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Post by Risk on May 18, 2010 13:36:01 GMT -5
The forest was dark.
It seemed an adequate description, though perhaps not particularly shocking. It was always dark here. It had been dark since the beginning of...sometime. At least as far back as the creatures living there now could remember. For the most part, living beings knew little of happier days. Darkness and cool air was everything and anything to them, and they could hope for little more as they knew no different. Unfortunately, there were some who could remember enough of those happier times to regret that they had passed.
Those people were traveling today. If you could call them people.
For now, there was no human body to be found amongst the shadows and undergrowth, but rather there was a young, sleek, shining pelt of a wolf slinking through the brush. Red, black and white fur glistened in the soft dapples of sunlight that fell through the high branches, shining ice blue eyes brightly shining amongst the browns and oranges of the dead pine needles that her small paws stepped over delicately. Tail held low but over the ground, she brushed it along the plants at her side, marking her trail ever so carefully with scent.
She had found her territory, and she must claim it. Female or not, she needed a home, and falling in with the local wolf pack had taught her how important land was. The boundaries she marked now were theirs and hers, and any other beast that dared cross that scent line would be deeply sorry for it. She would certainly have no issue taking them out with a swift blow of her paw or a gnash of her fangs.
Luckily, the territory nearby where she was walking now was unclaimed, and so the deer she scented at that moment was a kill for her pack. Grinning as wolves can, she dropped into a crouch as the animal stepped lightly into her view. It was a large animal, a doe at that, making it a safe, prideful kill.
Her alpha would greatly appreciate this from her.
Stepping forward slowly, she kept downwind of the deer to avoid it scenting her, and when she was within range, she took her leap. Landing right on the animal's back, it collapsed beneath her weight and gave her a clear shot at its throat. It was a swift kill, little blood and no pain. The doe didn't even offer a cry of surprise.
But the moment that the taste of blood entered her mouth, the she-wolf's stomach grumbled its protest. She had not eaten a good deer in days. But no, this was a pack meal, and not for her to enjoy alone.
A young rabbit would do, and as she picked up its scent on the wind she dropped to a hunter's crouch yet again, hind end up higher than her shoulders, ears flat, tail down, crawling on her belly toward the large buck rabbit that taunted her with his blood scent. She killed it quickly, and immediately tore into the carcass, letting the blood drain from its gut as she carried it back to lay beside the deer and guard it. Chewing on the raw meat, blood dripping over her lower jaw, she closed her eyes to enjoy her first lupine meal in quite some time.
Body still tired from last night's male companion (he had been rather energetic) she dropped her head over her paws, meal finished, and let herself rest.
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Post by Steinerman on May 18, 2010 14:48:17 GMT -5
Rakutan Forest. It hadn't changed much in the two centuries that he'd been gone. Still the same forest, once beautiful, now filling his heart with fury as his nostrils pulled in the scents of the world.
As a wolf, he wasn't overly large or imposing, but there was something in the way he moved...a slow, steady stalk that generally told the other animals of the forest to leave him alone or pay for it with their lives. He stalked through the forest, mind playing back old memories long buried and now brought to life by his return. For two centuries he'd stayed away from this land...out of fear? perhaps.
But now he was back, the forest was still here, and so were the memories. He loped along for a few minutes, enjoying the simple pleasures of being a wolf once again. But then he remembered his purpose, his golden eyes fell at the thought of his return. It was the least he could do though.
He pursued his phantom memories through the forest, letting them guide him to his destination. It was around then that he caught the scent of meat, fresh meat. His body shivered with the thought of it. He sniffed the air, head arching back, ears wary for any sound. The kill was nearby, as was...a wolf.
He stopped in his tracks, he never doubted his nose, not when it came to things of a lupine nature. The wolf didn't sound as though it were moving around much.
Most likely resting after the kill, he surmised. He was preparing to go on his way, keeping well clear of the other wolf, when something inside him seemed to snap. Here he was, Beowulf, a mercenary leader and creature over two centuries in age, and he was going to slink away from another wolf like a pup in the night? If it truly came down to a fight, he could handle one wolf, and this wolf might be able to tell him of the packs in the forest. Perhaps it was even a member of his old pack, and would have news of his mother.
I sincerely hope that hag is dead in the ground somewhere. He thought vehemently. He closed in on the kill, and the wolf nearby. Generally silent in his movements, he made a point to break several branches with his paws on the way, best to announce himself politely rather than be seen as a thief in the night.
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Post by Risk on May 22, 2010 15:03:20 GMT -5
The slender she-wolf had not yet slipped into sleep when she heard branches and twigs snapping on the ground nearby. As the first break sounded, her ears pricked. At the second, her head lifted. The third, she was on her feet and pointed in the direction of the sounds. Whatever it was, it was larger than she, or simply very clumsy. But she scented it as a wolf. A male at that. Now unconcerned, she took a pose with a relaxed rear paw and ears more tilted. She fluffed up the fur on her chest and tail and cocked her head to the side ever so slightly. Stepping forward on her dainty paws, she posed herself well near her recent kill and waited for the visual of the brute that would soon grace her with his presence.
And only a moment later, she spotted him, brown and red pelt blending with the dead pine needles around them. He was averagely sized, though slightly bigger than herself. Perfect. She grinned gently as wolves do and sat down, curling her tail delicately around her paws. She twitched her ears quickly and allowed her shoulders to relax, putting her in a very fox-like pose. Gentle, sweet, and quite vulnerable in appearance, but more than capable of protecting herself.
Her melodic wolf voice sounded quietly, whispery and gentle, "Hello, Red One."
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Post by Steinerman on May 22, 2010 15:29:38 GMT -5
Robert stopped in his tracks, his golden eyes locked in amazement on the sight in front of him. His canine mouth was left open in sheer shock, he had never seen a wolf quite like this one. A female by her look, and confirmed by her whisper-quiet voice.
She was positioned in a vulnerable pose, though Robert was positive that she could easily move from it should he prove to be hostile. His eyes gazed over her, taking in the beautiful sight. For she was beautiful, he was sure that as a human she was just as striking.
It took him almost a whole minute to realize that in that whisper-like melody a greeting had been uttered. He slowly closed his mouth, eyes still gazing with wonder upon the beautiful creature in front of him. He edged closer, slowly, as though afraid he were in a dream and any sudden movements would shatter it. His own melodic voice came softly, "Hail and well met, beautiful one."
He edged closer still, and then paused, not wishing to frighten her. Suddenly he was nervous, an odd feeling, considering he'd rarely ever been nervous before. With an effort of will he concentrated his mind, it would do no good to act nervous in front of her. His voice came again, strong and deep, though still with a touch of the melody he usually spoke with. "I apologize for interrupting, I was curious as to what creature was alone in these woods. If you wish, I shall leave at once. No doubt your pack will be along soon."
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Post by Risk on May 22, 2010 15:46:30 GMT -5
Slowly he moved toward her, and she turned her face downward shyly, as if she actually were. His voice was just as beautiful as her own, though deeper naturally and as handsome as his body was. She fluttered her eyelids at his greeting, a compliment she had nearly expected from him. He came steadily closer, though slower than she might have thought possible with the way he was looking at her. And yet, it gave her time to scan his body with her eyes. He was well built, stocky but slender, and his golden eyes were striking as they took in her body as well.
She felt a shiver run over her body despite the warm weather as he finally came to a stop just about a foot away from her. She could feel his breath on her fur, sense his nervousness, and the tensity between them was incredible. It was nearly the same feeling as had come over her the previous evening as she had stepped into her male companion's bedroom.
Finally, he spoke again, eyes still on her. His words were kind and she couldn't help but offer a soft smile, "My pack is not expecting me back for quite some time, and with a kill quite smaller than this. You needn't worry." As she spoke the last words, she stood, just as slowly as he had moved toward her moments ago. Now, she stepped forward delicately, her thin legs crossing over his as she let her neck press against his, walking beneath his head and wrapping her tail about his neck as she turned to circle the rest of him. As she passed by his right flank she pressed her nose into the sensitive joint before brushing against his hindquarters, slowing making the circuit back to his front, all the while enjoying the feel of his body pressed against hers, his scent filling her nose.
Finally, she broke contact with him, her tail tip the last thing to touch his left shoulder softly, "I would quite enjoy your company. You may call me Wroley. Unless of course you have a human form, in which case my name is Jennifer."
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Post by Steinerman on May 23, 2010 1:56:06 GMT -5
Robert smiled, the expression surprisingly gentle, considering it came from a mouth full of sharp white teeth. "Wroley..." He spoke softly, testing the word on his tongue. "Wroley. An exquisite name for a striking woman." His body shuddered as she traveled round him in a circle, her smell filled his nose. It was a good smell, he willingly conceded, rich and earthy. "Or Jennifer you say? Two wondrous names for a wondrous creature." He sniffed long and hard, attempting to take in every part of her scent. Then shook his head, as if clearing it of fog. It was mesmerizing, everything about her, it seemed as though he were in a dream.
If this is a dream, then I do not wish to wake. he thought slowly. It seemed as though his entire body was alive, all the senses at their maximum. He could feel the soft earth and leaves beneath his feet, smell the scents of far-off animals going about their nocturnal outings. He could hear the light breathing of the she-wolf in front of him.
he shook his head again, though half-heartedly this time, as though he did not wish to clear it. "But where are my manners?" He questioned lightly, "Forgive me, Wroley, it has been many years since I spoke with another of our kind."
He bowed low, head slunk down so as to almost touch the soft, rich earth. "To humans I am known as Robert, Robert Valentine. My wolf name given to my by my Alpha is Beowulf."
Belatedly he realized that it might not have been a good idea to tell this newly met she-wolf his name. If the Ironwill pack still ruled in this forest, or even recently, his name most likely would not be held in high regard. He was the wolf that had killed packmates over a human. Beowulf could very well be a highly despised name in this forest, especially if his mother still lived.
But a part of him didn't care. It was worth any danger, to get to know this...Wroley, this angel, better.
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Post by Risk on May 23, 2010 18:38:04 GMT -5
Quietly, the female wolf sat down, tail brushing over the underbrush as it swept to cover her paws. She blinked softly at the wolf who now introduced himself as Beowulf. Robert. Robert.... The name fit his appearance well. Strong. Handsome.
Appealing.
Briefly, images flashed in front of her eyes of the things she had done last night and the thought of repeating them now, but she quickly shook them from her head, drawing his scent further into her nose and tasting it on her tongue. Hmm...He did taste as good as he smelled. Wonderful. She smiled as he bowed, watching his neck become vulnerable to her. Not her fangs, but simply her grasp. It would be all too easy...
No. That was not her place. Rolling her shoulders, she dropped her head low and pulled a paw toward her chest in her own version of a curtsy. Now she was the vulnerable one. Fortunately for her, she had little reason to raise her head. Silently hoping that he would come to investigate her as she had him, she kept her head down as she spoke, "You live with the wolves then? As do I. They have not had a meal in days, and I am their best hunter. They called to me last evening as I was departing my company."
She suppressed a smirk. Oh how the men of that town enjoyed her presence amongst them. Part of her wondered if Beowulf would be different. Part of her hoped it.
The bigger part, the ruined part, hoped otherwise.
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Post by Steinerman on May 23, 2010 19:03:06 GMT -5
Robert paused, it was undeniable that there was...something, a connection maybe. Between the two of them. He'd never before felt such intensity when talking to someone else.
Now she was the one kneeling, not so much in submission, but more of an offer to examine her. He shook his head, no, examine wasn't the right word, too impersonal. Explore would be closer, but yet not what she was offering, or at least, he didn't think so.
He traveled in a slow circle around her, his nose gently brushing against her fur and then moving away again. He finished the slow, cautious circle around her body. And then loped his own body forward and around, and sat down carefully, exactly opposite her.
There was something...vulnerable about her, part of it feigned, he thought. But there was something deeper. Something that made him want to simply lie next to her, a steady presence in her life. Not so much a protector, oh no, she was quite obviously capable of protecting herself. But a companion to her, a friend maybe.
There were many feelings coursing through him right now, some...were frightening. Unsure of how to proceed, he answered her question, giving himself time to work through the myriad of feelings slamming around inside his mind.
"Actually, I have not seen another wolf in...oh, two centuries now." He nodded his head, "yes, two centuries. Or thereabouts. I have been gone from this forest for a very long time, simply came back to revisit old memories."
He then looked up, his golden eyes gazing deeply into hers. "That is a rather large kill," He said, indicating the deer lying dead a few feet away. "Do you need help carrying it back to your pack? Or will they come here?"
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Post by Risk on May 23, 2010 19:14:29 GMT -5
Wroley tensed as his nose touched her pelt, but kept her stance gentle and calm, almost as if she hadn't felt it at all. She suppressed a grin once more as his quickly bounded back in front of her, soft eyes focused on hers as he spoke. Two centuries...That was as long as she had been with the wolves. She wondered briefly if they had crossed paths before, but cocked her head to the side to question him instead as he offered his assistance, "They will come when I call them, unless you'd like to meet them. I'm sure they wouldn't mind your company in the slightest. Our pack has little to hide from travelers, and certainly little hostility."
She glanced at the unfinished meal she had taken and sighed. Stepping lightly over to it, turning her back on Beowulf and flicking her tail from side to side with purpose, she snatched up the fresh kill and returned to her new companion, soft gaze resting on him as she laid it down at his feet, "Would you first aid me in finishing this?" She fluttered her eyes, "I don't believe my alpha would appreciate my eating on the hunt. Bones are easier to hide than a body." She nosed it closer to him and laid down opposite him, her fore-paws nearly touching his as she delicately slid to the ground
As she waited for him to at least join her there on the ground, or something along those lines at least, she questioned him, "That's quite a long time to be away from home. What caused such a long journey?"
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Post by Steinerman on May 23, 2010 19:30:36 GMT -5
Robert nodded his head in appreciation. In truth he was hungry, and he found it very thoughtful of her to offer to share. He kept his paws stationary as she lay down, and then gently lowered himself to the ground as well, his own paws space evenly, his right paw in between her own paws, and his left just outside of hers, taking care never to actually touch her paws.
He gently nuzzled the kill, and then worked his powerful jaws in tearing off a small chunk, chewing and swallowing in a few moments. He spread his mouth in a soft grin, "A fine kill. Truly delicious."
He took another bite, still careful to leave her the greater part of the meal. Never taking a bite until she had taken one. He finally paused, unsure of what to say.
"I was driven away. But my mother, if you can believe it. I belonged to a pack, the Ironwill pack it was called then. Maybe you're in the same pack, I know not if they still rule here. She was alpha of the pack, and didn't like that I'd taken up with a human woman. She tried to break the bond, and things did not progress well from there. There was a violent falling out, and I left afterwards. But business has brought me back to Allondell, it would seem. And I wished to see my long-lost home once more."
He paused again, unsure of what to say next. If Wroley was part of the Ironwill pack, if they still ruled here, and if that pack still had a grudge against him for killing several of it's members and his former packmates. Then things could get extremely ugly in a hurry. He kept his eyes locked on hers, unsure of what might happen next.
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Post by Risk on May 23, 2010 19:43:43 GMT -5
Wroley's legs stiffened as his paws took their place between her own, bowing her head to take a bit of the rabbit and nodding at his compliment as she continued to eat, listening to him speak. It was true, her pack was by the name of Ironwill, and she had heard tales of such a thing happening. She had not heard a name however, and the stories were generally told in hushed whispers after the alpha had retired to her den. Unfortunately for the pack, their newest member, the red wolf laying by Beowulf's paws, had an allegiance to man before wolf.
Swallowing the last of her half of the meal, she stood briskly, launching herself over the top of his body to keep him from moving. Whether she had landed over him or not, she did not know, but she sent up a howl to the stars above, a song to her pack-mates that fresh meat lay where she spoke of. They would be there in moments. Lowering her tail to what would be between Beowulf's ears, she stepped forward quickly, "Then we must leave this place. The wolves will not pass that deer to leave the territory. The blood of the kill will hide your scent long enough for us to get away into the shadows. Come. You are not safe here."
Gesturing to him with a swish of her tail, she leapt forward and into the shadowy cover of the trees, her red pelt a blur as she sped toward his safety, and, honestly, her own. The wolves of that pack would not hesitate to kill either of them at this point, and she wanted no part of that. He could thank her later. For now, they had to find cover. And fast. The sound of excited barks came from close behind her.
The pack was coming.
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Post by Steinerman on May 23, 2010 20:02:03 GMT -5
Her burst of movement nearly caught him by surprise, her muscles tensed and she leapt over him. His military training kicked in and tried to rise. This action wasn't met with much success, however, as Wroley had chosen the fastest route, which was directly over him. Her hind paws thumped into his head with a muffled "whump" sound. He grunted and rolled with the blow, letting his body roll with the blow.
In an instant he was on his feet, she was part of the Ironwill pack it would seem, and though she had called to her packmates, her next words made him pause. Apparently she wasn't a danger to him, not yet at any rate. It had been foolish of him to return, in the world of immortals, (or those who lived long enough to make the difference non-existent) Grudges could last for a very long time. Apparently he'd walked back into dangerous territory. And now Wroley seemed to wish him out of danger.
He hsook his head to clear it, and then set off, hot on her trail, easily keeping pace a few feet behind her, letting her knowledge of the forest guide them.
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Post by Risk on May 23, 2010 20:13:38 GMT -5
Wroley's eyes scanned the dimly lit forest for the place she knew they would find shelter. The scent of rain was in the air, and though the barks and yelps of her excited pack-mates were growing fainter in her ears, she could not yet slow down. She could hear Beowulf's breath just behind her, and the beat of his paws matching hers step for step. A narrow creek in front of her forced her to jump, her left rear paw barely sliding into the mud, a twig piercing the sensitive skin between her paw pads. She let loose a muffled yelp of pain, but continued to run. It would not be long before the deer would no longer be holding the attention of every wolf in the pack.
Shadows covered her pelt, shading it to almost entirely black, the red dimming with the fading light. It was nearly evening now, and small drops of rain were beginning to fall from the sky, slowly, but threateningly. This was good news. The alpha would want the kill back to their dens soon, leaving them to disappear into the night.
Eventually, her limp growing harder to manage as they ran, she spotted the shallow cave just feet away and slowed just enough to come to a stop in the far corner, her paw raised gingerly beneath her. She whined as she realized she could not reach it herself, the small stick buried firmly in her skin. She glanced at Beowulf and invited him in just as the rain began to fall harder, "I don't suppose you might help me with this? I can't quite reach that far."
She turned her hind end toward him, pushing her back leg out ever so slightly. She didn't want to make this entirely comfortable for him. Now that she had him to herself for real, she could play with her catch.
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Post by Steinerman on May 23, 2010 20:53:24 GMT -5
Robert followed her easily enough, noticing with care that she damaged her paw in the run. Soon enough they found a cave to rest in, her limp obviously increasing in pain after the run.
With a start he realized she couldn't reach the twig herself. And then she asked him to help remove it. He nodded and then lay down, eying her rear paw intensely, deciding how best to remove the twig without causing any further damage to it. He smiled gently, his strong voice reassuring, "Hold still, if you please, barring human hands, I'll have to use my mouth to remove the splinter." With a gentle, deft movement, he nuzzled her back paw, his mouth barely open. His sharp teeth grasped the protruding edge of the twig and gently pulled the twig free.
He spat it away with a harsh motion, and then smiled, the expression pleased. "I pray that didn't hurt too much. It saddens me to know that you just took such a risk for me. If you leave now, I might be able to hide your scent. It was foolish of me to come near you, curiosity can be dangerous. I would hate for my actions to bring you harm."
His eyes gazed deeply into hers, part of him wanting her to go. He was reasonably sure that he could mask her scent, leaving no trace that she had aided him. But another part of him, a selfish part, wanted her to stay.
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Post by Risk on May 23, 2010 21:19:02 GMT -5
Wincing as the thorn was removed, Jenn tenderly lowered her paw to the floor and distributed her weight to it, turning back to face Robert, "Thank you, but my place is with you for now. I owe my kind a higher allegiance than theirs. I will stay with you, if you don't mind." She returned his soft gaze and stepped forward slowly, her neck lowering beneath his before she turned her face to his cheek and gave him a gentle lick. There she stood, her shoulder against his chest, and their heads turned the same direction, one neck beneath another. For a moment, she stayed there, not wishing to move, even closing her eyes to enjoy his closeness, but then she stepped forward, her tail raising up to brush the hollow of his throat as she came to stand at the mouth of the cave, water now pouring down from the overhanging ridge, creating a curtain of rain to hide them from the utter darkness outside.
Outside? Inside was dark too. They were lucky they had met in this form. Now, able to see in the dark, their eyes glowing brightly, they were safe from any intruders. The cave was vacant, all scents stale and long past their time, save for a few young mice scampering about in the corners. She turned back toward Robert, "It is going to get cold in here this evening, fur or not. But we won't be bothered. My pack will not come looking for me tonight."
She sat down, curling her tail once more over her front paws, turning her muzzle down to lick at the wet patches on her chest fur and turning back to reach a wet spot on her lower back. She sighed softly, realizing that she could not reach some of the wettest parts of her fur. How uncomfortable this evening would be, cold and wet on the hard stone floor of the cave. And it was unlikely that her companion would particularly want to curl up around her. He seemed different from the other men she had met. More controlled and together. A gentleman of sorts. She closed her eyes, tongue still lapping feebly to reach the wet fur on her spine. Another cold night with wet fur. Such was her life.
Human or wolf.
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