Hush Meadow The Thunder Rolls

<i>The thunder rolls. And the lightnin' strikes. Another love grows cold. On a sleepless night. As the storm blows on, out of control. Deep in her heart. The thunder rolls.</i>
Garth Brooks - <i>The Thunder Rolls</i>

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/AthenaTable.png);background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 200px;padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align:justify;">She knew now that the short trip that she made to the Iridescent Lagoon was a bad mistake. The rolling sky thundered above her as she pushed her legs further towards the mountain that she called home. The light blanket of snow on the ground made the trip slick and dangerous, but she needed to get back before the weather turned worse. Bella and the rest of the pack would begin to worry if she was gone for too long. With the warning of Rhysis being around, she couldn’t let the pack be alone for too long, even though they could easily take care of themselves. However, she didn’t want to take the chance.

Hush Meadow was in her sights, meaning she still had a lot further to go, but she was at least half way there. Her legs pushed harder, quickly eating up the distance between her and the lake. The land was in a cover of darkness, making visibility limited, but her fiery eyes still searched for any obstructive object in her way. She was able to follow her trail that she used getting to the lagoon, but as long as the clouds held back the rain, she could still easily follow her own scent trail. But, Athena wouldn’t be lucky today.

The rain soon weighed the clouds down too much and the inevitable rainfall showered upon the land. The Leader’s sight was even more obstructed and now her sense of smell was overpowered with the cruel scent of the rain. The trip wouldn’t be a breeze anymore. As a log came into her limited view, her pace slowed. She wouldn’t risk the chance of tripping over the fallen tree and breaking something. She didn’t need anything else to go wrong. With her sense of smell useless, she unconsciously climbed over the log, unaware of the wolf on the other side.

(This post was last modified: Nov 25, 2012, 06:02 PM by Athena.)

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/NinaTable.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 312px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align:justify;"> Winter was coming on its way, making the lands colder and storms greater. Today it seemed there would be an ugly storm that would hit. Mother Nature seemed to be wanting to be mean to the wolves of Relic Lore this winter. Though, it would be the first time that Nina would be in the lands for a full winter. Strong paws pushed through the wind as she came from the Fireweed Rise, going back to where she could get some closure every once and awhile. She could not leave her incoming family for too long though. She didn’t want to worry them with her health or her disappearances. She didn’t want to do the same thing that Ruiko and Aeylen had done to them. Her trip came to a stop when she encountered a large tree in the middle of her path. She growled to herself silently but at down. Strain on her leg would not do her any good, and so she simply sat down and waited for the storm to pass over.

The girl had improved much from last winter though, her muscles had bulged much since, after her recovery, of course, and her fur had thickened considerably, still having much to grow with the incoming cold coming their way. She would trot around at a decent rate, though she was still slow coming onto a run…she still didn’t want to injure anything, she was getting there though, with time. Sometimes she would even be lucky to catch a small meal here and there to support herself when Sloane or another one of her friends couldn’t. Soft scrambling met her ears and she couldn’t help but glance up. The sight made her jaw drop, her pelt now fully drenched with water. The white fur and eyes were hard to ever forget and a small whisper in awe and surprise left her muzzle, "Athena…"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/AthenaTable.png);background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 200px;padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align:justify;">As her body gracefully bounded over the fallen tree, she was completely oblivious to the brown wolf lying against the tree. It was only when the quiet whisper crept into her turned ear that she became aware of another. White paws landed on the snow covered ground, but didn’t surge forward like she would have wanted to. No, she stopped and turned to see exactly who had called her. As her fiery eyes lay upon the woman, her posture changed instinctively. Her narrowed eyes were pinned on Nina, her neck protectively covering her throat and her bone-white teeth slightly exposed. She wasn’t even sure if she could still consider the woman an “enemy”, but she wasn’t about to assume her not to be.

The Leader didn’t make any advances toward the woman, instead she stood defensively, tail high like a beacon and head low. She was dangerous and she had the scars to prove it. With the experiences she had with Nina, she wasn’t about to let the other get the best of her like she had tried last time. As her fiery eyes stayed pinned on her, she was able to see the damage that Ash had laid upon the girl. If this meeting went well, Nina wouldn't have any more scars to add to her collection.

(This post was last modified: Nov 27, 2012, 01:09 AM by Athena.)

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/NinaTable.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 312px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align:justify;"> The reaction she got was of something she expected…though through her time in Relic Lore she had found taking things in with calm eyes…or rather an eye was much more calming than jumping up and snarling at another. The response she got from the smaller lady did not surprise her at all, though she did rise. Her head lifted as she watched the other, and though it was raining, the sharp scar under her eye flashed itself to Nina…she had enough scars of her own to see the others, though it was hardly noticeable in the heavily downpour around them. Her stance was not threatening as she stood across from the other…her emerald eye briefly sharpening in the darkness. Her tail flicked behind her, getting rid of the water that drizzled down her fur. She calmly spoke out to the other woman, "Athena…I do not wish for a fight."

She called out to the woman in a loud enough tone of voice so that she could hear her over the raging storm. She was not begging…nor was she being desperate. If they fought it would be entirely up to the white woman…though Nina knew she could easily lose with the situation she was in. Though she had gained all…and possibly more of her strength back Nina was still quite hesitant in how to use her leg. It was not often that one would have a good chance at recovering from a horrid injury…she was lucky, and she planned on not having any problems in the near future.

The raging storm thundered above them and all around them, drowning out nearby sounds. The storm made it hard to hear, but not completely. As she stood defensively, her fiery eyes watched as the beaten woman got to her feet, but her slacked posture spoke volumes. She didn’t need the extra reassurance from Nina that she indeed did not want to fight. Athena honestly didn’t want to fight either, but with everything that has happened to her since she’s met the tawny woman, her mind set has changed. She was more on guard and ready for anything. That’s what crazed loners do to you.

Perhaps, their relationship could be amended, however, Athena doubted it. They had started out bumpy, and then they hit a giant pothole. Right now, there wasn’t much of a relationship to mend, but she wasn’t the healer here. Her own posture relaxed slightly, but she was still on edge. She could see that the woman’s eye was shut, most likely from Ash’s attack. “I can tell Ash is extremely sorry for what he has done to you,” she said over the pounding rain. Her fiery eyes searched the woman’s face for her reaction, searching for anything…

(This post was last modified: Jan 06, 2013, 08:15 PM by Athena.)

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

Waiting patiently for Athena to relax, she only saw the other woman slightly loosen up. Her ears were pricked towards the female, though facing the ground so that water wouldn’t get in them. It was extremely hard to hear through the thundering rain around them. It seemed for quite awhile the two of them would just silently observe one another, their eyes scanning one another for any sign of…well anything. The two stood their, no emotions on either’s face, at least, from what she could see. When Athena did finally speak Nina’s ears pricked slightly, had her voice changed since the last two had met? She was almost sure it had. The words that the Poison Path member muttered brought a slight sliver of affection cross over her face.

Even though what happened between them was highly serious, Nina couldn’t help the love she felt for her brother. They were family and she was sure that he was doing better. When she spoke, her head tilted slightly, hesitation seeping into her voice as she asked the question, "How is he doing?" Concern filtered through her one good eye. She had not heard from him since the fight between him, Treena, Koda, and Kashikoi and she was desperate to see him again, though found it impossible to make her paws carry towards the mountains. It was a place she feared, and though it was never too far away from where Copper Rock Creek use to be it had always been on the bottom of her to do list. She always wanted to stay as far away from the mountains as possible.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

The silence that followed her words was deafening. Or was it the pouring rain around them, she didn’t know. Either way, the silence allowed her to relax a little bit more, her tail now hung limb at her side. Her head rose up from its defensive pose and her ears pricked forward in anticipation of Nina’s response. She wouldn’t have to wait long, though. Nina’s soft voice rang through the air, slightly muffled by the rain, but Athena was able to make them out. From the way this meeting has been going so far, it would seem this might be a new chapter for them.

From what Athena observed of her loyal Guardian, he seemed to be doing just fine on the outside, but with Treena’s recent disappearance, she would have to doubt he was doing fine on inside. ”He is doing well, a loyal head Guardian that he is.” She stated, before continuing on towards what she thought Nina would like to know. “However, Treena has gone missing, so on the inside he is not well.” The last part pained her to say since the hurt of Treena leaving was still fresh and raw to her as well. However, Ash had it worse than her. When she got home, she would make sure she would take some time to talk with the burly Guardian to see how he is dealing.

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

Their conversation seemed to be taking a turn for the better, and perhaps an alliance with Athena would be a much needed one. She had family within Athena’s pack…Ash and Treena. It would be best for the alpha and Nina to be on good terms with one another. With her ears pricked forward, Nina’s whole body stiffened and her head lifted towards Athena…shock registering in her blood and heart. Treena had gone? She pushed her outer emotions inside of her to boil in the pit of her stomach. It was good to know that Ash had accomplished what he had wished, but the fact that his mate had gone missing must have rooted him to his core. Longing to go and see him overcame her though, but the fear of the mountains had rooted her close to the ground and she bluntly stared at the mountains behind Athena before looking into the amber eyes of the alpha.

She swallowed, fearing that her words would be easily register the inner turmoil she was now feeling. Had something bad happened to her step sister? She opened her mouth, hesitation in her mind, though no showing in her voice, "Oh dear…he must be devastated. Perhaps I should visit him." Though she had been sure about her first words waves of doubt crept into her voice at the last part. That and fear…not of Ash, that was known, but the fear of the mountains. It was where she had grown up and the urge to go back into the same terrain had been none of the interest in her. Nina had been staying clear way from the mountains ever since she had entered Relic Lore and she had planned on staying away…but now that her brother might need her, the rock of worry was slowly starting to crept into her stomach.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

Athena had no idea what had happened to Treena. One day she was within Poison Path, guarding her home like she always had and then she was gone like a ghost in the wind. And if Treena’s disappearance wasn’t enough, Ava soon disappeared. On the outside she remained strong seemingly unaffected, but on the inside she was hurting – bad. Nothing seemed to help her broken heart. It would seem that harsh Mother Nature wanted to keep her heart in broken little pieces. However, that wouldn’t stop Athena from living her life. She has overcome so much and she’d overcome this to an extent. Forgetting about it all together was impossible, but the she could lessen the pain. She just needed to find out how.

It wasn’t long for Nina to react to the grave news that she bestowed on the woman. The tawny woman was able to cover-up her inner turmoil, just like Athena had. She pondered Nina’s words, an idea forming. Like a light bulb popping up above her head, a smile began to form at the thought of it. She was aware of Ash’s down-in-the-dumps attitude to the loss of two of his closest friends. The idea would help him greatly and would give him the happiness that she couldn’t possibly give him. As she began to tell Nina her great plan, Mother Nature seemed to show what she thought of Athena’s idea. The pounding showers disappeared and were replaced with brilliant sunshine between the dispersing clouds. Her white head lifted up to observe what was happening and her smile grew larger. Perhaps, Mother Nature was in a good mood today.

Looking back towards Nina, her fiery eyes sparkling, “I think Ash would like that. I’ll take you to him, if you’d like?” She said, her offer hanging in the air. Her white body would turn to make her way back towards her home. Nina could follow or go the other way, but either way, she was going to back her way back and spend some much needed time with her silent guardian. He deserved it.

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

After the much unwanted downpour, the sun started peaking in between the stormy clouds, and before she knew it the awaited sun shown down upon them, declaring the new chapter in both of their lives. The two wolves who had encountered each other twice before were no more. Their fights were, perhaps, over and done with, they could even be allies. Considering that her brother was in the ladies pack made all the more reason for the two to get along, and with Nina’s new pack in order enemies were the exact opposite of what she wanted. They were new wolves now, stronger and tougher then they had formerly been, even colder they might have been, but the two women still had hearts.

Upon the white woman’s suggestion Nina nodded her head, her words stronger now that the pouring rain had stopped, “I believe that I would like that as well.” Her tail flicked behind her before she made her way forward, following Athena towards the mountains. Her pulse was facing on the inside, fear of what was to come constantly reminding her of where she was going. The place she feared the most and never wished to return to again. The mountains…a place where she no longer wanted to step into again. Her brother needed her though and so she complied, not letting her own fears win out on her. She knew things would be alright, and if Treena truly hadn’t returned that her brother would be broken, and so she continued on.

{fade}

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.