Sex: MaleStomping a foot through the snow pile that was within the agouti male's path, Aleister plowed through it with ease as he seethed across the rocky landscape. Having awoken with a rock lodged along this spine and a squirrel making the worse racket, the Vuesain male was slightly peevish this morning. Everything seemed to out to irritate him and further deter him from having a level head today. He needed to walk it off, blow off the steam that the anger this morning built up, so he trudged himself up the mountain to try to the find the ledge that gave anyone the largest view of the land below them. There he could find the peace and sooth his cranky thoughts. It didn't take him long to find the outcrop, the icy winter breeze throwing his coat every which way as it shifted. There he was able to finally take a deep breath and cast his mismatched gaze out into the Lore.
 Flair was in a bit of a prickly mood herself that morning. She’d been sticking around the Lost Lake ever since @Chan first showed it to her, mostly keeping to herself while trying to figure out her next move. She still didn’t know about the whole pack thing, she never did well with hierarchy, but on the other hand, it had been nice to talk to so many amicable wolves lately; And then there’s the food…! The fiery shewolf was not an overly social creature, but she understood the benefits of living and hunting in a group, and she did miss the thrill of that chase, she had to admit. So she remained, occupying herself with investigating every corner of the woods around what had once been known as Fallen Tree Cove. But it was starting to get tiresome. She was grown bored of the densely packed trunks and heavy smell of resin, she wanted to see something new. And with that ventured further up into the icy reaches, finally scaling Mount Dire itself, as she had originally set out to do. The last thing she had expected was to run into one of the Fallen Tree wolves when she reached the top. But as she rounded another sharp turn along the winding path, there he was, easily recognizable by the dark markings and two-colored eyes. Flair stalled, glancing to the side and down the sheer drop only inches from her feet. What she wanted most of all was to turn back, except that was impossible, the outcrop far too narrow for her to swivel a full 180. So she simply stood there, awkwardly silent, looking down at her paws, before at last mumbling a: “Uhm… Sorry.” Word count: 287 ”Speech" Thoughts |
He was content to sit in silence and feast his mismatched gaze upon the Lore below him, his eyes memorizing the dips and curves of the terrain below. Most of the land below him, he could recognize as his travels took him through them. There were some areas that Aleister had traveled less frequently like the most eastern corner in the south. The forests there were unfamiliar to the Vuesain, but he knew of them at least. The knowledge given to him when he was younger while he was still present within the Cove. He still couldn't believe he was back within the Cove, not only residing within it, but attempting to lead a new pack within it. The male could almost laugh at the thought. Who could of predicted this happening?
As his thoughts simmered and his tense shoulders began to relax, the sound of another trekking along the narrow path behind him prompted his ears to flick in response. His mismatched gaze fell upon the fiery woman as she stumbled upon him, her gaze casted to the floor. Curious as to why she didn't meet his gaze, he suddenly felt guilty that she was uncomfortable. There's room up here for both of us or I can head back if you'd like... He offered, his gaze soft as he moved to the furthest edge of the ledge to make room for her if she wanted to join him. Or it gave him enough room to turn around and head back to the Cove. Whichever she chose, he would respect
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| She’d never been good at the whole social thing, always felt awkward and out of place in groups and oddly put on the spot whenever she met new wolves. In her youth this obvious discomfort had often let to teasing and she’d grown rather reclusive as a result. These days, she pretty much expected to be met with disdain and in response had build up quite an attitude. What she was not prepared for, was being invited to join Aleister, the larger male scooting to the side to make room on the ledge. He even offered to leave, even though he had been here first, which prompted a swift shake of her head as she moved in to take the seat beside him. Rather dumbstruck by the whole thing, she only managed to mutter a weak: “Thanks…” Before turning to admire the view, eager to look away from him. The panorama was really stunning, the Wildwood stretching out below them like a verdant blanket, Heartleaf Creek like a glistening vein running through it all. If she squinted, Flair thought she could even see the outer edges of the Thicket, though the cloud cover obscured the horizon in a grey mist. Studying the familiar lands helped her feel more at ease, and with her eyes still directed at it all, she found herself speaking to her companion; “’t’s strange, lookin’ at it all from so high…” She glanced sideways, trying to gauge whether the older wolf was enjoying the view too, or looking at her. After a little break she asked: “So… Were you born up here too?” She didn’t know how much Chan had told his comrades about her, if anything, but she figured it was a safe enough avenue of conversation, their connection to the Lore. Though, it’s hard to feel connected from all the way up here… She wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing; But it’s easier to talk about it… Word count: 327 ”Speech" Thoughts |
Taking him up on his offer, the flame cloaked woman joined him upon the ledge as they both looked out upon the land below them. They were rather close, their guard hairs mingling as they stood side by side. To keep her more comfortable, the Vuesain attempted to give her as much space as he could, feeling the anxiety rolling off her. An emotion that was quite familiar to the dark agouti male, having been riddled with it for most of his life. However, ever since reuniting with Neha years ago, the anxiety slowing retreated to the back of his mind, lingering and waiting for it's chance to take him over again.
Allowing her the time to take the sights in, he stood silently beside her as her amber gaze roved over the landscape. He remember how much in awe he was when he first found this spot in his youth. Hours he sat here alone, just mesmerized at the sight. She spoke softly finally while his mismatched gaze looked out below still. He could feel her amber gaze upon, so he turned slightly to peer at her as a question fell from her lips. Yes, I was born down at the Lake actually. He answered, his gaze only peering at her for a brief moment before turning away. The last thing Aleister wanted was to make her uncomfortable and it seemed his gaze unnerved her for some reason. Are you from the Lore? He asked in return as he was quite curious. It seemed she had a connection to the land just like him, but he didn't want to assume.
| She felt herself relaxing with every breath, growing more and more at ease with the sound of a second breathing in her ears, and the warmth of another body close at her shoulder. It was just reflex really, the anxiety, build up over years of feeling mocked and ousted by those around her and reinforced by a year as a loner, her main interactions with other wolves being of the unfriendly kind. But for all she had come to know of the lake wolves, they were a friendly bunch, kind and welcoming, and quite laid back – though Aleister did seem the most serious of them; Necessary for a leader to be… He was neither stiff nor cold though, proved yet again by his gesture to include the awkward girl on his small ledge. So, she actually managed a faint smile when their eyes briefly met, before quickly looking out towards the horizon once more. It was better for her nerves sure, but the view was also to stunning to ignore for long. Slowly, the fiery lass nodded at his words. She’d figured he was a local, like Chan, although several years older. Perhaps he would know more about the Lore and what had happened. Eyes honing in on the distant thickets again, Flair felt a more natural smile creep onto her lips. “I am,” She answered, dipping her head down slightly before inclining it towards the east. She quirked her brows, looking over at Aleister again as she continued: “I was born ‘n the Thicket of Secrets, Secret Woodlands was th’ name of th’ pack.” She breathed a little sigh, giving her head a light shake before turning it away again. The woods below seemed so eerily quiet, unnaturally devoid of life. It might just be her imagination, but it truly seemed like Relic Lore had been abandoned. Almost as if wondering out loud, Flair added: “We left years ago, what was left… But there were still plenty of others around, then.” She really did wish she could have known what happened, just to satisfy her curiosity. Word count: 347 ”Speech" Thoughts |
Was that a smile? Surely, he had to be seeing things as he had gotten the impression from the fiery woman that smiles were a rare sight to see upon her maw. However, the Vuesain did not act upon the sight, he simply let it be and appreciated the fact that he was graced with the rare sight. She answered his question, proving his suspicions of her connection to the land around them. There seemed to be a lot of wolves returning to the Lore like a moths drawn to flame. Flair continued on to explain to him where she was born, which wasn't a pack he was all that familiar with. Aleister knew of the location they resided, but he hadn't personally met any wolves from there before.
"I'm surprised I've never heard of the pack before," he answered with a frown. "But I also wasn't around much in my younger years." Truthfully, he mentioned before following her gaze where it laid upon the woods below. His own curiosity burned within him as she mentioned leaving years ago, just like him and his sister. "Why did you leave?" He was sure if she didn't want to talk about it, she would tell him to mind his own business, which was fine. The agouti male was simply curious to see how similar the two of them were.
| Aleister was a good listener, she hadn’t met many of those in her life. Perhaps it was just that she didn’t usually talk all that much. But there was a calming aura around the sepia lad, something that made her want to talk to him; What the fuck is that about?! Nevertheless, she felt more at ease with him than she ever had with her family, maybe it was simply that there were no expectations to meet, or more likely break, whether she tried to or not. But this boy? Who was he to judge her? And if he did, nothing could stop her from simply leaving, there was nothing held up on her trying to portray a certain character to him; She could just be herself. Her shoulders loosened with the realization. She’d left her home and pack to get away from those expectations, but it had never occurred to her that in joining up with strangers, she would be able to completely reinvent herself and be forever free of that old hurt. The russet girl actually chuckled a little, shaking her head both at herself and Aleister’s next words; it really did seem that the Woodlands had managed to stay Secret, at least from the wolves of Lost Lake. “Me neither,” she answered, pursing her lips in thought as she looked over at her companion – fully this time, unabashed; “I never knew there was a pack up here either, ‘til Chan told me.” For some reason it had never occurred to her to explore the mountains as a yearling, she’d found enough adventure closer to home. The next question though, made her turn her eyes away again, but this time her hesitation wasn’t shyness. ‘Why did you leave?’ Her heart grew heavy, amber gaze fixing on her paw as it drew a slow circle in the snow, pushing some off the cliff-edge in the process. Watching it disappear in the deadly drop, she had to swallow back a lump in her throat before she could talk: “M’ Da died.” Her voice was heavy, but clear, no tears brimming in her eyes; Luckily! Returning to these lands had opened up her grief afresh, but it felt right somehow, like she hadn’t been allowed to feel it properly the first time around. With a little sigh, the shewolf adjusted her seat, leaning back from the edge and looking to Aleister once more; “Wasn’t much reason to stay ‘round after that.” She spoke openly, the pain notable in her tone, but not overly so; “Ma wanted t’ go back home where she came from an’ she took us with ‘er.” The hint of a sad smile curled one corner of her mouth. Much like the Woodlands, she hadn’t ended up fitting in there, but it had been good to know her mother and siblings had made it safe and sound. “Guess I just couldn’t stay away, in th’ end.” The smile steadied a little and she inclined her head towards her companion, silently asking for his own story, without pressing. He’d been such a good listener for her though, so it was only fair she do the same. Word count: 527 ”Speech" Thoughts |
The dark agouti male could almost feel the tension leave her body in waves as her shoulders began to loosen and she actually graced him with a soft chuckle. She responded by saying she hadn't known about his birth pack hidden along the mountain lake until his look alike companion told her about it. "My parents had been very welcoming to anyone that came upon their borders, so I'm surprised their reputation didn't reach the Thicket of Secrets." He answered truthfully, remembering how often they would extend their hospitality to the needy. His mother had certainly been the head on the welcoming party for anyone that needed a place to stay or a warm meal. The thought of her made the pain resurface unexpectedly, though the Vuesain unfocused from it and returned his attention upon the fiery woman before him.
Her bright amber eyes turned from him as his question reached her ears. Perhaps, if he had thought first about how the subject may have been uncomfortable for Flair, he may of not asked it in the first place. Aleister was not one to make it his agenda to scare away the guests, but he certainly wanted to get to know them more. In case, either of them decided to call the Lost Lake home for the long haul. When she answered simply with her dad died, prompting her to leave the Lore, he couldn't help but feel for her. That at least they had in common as it was his mother's death that drove him and his sister away again from the Lore. The grief and pain that the Lore held was too great for either of them to face and deal with at the time. She went on to say that her mother took her back home where she had come from, but by the sad smile that cross her maw that wasn't what she was looking for.
Silently asking for his story, which she certainly deserved after the tale she told him. "My mom died," he said solemnly, his mismatched gaze looking to her. The memory of the past crawled back into his attention, causing his heart to tighten. "My sister and I left after laying her to rest. It was all just too much." The pain had too much for Aleister, though he tried to keep it from his sister, knowing that she had gone through so much and didn't need the added grief from her brother. The guilt still ate him for not spending more time at home with his mother. Had he of known the little time he had left with her, he would of sacrificed his freedom for the rest of his life if it meant seeing her for one more day.
| She felt a little bad at Aleister’s explanation – it was very likely that her parents had known about the Lost Lake pack, maybe they had even mentioned it, but it hadn’t stuck in her young mind; Back then she had been much more focused on causing trouble than learning about inter-pack politics. But then, he hadn’t known about the Woodlands either, so she supposed they were even in that, in a way. And it would seem that they had more in common still, as the sepia lad indulged her silent request, giving a story eerily similar to her own. Flair’s chest tightened further, her own pain multiplied by his as she imagined the siblings, burying their mother on their own. She wondered what had happened to their father, but since Al hadn’t offered any information, she didn’t press it – some scars were still too painful to speak of. Instead she nodded at his last comment, knowing all too well how overwhelming grief could be. Her gaze stayed on him now, unwavering, comfortable in their mutual understanding. “I’m sorry.” She said, simply, fully aware that it didn’t change anything, but wanting to let him no none the less. After a stretch of silence, allowing her words to settle, the fiery girl asked the question that she’d been asking herself for a while now: “What made you come back?” She still wasn’t sure of her own answer, but perhaps Aleister knew, and that could help her figure it out as well. Word count: 249 ”Speech" Thoughts |