A single, argent female was taking refuge by the large pool. Her perch was high upon a tall rock, high enough to keep a watchful gaze on the horizon. She was not in her pack territory, and would keep a sharp mind to the fact. The falls had drawn her in like honey would a bear. The roaring a sweet melody to the wolfess, and the scent of the forest mixed with water a nice perfume. It was a reverie of times of home. The sun high, playing in the warm sand, splashing in the surf. The spray of sea, and the gentle breeze tugging at her coat. Laughing, and teasing. No worries, completely care free. It had been the first thing she had seen outside their den, and the last when they had left. She missed it with a fierce rapture.But she could not help put a smile on her face. Awe, to never grow up. lets hear the applause |
Indru’s return had been a welcome shift back to a life of normalcy. However, as the Tainn siblings slowly trickled back in to Relic Lore.. there was one who had disappeared from them completely, and Ruiko had taken it harder than the others. Kinis was nowhere to be seen – the regal wolf had gotten up one morning and gone to wake the youth up so he could take him for another lesson in hunting when the pup had not been there. The golden wolf had sought his younger brother’s trail and followed it until it disappeared much further than lands Ruiko had ever explored, and it became quite clear to the Tainn that Kinis was not simply out for a day or two.. the boy had left them.
Borlla’s return had been hard on the boy.. likely because the confidence he was beginning to gain with himself and his abilities had been shaken by his littermate who possessed a dominant and spitfire nature. Ruiko understood it, but he did not accept it. Indru was the guardian to the family – Ruiko might have held the crown, but Indru had become the wolf they looked to for advice and warmth. Of course, the leader had never been bothered by this, for he was never one to relinquish his emotions or feelings upon others so easily. Yet Kinis’ absence stung, for while Indru might have been a father figure to the boy.. Ruiko had been his teacher and friend.
His paws had led him to the Falls. Like a moth to the flame, Ruiko had found he now enjoyed the sight of water after the harsh months Relic Lore had been without. Now that the water was here and Kinis was not, the regal felt a growl press against his lips at the thought he would trade the resource away in a heartbeat if Kinis would once more come home to them. This thought did not stay long, for the tawny male’s gaze fell upon a lone figure that rested beside the rough waters. His features swept back their emotions as a usual occurrence, and without much more than a nod of greeting should she look his way, the male made his way to the soft banks of the Falls, dipping his muzzle down to satiate his thrist.
The fish were not very lively in the cold water, trying to stay in safe shadows. Once and awhile though one would get a fright from a tiny movment, and dart to the other side of the pool. Another one taking off, because it got bumped by the same fish. Then they'd all scatter, and retreat. It was amusing, and sad how frightened, and reactive they were. She couldn't imagine being on the bottom of the food chain. Every day darting around, counting on death at any second, never feeling secure. A lone wolf had it's disadvantages, but she knew an eagle couldn't swoop her off the ground, or a deer wouldn't try to eat her. Cougars, and bears were a different story. She wouldn't fancy meeting either of them having seen the damage they could havoc. Predator against predator was much more fair then being the skiddish fish without a chance. She hoped to never find out what she could outlive, and tucked the bloody images away. do you still feel like |
As his tongue lapped at the strikingly cold water, the gentle greeting echoed across the quiet area and caused the male’s darker brown ears to flicker briefly upon his skull. It was not that he ignored her per say, bit Ruiko was far more interested in satiating his thirst for the moment than introducing himself to a wolf that did not belong to the River. He had always been wary and disinterested in lone wolves or those from other packs, and only until he lifted his muzzle did his gaze strike out to find her once more.
His tongue swept across his lips, cleaning the small droplets of water that rested there before they trailed to his chin and dripped upon the ground. He blinked in the female’s direction, noting the pale coloration of her pelt while her eyes were perhaps the more fascinating. He had never seen bi-colored eyes before, and he canted his muzzle slightly before clearing his throat. “You’re from Midnight Plateau?” His tone was deep, and at times rough as was perhaps expected from a wolf of his large size. He had only met another wolf who resided in the pack, spare his uncle who had once forged it as his own. He ran in to the Plateau wolves so scarcely that he found it surprising each time that he did that they were still there on their part of the mountain.
Like she was watching someone else live there life, his ears flicked at her voice, but he contiuned to drink. She did not wish to interupt, guessing he must have walked a ways to need one. Instead she layed like a stone statue, almost. Nostrils twitched, breathing deep his mixed scent. Trying to figure it out. Moss, dirt, ancient trees, stone, maybe, and other wolves mixed. So, she had been right to think he was not a mere loner. Swift River, yes that right there was another pack. It would make sense he was from there. Mind always did, the gears turned thinking what position of the pack he could have, but she was loss for that answer. But, who could know by a simple drink? She half wondered, taking the moment to see the different color patterns in his fur. They mixed, and smoothed into a flattering way against his muscular form. He was no danty thing. Breathing in new air, she pushed her torso from the stone feeling his gaze upon her. cause i don't think you do. |
She didn’t seem daunted by the fact that he had chosen to quench his thirst first before conversing. It was refreshing from a few others he had passed in his lifetime – especially the more sensitive females of the world. Instead, he could feel the curiosity of her bi-colored eyes upon his figure, though it did not phase him much. First impressions were commonly surrounded upon appearance until one dwelled further to know their companion and form true opinions based on their personality. It all seemed rather fruitless to the male, for only a handful of his friends and acquaintances from the dozens he had ever met stayed in Relic Lore. Wanderlust seemed to be contagious in Relic Lore.
A hint of a smirk curled at the corner of his cream muzzle, though he did not allow it to break through. Lifting his large shoulders in a shrug, the leader gave a light shake of his neck in a casual manner before he settled down to his haunches. “You smell like the mountain.” Relic Lore was an area he had grown up in, and the small distinctions of each area had become quite apparent to him over time. “Is the pack faring well now that the water has returned?” There was always time for simple diplomacy.
Aww, the mountain. Of coarse it would have it's own aroma, she had only grown accustomed to it. Fo Tail wrapped about her haunches. "Aw, I see. You must be familiar with the territory." A simple statement, observation. She wouldn't be able to tell where someone lived in Relic Lore as she had not been many places. She only knew he had to be a pack wolf, and he was not from hers. So it left the obvious answer. Or she would be clueless to his where froms. |
He gave an almost sardonic snort, his eyes gleaming as they cast over her lithe figure once more. “You could say that. My uncle founded your pack initially.” It was a worrisome thought to where Honijo was – Indru had spoken that the older male had not followed them when they left with the water, and despite the rivalry Ruiko had enacted between them for rank, the male was now the closest thing the older Tainn siblings had to an authority figure. But he was gone, as were their parents, and it was up to Ruiko, Indru and Niija to guide their younger siblings in the world.
He did not query how many members they had gained, though it did intrigue him. Were they larger than Swift River, which was the pack that had dominated Relic Lore for years? Ruiko made a mental note to speak to Indru about it, but for now, he did not want to initiate any suspicion in the she-wolf with his curiosity. If anything, the male from Midnight Plateau that Ruiko had encountered before had seemed amicable enough and he held no qualms to them.
Her assumption brought his gaze back to her features once more, and he gave a short nod in confirmation. “I lead Swift River.” For now.. The small voice was there.. noting the electric tenseness in the air between Indru and himself. Indru was not enjoying his role as second, and Ruiko was expecting the challenge that might throw him from his throne to happen very soon.
The information, brought eyes to widen, not greatly, but enough. She had never thought of someone being born in Relic Lore. The idea hadn't occured to her, though now it did. The she wolf could picture a young pup growing in the wildwood. Had he been one? He had a keen knowledge. Beyond her, or anything anyone had yet to share. The trouble with meeting a stranger was, there were million of unanswered questions, and he was intriguing indeed. He could always have come here, she suspected not to assume. Surpise on silver face, was more to the reason why his uncle founded the pack, and the wolf was of the other, however. Swallowing, eyes were alight with interest. "Really?" |
Something in her uniquely colored eyes seemed to flicker at the mention of Honijo, and Ruiko canted his head slightly at her intrigue. He gave a light nod at her explanation, completely understanding why. Ruiko, as a youth, had always been keen upon sparring, hunting, and anything else that offered his ability to reveal his brute strength and clever knowledge of fighting. Yet at night, the tawny wolf had revelled in the moments that Rihael would gather the pack together at the den site where they could lay curled up close to one another and listen to the patriarch of the pack. He had told them of the lands history.. of his youth. Anything and everything, and Ruiko had drank the information as if it had been vital to survival. “Relic Lore has many of them.”
There was a pause in their conversation, and the pale silver she-wolf noted her surprise at his rank. He wasn’t quite sure how to take this, but did not delve his thoughts to whether he looked the part of not. What did draw a small snort from the male was her assumption that he was a good leader. “That is yet to be determined,” he offered with a light drawl, his shoulders lifting in a shrug.