Lost Lake Take It or Leave It

Freezing fog — 0° F/-18° C @Vespertio

The temperature had dropped and as Anthem walked his paws slipped a little. Growling he glared at the fog around him it was making everything wet and then it froze covering everything in slippery ice. Even his fur was starting to stiffen at the tips. He was following the faint trail of Vespertio. The dark male had decided that he would take up the others offer. So far he was getting more annoyed by the minute as the fog distorted the scent and the sounds around him. He thought that at one point he was being followed but it had been a goat that in return had bounded up the mountain sending rocks tumbling down on him. He hadn't even tried to go after it seeing as he wouldn't be able to catch it by himself.

Finally he found the border. At least he assumed it was the border. Wolf scents seemed to have seeped into the path here and Anthem noticed worn down areas were others would have put there paws. Figuring that this was the best place to call for the smaller male he tossed his head up and let a calling howl fill the air. His ears pricked forward as he listened for the sounds of someone coming. With the fog around him he knew he had to pay more attention to what was around him. He didn't want to be startled by the arrival of Vespertio. He just hoped that it was the male that showed up and not some one else to curious for his own good.

A thought crossed through his head and he grimaced. He had forgotten that he would have to be submissive to the pack wolf seeing as he wanted in. Shaking his head he sighed as he scanned the area again. He would do it but in a way that it was just barely there and not so overly blatant, it was the only way he would do it. If Vespertio didn't like it then Anthem would go south to the other pack that he had been invited to. So he would just have to take it or leave it.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

An unsettling layer of freezing fog decided to grace the area surrounding the Lost Lake that frigid December morning. Vespertio's own fur seemed to do little at keeping the cold at bay while the pack lay nestled in the warmth of the den, the tips of his guard hairs quickly collecting a thin layer of ice and so he opted for a quick round of the boarders to get his blood flowing in an attempt to thaw out his body while possibly coming across a stranger at the lines seeking acceptance. He doubted that would happen today with the weather as bone chilling as it was that day and most would opt for a chance to curl into a ball rather than venture through the slicked terrain. An injury in the cold usually sealed ones fate.

His wanderings along the southern portion of the boarders soon came to an end as a howl rang out on the brisk air, bringing the alpha to a stand still in order to listen to the song that sounded so familiar and beckoned for his presence specifically. 'Anthem.' The light colored man remembered as the name caused a small smile to grace his black lips. Had the larger man come to pledge his loyalty and seek a place among the rest of the Cove wolves? He didn't give himself the time to ponder any further as his paws were set into motion, swiftly deserting the freshly marked boarder beside him to answer the call of his mountain companion. It didn't take long for the Vuesain to reach the location where the howl resonated from, coming upon the stormy coated man of the mountain who seemed to be ill-effected by the frosty weather. A soft chuckle was his response to the man's icicle tipped appearance causing a small cloud of warm breath to bellow from the breaking of his lips.

Approaching the larger man he held his head and tail high to signify his position though he knew the man didn't need the display of dominance to know where Vespertio stood. "Anthem. I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon. I figured you would have traveled to another mountain range." His words were light and friendly as he greeted the man, a small nod following. "Have you come to accept my offer?" Vesper then asked, not bothering to dilly daddle with useless small talk. There would be plenty of time for that later, but first business was to be attended to.

OOC TEXT

Anthem's ears twisted as he heard Vespertio coming forward and he also heard the chuckle of amusement. The dark male snorted slightly in his own amusement. He guessed he did look a little like an icicle and a porcipine mix. His fur was sticking out with sharper points that were iced over. He knew it had just gotten started but already he wanted winter to be done and over with at least then he wouldn't look like, well, this. It hardly mattered though seeing as he wasn't the only one being affected by the cold weather.

Shifting his posture just barely the dark boy met the others gold gaze. His tail was lowered and swinging loosely behind him and his eyes glanced down just barely. If anyone else had been watching they would have thought that Anthem was challenging Vespertio but if they were watching carefully they would know he wasn't. I went to the west side of this mountain and didn't like how crowded it was. He also didn't like that that it seemed the southern packs had some high tension running through them. He had barely staid in the area but he had heard enough and hadn't staid to talk to anyone. His expression shifted to one of annoyance. Packs that had issues with each other would at some point snap and if it didn't happen soon it would eventually. Winter made things difficult on everyone.

If your invitation is still standing then I would like to take you up on it. He said face shifting to one that was more relaxed and passive. It wouldn't do to have his hopefully future leader think that he was upset with him.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

Upon his arrival Vespertio could hear the snort of amusement from the storm coated man deciding to take the lighter mood route of his current predicament. It was indeed a funny sight though the way the frozen tips of his guard hairs made him appear like a mutant sized porcupine, amusing nonetheless. 'I went to the west side of this mountain and didn't like how crowded it was.' Anthem informed the alpha of his travels while providing minimal amount of submission. The actions brought a small grin to his lips. This man was not so eager to make himself weak before another and Vesper liked that in a wolf. He would do what was necessary, but by no means give up who he was as in individual. Though the leader was curious and slightly confused about this bit of information. Did he mean that there were other packs calling the area around the mountain home, or the western lands in general being crowded with an abundance of packs? Either way it only confirmed in his mind that Athena and himself had made the right decision claiming the spot that they did for the Fallen Tree Cove pack to thrive. There was much less competition by the lake side.

A look of annoyance then passed over the larger man's face, his expression most likely tied to the information he just provided and thus Vespertio made nothing of it. Had the man been in Anthem's place he was sure he would be annoyed by the abundance of wolves too. There was a bit of a recluse lurking under the surface of the Vuesain that made its appearance once in a while but then the darker man spoke up again with a now relaxed expression, inquiring if the invitation previously bestowed upon him was still available. With a small nod of his head, Vesper shifted his weight slightly as it increased from the building of ice to his fur. It would be best to make this quick so he could finish his boarder patrol for the day and return to the comfort of the den before mother nature decided to have a bad day. "Yes, it still stands and I believe you would make an excellent addition to the pack. Perhaps you have interest in becoming a guardian some day? Or maybe a different position if it suits your fancy." With his bulk and wit he would surely make a good guardian should he decide to seek the position, but remaining just a normal pack member would be just as fine.

OOC TEXT

Anthem was relaxing a little more as the other claimed that the invitation was still open. He let out an inner sigh of relief. Now he wouldn't have to climb the slopes to head south and even though he knew he could make it he still didn't like this fog that clung to the mountain side. It made things to slipper and footing harder to find than normal. Plus it seemed that Vespertio was perfectly fine with the stormy boy's small submissive displays. That was good because he wouldn't be doing any more than what he had already offered.

He tipped slightly as he listened to Vespertio speaking of him becoming a guardian. Anthem hadn't even considered becoming a guardian ,but then he guessed, his appearance seemed to say otherwise. Did he want to become a guardian? He looked at the leader before him and thought of his birth pack. Would he be willing to give up his life in order to protect this wolf? A small grin slid onto features remembering that upon their first meeting he had been willing to do just that. I would be honored to become a guardian though I need to hone my skills and train more before I even consider that position. He knew that he needed to train more, much more in order to get his skills back were they should...no needed to be.

His mind went to the she-wolf to the south he had fought. She could help him but he needed to get better before he sparred with her again as well. Focusing at the task at hand he watched Vespertio waiting to see if he offered anything more or if his joining was almost complete.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

The weather was getting colder by the minute and it seemed even her thick coat couldn't hold back the harsh weather. Knowing that if she kept her body moving, she wouldn't be as susceptible to the cold, so she made her way out of the warm den and towards the borders. She loved doing border patrols, it gave her something to do. However, she was never able to keep the thoughts of Aurora and Ash out of her head. She knew that there was no longer anything between Ash and herself, but she worried. She worried for her daughter and how she was doing. She worried that if she tried to go back and visit Ash and Narime would reject her. Or when she came back Fallen Tree Cove would be no longer like how Poison Path was when she returned from trying to rescue Aphrodite.

Her mind was at peril and there was never silence from it. She took comfort in Vesper, though, as he seemed to be the only one that could take the thoughts away for just a moment and just a moment was enough for her. So, she followed his trail that he left behind and she tracked him down so she could spend so more time with him and to get these ravaging thoughts out of her head. That was until a howl rang through the air. Quickly, she made her way towards the caller, hoping that she would find Vesper there as well.

Sure enough as she came upon the scene, Vespertio and another much larger male stood talking causally. Hmmmm, this wasn't like him, she thought. Her Vesper was usually so formal and cautious when it came to strangers on their borders. Perhaps, they weren't strangers. The White Queen gracefully came to Vesper's side, body held regally and tail held like a banner signifying her rank. “Who is your friend, my dear?” She asked gently, her eye wandering over the newcomer's body. He would make a fine guardian and guardian is what they needed.

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

Before the Vuesain could usher a reply as his lips broke apart a familiar whirl of air and perfume graced his side, head turning to see the ivory form of his queen poised regally beside him to inform Anthem of her rank while his tail gave a wag of greeting in response to her presence. It always brought a small smirk to his lips whenever he saw her in her regal posture, the man having such a weak spot for a woman in power, especially his woman. Which he would have to remind a newer recruit who always got a look on his face whenever she graced his presence that always caused Vesper's fur to bristle with uneasiness. Nobody was allowed to look at her like that other than himself. She was his trophy to gloat about.

Her voice then brought the man back from his aimless parade of thoughts with inquiry of who the man was that stood in front of them. "This is Anthem, my love. The wolf that I had met on the mountainside who found the moose carcass and graciously bestowed it upon myself to bring back to the pack. He has come to join us." A small smirk then graced his ebony lips again as he finally had a chance to prove to her that he was capable of bringing home more than just pretty woman for the pack. Right before them was a valuable wolf, large in size and though he gave the minimal amount of respect would do the pack some good. Then turning his attention back to the storm cloaked man. "Take the time that you need and seek either myself or Athena." His words paused in order to tilt his head in the woman's direction. "when you are ready to take on the role."

The pack was starting to grow steadily now and this helped to reassure the Vuesain that they had a fleeting chance at surviving the winter after all. Everyone would have to pull their weight of course for this to happen, but he doubted anyone would be reluctant to do their part. And if they did he would make sure to find a way to get their hindquarters in gear. Laziness would not be tolerated.

OOC: Sorry if this is confusing I have a headache but wanted to post anyway. @Athena


Ears twitching Anthem turned to look at the approaching white wolf. The words that Vespertio had been about to speak interrupted as she came closer to ask a question. Taking a moment to glance her over as the lead male responded he noticed the scars. They marred her face but Anthem didn't flinch at them or turn away. Scars adorned his body as well, hers were just in places more noticeable. His blue gaze didn't linger long on them as he noted that her white fur was a beautifully unmarked. Her station was displayed as she waved her tail above her. This left Anthem in a tough spot. Though he and Vespertio had met before he hadn't met this female at all before and she didn't know that Anthem displayed the least amount of submission as possible to those he hadn't met before or rather he didn't submit at all. He followed those he respected or trusted and those he just met had to earn it. The thing was though he was trying to join and now the other leader had made her appearance. He wanted to growl in frustration.

What should he do? A quick glance to Vespertio made him note that he was bristling. The stormy male could have sighed. This was going to be interesting to say the least. A jealous male, a male who didn't want to submit, and a female who would likely demand that he do. This was had fun written all over it he thought with sarcasm. Deciding he would show her the same amount of respect he had shown Vespertio he spoke. Pleasure to meet you Athena. Twisting to once more look at the lead male he nodded in understanding of his words.

Anthem knew he had his work cut out for him if he wanted to stay here. The thought made him smile seeing as survival was work anyway adding a pack would just make it a little more interesting.

(This post was last modified: Dec 25, 2014, 03:50 PM by Anthem.)

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

A young deer has been separated from the rest of its herd. Hunt Opportunity

Sorry for the long wait, been crazy with the holidays and such.

The Vuesain quickly reeled in his bristling fur at the thought of the Faye man that resided within the pack, not wanting to give the wrong impression to the newest recruit and have him think it was he who caused his guard hairs to rise. With his coat now smoothed back out to its proper place, his golden gaze swept between the two wolves sharing his company while pondering if Athena saw this new stranger as much as an asset as he did though the two wolves had never met before. This was when Vespertio noted the amount of submission given to Athena by Anthem. It was the same as given to him, but the lead male wondered if she would understand why the bare minimum was give or if she would be insulted by the display. It was only a matter of minutes before the answer would be revealed to them by the ivory woman who stood at his side like the every beautiful, regal queen that she was.

His dark hued crown then shifted to glance in Athena's direction, settling his golden gaze upon that of her single, blazing bright amber eye. "So, what do you think? Does he have what it takes to join us?" Vespertio knew that he could vouch for the man and give him acceptance, but since this was a male standing before them instead of the usual females that tended to flock to his charming ways he wanted to selfishly gloat about this accomplishment that went on silently between the ruling wolves. He wanted to prove to his queen that yes he was capable of bringing in worthy memebers, strong members to help build upon the pack to become the strongest in the land one day. To let her know that the side she had first come to meet was left where it belonged.