Larkcall Lowlands The Next Big Thing

@Askan Sorry for the late/kinda odd post

Latif was in a good mood. The sun was shining and there was a crispness in the air that felt absolutely wonderful. It made him want to play with someone, but here he was all by himself in this vast open area. Still he could have some fun, couldn't he? All he needed to do so find something to play with. White paws kept him moving forward while his eyes scanned the area around him for something. A stick. A leaaf. A grasshopper. Anything really that would prick his interest and then the fun would start. Without fun life got to be tedious and rather tiresome, so you needed to take a break everyone once in a while.

It wasn't until he rounded a bush that he found something that had him grinning. There was a small moth that was fluttering in the air before it would drop back into the grass and the few remaining flowers. Latif instantly lowered to the ground and procedeed to pounce in its general area. The white moth fluttered up from it resting spot and flew away from him. Or rather it tried as Latif began to chase it on its wavering path. When it landed the pale man gently nosed in the grass and was rewarded with the fluttering of wings against his nose. His head jerked back with a snort of laughter. The insect flew up once more straight into his face before flying around a bush and vanishing from his siight.

Latif let out a sigh of disappointment. He hadn't had his fill of fun yet. Guess he would just have to find something else to play with then. With that he looked around trying to figure out a direction to go. Where would the fun be in a place like this?

(This post was last modified: Sep 14, 2016, 04:45 PM by Latif.)

(OOC: Opps I hecka forgot about this post! My bad!)

Askan was not in a good mood.  That wasn't to say that he generally was- because truly he wasn't- but right then he was feeling particularly prickly. In the sort of 'look at me wrong and I'll kill you' sort of way. As to why he was in such a foul mood, well he couldn't really say. Nothing had gone wrong or awry, if anything things were  finally slotting into place. Things were finally going to plan. The weather was pleasant enough and from what he could tell the pup wasn't up to no good. So why did he feel as though he was teetering on the edge, about to fall off at any moment. 

He supposed that's just how things went sometimes. He couldn't always be happy, he didn't deserve that by any means, but it would have been nice if he didn't feel like shit. Like he was the lowest, most disgraceful thing to wander this damned Earth. Askan blanched and shook his head. No matter what, like a little voice in the back of his head, he always felt as though he wasn't worth it. That he might as well be dead for all the good it did, for all the good he wanted to but couldn't do. Even now, so far away from home he felt dwarfed by his presence, like it was mocking him. Ah yes, so that's why he felt like complete and utter shit. That explained it plenty. Damned old man.

Glancing away from his feet, Askan's gaze flickered to the terrain to his left. He was in the foulest of moods, more corrosive than his stomach acid, but even so he instinctively kept a look out for danger. Perhaps he wasn't in the best mood to deal with anything right now, but that wouldn't stop him. Askan was an act now think later sort of guy. 

 So of course, when he spotted a figure frolicking not so far away, well he was pissed. Like a sky that suddenly became cloudy, Askan's mood took a turn for the worse. A loner- for the most part- wasn't the biggest threat that he could encounter. A bear on the other hand.... Well in this mood he'd throw himself head first at the blighter, caution be damned. This was no bear (obviously) it was a wolf, and a playful one at that. Or mad, it was hard to tell from where he was standing.

With a new found sense of pissed-off-ness, Askan closed the distance between himself and the newcomer and without warning and charm, he stomped to a stop and hurled a prickly accusation.

"What are you doing?!"

OOC: It's alright ^^ @Askan

With his gaze scanning the area for a hint of movement Latif found himself wondering if someone would live here. He couldn't see the charm that might lead others to lay claim to an area like this. It felt too barren to him. Not that it mattered, he was only passing through after all. But if someone were to live here where would he find them. He let out a huff as he stared at the surrounding hills. He was about to pick a direction and just see where it led him when an angry voice of a stranger filled his ears. Even before he saw the wolf that had come across him Latif had a grin on his face. Apparently he wouldn't need to find someone because they had found him.

Twisting his head to get a look at the stranger Latif found himself dubbing the wolf, Mr. Grumpy. "Well Mr. Grumpy I was looking for someone to play with. The pale man responded with a teasing tone. He couldn't help but through the nickname out there especially with the way the darker man had his face scrunched up in a sour expression. Dipping himself into a play bow with his head stretched forward on his paws he questioned. "Are you game? Or, are you to grumpy?" A large smile was on his face as he watched the other wolf. He was almost certain if he kept poking and teasing the other wolf that he might try to shut him up. To bad in order to do that he would have to chase the pale man and that would be doing just what Latif wanted. Would this stranger figure that out though? Or, would he just walk away?

Latif's tail swayed behind him as he watched the other's moves intently, just on that slim chance that Mr. Grumpy would give in and play right away.The pale man doubted it but he didn't want to get tackled right away and let the other win this game. What fun would that be?

Mr Grumpy? For a moment, Askan did not register what he had said. The words did not compute in his mind. But then after a few seconds of cold, hard staring they clicked into place. It is said that first impressions are important, that they are had to shake. Well, if that saying is true then this stranger could not have possibly made a worse first impression of himself upon Askan.

As soon as he understood what the stranger was saying, Askan couldn't help but bristle and pull back his lips into a snarl. He was in no mood for fun nor games, the stranger clearly wasn't blind so why was he being such an idiot? What had Askan done to deserve this mockery? A lot of things probably, but that did not mean that he was at all happy with this situation, or at himself for that matter. The Yukon wolf had never been very eloquent, he had never been a master of words. He was by no means a fool, he had a good head on his shoulders, but he never really took the time to articulate himself very well. For the most part he just blurted out what came to mind and hoped for the best.

Right now, Askan was at a loss at what to say. His mind was more than a little scrambled, he was caught unaware and unprepared. He wasn't good at socialising at the best of times, and right now he really needed to be alone. This pale menace was ruining an already shitter than shit day. 

 "SHUT UP!" He snapped, unable to contain himself.

But no... That wouldn't do. Drestig had told him time and time again, to take it easy. To breathe. Letting his temper get the better of him was beneath him, it was petty really. He was better than this, or at least he should make an effort to be.

Pulling in a deep steadying breath, Askan closed his eyes and opened them when he puffed out the air in his lungs. Calm. No need to get angry at this little punk. He was fine. Still, it was hard when he had already been on edge.

"I don't want to play with you, find someone else." The dark wolf managed after a while or so of silence. 

(This post was last modified: Oct 02, 2016, 07:54 PM by Askan.)

@Askan

He could all but see the wheels turning as Mr. Grumpy seemed to process what had been said. Did the other wold realized that he had gotten the name due to his first impression? That he was the one with such a sour look plastered on his face. What else was someone supposed to think? Latif kept the smile on his face even as the other's turned darker, much darker in fact. The pale man tipped his head a bit. Had he hit a nerve with his jest? He must have if the teeth that were bared to him were any indicator.

He had known that he would likely get a bad reaction but when the other suddenly shouted Latif blinked in surprise. He had been expecting a slow build up to anger, like a flame gaining strength. Not this sudden flashy outburst. Had the darker male been upset already before he had even approached? Because to Latif the little bit of jesting he had done didn't warrant that kind of outburst, unless something had happened? In that moment the game was over as concern won over the playfulness he felt.

Latif straightened as he waited for Mr. Grumpy to gather himself. "What has you so wound up that you can't relax enough to play?" The question was simple and straight forward. He honestly wanted to know what the problem was. "Other than me." He added quickly before the darker wolf could respond. The pale man knew that he might not have been as kind as he could have been but Mr. Grumpy hadn't exactly introduced himself in a five-star rating way either.

Askan didn't play. Well, all right that wasn't entirely true. Sometimes Percy was able to persuade (and by that I mean pester) him into a quick, little game. But with her it was different, she had no one else to play with and she was young so really he could be excused for giving into her whims. But other than that, Askan did not play. He was not happy nor jovial enough to do so of his own free will. The thought of someone other than the pup actually seeing him acting so casual, it was cringe worthy to him. It was shameful.

The strangers question was a valid one, if not a little intrusive. His presence was a nuisance, sure, but it wasn't why he was so on edge. Askan was just having an off day, a terrible terrible day. He hoped that like a storm it would pass with time. But what if it didn't? What if he was stuck feeling this way, so miserable and worthless? He wouldn't know what to do with himself, he couldn't be of use like this. He was a sham, a wreck, a worthless husk. Gods, some days he truly hated himself, and today was one of those cursed awful days where he couldn't deny what he was. When he couldn't smother it all down with false confidence and bravado.

Did he really want to let all of this spill out into the open though? The acting of talking about it would give his feelings validation, it would make them seem more real. He didn't want that, he didn't want it to be real. He just wanted all of this mess to go away and leave him the hell alone.

"It's.... Nothing." Askan muttered, as though it were a passable response. Internally he cringed. How pathetic. Askan cleared his throat and turned his piercing gaze back to the pale one. "What's it to you anyway? You don't know me."

"It's.... Nothing."

If Latif knew anything then when someone said those words there was always something. Big or small there was a problem or situation that drove a wolf nuts and they tended to take it out on others. Latif let the silence hang for a moment before speaking. "If it was nothing then it wouldn't be bothering you so much. He stated back. He could deny it all he wanted but there was something bothering Mr. Grumpy. Enough that he would snap on a complete stranger.

Latif maw spread into a lopsided grin. "I might not know you but I know anger, hate, frustration, bitterness. There aren't good to hang onto for too long or they might make you do something you regret. He had felt them before when his sister had died, his whole family had. Now here was a wolf in front of him who was angry and frustrated. How could he not help?

"So what if I'm a stranger? Maybe that makes things a lot easier. I'll be gone the day after tomorrow and you won't have to worry about me talking to someone who knows you. Plus my opinion of you won't really change. So rage and vent. Verbal or Physical. I don't care. You just need to let some of that tension out before you blow a gasket at the wrong time, with the wrong wolves. Latif wasn't trying to lecture but he was genuinely concerned that Mr. Grumpy would snap at someone who had a similar temper and that they would end up at each others throats. In the worst case he might actually snap at an Alpha who would then send the pack after the darker wolf.

Maybe Latif could prevent it. Maybe not. At least he could try.

Askan hated that he was such an open book, such an easy ready. But the pale one was right, and Askan resented the fact that he knew that he was. That both of them knew that he was. It was too late to deny it now and he couldn't put together a feasible excuse when he was feeling this way. Even when he was feeling more like himself he wasn't a good liar, he had never been good with words or people.

The stranger seemed undeterred by Askan's evasive response, if anything he used it as an excuse to spill his spiel. It wasn't what Askan wanted to hear, he didn't want to be lectured, let alone by a guy who wanted to play like a pub. What did he know? There was no way that he could ever understand how he felt, so why did he even bother? Why did he even care? That was something Askan just couldn't get over.

He truly did have a point though. Askan knew he had to be careful these days and that his short temper wasn't doing him any favours. He was trying to get better, he really was. But that scuffle the other day with Lorcan more or less proved this stranger right. It wasn't his fault-not entirely at least- but if he had taken a moment to just listen rather than barge in head first than maybe pack relations with Whitestone could be salvaged. Maybe then Drestig wouldn't be disappointed in him. Sure, the old man hadn't said anything too bad, he'd been gentle really, but Askan was certain that deep down he was disappointed, ashamed of his soon to be second in command. 

Say if Askan bit off more than he could chew, would the others back him up? He couldn't say for certain. A pack was a family, they looked out for each other, but could the same be said if he brought it on himself? He'd of course be more than willing to defend one of his allies, but would they really want to do the same for him? Would he deserve their help?

Askan sighed and his shoulders slumped. This wasn't helping at all. If anything, he felt worse, the stranger had simply invited more doubt and disdain into his mind. Gods he wanted it all to be over.

"So... You want me to... Talk about it?" Askan didn't know how to do that, and he certainly didn't feel like trying to rip this guys throat out, as annoying as he had been before. "I'm not sure what good that'll do."

(This post was last modified: Oct 04, 2016, 05:31 PM by Askan.)

Maybe he should have left Mr. Grumpy with his own problems and demons. Yet, Latif wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't try to do something. After a moment of silence where he could all but see the gears turning in the others he seemed to shrink in on himself. The pale man couldn't help but wonder if he was making it worse. Forcing this wolf to look at the problems that he didn't want to face yet. But when would he? A month from now, maybe even a year? Never? Or, could it just be that the emotional wounds were too fresh yet. He didn't know but no matter how much he wanted to help Mr. Grumpy he also didn't want to make things worse. Yet, he couldn't just leave him the way he was.

"Yep." Lati agreed with a nod. You might not think it but letting it out will give you some relief even if its just for a short while. The pale man wanted to go on to add that You could also talk to one of you friends if you don't want me to hear what you have to say. That felt like he was giving Mr. Grumpy an out though. A way to slip around and avoid whatever was bothering him. Avoid it too long and you will have built up enough hurt and pain to make yourself a ticking time bomb. Better to get it out now.

Latif sat down and waved a paw at Mr. Grumpy. So spill whats got you all in knots. He had all day to sit here and listen so they might as well start now because the pale man had no idea how long this was going to take.

Askan licked his lips nervously. He wasn't sure whether he could talk about it, the thought had never really occurred to him before. Everyone he knew back home was so strong and independent, they seemed to be cut from a completely different cloth. He wanted this  to go away, he wanted to be free from this plague and yet he couldn't help but feel as though he had brought it on himself. That he deserved this and all the suffering that came with it. All of his gloating, his posturing it was all false. He wasn't confident, he didn't have a stable foundation, he felt as though he was standing in a bog and in time he would be devoured by the depths. It was sort of what he wanted, a fate he felt he deserved.

It was all so confusing and Askan felt as though his thoughts kept looping around and around in circles. It was exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Some relief, even temporary would be nice, he supposed...

"Nothing bad has happened. Things are going well, so far. I just.... I don't feel good. Deep down, like somethings wrong with me. Like I'm wrong. Makes me sick."

There were somethings he wouldn't talk about, like him for instance. But he was willing to at least give this a shot. He didn't like the newcomer, but even he could see that he was genuinely trying to help. That he wasn't just prying to be nosy. Well maybe he was, but what could he do with that information. As far as Askan knew there wasn't anyone out here hankering for intel on the Lowlands resident grump bag. If they were, then surely it would be far easier to just ask him themselves. He wasn't particularly hard to find these days.

Askan didn't sit down or even try to make himself comfortable, he stalked back and forth with his head dipped low.

"Can't shake this feeling, like I'm a piece of shit. I'm not worth it. It's always there, like a shadow or something."