Riddle Heights We can't stop

This is crappier than I intended.. apologies.

Heavy paws padded softly through the rugged terrain, the ground beneath him chilled ever so slightly from the high altitude of the mountains. Foliage was minimal here, and it seemed to him that no matter where he rested his eyes, they would always land on rock, his ears captivated by the silence that these lands could pull off. He had managed to steer clear of predators up here thus far; as soon as a scent of bear or mountain lion even tickled his muzzle, he changed his course immediately. That was the last thing he needed right now, and it was the only thing he paid mind to these days. How odd it was, though, usually he would be thrilled by the mickle views so high up, for the lands he came from were so flat and familiar to him. But today his mind was elsewhere, his aimless wandering bringing him down from the high mountains view and back to wondering how pointless all this searching for his brother had become.

He didn't know how long he had been walking today, and frankly he didn't care. The thin mountain air was slowing him down. Minutes, hours? At times he felt almost smothered by how he still hadn't found his brother, let alone his reason for searching, and as much as he wanted to deny that he might never find Ash, he couldn't help but be bothered going home to his father empty handed. Marcus would want something more — no, needed it — more desperately than a starved captive. Dalton would not give up this chance to prove his father proud.

He had given Dalton the rightful rank as Guardian, and his Second, which he greatly appreciated and felt pride to be given a title such as that from his father finally after all his years. Dalton's emerald eyes flicked forward, realizing he walked now with glazed eyes too often. At least it was a nice, cool day. He could see patchy rain clouds not too far in the distance, but anything beat the heat that he'd been traveling through for so long. He'd never find his brother if he didn't look.

you're fine <3 thank you for starting! I messed up her timeline so I'm gonna say she's still a loner rather than at MG lol whoops~

Fiora Geddes

Primadonna girl, all I ever wanted was the world.

Despite the promise she'd made herself in the Sacred Grove, Fiora had not spent much time exploring the western Lore. It wasn't that she didn't like it, or didn't want to, but every night on the horizon she was enamored with the snow caps rising in the air. There was a magnetism about the mountains, a deep-rooted deja vu that reminded her of her Alaskan home. Maybe she wasn't sure how to feel about her parents or her sister, but Fiora knew how she felt about the places she'd been raised and the nostalgia that begged her heart was too much to bear. Regardless of her intentions, she somehow found herself at the foot of the mountain with no where to go but up.

Though a pretty thing, her self esteem was about the only thing fragile regarding the ruddy yearling. The Mackenzie blood that coursed through her veins gave her strong shoulders and well-muscled legs, her leathery pads hardened from her weeks of constant travel. Then again, no one said she'd been using those shoulders and legs. At least not like this. The climb was strenuous, and she was hardly just beginning. She didn't find it particularly helpful to think about home, but it worked better when she thought about how much home had sucked and how much better it would be if she made it over to the other side.

So she was consumed in selfish thought as she spurned herself forward, until a scent wafted in from her surroundings strong enough to tear her mind away from herself. Tawny chin raised she tested the air, frosted stare narrowing. There was definitely someone around, but she couldn't spot the wolf. The Heights were too rocky; boulders and jagged precipices perfect to hide behind all over the place. Besides that she was on the rise, the worst possible vantage point. A displeased growl rumbled from within her chest, licking her ebon lips with frustration. It suddenly bothered her that she was all alone and in a position of disfavor.

Though there were perhaps many better plans of action, Fiora decided that standing in place until the stranger had passed was the best idea. Limbs locking and tail raising to curl over her back, the yearling waited in a bubble of anxiety.

art - threads
adopt laoise?

Dalton's head hung low to the ground lazily while he kept his eyes on the horizon. It was not long until a faint scent got his attention and sparked an interest in the four year old. The wind wasn't exactly working with him on point but he raised his head, trying to find the source of the scent. Female, for certain, he confirmed as he trotted, quickening his pace in anticipation. Finally, someone else to ask about his brother. These mountains held many wolves, there would have to be some lead eventually to help him out. Now just to find—

Just as Dalton turned a corner around a tall bolder, a blur of contrasting color against the rock was caught in his peripherals and startled him so much that he side stepped away immediately, his heart quickening. That was not the way to come across a wolf.. or to be standing around waiting for one either. Once that second and a half reaction ended, Dalton realized he'd run into the young fae that he had smelt, very obvious now that they were facing each other, only a few wolf lengths apart.

"Jesus, girl! You nearly scared the daylights out of me. What are you doing creeping behind rocks like that?" he asked her in an almost scolding tone. He reeled himself back in once the words left his lips as his adrenaline settled. Probably no need to vilify the poor girl and her tactics, and he was about to apologize when his emerald eyes flicked to the female's initial dominant stance and his brows furrowed. Oh now, what was this? he wondered, his tail flicking annoyedly. He knew he wasn't near pack grounds so there was no reason for this teenager to be like that. Or perhaps he had simply frightened her too.. he looked at her uncertainly, awaiting her reaction.

Fiora Geddes

Primadonna girl, all I ever wanted was the world.

The appearance of the brown wolf shocked her once, his obvious start shocked her again, and the words he blurted practically in her face brought the total to three times her heart threatened to stop in this man's presence. Her hackles raised until they were practically vertical, black-tipped furs reaching into the sky like they were under a magnet. Her muzzle wrinkled with displeasure at his sudden appearance and a snarky remark began to form in her jaws as she bared her teeth. But then, he had the audacity to accuse her of weird behavior.

Indignant of his gross accusation her tawny jaw dropped suddenly, her face adopting an expression of absolute maidenly outrage. Mustering up as much voice as she could she fired back, "Creeping behind rocks? I am just standing here enjoying the pleasant view, thank you very much. If anyone here is " Fiora's voice dropped to a low mockery of the stranger's, "creeping behind rocks, it's you!" Satisfied with her shrill rebuke of an adult the russet youth let her jaws snap to a close, pressing her lips into a thin line. Her pale eyes narrowed though she denied sparing him from her piercing focus. There was a certain smugness to her simmering anger now, a beam of I am so judging you emitting from her gaze.

Actually, she was not satisfied trying to make this stranger feel inferior to her, Fiora realized. There was still an inkling in her chest like she could be on a higher horse. With a sniff of her dark nose she turned her cheek on him, chin raised high in the air, and muttered through her teeth, "Just who do you think you are, scaring ladies?"

art - threads
adopt laoise?

Hehe, I snickered at your post.

Dalton took immediate note of the young female's defensive reaction to their surprise encounter, which he considered a bit overkill. His heart was beginning to return to normal speed when the fae spoke. Her words caused his eyebrows to raise considerably in his slight disbelief at her accusation. Women. Young women. His eyes rolled in annoyance, and he flicked his tail. "Oh yeah, of course. No, you're right, I was the one creeping. I must have been doing some good job too, since I was so sneaky I accomplished startling not only you, but also myself! A real ninja, I must be," he pondered, mustering up his best make-believe surprise in his abilities as he nodded to himself approvingly. His dry sarcasm did not leave room for joking tones; he sounded quite serious.

His green eyes flicked back to the female, finding her dropped maw and judging gaze almost amusing, but mostly annoying. As she turned her face away and stuck her nose up in the air — she actually just did that? — he snorted at her foolish retort. "No ladies I know talk to strangers like that, but forgive me if I frightened any real ladies around here.." he looked around, as if to honestly look for any on the other side of the boulder, or perhaps to either side of them, then returned his gaze to hers with a relieved expression, "Oh thank goodness, looks like I'm in the clear," he assured her. He let his facial facade end then so to emulate that he was finished playing games with the bratty teenager.

Fiora Geddes

Primadonna girl, all I ever wanted was the world.

At first Fiora wasn't sure what he was saying - he sounded believable for a moment there. But then she watched his face shape into some merry look of surprise and the realization sunk in. Sarcasm saturated the explanation that followed the roll of his eyes, to which Fiora attempted to adopt a bored expression though she flicked her ears back. So many words. So many annoying words. Well he certainly thought he was going to get the better of her here, and the ruddy yearling fought back a smile. Oh, no, she'd show him who was really the boss on this mountainside and when it was over, she'd even let him kiss her knuckles, damn right.

She was conjuring up some gems of her own when his next line hit home. Stepping back as though the blow had been physical Fiora bristled, baring her teeth at his observation. She was actually hurt by the insult, though its resounding sting only brought her further in anger. She was too a lady, a real god damn lady, and as far as she was concerned any stranger ought to be throwing himself belly-first over the first sign of mud to prevent her delicate feet from being dirtied. This sharp-tongued male, of course, denied her that.

Fiora spat in rebuttal, "Oh, yeah? What are you, some kind of lady expert? You spend an awful lot of time looking at ladies? You creep." It was certainly a low blow, accusing this man of being a pervert. Usually Fiora was more apt to lesser offenses, like your face looks stupid and you've got a slack jaw. But hey, she'd been driven to desperation and hard knocks always seemed like the right way to go.

art - threads
adopt laoise?

There was a certain kind of satisfaction that Dalton got from perfecting the art of dry sarcasm over the years. His elders were never a fan of it when he was growing up, but when you were an adult you could do whatever you wanted. He tended to only use it when dealing with individuals that he didn't enjoy the company of, or thought were complete morons in the least. Otherwise the four year old was a quiet, aging Second to his pack who was good at his job. His blatant honesty was another thing that most people didn't expect from him. What always surprised him was when one was asking his opinion or for him to be honest, they could get off being offended when he gave it. It hardly made sense.

Dalton gazed at the yearling in front of him, watching her comical reactions. She was a tad on the dramatic side, wasn't she? The pretty little thing with the aqua eyes probably honestly felt she was in the right and he was in the wrong here, he thought, when all of it had truly been an accident. He was not sure why he was letting himself be roped into this verbal quarreling with the fae, he should know better, being the older and more 'responsible' adult of the two. Something about her over-reactions and rude undertones just annoyed him.

Slightly embarrassed now for himself that he was arguing with a child, he listened to her curt words, intending on finishing this conversation as soon as he could. Ah yes, the creepy old man insult. She would use something like that. "Ouch, my feelings," he said dryly, though he did not try to mask his sarcasm as much anymore. He turned his body slightly to the side to signal his intent to leave, "So enchanted to have made your acquaintance dear, but of course I must be off to finish more of my creeping," he narrowed his eyes and nodded in the direction he had been going, indicating his noble search for the many ladies he had yet to creep upon.

He flicked his eyes to the boulders and few bits of foliage around them, "And of course, enjoy the.. pleasant view you have here, as you were before I rudely interrupted" he wished to her dismissively, finished with this foolish debauchery. His eyes met her aqua ones once more before he turned to leave.

Fiora Geddes

Primadonna girl, all I ever wanted was the world.

Fiora continued to hold the man in her frosted stare, brows furrowing as she discerned his game. For a moment she didn't believe he was actually trying to disengage, thinking that his dry dismissal was just a segue-way into something more insulting. Where she liked to yawp, he liked to be a bit more subtle. Whatever his bit was, she was going to find out.

"Yeah, I wouldn't want to hold you back," she answered lamely as he continued on his spiel, announcing his need to find more poor, unsuspecting girls like her. I believe it, she thought with a sneer as she waited for his next parry. But much to her chagrin he didn't say much more to their parting of ways. In fact, he actually turned away from her with a comment about enchantment that Fiora didn't quite manage to grasp, her eyes widening slightly as she realized he'd actually meant it. This interaction wasn't suiting him? Not imagining that bantering with a child was unbecoming of an adult (for that would be to admit she was a child) Fiora took his actions as a slight.

Kitty doesn't wanna scratch? Fiora noted with a wrinkle of her nose. Too bad! She was riled up as it was and with her blood running red and immature as ever she needed an outlet, lest she become restless and frustrated on her own. She couldn't let him go just yet. Yelling at rocks wasn't nearly as fun. But the yearling couldn't very well just say that - there was no need to paint herself as crazy here. Instead, she allowed him to wander off from their encounter with little more than a dismissive snort. After a couple of moments had passed, Fiora would start sneakily down a parallel path - just so as to not let him out of her sight until she wanted him gone.

art - threads
adopt laoise?

Thankfully, the young fae had not given him too much grief about taking his leave. He was glad for this as it gave him a chance to take a breather and let his quick snarky remarks calm down. As he turned paw, he heard her lame remark and assured himself that he was making the right decision to make away from this foolish immature quarrel with the aqua-eyed yearling. Why he had let himself get riled up by the child would be news to him. Maybe the months of travel were truly getting to him and his usual patient ways.

He listened for her to send him off with more parting remarks, but he heard nothing. His ears swiveled back waiting for it, but all he could imagine was the annoyed look on her face at the terminating of her games. Dalton knew her drama queen type, and to continually play on like this was what she wanted. Convinced that it was done with then, he continually padded away from her. He was strangely unhappy to be leaving the company of another wolf, but he was glad to have his emotions come back down to normal. He was not looking for a traveling partner like that to accrete to daily. As he moved over the rocky hills, he couldn't help but be more wary than usual walking too closely past boulders. Foolish woman.. making him paranoid.

I am so, so sorry to keep you waiting for this craptastic reply D:

Fiora Geddes

Primadonna girl, all I ever wanted was the world.

It probably wasn't anything less than psychotic to fribble like this, but Fiora did not think so. She found the sneer impossible to wean off her expression, even as her anger began to dissipate and a childish feeling of excitement vibrated in her muscles. Even though she was quite literally stalking a complete stranger for no good reason it felt much like play hunting as a pup, except this time she had a good nose and she knew how to use it. A smile melded into her irritated expression, resulting in an almost wicked grin. From the few glimpses she got of the dark-furred male between rocky fixtures and round boulders it seemed he hadn't noticed her yet. Clearly she excelled at stealth; the ego stroking was enough to keep her going after him even as a purpose failed her.

Truly she didn't know why she was following him. With each step she became all together less angry, but for some reason she just couldn't shake the restless feeling that she ought not to leave him be. Was it just the core of her natural to be unbearable? Probably. Regardless Fiora had no choice, you see, but to follow this poor man who had much better things to do than entertain a yearling's selfish whimsy. What if he was on his way to go be creepy to someone else? Really he hadn't done anything to suggest it, but her mind was grasping at straws (limply of course) to justify her means. Maybe she could call it... self defense? Because she felt... threatened by him? Maybe?

She was too concentrated on coming up with excuses for herself to notice her paw was sweeping right for a loose rock. Not paying enough attention to anything but her inner monologue she ended up kicking the pebble straight forward. It wasn't big or anything, but it was obvious that no rock just shot forward like that by a random act of nature. Terrified that she'd blown her cover, Fiora held her breath and came to a sudden halt. Her pale eyes searched the surrounding boulders a serendipitously placed cavern, but alas - there was no such thing to save her. Swallowing a lump of fear the ruddy yearling shuffled backward behind the nearest rock, poking her snout out just far enough to get an eye on the stranger. Maybe he hadn't noticed...

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adopt laoise?