Nightingale Palisade They are the hunters we are the foxes

January 16th, time lost: approx one month, 10:10pm, Light Snow - 20F/-7C, AW!

The days had trickled by, blending together over time until Aponi could no longer remember how long she had been lost for and even worse how long it had been since she had last seen another wolf. The place that surrounded her now had been completely strange and unwelcoming when the storm had finally cleared enough that she could try to get her bearings. The day the storm had hit she had been searching for any trace of her father and had been blindsided by the sudden onset of the storm. As if her life was repeating she had once again been torn from the Ghastly Woods by the cruel crutches of winter, but this time there was no Mercy, this time she was alone.

When the storm had hit she had searched for the den that had once belonged to the Keep and she thought she had found it after hours of looking. When she had awoken from an exhausted sleep Aponi's heart had nearly stopped when she realized this was not the den she thought it was and like a fool she once more headed out into the storm. The yearling had no idea how long she had walked for, how far she had travelled from the place that had once been her home, all she knew was that this place was not it.

Aponi had not seen another since she had arrived in this strange place, though this was probably of her own doing. Having slept mostly through the days when she had been lost the yearling had become a creature of the night, coming out only after the sun sets to hunt when she could and search for a way home. A small crevice was what she called her den, squeezing her way into the rock in one of the steepest areas of the river. This is where she stalked out of now, having just risen from where she slumbered, her paws had worn down the area in front of the wall but a light snow was beginning to cover the prints once more. Stomach gurgling in pain, crying out for food she had not been able to find in nearly a week she picked her way down to the river, hoping the water could quell the aches for now. At the sound of a branch cracking Aponi's silver cranium whipped around, blue eyes attempting to focus on its source, perhaps she would eat tonight.

Rais skirted over crests of snowdrifts like a boat at sea. With toes spread wide to keep him from sinking too deep into the white powder, the grey rogue's steps were light and quick, with the slightest uneven lilt. He kept his black leathery nose down as he walked, snuffling at the ground to search for any signs of life, or death. He wasn't picky either way, anything dead he could eat, and anything alive was likely struggling as much as he was and would make an easy target.

His dreams were filled with visions of venison, but the best thing he had eaten in the past week was a waterlogged muskrat he'd nearly frozen his paws off for. Indeed, he absolutely couldn't feel the small outer toe on his front paw. He couldn't move it, and it didn't smell quite right, but at least it didn't hurt. The thief was looking worse for wear, the frozen toe only added to his bony frame, the pink patches of freshly healed skin the Ridge wolf had gifted him, and the missing silver point of his tail torn off by a rampaging River brute. He already had no hope of making it out of winter in one piece, but he was determined on making it out more or less alive. His first goal was just getting out of this no-mans-land.

Finally a scent caught his nose, distinctively wolfish. His tail flicked with excitement as he honed towards it. He hadn't seen anyone in... Weeks probably. It was hard to keep track, but the isolation was rather dull. Orange eyes skimming over the vivid white terrain, he noticed a silvery shape down closer to the river. He didn't get too close, stopping on the slope leading down to the water as he peered down at the yearling.

"Hey there!" He yipped, his tipless tail swishing in a friendly display.

(This post was last modified: Jan 22, 2015, 07:09 AM by Rais.)

jus' gonna try and jump-start this

The cracking branch had been her.

The immediate rescue that Noble expected had never come. It had taken three days for it to become obvious. The dark girl had stayed in the exact area she'd arrived in, finding only a thick twist of brush to shelter in nearby. The hours dragged by as she waited by the long drag mark her body had made on it's entrance. It snowed that whole time. Not heavily, but steady enough for her to watch the evidence get filled in. Finally there was nothing left, no trail for her pack to follow and the ravine, when she shouted up, held only her echo. And yet she hesitated in leaving the place. Why should she? She had no clue which direction lead to home, or even something edible. So, Noble had widened her narrow circle of occupation and found a spot to make a pitiful example of a snow den. The days had grown in number and the girl had narrowed.

She'd gotten good at finding sustenance... of a sorts. The easiest was the least rewarding to find: there was always grass under the snow if she could stand to dig long enough. Tough and fibrous, with a taste that reminded her of wet dirt, but it stalled the agony in her stomach. The real treat was scat, there were always bird leavings and rabbit droppings. The solitary day she had actually caught a mouse, real flesh and blood, she had whooped aloud and scarfed it down. That day had been over a week ago.

From beginning to end of every day, she constantly thought and searched for food. It was at the end of the day, just a few hours ago, that she'd found the trail of a pheasant and picked it up without hesitation. Hunger gave her great focus, but blinded her to the presence of the other wolves till it was too late. Noble crept along, easing through the willowy shrubs, large ears trained forward. Coming closer and closer to the bird, the other two wolves. An odd scent tickled her nostrils, a familiarity and danger that made her stop short. A branch snapped hollowly under her and Noble shrunk down with her wide gold eyes peering through the leaf-less foliage. Certainly she'd lost a meal, but could only hope they would leave it at the pheasant.

Sorry this took so long guys! 

Before Aponi's icy eyes had even had the chance to focus in on the sound - a rather tall black pup, a stranger appeared on the slope.  The yearling was torn as she eyed over the male who had appeared on the crest, it had been so long since she had had any contact with another and yet.... she couldn't trust anyone. Especially not now, when she was lost and half starved, he could be here to overpower her and take her den, or perhaps even eat the flesh off of her bones. With that thought her mind was made up, her need to survive was much greater than her need to socialize.

Narrowing her eyes the silver tail flung over her back, puffing her matted fur out the best that she could Aponi barred her teeth. Digging blunt claws into the frozen ground beneath her she snarled, "Don't come any closer," despite the lack of use the venom in her voice was as strong as it always had been.  The dark form the left of her was safe for the time being, she was much too focused on the male to take notice of the other visitor she had.

Aponi would never admit it but she had never been in a real fight and even her sparring lessons with her uncle had never gone that well. She was too proud to ever show any sign of submittal, even if it meant she would be able to protect her ears and extremities. Even now her silver ears stood at full attention on her skull and she made no movement in defense, the only plus was that the yearling was ruthless. She had no problem fighting dirty and the thought of seriously harming or maiming another, especially a stranger didn't faze the Aquila. Maybe it was in her blood.

She couldn't decide if the other had seen her, or not.

For an instant she was sure she'd felt the weigh of Aponi's gaze. A pale blue that held her firmly in place despite the delicacy of the shade. Every muscle had locked in that instant, her fight-or-flight response having been decided as soon the other's gaze cast in her direction. Noble prayed for invisibility, even letting her eyes close in wishful thinking. When they reopened, half-way expecting Aponi to be upon her, the yearling was looking away. The dark gold blinked in confusion. Huh? Did she not care or not see?

The confusion was enough to loosen her locked limbs. Dark angular splints pushed her an inch, then several inches higher to search for a clearer view through the brush. She watched the display silently, understanding the bolstered fur and high-flung tail without needing an explanation. It said "I am not someone to be messed with" and Noble was inclined to agree with the bold stranger. She continued to peek from her supposed hiding place, blatantly spying now.

Her gaze turned with Aponi's warning. She'd almost forgotten about the second wolf scent, being so immobilized by dread, and her sharp nose prodded cautiously in Rais' direction now. The brush held her firm, it only allowed a half turn before it's brittle points stopped the side-ways movement. There was no answer. Noble's wary glance slid back to Aponi and, holding her sight in attention, the dark girl started to wiggle her way free. Brittle twigs held dark tufts as souvenirs but her body eased free and she started to sidle away from the other two.

Perhaps, she could escape without incident? Perhaps, perhaps that pheasant from earlier was as distracted as the girl had been. Maybe she would eat tonight. So many variables that worked against her.

(This post was last modified: Mar 15, 2015, 07:56 PM by Noble.)

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

It seemed as if her threat had worked as the male slipped away from her sights without a word or any retaliation. Appeased and rather proud of herself Aponi smirked, lowering her tail back into resting position, she had more power than she originally thought. Still, her proud moment was short lived when she noticed a black form moving across the slope. Narrowing her icy blue eyes the yearling observed the other stranger for a moment, younger than her definitely but tall on spindly legs. What was a pup doing out here alone? Even better yet how was a pup out here alone and still alive?

It dawned on the Aquila that perhaps this child wasn't alone, and if she wasn't that meant that there were adults around who were probably feeding her. It took less than a second for Aponi to twit the situation in her mind until it suited her best interest, pups were young and naive surely this would be easy to pull off. Dropping her tail down between her legs and pinning her ear back in a way she would usually classify as pitiful she whined. Taking a small step forward she called out, "Wait! I didn't mean to frighten you! I'm all alone and I'm.....I'm......I'm scared." Forcing her voice to tremble at the end she dropped her gaze, low enough to convey desperation and fear but still high enough that she could see the other's reaction.  While she hated making herself seem lesser Aponi was hungry and if this worked she might actually be eating tonight.

The first step had been taken very slow and cautiously. Noble was sure it would draw attention and her every footfall was followed with a wince. She was expecting another harsh snarl that beckoned to her this time, but it never came. Just a tense silence. She slunk low along the banks of the ridge, not daring to look back. The steps hurried into one another, each swifter and less careful than the last. Escape, it seemed was in her sights. There was enough relief for her attention to turn back to the pheasant from earlier. The dark girl slowed, even risking a glance about her. Where were those tracks again?

It was the tone of Aponi's voice that threw Noble for a loop. Wait! had been called out in a tremble that sounded nothing like earlier. The dark-hued girl whirled around in a confused shuffle, amazed at the change in the silver woman. She stood stock still, legs splayed to keep her balance after the hasty about-face.

Well, this was unexpected. Usually it was Noble playing the damsel in distress; patiently waiting for rescue with a woe-is-me attitude. It was strange to see it in another. It was perplexing enough to hold her attention on Aponi when she might have otherwise fled. This woman seemed just like her, she couldn't be that dangerous could she? The decision to move just a bit closer was made. Noble took a few steps down that rapidly fell into an ungraceful skidding approach. Noble didn't seem to notice. She just came to a stop and gave an overly polite sniff, nose crinkling at the scent's glaring unfamiliarity. "I'm afraid too." She offered to the supposed like-minded soul.

xD I love your signature, also its up to you whether we go another couple of rounds or if my next Aponi post is the fade/exit :)

Just as she had wished the pup stopped, turned so suddenly and forcefully that for a moment Aponi thought that she would topple over. The stranger was obviously thin and the way she stood looked like a fawn who was trying to walk for the first time but the yearling cared little. She wanted to get a decent meal out of this and that was all, she wasn't looking for a companion or a friend she didn't have time for either. If this pup could provide food and maybe a way out than she would have more than served her purpose and the Aquila would leave in peace. If she couldn't well.... even she wasn't cruel enough to treat a pup as a punching bag.

While her mindset might have been harsh her face displayed the opposite. Blue eyes widened into a doe-like appearance and Aponi did the best to mirror some of the other girl's uncertainty in her stance. As the pup approached she dropped her head lower and blinked away as she skidded down the slope, not wanting to spook her off.  Smiling briefly at her words the yearling lapped her tongue at her nose, "I'm Aponi... do you... do you have any food? It's been so long since I last ate anything." This time as the fae looked back at the pup she didn't have to force an emotion, the hope displayed was real. While she was still alive she truly was hungry, this wintery prison didn't exactly come with an unlimited meal plan.

#crushingnoble'ssoul
lol if @Aponi can "show her true colors" in the next post, I don't think we need to keep going

Noble would never had called herself wimpy but, still, could admit that there was a certain way she was. It might have been her personality, the harrowing winter or a combination, but Noble had fallen in with a certain expectation of the world. Things never seemed to go her way. Rescue was story that she couldn't find any comfort any longer. Everything that she wanted to catch, meals that her starved frame clearly needed, was always much faster and slyer than her. And everything that might mean harm to her, notably other wolves, were always stronger and more confident.

Until now. This wasn't at all expected. She stared at Aponi with clear surprise, and then, happiness. Someone like her! Someone who might help! The thread tip of her tail spun a small circle of joy as she answered. "I- I don't..." Her expression fell, disappointed to be letting her new friend down so quickly. But she did have something, or rather the possibility of something. The pheasant she'd been following earlier! Noble was still very much a child, a fact that became clear in the moments that followed. "But I did find tracks!" She boasted, feeling her thin chest expand with pride. The tiny scrap of information was offered with the innocence that only a child have. There was a brief glance up the ridge to where she'd left said tracks, then back at her new friend. Her tail swayed hopefully as she awaited praise and an invitation to catch and share the meal together.