edge of the lake she scented other wolves. a female and two males...ones of the males...

A startled yip errupted from her muzzle as her instincts screamed at her that the pale wolf was her father, though she had never met him.

Walking as calmly as she could, she spoke in a small voice, suddenly overwhelmed.

My name is Kira, firstborn daughter of the Ravilin Alpha Larka. I have come seeking loners to join my clan...

She could not continue her speech as her orbs moved from the handsome younger wolf, to the similarly coated female...to what could only be...her father.

[Kaziph]

Nuri's head sharply turned when he caught yet another scent on the breeze. One he recognized. He thought for a moment it was Larka, his one-time mate, but the scent was... off. It was more akin to Thaddeus and Maelskar, his two sons. He realized a moment later, when the pretty white wolf shyly approached the trio, that it could only be one of his daughters.

Kira. He remembered that name, for Thad had told him of his brothers and sisters - Nuri's children - seasons before when the younger male had left the forest to find him. It was strange seeing her like this, though, and the older brute suddenly felt ashamed for the condition he was currently in. He was far too thin, and most definitely his coat no longer held the handsome shine of health it once had when he had courted this new female's mother.

His voice, when he could find it, was rougher than it had been when addressing the other two wolves. You are bold, young Kira, to come looking here, so bluntly, for new wolves to populate the old forest. He remembered the forest from many seasons before... he too had been born there, when another alpha reigned under the boughs. Nasir had then taken power, his sister and Kira's aunt, and later given the duty to Larka to protect the forest, until she returned. That was another story, though.

For now, the loner stood silently, gazing at his ivory daughter. His orbs reflected many emotions, for he saw something similar taking place in her eyes. You know me. Unlike his son Thaddeus, even after being a loner for so very many seasons, the depths of his chocolate brown pools were kind and curious, potentially loving, and most certainly proud of how beautiful his offspring had become.

[Amanda]

Kira's limbs trembled as she closed the distance between them, touching her father under his chin with the point of her muzzle, as if to check if he were really there, or if he was a figment of her imagination. Reclining upon her haunches, her body language said plainly that the loners could speak, for it was she who had interrupted them.

Father? Nuri? I...The forest is saddned...mother is hurt, I thought that if we brought new life into the forest it would cheer her up... Her pretty cerulean colored orbs held many emotions as she said defensively, almost plaintively I only wanted to help...

Wrapping her thick plume around her haunches she flicked her gaze to the male and female, but she would wait for them to introduce themselves before directly addressing them.

[Jenni]

Kaskae took in this strange assembly. Surely four wolves standing around a lake had to look odd to anyone coming near.

He sized up the newcomer. Needless to say she was pretty, but no, Kaskae had to focus on getting settled on the island before picking his mate. He decided to speak up, and break the awkward silence that hung, dead, in the air.

Hello, Kira, I am Kaskae, he said with pride. Imediately after saying this, Kaskae wanted to retract his words. He stumbled as he backed up, attempting to get away from the scene that would follow. He fell and laid clumsily on the ground. He quickly fixed himself so he was lying normally. I... meant to do that. All hope of impressing anyone on the island flooded out of him.

[Zanna]

They know I'm here... she whispered softly to herself. Her heart caught in her throat. What was she to do? Yes, the male sounded gentle enough, but what of the young brute to whom he spoke? Or this new femme? Would the male who spoke to her defend her if they attacked? Would he care? She was unsure of the ways and customs of these wolves, as she knew it varied slightly from island to island. She had often spoken to an elder, as a pup, who claimed to come from a place where looking another in the eyes was a challenge? She hoped it was not this place he spoke of... In her former home, it was mandatory to look the Alpha in the eyes, in order to be admitted into a pack, so he or she could read your intentions. It was surely the same here, was it not? What of taking in another pack's outcast? It had been forbidden in her former home. The degree to which those of her culture hate loners was what had driven her from her island.

No matter what the customs were, she didn't doubt that wolves everywhere hated to be kept waiting. Clearing her throat, she started toward them through the heavy mist. I-I-I'm.... she stammered out, suddenly intimidated by the size of these wolves. It was not much different from her own, but they had looked so much smaller from a distance, and less frighting... Ama-amya-am-Amayaya... she stammered on, trying to get a grip on herself. She slowly lowered herself to her belly, finally giving up on her name for the time being. He orbs were wide and bright with fear, and she could feel the scent seeping from her very being. Calm down... Weaklings are more likely to be attacked... Don't be affraid... she told herself, suppressing a whimper.

[Kaziph]

Nuri almost pulled back from Kira's touch, but he held himself still at the last moment. For a loner to accept another's touch, one he had not met before, was a great sign of trust. The wolves that traveled alone often didn't display that much acceptance of others so willingly. He smiled encouragingly toward his daughter, though, and pushed his muzzle against her forehead. The forest isn't sad, the trees have seen too much to be. They know that all things change with time, and if now there is sorrow, someday there will be joy again.

He glanced then at Kaskae and the stuttering female, Amaya. Amusement shone in his features, for he realized that they were both rather timid and unsure of the situation. Kira was a pack wolf, and so she knew better how to socialize with others. He was old and seen many wolves in his time, and he too knew the fine details of politics. They, however, both seemed very young at the moment.

I am Nuri, he said again, this time louder, and I won't hurt you, or allow them to hurt you. This last bit he rumbled in Amaya's direction. Come closer, and tell me of yourselves without this silly stuttering and embarrassment. He might have sounded harsh but for the light tone in his voice, which was kind. He felt for younger male's pride, and he too lowered his haunches to the ground to help to make Kaskae's stumble look more natural.

[Amanda]

Kira thumped the ground with her plume as Nuri's words filled her heart with hope. turning her pretty cerulean orbs in Kaskae's direction she smiled said in a casual tone.

Kaskae? What an interesting name you have. Dont you worry, I trip often enough.

She flashed him a wolfish grin before turning to the other female, whose name appeared to be Amaya.
Amaya? I wish my name was that lovely...

She silenced herself then, remembering that these were not pack wolves, and that perhaps all her chatter would overwhelm them.

I come merely seeking friends...

But in truth she had found much more. She had found her father. Her heart also wanted to find a mate, someone who would always be at her side, not like the brutes who had abandonded her mother. She would not make the same descisions.

[Jenni]

Kaskae was overcome with relief at the understanding of these more seasoned wolves. Maybe all was not lost. His muscles relaxed, and his gaze softened.

Thank you, he uttered to Kira, with just a hint of insecurity in his voice. I believe it means chief in native Alaskan, at least from what my mother told me.

He then turned to Amaya, waiting for her response to Kira.

[Amanda]

Kira tilted her crania slightly as the unfamiliar name rolled off of his tongue.

Alaska? It sounds exotic. Is that where you are from?

Kira was a native of the island, having been born there several years ago. She had never ventured from it's protective shores, nor did she plan to.

Settling her elegant frame in a more comfortable position, Kira was quite content to learn about her father and the two loners whom she had hoped would join her pack. Loners seemed more interesting than her own life, which was full of worrying and saddness because of her mother and the state of the pack in the Ravilin Forest.

[Zanna]

Upon hearing the elder male's words, Amaya's muscles relaxed slightly. She crawled all the way forward, until she seemed just as much a part of the group as the rest. She had no reason to, but she trusted Nuri's words. Perhaps of was sheer exhaustion, or something in his eyes, but she felt that what he said was true, and felt safer than she had in a long while. Ha the elder male asked her name? She thought he had... I'm Amaya... she finaly managed to say, her voice soft. After letting her name hang in the air for a moment, it occured to her that perhaps she ought to offer some explaination for her "silly stuttering and embarassment." I'm not from around here, she muttered, although they may have already smeled it on her coat. It seemed like an imporatant thing to share, as the scent of the sea may have washed away the scents of her former life. She wouldn't miss them.

She glanced up, meeting Nuri's gaze directly. Thank you her orbs whispered, a trace of a smile visible. Although it was a struggle to keep her eyes open, she managed to look into his without wavering. His eyes said that he had a kind soul, the kind that had been around for a while and seen many things. She wondered what he saw in hers...