Spectral Woods toot toot, beep beep

For @Nalda 
-24C/-12F Sunny

Fall would soon be over and the grips of winter would be upon them. The weather was freezing even at its highest point of the day and a small layer of snow littered the ground. It wouldn’t be long before the true snows came and the wind would blow it into huge drifts among the trunks of the Spectral Woods. All the wolves of the Bend sported their thicker winter coats and spent their nights sleeping together, if not for company then for warmth.

Ice was still missing and Lila was out searching for him and Aponi found herself growing tenser everyday that her daughter was gone. It only brought to her realization that while the dark yearling had been training with the older white wolf to become a guardian that many of their other members might have no idea how to defend themselves properly. Nalda in particular came into the alpha’s mind, her own niece and yet she had no clue if the female had ever been taught how to fight.

It seemed like the perfect way to relieve the tension building in her shoulders, why not kill two birds with one stone? Trekking past the borders and following the tracks she believed had been left by the russet and slate woman the queen lifted her muzzle and called for her niece. The message was clear that nothing was urgent but that Aponi was looking for her.

"Don't go shouting out loud that you're claiming the crown" She enjoyed her solitude. Even if pack life had its advantages, the constant company certainly was a downside, at least to Nalda. Generally Oak Tree Bend was a good fit for her: reasonably small, but not so much that they couldn’t hunt or protect their borders; With strong leadership who valued action and where contend with leaving her to do her part in peace. While a quiet life was not exactly what she’d always dreamed of, it was certainly better to be fed and warm, than not. Then of course, there where the pups; Eugh..! Children, however sweet and innocent they might be, could be a horrible pain. Terms like privacy and personal space meant little to them, and they often seemed to go out of the way to bother their cousin when she was trying to get away from it all. That, and Aponi and Serach’s cubs didn’t exactly fit the bill of naive child - when they weren’t causing ruckus within the borders, they were looking to sneak off, keeping their guardians on their toes at all times. The bane of her quiet existence. So the young she-wolf eagerly seized every opportunity to slip away herself, just a few hours to breathe. With the days growing shorter and colder, that grew increasingly difficult though. Every night they had to be back together, sleeping close to keep the puppies warm - and ourselves - as much as she disliked the closeness, she did appreciate not freezing her toes of at night. It was all a balance, pros and cons, that was her life. It did mean that she was even more keen to get out, as soon as the worst of the cold ebbed. She’d slip away early, doing her business along the border before moving out into the Wood, spending her day trailing herds or hunting smaller game, to have something to show for it when she returned. She’d assumed today would be no different, getting up with the sun, which had managed to burn through the usual cloud cover. Picking her way through the forest she glared up at the light, peeking through the naked branches, a cruel taunt this time of year, holding no real warmth. The last thing she had expected was to hear her aunts beckoning call, making her freeze mid-stride and fold back her ears. There was no note of anger or displeasure in the voice, nor even real urgency. Still, Nalda figured she better answer like a good subordinate, after all, it wasn’t that often that Aponi called upon her, and never without good reason. Turning on the spot, she made her way back quickly, the tip of her tail swishing with mild curiosity. Once within sight, she bowed her head lightly to the silver-grey woman - about the only wolf she would ever show that kind of respect - greeting matter-of-factly: “Y’called?” Word Count: 481 Thoughts "Speech"

Khalliysgraphy @DA

Because of work, my activity will fluctuate every other week. For more information and OOC preferrences check out my profile

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

Just a small post, feel free to get a roll for Nalda and start the scuffle :)

The alpha expected respect from her subordinates, but only seriously enforced the rule when she felt blatantly disrespected. Her mother had made her members lick her chin and practically grovel at her paws but a simple nod was enough for Aponi. Nalda had not kept her waiting long and her niece offered her her usual blunt kind of greeting.

Grinning, Aponi’s tail twitched behind her playfully as she fell into a defensive position. Front legs bowed and ear tucked back tentatively the mother let out a casual growl, clearly not threatening but challenging all the same. Curling one side of her mouth up into a smirk she winked, ”Show me what you’ve got. Or are you all bark and no bite?” Nova certainly had had neither a voice or the ability to fight as seen by her shredded face. Would her daughter be any different? Nalda certainly had the balls to speak her mind, but did she have what it took to back it up behind that cold mask of hers?

Guardian Dem 1/3

"Don't go shouting out loud that you're claiming the crown" This sensible attitude was one of the key reasons for Nalda’s reverence to her aunt, that, and the resolute way she struck down any actual disobedience. After growing up in Broken Timber Pines, it was a welcome change to see leaders actually lead their pack, and caring about how their members acted. It might put her attitude to a test, now and again, but it was a lot better than the alternative, and so far she had managed to avoid Aponi’s wrath. That might all be about to change, or at least a new sort of challenge was arising, as the alphess wasted little time in getting to her point, issuing a clear challenge to her niece. For a moment Nalda was taken aback, her brows wrinkling at the silver woman, taking a defensive stance across from her. The two had always been blunt when addressing each other, but this was a whole new level of brosque. Oh so Aponi thought she wasn’t capable of defending herself, did she? Should have seen the work I did on @Ember..! Of course the pale girl had run off before anybody got a chance to admire that handiwork. Very well then… Her dark lips set, with the slightest of curls at each corner, eyes glinting; I’ll show her! And she pounced, legs outstretched and teeth baring as she leapt at the older wolf. But perhaps she was too eager, so keen to show her ability that she overshot the jump, landing awkwardly and slipping in the snow, snapping almost desperately for the protected hairs of her opponents scruff. Not exactly the skillful move she had wanted to show her aunt, but she moved quickly to regain her balance, turning to face the next attack with a steadying breath. She would prove herself. Word Count: 299 Thoughts "Speech"

Khalliysgraphy @DA

Because of work, my activity will fluctuate every other week. For more information and OOC preferrences check out my profile

Aponi watched in amusement as Nalda’s expression shrivelled for a moment in confusion, her own silver brows raising higher on her face. How would her younger niece react to being so blatantly called out she wondered? But it didn’t take much longer than it took to have that thought float up into her mind before the slate coloured wolf fell into a defensive position. This was when the mother would typically begin circling, an intimidation technique she had held in her repertoire since she was a yearling herself.

This time she didn’t even have a second to take a step before Nalda lunged. Aponi’s quick paws served her well once again as she easily back stepped out of the way of her opponents ill-aimed attack. The sound of teeth clacked somewhere vaguely near her neck but not close enough to shake the queen’s steely nerves.

Quick as a snake the alpha offered her own attack. Lunging as the younger wolf tried to regain her composure Aponi took hold of one of her back legs just above the ankle. Firm enough that Nalda would definitely have felt the pressure of the alpha’s teeth but far from anything that would cause any actual pain or blood shed. This was just a scuffle after all, no need to actually turn her niece into a gimp as she would have in an actual fight. It would be so easy to bite down and with a few shakes of her head tear the precious tendons underneath, turning her former able bodied opponent into a tripod.

Instead she let go and danced backwards over the snow, a grin on her face. ”What else have you got?”

Guardian Dem: 2/3 - It was a hit, but you can play whether she got what she aimed for or something else in the visinity. :)

"Don't go shouting out loud that you're claiming the crown" Despite her considerable brawn, Aponi moved like a snake. Nalda had only just wheeled around when the silver woman struck, teeth closing around her leg before she had time to dodge. She winced, grimacing as teeth pressed pointedly against the vulnerable tendons. What an incompetent mess she must look like, neither able to land a hit or evade a simple attack; Pathetic! When Aponi let go to move away, the younger wolf remained where she was, head lowered and ears folded back. But it seemed the alphess did not consider her defeated yet, her taunt drawing golden eyes back up, brow lightly quirked above one of them in surprise. So, she was given another chance. A slight nod was all she gave in answer, jaw once more set, stubbornly. She wouldn’t let herself be baited, ignoring the satisfied grin on her aunts face as she surveyed her renewed, defensive stance. This time around, she took her time, weighing her options before she struck. And when she did, she went for a leg too, aiming her lunge smartly at the exposed lower part of one front leg. Coming from the side, this would keep her own vitals well protected, and make it hard for Aponi to get a grip on her in return. Word Count: 212 Thoughts "Speech"

Khalliysgraphy @DA

Because of work, my activity will fluctuate every other week. For more information and OOC preferrences check out my profile

For a single moment Nalda seemed defeated, allowing her aunt to let go of her leg with ears turned backwards and a downwards gaze. In Aponi’s mind this was worse than getting your ass handed to you, you don’t just give up after your first hit. Thankfully, her niece seemed to be made of stronger stuff than that and rose to the new challenge. This time she wa smore calculating and it paid off.

Before Aponi had a chance to move backwards or protect her legs Nalda had firmly clamped just above her ankle. The mother’s first instinct was to try to wrench it away but she banished the thought with little more than a twitch. Jerking her leg away would only allow her opponent’s teeth to sink in and do serious damage.

After only a moment the alpha acted out her own defense. Hoping to do the opposite of what the younger woman would have thought she threw herself into the attack. Instead of pulling away as instinct had told her to do Aponi dropped her shoulder down and drove her weight into Nalda. It was an awkward angle and should she be successful they would both probably go toppling into the snow, but if all worked well then her leg would be free and the other woman would get a face full of the powder. It wasn’t an overly strong attack but hopefully it would be a good diversion.

(This post was last modified: Mar 07, 2018, 01:34 AM by Aponi.)