Larkcall Lowlands The Moonlight Was Too Bright

For @Lorcan<3
Set quite a ways west of Whitestone Monadnock in Larkcall Lowlands.
Backdated to January 11th — Night — Clear — 4 ° F, -16 ° C

He knew he should have been with Reyes, where it was warm and safe. But he couldn't bring himself to sleep, not yet, anyway. Because if he wanted to find Victoria again, he'd have to do it right. Which meant not picking any old direction and hoping for the best, like he had done so many times in the past. The last time he had done that almost had one of his worst fears coming true, which was that he'd somehow die alone in a field of endless white. Or maybe even worse - the story of the qalupalik was true and they were going to come for him soon. He couldn't decide which was the worst of the two - being reminded of home where everything was wrong and he always felt guilty, or hearing the humming sound of the qalupalik and being dragged under the ice to never make a noise again.

A shudder made its way down his spine, and he couldn't tell if it was because of the bitter cold or because of the horror he felt at what if one of his fears had actually come true. He decided that if he just went a little bit further and still couldn't see anything, he'd turn around and go to wherever Reyes had holed up for the night. And coming over one of many gently rolling hills - it seemed like he was going to have to keep that promise. He had been hoping to at least find the treeline, the one where the ground started to slope upward into rocky foothills. But there was nothing. Nothing but snow and the stars above, and he was very tempted to throw himself on the ground like the defeated puppy he was. Except whenever he did that he never got the reaction he wanted, and so he kept standing on his feet.

He waddled on the spot, ignoring the ache of one of his paws as he turned to look the way he had came. And looking down at the trail of paw prints he had left in the freshly fallen snow, he immediately deemed it was too far to walk back and it would take him forever. Or at the very least - it would take him longer than a few minutes to get back to Reyes, but that was too much for him. He plopped himself down on his hindquarters, easing the weight off of his aching leg that hadn't felt right ever since he had fallen into that pit. And with nothing left to do, he looked up at the stars shining bright above him. A few moments of rest and pouting would do him some good, it always did.

Lorcan traipsed hastily back through the lowlands in the direction of the monadnock. He’d spent all day hunting out in the tundra after many many hours of sniffing, tracking, jumping, chasing and patiently waiting for something to come along, the Whitestone healer now made his way back to the pack territory with two lifeless and partially frozen prairie dogs clamped firmly between his panting jaws. Hunting had become increasingly more difficult over the past few weeks and with so many more members to provide for, Lorcan was beginning to worry about the future health of the pack. Though the agouti male couldn’t hide his disappointment, he was still grateful to be returning back to the pack with something, even if it was only small.

As Lorcan continued to journey on he caught the scent of another wolf on the night breeze. The scent was strong, indicating that the other male wasn’t too far away, but through the pitch black darkness of the night the agouti male was unable to see him. He paused mid-step, russet ears perking up as he tried to listen out for nearby movement. A frown etched upon his features when he heard none and, tentatively stepping forwards, Lorcan continued forwards in the direction he had been heading, unaware that he was also moving straight towards the other male. His paw caught on something and he tripped, falling to the snowy ground with a surprised yelp. Fortunately the two prairie dogs were still locked between his jaws and Lorcan immediately got back up to his feet and glancing around, before carefully placing his prey on the ground. It was only then as his eyes strained through the darkness that he saw a fluffy mound in the snow which smelt like the male.

“Oh I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see you there. Did I hurt you?” He quickly whined in apology, lowering his tail.

(This post was last modified: Jan 19, 2017, 12:05 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

Shallow water has trapped several fish in a small pond. Hunt Opportunity

@Lorcan ^.^

It seemed like the moment he had looked up, the only cloud in the whole night sky chose that one moment to hide away the moon. He was plunged into darkness, but kept on squinting up at the sky. The cloud would have to move eventually, right? He was so focused on the moon and stars that he almost missed the sounds that were coming closer. Almost. One of his ears rolled back and he heard the sound of paws against packed snow and muffled panting. And with a twitch of his nose - he smelled wolf and food. That got his attention, and his head snapped down as he peered into the surrounding darkness.

The sound stopped.

His head cocked and his ears pricked forward in sheer bewilderment. What was going on? He could still smell whoever it was out there, but he couldn't hear them. Owlishly, he blinked. All of his senses strained as he tried to figure out what he might had just gotten himself into. Did he lose his hearing? Did he walk into some weird void? Was this a part about the qalupalik nobody told him about? His fear vanished when the noises started back up again.

His head whipped towards what he was sure the source of the sound. Somewhere in the back of his head, a triumphant chime of aha went off when he was rewarded with the sight of glowing eyes and fur. A whole lot of fur when the wolf walked into him - and just kept walking? Whatever bewilderment he had felt earlier was nothing in compared to what he was feeling now. There was something warm pressing against his side, there was a tangle of paws and limbs suddenly happening around and over him. He let it happen. He let all of it happen, even when one of the mysterious paws managed to lodge itself perfectly into his rib cage. All of it disappeared as quickly as it had came. Leaving him very, very confused.

The cloud that was blocking the moonlight finally moved, and pale light shone down upon him. And - wait?

He frowned when he realized he was staring up at the sky again, because he couldn't remember rolling over. Or was he always on his back? He was pretty sure he had been sitting before the other wolf had showed up. Yet there he was - sprawled on his backside with his legs dangling in the air above him. There was the sound of movement somewhere beside him, and he tilted his head to get a look at whoever had just knocked him over. From his perspective they were upside down, long-legged with golden eyes, and upside down.

In the snow his tail wagged away, swish swish swish, slow and gentle the moment he heard their whine of apology. "You didn't hurt me, I've been walked into before." He chirped, as upbeat as could be because yesterday Reyes had walked into him. Of course, the older wolf hadn't exactly knocked him right off his feet and then proceed to trip and stumble all over. But he was okay with this wolf doing all of that to him, for some reason.

(This post was last modified: Jan 20, 2017, 03:26 AM by Cottongrass.)

LLorcan hadn’t even acknowledged the fact that he had practically walked right over the younger male, for it had all happened soo quickly. For all the he was aware, he had stumbled and tripped over something in the darkness before promptly landing face first in the snow. Fortunately he had managed to keep a hold of his prized catches through all the entanglement. Lorcan immediately shook his pelt to recompose himself as he stumbled back up onto his paws.

Glancing around it was only then, as the clouds parted and thin tendrils of silver moonlight illuminated the scene, did the Whitestone subordinate spot the awkward pile of white fur sprawled against the blanket of snow. Golden eyes glazed across as the male who lay belly up in the snow and quickly stepped towards him as he apologised. Lorcan felt a sense of relief as he noticed the forgiving sway of the male’s tail, thankful that they weren’t the time to start a confrontation over his clumsiness. It had been an accident after all.

Lorcan raised a brow at the younger male’s response. It was almost as if the boy expected to be walked over; how unfortunate must he be? Feeling guilty and sympathetic, Lorcan swiftly moved in to stand directly beside the other male and nudged ribs gently with his muzzle, unaware that he was pressing on the very spot that he had only just stepped on. “Here, let me help you back up.” He breathed as he planted his paws deep into the snow, ready for the male to press against him for stability if need be. “What were you doing laying in the snow anyway?” He asked, curious as to why the boy had been there so silent in the first place.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

'What are you—' The thought barely had enough time to fully form before the other male was beside him, stooping low and nosing at his side. Their touch was gentle but still unexpected against his now tender ribs, and the worst part of it in his mind was that their nose was cold and wet. His flank twitched and he let out a slow breath when their words registered. It was cold, it was uncomfortable, and it tickled but at least he knew what they were doing now. Which was that they were just trying to help him stand up. He thought they were—well, he wasn't sure what he thought they were doing—but he now knew it wasn't malicious. And that's all that mattered as his bewilderment faded in favour of obedience.

Their paws bore down in the snow and he took it as his sign to start moving. He gave himself a quick count of three to psyche himself up before he rolled onto his paws. Or at least try to, because when he put his weight down to push up, one of his front legs buckled beneath the pressure. His entire body gave a sickening lurch down and he was sure he was about to face plant and eat so much snow, but the other wolf's stability saved him. He put his paw down and his tail wagged when it actually worked like it was supposed to. And with a thankful boop placed upon the other wolf's cheek, he took a wobbling step to stand on his own. That felt more awkward and difficult then it ever needed to be, but they were nice enough and their intent was kind. Even if it felt like they managed to try their best and just grind into his tender ribs while helping him stand.

He let it go with a shake of his pelt. And maybe if he was a different wolf, their question would get a certain kind of response. Like maybe all dry and gruff like Reyes, saying he wasn't lying in the snow until they up and trampled him. But instead he smiled and wagged his tail, pleased enough to talk. "Looking at the stars." And with a vague point with his blocky muzzle, he motioned up at the clearing night sky. Plenty of stars when he looked up now, plenty of light to hopefully not get walked into and over again. He settled his gaze back onto the male.

"Was trying to find someplace I thought was around here, but then I gave up." His words, despite the message they might carry, were upbeat. It wasn't a bad thing, but something that just happened to him. He could always go looking for the place in the morning with Reyes, would have probably been smarter that way. And he was pretty sure he was almost in the right place, if he was finding other wolves again instead of only the snow and other animals for company.

@Cottongrass

As Lorcan remained there, steadfast in the deep snow to provide support for the younger male to clamber back up, he watched silently as the boy rolled over onto his paws. His body didn’t rise as the agouti male had expected it to though, and instead he saw the boy’s leg buckle and stumble and all of a sudden the male’s full weight was upon his side. Good thing Lorcan had been prepared for such weight, otherwise he might have toppled over again himself. Lorcan frowned, about to question the boy about his paw, before he suddenly managed to rise onto his feet.

Lorcan’s tail wagged at the thankful nuzzle offered to his cheek and responded with a concern whine, unable to ignore what had just happened. The boy’s shaky step forwards only deepened his concern and it was then that the healer was unable to hold back his question. “What happened to your paw? That wasn’t my doing was it?” He asked, golden eyes widening in fear as he suddenly felt a great pang of guilt when thinking that he could have been the one to cause the injury.

The boy’s reason for laying in the snow surprised him. Immediately he was reminded of @Piety and her love for star gazing. Lorcan could relate, for he too had grown fond of the activity. It was peaceful and it allowed him that much needed time to think and decompress at the end of each day. But out here in the middle of the lowlands, all alone, was that really the best place to carry out such an activity? Lorcan wasn’t sure. He wasn’t going to say anything though, he couldn’t and wouldn’t tell the boy what to do.

His head tilted curiously to the side when the young male mentioned that he had been searching for somewhere. “Where is it you’re looking for? I may be able to help.” Lorcan responded immediately, his voice upbeat, for he was sure that he could help the boy.

(This post was last modified: Jan 25, 2017, 11:24 AM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

@Lorcan
Sorry for the wait, I got caught up in exams~

His paw? He looked down at said appendage, head cocked and expression confused before everything slid into place. They were talking about his hurt one! His ears rolled back against his head and carefully, he reached out to give them another gentle nudge with his muzzle. To try and chase away their concern. He pulled back with a wagging tail, smile soft on his face. "Nope. I just fell in a hole a while ago." There was a pause where he considered telling them the whole story of how exactly his paw came to hurt... He chose against it. Or rather, he chose against telling them the whole story and instead rambled some facts. Because facts never hurt anybody and he liked talking.

"It was hidden under all the snow." He chirped, as upbeat as could be like falling into holes and spraining paws was an everyday thing. It was just another item on his list of Minor Injuries That Came from Bad Luck and Poor Timing. If he were to list another few things from that compilation off the top of his head, such memorable events would include:

1. Nearly losing the tip of his ear to frostbite
2. Being swarmed by birds
3. And, getting trampled by various animals during various moments.

Really, a little fall and a whole lot of limping didn't phase him anymore. And neither did accidental kicks to the ribs. He was fine. So when the conversation switched from an injured paw to matters of an offer to help him, he gladly accepted the change. Because hey hey hey, that was the entire reason he was out there in the first place! His tail picked up its pace and he perked up. If he could without causing worry, he would have gave an excited bounce. He settled for letting his tail wag hard enough to have the rest of his hindquarters swaying with the movement.

"I don't know what it's called." He admitted, because places were usually called something, right? Like how that one wolf kept mentioning the Lore and it sounded important but he didn't think to ask at the time. He continued talking. "But I know it's sort of like a a bunch of really rocky mountains. Like, really rocky and hard to climb, and it's covered in all sorts of trees." There was also whistling trees, mistletoe, and a mountain ridge where the sky had screamed at him but he wasn't sure how helpful that would be.

He paused, making sure he really didn't forget anything important. And he could've swore it would have been somewhere near he was standing, but he wasn't all that sure anymore. Why was why he was getting help! "Sound familiar?" His tail wagged and he gave an expectant stare, hopeful and so sure that he'd find what he was looking for soon enough.

(This post was last modified: Jan 27, 2017, 05:38 PM by Cottongrass.)

@Cottongrass

Lorcan’s head tilted in question at the boy’s response. Whilst his chest expanded as he breathed a hot sigh of relief into the icy air, his white brows furrowed in slight confusion. Lorcan had been about to ask for me details to clarify, but the white-furred boy then went on to explain a bit more and then suddenly the situation made a lot more sense, although the boy’s casualness about the incident was a bit worrying.

Without hesitating the healer moved swiftly to approach the boy’s ankle. “Do you mind if I look at it? I’m a healer.” He asked, hoping the mention of his credentials would help to the put the younger male at ease. He sniffed softly at it, smelling for infection or blood. He smelt none, but as he touched the joint with the tip of his nose it felt warm which indicated inflammation. It immediately reminded him of Anaia. “I think you may have sprained or twisted it.” He stated, golden eyes glancing back up to the boy as he took a few steps backwards.

He contemplated offering to take the boy back to the monadnock and offer him some arnica, but his plant stocks were beginning to run low and he needed to keep a supply available for the rest of the pack. The need for a large plant stock pile was particularly important now that the pack was growing in numbers and with the recent surge in rank challenges lately…Lorcan felt his stomach sink. He couldn’t just leave the poor boy to suffer. The least he could do was to advise him.

“I would normally advise my patients to rest for up to a month..” He began, charcoal lips twisted awkwardly in thought, knowing that it wouldn’t be possible for the lone wolf. “Try and find some scrub pine or white fir trees and eat some of the bark. It should help with the pain.”

Next he listened to the younger male’s description of the place he was trying to find. His brows furrowed again as he mentally envisaged all the areas close by. For a moment he thought the boy had been describing the monadnock, but the trees said otherwise. His tail flicked behind him in deep thought. It did sound a bit like Round Stone Crest, the place within the woodlands where he’d treated that old wolf who’d fallen over. “Do you mean ‘Round Stone Crest’?” He asked, tilting his head. “It’s in the woods south of here.” He gestured to the direction with his muzzle.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

@Lorcan

"Okay." He murmured, nodding his head as he listened to the other wolf talk. It all sounded good, because he must have sprained his paw at least a dozen times and it always took forever to heal. And there was no way he was going to spend a whole month not moving, because how would he find Vic? He was glad they didn't try to insist that he rest. But he still had his qualms about the whole thing. Like would eating bark really make the pain go away? And he still had the question of how would he know if it was the right kind of bark? Scrub pine and white fir trees might as well have been a different language to him.

But they said they were a healer, and Emrys said they were a healer too and that's how he learned about mistletoe. Maybe he would try his best to listen to this wolf's advice because they seemed nice. Like, the nicest. And he was going to be gnawing on random trees for the next month, wouldn't he? He was broken out of his rambling thoughts when they started talking again, and he perked up. Specifically, the mention of the woods south of here drew his attention away. His heart thrummed away inside of his chest.

"Hey hey hey!" He barked, tail wagging fast behind him as he hobbled to look where they had pointed to. And while he couldn't see the woods from where he was standing, he could already imagine the place. Where there would be trees, so many trees, and the ground would slope up until it was all so steep and hard to climb. He gave an excited waddle to face them, practically bouncing on three paws. "That's it, that's the place!" It was official, he was going to find Vic and everything would be perfect and he couldn't stop smiling and wiggling on the spot.

"You're like, the best." He chirped, and he dove forward to boop the wolf's muzzle in thanks. "I owe you one—" Somewhere in the back of his head, bewildered question marks started to spring up. Because their name, he didn't know their name. He gave an expectant and somewhat bewildered stare, because he needed their name to properly thank his new friend.

(This post was last modified: Jan 28, 2017, 04:53 PM by Cottongrass.)