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Post by Tay on Oct 19, 2009 20:06:03 GMT -5
[glow=teal,2,300] Zena[/glow] Zena had nodded to Larka, telling her they would not be gone long. She now hobbled along, feeling silly on her now red-brown foot. I don't look too ridiculous do I Carrick? She asked, feeling happy to be off with her friend again. Though she was trying to put herself more in the clan, as it stood Carrick was still the only wolf inside the Ravilin she considered a true friend. The stream sat not too far from the gathering, which Zena was very thankful for. She looked over at the older male beside her, happy too he accompanied her. I do want to try and be more involved in the clan, but I'm not used to being around so many wolves. You're the only real company I'm used to. She said, having been thinking about it. The smell of the cool water slowly growing closer made Zena feel relieved. She kept an ear faced toward Carrick for anything he might say.
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 20, 2009 16:38:18 GMT -5
He stuck his nose down and lapped at the water with his tongue, enjoying the cool sensation. In the winter the little stream would become frozen over with ice again, breaking only with a hard thump of one's paws or spring's warm embrace. Thinking of winter made the brute pause, and he shifted slightly so that he was facing the north, looking as though past the mountains and the distant frozen plains, all the way to the island of the north where he had been born.
Did I ever tell you some of my history, Zena? I can't remember, and these last few seasons seem to mesh together more and more. He didn't look at her when he asked, and he pondered over her question, too. She was probably the only wolf he could image himself telling of his history. |
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Post by Tay on Oct 20, 2009 22:20:55 GMT -5
[glow=teal,2,300] Zena[/glow] Zena followed Carrick's lead and felt her fur bristle up at the water's touch. As she watched the water's flow slowly rinse her paw, she sighed in relief. Ha, the cold is making it numb. How wonderful. The pain began to lessen, though she knew letting it numb too much would be bad. She carefully moved to the side of the stream, laying down just out of reach of the cold water's grasp. All the while, though, one ear remained on Carrick. His answer, that she looked strange made her chuckle. She silently thanked the forest that her wound was not greater after he too spoke the words. As she lay there, she licked the water and the last bit of stain from her paw. She gave a mental nod of approval as her crème coat shown through finally. Hearing Carrick's words, after the pause in conversation made her raise her golden orbs to his. Thoughts rose easily to her mind, a memory that she enjoyed recalling. When you and I traveled to the beach together... She paused, thinking of the time. Running through the sand had been so relaxing and fun. It made her smile, remembering their race to the white log. I know you are from the North. Her golden orbs came back to the present and met his. Like me. Perhaps that is why our friendship has continued to grow, despite the state of the Ravilin. She thought, a wry smile crossing her muzzle. I remember that, though if you told me yourself I'm not sure. Maybe it was not at the beach that I learned that. Her orbs returned to staring into the distance, consumed with thought. I do know...you said you regretted some decisions at the beach. Her ears flicked back, and her orbs grew concerned even from the memory. You didn't say just what, though. She glanced up to him, and felt her skin burn. I know bits and pieces, though I probably should've just answered 'No'. She felt embarrassed for having remembered so much about her friend's words. In truth, though, the memory of the beach was something she often dwelled on. It was the happiest time she'd had so far. Mostly, she'd been alone in the forest. That day had been a rare occasion. I would love to hear of your history, Carrick. She answered finally, smiling in embarrassment.
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 20, 2009 22:29:32 GMT -5
The large wolf shook his paws and padded to stand beside Zena's reclining form. He lowered his haunches to the ground, and his muzzle still pointed north. Yes, I was born in the north, and I've made some horrible decisions in my long life. I just hope I live long enough to undo some of the things I've done, and some of the pain I've caused. He knew how much Larka suffered, and Carrick knew much of her pain stemmed from him, and what he wouldn't do - didn't do.
I'll tell you if you want to hear it, but it may take a while to tell the entire story. He glanced at her, reading the expressions he found there. What island are you from? Metahentek, or another more distant? If she knew the strange customs of the island directly north of Moon, then he wouldn't bother repeating what they both already knew... but if she didn't, he did not mind telling her of his strange home. |
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Post by Tay on Oct 21, 2009 17:44:57 GMT -5
[glow=teal,2,300] Zena[/glow] Zena considered this question too. What had her home Island been called. With the flattening of ears, she frowned. I know it was not the name you speak. It was different. I do not remember it now though. She looked to him, knowing one of their customs would stand out. The wolves on my island, my birth clan, had an odd belief. They were a clan full of pure white wolves. If loners came to us seeking to join, only white wolves would gain entrance. Dark wolves would be driven away or if they did not leave fast enough, killed. She paused, shaking her head. I was teased and scolded for having an impure coat. It was darker then my brethren. Those with dark coats were said to be cursed. She looked to him, her eyes full of irritation. If you've heard of an Island with that custom, then that was my home. Have you ever heard of a more stupid belief? She bared her daggers in disgust. Was Metahentak your home?
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 21, 2009 21:05:13 GMT -5
He then said, No, that was not a ritual I knew of on Metahentek. His laughter faded, and the glint in his eyes dimmed as he remembered what had driven him to move south. No, there are things just as crazy there, though. Carrick grew silent, listening to the distant birds chirruping and the leaves rustling as they fell from the trees.
On the northern island, things are different, he said finally. The customs are strange, and there's a whole history to why they are as they are. Wolf packs don't own a territory and stay in it like southern wolves. There is a large mountain up there, the biggest on the island, which is near the center. There are several territories around it, and the wolves - after a certain time, dictated by the high one - leave the territory of their birth and move into another pack's lands. It takes years to run the trails of your youth again.
He glanced at Zena, wondering what she thought of the custom. |
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Post by Tay on Oct 21, 2009 22:15:27 GMT -5
[glow=teal,2,300] Zena[/glow] Zena looked to Carrick, her orbs golden joy dimming for a second. Yes, She murmured, more to herself then him. It did not make me feel very valued. She gave a soft sigh, before looking back up into his brown orbs. The look in his orbs made her pause. If what he thought of her coat was visible in his orbs, however, Zena missed it. He had a happy glow behind his orbs, and Zena wondered if she'd ever truly looked closely at Carrick. She took in his form as he talked about his home land. For their difference in age, Zena found Carrick still quite the handsome wolf. She blushed under her fur at the thought, a sneaky smile sparkling behind her orbs. Hearing Carrick's homelands custom, she cocked her head, considering it. I like it much better then ours, that is for certain. Did you leave your family, or did they travel with you? It sounds like it might be fun, albeit stressful. She studied his face, looking for the truth about the custom. What was it like, Carrick?
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 22, 2009 19:54:11 GMT -5
We - the clans - would all meet in the dead of winter, prime mating season, to trade news and find new members for our clans from the other clans... young wolves who sought new homes and mates of their own. Carrick paused, considering how to best tell the tale. It was there I met her, Lanessa, and her brother Sarvesh. I can't even remember now how old I was, but the seasons still seemed young and full of life. Not like now.
Carrick's features dulled and as he gazed into the distance, it was like he was there again, running at the side of two ebony wolves. The winter snows swirled around them as they ran, dashing between assemblies of wolves gathered to tell stories from long before and share news. Such things were for the elders, for they were young, and finally it was time. Sarvesh was slow, slower than Lanessa and himself, and soon they had left him behind. They ran into the spectacular landscape, filled with snowflakes and trees glazed with ice. The moonshine sang down upon their backs, and as the crossed the river their flanks brushed together, and their eyes shone with the fury and light of youth and exuberant savagery.
The brute blinked, shook his head. The land around him was bright with the autumn colors, not washed alight in the wintery night of the past. He almost wanted to cry. It was then the brute heard, in the distance, his alpha's sorrowful call. His own heart reached out, but he sat in silence, simply gazing in the direction that he and Zena had come from. He, too, knew the feeling. And here he was, part of her own.
Carrick looked back at Zena again, sadness brimming in his demeanor. Needless to say, as two young wolves full of life that we were, we mated, even though we were from different clans. Generally I would have moved into her pack, and the cubs would have been raised there. I knew if I left my clan, they wouldn't take me back. My father was that way about things... He always said there was never a way to go back. Oh how I wish there were sometimes. We went to her family when the gathering ended, but... they were, understandably now that see in retrospect, most upset that we had mated without asking the alphas' permission.
They chased us out of the territory. I went to my father, even though I knew what his response would be. He turned us away, and there we were... two young wolves, expecting cubs, without a clan or family to help support us and them. In the north, it is all about family. No wolf expecting cubs is left alone without three or four others nearby crooning over her. So Sarvesh joined us, and we made our way through the winter and into the spring, but we were not nearly as successful as we might have been with more help. There was little food, and Lanessa was much too underweight for her condition. I was lost, and I didn't know what to do.
Carrick's ears suddenly pricked again, and he stood. A loner's call had reached his ears, and he heard Larka respond. She's invited a stranger into pack lands? She was injured, and in spite of himself he was worried. He hated leaving off in the middle of his story... but perhaps it was better. Too much sadness was there... and he found he felt - safe? - with Zena, in this forest that he never had to leave. Do we go back to her? he questioned. |
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Post by Tay on Oct 24, 2009 18:26:49 GMT -5
[glow=teal,2,300] Zena[/glow] Zena listened to the story her friend told, enthralled. She had known Carrick for so long, yet she had never once heard his past. As the story went on, his sadness soon was reflected by sadness in her eyes. She also felt a twinge of some other emotion deep inside her chest. She pondered over it as she listened, and she only came up with one emotion. Jealousy? Jealous of what? Carrick's mate? Why...? She watched the older male, for now he was lost in thought, she assumed about the past and his Lanessa. The twinge was there again, and Zena was astonished. She decided to ignore the feeling, and continue listening to the story. Why would she be jealous of Carrick's old mate? He was her friend. She listened to the tale, feeling more and more sadness for her pack mate, and for the cubs. She even found herself feeling sorry for the fem. Having pups and knowing she wouldn't be able to deliver them into a good situation. The story was interrupted by the cry of a loner. Zena's head turned toward it, and she attempted to catch a scent. From the call she knew that he was male, but no scent was available. She turned her head to Carrick, ready to tell him to continue. Then, Larka answered. Did the cow land on her skull as well? Zena thought. Inviting a lone male to you when you cannot move and are alone... Her orbs spoke of her disapproval as she shook her head. Zena looked up to Carrick, and saw he seemed to be thinking something similar. She rose to her feet, sighing. As much as I regret not getting to hear the rest of your story, I believe it would be best. Promise me you'll finish it? She touched her nose to his cheek, her golden orbs looking into his brown for the promise she knew he'd give.
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Post by Kaziph on Oct 25, 2009 20:52:40 GMT -5
Carrick glanced back toward Larka again once more, worry evident in his shifting stance. He looked to Zena when she spoke, though, and warmness flooded through him again. Of course, I promise I will. He turned, in doing so flicking her shoulder with his tail, and sprinted back into the trees toward the clearing where they had left Larka and the newly accepted cubs. Insanity, he thought as he ran, and suddenly he had less sympathy for his leader. Half of her problems were her own doing.
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