Cedarwood Forest now you see me

Having regained her bearings over the past three days with her beloved, Taima had at last seemed to regain her sense of self. In @Datura's presence her ears began to rise up sooner and higher and her strides began to be much more confident and assured. In their search for Grizzly Hollow, she managed to come upon a very startling discovery so close to home. The distinct scent markers - of @Maksim and @Kisla's pack - that had been brought to her by the hairs of Renier's coat some time ago hit her like an invisible wall and she had to stop and turn to her mate to wordlessly signal that they were mere inches from trespassing another's territory. Her fur stood up on end and she took a step back, her fur lifting briefly in an array of emotions - shock, trepidation, astonishment, jealousy, and newfound insight...

Maybe Renier had lied, she let her selfish ways run away with her train of thought. Maybe their mother and father still lived here but a new Leader (Ryvet perhaps?) had taken the reins and her brother had merely wanted to shield her from the truth. Her mouth set into a hard line as she weighed her current options. Given that they had found a "neighboring" pack, Taima had to wonder if it was worth trying to join them and gain their allegiance for when she felt ready enough to branch out on her own. Her Uncle Angier had done it... then so would she.

She turned to her paramour to read the expression on his face, "Should we ask?" A slight wag of her tail gave away the sense of hope she was starting to harbor. "Maybe they know the way," she suggested first, "Or maybe we could join them? Just for a little while, at least?"

Datura was too young to know what he had done or what was happening in his mate's ripening womb. He understood to some extent the sexual act, the claiming of one's mate, but no one had ever explain to him where babies come from. He certainly was not expecting them to come from Taima, but that was what was happening. In the coming weeks he would pick up on hints: the change of her scent and the swelling of her belly. But three days after the deed had been done none of the signs were there. Which would work out well for them.

At the moment, though, the golden boy was much more preoccupied with the ambitions his mate had instilled in him. He had been skeptical, even discouraging at first at the thought or rebuilding Grizzly Hollow. None of Datura's grumblings were obstacles to Taima, whose determination was unshakable. They discussed and they bickered endlessly over the details, but Taima always came out on top. She was much more clever than Datura and much more convincing than he was. Her enthusiasm slowly emboldened the boy, and soon he rediscovered the pride and drive he had lost along the way without even realizing. He was grateful to have Taima by his side, he had been so foolish, so simple minded. A pack had always been his dream and he should not have tried to cower at his destiny. These last few days had been like a breath of fresh air, the beginning of a new dawn as they wandered aimlessly through the forest in search of her old home. It felt like old times, but this time Datura was not afraid.

Suddenly he realized that his mate, who had been walking several paces in front of him had gone rigid. He halted, lifting his nose to take in the stench of other wolves. Curiously, he stepped up beside Taima, looking for some sort of explanation. Was this Grizzly Hollow? But she seemed to think this was some other pack lead by other wolves, and he felt no need to question her. "No harm in asking," he drawled, though he was less than thrilled at the thought of joining a pack he knew nothing about. The thought of the company of other wolves, though, was attractive to the man who had seen no one besides his wife in months. "So why not?"

He seemed to like the idea in coming into contact with this other pack and, after giving him a nod and a small smile, she lowered her head to sample the scent again. The whiskers on each side of her muzzle twitched. The crisp and cool aroma of grass and uncovered soil was familiar to her, but the distinct punch a masculine musk four different males and the prominent scent of a female no longer in heat had her curiosity in flames. These wolves would be the answer to their questions and possibly a keystone to the life she was so adamant to establish with her mate.

Renier had changed, she reminded herself, the pronounced testosterone in his midst, as well as the bulk in his nearly-adult physique, replaced any cub-like memory she had left of him. Perhaps Ryvet had done the same. Or maybe... Maybe this was Hocus. The older brother she had only heard of about in stories. She let loose a single strand of hope, imagining taking flight and winding its way through the trees, towards the heart of the well-marked territory; if the Leader here was Ryvet, she avidly hoped he would understand and believe who she was...

Giving Datura one more fleeting glance for assurance, she tipped her muzzle and head upward to the sky. We are two travelers, she denoted in an alto-pitched tune, weaving together words that had been drilled into her head by her mentors time and time again, and we seek the presence of the Leaders who reign here.

KING OF CUT ROCK RIVER

IF YOU DO NOT FIGHT YOU CANNOT WIN

A single ear twitched as a howl called from the borders of the territory, causing the agouti wolf to halt his patrol. Two travellers sought his presence, something that had happened once before. Hopefully, this time would not be so sour as the last. Lalani was gone now, leaving in the night. Perhaps she had little care for the pack, her position as lowest leaving a sour taste in her mouth. It mattered little to Maksim. His impression of her was a positively dreadful one and he was partly glad she was no longer within his territory; it made room for others who were capable of respect.

Lifting his muzzle, the king called back to the loners to signal he was on his way. As soon as he lowered his head, Maksim set off to find the loners who sought his—and Kisla's—presence. Luckily, it did not take the agouti Mackenzie long, perhaps ten minutes tops, before he slowed to a walk, lifting his tail and raising his crown. They were young wolves, on the cusp of adulthood no doubt, with striking coats. One of silver, the other gold. One was a female and the other a male. There was no doubt in the Baranski's mind that they were a mated pair, but perhaps he was presuming. If they came here to join, then he would find out in due time. “Maksim Baranski, leader of Cut Rock River. What brings you two to my borders?” Why is it that you seek my presence?

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

A fight broke out between two male mountain goats. Hunt Opportunity

The golden boy listened to his mate's song with twitching, agitated ears as the notes rose up into the sky and were carried away from the breeze. He had never done this before. Datura had been born into an privileged position of the adored and respected son of a leader and was increasingly aware of the fact that he knew little about the place he was in now: the place of a powerless loner at the mercy of a leader he had never known. What would it be like? The stories he knew provided with several scripts and characters for him to play, but suddenly couldn't decide on which one he should pick? The boy could act tough, he could look like he had some strength to provide; he could look weak and appeal to the leader's heart; he could turn away now and not bother with any of this... When he glanced briefly at the silver girl at his side, however, he realized his obligations to her had tied him to this spot and he had no choice in the matter anymore. The deep-bass response of another male resonated through the trees and his fate was sealed.

Ten minutes passed and the uncertain loner could not look at his companion. He clenched his muscles and thought about the best way to handle the impending situation. The musk of a handful of males teased his nose and he hoped he wouldn't have to worry about Taima running off with any of them. Though his had made every effort to prove herself, Datura was still suspicious. At least the stench of that "nice guy" was not among the odors saturating the border.

All he had were his manners to guide him, and he prayed that these would be enough as the ruler of this part of the Cedarwood came into view. He exhaled softly: this man was everything Datura was not and longed to be. With obvious admiration, the boy stooped to a position more suitable to a loner, though his eyes still wandered over the regal, impressive qualities that radiated from the leader's neutrally shaded appearance. As the man spoke, the lost boy's eyes fell pointedly to the ground, where he was left to study the man's paws and consider the strength of his name. He began in the only place that felt natural: a lie. "Sir, we are Datura Aquila and miss Taima Lyall, and we wish to donate our services to you and your pack mates. Winter has weakened us, but we have more to offer than our hungry mouths." There was no way they would be welcomed into the territory if he spoke the truth about their intentions. Taima could ask questions if she liked, but Datura was determined to start off on the right foot and he hoped that she would catch the drift.

(This post was last modified: Apr 05, 2014, 07:36 PM by Datura.)

As she brought her muzzle down, they waited, but not for long. As Datura's own ears twitched, so did Taima's and, eagerly, she awaited for the forest king's arrival after his announcement that he was on his way. For a moment there was nothing but the sound of the trees, then the sound of footsteps. Her eyes immediately went towards the source of the sound and when the Baranski came into view, her breath caught in her chest. She thought she could have known his face anywhere...

Her tail gave an uncertain wag, a telltale sign of her foolish hope, and she outwardly smiled at him. But the word that she had been longing to say, was only voiced in a wordless whine, "Dad?" The sovereign drew closer so that he could see them clearly and address them in a formal manner. Only then did Taima realize her mistake and took a step back to find her place at her mate's side. This was not Borden Lyall. This was-- "Maksim Baranski, leader of Cut Rock River."

The enthusiasm and exhilaration that had so hastily formed the instant she laid eyes on him fizzled away. She repositioned herself accordingly, wiping all instances and hints of excitement and zeal from her face and body posture - her tail came down, the forepaw that was held above the ground in anticipation planted itself back down into the snow, her ears relaxed and lowered. He had asked them what had brought them to his territory and it was with relief that Taima gazed to Datura as he spoke to this masked Leader. At the sound of her name, she courteously nodded, still donning her smile as to relay her appreciation for being addressed in a timely manner. Her tail might have lowered but it still wagged in agreement. Yes, they were hungry but they did have valuable assets to offer the pack. After all, they had both been groomed and raised to look after their own pack.

"We're decent scavengers," she offered, "and we've traveled across a decent part of Relic Lore - Heiress Loch, Umbra Copse, Spectral Woods, the Mountain of Dire... We are a pretty good pair of Scouts or Runners should you have use for a pair like us." She looked over and up to Datura with an assuring smile, recalling the bit of adventuring they had done together, before returning her attention back and away from Maksim to remain respectful.

KING OF CUT ROCK RIVER

IF YOU DO NOT FIGHT YOU CANNOT WIN

They took their positions of submission when Maksim questioned them, the golden lad opting to introduce both himself and his companion. Datura Aquila and Taima Lyall. Lyall … now, where had he heard that name before? Briefly, he thought back to seasons gone, remembering the pale woman he had met upon the red hills back in the Eastern Valley. Arlette. His eyes darted to the silver coated girl, noting how very different she looked from her sister. Genetics were a strange thing indeed. Datura continued, explaining that they sought a place in the River king's pack, to offer their services in exchange for a home. He seemed a respectable enough youth, though the agouti leader would remain on the fence about them for now.

Taima, however, sweetened the deal with her brief explanation of what it was they could offer the king of the cedar trees. A pair of scavengers, scouts or runners would be useful, though Maksim could not help but think of Naia Aegina. She was certainly ready for earning the position of role, was she not? Perhaps a little while longer … he would have to call a meeting soon, to discuss the passing winter and those who had left the River pack's hierarchy. “You both have potential within the ranks, though I must ask: why is it you have chosen to join Cut Rock River?” He looked between them both. They were on the cusp of adulthood; surely they should be making plans of starting their own pack?

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

The mention of some old adventures brought a small, half embarrassed smile to the boy's face. Sure, his mate was smiling about it now, but neither of them had smiled so much under the suffocating uncertainty and the foreboding darkness of the eastern half of this realm. The way she phrased it, however, made it sound more attractive, glamorous in ways that Datura could only attempt to believe — for in his heart of hearts, exploring did still seem too dangerous and rather devious.

At this monarch's "why," he hesitated. Bit by bit he felt his privacy being violated by the green eyes examining the pair of them and the questions that he asked. Was it always this way? Did they always asks these questions? The threat about being found out seemed suddenly very real to the golden boy, who couldn't readily come up with any reason why he should be standing at the edge of this particular pack rather than at the edge of, say, his mother's lands — wherever they were. Lies did not come so easily at the boy, and for a moment he looked toward Taima for reassurance and inexplicably the words began to flow from his mouth.

"Well Taima was born here in this forest, you see. She wanted to get back to her roots," Eagerly he glanced toward Taima, swishing his muzzle towards Maksim as if inviting her to say her part, though he just hoped to god that she would follow his lead.

On the other hand, Taima appreciated the attention the Leader was granting them; it would seem that Mapplethorpe's scrutinizing and criticizing looks had not been for nothing. In this sort of limelight, she readily took up the confidence that she though she had lost so long ago. She wanted to seem pleasant... to be likable and wanted in any other aspect she could think of. She wanted this Maksim Baranski to value and think highly of her as all the other men - yes, even Mapplethorpe - had. Her eyes went back to Datura as he spoke, but she did as best as she could in attempting to keep any sort of amorous gaze off her face. At the moment, he was not her mate. Datura Aquila was merely her agemate and colleague.

"Well Taima was born here in this forest, you see. She wanted to get back to her roots," he let Maksim know, enthusiastically meeting Taima's eyes. She resisted furrowing her brow, not bothering to even question why he would bring up such a thing. Again, her tail gave an amiable wag before remaining still in the air in a relaxed curve. "Mmhmm," she hummed, confirming Datura's statement. There could have been a number of things Taima wanted to say next - that she felt it was about time that she come home or, at the very least, come back to this side of Relic Lore - but for Datura's sake, she held back any sort of overly zealous or forward statement in regards to the topic and gave Maksim another genial nod.

"I only wish to make my father proud," she then stated. "It was his only wish to see his daughter back under the cedars and firs, serving a pack as any Lyall would --" Here, she paused, unintentionally making her words dramatic and weighty to a small degree, "Diligently and honestly."

She looked back at Datura, if only for a brief moment to quickly assess how he felt about what she had said. Hopefully she had 'performed,' as he had expected her to. Returning her eyes back to Maksim - even if only for a second- she offered her one more smile, feeling now as if she were walking across a very thin branch above sharp jagged rocks below. What else could she possibly say? "Datura, here, was my escort," she lent a bit of backstory for her dearest, "he has since been my traveling companion and Guardian. My Keeper. We've come in search of busywork, looking for something to do instead of someplace to go."