Heartleaf Creek give up the ghost

<blockquote>Volkan continued nosing around the ground idly as he spoke, lifting her brows in slight surprise as he simply responded with <i>"No."</i> About to reason that this guy was just some sort of weird misanthrope, the onyx girl was relieved to hear him say what he said next. Two others? Okay, so then, that sounded like a pack, right? Not a very big one like the one she came from, with a sovereign alpha who led what seemed like scores of lesser drones, but... well, she wasn't in a place to question what he said at the moment, was she? Glancing up at him, Volk realized that he'd taken a seat. This put her a little more at ease, but she continued her aimless wandering; their conversation had taken somewhat of a more interesting turn, and now she felt excited, almost restless.

His question caught her off guard, even though she should have expected it. Ragged tail brushing her hind ankles interestedly, the young wolf threw him a shrug that probably didn't come off as nonchalant as she'd hoped. <b>"Well, I just <i>got</i> here,"</b> she replied with a sheepishly wry grin. <b>"And so far, you're actually the first wolf I've seen since–"</b> <i>I left,</i> she almost revealed. <b>"I arrived,"</b> she stammered as her gaze fell.

<b>"I mean– maybe sometime soon, but a pack is a... family, y'know? You can't just become a part of something like that so impulsively. It'd be stupid to, anyway."</b> She had fallen to her haunches at having reached this generalization, throwing the male another shrug and realizing she hadn't yet caught his name. <b>"Excuse my manners, by the way,</b>" she added after a brief pause. <b>"My name's Volkan."</b>

Was giving a random male stranger her name the absolute best idea? Probably not, but what choice did she have? And if they were going to be discussing life choices, Volk would rather they were doing it on a first name basis.</blockquote>

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She seemed nervous – her words stammered and paused, and yet the regal rogue doubted it was his presence that brought on this behaviour. Perhaps, by nature, she was simply a timid wolf. Blinking harshly to her words, Ruiko inclined his muzzle slightly to show he understood where she was coming from; why join a pack if you knew nothing of them or their culture? It was not an action to be taken lightly, and as a wolf who regarded pack as family, he was quietly pleased that she was not one to jump straight in to such a decision. “Probably a wise choice to get to know the packs and areas,” he commented in agreement.

In only a few short sentences, the girl had already gained some of the male’s respect; a feat hard to do, and as she plopped herself down to her haunches, the male cast her a small smirk, finally breaking the stoical mask that protected his emotions. “Ruiko Tainn,” he introduced in return, his gaze curiously studying her. She looked very similar to his current companion. “Do you plan on staying in Relic Lore?”

Sorry sorry sorry, busy week for me ._.

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The ground smelled fresh and cold as she nosed it, still seated; the scent of frozen ground filled her mind, mixed with the male's strong one. All the while as she paced excitedly, Volkan listened to his response: she was glad he agreed, and this made her realize that so far, this guy might actually be a good ally to keep around. Of course, if he'd have her – what such a regal rogue would want to do with a scraggly yearling was beyond her, but his walls seemed to be coming down. This notion was reaffirmed in the next moment, when he offered her his name. As the two words rolled from his tongue, Volkan lifted her ice-blue gaze to meet his. <i>Ruiko Tainn.</i> The name would be forever etched in her mind as the first wolf she encountered in Relic Lore; she gave him a genuine small smile, a strange feeling filling her heart as it spread into a grin. Perhaps... this place wasn't so bad, maybe she could find decent wolves here...

His next question broke the reverie somewhat, though she was glad he asked it. <b>"Uh – yes, I think so. That is... I don't have any other place to go,"</b> she added, her gaze straying somewhat. <b>"Besides, this place doesn't seem too bad, if all of the scenery here's this beautiful."</b> And all the wolves this cool, but she didn't say that part for fear of seeming strange.

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This little interlude could have been considered awkward, but Ruiko was suddenly struck with the opportunity before him. Ranger was restless to settle, and the tawny male had constantly put the idea off; not because he wasn’t anxious to as well, but because he was waiting for the right time. They needed recruits to begin a new family, and as the regal male cast a look to the girl in front of him, he realized that as far as companions went, she seemed decent.

Her response gained a nod from the male as he leaned back, his eyes roaming the lands as she mentioned their beauty. Relic Lore had always been beautiful, but as he had lived here his entire life, he knew he took such things for granted. “You know,” he drawled lightly, his tail sweeping the spring grass behind him gingerly. “You’re welcome to travel with us if you’d like. We’re looking to settle down and start a pack.” It was an offer – one she could take or leave, but Ruiko would allow her time to consider. Raising himself to his paws, the large wolf gave a shake of his thick fur before giving a light and leisurely stretch.

Short! :[

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Despite the chill of the <span class='word'>clinquant</span> snow that coated the world around her, Volkan now felt comfortable and warm, and a new surge of energy brought a certain glint into her ice-blue eyes. Really, travel with Ruiko and... whoever else? Was it strange that she felt so compelled to say yes, even having just met him? But Volk knew this was foolish. <b>"Who's <i>we</i>"</b> she responded quickly, a smirk crossing her dark, mottled features, stopping her pacing to stand still and regard him wolf to wolf. It seemed like such a spur of the moment offer, and she knew it would be stupid to accept right away - she'd need time to think it over... but... the possibility still seemed real, somehow. She studied Ruiko, curious as to the nature of his companions.

(This post was last modified: Jul 18, 2011, 10:02 PM by Volkan.)

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He could tell he had piqued her interest; the shift of her figure and the sudden gleam that entered her gaze was tale enough. But such things were not a window to her thoughts, and the girl likely thought he was either crazy, or creepy for inviting a yearling along to join him on his travels. He too wondered where the sudden urge to do so had come from.

“We is my brother Kinis and our... friend.. Ranger.” Tapping a title on the dark she-wolf was tricky; they were courting, certainly, but ‘girlfriend’ seemed childish to him, and they had yet to decide on mateship. It was an unspoken agreement that the two would finalize their bond when they finally settled to a pack and land. With a flick of his tail, the tawny wolf began to pace forward, side-stepping the younger girl though his eyes never left her. “Think about it,” he offered, his tone gruff. “I’m sure you’ll find me if you want to.”

I'm assuming Ruiko's on the way out? :]

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<blockquote>Volkan registered the names to mind, silently willing herself to remember them. <i>Kinis</i>. <i>Ranger.</i> The way Ruiko had spoken the latter of the two names made Volkan's head tilt slighlty as he stood up. Friend? Was she or wasn't she? It seemed a little sketchy, but nonetheless, the young female wasn't put off by his question: only confused and a little shocked by it. She continued to gaze at him, a little wide-eyed, until he slid past her; at that moment she shook herself out of her thoughts and turned to watch him as he appeared to leave the scene.

<i>"I'm sure you'll find me if you want to."</i>

The rugged yearling was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say. <b>"I will –"</b> she said, though now she was speaking to his retreating form. <b>"I'll find you,"</b> she called out in addition, her voice a little desperate. The first wolf she had met in Relic Lore... had offered her a place in a pack. A new start... a home away from the Aquila Clan? Volkan wasn't sure if she was ready, but what she did know for certain is that sooner or later, she'd meet up with Ruiko Tainn again.

<b>"Ruiko...</b>" she breathed, committing the name to the depths of her memory. It was an encounter she wouldn't forget.</blockquote>

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