Larkcall Lowlands A Shift in Fortune

Private for @Merys
Dated 3/3/16
Noon. Light Drizzle.
19*F/2*C

Reach for the stars

So far, so good. Jynx was adjusting well to her revived life in the Crest, spending her time getting to know the layout of her new home. While she had yet to fully engage herself with the rest of the pack, there was a good reason for her avoidance. The breeding season. @Raela and the two other females, herself included, were all on edge with their hormones raging violently through their bodies. With all of the females in heat, or almost peaked at their cycle, the odds of a squabble were high. So, to keep the peace, Jynx simply kept out of their way. Without any male igniting her interest, she was of no threat to the Queen, or the female ranked a notch above her. Even if there had been a male in her life, she would never have stooped so low as to betray the very wolf, and her pack, that had so kindly welcomed her home.

However, it was absolutely infuriating, the way her body was acting up. Her skin felt like it was on fire, dotted with tiny embers. Pulling and tugging with a prickly itch that just refused to go away. She tried everything. From immersing her body in what little snow remained to try and cool off, to scraping against the bark of trees, and even stones. Nothing worked. Feeling far too confined back at the Crest, and with the suspicious eyes of her female counterparts watching, she decided to try another tactic. As was proper conduct within the pack, she politely informed @Raela  that she was heading out for the day. Not too far of course. Just to do some surveillance of the neighboring land, to perhaps track down a modest meal. She didn't need to be in everyone else's way while tensions were still running high.

Her journey took her NorthEast, to the lowlands, a place she had never fully explored before. The sprawling tundra landscape was an impressive sight to behold, dotted with rocks and the occasional, gently sloping hills. She had hoped that there would be an abundance of prey frequenting the area today. But there was no such luck. Any herds of Mule Deer or Bison were nowhere in sight. With a flick of her tail, she dismissed it simply as bad timing. But the wide open space provided plenty of room for her to stretch her legs. Perfect! Releasing all of that pent up energy, the russet wolf shot forward in a long legged sprint, racing across the tundra. Even with the overcast skies, her mood was heightened. The heavens then saw fit to bless the heat ridden wolf with relief in the form of a light rain. The icy water droplets were refreshing as they hit her skin, melting away the overwhelming warmth. Delighted, she bounced on her paws, only to stop once and shake out her dampened coat, before springing away like a rambunctious youth. Sure, she may look silly to some, but if it helped get her the relief she needed, Jynx hadn't a care in the world.

 

 

The brown-muddled male padded forward lazily today. There was a theme of boredom to this day, and Merys wanted none of it. He had been following these lowlands for days now, and they were seemingly endless. He had spent a few days in a fjord southeast of here, and why he had decided to come back north into the lowlands that he'd originally passed through, he did not know. For now he walked and walked, and while the terrain was not tiring, the scenery was. It was impressively expansive and the four year old wondered if he would ever come upon anything of interest any time soon. If not, he decided that he would take a new turn. South, perhaps? 

Boredom was not the only theme to Merys' days now. The loner life was coming up to a month now, and while that was not any length amount of time, it had grown tiresome. Food was not scarce, nor difficult for an ex-hunter by trade, but there was something about being hungry all of the time that was becoming annoying. He had grown up in a strong pack and ate frequently. He had become a hunter where his team could take down large bison and elk quite commonly for the pack. He was not used to living meal to meal. There were only so many creatures that a wolf could take down on his own, no matter how good of a hunter he was. The packs of caribou made only his mouth salivate and long for the flesh in his mouth, knowing there was nothing he could do about it unless one fell behind, sick or next to death already. 

There was no denying the strength in numbers a pack provided, but Merys had a bitter taste in his mouth since he had left his own pack. The newest leader had been just short of a tyrant, and all the speak of mutiny had driven Merys away. He had not the time for such drama, and did not appreciate being asked to be pulled to one side or the other. He had a job, he did it, he received safety and companionship in exchange. That was it. It did not go further than that. The bitter taste had simmered out of his mouth these days though, and he knew when the next opportunity presented itself, he would be hard pressed to say no.

The rain had just reached his skin through his pelt when he saw it. Her? He had approached the young whippersnapper youth from a perpendicular angle.. well, mostly. She was darting all over the place really, it was difficult to predict her destination. It was alarming at first, then concerning for a moment, then it settled into amusing. Even enticing, by times. Her fervor was addicting and he found his tail flicking in curiosity. When she came around again as close as he thought she would be getting without noticing him, he yipped a playful bark and began trotting happily toward her, tail flopping side to side in a curious wag. What a breath of fresh air from the autopilot mode he had been on for so long. He yipped twice more, letting his smile flow through them.

founding member | 2016

Reach for the stars

The last thing Jynx had been expecting, was to bump into another wolf all the way out here. On this overcast, drizzly day, the barren tundra appeared to be even more unappealing than usual. So what reason would a wolf have to come out here? Well, life was full of surprises, and despite the conditions, Jynx was having a wonderful time. She was a hyper ball of energy and hormones, satiating the need to find an outlet in which to release her energy. And with all this wide open space around her, she could do just that.

Out of the corner of her shining gold eye, she caught sight of the brown hued wolf who seemingly melted out of nowhere. Coming closer. Too revved up to cease her antics, she kept an eye on him, sizing him up to determine his intentions. And then, he made them perfectly clear, first with his flagging tail, and then a playful bark directed right at her. Ah, so he wanted to play too huh? That was just fine by her! Springing back to the side to land in front of him in the classic play bow posture, she slammed her paws down against the lightly snow lined ground. The invitation was clear: Come play with me! With a wide grin on her maw, she skipped away out of reach, just to see how game he really was.

 

 

How had he caught himself here? He had been in a zombie-like trance trotting through these commodious lowlands and now he was being invited to play. Not exactly a young nor old wolf with 'proper' ideals, he was pulled into the female's game willingly. He could not even remember the last time he played foolishly. It was certainly an eye opener how easily you could find yourself a routine and get lost in the lack of spontaneity in favour of predictability. When the fawn female threw herself down into a playful bow, he yipped twice more and his tail wagged happily and continuously. This was going to be just what the healer ordered. 

His attention was caught when she leapt out of reach, and he pounced forward and paused, braced on all four legs. He turned his face to the side, eying her with the smile that had taken over his face, barking again. He turned his face back and pounced forward, not in a chase but to hopefully instil a reaction in the female. This strange wolf that he did not know who smelled of pine and another spring time scent that females tended to carry. He did not know her name, at least not for now, it seemed, as she was as inclined to play as he was. He felt his muscles tensing, ready for a playful chase if she darted, but not too fast as he did not want her to think he had intentions he did not.

founding member | 2016

Reach for the stars

Much to her surprise, and delight, the brown hued wolf seemed willing to engage in an energetic bout of play. How long had it been since she had last frolicked like a young pup? Too long, most likely. Tongue lolling out of her mouth while she sported a silly grin, veering back around to size him up, in that playful stance he had taken. By the looks and smell of him, he must have been new to the area. She hadn't come across a another wolf with his looks before. A loner.

Ceasing her furious antics, but still maintaining an excitable demeanor, Jynx stepped closer. Stiff legged, head arched and tail aloft in a wave, she was ready to bounce away in an instant. Extending her neck, she took an investigative sniff at the fur by his shoulder, but made no contact. She was well aware of what season it was, and did not want to give off the wrong impression to a complete stranger. Confirming that he indeed, belonged to no pack, she drew her head away. Curious of his origins and what had brought him out here. Circling around to his left side, she pawed at the snow playfully. "I don't recognize you. You must be new around these parts, huh?" Came her voice, free flowing and easy. Even with the drizzle dampening her fur, giving her a disheveled appearance, she seemed oblivious. "My names Jynx." She offered, with another welcoming smile.

Sorry for the wait. <3

When the young female had stepped closer, Merys felt his heart quicken; his muscles tensing at the ready for the chase. He froze and eyed her as she sniffed him cautiously. He could smell her scent better than she could smell his, he knew. It was beginning to be that time of year where spring was around the corner and so were small fluffs of fur. She was young, seemingly so anyway, and he doubted she had ever had a litter, but he knew there was no incentive in her actions now — thankfully. Merys had never an interest in the whole mating situation. There was no benefit to him, he had always been too far down the totem pole, and to be frank, a mate and puppies seemed like more of creating a legacy rather than true feelings a lot of the time. He didn't have the energy for the politics. He had hardly felt much guilt for up-and-leaving his old pack when the old alpha had been lost. To his sisters, he must have seemed to have committed an apostasy, but they were drama queens. More aligned with the mentality of 'pack til death' or 'death before dishonour'. Merys was not that brother. Never had been, and they knew that.. just did not like it.

I don't recognize you. You must be new around these parts, huh? My names Jynx.

His tail flicked curiously as she circled him. His muscles relaxed then, but his mind stayed sharp. Ready for any playful tricks she might be planning. The smile stayed on his features. He stood on his fours, head neutral, eying his company. "Very new, actually. Your smell doesn't exactly match this land either, though," he noted smoothly with a side smirk. "My name's Merys, Jynx."

founding member | 2016

Slowly, her excitable energy wound down, and as it did, she planted her hind end down to sit. She needed a moment to catch her breath, to let her muscles relax. Besides, it would not be very convenient to try and converse with this new wolf while on the move. Rolling her shoulders in a long, reinvigorating stretch, Jynx examined the male closely, pleased to find that he was happy to return her amicable attitude. Her fluffy tail swept at the ground in a steady rhythm when he spoke, confirming his newness to Relic Lore. As well as her own, at least to this stretch of land.

"Ah, I suspected that might be the case." She resumed with a nod, glancing to the side to gaze off in the distance, only to examine the sprawling low lands briefly. Then turning her bright yellow eyes back to him, she smiled. "I am. I only recently moved into the general area. I used to reside further south." She explained briefly, not bothering to go into the specifics. The past was the past, and that was that. She was starting anew here, and it looked like he may intend to do the same. But she had to be sure, before jumping to conclusions. "What brings you to Relic Lore? Anything in particular?" She asked with a tilt of her head, opting to start off with an easy, generalized inquiry. Jynx liked to think she knew enough about the region that she may be helpful in pointing him in one direction or another.

(This post was last modified: Apr 08, 2016, 02:54 AM by Jynx.)

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

Merys felt the energy between the two of them begin to die down, and so he let the adrenaline simmer out of his bloodstream, commanding his muscles to relax. Taking his cue from Jynx, Merys reclined to his haunches too. He wrapped his tail around to his right against his paws and met her pale yellow eyes when she spoke. He noted the brevity in which she spoke about her past, and comfortably avoided pressing the matter. One, because he did not care nor need to know anything about this wolf; and two, perhaps if he didn't press her on personal matters, she would not press him either.

"What brings you to Relic Lore? Anything in particular?"

Or not.

No, no. That's a fair, normal question that normal wolves ask. Relax. He spoke to himself, ensuring his nervous lone wolf persona that this wolf only meant well. She seemed friendly enough, and too young to be any good at being manipulation. Or so he liked to think, that he could pick up on shady creatures. Besides, he was happy to be out of robot mode and be put into higher spirits from the play. He shook the mild annoyance that had no place in this encounter, and he smiled at her tilted head. It made her seem younger than she already was. He paused for a few moments to think if he had a good answer for her question. "Something new. Maybe anything new," he paused again before he concluded, "A fresh start so I can leave my past where it belongs."

WHITE FIR Notch

TEMPLATE © NDA OF RCR & RPG-D

(This post was last modified: Apr 08, 2016, 11:42 AM by Merys.)

founding member | 2016

She wasn't all that surprised by the answer she received. A fresh start. A place to fit in. A certain pang shot through her gut then, hearing those exact words. Words which she had also used, not far from here so long ago. In front of a stranger no less, nearly identical to herself. Although she knew nothing of this wolfs past, Jynx could at the very least, understand his yearning for a change of pace.

"I know the feeling..." She admitted softly, but without pain or sympathy in her voice. She didn't want him to think she took pity on him. "I was in your situation, not so long ago." Briefly, her golden eyes flicked down to her paws, where patches of melting snow and damp, dead grass poked through. "I can't say for sure yet, but I have a feeling I may have found what I was looking for at last." Politely, she did not press any further. While she was curious as to what his possible reasons for abandoning what he had before, it was not in her place to ask. Such personal questions so early on could rub a wolf the wrong way. She would let him reveal them to her, if and when he wished.

Through the misty rain that pattered their fur and the land around them, another new scent made itself known, gradually. The russet female stiffened momentarily, as the pungent tang of lynx struck her nose. Laced with it, was the scent of blood and decay, belonging to a deer. "...I couldn't believe I did not notice that sooner." She muttered offhandedly, more to herself than to him. Seeing this as an opportunity to steal some chunks of meat to fill the pack caches, she set off slowly in search of the leftovers. But Merys was welcome too, as she gave him a glance of invitation. "Looks like there's a free meal if you are hungry. If that cat isn't still around." She added with a grumble, not exactly thrilled at the possibly of an angry feline popping up to reclaim it's kill.