Inspiration from Desperation (AW, RE)

Current Random Event - There is a freak storm

Deneb disliked retracing his steps - more than anything, the beast wanted to continue on with his quest, to find his brother. Theirs was a reunion he had been chasing for some time. However, nature had other ideas for him. Deneb had eaten recently, but it wasn't enough to leave him fulfilled - meals shared and scavenged, without the taste of warm blood or the satisfaction of a kill. He had a feeling this winter was not going to get better any time soon, and perhaps his goal of finding his kin would have to wait until conditions were more favorable, whether he liked it or not. Some even deeper part of him craved to hunt again, as a wolf should. The urge that drove him to the silent forest now was a predatory one. Before him lay a line of hooved prints, written clearly upon the fresh snow - it was this that drew him to the forest of red ferns once more. Even as he entered the fringe of trees, nature was up to her tricks again - the wind began to pick up, kicking snow into the air and ruffling Deneb's ivory coat. The male stopped, eyes and nose studying the sky for a long moment. The storm continued to rise in intensity around him, singing threats as it caressed the woodland. A kiss of death, thought Deneb. The prints before him were already becoming obscured by the swirling snow, a spectral trail that faded before him like a dream. Perhaps it was. Either way, even with his thick winter coat, the lone hunter realized he needed to find shelter from the sudden winter gale. "Speech,"

(This post was last modified: Feb 02, 2014, 09:53 PM by Deneb.)

Wandering farther south, Caniri had almost given up. Food had become a rarity. He wasn't likely to find anything out here, no matter where he looked. The entire region was lacking sustenance. He had been feeding off of small scraps from the caches, but hadn't taken anything substantial. He wanted to save as much as he could for the rest of the pack. Now he was trying to find more, because the caches were getting dangerously low.

He turned his gaze to the horizon. He could see the ghostly haze of the mountains, large shadows, looming over the land. The tops were painted over in a pristine white, the only part that showed up with clarity. He wondered what it was like on the other side of the mountains, and whether there was any food over there. What if that's where the herds had gone, and then all the snow came in? What if the prey was just holed up over there, just waiting to be caught? Shaking away the wistful thoughts, he contined on. There wasn't much he could do about it, so what was the point in lingering over something you couldn't change?

Caniri found himself stepping through the snow, but it now had an almost pinkish tinge. Curious, he brushed some of the snow asside and found that there was a red fern underneath. Glancing around, he could see the buried forms of the ferns as they seemed to hibernate under the snow. This would be a beautiful place in the summer, but right now it was asleep. Caniri would have to remember to return to this place. Sometime when the forest was awake and not buried in a white blanket.

A chill wind blew through the trees and a chill went down his spine, but it wasn't from the cold. The wind spoke of a storm. Caniri knew that he would have to either find shelter quickly, or find himself lost in a strange forest in the middle of a blizzard. Turning his eyes to the sky, he could see steel gray clouds forming on the edge of the horizon, but they were moving in quickly. It didn't take long for the snow to reach him, and it started to swirl around his paws, chilling his toes.

Ducking his head Caniri started to head deeper into the trees. He wanted to get out of this shit before he became a fluffy, white popsicle. It wasn't until he was damn near right on top of the other wolf, that Caniri even realized he was there. Stopping in his tracks, he studdied the other through narrowed eyes. Did Caniri even have time to question this male? Well, he couldn't very well leave a stranger wandering around without knowing whether the pack would be safe with this wolf aroumd. "What are you doing out here? You get stuck in it too?" He had to raise his voice over the growing wind, and ended up catching a few frozen flakes in his mouth.

The wind howled threats, its cold embrace forcing Deneb to pull his ears tight against his skull for the minuscule amount of warmth this gained. The former lord was now little more than a vagabond, and currently nature seemed ready to unleash her full fury upon the unfortunate man. Each step lead him deeper into the trees, eager for what little shelter they offered. In this state he did not sense the other wolf's approach until the other male called to him. Spinning in his tracks, Deneb fixed his gaze upon the wolf who had taken him unawares. His instincts told him to raise his banner and hackles, to snarl and dissuade the other man from approaching further, but he resisted the urge, for the moment at least. The other wolf seemed wary but not hostile, and in turth Deneb did not really want a fight now. At least not with this wolf. "Yes," replied Deneb flatly into the wind; the explanation the other wolf had offered up answered his own question as well as any, and it was not untrue. Methodically he sized up the other male - he did not look to be in top form, exactly, but neither did he appear to be in as poor a condition as Deneb, though it pained the man to admit it to himself. Oh, how the mighty have fallen, he mused to himself. Or perhaps he had never been so mighty after all.... "I am Deneb. I've been traveling these lands alone...." He offered a little more of the truth, though not all. "Do you live around here?"

It only took a second for the stranger to whirl around at the sound of Caniri's voice. In all truth, Caniri wasn't sure how he was able to hear anything over the gale. The wind was now howling up a storm as it tore at his fur, demanding that it not be ignored. Snow swirled through the air, encasing them in small flurries. Caniri could see the wolf visibly hesitate, almost as if her were unsure of how to react. I suppose it wasn't kind to surprise him like that, but its not like I had much choice. I couldn't see him through all this. The stranger seemed to deside that it was best to go with polite but cautious and Caniri was glad. He didn't really want to have a fight on his hands in the middle of Mother Nature's tantrum.

The males response was quick and consise. "Yes." Caniri studdied the stranger in front of him. He was older than himself but it seemed that life had been a little rough on him. Caniri didn't doubt this wolf could be formidable but he wasn't at the top of his game. He had an ivory coat, not unlike Caniri's own, though he himself had more cream tinges, while the other had some other markings.

The male continued, giving Caniri somewhat of an explanation. Travelling huh? Caniri had done the same, but the winter had gotten the best of him and he had needed to find a pack. It seemed that this wolf hadn't gotten as lucky. "Nice to meet you Deneb, even if the timin' is poor. Name's Caniri. And I guess you could say that. I've just joined a pack near here, though I'm ain't sure there's even a chance of makin' it back before I'm frozen solid. Where are you headed?"

For a moment the two wolves studied each other. "My pleasure, Caniri," droned the champagne man, his voice raised to a volume that could be heard over the raging wind. "Though, as you say, the timing could have been better." The air seemed to be hungrily pulling the heat from his frame, and he fought to keep his teeth from chattering. "I WAS trying to hunt, until this squall began..." For a moment his golden orbs left the other male, scanning over the trees and snowdrifts that were now obscured in the storm's wrath. "I don't mean to impose, but do you know of anywhere nearby where we might seek shelter?" This freak of a storm did not seem to be growing any weaker, for the moment. If Caniri could be of no help, Deneb supposed he would have to curl up under a tree and let the snow bury him for warmth.

Caniri laid his ears back, not in hostility, but to protect them from the foul weather. The wind tore at his fur while it continued to scream at them. Harsh flurries of snow were thrown at them from all directions. I seemed that Mother Nature had decided it was time to throw a temper tantrum and she would not be ignored. Even as Deneb raised his voice to be heard over the raging storm, his words were snatched by the wind making it hard for Caniri to hear what the stranger was saying to him. "...pleasure..." "...timing...better."

Taking a step closer, Caniri hoped that he would be able to understand more. It seemed that the weather was doing all it could to make things as hard as possible for the two wolves. Looking around, Caniri tried to study his surroundings but already his visibility was becoming less and less. He could hardly make out the world around him as the snow obscured everything. He turned his head, trying to listen to the other male though his pinned ears. "...trying to hunt...squall began." "...don't mean...impose...know...anywhere...seek shelter?" It wasn't a lot, but it was enough to understand what he was trying to say.

Caniri wracked his brain. He didn't know the territory all that well. Hell, he had just joined the pack and hadn't had much time to go exploring. He scanned the area trying to remember all that he had seen. Wait! That might work. He nodded his head in response to Deneb's question. He had an idea. Turning, he lowered his head and quickly loped off into the storm. The problem was going to be finding the place he was looking for.

He covered as much ground as he could, as quickly as possible, and hoped that Deneb would be able to follow him though the gale without losing him. After a few minutes of fruitless searching, Caniri was able to recognize where he was. Darting into the ferns, he hunkered lower. The ferns here were older, larger, and had grown in a sort of thicket with the ivy and the brambles. It helped provide protection from the wind and snow. The vegetation was so tightly woven that the snow formed a layer on the outside with very little actually making it beneath. The fern thicket was the only form of shelter that Caniri could think of. It should be enough to wait out te storm in. He hoped that Deneb wouldn't be too picky about it. If he was, then he could find his own.

The lad stared back at him wordlessly, but only for a brief moment. Then it seemed like a match was struck somewhere behind his eyes, and he nodded, turning to dart away. Deneb bounded after him, the wind howling about the two white wolves as they plunged through the piling snow. The younger male almost seemed to vanish into the background, but his paw prints were tangible enough, and Deneb kept up the pace, following the boy's trail close behind. He had had enough practice following much fainter trails before.... Soon enough he saw Caniri's banner waving from a snow-covered gathering of ferns. Following the other, Deneb poked his head into the sheltered space beneath the parted leaves, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. Out there the world had been white, broken occasionally by grey or brown or other flashes of color. In here, the world was red. Like blood. His memories flashed to another den, painted red with blood, and for the briefest instant he suppressed a shudder. But this was nothing more than foliage... and it was better than freezing to death in the storm outside - so he followed Caniri in. Into the belly of the beast. Turning his gaze and thoughts to the alabaster lad, he studied him. "This should serve well enough," he mused, glad to be out of the wind and elements, whatever these accommodations might bring to mind. His brain began to run through the other things the youth had said... "There's a pack near by?" He questioned vaguely, but with interest in his voice. So far he had only run into other loners, or worse, including a wolf he suspected had been driven mad by the winter. "I've been searching for one of my kin, but this winter does not seem to want me to find him," he remarked, tipping his ears toward the other wolf and sitting upon his haunches, curling his tail over his toes and hunching over for warmth.

Once inside the dense foliage, Caniri shook himself lightly, dumping any extra snow from his pelt before it was given the chance to melt and wet his fur. Deneb was right on his heels and entered the small sanctuary quickly. Good, so he had managed to keep up after all. Sometimes being busy all the time was bothersome but he was glad he had wandered and explored the area somewhat. Had he not, he never would have found this spot and he and Deneb would be left freezing their tails off out in the snow. Turning his attention to his frozen companion, Caniri saw a flash of something cross Deneb's gaze. It seemed disgusted and slightly fearful, but it was gone just as quick as it had appeared. Caniri considered the fact that they would have to wait out the storm here, that could take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple days. Did he trust being around this wolf? Deneb hadn't proven to be the suspicious sort, but Caniri would keep a close watch anyway. Settling just off center of the small area, he sat, keeping his head low so it wouldn't hit the underside of their foliage shelter. It seemed the white male approved of Caniri's find. It would serve it's purpose well enough.

It didn't take long before Deneb started in with the questioning, though they were harmless and simple enough to answer. "There's a pack near by?" The wolf seemed interested, though Caniri couldn't tell exactly why, but he soon got his explanation. "I'm afraid that I can't be of much help. I'm new to the pack and new to the area as well. I've only met the alpha so far and a couple of loners 'round here. Though I could always take ya to the pack and you could ask Phineas. I'm sure he could tell ya whether your kin is there or not. I'd gladly help y'all reconnect." Tired of slouching over, Caniri curled up across the fallen fronds. He left enough space beside him should Deneb decide that he wanted the shared warmth. "Do ya know whether your kin is even out here?"

Deneb reclined a little more, content to keep as much personal space as he could claim in their cramped quarters. He already felt warmer just being out of the raw wind. Snow made a good insulator; their little cave of fern and snow should warm up in no time. He let his tail thump lazily on the floor, bending to lick thirstily at the snow as he listened. Deneb meant to seem interested but not overly so, and harmless enough to put the lad at ease talking to him. Deneb had no reason to want to harm Caniri, but he did want information. And so he listened. Phineas. He filed that name away; presumably the leader or someone else of high stature. "Actually that's quite helpful," he intoned, then listened as the lad went on. Up until now Deneb had only encountered other loners and vagabonds who could hardly tell him anything at all. Deneb continued to melt the snow and lap at it, trying to keep his hydration up. All the rivers and streams seemed to be frozen anyway, and he had found that simply eating snow could make one colder. By melting it and drinking this way made his tongue cold, but it was far better than having ice sliding down into his gut. Quenching his thirst, Deneb thought a few moments before responding to Caniri. "I have tracked him to this general region, but I do not know if he has moved on or settled in, or even still lives... " he gave a sad frown, although really it would be more of a disappointment than a true sadness if Albireo had died before he could find him. Deneb wanted to find his brother because he wanted to find the truth... and perhaps kill him himself, depending upon the nature of that truth. "I wish to finish searching this area before I move on, once this storm has spent itself out. But if you tell me where your pack's territory lies, and maybe the name, then perhaps I shall journey there next." he said, listening to the way the wind howled outside. In all likelihood the storm would make his brother's trail even harder to find, but Deneb wanted to do a bit of sniffing around on his own before going to talk to a figure of authority. The scents at borders could tell you a lot - and if he found a sign of his brother, he certainly wasn't going to waste time talking to other strangers first. You probably don't want to be there anyway, kid, he thought dryly, reflecting upon Caniri's kindhearted offer to help them reconnect.

Caniri could feel his fur defrosting as the small space around them began to warm. It seemed he had found the perfect place to wait out the storm, even if it was a little close for the two strangers. He watched as Deneb began to slowly melt the snow and drink it. Caniri found himself content to like the ice and powdered snow from the branches and leaves beside him. Deneb seemed interested in what Caniri had to say, though seemed to be trying to look detached. "Actually that's quite helpful." He wasn't sure how. He hadn't told him much at all. Caniri had done it that way on purpose. He wasn't about to give out a ton of information to a mere stranger.

It sounded almost exactly like what Caniri had done, what with tracking Lalani up from the south. Though it sounded like Deneb was having more luck than Caniri had. He had been at this for awhile and had lost her scent ges ago. All he had left was to search and hope he found someone that could point him in the right direction. He was starting to think that he had gone in the entirely wrong direction.

Now his companion was asking about the packs location. Caniri pondered this. He wanted to help, but how much could he trust this wolf? He decided that if Deneb bothred to look around, he'd find it anyway, so Caniri might as well help the guy out. "The pack is just south a here. Once ya hit the creek, you should follow it and it will lead ya right to the boundaries. They go by the name of Magnolia Glen. Although, don't think there wont be wolves out there watching for ya." He decided he would warn the male now. While he didn't think that Deneb had any intention of harming the pack, Caniri was bound to his duty.