The Ghost of the Loners' Past

(@Phineas and @Lucero or any other MG wolf)
The dark male wandered through the winding trees. He was on a mission to find this half brother and sister of his. Rumors said that one might confuse him for his half brother Shade. Thus he wanted to see if this rumor was tree by seeing for himself. Taking the trip wasn't bold, it was rather out of curiosity. If he really had a choice it would to be snugged with a pack of wolves then be out in the cold.

Tired and hungry James found a snowy place to lay down. By a frozen water supply he was hoping for some type of fish to be stuck under the surface. Though it seemed he was out of luck. With a heaving sigh he decided he might as well rest if he couldn't find food for himself.

As the snow fell heavier the dark shadow slowly rose to its feet. A wiping chill of air brought the tinge of a pack borders. Interested in finding somewhere to call his own he moved towards the scent. As he approached closer the more silly this idea seemed, though it was worth a shot. Right? Stopping a few feet away he tilted his head back asking for Alphas. Once his call was over he started to think about all the things that could happen. Perhaps they wouldn't take him in. Though he wouldn't know until greeted. Besides, how could he change the fate? In all honesty he saw the fate to be in the Alphas' paws.

womp womp Borlla is all up in here even though she's technically powerless womp womp mostly just trying to help Rachel out since there have been a lot of join threads lately

Borlla wasn't sure if it was just her or the den felt a bit warmer than usual. More bodies huddled together, fighting the chill. She supposed it should have made her happy, knowing there were more mouths to catch food and keep them all alive. But she wasn't happy. They were all empty-eyed rogues and she didn't know any of them, had no reason to trust them around her children, around her friends, her family. Winter was hard, it drove most to do whatever it took to live. She understood. But now she looked out of different eyes. When the snows melted away, who would remain? Her lips pulled back at the thought as she moved about the den site, paws shuffling to make little paths for her pack mates. The snow never seemed to stop falling, either in great amounts or faint flurries it was a constant onslaught. The paths had to be maintained. Even for those she considered less than worthy of being here. In the back of her mind, she pondered hunting down those that would desert them in the spring. Shame them before whoever they were mooching off of then.

And as though the devil himself had heard her, there was a howl. Though the gradually healing woman -- who widely yawned as the howl passed through the air -- was no leader in any official sense, she remained the mother of the only two children of Magnolia Glen and its founding queen. Perhaps she had empty authority, but she refused to have zero say in who came past their borders. Leaping from the path she'd been plowing towards the creek, she bounded her way through the snow, trying to blink the constant cloud of sleep from her eyes. As the stark black figure came into view, she slowed, nose twitching. There was no sign of Phineas on the way, not yet at least, and the man on the border held no distinguishing scent either.

Shaking out her fur as she approached him, it was Borlla's one and only goal to make herself look as large as possible, though he still had a bit of height on her. Her tail curled over her back, not wagging, and there was no welcoming smile on her face. Her yellow eyes scanned over him shamelessly and the woman paused a few feet away, not bothering to sit for sleep would only try to take her. <b style="color:#32527a">"Come to eat our food, hm?" She asked, smiling now in a rather toxic fashion. Pale brows lifted over distrustful eyes as they finally settled upon his own, wondering how long he'd dare hold her gaze before she'd feel the urge to tear his fur off. It was difficult, it really was. For all anyone knew, this man truly wanted a home, not a cozy place to sleep until winter was done. If this man was truly after the former, he'd have to prove it. <b style="color:#32527a">

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When a pair of yellow eyes closed in James started to sink down into the dusty snow. Her tail was high and she had those piercing eyes he wouldn't dare look at for longer then two seconds. As a smart choice he kept his eyes glued to the snow. The Slayer shook his head softly for her to see. "No ma'm. I've come here to work for what I must have. I do not take what is not mine." His word spoke of truth but it was up to her to believe him. His voice didn't raise louder then her own had. From what he knew that would be disrespectful. He had learned the hard way once before entering these beautiful lands. But this time he knew that he would have to act better. Even if it meant making himself look like a fool.

It seemed that the wolves here were in top shape. Possibly the reason why his howl had been answered so quickly or perhaps she had just been the closest to the borders. Whatever it was James liked it and had came here to serve them, if allowed. If this woman didn't believe it then he would take his hard work and loyalty and serve with it else where. But the woman hadn't told him to run along or chased him away yet. A good sign for him. Now he just had to hope that this woman would keep giving him good signs until he had an okay to join.

He was a smart kid, she had to admit. Upon her approach, his dark form sank into the snow. If only he hadn't been so shadowy, maybe he would have blended in. Their eyes met for mere seconds before she lost them. He wasted no time in answering her question, which Borlla could only perceive as truth. There hadn't seemed to be any hesitation in his actions or his words. Her sarcastic smile faded, leaving her facade blank. She huffed quietly, towering over him with great pleasure. Her insides protested quietly, thankfully, reminding the woman that even though more bodies meant more mouths to feed, it also meant more mouths to kill. Not that there were many herds about anymore, but the man could be a possible scale-tipper. One more body to make that killing blow or keep that food from getting away.

<b style="color:#32527a">"Well, that's nice enough to hear, but why should I believe that you can work for anything?" There was no harsh tone to her voice this time, though she stared down at him, as though her eyes could see into his mind, dig out the answers she so desired. Sure, this kid wouldn't take what wasn't his, but how was she to know whether or not he was even capable of making things his own? In the environment they were in now, she could really only take him at his word, but keep a careful eye upon his body language. Her nose twitched again, keeping its keeper aware of the whereabouts of her mate, who would truly be making the final call on this man, lest Lucero appear first. <b style="color:#32527a">

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With his tail daintily tucked between his legs he listened to her next words. "Well, that's nice enough to hear, but why should I believe that you can work for anything?" James had to understand her logic. "To be honest I'm just a loner on your borders. I don't except you to trust me right away, I don't except you to even think I can actually work. But the only way that you could see would to allow me to stay for at least a few days and see if I can work for your home. If you are displeased just send me away. No harsh feelings." He was probably speaking more then he should but she was asking questions and he was giving answers.

Letting his eyes not roam farther then her ankles and was waiting for some type of signal. Good or Bad. The wait was killing him. But he had to keep silent and go with her way and words. For she was the more dominate one out of the two. Probably the better attacker to. Only a few reasons why he wished to not displease her. There was more but it was more important to stay focused on the woman in front of him then to skip around in his thoughts.

Wanting to say something else James knew better then to speak in a time like this. Clamping down on his tongue the male eagerly waited for the next words that would fall out of her mouth into his ears.

His words were almost laughable, but the woman held her tongue, only betraying the humor she found in the slightest shaking of her weary shoulders. If only laughter were a proper medicine, Borlla probably would have laughed him all the way over the mountain. When she finished finding the humor in his words, she lunged for him, lips pulled back. On the surface, what he'd said was oh-so-hilarious, but digging deeper, she found something more sinister. Teeth bared at him in a grimace, she restrained herself. The overly cautious and sickly queen was reading deeply into every word he spoke, and perhaps was only doing herself harm. Though her fangs remained bared, she did not harm him physically. "Let you sleep among my family and eat my food? Just so you can scram and trick another winter weary pack?" Her ears flipped back, deeply disturbed by what she'd extracted from his likely innocent words. Tossing a glance over her shoulder, the woman sheathed her teeth and howled into the sky a single summoning note. "I'll let my mate decide what to do with you." She muttered, looking back to the man. He seemed capable, if not affected by the weather. He'd followed all the rules and had spoken not a word that would have caused a ripple on the surface. But she was tired, fearful for her children and her pack, even more so, deep down, herself. It had been months now and though her bones were no longer sore, she could not free herself from the dredges of what plagued her.

(This post was last modified: Dec 23, 2013, 10:17 PM by Borlla.)

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"I'm very sorry ma'm I didn't mean to anger you. If you prefer I wouldn't touch your food until you found me worthy." Somehow he found a way to sink lower down into the thick snow. The underside of his dark fur starting to turn white from the snow clinging to him. His eyes staring down at her paws. Everything about him asking for an apology from her. It seemed things where going so well. Perhaps she was just having a bad day? The winter was nipping at her pack to harsh? Whatever the reason was it seemed to be hitting her pretty hard.

Her next words had not been so harsh. "Okay miss." James made sure his words were soft seemingly to smooth her feelings towards him. As much as he didn't want to speak he just wanted to calm her nerves. "I don't mean to be bold, but I think we both know something has you a bit on edge. If would allow me to, I would be willing to help whatever the situation may be." Most certainly it was a bold move. But being a caring person he wanted to help her. It wasn't right for someone to be this stressed. James wanted to help her overcome whatever it was. Even if it meant loosing a possible home. He wasn't one to put himself first, if he had been selfish he would've payed no attention to her being on edge. The Slayer could have just moved on but something pulled him in.

As the final chords of her call were enveloped by the wind, her eyes fell upon the man. Her mind raced, wondering if she should speak further, drive him further away from their borders. Always on the edge of her mind, the woman wondered...No, knew. Borlla knew that he was of a good sort, yet she stood before him, almost literally forcing him to dig his own grave. His black form had sunken further into the snow as he'd spoken an apology. It was quite interesting, what he was offering. She blinked a few times, the fury gone from her expression, replaced by interest. <b style="color:#32527a">"You suggested it, not me. Regardless, I'm not the one deciding your fate, not really." Her nostrils flared as she finally reclined onto her haunches.

To his offer of what she could only consider "help", the woman bared her teeth at him again and with her response of utter silence, she hoped it would be answer enough for him. It stunned her, and certainly not in a good way, that he would be so forward, especially to a wolf that was his superior, and...Well, any problem of hers was not currently his. The woman had no interest in divulging her personal problems to this utter stranger who had only seen the more angry side of her. Perhaps in time she'd have something kind to offer him, but she wasn't certain that her personal problems would ever be placed upon his dark shoulders. Her tongue passed over chapping lips and she removed her eyes from him, keeping him only in her peripherals. <b style="color:#32527a">

Lurking until the end of July - Please PM/tag me to get my attention

The call sounded up, stirring him from his thoughts as he trailed the borders of the Glen. He recognized Borlla’s summon, and with a piqued curiosity, the regal began to maneuver his way in the direction she had cried, his pace much slower as his paws sunk through the thick snow. His pelt glistened with moisture – a mixture of melted snow and forming ice, and while he was insulated quite well, his paws felt the cuts of the ice below, despite being so hardened with his years.

It took him awhile to come across them, and yet as Borlla came to view, it was the stranger his eyes fell upon in study. Phineas, elated that his mate was well enough to help with the borders, would push this small moment of celebration aside, allowing his form to slide up beside her protectively, his eyes careful as they studied the stranger.

His shoulder pressed to hers, feeling warmth emanate from her and finding solace in this. The worst was over, and Borlla would be on the road to recovery now. She would do just fine this winter.. the stranger before them, given the thinning status of a lone wolf, might not. “State your business,” he spoke, holding his weariness from his tone. The pack resources were thin, and with nothing to hunt, he was quite unwilling to let in another mouth to feed unless they proved to him they were truly worth the risk. His own stance remained raised in dominance, his tail waving high in the air like a proud banner as one fang bared in the direction of the stranger. This was no welcoming committee.

The silence was broken by a large male speaking. "I'm here seeking a place to live and work for." Straight forward and to the point. James had nothing to hide. Nothing to lose either, except his life. It was all any loner would have this winter. To cold to try and hunker down somewhere on your own without getting snowed in. Weather too harsh to hunt by ones or twos. As the lone wolf in the harshest of winters, you know what's coming. Death on a silver platter. Why else would every single wolf who had no solid home run to borders begging to join. Swearing loyalty that only meant for the winter. Come spring everyone would run away to go find mates or try and live out the dreams they couldn't in a pack. It was the way nature worked.

Lost deep in thought he didn't even notice the way eyes were possibly staring down at him in a harsh manner. Though even if they were he wouldn't say anything about. James had no right to tell high ranking wolves that they couldn't look at him. That would be anyones' last words if they said that. Especially in winter when every pack member would be on edge hoping they would all make it past such weather. With snow this high it meant more work to be done. Not enough food would go around and some might go hungry or starve. It would mean one less mouth to feed but it would also mean one less body to help gain that food. Perhaps James could be the difference between starving and living.