breakaway

the suns going to shine, and sometimes the clouds will rain.

The sun's morning light tried to break against the thick coat of fog that hung unto the Cedar Forest. It could do nothing, but make the gray wisp glow with an alluring brightness. To the young girl it was nothing ominous or scary about the fog. It was quite the oppisite. When her eyes had fluttered opened, and she'd step out from the den it made her almost believe she had stepped into a dreamland of silver myst. The glow of the sun against the thin shield made her home more clear, and beautiful. It was like she'd been blind, and was seeing it for the first time. Her wide ears swept upward from her pale head, and she paused just a top the knoll taking in the new beauty. Where was Trisden? She questioned, and a frown formed upon her lips. She wanted to know what she thought of this. She did not have to wonder where her brother, Hocus was. He was warm, and cozy in the den dead to the rest of the world. Well she was not going to pass this day by, and breathed in this clean air. She really wanted to stick out her tongue to see if it had a taste like snow. She kept the urge back, feeling it was not very grown up to stick her tongue out. Her brows creased against her forehead, and she peered in each direction to see if she was really alone. There was not a peep of anyone, and she let the tip of her tongue hang past the edge of her lips. Nope, there was no real taste, and before she was caught she tucked it back in. What to do today.

She sprang from the small crest, and landed gracefully or almost. Her front, right paw caught upon a rock, and she side stepped quickly to keep her balance. She giggled at her half dance, and jogged away deciding she might try to find Jaysyek today. She was nothing adroit or least she thought so, she lowered her nose, and set it to work finding her mother's freshest scent.

Jogging along with pep in her step, much like always, she followed the familiar trails of Grizzly Hollow getting eager to see anyone. She hated being alone, and was actually craving someone to talk to. When it proved her mother might be out of the Hollow she was reluctant to find her. She always ran into strange wolves, and was not quite wanting that kind of company right now. A sad sigh, and her ears folding back she changed her mind on finding a wolf. Instead she began checking the brush, and brambles for something good to eat. A hunt would occupy her.

(This post was last modified: Mar 24, 2012, 03:49 PM by Arlette.)

Alexander stretched his legs as he came out into the daylight. Well, fog. He felt better after a few days of rest under Elettra's care. It had certainly helped his mind to clear as well, especially when about eighty percent of his time in her den was spent sleeping. Of course, it was only now that he wondered if they'd spoken to her yet. Hopefully they hadn't. He hadn't had a chance to meet her! And surely Jayse would have come to tell her, maybe Arlette would have even come to visit if she didn't already hate him. Growling under his breath, the male shook his head and righted himself after his stretch.

There was no need to worry. What happened happened and he would take it in stride to the best of his abilities. A slightly limping stride, of course. His bum leg ached at the moisture in the air and the lack of true movement. Funny how it did that. His tail swayed behind him as he wandered into the woods, looking around, sniffing occasionally for food. He wanted to make himself useful. Maybe catch a rabbit or two and offer them to Jayse for her kindness. For her understanding. But while searching for a rabbit, he found something better. Hollow scent. Scent that belonged to a wolf. His nose twitched against the bush that it was investigating, and he peered around the bush, spotting the ear of one of his new (if not temporary) pack mates.

Without proper sight of the wolf yet, he nosed at the bush again, wondering if he could get a glance at her through it. It was certainly a female, and a young one that at. Perhaps ones of Jayse's children. Not for a second did Alexander think that he would run into Arlette on accident, and why not? Still blind to the identity of the wolf, he let out a slight laugh. <b>"I think we're both looking for the same thing."</b> He whispered, trying to catch another glimpse through the brush.

the suns going to shine, and sometimes the clouds will rain.

There was something in there. Her mind strained to recall what small creature it was. A mouse? No. A squirrel? No, but it was something like it. Her black nostrils flared, as she tried much harder to decide the creature whose name evaded her. Suddenly a small leaf shot up her nose, and she pressed out a light snort to eject it. Ouch! She thought, biting her lip to keep her thought from being said aloud. Her body had radically changed, but Arlette was the same quiet, little wolf. Swiping her paw along her snout to rid of the icky feeling, she more carefully worked her way around the bush. It was a chipmunk she was scenting! Her white tail swayed excitely behind her. Where was the little rascal?

She was unaware for a time anyone had spotted her. She was very absorbed in her work. She was in the sacred grounds of the hollow to worry about a stranger coming upon her. All at once her eyes shifted up to see if the little creature was above her when she saw a very tall, white figure checking out the same brush. She had no idea who it belonged to. Yellow eyes became wide, and her lithe body tense. Once she realized he was friendly, and her nose told her Jayse's scent was presence upon him so she relaxed....a little bit any way.

Upon his short laugh, and hushed resonse her ears folded backward, she timidly lowered her head. If he could see he'd notice a frail smile on the side of her mouth, showing she was not completely worried. "I guess so," she said, giving a feeble wag of her tail, not minding to have a new hunting partner. If he was friendly all the better. Raising her head, she cleared her throat."It..it is a chipmunk right?" She asked rather politely, her ears still wielded to her head.

Not bothering to peek around the brush again, he merely stuck his nose into it, ears twisting every which way listening. Though she hadn't answered yet, Alexander thought he could feel the child tensing slightly, which caused him to laugh. Natural reaction, of course. And a smart one at that. He could have been an intruder, and by being cautious, she'd have the upper hand. Of course, he wasn't, and thankfully she didn't run away. And after a moment, she even spoke. Pulling his nose free, his ears turned outward to listen to the girl as she spoke, though his head was still low, keeping a twitching nose to the bush to make sure they didn't have an escape artist.

Chipmunk? He paused, sniffing quietly for a moment, before nodding to himself and answering her, <b style="color:#51b85f">"Excellent." He said, smiling into the word. <b style="color:#51b85f">"They're fast little things. Think you can catch it? I might be able to flush it out for you." Something as small as a chipmunk probably didn't need a team of two to catch, but she seemed young. Why not help the girl out? <b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."

the suns going to shine, and sometimes the clouds will rain.

He continued keeping his distance, and if there was anything to be known about Arlette it would be her high apprecition for those who did not intrude her personal space. Someone had to be allowed, and welcomed into such a close perimeter when she'd deem them worthy, and someone to trust. At once she become more curiuos of the white male, and how he had come to the Hollow. She'd not gotten to know any of the new members, not that she had tried, but he seemed a promising aquaitence she could come to like. Especially if he helped her catch the elusive chipmunk. Though her pale brow quirked, not sure what he kept laughing about. She didn't find anything humorous, not that she was bothered by the sound. She enjoyed hearing laughter it was a sign of a good humored being--someone she could get along with. Besides who couldn't do with more laughing? Even if she was to innocent to realize she might be the cause.

She was tempted to try to see him better, but she too was concerned her sudden breakfast would become harder to find, slip right past under the paws. The girl was use to unsuccessful hunts, but it didn't make failure any less painful. He checked and affirmed her suspcions, and her tail gave another wag. When he offered to help flush it out, her tail picked up speed. "I can try," she said, a smile in her words just as much as it was upon her face. She carefully pulled her paws, moving her body away from the brush. Her muscles swayed in anticipation, and she gave a nod of her head. She was ready.

After Alexander made his move the little creature startled beyond belief. Lickidy split it zoomed away from the larger threat, ready to make it's jump into the tree Arlette was standing beside. She noticed the look of his eyes, and pounced with her paws outstretched. She landed on the creature, her jaws sneeking past her paws to grab him quickly ending his life, and all his fears. For a moment she pitied him, but his body was limp now. "Frank oo," she muttered through her closed teeth.

(This post was last modified: Mar 27, 2012, 06:49 PM by Arlette.)

Alexander waited patiently for the child to agree to run off. Of course, he had intended to get his own meal. But a chipmunk definitely wouldn't feed the child and it wouldn't feed him either. Not that he would even dream of trying to take the catch from her. In fact, that thought hadn't even crossed his mind as he waited. An answer soon came, filled with happiness, and his tail wagged slightly, not enough to disturb the brush that his nose was still poked in. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Well, here we go," He whispered loud enough for her to hear, before hunkering down and snuffling loudly into the bush.

There was a faint flash of golden brown and a sound of scuttling above his noise, and a moment later, he heard the girl speak up. The hunt had been successful! Pulling his head free, he finally came around the flora to see the girl and what she had caught. The sight that he was greeted with caused him to pause. It had been nearly a year since he'd seen that face, and though the eyes were not the same shade of deep blue that had been etched into his memories, he could never forget their shape, or her face. Her face. His once cheerful expression fell, turning to a solemn straight expression. But it had been mere seconds in which all of this had been processed, and as quickly as his happiness had been dashed into sheer shock, it returned again, remembering what he told Jaysyek. She hadn't come to him yet, so he could only assume that the girl had no idea who he was. He was genuinely happy, but his mind hadn't really processed that yet. He wasn't allowed to be happy yet. Now he had to fake it, to a certain extent. He was still happy to be with this child, helping her with the hunt.

<b style="color:#51b85f">"Great catch!" He said, his voice breaking just slightly, but he cleared his throat to cover it. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Maybe we could try for something a little bigger? We could make a snack out of it." He cracked a grin, the realization that he was with his child sinking in, and the last thing he wanted to do was let her out of his sight. He wanted to help her hunt, and share his kill with her. He didn't want to walk away. <b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."

the suns going to shine, and sometimes the clouds will rain.

The young lady had caught the older gentleman's happy expresion of their success when he padded around the brush. She was a little shocked herself at his tall, and thin body. It did not match his lively laugh, nor striking voice. Her ears pulled back if she was only embarrased to have someone look upon her. There was something else. His face had changed to something she might have called surprised but she could not register. Was he hoping for a bigger chipmunk? She surely had been, but she had learned to take what she could get. She dimissed any wrong. He must be here because he was friendly, and in need of eating. Mother often likd to help those in need. Her white tail wagged gleefully, and she shyly dropped her gaze while her mouth held soft the golden prize. When she dared looked back up in a mere second it was as if nothing had changed upon he man's face. It was happy as it had first been, and she wondered if her imagination had been running off with her again. It often did getting the best of her.

Gingerly she lowered her head, dropping the creature to the ground to accept her praise. "Thanks, but not without you," and a giddy half giggle peeled from her throat. The offer of something bigger her tail beat faster becoming a blur behind her hocks. "Really?" She asked, but could not quite hide the excited squeak to the phrase. He would take her hunting? She had not often been given the opportunity, and usually she did not take to someone new. There was something about him she liked. He was friendly, and nice but not overbearing. Who could turn down someone who'd kindly helped her? Raigo was often her rescuer, and today she learned some one else could be that too. She was getting ahead of herself. She would have to see how this "hunt" went before letting the thought become a real issue. Her excitement bubbling inside of her like a soda pop ready to burst, her ears cupped forward, and she took a moment to think if she should go hunting with him. Hmm, a test was in order? Again what her brother or sister would do evaded her. She could not guess their ways, or choices any more than the weather. She did not want to say no. It'd be rude ot say no. She told herself, and raised her chin. "Sure, as long as we don't go to far?" She stated at the same time asking with an innocent wondering. What harm could they befall around the forest? She added a smile, not wanting to affend him. It was then she noticed he had the same color of eyes as she. She stared at them, blinking in disbelief. "Whooa, you have eyes like me." This she thought was pretty cool, she had often thought herself as different when her eyes had become so much lighter, and different in color. Seeing him with the same made her feel normal. Then she nervously laughed, and folded her ears thinking she'd stepped out of line. The chipmunk came to mind, and she decided it was awful interesting all of a sudden she began nibbling at the small thing.

He looked upon his boon now with a smile, its sincerity ever growing. How could he fake it? All he could do was try to keep it under control before he made the girl nervous, and that was something he certainly couldn't blame her for. This strange male who wouldn't stop smiling at her. There was a difference between being good-natured and being odd. Alexander hoped he wouldn't cross that line. He shook his head at her words. <b style="color:#51b85f">"You found it and killed it. I merely flushed it out, which I'm sure you could have done." His smile leveled out as he spoke, adding a glint of sincerity to his words. He meant it.

<b style="color:#51b85f">"Of course!" He answered, tail wagging, unable to not feed off of her own excitement. They'd make quite a ragtag hunting team, but hopefully they could make a decent meal. A rabbit or two, perhaps something a bit bigger if they could find it. <b style="color:#51b85f">"You can pick the place then, how 'bout that? Wherever you're most comfortable going." They obviously couldn't stay very close to the Hollow's denning site, though, since it reeked of wolf. No prey in its right mind would get too close to it. Alexander paused, breaking eye contact with her as she commented on his eyes. He seemed to hesitate, before taking a quick step back, <b style="color:#51b85f">"Lead the way." He told her, hoping to move past that moment. <b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."

the suns going to shine, and sometimes the clouds will rain.

If it had not been for the few kind strangers she had run into, she might have found his behavior odd. She had met other encouraging, and light-hearted wolves she found nothing peculiar about him. She was actually pretty hopeful he might be someone she could count on for a smile, or another hunt. Her lips straitened, tucking in almost, and she bobbed her white head. "Maybe, I'm not really fast though. Or my paws move quicker than I want?" She cocked her head, folding her ears backward. She wasn't sure what made her fail at hunting. She wasn't too bothered by it, she had gotten quite better when looking back at her first tries. She'd been rather scared to do anything, trying to make friends with the creatures first. Now, she understood they weren't out to talk, but very afraid. Still had her sad, she really wanted to know what it was like for something beside a wolf. How would it be to climb up a tree, and leap from one to the next. Or live underwater, rushing up the different streams. She was starting to space out.

Her attention snapped with the flutter of her pale eyelids. He was not pulling her leg, but serious. Her white tail wiggled more, and she finished the couple more bites of measly meat. Delicately she cleaned any crimson, and goo swallowing back. She was listening, yet trying to decide where she wanted to go within the Hollow. Her pink tongue folded back in her mouth, she was aware of a place she did not want to go, and where there would be no luck. Where was somewhere she hadn't been.She went through her mental map, and recalled a rabbit warren she had wanted to inspect only she hadn't dared on her own. But now...

"Okay, I know just the spot," she beamed, while hoping she'd cleaned herself up properly. The mention of eyes was forgotten, and she lead the way at it's insistent. Carrying herself in a neutral way, she wanted to be respectful of the older man she pointed west, and began trotting quickly to the dirt pile.

Soon after following part of the stream, and running almost into the Thicket of Secrets she spotted their old den. Drawing to a halt, her eyes narrowed tracing along the many tunnels of outs, and ins. She thought she saw the traces of tracks, but turned to the white man. "Um, I think they're in there. But you know I forgot to even ask who you are. I'm Arlette, but most call me Lettie," she added a proud wag of her tail, and lift of her chin. She'd always been proud, and fond of her name.

(This post was last modified: Apr 04, 2012, 03:14 AM by Arlette.)

Alexander shrugged, looking unconvinced by her words. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Don't be so hard on yourself. You're still fairly young. Eventually your paws will do what you want." He laughed slightly, cracking a smile. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Besides, while most prey are fast, they're not all that smart." He lifted a brow. Hunting was simple, it just took lots of practice. He'd learned that a long time ago, after stealing food from the humans. But, of course, eventually he had to learn how to catch something that would run away from you. But at that point, it was just a matter of running fast enough to grab it if it even noticed him stalking in the first place. Obviously it wasn't as simple as it sounded, but he'd been "wild" now for long enough, he could catch just about anything he wanted to, provided that, in some cases, he had some helpful paws.

He nodded as she led him towards the place they would be hunting, and he tried to keep his steps light. It was rather hard to keep the rhythm that three paws gave him without running past her, so he was probably a bit louder than he wanted to be. Ah! A warren. She picked a good spot. Bending down, he pressed his nose to the earth. There were definitely rabbits around here. He looked up as she introduced herself. Something that she didn't need to do, but she certainly didn't know that. And he was just glad that he hadn't accidentally said her name. His heart skipped a beat, but his kept his face as pleasant as he could, the smile from before still linger. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Arlette," he mused, as if her name was apotropaic. <b style="color:#51b85f">"What a lovely name. I'm Alexander. Though I suppose you can call me Alex." He smiled gently, though inside he felt a bit heart-broken. He'd probably never hear her call him father.

<b style="color:#51b85f">"So! Let's catch some rabbits." His voice dropped into a whisper as he eyed the holes that were laid out in front of him. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Usually, what you do is try to block off their exits. This might be a game of chance, though." There were certainly more holes than there were heads here. <b style="color:#51b85f">"I'll stand at one hole and be very quiet, and you can pick another, and be as loud as you can. Then, hopefully, they'll try to come out..." His voice trailed off as he quietly began to pad around, sniffing the holes in the earth. One of these would smell most like rabbit, signifying their main exit or entrance. He'd almost come full circle when he was hit with a strong scent, and nodded. <b style="color:#51b85f">"Would you like to try and flush them out first?" He looked across the site to her, still keeping his voice down. <b style="color:#51b85f">"I'll stand right here, and all you have to do is pick other hole you want." His ears were pressed forward, listening for both her words, and any sounds beneath the earth. <b style="color:#51b85f">"speech."