White Wolves [Teige]

[Shadowcat]

As the white canine carefully climbed the steep ground, she couldn't help but wonder if this really was the way back home. She didn't recognize the mountains, but she could smell the pine trees in the distance, the scent carried on the breeze. There was certainly enough snow on the mountain to be from her homeland. Although, where the wolf was standing, there wasn't any snow, and it wasn't even that cold. But, the more she walked in the direction she had been going for the past half hour, the colder it slowly became. She stopped to sniff the ground for any signs of her pack, but all she could smell was unfamiliar animals. Nailah gazed in the direction of the pine scent, hoping it was where the pack lands were. She liked this new land okay, but she missed her friends and family.

At least Sunrise is here... Although, I could do without that silly Lobo, Nailah thought, a smile crossing her muzzle. It's probably a good thing he's sticking with Sunrise. He'd never make it on his own, she thought, amused. She started moving again at a trot, blinking her golden eyes as the bright sun threatened to blind her. If nothing else, maybe she'd at least find somewhere to stay. Up until a few days ago, she had been staying in a place that a squirrel had referred to as the "Barren Hills." But Nailah preferred colder areas. However, it was her longing to find her pack that made her leave. Now, for three days, she had been exploring.

Nailah stopped again, wondering if she would ever really find her pack. She could move on and live with just Sunrise and Lobo, but she did miss everyone. How were they doing without her? Had they picked a replacement to lead them? Nailah had been gone a while... Yes, her pack was smart. They probably picked an alpha to lead them until she returned. But would she ever return?

In hope that she was indeed close to her pack lands, Nailah decided to try contacting them, in case they were in the pine trees ahead. Flattening her ears to her head and closing her golden eyes, the she-wolf lifted her head and let out a haunting howl that rose and fell beautifully. As wolves went, Nailah had an exceptionally beautiful voice. When her howl ended, she scanned the land around her for any movement, her ears perked, listening for any sound. Would there be an answer to her call?

[Darkscale]

Filtiarn

Filtiarn was stretched out on his side, eyes closed, ears flat against his head in an attempt to block out the noise around him. To any who might come upon him, he would appear to be sleeping or bathing in the sunlight that was reflecting off his coat. But in reality he was listening to, or rather, feeling the deep rumble of the earth. The sounds that were so far off, they caused no sound above ground, but below it sounded like a river was flowing right beneath him. It was lulling him into a near sleeping state, but still aware of his surroundings enough that he wasn’t in any danger. But then a different type of sound roused the mighty wolf from his dreams...It was the howl of a wolf.



But not just any wolf, it was a she-wolf. Her voice sounded like a sweet music compared to the deep, roar like noise of the earth below his feet. Filtiarn raised his head up quickly, but did not bring himself up onto his forelegs, they stayed on the ground, outstretched before him as if he had been running only a moment ago and lay down in a hurry. Curiosity kicked in. The howl that had been sung by the she-wolf was that of a pack rally, she was obviously looking for a reply. He waited a moment, then jumped to his feet, tongue lolling out of his mouth as he drug his hind legs behind him to pop out the stiffness in his knees. It wasn’t polite really to respond to a howl for a pack that you are not a member of, but he had missed the company of other wolves so much for so long, that he didn’t think about it when he raised his head up to answer. Besides, this place was so different, perhaps it isn’t rude here?

Tucking his tongue back into his mouth, he held his head high, ears pinned back and eyes shut, he called out to the heavens. It was long and mournful. Filtiarn held it for as long as his lungs could, a deep and eerie call that would bring chills down the spines of most cats. This howl was meant to identify the wolf who was answering, giving his age and demeanor in the notes that he played. The message was plain, I am old, wise and cautious....And I’m alone. Most wolves didn’t announce the fact that they were alone when in a pack’s territory, it was stupid. But this one showed that he was afraid of nothing and that it was alright with him to make contact.

Slowly he let his head fall back down to his chest, his ears perked up and his eyes stared off in the direction of the call...Maybe she would be alone, he hated the idea of fighting off an entire pack this early in the day.

[Gin]

Teige had her own territory to return to, she had a herd to go back to. The fae couldn't understand what had brought her out to the cold land in the first place. The draw of the cold compared to the temperate heat of the forest had been irrisistable to the young dog. She longed for the chill, longed for the powdery snow and the biting wind. Though she tended to question her sanity upon getting her wish, that didn't stop Teige from wishing it. Sometimes, one just needs a break from the heat and greenery.

The mountainous landscape had provided a perfect get-away for the dog. The thin layer of snow and frost kept her paws cold, though not frozen. In the night, the gentle flutter of snow coming down on her, tickled her nose and dampened her pelt. Teige had sighed and closed her eyes to enjoy the simple pleasure of being in the snowy enviroment. Of course, it didn't take long for the anxiety to kick in. She had left the territory without alerting her leader when she would be back. Zeal was probably going crazy without his lead guard around. Teige could always quiet the slight panic easily enough. All it took was a slow sigh and letting the cold wash over her. She would be back soon enough, he could worry for a little while longer.

Having kept herself awake late into the night, the white female lay sprawled out on the damp ground, head resting at an odd angle on a tree root. Her paws continued to twitch as her sleeping body continued to link dreams to her muscles. But as a howl echoed through the trees, her ears twitched, black eyes flickering open to register that this was not part of her dreams. The call was sweet and eloquent, a fae's call to her pack. Not giving much of a chance for silence to settle back over the forest, a brute's voice called back, not too far from Teige. Her interest peaked and she lifted her head to glance at the source of the male's call. He couldn't be much more than 20 yards away. She could pay him a visit. He was alone after all.

Teige stood, slowly stretching her tense muscles from the uncomfortable sleep. Her maw gaped in a tired yawn and she started forward toward the brute's voice. On a sudden thought, she gave her muzzle a slight slope and uttered a quiet howl, meant only for the brute though it echoed well in the trees. 'I am coming,' her voice said.

With a slow trot, the hybrid started out through the trees, making her approach casual, unthreatening. Since her reprieve from her territory, the dog had yet to meet another canine. It was all vermin and hooved creatures here. Yet here were two wolves, calling to each other, totally unaware that they had a third member of their company so near. They were in for a pleasant surprise.

[Shadowcat]

With each passing second, Nailah grew more anxious as she hoped, prayed for a reply. Before long, one came, though it was not a familiar voice. The white wolf's head snapped toward the direction from which the sound was coming from. She cocked her head to the side curiously. Why was a stranger responding to her if not to warn her that it was his territory? She didn't take offense to it, but it struck her as odd. The tones of his howl only made her more curious. He sounded so sad, so lonely. Perhaps he was hoping for company? The fact that he announced he was alone only seemed to confirm this unspoken request.

Before his long, mournful howl had even ended, Nailah started toward the sound at a fast trot. As the wolf's song lingered on, she picked up the pace until she was running, her padded paws skillfully moving across the uneven ground. While the sound of his call was a little eerie, the she-wolf held no fear, only concern and curiosity. Perhaps he knew the way back home, as well.

As Nailah ran, her ears twitched at a distance sound. It sounded like another howl, but it was much quieter. So quiet, in fact, that she wasn't even sure she had heard it. The pounding of her snow-white paws against the ground probably wasn't helping that matter. Panting, she slowed to a stop. She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her breathing, then, with some difficulty, she stood up straight, ears forward, and stopped her panting. She listened carefully, but it was no good. The call of another wolf had ended. That is, if she had in fact heard it. Maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me, she told herself.

With that, Nailah allowed her lower jaw to drop and her pink tongue to hang out as she took in the sharp cold air. She started for the first sound again, which she was certain she had heard, running at a slower speed.

The canine ran a while longer, quickly closing the distance between herself and the male voice she had heard. With her pin-point accuracy, Nailah didn't have to howl again to find the exact whereabouts of the stranger. Her path had been straight for him, and she had ended up in the correct place. Indeed, as she slowed to a walk, tired from her run, she caught the scent of a male wolf. It was only a few moments later that her sharp golden eyes spotted his black fur in the distance. She stopped a safe distance away and waited to be sure he noticed her before she lied down to rest or got any closer.

[Darkscale]

Filtiarn

Two she-wolves in the same area, yet not of the same pack? It was an odd thought really, that there would be so many lone wolves in the area that should very well be pack owned. But the thought was thrown out of his mind as he listened to the second howl, this one was much closer and she was trying hard not to let the other female hear her call; this only confirmed his thought of them both not being in the same pack. Off in the distance, Filtiarn noticed the slim figure of a she-wolf, no doubt the first one that called, seeing as she had come from that direction. She held her distance, being polite in that she gave him time to decide if she was real and if she was a threat or not. Filtiarn raised his head again to get her scent off the air. She was close enough to smell, but the wind was not in his favor, so he would need to get closer in order to get it.

Very slowly, he started off at a low walk, his body heavy on his legs so that he was near the ground. Nose low so as to keep his eyes on her. The other female’s scent was close by as well and she was soon to come into view. But he had eyes for this one only at the moment, curiosity had peaked at this point and he would not leave until it was satisfied. He let out a low growl toward the first female, his ears pointing forward and eyes shut. No teeth were showing, nor did he curl his lips; this growl was a hello. Filtiarn’s slow walk soon became a quick trot and as he neared the she-wolf, he noticed she was panting from her run. He growled again, his voice even lighter in pitch, though the tone had not changed ‘hello’ it simply said.

Once he was about twenty feet from her, he stopped and sat down. His ears perked up and he started to pant also. His left fore paw hung in the air slightly, almost as if he had been planing to lift it up and take a step. Holding it near his body as if injured. The right was planted firmly on the ground and his claws dug into the hard dirt. After sitting there for a moment panting, Filtiarn let the left paw down, but kept his wrist bent; if he want to move forward, that leg would be the first to do so. It was her turn to reply, and he waited carefully, his eyes taking in the surrounding area, watching for a pack or the other female he had heard.

[Gin]

[[You guys can just pass me. Teige wouldn't come intrude so... Continue. ]]

[Shadowcat]

As the black wolf approached, Nailah stayed where she was. She didn't growl, she didn't back away, and she didn't even look the faintest bit nervous. She was always calm and collected and now was no different. Besides, if this wolf were a threat, he would not have told her he was alone. So, she watched him calmly.

When he sat and held a paw up as if it had been injured, she tilted her head to one side and looked at him, letting a short whine of curiosity. His paw didn't look like it was injured, but maybe it was a kind of injury that couldn't be seen, like a sprain or a pulled muscle. Her panting now through, she walked closer to the other canine, trying to make things seem a little more casual and friendly. No need to sit far away like wary strangers, she thought. When she had walked about seven feet or so, she stopped and sat down.

"Hello. My name's Nailah," she said calmly. She glanced from his paw to his eyes, though she didn't think it wise to vocalize her question. It wasn't really her business. However, if he was hurt and in need of help or even just some company, he would probably say something to at least hint at it.

I wonder how he is, the white wolf thought to herself. I've never seen him around here before, whether 'here' is close to home or just another part of Amanija. I wonder if he's lonely or something. It seems a bit strange that he let that be known so easily. Then a thought came to mind. "Let your mind be at ease, stranger. I don't have a pack with me," she said, her voice polite and calm.

[Darkscale]

Filtiarn bowed his head some in respect when the she wolf introduced herself. Her previous actions, such as approaching him more before speaking, had made him slightly uneasy. But now he was settled; in his mind, she was not a threat..But her unknown companion in the trees might be. The old wolf laid down with a grunt as he felt his left hip pop in protest. It had been injured when he and Fisi, his new herd member, dueled for exercise and to see who was faster. In the end, it was Filtiarn who took first place in combat, but was slightly outdone in foot work due to his age. “I...Am Filtiarn..” he said it slowly in an airy voice. He stood now and started to walk toward her, only to stop after taking two steps.

“And where might a lady as beautiful as you be heading on such a fine day?”. The question was innocent enough, as was his tone, but he had a more predatory reason for asking. His herd was low on members, and should this one return to her herd and alert them to his being here...Filtiarn might not be able to make it to the rendezvous point to meet up with Fisi in time to protect himself. ‘ Then again, maybe packs don’t war here? Perhaps packs....Herds..I need to remember they call them herds here..Perhaps they don’t start fights over being on one’s land without conversation first?’

His thoughts were interrupted by Nailah’s calm voice. “Ah I see, then am I correct to assume you are heading back to join them?”. Some of Filtiarn’s words were almost lost to the wind due to his whispering nature; now it was starting to take on a more level tone so one did not have to strain so much to hear him. “I too am heading back to my pack...ah..Herd..I’m quite new to this land so I am still trying to get familiar with the terms used here”. The distance whoops of a hyena told Filtiarn that Fisi had found something to eat, though his calls were so far off and quiet, that Filtiarn was not sure he had really heard him at all. Fisi would no doubt be finished with what ever he had caught and be sound asleep by the time Filtiarn returned from his visit here without so much as a ‘oh by the way oh powerful leader..I’ve eaten already’.

“I must say this place is much easier on the feet than the land I own...And much better smelling..”. The last of his words were a low growl, he would need to find the source of the smell I his land and remove it soon or fall ill from it.



(OOC: His character card has a few examples of his voice to listen to if someone needs to know what he sounds like.)