Drooping Willows all mimsy were the borogoves

<blockquote><i>Noon; Clear — Current Temperature: 40° F/4° C</i>

The past few days Fenru had to admit had been very <i>strange</i>. Not only had Dad been silently creeping about the territory, unseen and unheard, but Mum had also mysteriously vanished during the day. He figured they were together, doing and talking about "adult things" he had yet to understand, for when Corinna made sure three gangly pups had come back to the den at nightfall, she had made sure they were all completely unscathed <i>and obedient</i>. Indru made sure to reenforce the concept that nighttime was the time to sleep. It was all completely unnerving. <i>Why was everyone acting so weird?</i> And it wasn't just his parents either, Uncle Triell was often nowhere to be found nor Uncle Marsh... Even the three new wolves he had only seen here and there around the territory were acting quirky like they knew something he and his siblings did not.

So the youngest Tainn sought out a place to think. He had mustered up all the courage he could find and dashed across Swift River then followed the fork in the stream to the south until he found his way in the company of several <i>droopy</i> trees adorned with green shoots. He let out an exasperated sigh, fed up with being at home for the time being. If no one wanted to pay any mind to him, then he would do the same and leave them to their own devices. He strolled slowly towards a tree with dark, soil brown bark, examining it closely. Willows weren't all that uncommon in the Sacred Grove but for some reason or another this one, being so far away from his parents' safe haven, was all the more interesting <i>because</i> it was someplace he had not yet been.

Imitating Indru's actions from a few days ago, Fen raked his black claws down the tree's trunk then proceeded to step around it in search of any other scents aside from his own. Unfortunately, it didn't help him understand the action or its purpose any further than marring an organic thing. He plunked down between the roots of the earthen giant and scowled up at it in frustration. <b>"What're <i>YOU</i> not tellin' me?"</b> he demanded, questioning it as the crisp, spring breeze made the branches around him sway just enough for a small rustle to fill his ears. He pretended the silent being had answered him and shrugged, <b>"Whatever. I'm old enough to understand. Don't talk to me then either."</b></blockquote>

Taekwondo (M, W, F) | Rapid-Response Day (Tu) | WoW Nights (F, Sat, Sun)

Her maw was soaked crimson, the creature hanging limply from
her small jaws. It was a rabbit, one that was too preoccupied
with the freshly sprouting greens to notice her presence. The
gray-silver wolf was small in frame, and agile at that. Nay, she
may not have great strength, but it was rather easy for her to
catch a small meal.


Finn looked 'round, her light chocolate eyes scanning the
willow filled area before she dropped her kill. She lowered
her elegant head, tearing at the soft flesh of the creature.
It tasted quite good. She grinned a bit, ivory fangs now
stained red. Then, there was a voice. It didn't seem too far
off. Head shooting up, Finn swallowed her last chunk of
flesh before stepping over the remains and gingerly pad-
ding forth. Curious. The petite creature continued forth,
soon feeling her heart beat harder as the sight of a young
wolf came into view. She eyed the willow that he had
clawed. Finn tilted her head in a curious manner. What
was this wolf doing?


She stepped out of the cover of a drooping tree, her
pelt catching the soft glow of the sun's rays through
the canopy. " 'Lo there, young'un" she spoke.
FInn's old western voice was smooth, and sweet like
a bee's honey. Upon closer inspection, he seemed to
be younger than she had expected. "What brings you
out here? You seem a bit balled up."

(This post was last modified: Mar 14, 2012, 07:43 PM by Finn.)

"If a man knows anything, he ought to die with it in him."

<blockquote>The youth continued to frown at the willow's roots, his face distorted and wrinkled with vexation. It didn't last for long though, for when a friendly voice rang through the air in greeting, Fen's ears drew upwards from their forward position then folded back in surprise as his jaw fell open. A rogue came forth, the sunlight dappling her coat as he silently took her in. Her mouth and jaw were stained with... with... <i>was that... blood?!</i> She eyed him and he merely stared as she asked and commented, <i>"What brings you out here? You seem a bit balled up."</i> In his head his family's firm instructions echoed at the forefront of his mind: <i>Don't speak to strangers... Howl for help... Don't tell anyone anything unless it was someone he knew.</i>

Fenru continued to gape at her and it was only until his mother's constant scolding of <i>"Fenru, it is rude to stare"</i> came to mind that he closed his mouth. He sealed his lips tightly then slowly straightened his limbs and backed up against the tree. The blood around her jowls could have easily meant that she had recently eaten... but eaten... what? <i>Wayward puppies,</i> his subconscious answered. He immediately shook his head to whisk the thought away. For a moment, he tried to convince himself that she would not frighten him. That fear would not even get a single taloned paw around him.

Assuming that he would not be able to call attention to his superiors, he opted to deal with this encounter on his own. Besides, he had told himself several times before that he was <i>not</i> a pup anymore. Maybe this experience would validate the statement. His hackles rose defensively as his prickly, irritable mood returned. As a stranger he felt she was pressing some boundaries and warily snapped back, <b>"Nothin'! Why ya wanna know?"</b></blockquote>

Taekwondo (M, W, F) | Rapid-Response Day (Tu) | WoW Nights (F, Sat, Sun)

Finn watched as the pup reacted to her presence. She noticed
that he seemed a bit frightened- but why? The old, rustic scent
of the rabbit kill filled her nose. Ah, that's it. She almost
chuckled, but instead, words came out of her maw "I don't
mean to kick up a row" she stated, eyes on the smaller wolf
"This here is rabbit's blood."


The young wolf had also snapped at her. She jolted her head
back in what appeared to be disgust. "Listen here, young'un.
There's no need to get your back up. I ain't gonna bother you."
she resisted the urge to growl this at the creature, so instead she
had said it in a rather smooth, calm matter. Why was this
wolf out on his own? What if a bear had tried to attack him?
Thoughts began to whir through the small wolf's head, but she
shook them away. This wasn't her pup- why would she
care?


Finn now seated herself, resting lightly upon her hind haunches.
Her tail flicked, and her light ecru eyes looked to her small paws
before returning to Fenru. She had seated herself to try and com-
for the young one, so it didn't seem as if she was to suddenly
leap forth and strike at him. She had no intentions of such what-
soever. She was just curious.

(This post was last modified: Mar 15, 2012, 03:16 PM by Finn.)

"If a man knows anything, he ought to die with it in him."

<blockquote>Her words did little to reassure him or whisk away the idea that she had finished eating <i>someone</i>. She drew back and Fen merely sniffed, impatiently waiting for an answer from her. <i>"I ain't gonna bother you,"</i> her voice drawled. The youth's muzzle wrinkled in a frown. <i>Whatever,</i> he had wanted to say, but he was quick to bite back the word. His eyes did not stray from her as she lowered herself onto her haunches.

<b>"Well, yer botherin' me,"</b> he shrugged. <b>"If you don't have any answers for anything I don't wanna talk. You're probably just like everyone else, anyway... Doing things and saying things and not even telling me why you're doing 'em. I shouldn't even be talkin' to you. You're a <i>stranger.</i>"</b> He snorted then took a step back for good measure before taking a seat himself with his back to the willow's trunk.</blockquote>

Taekwondo (M, W, F) | Rapid-Response Day (Tu) | WoW Nights (F, Sat, Sun)

Lady Finn's brown eyes narrowed as the young wolf seemed to
grow churlish with his words. "Well, I never!" Finn spat,
containing her anger as much as possible. "You listen here.
You're lucky I'm a damn nice wolf. If the wrong one had stumbled
upon you rather than me, you'd be in scraps right now!" She
released a grunt, tossing her head. Ears swivelled back against
her gray cranium.


"And what kind of questions should I be answerin for you, anyway?
Have your parents not taught you manners for your elders?"
Young wolves were always a pain in the rump. Before they have
found out who they really are, it seemed they always had quite
the attitude. Finn could recall pups in her old clan acting in such
a way, but were always swatted by the leaders to behave.

"If a man knows anything, he ought to die with it in him."

<blockquote>Her words shattered the air and the pup merely glared. She was right though; Fenru had been <i>very</i> lucky she was nice. <i>"And what kind of questions should I be answerin for you, anyway?"</i> she offered as he continued to glower. <i>"Have your parents not taught you manners for your elders?"</i> <b>"Yeah,"</b> he spat, his ears turning forward. <b>"I jus'... I just don't get why everyone's acting so funny."</b> He stopped himself before the additional statement of <i>"And I miss Mum."</i> could even leave his mouth. If he was to be seen as a youngster that was not a pup, then he would have to stomach the facts and deal with being away from Corinna.

<b>"Nothing's like it used to be,"</b> he sadly admitted looking up at the rogue female, the fiery hue in his eyes not as bright as they had been before. <b>"Everything's changing... too fast."</b></blockquote>

Taekwondo (M, W, F) | Rapid-Response Day (Tu) | WoW Nights (F, Sat, Sun)

Lady Finn kneaded the earth below with her paws as
the wolf continued to spit words at her. Why was he being
so obnoxious? Damn pups. She tilted her head lightly
at his next sentences, though. Changing so fast? She re-
leased a light chuckle, jaws parting slightly before the
small female snapped them back shut.


"Changing fast?" she questioned, raising a brow.
Curious chocolate eyes gazed at the youngster, heart
yearning to be that young again. "You're a young'un.
How much could have changed since you've been born?
That why you've strayed from your pack?" She did not
mean to catechize the young wolf, but Finn felt as if she
had to. Her motherly instincts seemed to flood over her
body, and she cared for this young wolf, although he
did seem to have a bit of an attitude.


Perhaps she should not be speaking with him. What if
one of the parents appeared? Most likely they were the
alphas of a pack, and Finn may end up having her silver-
gray pelt ripped off her muscles. She blinked, casting the
idea away like a fisherman casts his lure into the deep
unknown.

(This post was last modified: Mar 26, 2012, 03:41 PM by Finn.)

"If a man knows anything, he ought to die with it in him."