The Wildwood the other side of insanity [BWP]

AW! Mention of @Treyah in his thoughts

Treyah’s belly continued to grow and from his own experience last year Draven knew that it could be any day that his second litter would be entering the world. Last year he had been so unsure of what it all meant and while this year his situation wasn’t any clearer he felt more confident. Things with the alpha were undefined this much was true, but they had made it clear from the beginning there was no romantic expectations. That eased his mind, he would do everything he could to be a good father and everything else would come as it may.

Or at least, that’s what he kept telling himself. It didn’t stop the pangs of jealousy that came when she spent time with the other males of the pack. He knew he had no claim on her but part of him felt like maybe he should.

Still, he knew it would do no good to be huffing and puffing around like some kind of buck in rut so instead he busied himself. If he couldn’t spend time with the woman because she was busy or had other company then he was typically found gathering herbs out of the territory. Draven never wandered too far these days in case Treyah went into labor but it felt better to be working rather than brooding, and soon he wouldn’t be able to travel as much. He would gather everything he could now and spend the coming weeks sorting, drying and storing it properly.

This was where he was now, searching out the prairie crocus he was certain he had seen a few days early. He would be much more comfortable if he had it in the den, god forbid someone got an infection without it.

(This post was last modified: Jun 27, 2018, 03:46 PM by Mabel.)

The fish of Heartleaf Creek had not been enough to make a satisfying meal. In the hours she'd spent there, waiting, watching, and wading, she'd managed to catch only three and they were by no means large by any standard. They slipped from her mouth, flopping about inconveniently, the fin of one swiping her right across the snout hard enough to create a minor annoyance. The scales stuck in her teeth. The tiny bones made it tricky to strip the meat. And the small degree of slime associated with the whole ordeal was easily unappealing. All in all, fish was not her favorite, and it was with a humbling resignation that she'd acknowledged that life as a loner was turning out to be much harder than she'd hoped for.

It was then as the morning sun made its climb into the sky that she departed from the banks of the creek that had been easy to follow, forging her way deeper into the forest. The woods were thick, the canopy a daunting blockade for the sunlight that seemed to penetrate through only here and there. It was relatively quiet and peaceful, save for the birds. In a way she was thankful that it was their company alone that she'd had today; hungry and worn from traveling, it would take all she had to defend herself should something - or someone - dangerous arise. With this in the forefront of her mind, the hours passed by.

Now miles into the Wildwood, it was the distinct crunch of movement nearby - a rustling in the foliage - that caused her to halt her passage abruptly. The trouble was, she'd managed to snap an old, dried twig as she froze. The girl's ears pressed forward in attention, her golden eyes wide and intent as they searched for the mysterious something out there. Slowly, quietly, she breathed.

Thanks for joining! @Lyanna

As he searched for the prairie crocus - not with any urgency - the sound of nearby rustling made him pause. Normally he would have shrugged off the sound or took scent of the air to see if prey was nearby but the recent coyote incident was still fresh in his mind. Muscles tensed in anticipation at the sound of a cracking twig but it seemed that the adrenaline was all for not when no vermin immediately jumped from the trees. Cautiously Draven’s leathery nose twitched, making note that while there was stale coyote scent in the air what was much more present was that of a loner.

His muscles relaxed slightly under his dark pelt but he still looked warily upon where the sound had come from. He took a single step forward but approached no further, he wasn’t sure why the stranger had not announced themselves and had tried to stay hidden but he figured it couldn’t be good. But god, he hoped that this would just go right for once.

<3

Lyanna listened for a moment but heard nothing else. Maybe whatever or whoever was out there had heard her movement. There wasn't a clear scent in the air, which she tested with a flick of her tongue, and she was certain she wasn't anywhere near any border of an established pack. Deciding she was fit enough to either fight off a dangerous wolf or coyote or run from something more threatening - a bear, perhaps - she moved closer to the whereabouts of the initial rustling.

Over the crest of one of the forest's quaint hills, she spotted him - a dark-furred wolf, though that was all she could really make of his appearance from her position. He was alone and this put her at ease to a point, but she would approach no further until she could make a less vexatious determination of whether he was the friendly sort or the deadly sort.

"Hello?" she called out to the stranger, her rounded ears perked forward and her posture neutral.

Draven’s posture was more relaxed than what it had been a few moments before, but his muscles were still ready to move should the need arrive. From his alert position his dark ears flicked towards further rustling approaching him and he made no movement forward. Eventually it stopped and his spied the figure of a tawny female atop one of the sloping hills. It was her call of greeting that was enough to finally relax him and the Leigh’s tail fell to a neutral position, hanging low and wagging slightly.

He was not much of a judgemental wolf but a few facts were very apparent from scent alone. This woman was by herself, and she smelled of no pack. A loner. Smiling he nodded his dark crown, ”hello,” It was only polite after all. But, he had never been good at small talk and that probably wasn’t going to start anytime soon. Another wolf may have furthered the conversation but he just stood there, waiting for her to address him again or leave. He was fine with either.

If she left maybe he could find his plants but if she stayed he had no reason to believe this might be a negative encounter. Suddenly Draven realized how long he had let the silence stretch out and an awkward pit formed in his stomach, ”Are you looking for something?” Maybe he could direct her somewhere instead of standing here like a buffoon.

OOC: I hope you don't mind an added trouble-maker. Feel free to notice or ignore him
EDIT: ah yes looks like Vaken isn't the only one following. He brings along some equally naughty friends

Vaken Svart Vaken had been following the female for some time, watching from a safe distance as she hunted fish. He had concealed himself behind trees, staying down wind to hide his scent, and waited. He was hoping she’d leave behind some dinner, some remnants of fish guts. When she didn’t, Vaken was hungry and disappointed. He thought about trying to hunt them himself, but grunted quietly in denial. There had to be an easier way. When she got up and headed into the woods, the small male lurked behind, following her desperately. He hoped she would hunt more, maybe something larger that he could steal. He was getting bolder. He wasn’t going to wait this time. Next time she hunted, he planned on running out and thieving whatever was there. He’d grab as much as he could in his mouth and sprint. He had to be patient though. He followed very softly from behind and kept his steps soft and undetectable. When she stopped, he stopped. She was far enough in the distance that Vaken hadn’t heard any footsteps, but he lowered his body to the ground to camouflage. Was she hunting? His mouth started to water. He sure hoped so. When he heard the voices his heart shattered. She wasn’t hunting, she was talking. Clearly not to him, but another male’s voice echoed into the distance. He thought about leaving right then, but curiosity got the best of him. What were they talking about? He slowly inched closer, maintaining a safe distance. Then he perked his ears to eavesdrop. I feel numb, born with a weak heart I guess I must be having fun

(This post was last modified: Jun 26, 2018, 04:22 AM by Vaken.)

currently travelling with Circe (she can jump in any of his threads)

There is a deer carcass being picked over by three coyotes. They spot you and become territorial of their kill.

Lyanna took note of the small wag of the man's tail and the smile he offered her as he returned her introductory gesture, of the calmness of his voice. Her own tail swayed slowly behind her as if mirroring his. There was a fair distance between them and though she didn't necessarily have to yell to him to be heard, she thought it most appropriate to move cautiously closer. The girl's rounded ears swiveled atop her tawny head and she look around in every direction but the one behind her as she made her way. Stopping at a reasonable distance, the unexpected sound of movement behind her caught her attention.

Her head snapped around. Was she being...followed? If she was, whoever trailed her had done a good job at remaining undetected. She was a smart girl, careful to be on the lookout when she was out on the road alone. She found herself dissatisfied at the prospect that she may not have been as careful as she thought she'd been. Her brows furrowed as she squinted to take a good look. Why would anyone be following her? It wasn't like she had been up to anything eventful. Seeing nothing but forest, she couldn't shake the feeling that she and the dark-furred fellow were not alone here.

She shifted her gaze back to wolf before her. "No, I'm not. Merely passing through." It wasn't a search, per se, that brought her to this section of The Wildwood, but...could it be that it was he who was looking for something? "...Are you? Searching for something, I mean," she inquired.

And then it hit her. The smell of rot and flesh, followed almost immediately by the scent of the band of coyotes that were pissed right off by the wolves' presence. An ugly snarl hung in the air and it was then that she spotted them just off in the distance, hovering over their meal and on the defensive. Great. "Uhhh..." She looked from the group of them to the stranger she was suddenly rather thankful to have run into.

Feel free to pp him leaving with or without Lyanna!

Unlike the female Draven had not heard the sound of movement behind her and was confused when she suddenly turned to squint into the woods. He also looked, but with less suspicion and more curiosity trying to figure out what she was seeking out. It would seem that neither of them saw anything amiss because when the loner turned back to him the dark healer had already lost interest in whatever it was that she might have suspected was behind her.

Thankfully, the woman was better at small talk than him and answered his question with one of her own. Smiling slightly Draven nodded, ”I’m just out gathering herbs, prairie crocus if you’ve seen any in your travels.” She might not even know what that was, most wolves didn’t dabble with plants as he did they preferred to spend their time with flesh and bone. But that was okay too, wolves had to eat just as much as they needed medical attention if not more.

However, before this slightly awkward small talk could continue they were joined by some unwelcome guests. Draven’s stiff posture returned and he stepped out protectively, his large frame rising to it’s full size. Lip curled in warning as one of the coyotes snorted at them. It seemed that the coyote problem was getting worse rather than better and the healer was sick of it. The thought of his and Treyah’s pups fresh on his mind the dark Leigh knew he couldn’t risk getting hurt. Glancing sideways towards the woman whose name he didn’t even know he offered the only suggestion he had, ”We’d better get out of here, the Draw isn’t far from here and they aren’t quite so…. Bold near the borders.” If she wanted to come that was fine, perhaps they could find a meal along the way but it was no skin off his back if she wanted to continue travelling alone either.

OOC: Vaken's exit

Vaken Svart When the female looked towards him, Vaken lowered himself so low to the ground he thought he’d sink into the dirt. It was getting too risky. He eyed both the wolves from the safety of the overgrowth, realizing just how big the male wolf was. He wasn’t going to mess with that. He’d just have to hunt his own food today. He was a little disappointed, yet again, but it had been a shot in the dark. He had hoped for a quick meal, and when it failed to deliver he had no one to blame but himself. He could have put this energy into hunting small prey. Instead, he had crawled around like a pup and gotten himself all dirty, for nothing, not even good information. Wanting to huff and puff about it, he started to back up and leave before he even smelt the coyotes. Once he got a whiff, he only increased his pace. He wasn’t going to stick around, especially now that there were so many obstacles in his way. He cared a little less about being heard, rustling a few leaves to race off. He had wasted his time. I feel numb, born with a weak heart I guess I must be having fun

currently travelling with Circe (she can jump in any of his threads)