The Wildwood Summer Crane

Another morning. Another day of hunting. She walks with a steady pace, her light eyes flicker to and fro as she creeps through the woods. A new territory. It is critical to remain alert at all times. As her paws touched the thinning snow, a lot of thoughts began to run through her mind. Would she ever belong to a pack once more? Would this new territory lead to her death? She smirks lightly now; she loves mysteries... suspense...

She stops suddenly, her ears perking as a branch snaps. Feeling her hackles rise instinctively, Itai ducks down, expecting something to come flying at her. As she does so, a doe steps from the bracken. The creature seems to be in good shape- it must not have been too harsh of a winter here. With a bit of hope seeping into her heart, her eyes stay pinned on the doe. The deer pauses now, her own dark eyes meeting the wolf's.

The doe raises her hoof now, soon stomping it onto the earth. A threat. Ears falling against her head, Itai turns tail, swooping gracefully back the way she came. She rolls her eyes before looking over her shoulder. The doe had her hoof raised again. Like I would even try... she hisses in her mind before she padded away from the deer.

(This post was last modified: Mar 03, 2013, 09:26 PM by Itai.)

It was a cold day, with freezing temperatures and cool winds. But none of this bothered Ace. The dark grey male stood on the edge of the forst, letting the cool breeze run through his fur. Oh, how he loved the cold. But as the wind shifted slightly, new scents bombarded his sensitive nose. Lifting his muzzle into the air, he could scent deer, and a wolf. Excitement buzzed through his veins at the thought of meeting a new wolf. He gave a last look to the open fields, and turned around, heading into the snowy forest. As he made his way through the forest, the grey male looked around at his surroundings. The ground was vastly overgrown and posed a challenge to walk through and the branches swayed in the wind, making it seem as if the trees were alive. With everything together, it was beautiful. Any wolf who could not or would not see the beauty in things, was in his mind: broken.

Lost in his thoughts, the sound of a branch snapping startled him. He froze, his hackles raising atumatically. He flicked his ears in every direction, trying to pinpoint the direction it came from. Glancing behind him, he could spot nothing, hear nothing. Satisfied that he wasn't being followed, Ace resumed his search for the wolf, but this time travelled more carefully. The scent of deer and wolf was overpowering, and the grey wolf realised that they must be bery close. But he didn't expect them to be just a couple of metres away.

Freezing in his tracks, he hoped that neither deer nor wolf saw him. Lucky for him, they looked as if they were staring right at each other. Placing each paw down very carefully, Ace backed behind a large bush. He could see both figures clearly, but was sure they wouldn't spot him. He watched intently as the doe raised her hoof and stomped it on the ground, making an indent in the soft soil. A rustle coming from the she-wolf attracted his attention, and he saw that she was fleeing.

He emerged from of the bush and took off after the female. He had only seen one other wolf, and that was a male by the name Cisco. He had seemed very friendly and told him a bit about Relic Lore. They had parted ways as equals, and he hoped to meet him again. His powerful haunches pushed off the ground with each beat, pushing him forwards and he caught up to the female. Padding next to her, but out of reach if she decided to attack him, he smiled and spoke, "Hello,there! I'm Ace Caravello, and may I ask who you are?"

As Itai pads away from the deer, she became lost in her thoughts. Within a few minutes of her departing with the deer, a voice sounds to the side and slightly behind her. The creamy coated woman nearly jumps out of her pelt. She stops and jumps slightly. Itai whips her head to the side, and her gaze falls upon a male. Now having stopped completely in her tracks, she rewinds in her mind what just happened. An introduction? She smiles softly now, turning her head a bit more. Her tongue runs across her pelt in an attempt to soothe herself.

"You took me by surprise, Ace." A small chuckle escapes her throat. She is relieved. She could have been attacked easily, but this wolf chose to introduce himself instead. How fortunate. Soul turns her body now to face the wolf. He wasn't bad looking at all; his fur adorned with whites, creams, and grays. "I am Itai. Itai Sole." She gives a friendly tilt of her head, closing her eyes and smiling in amusement.

"I honestly almost jumped out of my pelt when you spoke" She nods her head now and wags her tail in a friendly manner.

(This post was last modified: Mar 06, 2013, 03:59 PM by Itai.)

Ace watched, slightly amused, as the fae jumped slightly at his words and came to a sudden halt. He came to a stop and turned around to face the fae. She was much smaller than him, almost half his hieght - but then again, most females that he met were. She had a light brown and cream coat with a mix of greys and blacks on her upper body and light chocolate brown eyes. All in all, she was a very pretty fae. He gave her a smile and waved his thick brush. Most females that he had met cowered before him, even when he acted friendly. He watched as she ran her tongue across her creamy pelt and study him before introducing herself.

"What a pretty name for a pretty fae." He spoke in his deep, velvety voice. But when she spoke of almost jumping out of her pelt, he cringed ever so slightly. Ace was a wolf of kindness and honour who didn't like scaring other wolves, wether it be by accident or on purpose. But, it happened anyway and he'd just have to get used to it. Giving multiple shakes of his thick brush, he smiled at Itai. She was a very beautiful fae, but not the one he was looking for. Giving the slightest shake of his head, the grey male banished the thoughts to another part of his brain and turned back to Itai.

"I'm sorry I scared you," Ace spoke softly as he gave her an apologetic smile. He hoped that the female wouldn't run away like a few others had. He was getting lonely after almost a whole year alone, for he was a pack wolf, not a loner. But nevertheless, life goes on and you should never dwell on the past, lest it takes over your life.

(This post was last modified: Mar 11, 2013, 03:22 AM by Ace.)

Itai lets another smile come across her muzzle. A compliment. It almost made her blush, yet the more logical side of her took over. Was this some sort of trap? She looks at him, and almost laughs at herself. How foolish. She was being too over-cautious. Perhaps loosening up would do her some good. She'd be able to relax for once.

Her fur stays smooth now as she speaks "Oh, thank you..." Her voice followed his a moment after he complimented her. It had been a surprise to her- almost as much as him sneaking up on her was. Itai did enjoy compliments, but she remained unswayed beneath a coy grin. "It's alright. Have you been around here long?" As she asks this, she tilts her head in a curious yet innocent manner.

Maybe he knew how many packs were around here! She wasn't having any luck..... running into wolves who didn't tell her much. It was rather irritating- she was almost positive they knew, but didn't feel like telling her. Ugh. Dishonesty.... laziness. The right corner of her lip twitches before she flicks her ears and listens for Ace's reply.

Ace watched as Itai smiled at his compliment. It was true, she was a very beautiful fae, she would most likely be able to get a mate someday. When she thanked him, he shook his head slightly. "No need to thank me, any male or female can see that it is true." He smiled, she was a very sweet fae, there was no corruptness in her. And hopefully she would stay that way. When Itai asked him if he had been here long in a curious manner, Ace shook his large, creamy head. "I'm afraid I haven't been here very long. Probably about a couple of weeks. But I do know of a pack situated Northwest of here." Ace hoped that the fae didn't want to know how many packs there were in Relic Lore. For he knew of only one. "If I remember correctly, it's called the Secret Woodlands."

He smiled at the brown fae, she was the first female he had met, and was delighted to be in her company. Maybe later on, he would meet more wolves, and possibly meet Itai again. While he waited for the female to speak again, he looked around at the scenery. The trees were tall and many bushes were scattered around and the snow made the ground soft to walk on. Ace felt the weak breezes tug at his fur, and bring along mouth-watering scents with them. The grey male could scent mant different things; rabbits, birds and of course, deer. He hadn't eaten since that morning, and required a lot of sustenance to keep him going. When he parted ways with Itai, he would go and search for food.

Itai lowers her head, and she sniffs at the ground. Eyes peering up towards Ace, she speaks "I see. I'm just trying to make sure I'm not walking in the middle of pack territory..." Soul gives a slight titter before seating herself. Her tail tucks under her haunch. Looking toward the sky, Itai almost sighs, but she holds it back.

"Being a lone wolf is such a pain" She meant to say it within her mind, but by accident, her thoughts became words. She blinks now, realizing she just spoke. Feeling a wave of embarrassment flow over her once more, Itai smiles lamely. Well, it was the truth. A cold breeze blows strong, and suddenly the smile leaves her muzzle. It turns to a slight frown as she huddles down, tucking her arms under her chest the best she can.

She couldn't wait for the weather to warm up. This was such a bother. She gets comfortable before allowing her gaze to stop on Ace once more. He seemed perfectly fine with this weather. Perhaps he preferred it.

Ace flicked his light grey eyes back towards Itai when she spoke, and gave a knowing smile. He knew what that was like, walking onto pack territory. He had done it once, accidently of course. Luckily the wolves had just recently done a border patrol, so he had quickly moved on before they came back. But that was the only time he had done that, and it would be the last. The grey male never liked to intrude on anyone else's territory, no matter what was happening, as he was a wolf of honour and loyalty.

When Itai spoke yet again, it was a few moments before he registered what she had said. "Being a lone wolf is such a pain." Ace did have to agree with that, at times he did feel like that. But being a lone wolf was fun, too. "That's not to say, at times, yes, it can be. But Sometimes, it can be very rewarding." The grey wolf left it at that, but if Itai wanted him to expand on that, he would.

As a cold breeze whipped by, Ace sighed softly to himself. His thick, creamy pelt sheltered him from most of the cold. But he loved it anyway. Glancing at Itai, he saw that she had a frown on her face, and was making herself as small as possible to shelter from the wind. It didn't bother him at all, but he loved it anyway. Although, this must not be the case for Itai.

She looked up at him, and Ace sighed softly again. "You must be cold," he stated plainly, giving Itai soft smile. He couldn't help but want to help the brown fae. If the fae took up his offer, he would lead her to an old fox den somewhat North of here. If the brown fae didn't, well then, she would just have to face the cold.

But sometimes, it can be very rewarding.

Yes, that was true... very true. But, when one weighs the pros and cons of being in a pack, the pros are undoubtedly overbearing. A pack was what she was looking for, but her desire was to first explore the lands and all of the packs before she made a choice. Wincing at the icy breeze, she rises up onto her paws. The warmth beneath her belly is overrun by the cold. "Quite" She responds with a sheepish grin. She had the feeling he knew where she would be able to rest in warmth.

Where would it be? It was little things such as this that Itai lived for. Perhaps it was a cave, or maybe a den. Maybe just in some entangled brush? She tucks her head downward, and folds her ears back. Her body was attempting to gather all the heat it could. It was not that she couldn't withstand the cold- she could. Her patience was just wearing thin, and she felt like Spring was taking forever to arrive.

Glancing at Ace, her smile wears off as the wind continues. It howls even through her folded ears. She waits for his actions patiently, for she knows she'll be rewarded with warmth soon. This was a kind stranger- perhaps she had a friend and ally.

"Quite." Was the brown fae's reply to his statement.

The grey male flicked his light grey eyes toward Itai when she spoke and saw that she was making herself as small as she could, with her ears folded back and her head down near her chest. The smile she was wearing before was gone, replaced with a small frown. The brown fae looked at Ace hopefully and waited patiently for him to show her where the shelter was. Giving her a smile, the grey male spoke. "I know of a place where it is sheltered from the wind that is not too far away. He made a beckoning gesture with his tail before turning around and heading in the direction of the fox den.

Lucky for them, they were travelling with the wind, so it pushed them forwards instead of backwards. Although, the ground was slushy from the continuous rain and snow, and there were clouds in the sky, blotting out the sun but not its rays. In just a few minutes, they reached the fox den and Ace looked at Itai. He had passed by it before he had scent the brown fae. There were bushes around the entrance and it looked like it was large enough to hold them and then two more wolves of her size.

"I'll scout it out first," Ace spoke before entering the fox den. The change was very noticeable. The wind was no longer blowing through his thick, creamy pelt, which was a shame for he liked it. But Itai would like it better in here. The grey male looked around, and saw that it was very roomy indeed. The floor was made of dirt, grass and a bit of snow at the entrance. Poking his head out of the den, he looked at Itai. "It's safe to come in."

When Itai entered, Ace settled himself near the entrance, as to feel a slight breeze ruffle his pelt. Hey lay down, with his tail curled around his feet and his head on his paws, facing the brown fae. The grey male saw that she was not shivering anymore, and gave a smile. It always made him feel good to have helped another wolf. Even if it was just something small, like this.

(This post was last modified: Mar 19, 2013, 06:17 AM by Ace.)