Sex: Male It was another snow day. By now the powder had lost its novelty, and while the young hunter still appreciated the advantage it gave him, he no longer paid overly much attention to it; It was just part of the landscape. The black fur on his back got dusted in white as he trotted along, lazily maneuvering in and out between the huge trees. These too had become everyday sights, their thick, tall trunks no longer causing wonder in the yearling's eyes. Truth be told, he was growing bored, bored with the land, bored with the daily duties... He still found joy in his hunting ventures, though mostly tracking of larger prey, especially further outside Kingsfall. The rest, the routines, patrols, it was all starting to wear him out, his usual paths around the land well trotted, and every cash checked regularly. Sometimes, Orren Baranski dreamed of change, of taking off to explore the world and learning new skills, experiencing adventures. Today was one of these days. Trying to entertain himself, he veered away from usual paths, weaving across the land in different patterns; But nothing was truly new, he knew this place, inside and out. Still he wandered, aimlessly, gaze drifting glasslike over tracks and marks, left in the snow by his pack mates or prey. Like everything else, the thought off following them seemed dull, just another everyday action. So instead he kept moving, wishing hopelessly to encounter something new. What exactly kept him here? His family, his duty? Lately those things had begun to feel less important. Back when they had first come to Hearthwood River and Inna and Lekalta had been born, Orren had felt closer to his family than ever. Especially after Aleksei's disappearance and Karina's withdrawal, he had suddenly become the good child, the protector and defender. But no matter how much he tried, he couldn't be Aleksei, he couldn't stay cooped up here forever! He was starting to drift apart from everyone, and right now what kept him more than anything, was guilt. Guilt and a strange sense that something was amiss, a constant worry that he couldn't quite place. So he tried to distract himself, and his straying paws surprisingly brought him to a place he didn't recognize. The sound of trickling water drew his attention away from tumbling thoughts, and his eyes widened in surprise as they fell on a small brook, seeming to come out of nowhere. The water just sprang from the ground, forming a small pool before swiftly rushing off through the forest. Orren's head tilted curiously, ears waving as he looked at the water, he remembered the hot spring he and Naia had discovered on their travel from Cut Rock River and sniffed in deeply, noting that this spring, unlike the Cougar Eye, smelled clean and fresh. There was also no steam, marking the water as cold. Despite his dark mood, the boy smiled at his discovery, bending down to have a taste, for a moment feeling content in having managed to wring out another drop of adventure from his homeland. Word count: 514 ”Speech" Thoughts |
It was the Rill that he still felt most comfortable at, and thus would often extend his patrolling outward toward the region. The young man had yet to become comfortable within the Baranski's domain, and his actions reflected this. While he was diligent in doing his part, hunting for his own meals as well as supplying for the caches, and walking the pack's borders so as to secure and mark them, he did so in avoidance of others. Excepting Kjors and Karina, he could not bring himself to name these strangers as his pack mates, and it was his own anguish that kept himself separated. Not yet ready to to force himself to come to terms with this situation, he merely allowed himself to continue drifting until the dragon or the doe beckoned him.
It was odd to catch a pack wolf's scent upon the Rill other than the priestess and his hero, but not unheard of. Still, the boy swung his gait toward the origin, curious to know who would come this way and also a bit protective of the respite. Hopefully, no one was thinking of snooping on Karina's privacy. As he came closer he began to recognize the scent as the prince he'd yet to officially meet, Orren. Was he seeking his princess? When Davin's eyes at last fell upon him, the boy was drinking from the natural spring, and the air about him told the yearling that the other boy didn't have much purpose here.
Davin relaxed, and approached, offering up a low woof of greeting.
| The water was cold and fresh, making his tongue tinkle as he sated his thirst. So close to his home borders the boy felt safe, his guard lowered while he drank from the stream. He didn't hear the other until he voiced his approach, making the young Baranski's head jolt up, ears and hackles both pricking instinctively. It took him only a moment to recognize the other yearling though, his dark markings easy enough to identify, even after just a few glimpses. Orren's startled features relaxed into an easy smile, tail swaying at his hocks as he met the lad's pale eyes; "Hi there!" an upbeat, friendly voice greeted, still wet muzzle pointing at the other as Orren sniffed in his scent. Yes, this was the guy, clearly marked by Kisla and the general pine and wet soil of the River, but satiated with two equally familiar perfumes; His elusive sister, and the clear mark of dragon. "Davin… Right?" The prince remained open, while he had sought solitude above company today, he was rarely one to dismiss the later. He hadn't spoken with the shadowy boy before, but that didn't mean much, Orren hadn't made a habit of personally greeting every new member of their pack, so many of them were transient, and he had enough on his plate what with keeping the caches stocked and hunting grounds scouted. But he trusted his mother's judgment, and if she had invited Davin into their family, why shouldn't he? You know why! A small voice hissed in the back of his mind; Because of HIM. But he pushed it away. He wasn't so sure about that anymore, after talking to Naia and spending more time pondering, he had mostly put his feelings down to simple jealousy. In any case, he wouldn't let those feelings bias him towards this other male. Because when was the last time he had spend time with an age mate, and a male one at that; Ever since Alek… And looking at him now, the two were remarkably similar, their stature and the palette of their fur; though Davin's swarthy hairs grew heavier at his chest while leaving his crest rusty, unlike Orren's even charcoal saddle and mask. A sudden, childish part of the budding hunter wondered if this boy might be game for a brawl, at had been so long since he last sparred with anyone. "I guess we haven't been properly introduced, I'm Orren." Word count: 408 ”Speech" Thoughts |
