As the naked twisted branches of the trees reached out closer towards him, Lorcan’s golden eyes began to scan between the trees methodically from left to right as he searched for any signs of movement. When he saw none, he didn’t hesitate to continue forwards, boldly stepping beneath the dappled shade of the trees to advance further into the woodland. Snap! A single twig snapped beneath the thin blanket of snow that masked its whereabouts. All of a sudden, a flash of white fur caught his attention and in the same instant the agouti male bound into motion, racing forwards to chase after the white-furry object with a chuff of excitement.
As the naked twisted branches of the trees reached out closer towards him, Lorcan’s golden eyes began to scan between the trees methodically from left to right as he searched for any signs of movement. When he saw none, he didn’t hesitate to continue forwards, boldly stepping beneath the dappled shade of the trees to advance further into the woodland. Snap! A single twig snapped beneath the thin blanket of snow that masked its whereabouts. All of a sudden, a flash of white fur caught his attention and in the same instant the agouti male bound into motion, racing forwards to chase after the white-furry object with a chuff of excitement.
The small white wolf trekked quietly through the snowy underbrush. Saradathia had noticed Lorcan leaving the Monadnock and had chosen to follow from a distance, not out of mistrust nor any ill feelings, but she was in a mischievous mood and up to testing out her stalking ability. So far it had been working out, the vast lowland giving way to spare forest, the constant breeze blowing toward her had masked her scent. A grin tugged at the predator’s lips as she plotted out exactly what she’d do when she got close enough, maybe jump out and scare him.
Those hopes were quickly dashed against the stones as the semi distracted girl stepped on a stray and brittle twig. The resonating snap echoed through the forest. Acting on a panicked instinct, the female bolted back down the trek, she’d have to get far enough away in order to regroup and plot her next plan. The drumming of paws through the snow however threw her off as a larger weight landed on her, causing a startled squeal to escaped the scarred wolf. Her muzzle kissed the snow as she smelled something familiar and gave a muffled squeak of “LORCAN!” Her heart raced, both from the chase and the fact that the wolf she had come to realized she liked was literally on top of her. Though a small part of her couldn’t deny that she wasn’t exactly angry about it.
The weight of the prey caught him by surprise though and he was dragged forwards, causing him to tumble and land ontop of—SARA?!. Russet ears flicked forwards at the sound of her muffled squeak beneath him and he immediately dropped her tail from between his jaws. “Sara! I-I—” He scrambled backwards, clambering off of her and back out quickly from the dark undergrowth. “—I thought you were a hare!” He felt his cheeks turn a hot shade of red then. Stepping forwards tentatively, he leaned into the undergrowth where @Saradathia was sprawled out awkwardly after their collision. “I’m so sorry! I swear I didn’t mean to…” He scoffed to himself ashamedly before reaching his muzzle forwards to try and grasp her by the nape to help her up.
Askan could have sworn he'd seen that thin snouted bugger head this way, and from the smell of it he was right. It wasn't as though he didn't have better things to do than chase a coyote through the snow, but that mangy mutt had been hanging around the Rye Field for days now and enough was enough. If it really thought that Askan was going to tolerate its stink, then it had another thing coming. Sure, a lone coyote posed little- if any- threat to the pack, or Percy now that she was grown, but in his eyes it had gotten too bold, too presumptuous. So there Askan was, tracking the little beast through the woods and the snow with the intention of ripping it's throat out. That would stop it from slinking around the borders. He was getting close, he could smell it, with each footfall the scent grew stronger, more potent. Askan grinned with morbid anticipation, he couldn't wait for the salty taste of blood on his tongue. It had been too long since he'd made a kill, a proper one and not just a hunt to fill his rumbling stomach. He galloped along, mouth hanging open with his tongue lolling out at the side. His heart thundered in his chest, but not from exertion rather the thrill of anticipation. Oh he couldn't wait to show that little bastard how stupid he had been, how foolish it was to mess with the Rye wolves. It would learn the hard way, and he'd leave its body nearby just to remind other coyotes that it wasn't a good idea to try and harass his pack. Because if they did they'd suffer the same fate. There it was, the tricky, slippery sod. It had been leading Askan on a wild goose chase from the Lowlands to the Stonewatch Timbers. But now Askan had it in his sights. He crouched low, his ears pressed to the top of his head as his leg muscles coiled and tightened in preparation. Slinking closer, Askan crept nearer and nearer. Just a little more and then he could- The coyote let out an alarmed yelp, suddenly broke out into a sprint and disappeared between the bare trees. Something had spooked it- loud, alarmed voices. Who the hell had ruined his hunt? Either way there would be hell to pay. Straightening his posture, Askan stomped out into the opening, his expression one of absolute fury and loathing. He opened his mouth to give the pair- a white wolf and a tawny one- a piece of his mind when he realised just who he'd stumbled into. Again, but this time not quite so literally. |
The arctic wolf wasn’t sure what to feel. The world seemed to swirl all around her, a quiet groan escaped as she felt her cheeks burning brightly as Lorcan’s teeth sank gently into her scruff and helped her to her feet. Embassament coursed through her veins from the collision and one fact that really irked her, her packmate had mistaken her for a hare. It was bad enough being of a small size, but the fact that someone had mistaken her for prey really got under her fur. If I was a hare, I don’t think you're clumsy paws would have caught me! she barked back, a hint of playful teasing in her tone.
Saradathia’s playfulness stopped suddenly, cut off as she heard a yelp further into the woods, her curiosity peaked to what had caused it when suddenly a black wolf appeared. His body language broadcasted anger as he came closer, he seemed to pause as he got closer. Saradathia hissed “Got company.” into Lorcan’s direction. She wasn’t sure why the Rye Field wolf was this far out. His scent vaguely familiar but reeking of the Monadnock's southern neighbours. The fact that he had come across them this far west made the chances of it being coincidental very slim..
Russet ears perked up when a noise disturbed his confused thoughts and glancing up to Saradathia, he noticed her gaze latch onto something, or rather someone. Following the direction she was looking it, his golden eyes caught sight of a painfully familiar dark figure. “A-askan..” He breathed, hinting to his pack mate who the stranger was as his bright eyes narrowing in on the swarthy brute. Whilst his emotions were still a little soured from Sara’s teasing comment, Lorcan refrained from making any callous remarks towards the brute in case it should provoke him into attacking him for a second time. They had agreed to be civil after all. “What brings you out here?” He called over, making sure to keep his posture neutral.
Askan was supposed to be civil. He had to play nice, or at least he was told to. And he intended to, but that didn't mean he was going to kiss their asses. Things hadn't gone well between the Rye Monarchy and the Whitestone wolves, so Askan had to do his best to keep his temper in check to ensure things didn't get any worse. But that being said, if they though they could gang up on him then they had another thing coming. He wasn't at all bothered by the presence of the little white wolf, he doubted she's be much good in a scrap, and from past experience he knew the same applied to Lorcan. But no... That wasn't going to happen, if he got mad he'd just take a deep breath and calm down. He could do this, he had to do this. He had no choice, he wouldn't ruin things for his pack again. Not if he could help it. "You seen a coyote round here? Scrawny little thing." He asked, glancing between them to see if they were harbouring the little beast. He doubted it though, that would be low even for Lorcan. What sort of wolf would want to share company with those little beasts? But wait, what were they doing out here? They were closer to the field than they were to the.... Big rock thing they lived on. Of all of the places to hunt they chose here? Askan sighed. He supposed this was karma wasn't it? Payback for all the grivances Askan had caused. He'd redeemed himself though, hadn't he? He'd been working hard, even Drestig had said so. He was doing better, progress was slow but it was progress nonetheless. Yes, he could do this. If anyone could it was him. "It's been slinking about, it's pissing me off." He added with an annoyed grumble. |
The white furred female glanced between Lorcan and Askan as the ne wolf came onto the scene. Feeling a bit guilty, she whispered quietly “Sorry…” just before the dark furred male declared that he had come out all this way hunting a coyote…..that caused eyebrows to raise on the yearling. Why waste energy trekking all the way out here, far from both pack’s borders after an animal that might not even be returning? It didn’t make much sense, but judging by the way Lorcan spoke, he knew this other pack wolf, and for that alone it was worth getting to know a bit more about him.
“Sorry, hadn’t seen one this far out, I was practicing my hunting.” A soft snort escaped as she added “Trying to ambush him.” gesturing toward Lorcan with the flick of an ear “But that turned around and bit me in the ass, good chase by the way.” She said, a soft grin forming on her muzzle, it had been a short but somewhat fun chase once the panic had settled. Silver eyes drifted between the two males as Saradathia settled down onto her haunches “So, how do you two know each other.”
Catching Askan’s grumbled response lifted his spirits a touch however and a faint smirk flashed briefly across his lips at the dark man’s words. Well it’s not exactly hard to piss you off, now is it? He thought, though didn’t dare to voice it. Saradathia’s curiosity seemed to have piqued and she settled down onto her haunches before directing a question to them both. Lorcan’s awkwardness returned, not wanting to recall their troublesome history in case it should refuel any hostilities between them, with Saradathia caught in the crossfire.
“He’s a member of Wild Rye Fields, he’s one of our neighbours.” He replied in a hushed voice, leaning in to speak quietly into her half-missing ear as his golden eyes remained trained on the swarthy brute.