Thicket of Secrets Frightful Flurries

<blockquote>The sun reflected off the snow in a blinding waves. It's warmth making droplets of water sprinkle from the melting ice, high up from the treetops. She squinted against the light, trying not to stare, and picked her route to the darker part of Thicket. She was away from home, but only just barely out of what was called the Cedar Forest.

Upon this warm afternoon she was following a new scent, hoping it might be something she could eat. She was getting a bit better with her skills, instead of complete failures she managed to catch a mouse, and a rather odd moving rabbit. It did her good to be out, and about doing something for herself, her family. It wasn't much of a contribution to the pack, but it was something. If she wasn't hungry she would try to bring something back. Sometimes she did, and other days she didn't.

Besides, she was starting to like being alone. There were no questions, no conflicting feelings, just the tease of something new on the horizon. Something to find, and all she had to do was seek it out. Yet, the girl wasn't dumb enough to believe nothing would happen to her. Part of her believed it was only a matter of time, so why not live till it happened if she could not stop it? But for the sake of her mother (mostly), she kept a close eye out for anything that might get her, strange wolf scents, or the animal ones she knew to avoid at all cost. But the young Lyall knew she was not the size of a large rabbit these days. Eight months old her frame was filling out, and so slowly she didn't look like a walking stick, but a healthy young lady who might bite back.

And she was not as frightened as the small cotton ball she had been.

The world had many secrets, and she was a curious one wanting answers of her own. How could she not venture from time to time? Home was depressing, and just as scary as the outside world. Theo gone, she could not convince either Trisden or Hocus to come with her, and so her adventures became her own secret. It was without telling anyone she meandered into the Thicket of Secrets.</blockquote>

(This post was last modified: Jan 08, 2012, 07:05 PM by Arlette.)

And for all the roads you followed...

Small spots of sunlight sneaked silently amid the intricate grid of vegetation and logs, and the warmth and stuffiness could be smelled by almost any creature that dared to venture inside of the overgrown brushwood. The large femme was no different, and she filled her lungs in short puffs, inevitably moving and pushing particles of vegetation that danced in the air around her. She strolled a little deeper, evading every branch or root that could get in her way as she turned her head right and left, amber eyes carefully looking for the perfect spot to place her body and rest.

It was not the first time she had come to this place. Even if it was winter, and the territories of Relic Lore were for the most part covered in the white cloak of frozen snow, these past days had been sunny and calm, and it would often get almost too hot for the heavy winter coat that covered Akila’s prominent body. The Thicker of Secrets was the perfect place for her to stay –she had decided not too long ago, after month of exploring and learning- if the weather out in the plains wasn’t the most propitious. Its exaggerated vegetation didn’t let the sun shine for more than a few parts, keeping the place fresh, and making it a pleasant place to be for cold-natured beings like her.

The cream femme tensed one side of her mouth in a smile at the sight of the spot she had decided to choose. She lowered her nostrils to the mossy ground, sniffing every particle she could get, making sure there wasn’t anyone around, and then proceeded to lay her bushy body on the greenish floor, ready for maybe a few hours of slumber and sleep, just until the hotness of the ambient had gone away.

She landed her head over a slightly protruding root strategically chosen for that purpose, and with a last gaze at her burdened surroundings, she closed her eyes. She had to admit it, were this moments the ones that made her feel grateful about having crossed all the way to Relic Lore. The light pelted wolf loathed to sink in dark memories and thoughts, but how could she forget all of that? She had witnessed too much suffering, she had passed through too much to just forget and carry on with the pain.

But she had no other option.

Her mind began to wander, slowly remembering little moments of her past life as a Beta. Those memories wouldn’t get eclipsed by the dark ones, she was perfectly aware of that. She wouldn’t permit it.

Akila would have sworn she was already sleeping when the near sounds of branches crunching, maybe splitting under what sounded like steps, inundated her mind, depriving her of her sleep, slumber that had now switched to interest. Amber eyes scrutinized the place, searching for any visual proof.

And for all you did not find...

And for all the dreams you had to leave behind.

(This post was last modified: Jan 09, 2012, 04:41 AM by Akila.)

<blockquote>The Thicket of Secrets was a entanglement of sorts. Dead vines slithering around the base, and branches of trees. It was much more cramped than the forest, and she was mindful where her overly large paws landed not wanting to entwine in a natural trap of sorts. She was clumsy enough, and did not need any help falling on her face today.

What was mostly odd to the girl was how it was winter, but it was still slightly green, and when she looked up she understood why. The sky was mostly blocked by the large collection of timbers. She felt slightly claustrophobic without the light, and a little anxious she might not remember how to get back. Shoulders tense, her heartbeat pondered rampant for some seconds, her breaths forced. Maybe she should go back, this place seemed like asking for trouble. Suddenly a single, small sparrow served, and dodged it's way through the curled branches. If it wasn't scared, maybe she shouldn't be. She was a wolf after all.The white pup lingered onward, but very slow was her progress. She kept eyeing the thicket for landmarks to help her find her way back. It was one thing to explore, and another to get lost. She did not want to get lost, not again.

Gulping down the stale taste in her throat, her movement was still tense, but step by step she relaxed inwardly soon seeing the beauty of this new place. It would surely be a fun spot for hide, and seek. She could see many a place from spying eyes. Once she even stopped to investigate an old burrow, finding it empty except for the smell of fox. She almost forgot her fears when she heard the chattering of a squirrel in the distance. She become full of questions, and once more followed her nose wondering where the creature's home was. She spotted it's bushy tail at times, high above her, flying from one branch to the next. This time she was not naive enough to believe this one would listen to her pleas to come down. She had learned there was not many an animal who did not fear her.

The game grew a little boring when she spotted him no more, and she turned deciding only to continue a little further. Maybe she could find something else to satisfy her belly. So she began on another turn, yet to realize someone was trying to sleep around here. Or that was until she padded further, soon spying the bright pale coat of a wolf. She soon froze, once more uncertain if this wolf was friend or foe. The thought of having a safe walk seemed no more. Timidly her held her head high, but she kept her tail low, and her ears folded to her crown. <b>"I'm sorry,"</b> she mumbled, not wanting to disturb her.</blockquote>

And for all the roads you followed...

And there was the proof. Golden eyes blinked a couple of times before adjusting to the new sight of the light fur of the stranger entering the perimeter the slumbering wolfess could cover. Another wolf, Akila could distinguish, and one eyebrow lifted over her eyes at the strange sight the Thicket was bringing today. Her nostrils exhaled in a rough sound, lifting dusty particles around her head as her limbs forced her weight to lift and balance on her four paws. Then, she regarded the newcomer, slowly tilting her head forward as she tried to discern her personal scent from that of the stuffy air that danced over the obscure place.

It was a female, and although her presence could make the stranger pass for a small adult wolf, the juvenile scent clearly told her age didn’t even reach the first year of life. A pup. Akila’s mind couldn’t hold a small breath of joy at the sole thought of it. It was not a secret, nor it had been in his deceased pack, that her debility were, and had always been, pups. Her lips formed a tender smile, and her large head nodded as an acceptance to the almost unnoticeable apology the young one had pronounced. She approached a few strides, and softly paused a few steps from the young female. She looked nervous, but then again, what kind of pup wouldn’t feel uneasy in that kind of place, with a strange –and big- beast like she was as company? The cream colored vixen sat on her rear, eyes still regarding like a soft caress. She didn’t want to scare nor intimidate her, yet she still couldn’t hold a few hints of curiousness.

“What are you doing here, littlewolf?” She asked with the same motherly smile, attempting to break –at least a little bit- the apparent tension the smaller one seemed to feel around them, Then, her nostrils moved the quiet air once again, seeking for any hint that could make her ascertain where had she come from. The small one held other wolf’s scent all over her snowy pelt, and Akila decided to adventure in supposing she belonged to a pack. After all, such a small pup wouldn’t be able to survive alone. “This is no place for pups. Shouldn’t you be with your pack?” the fair femme questioned.

And for all you did not find...

And for all the dreams you had to leave behind.

<blockquote>Thin limbs would seem to quake just so at the loud snort which erupted what had been a very quiet atmosphere She would singly shifted her right hind leg backward when the tall lady rose. It was not the scarred, and thin wolf who had tried to feed her a fish. The sight of her, much bigger than she was enough to be intimdating. The fear in her sould was evident in her yellow-green pools of sight. It was fear once more who kept her from disappearing into the thicket with only a white flick of snow to remain. Perhaps the thought of getting lost, and the math she could not outrun such a wolf no matter how much adrenilne rushed through her veins. When it appeared she was not going to snap at her, her paw dangled a second before she placed it back down.

What was this on her lady's lips? A smile. White crown would turn, a soft blink of her eyelids because she was uncertain if this counted as a good sign or if it was only something bad in disguise. Like the monster that had lurked in Aisling, and had tried to stop the very breath from her lungs. Poor Lettie. She was caught at running away, and squeaking a friendly hello. She had met one stranger who had been nice. Everyone couldn't be a <span class='word'>deucedly</span> demon. It seemed extreme, yet a part of her would question everything.

Hearbeat steady in her ears, drumming it's precise location for the lady to know she would try to calm it's rushing pound. She could not, the tension was tight through her whole frame waiting to run like hell. She almost did when the stranger started to approach her. Thank heaven she stopped, keeping a fair distance from her. The sigh of relief was evident from her puffed chest falling back into place. She did not make any other sound as the lady eyed her with a soft look of her amber orbs.

White, puffy tail was twitching behind her with her nervous energy why the rest was frozen. Her pale brows furrowed when the wolf took a seat, gazing at her like she was something worth looking at. Tone was much like what her own mother would use, and she could not help but answer to it.

<b>"I..I was exploring,"</b> she answered meekly stringing her words out, <b>"and trying to find something to eat."</b> Her bright eyes cast to the ground at which her paw would fiddle with the dead, mossy carpet. For being ashamed or shy it was likely a combination of both. Small head would hang low at the inquiry. <b>"I was going too,but I like to bring something home for them."</b> She confessed slowly peaking up at the white lady.</blockquote>

And for all the roads you followed...

Tender muscles tensed where the warmth of a smile was shown, and the amiable gesture widened, transformed in what sounded like a quiet chuckle to the adult femme. She gazed with observant eyes of a natural kindness as the small wolfess wavered between her own thoughts and doings, and soon found her mind faintly amused by the sight of the small, clumsy –and apparently scared- child. The massive beast widened her ears to carefully listen to the demure voice of the petite youngling. The voice sounded quiet and hesitant, as if there was some sort of remora holding her throat from voicing her thoughts, but Akila’s mind was on how very much she enjoyed the juvenile sound of a young one’s bark, and how distant it had seemed to be for her for all these lone months. The faint voice rushed through her breathed air like a sweetened song to her ears, and another quiet titter came out of her nose as a whisper to her own ears and inners when she had finished with her listening. Amber eyes scrutinized forward one more time, another deep smile drawn on her face.

“So we have a little hunter here.” Her own voice came out like a soft bark, as if she was afraid to frighten, or hurt the littlewolf in some way. “Why that’s very noble of you, wolves have to fight for their pack.” The softened current of her voice came to an end, and the beige femme found herself wondering briefly whether if she was talking rightly to the kid or not. It had been so much time since she had had a small child under her sight and care, and the latter memories of such task were so painful to her own heart, that her mind had distorted her vision of the matter, hiding any evidence of her darkened past from her immediate way of acting. Perhaps the smaller wolfess preferred to be treated like a full-grown lady, and she was looking like a complete weirdo talking at her with her natural –and almost uncontrollable- instinct. But Akila shrugged, why would he hold her own way of acting? She enjoyed the company of pups more than she enjoyed any other thing, and hell with whoever tried to make her hide that trait of hers.

Her eyes and mind returned to earth as she felt her words flow out of her body in an almost automatic bark “Can I know your name, little one?” she interrogated with her habitual softened voice, her body doubting for an instant whether if she should lean on her snowy belly to make the small one feel more secure with her presence. “I am Akila Ulrin, and I am not here to harm you, in case you were thinking badly of this poor woman.” The bark ended up with another deep snigger, then, caramel eyes were directed to patiently wait for a response.

And for all you did not find...

And for all the dreams you had to leave behind.

(This post was last modified: Jan 22, 2012, 04:40 AM by Akila.)

<blockquote>She toook a chance to alter her eyes up to be sure the lady had not lost her smile. There was no sign of intolerance or boredom, only geninue happiness the youth could not fanthom. She had yet to realize many wolves were charmed by cubs. The lady's voice was dulcet to her large ears. The young Lyall could not let her guard down just yet. Her small head kept low, a small break of a smile working up the side of her dark lips as her confidence was being fed if only by tiny bits. Well, and the fact the cream cloaked stranger did not mention it was foolish of her. Lettie had to grow up some time, pull her weight, and she wanted to sooner than later. She'd had plenty looking after.

She wished to speak she did not know what to say. She was hardly a fighter in the sense of the word, but considered that was not quite what the lady had meant. She took a moment to string her words, and a bit more steadily was able to answer, <b>"I'm not very good, but I do try."</b> Her chin would lift up, and it would be clear she had the weakest of smiles. It was her eyes that lit with the most life, a pure joy in every way. It maybe be because her eyes were bright yellow-green, but she liked to think it was more than that. She cleared her throat so gently, <b>"But I'm not much of a fighter. I wish I was."</b> Small disapointment wrinkled the edge of her face into a youthful pout of sorts. She wanted to learn to deffend herself, her family, and her home. She was not sure where to begin nor if she could be brave enough to do so.

Instantly her head popped up, and her brows furrowed against her yellow eyes. <b>"My name? Oh, it's Arlette Lyall. but everyone calls me Lettie."</b> Her tail gave the softest of wags deciding there was no harm in the exchange. Her features perked more as the lady spoke her own name in return declaring she meant no bad toward her. Lettie was more than willing to believe her, but she was aware that Trisden and Hocus would have tested her in some way with some question. Perhaps her Mom or Elettra would have too. But what? She struggled a moment, and it was clear in her empty stare she was thinking. <b>"Oh, um you...you've always been a wolf right?"</b> She stumbled over the sentence but finished trying to muster her most serious face. It was a question wasn't it? It would weed out if she was a demon monster.</blockquote>

(This post was last modified: Jan 28, 2012, 01:20 AM by Arlette.)

And for all the roads you followed...

Elation. It was an elation of some sorts what lingered inside of the gentle beast with every second that passed in company of the sweet youngster. Her ears widened greatly when she waited for the pup to voice her answers, and her skull tilted a few degrees as the little one started talking. She seemed to be a tiny bit more confident about her actions now. At least, the smell in the earth had eased with every soft word she had provided to the child, which was, undoubtedly, one of the best signals in such an uneasy situation for a young one. Not only it helped the child feel more relieved as every second passed, but it also brought good memories of her precious past as a pupsitter. Those were good times. The best of times, she thought, and perhaps she hadn’t lost her touch as much as she had begun to think in these past months, in which her solitude had even made her forget the sweet smell of a vivid pup.

Akila’s smile reinforced when she noted the faded smile the small lady carried over her dark lips, and her snowy ears made her best effort to catch every one of her words, her head still slightly tilted in concentration. As her humble words faded, her countenance reflected her obvious disappointment about her expected lack of ability. Although the large femme couldn’t quite catch her precise age over her flowing essence, she was almost sure that she was still young to be hunting out alone. Perhaps her intervention would help more than interrupt, she thought, making up her own words in her mind before letting them out. “Oh, I bet you are.” She cooed softly, both encouragement and understanding made evident in her speech “One is not born knowing anything, after all. Perhaps you’d like the assistance of an experienced huntress to help you with your skills?” her soft bark transformed into a risky offer, her voice purposely exaggerating her appellation of her own self with a paw lifted in signal of emphasized solemnity.

The young one had also mentioned her name. Arlette. A beautiful name to give to a child, much to Akila’s opinion. Feminine yet strong, perfectly worthy of a noble wolf. Her mind found itself still entangled into her thought and opinions about the girl’s name that the next question to be voiced caught her completely off-guard. Her image of the young Arlette, noble and delicate at the same time, as her name suggested, was abruptly banished from her mind as the new question resounded inside of her brains, making her stare in utter confusion for a tiny thousandth. Her faint snout exploded in some sort of an abrupt chortle as a reaction, and it took another good pair of seconds to recover her composure. Now, she was completely sure that she was, perhaps, forgetting the randomness of the young she had always enjoyed so much. Oh how she rejoiced in the pleasure of joining their games, a decision she had decided to take now. Ears hid at the back of her crown as her large skull approached the other’s face in a grimace of faked secrecy. “Will you keep a little secret for me?” she spoke in hushed tones, her smile however betraying her acting “I used to be a hare once. But let me tell you, being chased by wolves was something I didn't like very much… so I decided to become one!” she recovered her previous stance once she had finished, a white brow lifted in amusement as she waited for a reply to her playful lie. The innocence, it would never cease amazing her.

And for all you did not find...

And for all the dreams you had to leave behind.

(This post was last modified: Jan 29, 2012, 04:07 PM by Akila.)

<blockquote>Despite the bestowing soft sounds of ability the young lass had to intervine.<b>"Not really,</b> she softly shook her head, a twinkling giggle teasing against the quiet air. <b>"I rarely catch what I chase,"</b> she said trying to be humble, and keen on telling the truth. She was no mighty hunter, far from it. She actually was better at finding prey if she had to admit what her strength was. She did see the point of Akila's wise words. She had to learn, and pratice these things. Some time she may look back on her weak points as something good. Her mother encouraged them to do for themselves. Lettie was easily discouraged, wondering how she would ever attempt a pack hunt. The deer were not so large, and scary. They were still dangerous, and she was afraid she would cost the pack a meal or a sharp hoof may strike her. Her aim was okay, it was the timing she found the hardest part. When Akila went as far to offer her help she easily perked up. <b>"Really? You'd help me?!"</b> She squeaked, completely astounded by such a propisition and totattly thrilled. This lady wasn't half bad, in fact she was starting to like her! She was nothing like anyone else she'd met. She was slightly eager to introduce her to her family. The youngling held back, once more settling herself down. She was jumping the gun.

She pictured most fierce face of both mother, and Trisden. It likely looked force, and out of place on her small childish face. She was oblivous she had caused surprise, or humor with the question. Though a single brow arched further at the off sound that chirped so shortly from miss Akila's lips. She leaned on her paws inching closer, and her traingle point seemed to try to stretch hunger for her answer. The quietest of words would cause her ears to twitch unexpectedly. A secret? She was enthralled. She bobbed her head delicately, her long lashes fluttering over her bright eyes in the motion. She could be a good secret keeper. Though she had a tiny fear she was about to hear her new friend was a strange creature of things. She gulped, trying to stuff her fears into the darkness they sprang from.

She was quite bemused, and tickled at the same time. Yellow eyes were wide, and her open mouth shaped in a round O. A hare? <i>Whoa...</i> <b>"I'm glad you're a wolf then,"</b> she whispered back with an agreeable grin. Right then, and there Lettie decided there was no way she could be a monster if she'd been such a fragile creature. She would know what it was like to be scared. She was offering to help her hunt. She doubted monsters were helpful or kind. <b>"Sooo, you probably don't want to hunt one right?"</b></blockquote>

And for all the roads you followed...

OOC: shortie >_<

Phew. The cream coated wolfess let out a slight sigh of relief as soon as she the little hunter accepted her help, a squeak coming out of her mouth in a childish motion of excitement. Akila limited herself to nod lightly to the young one, offering once again the warmth of her smile. Amusement of some sorts filling her entrails with every second she spent in parliament with the light colored fae.

Amber eyes widened among the yellow ones of the young Arlette, an imitation of sorts taking part at the response to her harmless lie, just to show once again her king and usual expression. She gazed with elation as the girl accepted her absurd fantasy with a content smile, and then asking more of the fantasia. “Well, hares aren’t my preferred meal, of course… but I’m not the one to hunt here… so let’s say I’ll look somewhere else when the mighty hunter makes her final strike” she barked, lilting voice followed by a blink of one of her eyes in dedication to the one she was referring. “Are you ready? We don’t want to be late, do we?” everything said now, the bulky female proceeded to lift all of her weight, her vastness surpassing by far the one of the child as she shouldered her, directing her padding to, perhaps, a clearer spot of the asphyxiating Thicket.

And for all you did not find...

And for all the dreams you had to leave behind.

(This post was last modified: Feb 01, 2012, 03:20 AM by Akila.)