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blue skies — Thicket of Secrets 
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Played by Bryony who has 223 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Alexander Dieudonné
<span style='font-size:7pt;line-height:100%'>takes place a few days after his thread with Arlette
<i>Partly Cloudy — Current Temperature: 52° F/11° C</i></span>

The healing process was slow. Of course, he hadn't had much injury other than his leg, which had really already healed up. The rest was sheer lack of food, and perhaps a bit of his age starting to creep up on him, though he'd never admit it. Alexander wasn't old. Maybe he was getting there, but in his mind, he'd really just come into adulthood. He didn't intend to have it grabbed from him so suddenly, and he would have to give Elettra substantial thanks before he left, whenever that was. He wasn't sure when Jaysyek and Borden planned on confronting their adopting child about her real father. He wasn't in a rush, though he didn't want to intrude on their kindness and eat all their food for too much longer. The faster he was in acceptable condition again, the faster he could settled back into daily life. As a loner, of course, but he couldn't stay here. Not while Borden was here.

He didn't have any truly harsh feelings towards the male, but there was a distaste that overlayed the mild friendship he harbored for Borden. Borden had left him and taken Jayse with him. It was hard not to take it personally, even after all this time. But he wouldn't grouse about it. All he could do was avoid the Hollow founder. Alex decided to strike out today, the sun at its warm peak in the sky, giving Alexander ample time to wander about the Thicket before he'd have to head back. It gave him time to think, or clear his mind. He didn't much like having free time on his paws, as it seemed to fill his mind with the most paranoid thoughts.

Rather, he pondered about the female Elettra and Jaysyek. He'd miss them both, though something about the darker female struck a chord within him. She seemed so cold. Sighing, Alexander settled to his haunches, chest rising and falling as he leaded weakly against a tree. Maybe he wasn't getting better as fast as he thought. It would just have to be hidden around the Hollow. He didn't want their charity. It was the last thing they needed with Spring closing in. A weak old man to deal with, when there were children to be taking care of... <b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."

Played by Van who has 5 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Lanx Australis
A day or so previous, Lanx had departed the forest surrounding the lagoon, abandoning any semblance of her new, would-be “home”… for the time being, at least. Her instincts drew her north, figuring that she’d return south in the next few days or so, after gaining some bearing about the surrounding territory. She simply couldn’t shell herself over by the lagoon for the remainder of her years, now could she? Although, considering it now, the idea didn’t sound half bad. Snorting it away, the blue-eyed raven tossed her silvery mane and pressed on through the night. The sun had risen and reached up to signify noontime, acting as a sort of personal zeitgeber, before she finally decided to stop for the day.

Her destination wound up being an impossibly dense thicket, but it provided decent shelter from the warm, cloudy sky above. Delicately, she drew herself through the brush and trees, paws picking a careful route as her tired eyes glanced around for a place to hole herself safely within. But instead of spotting shelter, she spotted a swath of white amongst the spring-green flora, and suddenly her senses were ignited with the suddenly realized fact that she was not alone. Stiffening at first, the onyx siren gave immediate pause, regarding the male that sat some yards east of her, yet unaware. He was tall, white, but appeared inappropriately haggard.

Curious, Lanx drifted closer, conscious to make noise so that he knew she was there. Afternoon, she greeted him airily, regarding his scent (mingled with others) as warily as she should.
Played by Fenrir who has 639 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Ice Aesir
you do not know who is your friend
or who is your enemy
until the   ICE breaks.
He was away again, set adrift in the stream of life, and the current carried him away; away from home, away from confusion and chaos and everything he held dear. Corinna would understand - she had to understand.. or would she be bitter that he had not been there the past couple of days? He'd told them that he'd be gone for a while, but... even as he'd danced about the face of Relic Lore and explored places he'd never been before, and as rain had lashed him and winds had beat him, he'd not really considered.. well. Being gone. He'd not been gone long.. just a day or two... or four. But what happened in those days? Guilt began to eat at his surprised mind and heart, and his steps slowed. Truth to be told, he'd been so caught up in the mysteries of pregnant seconds and eloping with subordinates that he'd forgotten to consider that others might need his presence, his unquestioning support. Ice wound to a halt, jaws grinding together. He'd found some of the solace he'd sought, but... Why was he here? Where was here? He realized he had no clue at all where he was.

The sun filtered down through the thickets, and with a slow exhale he shifted around. No point in tracking his way back to where he'd come from, that'd take too long a time - instead, he caught knowing and pale eyes on the sun, and began to trek east. Once he was out of this damnable thicket, he'd know which way that was the fastest to where his absent heart lay. Another stab of guilt, and he decided he'd come home hungry for the sake of speed. No food for those who wandered wide and far, even though Corinna herself had said Indru was prone to it. But damn... Where was that man wandering now? The stars, or the ground still? Stupid, Ice. To leave her alone... But, she had Marsh. And Triell. That'd have to do... for now. Until he was back. She didn't need a nursemaid, but perhaps she needed a friend.. the steadfast, rock solid and ice cold presence that so recently had been nothing but a torrent of fire and confusion.

He shook it off, padding with caution across this foreign ground. He had no intention of randomly getting impaled on some sneaky thorn bush, nor of running across wolves in the quite literal sense as with Aniu. And thus, Ice happened upon the two recently met wolves. They were shapes through the thicket, one dark and one pale; one smaller, one somewhat larger. As he came closer, he realized the pale male was a matted, dulled white, lanky enough to compete with Rhysis, although where Rhysis had just .. been .. lanky, this wolf was clearly in a poor state. It reminded him of Vlarindara, and if it wasn't for the masculine scent and lack of scars, he might've mistaken it for her. He'd caught the remnant whisper of a voice but not the words, but from their stance, he assumed they weren't too familiar with each other. Ice certainly didn't recognize either of them, and it was with a neutral-but-bordering-on-dominant pose that he padded into clear view; ears and eyes alert, tail fairly relaxed, head of a level with his spine.

"Greetings," he said, only it came out as a hoarse whisper. Ice frowned; of course it'd do that, he hadn't used his vocal chords for some days. The frown turned into a scowl and he cleared his throat noisily, giving a small, irritated shake of his head. Oh, well. If either of them cared to return his greeting he'd get to introduce them to his clear baritone, and if not... then it was no loss if two strangers thought him a croaking frog.
.ice aesir
let the stars above shine in your soul
Played by Bryony who has 223 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Alexander Dieudonné
Eventually, his breathing calmed and he felt...Well, good! Being a little out of breath certainly wasn't a crime, especially not if he felt energized afterwards. It was a pleasant feeling running through him, warm and calming. He felt quite like getting up and running around a bit more, perhaps just back to the Hollow, but his plans were interrupted by a dark pelted soul with lovely blue eyes. His ears found her first, and he turned his head soon after. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Good afternoon to you as well," He replied, looking slightly surprised, but it was eventually replaced by a friendly, if not cautious smile. He felt he had certain rights to be cautious. It wasn't as if he was judging his company, for anyone was capable of anything, but with his leg in the state it was, he was always slightly worried about being attacked. It would not keep him from being friendly, however, just slightly on his toes.

And then there was another. Wasn't he just magnetic today? With a light chuckle, he regarded the male, tipping his head towards him. <b style="color:#51b85f">"It's a lovely day, is it not?" Alexander asked, looking between his new companions. Slowly, he got to his paws, angling himself just so that he could still put some weight on the tree, though not in such an obvious fashion. <b style="color:#51b85f">"I seem to be quite the magnet for company today. I'm Alexander," He introduced himself, dipping his head. Including his last name seemed rather pointless in the company of strangers. <b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."

Played by Fenrir who has 639 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Ice Aesir
Van, if you come back you're more then welcome to jump in again :)

you do not know who is your friend
or who is your enemy
until the   ICE breaks.
No one shouted in offended fashions after having had the misfortune of hearing his squeak, something that pleased him immensely for no reason at all. Despite the things tugging at his heart and bidding him to return urgently to Swift River territory his mind slowed as his paws did. Taking ten minutes to chat with a skeletal stranger wasn't too harsh a crime, was it? He'd just be ten minutes later home, and if he ran swiftly... Maybe he could compensate for it. Besides, even as the dark female began to drift away, he seemed a very decent fellow. Maybe not as outright crazy as Ava, but pleasant - well-mannered, easygoing... Knowing that it was naive, Ice relaxed, tail drooping and beginning to wag at a slow pace. As the white stranger commented on the weather, Ice's lips curled into a smile and his head tilted back, making a great show of observing everything from the shadows cast under the heavy boughs to the golden sun. Once his reconnoiter was done, he blinked and returned his gaze to the male. "Indeed," he said warmly in something that was more like his usual voice. No more frog squeaks!

A frown creased his forehead, the skin around his eyes crinkling. The stranger was getting up, but.. something was horribly wrong with one of his legs. While it didn't really look like he avoided using it, it wasn't attached in an entirely sane fashion. Tilting his head a fraction to the side, Ice sidestepped to get a better view on it, before he realized what he was doing. The River wolf paused mid-step, one front paw still in the air, and ducked his head, averting his eyes. "Apologies," he mumbled, before taking his eyes back onto the thin, white face. In his prime, this wolf - Alexander, he introduced himself as - would've been nothing but magnificent. Tall, white, glorious - regal. What was he now, though? No time to ponder the problems of others. A pity the black female had decided to seek out the bushes, but perhaps she'd be back later. Her eyes had intrigued him. Gently, Ice fastened his silver gaze on Alexander's pale yellow ones. Only a moment, a heartbeat, registering their color, and then moving aside again. "I am Ice. A pleasure to meet you, Alexander." Something in this male woke the courtesies he'd buried since coming to Relic Lore, dragging up his best behavior and putting it on display. It nearly felt as if he'd bumped into royalty - Corinna held his utmost respect, but something about this Alexander woke an instinctual respect in him, despite the devastating physical state he was in.
.ice aesir
let the stars above shine in your soul
Played by Bryony who has 223 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Alexander Dieudonné
His gaze switched between the two again, then settled upon the male, as the noise he'd made earlier had just been so...odd. Alexander wasn't sure if that was because the male was nervous, perhaps his voice was merely like that. His jaws parted slightly, as if he was going to speak up, as the darker female departed from their little group. How odd. Perhaps the thicket had been a bit too thick for her. Or, perhaps there was something else she had to do. Their meeting had merely been accidental. At least some sort of parting remark would have been nice, but he took her awkward departure with a grain of salt, and focused his attentions upon the male instead.

And apparently it had been a one-off thing, his odd voice. He caught the male staring at his leg, and cracked a smile. He was feeling quite a bit better now, so the story behind the injury, while painful, did not surface upon his face. He didn't find the sneaky glances offensive. There was nothing wrong with being curious, of course. Everyone just had their own ways. <b style="color:#51b85f">"No need to apologize. It's only to be expected. It's not everyday you see a wolf with a twisted leg." Chuckling, he dipped his head, nose twitching as well, registering the River scent of the male. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Pleasure, Ice. You're from Swift River, I take it?" Lifting his head, his ears tipped forward. <b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."

Played by Fenrir who has 639 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Ice Aesir
you do not know who is your friend
or who is your enemy
until the   ICE breaks.
Whatever had mangled Alexander's leg, it seemed that it didn't bother him too much - nor that it was an object that induced stares. He just smiled, pale, thin face taking on a pleasant expression and Ice found himself wanting to bowl the white wolf over and lick his face until it shone in the sun. Strange, such impulses, and he quenched it. It just didn't do to give strangers a bath without warning. Ice felt his own face twitch into a crooked grin. He was very likeable, this regal and thin old fellow - reminded him quite a fair bit of Vlarindara, only... less broken in the spirit. Intense and pale eyes rested on the male's head, returning the nod of greeting with great sincerity. Shuffling his paws, the sturdy male inched closer, as if to bask in the presence of Alexander. The mere ideas of what this wolf once had been caused such a yearning in his fairytale heart, such an ache, that he was near bursting with it - he wanted to help this wolf, restore him to what he ought to be. No matter that nature had broken him down a little... it was wrong. Still.. it had happened. Curiosity nestled in his eyes, and as he listened to the pleasant voice of the other he pondered about a polite way to ask who he had been, and what had happened.

"I am," he said happily, a hint of pride in his voice. He was proud of his pack, of Corinna. But, even as he carefully sniffed the air around Alexander, he couldn't truly place the scent. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I've never been in contact with your pack before, Alexander. Where do you come from? Which name bears it?" His head tilted a fraction to the side, genuine curiosity evident in pose and voice. It was a bit of a shame that he wasn't able to recognize all the packs, but - that's how it was... Time to remedy it now! Or well, partially remedy it. It was no question that he was part of a pack, for so many scents mingled on his coat yet the individual one could clearly be picked out. Adopting a more shy and uncertain posture for a moment, Ice let his gaze go back to the twisted leg, then onto Alex's face again. "I do not wish to pry rudely-" No one could deny that he wanted to pry. "- but would you mind telling me about your leg? To survive with such a.. handicap, you must have marvelous strength or marvelous friends - both, maybe?" True, he was thin and sickly looking, but he had survived. Ice had a feeling he hadn't been in his current pack forever, for if he had, he would've been more well-fed... or maybe it was sickness that gnawed the flesh from his bones? Yearning to know, yet not wanting to push nor offend, Ice awaited an answer - a story, an attack, or a simple rejection.
.ice aesir
let the stars above shine in your soul
Played by Bryony who has 223 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Alexander Dieudonné
omg ice stop~ tee hee

He remained in his comfortable position beside the tree, though watched silently as Ice inched closer. He wasn't entirely sure why the wolf felt the need to do this, but Alexander made no complaints. He seemed like a nice fellow, and unless he suddenly decided that sitting shoulder to shoulder was a spectacular idea, then Alex would make no complaints. He was glad to have found a kind soul in these woods, especially one from another pack. But they were both away from their borders, so what reason was there to be cold?

Alexander smiled at Ice's simple response. Ice seemed happy with his home, and that was always a wonderful thing. He tried to recall the days of Midnight Plateau and the faces of his followers, but they were rather fuzzy now, whether self-inflicted or from the fall was the question he just couldn't answer. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Ah. Grizzly Hollow, though it's more of a temporary home than anything." He bowed his head slightly. He felt wrong treading upon Jaysyek's kindness as he was doing, and as soon as Arlette felt comfortable confronting him, then he would make his leave, with or without her, he sadly supposed. <b style="color:#51b85f">"We're not far from here. In Cedarwood Forest." He noted, silently, that his leg was being looked at, and remained silent in the case that Ice was curious about it. Was it such an odd thing to have a twisted leg? He didn't mind the questions, though he was quite surprised that the injury was such a rare thing. Or perhaps just in his case. As it wasn't merely pulled up, it was also bent oddly. Hm. Oh well.

<b style="color:#51b85f">"Living so close to Swift River, I suppose you know the mountains? Well, I fell from their heights. It wasn't my intention to survive. It was luck, I suppose." Probably even more luck that the mountain lion that had also almost certainly survived as well (unless it had crawled away to die) hadn't eaten him in the few days that he'd laid there unconscious. <b style="color:#51b85f">"My friends thought me dead, unfortunately. It was my own doing. And I can't say that I have much strength. I really would simply call it luck." Saying it like he had earlier almost made it sound like he'd tried to off himself. But it just wasn't true, so hopefully Ice wouldn't take it in such a way. But the story felt quite long to retell. <b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."

Played by Fenrir who has 639 posts.
Inactive No Rank
Ice Aesir
Ice randomly decided that Alexander's BAMF, k. <3

you do not know who is your friend
or who is your enemy
until the   ICE breaks.
The older man seemed pleasant, courteous, everything he'd somehow guessed when seeing his regal form for the first time - mere minutes ago, and yet he was already submerged up to the ears in this meeting. Stars, despite the physical daylight, coated the encounter like a veil. Ice had always been prone to daydream and heroify things. That a worn white old male was the flint that struck sparks from the steel of his mind wasn't strange, nor that a small fire caught. It was nice to think about something.. well, else for a while, dream of past glories. Besides, it'd been so long since he'd met someone who spoke in the same polite patterns as he did, and the sound of Alexander's voice was comforting, spell-binding. To inch even closer wouldn't be polite, though, so he remained where he was, eyes bright and ears alert for words - the spitting image of an eager youth wanting to know more. Grizzly Hollow - temporary home. That was... curious indeed. Grizzly Hollow was the pack the starved female he'd met had belonged to, before losing a rank challenge and fleeing. In Cedarwood Forest - to the south of their current location, then, west of Swift River. He nodded thoughtfully, storing the information in his labyrinthine mind. If he were to let someone else into his brain and ask them to locate a piece of information or understand how he categorized his knowledge and thoughts - well, they'd likely get lost in three seconds and scold him for being confusing.

"Temporary?" he quizzed, thought cautiously; it was an open question, spoken in such a way that it didn't require an answer if he didn't want to give one - it could be brushed off as an ...exclamation of sorts. Ice was curious, no doubt about it, but he didn't want to offend the white male. Something in him found even the risk of doing it abhorrent, and it took an effort of will to suppress the shudder. He didn't know why it was important, why he cared so much about the regards of a kind underweight stranger with a dirty off-white coat - it just was. Instinct, chemistry, imagination? There could be several reasons, but he wasn't about to question it. If he questioned every moderately strange thing he did, thought or felt, he'd be left with a strict, heartless and boring life. Being a little impulsive and moon-eyed livened things up.

He knew very well of the mountains, having spent a summer by his den in the Riddle Heights before coming down to seek a pack. Parts of them were harmless, with not-so-steep slopes and broad paths; others were sharp drops, narrow roads, treacherous edges and wind-buffeted plateaus. Easy to fall if you were unwary, or unlucky. And his friends had thought him dead? It must've been one cursed fall, then, to convince them of such - or, they hadn't been friends in the first place. But how could someone not wholeheartedly like this male..? It was beyond him, and the way he tried to brush it off as only luck - humble. "Must've been a very nasty fall," he murmured, gazing at the sky. The range was too far away, and this cursed hedge too thick, to see, but he knew how Mount Dire towered above Relic Lore like a constant reminder of their mortality and nature's might. He liked it, but he didn't like the idea of falling somewhere up there. Rocks didn't make for soft landings. "And I'd like to disagree. Lucky or not, if you hadn't had strength, you would've died anyway - given up, stopped eating, stopped drinking, stopped caring..." He gave a casual shrug, watching the male for signs of excessive disagreement - or well, enough disagreement to top the "how much of Alexander's ill will I can take" meter. "I believe you had strength, because you're alive and sitting here right in front of me, are you not?" He gave a slight smile, expecting Alexander to disagree with him - politely, of course. He couldn't picture the old man enraged. Subtly - or well, as subtly as Ice was capable of - he tried to steer the conversation onwards, hoping Alexander wouldn't answer his rhetorical question or shout at him that he was wrong. "Did you locate your old friends after you recovered?"
.ice aesir
let the stars above shine in your soul