Ghastly Woods Möbius

Halloween RE: Your character gets lost in a dark forest.

There was something eerie about the forest. It seemed as if the animals were avoiding the tangled section of the wood, as the chirping of birds and rustle of smaller creatures that were the normal soundtrack of a forest were completely absent here. Even the air seemed to be still, the wind holding it's breath. The soft rhythm of the wolf's own breathing and the padding of his pawsteps were the only sounds of the silent woods. Something seemed wrong with this place and Rais quickened his pace with hopes of cutting through it quickly. He didn't really notice it at first. The woods were chaotic enough, snarls of roots and shrubs constantly blocking his path, and many a time he had to make a wide detour just to keep going. The fifth time he had passed a peculiar pine tree forked at the top like a snake's tongue did he take notice that perhaps he had been going in circles. Stopping beside the strange tree he growled to himself, annoyed that he had let himself get lost so easily. He wasn't a kid anymore, he didn't get lost. Casting his gaze up to the small pockets of dark grey sky that could be seen through the network of branches, he winced. No sun was out today, and instead of a glorious sunset to herald the night, there was only a gradual fading of light from the monochrome sky. It was startling how much time had already passed without his notice since entering the damned forest. Panic began to creep up into his heart. What if he was trapped here, forever? He had seen no other beasts venturing its depths, not a single soul within its woody confines. Soon, night would fall and not even the shining face of the moon or the weak light of the stars would be out to guide his way. If he didn't find his way out, he would starve to death. Alone. A shiver crossed through his lean frame before he bolted, frenzied by fear. He ran recklessly, twisting and turning along the convoluted paths. As night fell, he only became more distressed, as more than ever did everything look the same. Only when that snake's tongue tree did appear again did he come back to some sort of sense. <b style="color:#494b4f">"Stop being stupid..." He muttered to himself, his voice shaking though he tried to be brave. All his desperation had gotten him nowhere, and the smart thing to do would be to sleep off the darkness and try again in the morning. Resigning himself to his temporary fate, he dumped his rear to the ground and leaned against the pine. He tipped his head back, letting loose a keening, mournful howl.

table by bryony

(This post was last modified: Dec 29, 2012, 04:33 AM by Rais.)

<blockquote><span style='font-family:Maiandra GD'><font style='margin-left:20px;'>A</font> sickly chuckle whispered through the woods. Tenzin would have been confused if it wasn't his own dark, sickly snarl that rang through the air, wrapping around the trees like a vine. He pitied the wolf he had been watching for hours. He just kept going around in a circle. Walking down past the tree and taking numerous turns, only to be a coward and slink back to the tree. He had watched it until nightfall, when a chill ran down his spine that reminded him about his brother..Hah! Tenzin would show him. A bulk in the dark, he prowled towards the howling figure of the small-ish silver wolf. He stopped behind him, a twisted expression across his face. His large boy did not shine, but was dull and creepy. <b>"Need help?"</b> The wolf's voice was gravelly and gruff, like a viking's. A crow took flight at the sound of it, cawing away. You could tell he had been in these woods tons of times before. He had the upper hand, and knew his way around the gnarly forest.
<font style='margin-left:20px;'><b>"So what'll it be, stranger? Friend or foe?"</b></font></span></blockquote>

Rais flicked a single velvety black ear in response to the rough voice that called from the darkness. His entire body flinched, tensed and ready, to turn around to face the dark shape which had emerged from the inky shadows of night without his notice. Like a cat, the boy's round eyes lit with a metallic sheen as he searched out the form, his nervous stare calming slightly when he saw that it was only a wolf. A lone wolf in the middle of a creepy forest could be dangerous, but Rais was confident in his ability to fend off a fellow canine should things turn dangerous. He was cautious, but not overly fearful. If anything, he was a bit relieved that someone had appeared, even if they seemed a bit intimidating and spooky given the circumstances. At least he wouldn't be dying alone. He blinked at the question, nervously bristled hairs settling down against his bony shoulders as he relaxed. Rais figured he could be asking the same thing of the male, friend or foe? <b style="color:#494b4f">"A little help would be good, yes." He started to speak as he rose to his feet, looking relieved. His suspicion was easily hid beneath his friendly, youthful demeanor. <b style="color:#494b4f">"I do prefer friends, yet I seem to have more of the latter... So, do you know your way around this place? I thought it would be a nice shortcut, but ah, it seems I've taken several wrong turns." He flashed a snaggletoothed grin. <b style="color:#494b4f">"Supposing you aren't lost, too."

table by bryony

(This post was last modified: Dec 29, 2012, 04:33 AM by Rais.)

The eerie shape seemed to be surprised with the wolf's reaction to him. Calm, at the most. But calm didn't mean anything. It could lead to injury or death. It could mean too much bravado, or too much snotty arrogance in one's self. He scoffed with the white-silver ish wolf's words. "A little help would be good, yes." You need more than help, Tenzin thought, you need a sense of direction. The smaller wolf had seemed to relax and become a tad bit more friendly. Tenzin made it a point to keep his tail lower than this wolf's, unless it came to defending himself. It was hard, because this bull had no control over his horns.

"You don't say!" He muttered under his breath right before the man continued his sentence. "I do prefer friends, yet I seem to have more of the latter... So, do you know your way around this place? I thought it would be a nice shortcut, but ah, it seems I've taken several wrong turns." It was good that this wolf would happily embrace Tenzin's small offer. The big male ran his red tongue over his white and red muzzle that soon faded into the gray, smokey feel of his body. There was no sunlight here, only fog, so it wasn't easy to see what the other wolf was doing or saying the whole time. The occasional silence was nice, but everything else was just plain distracting. Some would say that they miss the peaceful soundtrack of the beautiful woods or mountains.

But all you'd have to hear in this forest would be the snap of a tree branch, and you'd be out of your skin.

"You've taken more than some wrong turns. You've gone in circles for hours," This time, Tenzin was louder than before. His gruff viking voice was noticeable in his words. "I know where I am. Actually, I'm quite familiar with this forest. Once you sleep here, you start to ignore everything around you." Tenzin spoke in a kinder voice now, smiling. "If I was lost, I wouldn't be offering you help." The brute stated matter-of-factly.

Rais leaned back at the observation put forth by the gruff wolf. Sure, maybe he had been literally running in circles, but he didn't need it pointed out. He was well aware of his own shortcomings. But he wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, and if this guy knew the way out, he'd deal with the remarks. The brusque male admitted to actually living in said forest, which was difficult for the Rais to imagine. How could anyone live in the oppressive gloom of these woods? The silence of it would be enough to do Rais in. Though giving another glance over the male, he couldn't really imagine him fitting in anywhere else. He didn't seem entirely pleasant, even when smiling. Hell, maybe he was even the reason why it was so quiet... Rais shrugged his shoulders, half to stranger and half to his own internal musings. <b style="color:#494b4f">"One would assume so. Never hurts to ask." Rais thought of pointing out that the wolf never actually offered help, only asked if he needed it. The boy thought better of pushing the buttons of his rescuer over semantics, and held his tongue. <b style="color:#494b4f">"So, you lead the way?" He asked as he took a step forward, <b style="color:#494b4f">" My name's Rais by the way. What might I call you?" He took a gamble in using his own name, but he was familiar enough with Swift River's stench to know this wolf probably wasn't one of theirs, should they be looking for him. At the best, a River wolf would leave Rais lost here or lead him astray, at the worst... Rais didn't want to think about that.

table by bryony

(This post was last modified: Dec 29, 2012, 04:33 AM by Rais.)

Tenzin shifted his weight uncomfortably. "One would assume so. Never hurts to ask." The smaller, younger wolf mused smugly. Ten growled hastily. "I don't have time for you. I still can't believe I'm doing this." He muttered dryly, beckoning with a tilt to his head for the other wolf to follow him. He turned around and headed for the closest way out he knew: towards Bramble Falls. He sighed inconveniently with the wolf's question. His patience was running out. "I'm not playing twenty questions with you, Rais." His tail swished behind him softly. "Call me Scourge." Yeah, yeah. That wasn't his real name and it was wrong to tell the other wolf any different.

But why trust someone you barely know anything about?

In his opinion, Rais would've made a bad move sharing his name with a wolf that was out to get him. He let out an unnoticeable smile appear on his maw because his temporary traveling companion couldn't see his face.

(This post was last modified: Dec 29, 2012, 04:35 AM by Tenzin.)

As soon as the man turned away from him, Rais rolled his eyes, resisting the intense urge to stick his tongue out as well. Tenativly Rais followed after the wolf, wondering if he should check to see if the wolf had a stick stuck up his ass. The man was so unreasonably ill natured, which reminded him of another grouchy wolf he had run into by the marsh. He would have asked if they were related, but he did not seem the type for idle conversation. It was really a shame, since he just wanted to break the deafening silence somehow. 'Scourge... Yeah, sure, more like Scrooge.' Rais thought to himself, making sure to trail a safe distance behind the male. It was so very tempting to make faces behind Scrooge's back, but he didn't want to get caught doing so and have his jugular torn out by the testy beast, in the middle of a dark forest where no one would even hear his screams. The thought subdued the boy, and he wondered if this were a good idea. In any case, he needed out of this forest and this wolf seemed to be the most promising means of exit, given Rais' other option was running in more blind circles. Fortunately, Rais noticed the section of the forest they were moving through was decidedly distinct from first area, which he was now much too familiar with.

table by bryony

The brute stopped at the edge of the gnarled woods and growled to the mutt behind him, "There it is. Good luck on finding your way back home." He sourly snarled, waiting for the other wolf to leave his presence. He didn't want any more to do with naive man, and he shook his ruffled pelt. The sky began to cloud and send down snow. It was going to get colder in the weeks to come.

{Two more posts each, then my post will be the last and we'll archive.}

The forest began to open up, sounds of a distant waterfall singing in Rais ears. The boy took a deep breath he hadn't realized he'd been waiting for, feeling like the tight confines of the woods had been crushing the very air right out of lungs. No longer did he feel like a rat trapped in a maze, and was just glad the surly male hadn't killed him. The entire experience was a little nerve wracking, but Rais was pleased that he could at least gain something from this encounter. He had been careful to take note of the path the resident of the Ghasty Woods took, just in case he ever had the misfortune of coming here again. Not that he had any plans on coming back to the dark place. The male had stopped, and with gruff parting words deposited Rais on the edge of the woods. Rais moved forward, dipping his head to the male. Usually it paid to be polite. <b style="color:#494b4f">"Thank you," he said simply, no trace of ill will on his face. With that, he trotted off into the distance, quickly disappearing in the white swirl of snowfall.

table by bryony

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Tenzin felt the snow catch onto his fur. He snorted and looked behind him. "Good riddance." He didn't hesitate to admit that the young man was a nuisance. But he was finally out of Tenzin's forest, and the brute was grateful. Without further ado, Tenzin lumbered off to go take a nap or something, or maybe he could go run off some tresspassers. Enough being nice for today[Tenzin's -EXIT-]

{END}

(This post was last modified: Jan 02, 2013, 12:02 AM by Tenzin.)