Homecoming Queen

forget what we're told

before we get too old

The tawny woman had thought she could handle seeing him with another, surrounded by his own family finally. She had hoped she could be happy for him, but deep deep down she simply couldn’t. From the moment she had stepped across that invisible line with her children in tow she knew she could not stay. Surely he could tell by her dark demeanour, the way she had held her children so tight and stayed so close to the edge of his kingdom. He surely could not have been surprised to see them gone by the time the sun rose.

She had travelled with her children, across the open plains, around the craggy cliffs until finally they found themselves once again beneath the boughs of a thick forest, thicker than any you would find in the Lore. The branches overhead were entangled so tightly they blocked out the sun, the moon, and the stars, their only path a winding creek that cut through the dark and into the unknown. While her children grew nearer in the dark forest their mother, although limping, stood taller, knowing at last that she was going home.

Just as she had anticipated, she was greeted as though she had never left. One of her uncles escorted her home, making small talk as he took her to see her grandmother. She was not surprised to see the imposing black wolf sprawled out on her favourite boulder, although her eyes were now clouded grey with blindness and more silver marked her muzzle than had at their last encounter. Naira spent much of her recovery time recounting her tales to the dark woman, occasionally joined by her own mother when she wasn’t busy keeping the pack in order. They were intent not only to heal her physical wound but to bring some light back into her golden stare.

She was allowed to grieve.

While she had hoped and even prayed that Mapplethorpe might find her, them, she had felt no sense of impending dread when he had not showed up at their rendezvous. If he could have made he would be there and while her heart was shattered, it had been something she had forced herself to shut out for the sake of their children.

But it wasn’t just Mapplethorpe she needed to grieve for, it was her brother Kanosak, and the terrible damage she had done. It was for Lily and Adonis, Datura and Belladonna. Even Rhysis required a few tears to be shed and the more she allowed herself to process her grief, the less often nightmares had come to plague her. As her mind healed her body followed suit until she felt as a six year old wolf should, not weary to her bones, not broken and bitter and falling apart.

She was able to smile again.

For almost a year she had sheltered with her family, raised her children (amongst their many cousins, aunts and uncles), celebrated in the way of the faith she was raised to embrace and she was at peace. There was no need to assert her dominance or question others motives, no need to worry about where their next meal might come from or fear of what mother nature might throw at them next. She was convinced she would never leave again, but it wasn’t to be.

On their first hunt, her children had helped to pull down a caribou. The pack had moved out onto the open tundra for the sake of the young ones, and while the rest of their family ate their fill, those that waited basked in the snow under the northern lights. One of her uncles started telling stories, much as Mapplethorpe might have but his voice didn’t have the same quality to it. Words seemed forced instead of rolling off his tongue like silk, but still she smiled, wondering if perhaps he would have been as happy here as she was.

It was then that the stars began to fall from the sky, much as they had on the night of her first litters birth. Some said it was an omen, but Naira merely raised a brow, that was until the godess took her mother. It wasn’t the first time she had seen such an episode but it was fearful none the less. The white wolf soaked with blood, her eyes glassed over, speaking in a voice that wasn’t her own. She had walked straight over to Naira and delivered words of warning.

Fate had been cheated twice, she said, to allow it to happen a third time would mean her demise.

Her grandmothers blind stare had fallen on her with pinpoint precision and for a moment she thought she saw the fiery tone behind the clouded grey burn. “You know what you must do.” It was as much an order as it was advice. Her children were old enough, they would have the protection of their family as long as it was needed. She had a task that could not be ignored.

It tore her heart to leave her children, but her soft spoken son and brazen daughter promised they would come and find her when the time was right. She had embraced them both on her final night at home, sleeping under their weight as she had when they were barely able to touch the underside of her belly. It was hard to tell the difference between night and day under this thick canopy but somehow her body knew when it was time to leave.

She said her goodbyes with a smile on her face. It wouldn’t be such a terrible journey she was sure. After all, she shouldn’t have to stay gone long.

Now here she stood, with red earth from the eastern hills under her paws, the weather turning and a fire burning under her pelt. It was good to stand in the sun again, even better to see the stars. A reckless smile marked her face as she continued her journey down in to the woods below. She was back, and she could almost feel the earth tremble beneath her paws as the wind whipped through her thick pelt.

This time, things were going to go her way.

(This post was last modified: Mar 19, 2015, 10:30 PM by Naira.)

Rage seared through the silvered male's veins, threatening to tear him in two. From afar, the silver wraith seemed perfectly composed. Each paw perfectly placed one before the other, neck and spine aligned, ears and eyes alert. A closer look would yield to the stiffness that followed each motion, the overly steady gait, the intensity of his white-hot gaze. These red hills had become more and more like a prison, Garmr and his small band forced to behave more like fugitives than warriors. He wasn't a cowering rat like the rest of the wolves who inhabited this region, but Garmr at least had enough brain cells to realize that getting caught by Nayeli's pack was not an option. He needed control of the situation, he would face the filthy pack and steal his woman back on his own terms... 

But Garmr could everything crumpling, sifting out of reach like soft sand between his grasp. The season was nearing its turn, and still they had not obtained what they had traveled to this wretched land for. Time was not on their side, and Garmr was beginning to suspect his family wasn't entirely either. Garmr knew @Skadi was as dedicated as he, and knew he had her held firmly under his own paw. @Ainashi seemed to lack dedication entirely, but at least did what he was told, and so far without question. @Vali, however, greatly troubled the leader. Garmr would be a fool to not notice the steady decline in his brother's drive and passion for their mission. It had always troubled the perfectionist in him, but he needed the brains and brawn Vali provided. Vali's disinterest wouldn't have mattered as much as long as Garmr got what he needed from him, but as of late his brother's periodic disappearances were beginning to actively interfere with his plans. Not only did they lack a plan, but his brother's physical absence meant that even a blind, spontaneous rush on the oak tree pack would be even more likely to fail.

Nearing his breaking point, Garmr decided enough was enough. He would find his damned brother and they would charge the pack of mongrels, plan or not. He would take no excuses.

His nostrils flared at the scent of a female, filling his lungs with her scent. Upper lip lifted, his tongue flicked the air as if to taste. He snorted, conflicted. Tempting, yes, but it was easy enough to tell the woman was the same type of common blood he despised. However, that did not mean she would be useless to him. Setting his face into a pleasant, if not somewhat empty expression, Garmr moved at an easy lope through the trees towards her. Finally spying the tawny coated peasant, he slowed. He lifted his pale muzzle, giving a chuff to draw her attention. His tail swished at his hocks, not overly exuberant but friendly enough.

 

  because maybe

  • NAIRA •

 you're gonna be the one that saves me

Her task would not be an easy one, this much she knew, and she still had a ways to travel before she would reach the oak forest and begin putting to practice her carefully laid plans. If this was what fate demanded of her, she would do what was required to protect her own hide. Demise was not a term she planned on coming to grips with any time soon.

She was pulled from her musings by a chuff, honey-hued eyes narrowing as they fell on the stranger, her chin tilting up out of habit and her tail stirring to sit level with her spine as she took in his welcoming stance. She was not so foolish as to trust just any male, particularly at this time of year but a deeper part of her soul tugged at her gut as she looked him up and down. Perceiving the man as a minimal threat she allowed herself to relax. Although her eyes wished to travel back over the trees that lay below them she knew better than to turn her back on a stranger.

She took a step closer to the silver coated man, closing the distance between them. Her steps were deliberate and measured as she lowered her head to take in the scent at his shoulder, her tail taking up a lazy wag as she committed it to memory and registered nothing of familiarity about it. Some might be made uncomfortable by her brazen approach but she was not used to being defied. “You’re not from around here.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement, her words smooth and clipped with a business like tone, lifted by the smirk that pulled at the corner of her lips, hidden from the pale man by the way her head was angled across his back. “What brings you to this godforsaken place?”

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Garmr's pinpoint pupils tracked the female as she moved closer, keeping his paws firmly in place and refusing to be budged an inch. His stomach churned, but he wasn't convinced the feeling was entirely due to disgust. Her warmth was so close, almost tantalizing if not for the mere sickening thought of touching her sullied flesh. Her pelt of muddy tones was suitable enough for the ugly, drab forests the mongrels lived in, but Garmr knew better than to compromise. Faltering self control by his ancestors was what had lead their lineage into such dire straights, polluting the noble blood as they mixed with the land's squalid masses. Garmr didn't know what the woman was playing at here, but he couldn't entirely blame her. He was, after all, one of the last of perfect stock.

He still held his ground, having no doubts of his own restraint as she moved even closer, finally stopping with her face just out of view. Her throat so close that he could so easily reach out and seize it between his jaws. She could easily do the same to him. He kept his head directed tall and forward, staring straight ahead as if he didn't currently have a she-wolf inching in on his space. His tail had ceased it's sway, coming to a stiff halt as he kept his attention on her.

Wandering thoughts pulled back in on her question, he couldn't help the slight lift of his lips, teeth momentarily glinting in a short lived wince of irritation by the reminder that he was still in this shithole, business far from finished. From her words it was hard for him to tell if she was a local or not. However, he was sure he hadn't come across her scent in the red hills before today. "I might ask the same of you," he said simply at first, hesitating before giving his answer, "I'm looking for something. Someone, actually." He said, not knowing if she could be friend or foe and keeping it simple at first.

 

There is a family of deer nearby. Hunt Opportunity

@Garmr

 

   because maybe

  • NAIRA •

you're gonna be the one that saves me

She watched as the mans tail stilled, taking the cue to step away and bring herself about to face the same direction as he. Something about the way he met her challenge, the way his silver eyes focused on the valley below reminded her of her Rhysis, the one she had ruled beside at the Lake before everything went to shit. The restlessness between them charged the air and she knew she was walking on a knifes edge. A singular word of her purpose whispered in the wrong ear would be her end, she had left the ball in his court to do with as he wished.

Her own eyes swept back over the trees below as he answered her question, vaguely enough, but if the direction of his gaze was any indication it would seem they had the same destination in mind. “Oh, I am notorious around these parts.” she quipped with a sinister smile on her face, “Although other matters called me away for a time.” He could make of that what he would of her statement, it had been so long since she had felt another out this way and she simply wanted to have some fun. His next statement was met with a sideways glance and a scoff as she flippantly responded “We’re all looking for someone.”

A paw lifted to move in closer once more, test the water so to speak when a familiar scent met her nose and her ears turned to take in the tell-tale bleat of a fawn calling for its mother. Her stomach gave an audible growl and a sheepish smile crossed her face as she tilted her head, an unspoken question hanging in the air. Surely for two such as they it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

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@Naira

Garmr blinked steadily at her admission of infamy. She still danced the line of "unknown" in his head, but at least her familiarity with the area could come in handy... If he could manage to extract anything from her. Without knowing which side, if any, she stood with the oak pack, he remained cautious.

Her trite phrase earned little more than a grunt, a half smile as if he humbly agreed. "Of course. Life wouldn't be complete without that certain someone, now would it?" he cooed, a half laugh that failed to light his eyes. It was almost be amusing how ignorant the masses were, if it wasn't so pitiful. Living, breeding, and dying like rats caught up in the simple dramas of life. The cause he lived for was much more worthy, actually holding true meaning in this imperfect, broken world. If only she knew the who and why, perhaps she wouldn't be scoffing. But Garmr was protective of his schemes, even how much his siblings knew about what awaited them, if they succeeded, brought him discomfort. It was his hard work, and should be his rewards.

A hungrier glint took his wild eyes at the fawn's cry, bringing a wash of fresh saliva over his tongue. He glanced towards the woman, seeing she was on the same page at the moment. Taking the lead, as was his habit, he immediately started off at a lope down the hillside with senses tuned for prey.

@Garmr - oh lord she is full of herself.

 

   you're gonna be the one that saves me

  • NAIRA •

and after all, you're my wonderwall

The silver wolf’s self control was impressive and his response bought a smile to her face. He was charming, if a little stand offish, but she was sure given time they could come to an understanding and get past all of that. His animalistic reaction and the fact no words needed to pass between them only reinforced her opinion that perhaps this wolf had potential as an ally, or at least a tolerable companion. The conversation flowed and he didn’t waste words, a trait she found desirable in anyone she may have to endure more than a few moments within the same space of.

The way he took the lead also spoke volumes and while a small part of her rebelled at being forced into a position of following it was followed with an appreciation for his large physique, a familiar warming under her coat that would have made a lesser woman groan with need but she pushed her desires aside for now and fell in step behind the wolf who much like herself seemed unaccustomed to being defied.

It didn’t take long for the slightly red darker blob against the hills to bleat out for its mother again. It would be easy enough to bound forward and drag the pitiful thing away but there was nothing to say the mother wouldn’t charge at them and try to trample them to death despite knowing she was too late. While the mother deer wasn’t in sight she wasn’t so foolish as to think it wasn’t nearby, perhaps just beyond the tree line. As if her thoughts alone were enough to summon her the new mother began to pick her way back toward the fawn, completely oblivious to the two predators that were closing in.

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@Naira You wanna get the takedown? Unless dumb momma deer is gonna put up a stink 

As Garmr headed off he listened for the sound of the woman's footfalls behind him, pleased that she hadn't tried to walk abreast, or even worse, ahead. A less confident wolf might have worried at having a strange wolf where they couldn't see them, but for Garmr it was only natural to take command. He drifted towards the fawn's cries, its shrill bleats only serving as a dinner bell for the hungry wolves. With pale eyes narrowed to slits he scanned the bright snowy terrain for the calf, more depending on his ears and nose to direct him. It took him longer than it should have to spot the dark ruddy shape, ambling to and fro on legs it hadn't quite mastered the use of as it called for its mother.

What a poor, pathetic thing, Garmr thought. The fawn was stupid enough to stand out in the open, with no herd or mother anywhere to be seen. Not yet, at least. From scent, he knew they weren't alone, but as far as he could see there was no one close enough to help. It would be easy enough to snag the little thing before anyone who cared about it was the wiser. Garmr crouched down, his shoulder blades shifting beneath his shimmering coat. Moving low at first, he angled himself behind a rocky outcrop as he skirted closer. Glancing sidelong at Naira, he made eye contact for a moment before tossing his head forward. The sole silent signal he gave before dashing out of hiding.

Lips peeled back, teeth bared in anticipation of sinking into flesh, he charged the fawn. The calf had noticed him, screaming louder as it awkwardly began to gallop downhill. Somewhere further out, a bellowing could be heard, but Garmr was honed in and solely focused on his quarry. With a few more strides and a lunge, he snagged onto the fawn's scrawny ankle with more force than necessary, jaw clenching and bone yielding with a snap. Garmr's long limbs pressed forward, anchoring himself and braking the two of them to a stop. The other hoofed hind limb kicked out towards him, whooshing in his ears as it sailed past his head.

from time to time, you cross my mind

good company is hard to find

When the silvered wolf gave the signal she moved forward to cut the mother off. The satisfying crunch on bone sent a shiver down her spine as she moved in to wrap her powerful jaws around the young fawns neck. Surely its mother knew having been born so early in the season the poor thing didn’t stand a chance. The mothers angry bellows only fuelled the woman further a last second flail delivering her the back half of the newborns skull instead of its neck. The resounding crack and the way the pitiful creature stilled suddenly showed that even if her blow hadn’t killed it completely it was knocked out for sure. Dropping the baby deer momentarily she turned to check the angry mother stamping her sharp hooves in the mud and snow. Her savage display of teeth and a short charge were all it took to send her skittering back to the cover of the trees.

A low growl was still rumbling in her chest as she turned back to her companion, who she now surveyed with wary eyes. She had ceded when it came to taking charge of the hunt and while the prideful woman wanted what was hers she was still feeling the stranger out and chose to hang back from the kill until she could be sure she wouldn’t wind up with unsightly scars on her pretty face. When she judged the time was right she would test the boundaries again by questioning “So tell me about your someone.” Her sly smile gave her away, this was more a business proposition than it was idle conversation.