Spectral Woods fever dream

all welcome.

He still had not found his brothers and Legolas was beginning to worry that they had left the Lore without him. They would not leave without him … would they? No, of course not. They had left for the Lore together and they would leave together—whenever that was. If they chose to. Although Legolas wasn’t sure why he had decided to return with them. He had been happy living with their parents in their new home, tending to the onslaught of siblings that they kept providing for them (gross!) and watching their legacy grow. But for whatever dumb reason he had decided to venture off with his littermate and younger brother.

And now he was horribly lost.

Legolas had not strayed too far, as he worried that the further he went the more difficult it would be for his siblings to find him. Or vice versa. Surely they were still in the area … somewhere.

He frowned. Was he being too optimistic?

The young Stark gave his head a quick shake as he continued forward through the trees, his head hanging low as he tried to appear as small as possible as to not disturb anyone that may be lurking nearby. These woods were a little unsettling and he just wanted to pass through them as quickly as possible without causing a disturbance.

Levi couldn't decide if he found these woods to be creepy or beautiful. His optimistic self wanted to settle on the latter, but then the animals would quiet and the wind would shift, or something would snap and crack like it was right there but nothing ever appeared, even though he scanned the ample space between the trees furiously. Maybe it was time to admit it; Leviticus was getting a little... spooked.

Something crunched steadily through the ice-crusted snow, the sound faint and barely perceptible at first but slowly building as it neared. Levi's muscles stiffened, but he pressed on. While he feared it might be something frightening, like a hangry bear woken from hibernation, he hoped dearly that it was a fellow wolf. He'd feel so much better with company... if only he'd chosen to go off with @Sawyer instead.

"Hello?" he called out once finally surmounting his scant fears.

Hello?

The Stark nearly jumped out of his skin at the greeting. It had been foolish of him to believe that he was truly alone out here. While the Lore seemed a lot quieter than it had been in the past it did not mean that it was free of travellers like himself. There was always someone—or something—lurking nearby.

His movements had stropped abruptly as his chest grew tight and a lump formed in the back of his throat. Whoever it was did not sound dangerous but he could not assume that it was not a threat. Everyone was a threat until proven otherwise.

He took a hesitant step forward as he debated fleeing the scene. Legolas was not sure if he was up to conversation or the type of conversation that the stranger was looking for. But the stranger sounded as meek as Legolas felt, so maybe he wasn’t all bad. Or Legolas was being too trusting as usual.

H-hello? He called out, wincing at the sound of his own voice and immediately regretting his decision.

The voice that answered him sounded hitched with hesitance, but Leviticus knew he was nothing for any wolf to fear. Even if he'd been built with brawn or gifted with a glowing skillset, he'd never use either to hurt someone. As soon as this other wayfarer met him, they'd realize it and feel better. Levi could hope, anyways; just as he always did.

Continuing forth, he searched for and eventually spotted the darkened silhouette of the other shuffled betwixt the trees. As every stride brought him closer, he saw more and more of the stranger. Their eyes, in particular, were rather striking in his humble opinion. Just a tiny bit, Levi found himself glancing into them more often than he otherwise would have.

"Hey," he greeted once close enough to carry conversation, smile small but earnest. His whiskers twitched as his nose worked to learn more about the other wolf. He didn't get much.

"Uh. I'm Levi. Do ya have a moment?"

He could hear the voice approaching, maneuvering expertly through the trees toward him. There was still time for him to flee if he really tried, but he was not sure how quickly he could move. He knew there was a good chance of his feet failing as he attempted to scramble over the forest floor, as even when he was not panicked they seemed to have a mind of their own. His only option was to suffer through an unwanted conversation. At least the voice did not sound threatening… he hoped.

The stranger finally appeared and Legolas let out a breath he had not realized he had been holding in. His sea-green eyes narrowed ever so lightly as he studied the tawny male, who looked as harmless as Legolas did. However, Legolas knew that he was harmless. He did not know if this stranger was, but the small smile he offered the Stark boy gave him the impression that maybe he was. H-hi, he greeted clumsily as his paws shuffled beneath him.

Do ya have a moment?

Do I have a choice, he wanted to say, but the boy could never and would never say something so aggressive. He was submissive by nature—or maybe that was his father’s genetics—and perhaps a little too trusting. But this green-eyed loner seemed… okay. He was polite, at least, asking if Legolas had a moment to chat.

S-sure, he finally responded with a meek smile, m-m’names L-legolas.

It wasn't fear that the other wolf communicated with his mannerisms, Levi realized as they now spoke face to face. No, instead the traveler interpreted his newfound company as shy, and made a mental note to try to not be too much of a chatterbox and watch for cues that his presence was becoming unwelcome. He hoped dearly that the other would warm up quickly to him instead, however. Not only did he have questions to ask, but Leviticus was also one of those wolves that felt a pressing need to befriend everyone.

"I'm Levi," he chirped back, smile growing as he spoke.

"Are you from around here?"

(This post was last modified: Apr 15, 2021, 06:08 PM by Leviticus.)

The tawny male before him was much different than the robust female he had encountered previously. He was more subdued; observant. Was not intrusive, just friendly. It was a welcome change, and Legolas decided that he no longer minded being stopped by the stranger. For now. Despite his pleasantries the stranger—Levi—could still flip a switch, using a soft voice and kindness as a rouse.

Oh well.

S-sort of, he responded honestly, his blue-green gaze quickly averting away from Levi. I used t-t-to b-be. M-my wh-whole f-family. But they left, and for some strange reason Legolas had decided to return with his brothers despite being rather comfortable in their new home. Wh-what about y-you? He asked, his gaze returning to Levi’s soft features.

It wasn't a yes but it wasn't a no; the boy's answer caused Levi's ears to perk, but as he continued, he became unsure if Legolas would actually be a good authority to check with or not. More questions needed to be asked, but he didn't really mind that; he enjoyed getting to know others, even if there wasn't an end to pursue.

"Nah, I'm from way down South," he answered, smile ever present.

"Was hopin' you'd know about the area, especially like... if a guy named River's been around?"

Might as well just get that one out of the way upfront. Though he was so used to hearing no, the hope was still clear in his light green eyes as he asked. After all, some day the answer had to be yes, right?

"Sounds like maybe you've been gone a while though?"

Way down South… Huh. Legolas was not familiar with the south. Or, at least, the south that the pale stranger was referring to. Despite the Stark clan removing themselves from the Lore and exploring the world beyond, Legolas was often still flabbergasted that there was more beyond what he had already seen. Not that he wanted to travel any further—especially on his own—but how much more was there? What lay beyond the lands of Relic Lore and the haven that the Stark clan claimed as their own?

Maybe one day one of his siblings would find out and tell him stories.

Or, maybe, Legolas would gather the courage to go on a real adventure, all by himself. Just like his father had done (prior to meeting Anastasia)… although his adventure had not been of his own choice.

The loner’s question tore him away from his thoughts, his sea-green pools refocusing. River. The name was not familiar. The area is s-somewhat f-familiar, b-but that n-name is n-n-not. He frowned. D-did you c-come here t-t-together? Normally Legolas was not the nosey type, but the wolf before him seemed friendly enough. Not like the other female he had encountered.

A while, y-yes, he nodded, his expression soft. H-haven’t been h-here in over a y-year… Or had it been longer?

You smell the remains of an elk nearby. Enjoy your feast! +10 Health