Mountain of Dire Bleeding Heart

In his wandering Anthem found himself facing a steep mountain side. His blue eyes narrowed as he searched for the paths that would have been made by others. Finding a slim one he began to climb. Each of his paws was placed deliberately and planned. All of his focus went to climbing the steep side and by the time he found a spot to rest his muscles were trembling. Looking down the slope he smiled. He hadn't tried climbing a mountain side in a while and it had felt good. The precise placement of each paw could change if one became stuck or if would would fall. Tongue lolling he grinned as he sat. Felrai would have made the climb faster and would have found a better path than him.

A sharp pain echoed in his chest. Felrai, his dark warrior. He hadn't shed any tears for her other than the night of her death and he knew that there was a chance he might not cry anymore. Then there was Selena his first golden love who had chosen another. The pain in his chest didn't vanish but instead intensified and he growled in frustration. Finally he could stand it no more. Throwing up his head to the clear night sky he let out a howl of sadness and frustration. Filled with the cry of someone who had had their heart broken and was finally letting the world here his anguish.

His cry ended slowly and he sat there head bowed. Vaguely he wondered if he would ever find someone again or if he would remain alone. It seemed that once he found someone they were always taken from him by others or by death. It was like fate would not let him love and be loved. His eyes closed as he listened to the mountains echoing his cry.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

Warily Vespertio stared skyward towards the steep mountain side that now lay before him, looming silently like a watchful sentry in the pale moonlight. Tonight the lead male had decided to expand his usual route around his territory in order to pursue hopeful wolves in search of a place to seek shelter for the winter. Fallen Tree Cove was still a relatively fresh pack and needed to increase its numbers if they wished to survive the upcoming winter. He had heard of its harshness last season and it was that very harshness that made up the den the pack called home, but that did little to keep him from praying to a god he didn't believe in, to mother nature, to keep their fury at a minimal this year so as to give his pack a chance at truly becoming something spectacular. What kind of leader would that make him if his kingdom came crumbling down under the weight of the snow?

Soft soil soon became replaced by the sleek and jagged surface of rocks, his paws falling in a calculated fashion on spots he knew were the safest to tread upon despite the lack of light the sun would normally provide him. There were still plenty of tricks to learn about traversing this hellish mountain, but for now he was content to just cruise along the lower heights not wanting to venture too far should Athena call out for him or something else needed his direct attention. Then a shrill call caught on the breeze stopped Vespertio mid step, his ears swiveling to listen to each note that lofted on the night air. It was a howl filled with such sorrow and frustration it almost caused a whimper to break the lining of Vesper's lips.

Curiousness soon flooded his veins with a desire to seek out this heartbroken wolf, his strides set back into motion as he allowed his ears to guide him in the right direction. It didn't take long for a peculiar scent to reach his nose, the odor belonging to that of a lone wolf, male and only a year older than himself. Perhaps this man would be the next addition to his ranks should he appear worthy of joining. Onward he went this time switching from using his sense of sound to smell in order to track down this stranger the rest of the way. Soon enough he came upon a steely grey form that seemed to almost blend in with the rocks of the mountain, a woof of warning breaking the thin air to alert this stranger of his presence. Stepping forward, his body became stiff while his head and tail rose high to signify his dominance though by no means was he attempting to threaten the poor heartbroken man. "What brings one to cry of such sorrow to the moon?" He inquired in an attempt to begin the conversation.

OOC TEXT

Silence surrounded him as the echoes of his cry finally stilled. He didn't break it and let the stillness remain. The sound of rocks underneath paws soon came to his ears. The moment of silence was broken by the stranger's bark of warning. Lifting his head he looked towards the wolf that had sought him out. Though it was night Anthem could tell that this stranger was overall lighter than him and smaller. He was acting dominantly but Anthem ignored it. He didn't so much as bat an eye at it. Let this stranger think what he would about who was in charge. When it came down to things the dark male hadn't pledged his allegiance nor would he unless the one before him was worth his respect.

His ears twitched as the wolf spoke and the dark boy let out a weary laugh. Twice my heart has loved and twice it has broken. Tonight was the night that I had to let it out. Why he had just told this stranger the reason for his cry he didn't really know. Yet he had finally let his grief show and maybe he wasn't quite ready to put it away. He wasn't sure all he knew was that it would fade for a time and then come back at moments strong as ever.

Blue eyes looked to the moon as Anthem let out a sigh before asking. Why did you seek me out? He didn't really care about the answer. It was just a simple question that seemed to come of it's own free will.

(This post was last modified: Dec 08, 2014, 04:45 AM by Anthem.)

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

His ears flickered at each change in tone as the swarthy pelted man revealed the reasoning for his outcry. Heartbreak twice over had caused this man to fill the stillness of the night with his song of sorrow, the very reasoning that Vespertio had suspected upon listening to each mournful note that prickled his skin despite the thickening coat that lay atop it. Then the blue gaze before him maneuvered to settle on the glistening orb of the moon overhead, his own golden one following shortly after as the man asked a question in turn. Why had he sought him out? He could have easily left the man to his grieving, but instead his paws led him towards the brute instead of away. Perhaps curiosity was the only explanation for his actions.

Time crept slowly past them as the lead male churned the thoughts in his mind for an appropriate answer, eyes focused still on the beams of moonlight that shone down around them and lit up the tree tops below that made up most of the lore. Then he had his answer, turning his attention to the storm tinted man. "Not many wolves seek the comfort of the mountain or its surroundings. I was curious to know who had decided otherwise and dared risk the climb." His words were true enough, offering no more no less as to his true reason for seeking the fellow out. Silence soon enveloped the two once again as his words were given time to sink in and allowed Vespertio to take a quick glance over the possible recruit even if he didn't plan to extend an invite soon. His body was an intimidating size(thought Vesper would never admit it aloud) in comparison to his own, larger by far though kept in a lean manor much in the way a warrior would. Along the gray misted hairs of his pelt one could notice the pale pink of flesh beneath where scars lay, the most noticeable being that of a bite mark to his shoulder that faced him. 'A guardian in the making.' The dark saddled man thought to himself. His appearance was noted, but that did little to urge the man to offer a place among his ranks. No, he wanted a wolf that proved they deserved a place even if the pack needed the numbers. A pack was as strong as its leaders and its weakest member. A weak pack was not a pack at all in his eyes thus he sought only the best or at least close to the best. "Do you have a name, or shall you remain a stranger?"

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

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Time passed as the dark male waited for the other to answer. It was a comfortable silence that let him soothe his inner wounds of heartbreak. He needed more nights like this one. They would let him heal and if was truthful he didn't mind the company he was with. The other hadn't tried to pry out of him more details, or at least not yet, and it made him calmer and more relaxed. He gaze dipped from the moon to the trees that lay spread beneath them. If he focused he could hear things moving between them. Maybe another wolf brought by his call or some type of prey making its escape. This new silence was broken once more by the lighter man and Anthem turned his blue gaze upon him. Not many have traveled as far as I have nor will they. The mountains are one thing that seems to always remain constant. He didn't care if his words were cryptic or if they made sense to the stranger because he understood them.

His nose twitched and he looked back down at the trees. He inhaled deeply and knew that he was smelling meat, fresh enough that the two of them could have something. Standing he made to move down the mountain side but stopped at the other's question. You are a stranger as well, but my name is Anthem. He told the male. He took a few steps away before pausing again to look over his shoulder. There is some meat somewhere down there if we can find it you might be able to take some back to your pack. His voice was almost emotionless seeing as he felt drained but there was a hint of something in it. It could have been an invitation for more of the others company or it could have been nothing at all. Anthem turned and began the trek back down the mountain side ears twitching to see if the smaller male followed.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

Only the sound of barking coyotes filled the silence between the two men as Vespertio awaited the answer of who this stranger was and at first he had thoughts that he would never know as the darker pelted wolf began to make the descent from the mountain side. His thoughts were then corrected when he paused after a few steps to take a glance over his shoulder in Vesper's direction, finally speaking his name. Anthem was his name and as soon as it left his lips he began his trek once more and yet again his steps came to a pause in order to speak towards the lead male. 'There is some meat somewhere down there if we can find it you might be able to take some back to your pack.' Tilting his head upwards a fraction he took a deep inhale to see of what he spoke was true, his stomach giving a pleased grumble when the familiar aroma of fresh meat tickled his nostrils. So there was meat down below.

"Vespertio is my name." was the only words he utters and he did not verbally answer the swarthy male on his latest statement, instead letting his actions do the speaking as he followed suit behind Anthem down the slope of the mountain, using his familiarity of the terrain to guide his footsteps where it was safest to tread. An opportunity to bring food to the pack was always welcomed and needed for the upcoming freeze that would plague the land. Soon food will not be plentiful even if wolves were the dominant predators come winter and thus it was important for any pack to make sure they had plenty stashed away for when the snow refused to allow a hunting party to venture out in search of food. This was the exact reason why he now followed Anthem aside from enjoying the rare company of a fellow male, though never would Vesper admit he was beginning to enjoy male counterparts. It was just a phase while the pack was low in numbers he liked to think. Soon there would be males galore surrounding him and then he would revert back to his love of a female presence, more specifically Athena's.

(This post was last modified: Dec 11, 2014, 07:44 PM by Vespertio.)

OOC TEXT

So the stranger's name was Vespertio. A name that was as strange as Anthem's but it seemed to fit. Like a shadow the dark boy seemed to glide down the mountain using the footholds that he had used to go up on his way down. The smaller male seemed comfortable in the mountains as he followed Anthem down and the larger male had to smile a little knowing the other couldn't see it. So he wasn't the only one who felt at home in among the giants that loomed over the two of them, showing clearly in the night sky as the moonlight reflected off their peaks.

Jumping down the last couple of feet he turned his blue gaze back upon his companion to make sure that he got down safely. He didn't want to have to explain to Vespertio's pack mates that he had tripped the last few feet and broken his neck. That would just be a fun conversation to have. Hi my name is Anthem. Vespertio dead and here's his body. Have a nice day. The thought brought another small smile to his face. Seeing that the other had made it down ok he turned to begin to track the scent of meat.

Padding through the trees his ears twitching he growled as he heard the coyotes sing their song. He didn't like that they were in the area. One or two was fine and dandy but a whole pack? That was a problem. They could put a dent in the prey population but then again so could a pack of wolves. Lowering his head in line with his spine Anthem continued forward his ears twitching back now and again to listen to Vespertio as he moved. Already the dark boy had decided that though he would eat the rest would go to the pack wolf. Anthem could travel far and wide for food but a pack remained in one area usually and hunted in the surrounding areas only and farther if they were desperate.

(This post was last modified: Dec 12, 2014, 04:48 AM by Anthem.)

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

Vespertio was not as graceful descending the rocky slopes as his new counterpart was, but nor did he make a complete fool of himself like others wolves may have. His paws did not catch on the tiniest lips the mountain stashed and cause his feet to trip over one another, sending him hurtling down to the bottom. Instead he managed to maneuver well enough to keep his body in one piece, only stumbling here and there until finally his pads met the soft soil below belonging to more even ground. He had to hand it to Anthem though. The man seemed to be so at home traversing the rocky terrain like it had always been his home. Perhaps a similar place had been once upon a time in a distant land? Panting briefly the sandy tinted male allowed for his breathing to readjust to the change of air now that it returned to a normal thickness in comparison to the thinning that occurred when one reached the higher points. One could only imagine how thin it must be at the very top and Vesper's body had only recently began to adapt to the climate change. Once a week he liked to steal a trip part way up the mountain to do just that, allow his body to switch effortlessly in the changing air. Who knows when it may come to be an asset. There could be unseen dangers in the future that would force the pack to seek higher ground and what good would it do them if they couldn't even breathe? You breathe you live. Plain and simple.

The nuisance that was coyotes soon caught his attention the moment the two men settled at the bottom of the mountain, rust tinted ears rotating in multiple directions while the scavengers filled the night with their songs painful enough to cause ones ears to bleed. Now that the two canines were on level ground the smaller cousins sounded a lot closer than previously thought. The last thing he wanted to do that night was fight off a pack of pissy mongrels. Much like Anthem who now growled his displeasure of the situation, a similar sound emitted from the cavity of his chest, rumbling loud enough for anything within a certain proximity to hear. "Keep alert." His words were offered more as a piece of advice rather than command as his nose inhaled the aroma of meat permeating from their northeast. No coyotes were gonna keep him from getting an easy meal this time of year and that very determination now fueled his paw steps. Slowly but surely he made his way in the direction of the kill sight, his darker colored companion not far behind.

OOC TEXT

Anthem was so used to different air changes that he didn't really notice it anymore. For the past year or so he had traveled through mountains, deserts, marshes. Terrain that could be as harsh as they could come. He had also seen the areas of beauty like cliffs at sunset, meadows in full bloom. Things that made life more enjoyable and easier to bare the weight of daily life. Dark ears twitched as he heard the other try to get more of the live giving oxygen into his lungs. The more Vespertio was in the higher altitudes the easier it would be for him. Anthem felt no pity seeing as he had gone through the same thing as well.

His companion echoed his own growl and the dark male let out a chuckled Always. Letting the other take the lead Anthem followed like a shadow. He would keep this one safe after all others would worry about him. No one would truly miss a loner like him. His ears twisted to listen better to the sounds around them. Didn't want to have a stupid coyote try to attack them. An attack by a single one would mean its death. As they walked the scent increased and Anthem felt saliva pool in mouth. Swallowing so he didn't start drooling he watched as the scent's source appeared before them. Surprisingly no coyotes were to be seen. Slipping away to circle the area once and then to appear once again by Vespertio he muttered eyes scanning the shadows the last word he spoke a growl. You eat first i'll keep an eye out for our mangy cousins.

(This post was last modified: Dec 13, 2014, 06:20 AM by Anthem.)

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.