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Post by Tahoma on Jan 24, 2010 1:47:09 GMT -5
The crisp midwinter air sent tendrils of a breeze through the dark grey storm cloud fur of the wolf who walked silently through the mountain's foothills. Kaji lowered his head to the biting feathers of air and pressed onward, aimlessly.
A dull ache from his stomach reminded him of his hunger--renewing his motivation to find food and then shelter. Survival. He was driven by survival as many of his fellow species were, but not much else.
Kaji was a mystery. A wanderer, a gypsy in his own right who's destination was only defined by the road where his aimless wanderings led him. Today they led him along the line of the Kameskai pack territory, hoping to find a cache; an old kill; or as a last resort, live prey. His carefully distributed weight made him light on his feet and he kept alert to any other wolves in the area, anxious with the scent of a pack nearby.
[shadow=660000,right,5000] ...There's a kind of hunger that can eat you up...
[/shadow]
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Post by Kaziph on Jan 24, 2010 13:37:34 GMT -5
Beryl tore away from the clan, her thin frame making quick progress across the open terrain of the mountain clan. She bounded through the lower meadows, not choosing a specific path but running to escape the fury on the ridge-top where she-wolves fought for the position of alpha female. Her paws flew beneath her in steady rhythm, running, matching her heart beat and keeping her focus off memories of her mother tearing into Luma's neck.
I love her, but I could never do that. She closed her eyes, then blinked them back open. The startling emerald color seemed to glow, alive with a life of their own. A trait she inherited from Epitaph. She slowed her pace; she had come far enough enough not to scent them anymore, not to hear the snarls. She lifted her nose, exhaling sadly. When she breathed back in, the wind told her of the presence of another, a clanless one.
Her head turned curiously, for though the look about her was still troubled, she knew that some wolf should attend to the matter. Since everyone else was involved in the fight, it was her duty to fulfill. She closed the distance between herself and the stranger with loping strides, slowing again only when he came into sight a good fifty meters off. She stopped then, ears pricked forward, and watched him. He wasn't technically on pack land, but he was close to her father's markers. She wouldn't attack or warn him off unless he crossed the lines. |
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Post by Tahoma on Jan 24, 2010 15:47:09 GMT -5
Large paws carried Kaji across the uneven terrain, making soft impressions in the mountain loam and displacing pebbles along the way. While his saffron eyes focused heavily on the trail before him his mind weighed more heavily with the many thoughts running through it, distracting him from the hunt.
While replaying the scenario of the day he left his mother's pack a branch crackled to his left and his body tensed. A squirrel. That's all. Not worth the chase and certainly the angry chittering that would ensue. Kaji grinned to himself over the antics of squirrels and at the same time did not hear the approach of the she wolf far to his right, along the other side of the pack scent boundary.
As he was upwind he did not catch her scent so when she made her appearance it startled him, snapping him out of his thoughtful reverie. His body tensed again and he moved his hind end away from where she stood, facing her with his head low and his ears alert. Fire burned in his saffron eyes, curiously, and defensively just in case.
Kaji eyed her carefully, her posture was non-threatening so he made his non-threatening as well. He knew well that the wrath of a pack was nothing this loner stood a chance against. His nose wriggled slightly to tell him where he stood in approximate relation to the pack's boundary--so as not to offend.
She a pack wolf and he a loner. A troubled storm brewed within her eyes, and that he could see even from the distance he stood.
As he watched her, a new thought occurred to him. Perhaps the pack life could end this awful hunger he suffered--and not just that which burned in his empty stomach. If it was another member they needed or could afford to have he would gladly apply.
Silently he moved toward where she stood, closing the distance with a swift yet calculated stride on light feet that would carry him even more quickly away from danger if needed. He was built for strength but a fight was not something he intended to engage in right now. He stood, watching her from where he stopped mere feet beyond the borderline, trying to remain respectful.
He lowered his brightly dancing eyes to the earth at her feet with his ears acutely tuned on her. Not thinking. Not saying a word. Emanating his curiosity.
[glow=maroon,2,300]There's a type of freedom that can tie you down...[/glow]
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Post by Kaziph on Jan 24, 2010 17:21:15 GMT -5
Beryl didn't change her stance until he started to approach, and her body stiffened with each step he took closer to herself and the border. She saw in him the makings of a powerful fighter, and the fem knew herself to be on the slimmer side. Any confrontation between them would be brutal on her, and besides, hadn't she just run away from watching another fight? No, political intrigue was best here. Words could be just as powerful as physical strength, sometimes.
When he stopped a few paces off from herself she issued a soft, uncertain growl. She didn't know what his intentions were, but at least he wasn't snarling and growling like the others had been back at the ridge. He was, in that regard, better company. She usually wasn't one for strangers, but Beryl found herself lost after having fled earlier.
She didn't know whether to greet him or to challenge him, not being very experienced a border guard herself. Usually Cass or Basile did that, and sometimes Glyph did too. So, in an attempt to appear at least civil, she spoke. I don't recognize your scent. What's your name? Surprisingly, the words came out much nicer than she had expected they would. |
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Post by Tahoma on Jan 24, 2010 18:50:22 GMT -5
Kaji tasted the air around the pack lands and the lone fem timidly. Cautiously. She was alone, and he was surprisingly satisfied by this. One wolf was easier to be around than a whole pack. This was far less intimidating.
He stared without looking directly at her eyes, sizing her up if she chose to lunge--which looked doubtful at this point judging from her stance and the intensity burning in her emerald gaze. His ears pricked forward, both acutely tuned on her growl. Tilting his head slightly in uncertain curiosity, he took a step back not wishing to intimidate her. Too much anyway.
Her words almost surprised him. Well at least the tone and the intent in her posture. So he lifted his eyes oh so briefly to glance at hers and then turned his head back down toward the mountain earth to answer. Kaji. A tinge of humor danced in his downturned eyes. I should hope my scent would be unfamiliar. The slight twitch of his tail hinted at the sarcastic thought.
He took in her scent and lowered his rear to the earth, still keeping his eyes from looking directly into hers. His haunches hovered slightly above the ground, indicating that while he was trying to be relaxed he was also still quite tense and ready to bolt if necessary. What are you called? Something troubled her. But he kept his manners about him and did not question her. Not yet anyway. His natural curiousity would eventually override the manners his mother had all but chewed into him.
[glow=maroon,2,300]...Sometimes the unexplained can define you...[/glow]
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Post by Kaziph on Jan 24, 2010 20:36:44 GMT -5
Beryl's eyes narrowed, reading the twitch of his tail for a hint of mockery. I have wandered the loner lands recently, dingbat. If you had been a loner long on this isle, I would have thought I might have scented you before. Their green depths flashed, but amusement had come to replace some of the irksome tint caused by his silent tone. She didn't step forward to greet him further, but she didn't step away, either, or call for help. There was no help, currently, to be called.
She knew her emotions were much wilder and out of control than she liked, and that this brute was seeing a rare side of her. It probably wouldn't last long, but she knew she should take advantage of the almost kindness she was emitting. Beryl issued another guttural noise, another question. Where are you from? |
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Post by Tahoma on Jan 24, 2010 22:56:57 GMT -5
For all that Kaji saw before him, he did not see beyond what the fem presented. He had never been good at reading too far between the lines so who she really was remained a mystery.
A sly look of amusement made his eyes a little brighter against his dark grey fur with her reply. He did not ignore that she had not answered his question, but he would let it slide for now. He huffed once as he half-sat watching her, without actually watching her.
What did he have to lose by answering questions? But by answering her questions he would have to know the answer. Acknowledge the answer. Remember the answer the way he should remember it, not how he hated to remember home.
He was an adult. A wanderer. For a reason. Perhaps he always had been, but now the gypsy blood was magnified by the events of his homeland where his family's bones now rotted. He glanced up at her again, this time with a sedate expression. A serious look threaded through his eyes and seemed to disappear almost as soon as it appeared. Kaji snorted in response. I come from a place I call home. Really nowhere near here. I ended up here by chance. By choice, but without realizing it he guessed. One of those subconscious paths that fate drops you on and expects you to just survive. So he did. I was born in a packland. My mother was a loner when she joined, and pregnant but was unaware. Her mate had died in a hunting accident. Moose don't give up without a fight I guess. He uttered a low, non-threatening growl as he continued, So when she joined, she was of course by no means family nor of high rank. Which, by the time it was obvious she was pregnant the other pack members began to notice. She wasn't the alpha's mate and she was new. So. The lowest ranked adult at the time saw this as her chance to rise. To become something. She plotted conspiracy against my mother and after we were born carried out her plan. She accused my mother and another adult in the pack of mating behind the alpha's back. Funny how the dice fall. And he was done. He had already said more than he had ever intended. He took a deep breath and huffed again, keeping his eyes staring into the smallest clumps of dirt at her feet.
What would you recommend for good hunting grounds? His spark of humor returned as he glanced off toward the mountainous terrain beyond the pack ground. His stomach grumbled his question as he was reminded of his hunger.
[glow=maroon,2,300]...There's a certain kind of pain that can numb you...[/glow]
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Post by Kaziph on Jan 25, 2010 11:14:04 GMT -5
Beryl listened to his story, making a noise only when he mentioned the moose. She grunted and lowered her head, making a small scar between her ears more visible to him, if he looked. She had been smacked by the hoof of a prey animal they had hunted, not long before at the beginning of the winter. The scab had healed over, but a pinkish mark remained behind to remind her of the incident. She didn't think much of his story, in fact, she hadn't asked for it. She really had only wanted to know where he was from, but it didn't hurt to know more. Beryl didn't know the intrigue that went on in clans, for she was young still and Kameskai had been good to her and her royal family, so she could not sympathize with him. And she was not an empathizer.
She snorted when he asked of good hunting grounds. Could he not see the glorious mountains? She smiled - a sincere thing - and responded. I might recommend the land I guard, but I think I'm a bit prejudiced. I have been out into the open terrains, too, but the beasts there don't seem to taste as sweet as the ones that run here.
Her tassel swept up, not in rank but in pleasure as she looked back behind her. She didn't think of the risk of taking her eyes off of a stranger so close to her, so close to the border. This land... it is perfect for a wolf's needs. I could not have asked for a better place to call home. |
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Post by Tahoma on Jan 25, 2010 15:22:08 GMT -5
While never being the most observant of wolves he did see the healing scar on her head as she moved just so. So she had some of a bit clearer idea of the dangers of hunting than most. Especially with a pack. Large prey, while more satisfying, would always be more dangerous and this was something he understood.
A smirk appeared on his face as she glanced behind her. It was obvious that she was proud of her pack, and he supposed that was how it should be and probably normally was. Hm. Pack life.
What a dilemma. He had been on his own for neigh on 3 years now. In his fourth year, perhaps pack life would be something he should strongly consider once again. With her head turned he woofed softly. The food tastes sweeter there you say? His eyes sparkled brightly, like two hot embers amongst a pile of ashes. I suppose the grass is greener as well? He huffed a wolfen chuckle.
He looked as though he was deeply contemplating the idea, when really the choice had been made far before the fem had appeared--though even he hadn't realized it then. Then who is there to judge a loner such as I? I am curious to test this sweetness theory.
[glow=maroon,2,300]...There's a certain kind of freedom that can tie you down...[/glow]
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Post by Kaziph on Jan 25, 2010 18:25:47 GMT -5
Whether it is greener or not is for your own eyes to see and decide. Myself, I believe it is. The black fem swept her tail back down, and she turned her head back toward the direction she had come from. She wondered whether the fight was over or not yet, and if Luma or Epitaph had won, if anyone was sincerely wounded from the battle. Her eyes half lidded as she felt her thoughts slipping out onto her exterior, letting the stranger read them like a book. It shamed her to think she was so easily falling apart.
Beryl brought her attention back to Kaji when he spoke, though, asking who might be the leader of the territory. This question, too, troubled her, and she took several steps back, shaking her head as she did so. Matters are complicated at the moment. My father, Cassiel, is the alpha male. He would be the one to speak to... She didn't mention the alpha female, or whether or not there even was one. She truthfully didn't know the outcome of the fight yet, so she was reluctant to mention her mother or Luma.
The she-wolf edged further back and lowered herself to the ground. Her ears laid back against her head, undecided. He hadn't asked specifically to join them, but then, he had hinted at it with his comments. She knew it would not be wise to take him to where the clan had gathered, but what else as she to do? I guess we shall keep company until he comes. |
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Post by Tahoma on Jan 25, 2010 23:16:22 GMT -5
This wolf intrigued him. But, he kept his thoughts in check. It was clear she was in some silent distress. How much, he really couldn't gather but some was enough. An alpha's daughter. No wonder she was so proud. Rightly so.
Kaji watched her for a moment and gauged her movements carefully from where he still sat-ish. He was comfortable right where he was. I suppose if this lovely prey you tout lives among the mountains of your territory than I have no real choice do I? His eyes sparked with his nonchalant comment. Pack life. He could do this again. Under different circumstances. This could be the change of pace he needed. And the company is pleasant enough. This unspoken communication was subtle, but not disguised. He hadn't met a friendly wolf in quite some time so, despite his hunger, he was quite content with the conversation.
His ears pivoted with the change of the breeze and his eyes were momentarily distracted by a hawk flying high above, riding the thermals and guarding his territory in wide, lazy circles. He sighed softly as he watched, then realized that he was putting himself in quite the vulnerable position by taking his eyes off of the pack border. Not that he didn't trust the fem, just, he didn't want to trust her too quickly. One of his more fatal qualities. He looked back to her then. Tell me about your pack? It was more of a question than a true request. She was by no means obliged to answer, though his curiousity betrayed his calm mask of inquiry.
[glow=maroon,2,300]...Sometimes the Unexplained Can Define You...[/glow]
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Post by Kaziph on Jan 26, 2010 17:53:37 GMT -5
The black she-wolf blinked toward him and offered a half grin. Yes, I suppose you really don't. Her grin faded, but she noted his silent comment and stored it away for future knowledge. She watched him as he looked above, apparently eyeing a hawk that circled in the skies above them. She watched them, too, sometimes, but she wasn't going to mention it now. When he casually asked about the pack, it gave Beryl pause. What was she to tell him? Was it wise to a loner, a stranger, anything?
She decided, to the second question, that it didn't matter. To the first, she paused for several long moments to consider her answer. My father is a white wolf. He's very handsome, I think, to be as old as he is. She flickered her ears to the sides, not at all embarrassed to be discussing her father's qualities. I have several brothers and sisters, but really, of all of them, only I look like my mother. I worship her. She considered again what to say next.
The mountains are a generous landscape, if unforgiving. Along here, where we are, the land is more grass and meadow than ridge and peak, but it's the diversity that makes this place as it is. Her paw shuffled against the earth, feeling the softer soil tear easily beneath her blunt claws. Where she had been roaming recently, the land underfoot was harsher and didn't give as easily. |
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Post by Tahoma on Jan 26, 2010 22:01:22 GMT -5
Kaji's stomach growled once more and his ears twitched. He had been hungrier in his life so this time he ignored his protesting stomach and lowered his body, feeling the cool earth against his underbelly. He rested his head gently between his paws, watching her. His ears pivoted forward, facing and listening to the fem and the land behind her. Perhaps it was unwise to turn his back on the outer lands, but he was sure that his nose would alert him to any other if they tried to sneak up on him. Besides, what reason would a loner have to attack him here, where he lay.
If the lands are anything like what I see around me, and then lovelier still within the bounds of your pack's boundary, I believe I shall enjoy life here. And if your alpha, your father, is as strong as a wolf as your eyes suggest he is, than I would be proud to protect and serve this pack. His mouth parted and his tongue lolled for a moment as he lifted his head, his eyes sparking once again.
A spore of some sort found its way into his nose as his tongue lolled and he sneezed, then yelped very slightly as he bit his tongue. Embarrassed, he pulled his tongue back into his mouth and lay his head back down to rest between his paws, still watching her. Wondering. Thinking about her history and the words she left unspoken.
Were all wolves this intriguing? What is your favorite prey to hunt? He sniffed the air and his eyes glinted. There were an abundance of smells wafting in and out of the space between he and she. He liked to play games where he would guess what the smell belonged to, and where it was coming from. Instinctual games to keep his hunting skills finely tuned.
[glow=maroon,2,300]...There's a Cold and Darker side of the Moonlight...[/glow]
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Post by Kaziph on Jan 28, 2010 20:21:49 GMT -5
The dark she-wolf sat in silence as he spoke again, but his words brought pause to her thoughts. He spoke of serving and protecting. How long had it been since she had considered those emotions, those thoughts? She had never attributed them to herself, for she had always been the one protected and served, since she was young. She had hunted with the clan, but she hadn't ever truly fought for it. Instead, she had gone off wandering, carefree, while others had stayed behind, held the pack together.
His sneeze and yelp brought her attention back to him, and she was hard pressed to withhold another smile. She found herself rather liking the feeling. I hope you do indeed enjoy life here. My favorite is probably the bull elk, the most challenging. Her eyes sparkled a bit, thinking of a fight like that. Now, that type of confrontation she enjoyed. Thinking of such brutal acts made her remember the ridge again, though, and she wondered what she should do.
Maybe the fight was over by now. Perhaps it was better to take Kaji into the lands to her father... and whoever the alpha female was. She flicked her tail back and forth as she decided, and then she stood. Come, Kaji. I think it will be best, now, if I take you to Cass. I don't know... she hesitated. Well, let's go. Beryl nodded to him and turned away from the borders, following more slowly now her scent trail back the way she had come. |
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Post by Tahoma on Jan 28, 2010 21:59:25 GMT -5
Bull elk? She was a bold hunter. Kaji's eyes sparked in mild surprise, though he tried to mask it. Unsuccessfully of course. Though, there was no way he could deny that the thrill of the hunt or more the risk involved in the hunt was satisfying. Satisfying was too sedate a word for what it was. Liberating? Maybe.
Kaji watched her a moment more and when she stood he tilted his head curiously. So this was it. His choice to make. He sniffed the air for good measure, catching her scent and holding it like a life line as he pulled himself to his feet. A flurry of dirt particles and pine needles flew from his coat as he shook himself rigorously, waking up his muscles and his brain for what was to come.
Slowly he walked toward her, lifting his paws high over the strongest barrier of scent as if there was a literal line laying between the loner lands and the mountain pack's territory. No turning back now. Without saying a word, or relaying his thoughts with a mere look Kaji followed her and her scent deeper into the territory, lingering only once in a rush of anxiety to ensure himself this is what he wanted...what he needed at this point in his life.
For the journey, how short it may be, he followed her silently.
...And sometimes the silence is the only sound...
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