Spectral Woods your heirloom's wilted brown

Laike Artemieva

When your mourning has a sound
And you hesitate to laugh

This place was strange. The strong aura and swirling fog that drifted near his ankles should have scared him off. If he wanted to survive he knew this was just the tip of the iceberg. Laike would be damned if he whined like a whelp because of some fog and lighting. He was glad he had left Tikhon back where he had. Surely his younger brother would have been wailing over this place. The thought of such a scene caused a soft snort to escape Laike. It would be a wonder if Tikhon made it long on his own.

With the trees tightly placed he did it hard to fit through some places but where there was a will there was a way. His bulky form wiggled through tight spots here and there. He couldn't help but wonder how vast this place would be. Granted the thought of getting lost in here also gnawed on his mind. Perhaps if he just kept heading a certain direction with no turns he'd make it out. Not to mention that it seemed so silent and bare here. The large male had his doubts that'd he be getting directions any time soon. For now he'd be making his way on his own, which was fine by him.

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There pack had grown. The newcomers were still not necessarily friends, she felt a little less wary of them. Everyone had finally turned up for the hunt, and she felt maybe she ought to get to know them.

Still, there was something satisfying in being alone. No idle chatter to fill the silence. No one to fight on what direction they should go, or what they should do. She could amble through the blue mist, and do as she pleased. Since her encounter with Shallow, she started doing her own little patrols to make sure the wolf had not returned. Even if she was doubtful the loner was that stupid. It gave her purpose, and she felt more eager that one day she could be a proper guardian of the realm.

It did not take her long to find someone else out of place. Wolves didn't seem to wander much here. As her nose sucked in scent, feeding her information, something told her she should be more cautious as she followed after the lone male's winding trail. Trying to get close, and yet not be seen. As if he were mere prey.

Laike Artemieva

When your mourning has a sound
And you hesitate to laugh

He kept his orange eyes on the lookout for anything that might be useful. A den, old meal, something that gave him a sign of life about. Then he had to wonder. He had never been much of a spiritual or mystical believer but what if this place was haunted? It would explain the heavy fog and ghastly blue tint to everything.

With a huff, he picked up his pace slightly. Low branches pulling at his fur if he got too close. There was an uncomfortable feeling that something or someone was watching him. Laike brushed it off and carried on. He could handle himself. Ghost or otherwise. He had the weight to back it up, too. It was obvious this Artemieva was no lightweight.

His head turned to look back behind his bulky form for a moment. He wasn't paranoid, just cautious. These were new lands and he was a loner. For all he knew, he could be prancing right through a danger zone. Granted he hadn't smelt any borders which seemed to be a fairly alright sign. It let him know he wasn't harassing someone's home. Laike also knew that if he had stumbled upon borders he most likely could have snagged directions to raise his survival rates.

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The young wolf was quite pleased with herself. She would have usually gotten caught at this point, but so far it seemed the other was clueless. How impressed she was with how far her own stalking skills had come along. She was a living shadow, drifting from one tree to the next. Stealing glances at her quarry, with a faint smile of her pleasure. She was careful to pause to muffle her steps, and keep her breath undetected. Why her muscles strained by their restricted movement, she was not yet ready to give up her little game.

The loner on the other hand did not seem as graceful, running into low branches, looking around if he wasn't sure where he ought to be. Continuing to stravage. He was not near their borders, but was he maybe related to Shallow? Lila dismissed the thought. He would probably be calling out her name or something more helpful. He did not have the same scent as she. Least she didn't think so. She really wasn't sure if he should or not. It was a question she tucked away to later ask her mother, Serach, or Ice. At least she knew he was not of the cove.

Suddenly he stopped, looking over his shoulder. Had he seen her? Her breath halted with her steps. Frozen near the grey bark of an oak tree, she wasn't quite behind all the way. From here she could see there were scars upon his face, and he had vivid orange eyes. Eyes that did not quite fall on her. She was caught in the middle. Should she come out now, or try to continue? She wasn't sure how long she could stand there. What he might do if he knew she'd been stalking him. What would mother do?

Mother probably wouldn't be hiding. She would have let her presence be known, confidently. A deep breath, she pushed forward, a larger dark spot among the blue mist, and the white snow. "If you're trying to get out of the woods, you got a bit further to go."

Laike Artemieva

When your mourning has a sound
And you hesitate to laugh

The large male caught movement and his eyes strained to see what it may be. Certainly wasn't a ghost. The scent that came with their closer appearance was too real to be imaginary. He kept his stance neutral, though. It was a young female who didn't seem to pose much of a threat to him. Not yet at least.

Her words were met with a kind nod of his head. "Thank you for letting me know." His voice was rather deep but polite. Had she not shown up from the shadows and fog he likely would have been wandering for hours. "Are you familiar with what all is around here?" Laike tilted his head to the side just a tad. He was willing to make this interaction as useful as possible. Perhaps she had an adult nearby that was more familiar with this strange place. Granted he wouldn't complain if she was his only option. It was better than nothing.

His fiery eyes swept around the area before settling on the young female as he waited for her response. He hadn't crossed anywhere that exactly matched her scent yet but he liked to think her parents wouldn't let her wander off too far. Yet perhaps that was just the more protective and cautious side of him coming up with that conclusion.

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Least this wolf was not jumpy, she thought, as he realized he had company. That didn't exactly mean he didn't scare easily. He could be a mastermind at controlling such reactions. There was certainly a look about him though, that made her feel she should er on the side of caution. She was no where near his stature. Those scars, they reminded her of Aponi's. Had he gained his in the same way?

Forward a few more lengths she went, ears cupped forward to the sound of his words. Hmm manners too. Many a question hung on her tongue as blue-gray eyes further took in his appearance. Like he had come to this place, where he wanted to go, and what kind of name he carried. All that fell to the side.

"Yes, I live here. If you head west a bit more you'll find a mountain. It can be crossed if you find the right places." What else could she tell him? Quite a bit. Wait..no. She wanted to know what he was looking for. Was he another loner in want of a pack? He seemed a bit old to be totally lost. She didn't exactly seem harm in sharing information, but she wondered if her word would mean much. She was still seen as a child.

With his orange eyes upon her, body she put her own question to him."Where is it you hope to be?"

He listened to her directions with a certain eagerness. There was a mountain to cross to the west but he had to find the right place. Sounded like a chore but he assumed that if this area didn't do him well it was a chore he was willing to do. "Thank you." The large Artemieva nodded his head and offered a polite smile. He was hoping for perhaps something better like a field or river but he assumed all trips had to start somewhere.

Laike wouldn't have minded dismissing himself if that was all the young girl had to offer but she raised a question. He was silent for a moment figuring out how to word his answer. "Nowhere, in particular, just trying to survive." The loner kept his answer short and honest. While he wasn't about to explain all of his wants, needs, and goals to the stranger he figured she deserved to at least know something. She had been kind enough to not attack, was even kinder to offer some kind of direction. "Laike." He introduced himself to the shadow child. The male was unsure if a mother or guardian was around but even if they weren't it was best to play nice. It might do him good in the long run.

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