Phantom Hollow Rock in the road

@Isaura

He'd been searching for weeks for Deaglan which had been a slow process to be sure considering his injuries. He did have to admit they did seem to be healing up nicely but the pain was still there. Some days it was worse and some it was better. He still couldn't put all of his weight on his right paw but he hoped that would change eventually. He was at himself for taking so long to find his twin but what choice had he had. It wasn't his fault that his brother didn't realize they needed each other.

The shadow wondered if he should just forget about his little brother and get on with things. He still needed to find his birth father and he was sure there were plenty of things to do or rather take his anger out on.

He'd moved further from the brook they had followed and now found himself in a forest as dark as night and an eerie fog that didn't ever seem to rise. He picked his way along his limp making it difficult to go any faster than a walk which was frustrating as all hell. “You’ll pay for this Deaglan when I find you,” he said out loud certain no one was around to hear him. Ruari looked this way and that trying to decipher which way to go to get out of the blasted forest.

(This post was last modified: Oct 24, 2017, 01:43 AM by Ruari.)

 

When she had left the pack she hadn't really considered where to go. She could try and find more of her family because she was certain that they were out there somewhere. But would they even want her? Isaura couldn't be sure and she didn't want to find them only to have them turn her away. She could still feel the faint pull to return home take her beating and go on living. The threat her brother posed though wasn't one to be ignored because she didn't doubt that he would kill her. If not the first day of her return but a different one.

Her ears flicked briefly in annoyance as she took in her surroundings. Were had she wandered to anyway? It was dark and foggy that was for sure. This area was also unknown to her and though she had seen wolves she had shied away from interacting with them in case her brother had sent someone after her to finish the job. So she wasn't quite sure where she was but as long as things didn't start looking familiar she knew that she was still away from her home. A home that she had left without a word.

A voice split the air. An angry voice. Isaura's ears flattened against her skull and her heart jumped in her chest to flutter against her ribs. They were close perhaps hidden among the trees and fog but they were close. She wasn't normally a scaredy-cat but the threat from her brother was making her tense and jumpy. She could try and escape before they saw her or she could make her presence known before they ran into each other. Her mouth was dry as her gaze frantically looked around trying to find an answer to the problem that lay before her.

Isaura picked up a paw and started to step back but froze as a branch she hadn't been aware of snapped under her weight. She looked down in panic and then her gaze went the mist around her as she lowered her form to a more submissive stance. If the other wolf hadn't been aware of her presence before they would be now and like most wolves, there was a chance that they were going to find the source of the sound. From there they would also find her.

She could only hope that they didn't know her brother.

@Ruari

Hope of finding his brother was starting to dwindle with each passing day as he limped his way through the land they had stumbled upon together. The forest with it's thick fog and bare trees only darkened his mood and the anger he felt at his failure to find his brother only growing more and more. It didn't help that his wounds though healed a great deal more than they had been weeks ago still pained him with each step and grew worse the longer he was on his feet.

He knew that he'd gotten turned around while lost in his thoughts and now he worried he would never find his way out of the fog. The longer he lingered in the forest strange thoughts started to run through his mind. What if he'd actually died and this was some kind of place that lost souls go? What if his mother was in this place, would he be able to talk to her? He tried pushing those thoughts from his mind, they couldn't be true, he felt as he always did. Now when angrier at Deaglan rjan he had been before he voiced it out loud though he knew his twin wouldn't hear him. No, his little brother had scampered off and left him to die.

It was only a moment after he had shouted into the forest that he heard it. The snap of a twig that wasn't natural but like someone or something had stepped on it. Clearly they had heard what he'd said and he needed to know who it was so he went in search of them. They had been or we're close he could tell by the closeness of the sound to him so he didn't think it would take very long to find the source of it..

And he found the sound alright but what he found and assumed was the culprit. It was a female and she was showing herself to be submissive toward him. “You don't have to do that,” he informed gruffly as he approached. She had no reason to be afraid of him. Her gray coat seemed fitting for the forest they were in but it was her eyes that caught his attention. He'd never seen a wolf with such striking eyes. “Why are you here?” He asked bluntly and in such a way to sound as though this was his forest.

(This post was last modified: Oct 25, 2017, 04:47 AM by Ruari.)

 

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

She could hear them coming for her. Isaura's gaze shifted from one shadow to another waiting to see who was going to show up. She might have heard one voice but she couldn't be sure that there wasn't someone else around as well. Her heart beat like a bird against her ribcage. Her gaze was going flitting across one of the shadows until the shadow moved. Her gaze darted to it and she found that the shadow had eyes. A pale yellow that she met briefly before she dropped her gaze to his paws as he walked towards her.

He broke the silence telling her that she didn't need to do that. Isaura's gaze once more met his briefly before falling to his chest as she rose from her crouched position. Her ears remained flattened against her skull not sure what she should expect. Isaura licked her lips nervously trying to decide what she would do if her brother had sent him and what she would do if he hadn't. She surely wasn't going to be able to fight him. She could try but she would surely end up pinned and dominated.

His next words went on to ask why she was here. If her ears could get any flatter they would but they were already plastered to her skull. He spoke like he owned the place and that she was intruding on it. Had she become so oblivious that she had crossed into some pack's territory? She dearly hoped not because that would spell all kinds of trouble for her. Yet, he didn't know why she was there and he was acting like he didn't know her at all. Plus if he lived here maybe her fear had been for nothing. She licked her lips again trying to moisten them before she spoke.

I'm just passing through. She responded her voice soft. She didn't know where she was passing through to though. For all, she knew a cliff lay on the other side of this forest. Isaura fell silent waiting to see if that information would suffice or if he was going to try and get more out of her.

Ruari didn't like the idea that there could be someone stalking him which is the feeling he got when he heard the twig snapped. The sound seemed to echo through the fog filled forest and seemed much louder than it actually was. His ears flicked in the direction before he moved toward the source. His movements weren't as smooth as they normally would be as he limped across the leaf strewn ground. The crumpled and crunched under his weight and in that moment he didn't care how much noise he made. It wasn't like he was hunting, he hadn't done so since he'd received his injuries.

A frown crossed his features when she first came into view, the little bird seemed so scared but she did not have to worry. She of all wolves we're safe from him because she was a woman. He hoped his words letting her know she didn't have to show him submission would be enough to calm her but she still seemed shy. The dark male approached her putting his muzzle under hers to lift it, “I have no intentions of hurting you,” he told her sincerely. It did bother him a little that she was showing signs of submission in front of him for her did not deserve it.

Next he wanted to know what she was doing there and whether it was intentional or not his tone carried with it and ownership of the land. He of course did not have any claim over the forest but that did not mean it didn't match his foul mood. Perhaps a perfect place for him to reside because of the things he carried with him. Realizing his closeness might be making her nervous he stepped away and gave her some space.

Finally she spoke explaining that she was passing through, just as he was. “Then we have the same agenda in mind,” he stated, “Where are you passing through to?” Did she have a destination or was she like him wandering without a destination in mind. “I can't leave you here by yourself,” he relayed to her. What if something happened to the gray female with the pretty eyes because he had left her to her own devices. No, that would never do, “This is no place for you.” And that was that a fact that she could accept or not.

 

Even after she had changed her posture he still didn't seem pleased. Did he want her to meet his gaze and view him as an equal and not someone who could put her down whenever they wanted to? The wolves in her pack had been just the opposite. They had wanted the submission and the feeling of power that went with it. Apparently, this wolf wasn't like that. He moved towards her and she thought she saw him limping. Was he hurt? She didn't have a chance to think about it as his muzzle was placed under hers to left it. Too surprised about the motion she didn't resist.

I have no intentions of hurting you. He told her and Isaura finally met his gaze and held it ears shifting forward. She might not have believed it but she could tell from his eyes and his voice that he was being honest. This wolf whoever he was, was being an absolute gentleman to her. The corners of her mouth lifted into a small hesitant smile. If she were honest the reason why her heart was beating fast now wasn't fear. He backed away putting some space between them and had Isaura been human a faint blush would have crossed her cheeks.

He went on to say that he was passing through as well and wondered where she was going. Isaura swallowed wondering what she should tell him. She had no destination other than away from her home. I don't have a destination in mind. She responded back her voice still soft. He quickly explained that he couldn't leave her on her own because this place wasn't for her. How would he know that it wasn't for her? She thought about questioning his statement but put it aside. He was right anyway. She liked it her but she couldn't see herself staying here. He had also stated that he wasn't going to leave her alone here. The idea wasn't a bad one and to be completely honest the idea of traveling with the wolf in front of her was interesting to her.

Then perhaps we should know each other's names? Isaura suggested as her head tipped a bit to the side. She went on to introduce herself. I'm Isaura.

The last thing the shadow wanted was for her to show him submission, he didn't deserve it after all that he'd done in his past. He didn't see himself as any better than the lowest wolf in the pack. She didn't need to know about any of that, all she needed to know was that he didn't feel she needed to be afraid of him. To prove that point he gently lifted her head to show her he meant what he said. Ruari may have done some bad things in his past but he tried to remain true to his word. She seemed surprised by the gesture but that didn't bother the shadow, it only made easier to show her he meant what he said.

He also informed her of his intentions as far as the moment, he wouldn't hurt her and he wouldn't let her get hurt if he could help it. He knew he wasn't really in any fit state to protect her but he would do his best if he had to. He wouldn't let what happened to his mother happen to her either. Whether she agreed or not she needed to be protected from all of the bad things out there. His paw would be better soon enough and he would be able to give her that protection. As he stepped away from her putting little weight on he let her know exactly his thoughts.

He didn't think she should be in such a dark foggy place and he didn't plan to leave her in her own in such a place. Even further he didn't think it was the place for her and though he didn't say it he felt she should he in a brighter place. Some place with some flowers, he was aware those might be hard to find with winter coming. He was curious of where she was heading which she indicated she didn't have a destination in mind. A smile crossed the man's features, “Good, then coming with me won't be a problem,” he stated. He would he able to keep an eye on her if they traveled together.

Then she made a good point about them knowing each other's names if they were to be traveling together. “Yes, I am sure that would help,” he agreed just before she gave her name. “It's a pleasure to meet you Isaura,” he said dipping his head to her politely, “I'm Ruari.”

 

He seemed rather pleased that she would be going along with him so easily as a smile crossed his features. Perhaps it was naive of her to follow him but he didn't seem that bad and Winter was coming. The days were getting shorter and the air was starting to get colder. Maybe the two of them would be able to survive better if they were able to rely on each other. I guess not. Was her only response to his statement.

If she had any lingering doubts that he might have been sent by her brother they were quickly put to rest. He didn't react to her name in the slightest simply accepting it before going on to say it was a pleasure to meet her. She also couldn't see any sudden tension in his frame, a thin frame she noted. Was he having trouble hunting? Had her earlier assumption been correct about him being hurt? Either way, if they were going to be traveling together she could at least make sure he had a decent meal. Hunger could kill you just as easily as the cold.

It's nice to meet you as well Ruari. Isaura responded back as her white tipped tail slowly began to wag behind her. He was probably the most polite wolf that she had met so far. Perhaps this new land was going to be a lot nicer than she had originally thought it would be. She hoped so but she knew that at least one bad apple would show itself. So where exactly are we going? She asked curiously as to where Ruari was going to take her. She might not have a destination but he might have one in mind.

(This post was last modified: Nov 01, 2017, 07:09 PM by Isaura.)

The shadow did feel some relief that when she agreed to go with him. No more persuading would be need. In truth he wasn't really sure he had it in him, he was lucky he'd gotten through this exchange without falling over. He'd grown rather tired from traveling to this place and standing long enough to have their conversation. He didn't even address her seemingly less than enthusiastic response but he supposed she had every right to be that way. She didn't have much choice in the matter, at least he wasn't giving her much of one.

He hoped she could see the benefits for her having him around and he saw them for both of them. Maybe now with her along he wouldn't have to keep eating carcasses and berries because his paw still wasn't healed completely. Besides with the colder nights they could keep each other warm, that was of course if she was comfortable staying best to him. Then there was the company, despite his brothers abrasive personality he did miss having his twin around. They'd been together all their lives and never apart this long. It was starting to wear on Ruari how long Deaglan had been gone and why hadn't he done looking for him too?

He dipped his head to her as she spoke but it was the question that had the smile that had crossed his inky lip fall. Now that she would be traveling with him he felt it only fair he tell her exactly what he was doing. We'll sort of since he had yet to decide. He was now thinking he should continue his search, “I'm looking for my little brother. We got into a fight and he stalked off and I haven't seen him since. It would of course help if I could go a little faster.” His frustration at himself and the situation becoming more audible as he spoke. “Anyway so I thought if you didn't mind too much we could continue with that. I need to find out why he hasn't returned.” He then waited to see what her response to that would be and if she still wanted to come along with him.

(This post was last modified: Nov 02, 2017, 03:56 AM by Ruari.)