Antler Ring Night Moves

Doing this "Talking about it"

Bellavinne, the mating calls of all sorts of animals keep you up at night.

All welcome!

Sleep was coming easier to Vinnie now. She wasn't afraid her packmate were going to kill her in her sleep, wasn't worrying over what the next day would bring - not like she had before. Even her nightmares no longer plagued her as they had before. They still came on occasion, but she had more peace. Maybe that came with growing self-confidence.

Tonight, however, was different.

She'd almost forgotten what spring was like, with everything going crazy. She didn't notice during the day, as they were usually travelling, but sometimes at night the other animals around them just wouldn't shut up. Finally, unable to take another second of sitting still staring wistfully into the night, Vinnie hauled herself to her feet and decided to go for a walk.

She slipped carefully away from their resting place, unsure if @Neo was experiencing the same sleeping troubles she was or not. She didn't want to risk disturbing him if he was actually sleeping. She wouldn't wander far; the dark still unnerved her and she didn't want to be too far from her friend is such unfamiliar territory. Growing self-confidence or not, she was still small and inexperienced and a little afraid of the unknown.

Okay, make that a lot afraid.

Through the filtered moonlight, Vinnie saw twisted shapes rising from the otherwise flat landscape they found themselves in. She paused, squinting to make out what it was. It wasn't moving, so she decided to creep closer - and drew up short. They were antlers. Bone-white antlers all piled in a ring.

"What...?"

(This post was last modified: May 07, 2021, 04:58 PM by Bellavinne.)

Leviticus wasn't sure what to make of the Lowlands' expanse. Would his friends have crossed it, or been deterred by it? Was it possible they might dwell within the forever field of white and yellow? It felt wrong to turn away and not explore every nook and cranny, but it all looked so... unhospitable. It was hard to believe it wouldn't be a waste of time.

Then he'd found tracks. It didn't smell like @Arcus, but that didn't mean they didn't know of her, or Sawyer or River. Still carrying that lone, charred-black stick in his mouth, Levi diligently plowed his way through the wet, reviving grasses after the trail. When he saw a pale figure in the dark, he let go of his possession for a moment to bark out and try to get their attention.

Doing this "Talking about it"

Vinnie strained forward, staring at the strange sight before her. Who would do something like this? Why-

a soft bark startled her, and Vinnie jumped a solid foot off the ground, flailing about in the air as she tried to turn toward the voice. She landed hard, back feet slipped. Her butt hit the dirt, but she managed to catch herself before she completely sprawled into the hard ground. She glanced up at the stranger, a shape of muted earthy colors in the darkness.

"Hi," she said sheepishly, pulling herself back fully to her feet and shaking out her fur. She sniffed in the direction of the newcomer. He didn't smell familiar; not family then. She took a deep breath. Time to be brave; she could have a conversation without Neo here, right? She could do that.

Leviticus did not expect the shock his appearance gave the other wolf. When she launched into the air, he shot downward, ears slamming against the cap of his head as he dropped down among the growing grasses. Ohshoot, what was that?!

Oh. It was just him.

He crept forward, tentatively raising his head to see her over the flora. She had regained herself, though still looked somewhat spooked in his opinion. Levi smiled sheepishly at her.

"Sorry," his sincerity shone through in his voice, as it usually did.

"I didn't mean to scare you I um, I was just hoping maybe you've seen someone..."

Her own surprise seemed to scare the man right back, and that made Vinnie feel just a touch better. She wasn't the only one a bit jumpy out here. He was quick to apologize, his sincerity make Vinnie smile a little. He seemed safe enough.

"Sorry; I didn't think anyone else was out here," she said in return.

He was looking for someone? It seemed everyone was looking for someone these days. Neo, Woya... well, Vinnie mused, that was only two, but since they were the only two wolves she'd interacted with lately...

"Who are you looking for?"

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

Her answer made him think maybe she was traveling alone, even though something about her scent seemed... mixed. It just meant less eyes to have possibly seen his friends, unfortunately. Levi smiled at her before answering, though it was nothing like the broad, toothy grin he used to give others.

"A couple of wolves actually. There's Arcus, she's got earth-dark fur and green eyes, and she... she might be pregnant. Real sunny smile, super bubbly?"

Hope attempted to make appearance in his eyes, but he becoming painfully aware of how slim his odds truly were.

Doing this "Talking about it"

Vinnie listened raptly as her opposite described the friend he was looking for. Her ears pricked up at 'might be pregnant'; she knew that pregnant wolves were both vulnerable and defensive - at least at home, they were. But that might just have been because of her father's attitude. She was sad to find she didn't recognize the description.

She slowly shook her head. "I'm sorry, I haven't met anyone like that. I've met a Woya..." she trailed off, thinking. Woya was the only other person they'd met even close to where they were now. "You said you're looking for a couple wolves...?"

Of course she answered in the negative. Leviticus couldn't help but deflate a little, though he tried to cover it up as much as possible. It wasn't her fault, and certainly wasn't her problem by any stretch. She attempted anyways, but the name Woya unfortunately meant nothing to him.

"Um, yeah," he replied, almost absently, as though his thoughts were beginning to scatter away from him. Was it even worth the breath? Yes. He had to keep trying, he had to... right?

"Sawyer. He's orange, big gold eyes, super confident and smart. And, River... he's got blonde fur and blue eyes. Kindest wolf you'll ever meet."